| The Tom and Shaenon TRUNKTOWN CREATION LOG ARCHIVE |
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Monday, September 30, 2002 Enthusiastic and not sly. Got it. This is good. You're the driver. Does she look sly? I kind of thought she just looked sedately happy. Posted by Tom @ 05:34 PM EST |
So much to reply to... The latest strip looks good, except that in the last panel Vernielle should look enthusiastic rather than sly. Unless you like it better this way... The rest is great! I really like the way Vernielle is working out, both in the artwork and as a character. She's a good addition. I need to come up with a title for the storyline AND titles for the individual strips. I will email these to you. Yes on the war angle! I think the various storylines are definitely starting to take shape. Okay, good. I can write some stuff with the king going through the city on his elephant, to come after the week of climbing onto the elephant, of course. I never thought I'd be writing a politically-minded strip, but damn if current events aren't making this eerily easy to write. Chomsky in 2004! Posted by Shaenon @ 11:56 AM EST |
I really want to play up the iraqi war angle if possible, too. The king on his elephant, slowly walking through the crowds: "We're going to invade cardboard flats- you with us?" (Man nods) "good man." "Show us your trunk." "Alright." I like the idea of a one-on-one "Show us your trunk." This may be totally dumb, of course. But I would like to stir the tides of war the same way we are seeing now. Remind me to write me senators, ok? PS- the cover of foundmag is so great this week (it's been up since 9/8 i think. It IS trunktown!) Sorry about the lack of caps.
t Posted by Tom @ 11:03 AM EST Sunday, September 29, 2002 Hi Again Shaenon- Somethings we'll need from you:
A title (see strip #2) We've got so much swimming around in this story line! I hope we see Baldy again! And Fen (What is he up to!?) And Hutch, and golly just everyone... T Posted by Tom @ 06:02 PM EST |
Ok guess what- I just renumbered every strip, so now things are more orderly but not what you expect. Take a look and read through it. I really like it so far! Posted by Tom @ 02:52 PM EST |
Oh man these are the worst. I sent you the new one. Jeez. Your roughs are funnier than my finishes. I tried a lot of wrong headed things on this one too- I lettered it by hand and hated it, so then stripped in again all the lettering on the computer which is what I have been preferring. It just looked wrong hand lettered. But the main issue is I never have any idea how big to make the balloons. I ALWAYS make them too big. The other thing is I tried drawing on this graph paper- don't ask why, but now this final version is all SCHMUTZIK. Tell me it doesn't suck. Thanks! Also, I'm going to try to number according to your numbering- I don't know why I got so mixed up. I'm going to start uploading a few to the Serializer.net system soon- we have to make sure I don't load any up there that isn't already slated for a particular destination in the story. We'll have to coordinate. I'm hoping to draw a few outstanding ones this weekend.
Posted by Tom @ 01:04 PM EST Friday, September 27, 2002 I'm liking the way you draw Vernielle. Do not freak over it - the characters' looks will change anyway as the strip develops. It's all part of the magic of comic strips. Yes, Faustine is getting better. I now definitely like the straight hair. Yeah, I know what you mean about the closeups. I draw the same way, and I can't figure out how other cartoonists manage to get full figures into those panels. It might be easier for you if the panels were taller, but I have really tall panels and I still end up drawing just head shots most of the time, so maybe not. Posted by Shaenon @ 12:09 PM EST |
Ok there's a #20 up there. Guess what? I don't like this one either. Still getting used to Vernielle. Sometimes I think my characters are too large, and I should pull back like Segar- he uses full characters in every panel. Damn. Anyway. Faustine is getting better though... Posted by Tom @ 12:01 AM EST Wednesday, September 25, 2002 I never learn this stuff ahead of time, either. Joey's been talking about getting her, but only last week did we get any kind of confirmation. But I am happy, for she is here. Okay, I have an idea for the insult strip. I need to think of really clever Blackadder-type insults, though. If you have any ideas, send 'em over. Because my brain is so small that, if a hungry cannibal were to crack open my skull, he would barely find enough to spread on a cracker. Posted by Shaenon @ 02:56 PM EST Tuesday, September 24, 2002 Hee hee! I can't believe Timothy wrote you about that! yeah I was really griping! Anyway... I think my problem with the strip is just some simple aesthetics and readability issues. Swapping some colors and stuff will help. I'm not insisting on insults, by the way. They just charm me. It seems to make sense that occassionally the king's loftyness and self-obsession would fall enough now and then to allow him the outward attention it takes to insult those below him. But REALLY- don't let me dictate. I just want a mean Black Adder joke somewhere, and I may be pushing in the wrong directions. You can always tell me to get stuffed and do it my own project somewhere. How come no one tells me anything about this Modern Tales stuff? I just gleaned a hint of the lady thing in some random email.
Posted by Tom @ 01:59 PM EST |
Timothy Weber says you were kvetching about the six-panel strip. Yeah, we can make it count for two days, definitely. See, now it actually *saves* you time! Okay, so what don't you like? I'm very pleased with it! Vernielle looks fantastic, especially her expression in the last panel. I think the overbite was a good choice, and the outfit looks loverly. Go away from the strip and look at it again in a bit, and maybe you'll get a clearer impression of what's bothering you. Ah, the Blackadder humor. But in the King-Frick relationship, who should insult whom? This is a situation as sticky as the time Sticky the Stick Insect got stuck on a sticky bun. I need a cunning plan. I just want to add that I am psyched out of my mind about Serializer. You have an amazing lineup for this. With this and the new Lady Artiste at Modern Tales, I am going to be in permanent fangirl catatonia. Posted by Shaenon @ 01:31 PM EST |
Ok as artist, non-salaried employee of trunktown and editor of serializer, I am making the executive decision that if we do big strips like this it can count as two days. There I feel better now.
Posted by Tom @ 10:32 AM EST |
OK there's an 18 up in our secret location there now. Hey I don't want to do any more 6 panel strips unless those extra 2 panels really are sliced out of our current framework. I just don't have the time to draw that many full size panels! But I like this mostly.- I think I need to change the color in one of the panels to make it nicer. Maybe I should shrink the whole thing. Heck I don't know. Do you like it? The more I look at it the more I don't like it. What did I do wrong? Anyway, hey when you do the getting on the elephant strips, will you throw in one with a flat out insult? Black Adder like- I just want to try it. Ok see you! T Posted by Tom @ 01:18 AM EST Monday, September 23, 2002 Ha! These are adorable! She looks good! Yeah, I don't know why I gave her an overbite. She just came out that way. The sweater looks good. Nice photo reference for the blunderbuss, by the way. Posted by Shaenon @ 12:18 PM EST |
Had a great time at Ithacon- we sold some things, and I managed to get most the roughing out I needed to at the table. I hit on two sketches of Vernielle I really like, here: http://www.tomhart.net/trunktown/images/vernielle_trunk.jpg and here: She's been fun cause I've been taking most of my visual cues from you, enhancing what I saw in your roughs, such as the slight overbite and the hair. I let some things change over time, hopefully it's ok; for instance, what was a jacket and zipper became a sweater and necklace. Hope you don't mind. That's it. Hope to get drawing finals soon. Too busy with too much right now. --Tom Posted by Tom @ 10:11 AM EST Friday, September 20, 2002 Yeah no sweat- we're good for a while. These strips will keep me busy for a week- wait I was ALREADY busy ALL next week. Damn. Ok. I CAN'T WAIT to see that Miyazaki movie!!!!!!!!
Posted by Tom @ 12:30 PM EST |
Oh, good! Whew! Glad you liked 'em! I'll try to get some more in this weekend. I need some more Vernielle, and the king and the elephant. And the king needs to go riding through the town, and Frick needs to run into Hutch and Oswald... I just realized that we now have a very busy strip! I like that! I also need to get some stuff done on Narbonic, though, which is probably what I'll do on Saturday. Tonight I'm going to see the new Miyazaki anime, "Spirited Away," at the Kabuki Theater. I saw it in February at the SF Film Festival... it is soooooo good. Plus, I seem to have conquered the dread virus. I'm still kind of wobbly, but the urge to curl up in a ball on the floor and wait for death has passed. Posted by Shaenon @ 12:13 PM EST |
Shaenon you absolute darling! This is the batch! You have made this strip your own! Love them all, especially the first pic of of Vernielle- great cartooning there- love 19, love 20, oh my god I love them all. You are a GEEEENUS! This has got to be appaling to anyone reading this. Shaenon K. Garrity: SUPER GENIUS!!!! Thanks! Posted by Tom @ 10:22 AM EST Thursday, September 19, 2002 Strips are fine. I'm just tired of being sick! I don't get sick often. It's very annoying. Posted by Shaenon @ 06:49 PM EST |
Oh she's the best! Ok kill the virus and don't worry about the strips! I'm just excitable! I'll be at ITHACON this weekend! T
Posted by Tom @ 02:32 PM EST |
Tom- I'll send them tonight. I've been delayed for two reasons: 1. I am SICK AS A DOG with some hateful Shaenon-eating virus. I probably shouldn't be at work, but I'm here anyway, waiting for the day to end so I can drag my disease-riddled corpse back to bed. This has lowered my productivity as a cartoonist. 2. Last night I shirked my duties to go out to Haight for a booksigning with Lynda Barry! I admit I dropped your name - actually Andrew did, but it amounted to the same thing. She mentioned that you took her class, and said, "I want to take *his* class." And she signed and chop-marked my copies of "One Hundred Demons," "The! Greatest! Of! Marlys!" and "Naked Ladies Naked Ladies Naked Ladies!" Oh, she is wonderful. I just hope I didn't give her my horrible disease. Anyhow, I'll get some more written at lunch today, and send it over tonight. Introduction of Vernielle. Maybe I can get some king-and-elephant strips in, too. Posted by Shaenon @ 12:20 PM EST Wednesday, September 18, 2002 So Shaenon- When do I get to see those strips? T Posted by Tom @ 09:59 PM EST |
Posted by Shaenon @ 12:11 PM EST Tuesday, September 17, 2002 We'll figure it out. I'm a dork for insisting on a square format anyway.
Posted by Tom @ 06:22 PM EST |
Yeah, I'm sketching her nebbishy. She looks kind of like me anyway. But short. I just realized I forgot to draw her short in the strips I'm sketching. But you know what to do. Cut her off at the knees. One of the strips is six panels long, like a Popeye. Is that okay? Posted by Shaenon @ 05:43 PM EST |
Score! Ok I love it! You're in the driver's seat now! She's all yours. Can't wait to draw some uniforms too! I get the feeling she should be kinda clunky. Like, nebbishy or the female equivient...
Posted by Tom @ 03:02 PM EST |
Yes, of course! We WANTED someone who liked the king! Okay, I like the idea of Vernielle being a Big Daddy fangirl. And possibly also selling star maps. That would give her an excuse to talk to Faustine. Hahahahaha yes! Thank you! I kinda like the royal guard idea too, though. Maybe we can use that in a later storyline. It would be funny, plus I love a woman in uniform. Posted by Shaenon @ 11:58 AM EST Monday, September 16, 2002 Just following her is funny! But could be cloying and too "crazy" and not really crazy- you know? Who has the upper hand in their relationship? I don't know much about Vernielle yet. If her character is inherently funny, then merely introducing her in character is funny. You could probably do a week of the king getting on his elephant. In fact, I'm sure of it. Humor is our texture. Texture is better than drama! The two together (humor and drama: trying for a week to get on his elephant) is even better! Always think- how can I get a WEEK out of this?
Vernielle is selling Fen costumes. Royal goodness is up to you. It's a throwaway in the midst of hopefully better material! (Ay there's the rub!) Tom Posted by Tom @ 08:55 PM EST |
So my current question is: what's the best way to introduce Vernielle? I have the image of her just falling into line behind Faustine as she's marching angrily along the street, looking for her stolen trunk. But how to make it FUNNY - ay, there's the rub... And meanwhile the king is out on his elephant. You want I should use the "royal goodness" line here? I am thinking so. "Royal" is a funny adjective for some reason. Posted by Shaenon @ 07:46 PM EST Friday, September 13, 2002 Shaenon-PS- don't worry about taking on a theme or idea even if I suggest that I am overly comfortable with it. The important thing is if you want to do it and can make it funny! Posted by Tom @ 10:59 AM EST Thursday, September 12, 2002 Yes to Frick hating Hutch! And yes to mystery- lots of mystery. Fen in mystery. Ok, off to draw other things now... Posted by Tom @ 11:33 PM EST |
Tom- I think that's just something about Hutch's character: powerful people like having him around, possibly because he doesn't like them. And, of course, the one sure way to upset Hutch is to suggest that he's useful to the Powers That Be. But, yeah - I hadn't realized until you said it that so many Hutch Owen stories involve this plot device. I'll back off that. I do think the king will generally like Hutch, though. Frick will hate him. And, yes, it is crucial that there be NO ROMANTIC SUBTEXT! Except for Baldy's infatuation with Faustine, which I wasn't sure about at first but which I now think will be both useful and amusing. Plus it gives Baldy another reason to interact with the other characters, when he's not doing his job. I don't know why Hutch isn't in Cardboard Flats. Fen stays there a lot. What's going on there? What's in Cardboard Flats? This will remain a mystery for now. Posted by Shaenon @ 07:24 PM EST |
Yeah yeah! And meanwhile while Hutch and Faustine are the only ones resisting the king, there is NO love interest - or mutual hate like in Moonlighting (is that too early 80s for you to have seen?) but Baldy meanwhile is trying to get with Fausty and something bumbles and gets him right in the middle of some sort of scheme that Hutch and F have been , well... scheming. Maybe. By the way "FREQUENTLY enslaves the populace" is the right thinking here! "Cardboard Flats" is cool. It sounds like the town Hutch SHOULD be in. Why isn't he? What contempt does he have for a place that seems to have his name written all over it? Is it the thrill of the fight? Is there a king of Cardboard Flats? By the way, I looked again at the strips we've gotten together and I really like them. It'd been a while, but looking at them cold I think we're on some good tracks. The Carboard Fault Line Regarding "taking a shine to Hutch"- this seems to be a theme that comes up a lot recently in my Hutch stories. I don't know how sucessful it is, but it does happen. In fact, in the last three Hutch stories, Public Relations included, the "establishment" uses Hutch to some degree for their purposes, while Hutch to varying degrees of success (usually slight at best) attmepts to subvert the relationship. I'm kind of tired of the theme but you may not be so if you write it, I'll draw it. I just may not be too inspired too offer witty related ideas... T Posted by Tom @ 04:00 PM EST |
Excellent! Tom, you rule! (I think the greatest danger of this mutant blog project is that visitors will be constantly vomiting from the mutual love-fest. But I can't help it, people: Tom Hart is one of my all-time heroes! I swear, I'm innocent!) Andrew immediately pointed out "The king thinks he is dying" as a killer idea. I like it, too. We could even combine it with the pyramids idea. The king could force everyone to build a pyramid as a final monument to his glory. I think it would be funny if the king frequently enslaves the entire populace in the service of his insane plans, and only Hutch (and Faustine, who hates him anyway) sees anything wrong or odd about toiling away on some bizarre royal project. Also, the king getting his war on against the neighboring town (Cardboard Flats?) should be a recurring plot device. "Frick's family" is the one that made me laugh. I have to work that into a story at some point. Ben Hur scene. Oh yes. Oh yes indeed. And the target practice... it might be funny if the king routinely took a shine to Hutch, much to Hutch's disgust and dismay. Great "Public Relations" today, by the way. I started laughing like a loon when Hutch advised the woman to talk to his agent. I don't even know why it struck me as so funny, but it did. Posted by Shaenon @ 03:44 PM EST |
Ooh- it worked. Shaenon- be sure to check the archives! Posted by Tom @ 10:31 AM EST |
Shouldn't these posts be scrolling off by now? Or is it a 24 hour thing? Posted by Tom @ 10:28 AM EST Wednesday, September 11, 2002 Shaenon- Whatever you want to do is right for Trunktown! Steal where needed! Literate where needed! We excise what doesn't work AFTER it flops! Haha. Don't forgo the gym for drawing unless you really want to. I haven't been in about 2 weeks and I feel like the Tin Man. What a dope.
Ok here's that list of random ideas I have been mentioning: Remember: the more subplots the better! Viva la luna! I don't think I can draw Black Adder Costumes. Well not #3 anyway. Posted by Tom @ 08:03 PM EST |
Tom - Blackadder will be hard to draw from for Trunktown. We just don't have anything like the central Blackadder dynamic in the cast. However (haha!), I have brought a tape of episodes from home to watch at my leisure, so perhaps inspiration will come. What I'd love to steal is that general style of painfully literate wit... but maybe that's not right for Trunktown, either. Okay, so we just steal the costumes. I think Vernielle will be a nice addition to the cast. Give Faustine someone to talk to, for one thing. I'll write some stuff. I was going to go to the gym after work today, but methinks I will go straight home instead and get some work done on this and Narbonic. Man, is it a load off my shoulders to have my cousin's wedding over with. I feel like my creative energy is back and I can do some cool stuff again. (I have the most totally fun storyline in the works for Narbonic. It will take place on the MOON!) - Shaenon Posted by Shaenon @ 07:24 PM EST |
So Shaenon- where are we with Vernielle and the elephants and that Black Adder riff?
No worries, just feel like we should talk about the comic on this thing.
T Posted by Tom @ 05:31 PM EST |
Shaenon- I think this is going to work well. I'll post again shortly, hopefully when the real and pretty site is up. I think this is a good idea. I swear , I am so much about gaining readership these days that I'll try anything. But in the meantime, there come ideas that are actually good ideas, like collaborating with you, and now maybe letting everyone in the discussion a bit. My inclinations are to be private about those things (and pure- no one watched Segar in real time) but I think the shift to interactivity and participatory audiences might be one worth playing with. It will at least be fun, though that pang again: it will be at the expense of a "pure" work of art, or something. Duh. Join the 21st century. Anyway I'll elaborate later. PS- have you seen these things and how they work? For instance, commenting and all that. My inclination is to just have a link to a message board. Also, when this is up and running, that's when I'll send out the press release (or maybe after a few weeks) cause that's a good selling point too.
PS- I wonder if we should get in the habit of addressing each other (as above) in the first line to make it easier to read. Or am I being too last millenium? Posted by Tom @ 04:31 PM EST |
The Pittsburgh trip went pretty well. The secret to how I updated Narbonic (dramatic pause) - I didn't! I just told everyone to read it on Modern Tales, bwahahahaha. Then it turned out that I'd put a typo in the link to MT (this is what we get for failing to check our links, class) and I had to deal with annoyed emails from people who hadn't been able to use the link. Boo me. Andrew has NOT drawn anything for Nick Magazine, although he contacted the editor guy for specifications and tracked down a copy of the magazine so he'd know what to draw. He's working on a couple of other comics, too, but would probably kill me if I gave away crucial details. Posted by Shaenon @ 03:50 PM EST |
This thing is frickin' cool. I'm going to have sooo much fun with this. Posted by Shaenon @ 03:45 PM EST |
Hey Shaenon- Just to test. Are you having a good Sept 11? Has Andrew done his Nick strip yet? (I feel like some of the recent ones I saw in the magazine were lackluster.) I'm going to try to get this live on the real site by tonight, but doubtful before you leave work today. How did you update Narbonic from Pittsburgh? We're shooting for October 15 to launch Serializer, so there's even a bit more time. Ok Bye. PS- I have no idea what "karma voting" is but I'm disabling it across the board. Posted by Tom @ 02:00 PM EST |
Hey Shaenon- take a look Posted by Alice @ 11:32 AM EST |
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