Im loving this story but a part of me cant wait to get back to the regular every day antics of Tom and Co.
But still can’t wait for friday!
and talking about friday not really anything coming to my theatre that i want to see.
probably go to Street Fighter cuz of a fan of the games. but i know it will probably suck.
Your thoughts tom?
I can appreciate that, Kit. The pacing of these longer arcs is a little better suited to daily comics. I’m ready to start doing gag-a-day stuff again soon.
I’ve seen a couple of clips from Street Fighter and I can tell you the fight choreography is terrible. Wire-fu is nakedly evident and the actors they’ve hired don’t look like they have any fighting experience.
If the movie has “Fighter” in the title, then what’s on screen should probably live up to that promise, don’t you think? Besides, it’ll never be as cheese-tastic as the Raul Julia/Jean-Claude Van Damme version!
I haven’t seen Man on Wire yet, but ever sense I saw a trailer online, it’s kinda been tugging at me. As an independent filmmaker myself, it definitely seems like one that I shouldn’t let pass off my radar.
I think I know what’s coming from Charlie… I’m picking up on your signals in these cliffhanger panels pretty well, at least, I think! hah. Won’t find out til Friday. Also, now that I’ve made my first post, I have a feeling I’ll be hanging around the comments section more often. Of the small handful of webcomics I read, your blog is the one I enjoy reading the most. So that naturally leads to me wanting to participate! Thanks for adding the comments section on the new site.
Oh and one last thing. Although the story arc has been a little long, and you were nervous to start one, I have to compliment you on your dramatic story telling. You’re doing great developing the characters, moving it along, and dishing it out in 4 panel spurts really well. The mini-cliffhangers are great too… hmm, that sounds like a familiar format. You ever consider writing for television? 😉
Ha! My wife and I have the same netflix arrangement and we’ve really enjoyed using netflix (aside from the handful of times we’ve gotten broken discs in the mail).I’ve been enjoying the storyline it’s really adding a lot of depth to Jimmy and Charlie… I know that was the point but I just wanted to echo that from my perspective it’s working.
I saw “Man on Wire” a few months ago and really enjoyed it. I will probably join my very short list of documentaries I would like to own. I’m also very surprised that no one has made a fictionalized version of this story yet. However, Petit’s feat took place before the towers were entirely completed – in the film they speak of only being able to go up the elevator to a certain floor because it was the last one completed. There was still construction going on in the upper floors.
Loving this little arc about Jimmy and Charlie. Can’t wait to see how it plays out.
I have a suspicion that I know what Charlie is going to do (since I know someone who did this…), but we shall see. You’ve switched some things up before.
I’ll probably watch Man on Wire now. I mean, with an Academy Award, how bad can it be?
Don’t answer that.
I have to say though, I miss the old comics where you joked about movies. i don’t like this un-humorus (probably not a word but oh well) story line. I was hoping you’d do a strip on the Oscars or something. Bring Tom back!
Just remember those two hours you spend watching Henry Poole is Here are two hours that you’ll never get back and you’ll try to forget for at least a week. (Actually I’ve never seen the movie, but Luke Wilson seems stale at this point in his career, I guess maybe he can surprise and pull something out of his or his brother’s rump, but seeing as how I’ve never heard of that movie, I’m guessing not).
I dunno Tom, after reading years and years of you just making jokes about movies, seeing these storyline based comics just, quite honestly, don’t work for me. I totally understand your yearning to tell stories other than just thrice-weekly Shia LeBouf jokes, have you thought about starting a new comic with a focus on story? It’s just weird to see you taking characters based on real people, then making up side characters that have somewhat cliched backstories and attempting to add depth to something that doesn’t really need it.
It kind of reminds me of the Star Wars prequels, when despite there being an extended universe, everyone seemed to know each other. Of COURSE Yoda knew Chewbacca. They went on beer runs together.
I really think you should consider starting a second comic which lets you run wild with story. It just comes off so weird here. And it’s not really your fault – the characters were initially designed as a way for you to spout off about films, so suddenly trying to give them back-stories when they were never designed for it would make it awkward no matter what.
Anyway, just a thought. I just would have rather seen your thoughts on Oscar week in comic form is all.
Fair enough. I don’t expect the longer story lines to be a hit with everyone. But at the same time, this isn’t the first time I’ve attempted something like this and people have generally responded well to them in the past (Jimmy losing his job, Charlie’s introduction, Jared vs. The Benbots, Jared transitioning from Affleck to LaBeouf)
I think, for me, it’s about exercising a different set of muscles every once in a while — if for no other reason than to prove to myself that I can do it. That doesn’t mean longer story lines with intertwining character histories will become the norm. It’s really only a matter of time before I go back to doing movie commentary.
As for the Oscars; There is so much competing noise on the internet already, I’d only be echoing what others have said. And since January and February is notoriously dead in theaters, this is the best time to do a longer story. I mean, really, do you want me making jokes about The Jonas Brothers Movie in 3D?
I’ve thought about doing a second comic, but not one that I would do at the same time as Theater Hopper. I just don’t have the time. I’d have to hang up Theater Hopper completely, which I don’t want to do just yet. If anything, I’d probably do a journal comic, or something — since my life seems to be pretty weird on a day-to-day basis.
I feel like I’m borderline shutting down your opinions. I don’t want to do that. I appreciate the criticism, honestly. I just wanted to be thoughtful and thorough with my reply.
I think that’s a very fair answer, I hope you don’t think I was trying to insult you or anything.
I mean, you can’t please anyone, that’s what being an artist is all about. I guess I just think your longer storylines would have more punch with different characters, that’s all. And I completely understand the urge to stretch different muscles – I was just stating that a different venue would do you more good I think. And not even a constantly updating comic – chainsawsuit updates whenever. I think you have a large enough audience that they’d want to read it whenever it’s updated.
I just wanted to throw that idea of a different comic to do story stuff and I understand why you’re doing what you’re doing.
Anyway, I think your response was fair and measured and I appreciate that. I hope you just saw where I was coming from and not complaining for the sake of complaining.
It wouldn’t be fair of me to comment on my own story lines, express certain insecurities and tacitly seek out re-enforcement if I flew off the handle whenever someone came along and say “You know, I’m just not feelin’ it.”
I thought your criticisms were fair as was your suggestion for a second comic. Truthfully, I wish I had the bandwidth in my personal life to do it! 🙂
But, yeah. I’ve always been of the opinion that one can learn more from constructive criticism than effusive praise or damning condemnation. You provided valuable feedback and that’s exactly the kind of environment I want to establish within the comments area.
Im loving this story but a part of me cant wait to get back to the regular every day antics of Tom and Co.
But still can’t wait for friday!
and talking about friday not really anything coming to my theatre that i want to see.
probably go to Street Fighter cuz of a fan of the games. but i know it will probably suck.
Your thoughts tom?
I can appreciate that, Kit. The pacing of these longer arcs is a little better suited to daily comics. I’m ready to start doing gag-a-day stuff again soon.
I’ve seen a couple of clips from Street Fighter and I can tell you the fight choreography is terrible. Wire-fu is nakedly evident and the actors they’ve hired don’t look like they have any fighting experience.
If the movie has “Fighter” in the title, then what’s on screen should probably live up to that promise, don’t you think? Besides, it’ll never be as cheese-tastic as the Raul Julia/Jean-Claude Van Damme version!
I haven’t seen Man on Wire yet, but ever sense I saw a trailer online, it’s kinda been tugging at me. As an independent filmmaker myself, it definitely seems like one that I shouldn’t let pass off my radar.
I think I know what’s coming from Charlie… I’m picking up on your signals in these cliffhanger panels pretty well, at least, I think! hah. Won’t find out til Friday. Also, now that I’ve made my first post, I have a feeling I’ll be hanging around the comments section more often. Of the small handful of webcomics I read, your blog is the one I enjoy reading the most. So that naturally leads to me wanting to participate! Thanks for adding the comments section on the new site.
Oh and one last thing. Although the story arc has been a little long, and you were nervous to start one, I have to compliment you on your dramatic story telling. You’re doing great developing the characters, moving it along, and dishing it out in 4 panel spurts really well. The mini-cliffhangers are great too… hmm, that sounds like a familiar format. You ever consider writing for television? 😉
Ha! My wife and I have the same netflix arrangement and we’ve really enjoyed using netflix (aside from the handful of times we’ve gotten broken discs in the mail).I’ve been enjoying the storyline it’s really adding a lot of depth to Jimmy and Charlie… I know that was the point but I just wanted to echo that from my perspective it’s working.
I saw “Man on Wire” a few months ago and really enjoyed it. I will probably join my very short list of documentaries I would like to own. I’m also very surprised that no one has made a fictionalized version of this story yet. However, Petit’s feat took place before the towers were entirely completed – in the film they speak of only being able to go up the elevator to a certain floor because it was the last one completed. There was still construction going on in the upper floors.
Loving this little arc about Jimmy and Charlie. Can’t wait to see how it plays out.
I’m enjoying the story line. And Man on Wire was fantastic! I saw it on Friday, and now I want to learn to walk on the highwire myself.
Man on Wire was playing in the theater down the block from my dorm, and I never got around to seeing it. Been bugging me ever since, that.
I recently got Star Trek II on Netflix…it was great! Mr. Montalban was crazy good.
I have a suspicion that I know what Charlie is going to do (since I know someone who did this…), but we shall see. You’ve switched some things up before.
I’ll probably watch Man on Wire now. I mean, with an Academy Award, how bad can it be?
Don’t answer that.
I have to say though, I miss the old comics where you joked about movies. i don’t like this un-humorus (probably not a word but oh well) story line. I was hoping you’d do a strip on the Oscars or something. Bring Tom back!
Don’t worry. This isn’t a permanent change. We’ll be back to goofing off again soon!
Just remember those two hours you spend watching Henry Poole is Here are two hours that you’ll never get back and you’ll try to forget for at least a week. (Actually I’ve never seen the movie, but Luke Wilson seems stale at this point in his career, I guess maybe he can surprise and pull something out of his or his brother’s rump, but seeing as how I’ve never heard of that movie, I’m guessing not).
I dunno Tom, after reading years and years of you just making jokes about movies, seeing these storyline based comics just, quite honestly, don’t work for me. I totally understand your yearning to tell stories other than just thrice-weekly Shia LeBouf jokes, have you thought about starting a new comic with a focus on story? It’s just weird to see you taking characters based on real people, then making up side characters that have somewhat cliched backstories and attempting to add depth to something that doesn’t really need it.
It kind of reminds me of the Star Wars prequels, when despite there being an extended universe, everyone seemed to know each other. Of COURSE Yoda knew Chewbacca. They went on beer runs together.
I really think you should consider starting a second comic which lets you run wild with story. It just comes off so weird here. And it’s not really your fault – the characters were initially designed as a way for you to spout off about films, so suddenly trying to give them back-stories when they were never designed for it would make it awkward no matter what.
Anyway, just a thought. I just would have rather seen your thoughts on Oscar week in comic form is all.
Lonnie,
Fair enough. I don’t expect the longer story lines to be a hit with everyone. But at the same time, this isn’t the first time I’ve attempted something like this and people have generally responded well to them in the past (Jimmy losing his job, Charlie’s introduction, Jared vs. The Benbots, Jared transitioning from Affleck to LaBeouf)
I think, for me, it’s about exercising a different set of muscles every once in a while — if for no other reason than to prove to myself that I can do it. That doesn’t mean longer story lines with intertwining character histories will become the norm. It’s really only a matter of time before I go back to doing movie commentary.
As for the Oscars; There is so much competing noise on the internet already, I’d only be echoing what others have said. And since January and February is notoriously dead in theaters, this is the best time to do a longer story. I mean, really, do you want me making jokes about The Jonas Brothers Movie in 3D?
I’ve thought about doing a second comic, but not one that I would do at the same time as Theater Hopper. I just don’t have the time. I’d have to hang up Theater Hopper completely, which I don’t want to do just yet. If anything, I’d probably do a journal comic, or something — since my life seems to be pretty weird on a day-to-day basis.
I feel like I’m borderline shutting down your opinions. I don’t want to do that. I appreciate the criticism, honestly. I just wanted to be thoughtful and thorough with my reply.
I know it’s cliched to say “the suspense is killing me!”, but it’s true. You’ve definitely done a great job of sustaining the suspense.
I think that’s a very fair answer, I hope you don’t think I was trying to insult you or anything.
I mean, you can’t please anyone, that’s what being an artist is all about. I guess I just think your longer storylines would have more punch with different characters, that’s all. And I completely understand the urge to stretch different muscles – I was just stating that a different venue would do you more good I think. And not even a constantly updating comic – chainsawsuit updates whenever. I think you have a large enough audience that they’d want to read it whenever it’s updated.
I just wanted to throw that idea of a different comic to do story stuff and I understand why you’re doing what you’re doing.
Anyway, I think your response was fair and measured and I appreciate that. I hope you just saw where I was coming from and not complaining for the sake of complaining.
Lonnie,
It wouldn’t be fair of me to comment on my own story lines, express certain insecurities and tacitly seek out re-enforcement if I flew off the handle whenever someone came along and say “You know, I’m just not feelin’ it.”
I thought your criticisms were fair as was your suggestion for a second comic. Truthfully, I wish I had the bandwidth in my personal life to do it! 🙂
But, yeah. I’ve always been of the opinion that one can learn more from constructive criticism than effusive praise or damning condemnation. You provided valuable feedback and that’s exactly the kind of environment I want to establish within the comments area.
So thank you!