The Devil's Panties: Mystery and Mediocrity

Getting in to stride here, I will try to post a review T- TH just like different comics! Although I don't think I'll ever run out of webcomics to discuss, I may come back time and again to certain ones to point out the strengths and weaknesses as well as improvements, declines and advances.

Today I am posting about The Devil's Panties as seen here.

The reason for the title of the entry is mostly because this webcomic manages to baffle me in many ways. It has good art and bad writing, appreciation for readers unless they try to help. I see this creator at almost every con I go to on the eastern seaboard but don't know anyone who likes this comic. I do not understand these dichotomies. ON TO THE REVIEW! WHOOSH!

1. Writing

It's lackluster at best. I haven't even laughed one time at any of the jokes because they're just plain not funny. This is another case of an artists talent absolutely wasted. She's not the best artist I've seen but she's definitely good. It doesn't matter though because the writing doesn't make you want to stick around and find out how good because it's, well, lame. Some of it is lame because the punchline and art don't match.
Here is an example of what I mean about not matching.I guess the character was laughing? Squealing? Joyously about to sneeze? I am also confident she did this just to have 4 panels.
It's a little too boring for my taste, and not funny enough to warrant reading further.

2. Art

As boring and humorless as her writing is, her art is pretty good. I don't object to the posts of the figures she drew in class when she was in art school, as I am a big fan of charcoal renderings.
I also appreciate the black and white scale with an occasional color going on. It's creative and original. She should illustrate and someone else should write. That'd make for a GREAT comic.

3. Uh...what?

"yes I fucking know I can't spell. Do you think that it could POSSIBLY have escaped my notice after 12 YEARS of special education, resource classes, and private tutors?! because if it did then the CONSTANT reminder and LIFE LONG ridicule SURE AS HELL keeps me fucking awair!! "

So what you're saying is that everyone needs to accept that you can't spell yet you decide to pursue a livelihood by illustrating and writing a webcomic. Heaven forbid you get someone to check your work.
It was #3 that really cinched it for me. I might have spent more time on this webcomic but I was completely turned off by this immature and venomous rant. If she, Jennie Breeden, can't take the time to click on spell check or get someone to review her writing, then I can't take the time to read her webcomic, decent art or no. It would be in her best interest to take the "spelling!" rant down if she wants to get new readership and respect.


Other things that make this webcomic meh:
Many inside jokes
Situations without context
Unrelatable even if you're into 'the scene'
Mediocre writing

Final Grade? C- to D

I can't decide between C- and D because I think one of the worst things you can do besides having a terrible comic is to lash out at your fan base. It shows not only a lack of maturity but a lack of appreciation. It's pretty disgusting and unprofessional.

POSTPONE YOUR SUICIDE TILL AFTER MY NEWEST POST PLEASE!

Kate Beaton : The Godess of Webcomics

Yes, I know what you are thinking.
You are thinking "Why didn't you post about her sooner, Katie?"
Well I'll tell you:
I'm moving
I'm moving into a place an hour away.
I'm moving into a place an hour away with my boyfriend
I'm moving into a place an hour away with my boyfriend and everyone is trying to nickle and dime us/screw us over. Don't worry, in the end it shall be they who are the screws and us who are the Phillips heads of justice.
But it's cool tho cause we gots peeps to help us (humans not marshmallows...though the rush of sugar may help)!

At any rate lets get on with it!

This is her site

It's just 'katebeaton.com' as the title for now but soon it's going to be "Hark! A Vagrant!" or at least that's what she claims. Don't let us down. Don't let us down Kate. We'll be watching. Watching...you. Perhaps you'll be washing some dishes, or playing a video game, or even pooping, and you'll think you're alone; content in your own little happy world of fat ponies and Victorian carolers. It will be then at your most vulnerable that you'll catch something out of the corner of your eye: a movement of something shadowy, dark...evil even. You'll dart your eyes to the location and cry out "Who's there?!" but there will be nothing there but the echo of your own panic. That's us Kate. It's us watching you poop.

Why do I like her comics so damn much? I suppose it's the history buff in me combined with my love for all things absurd, and she's a perfect combo of these two things. Now let me "get my list on" so to speak and list the reasons why she excels at webcomictry (word? maybe!).

1. Writing

I know I've said it a billion times: The writing makes or breaks a comic.
Art can too, but to a much lesser degree. Shitty art doesn't always mean shitty comic, but a good comic with off putting art can drive you away. However, if a writer gets smart and gets someone else to draw the comic, the results can be great.

In Kate's case, the writing is what makes this comic something I come back to over and over. Her intelligence and wit are immediately appearent in nearly all her comics.
...I used the word nearly so it's still applicable.
Even her comics that don't reference any sort of historical event, period or person are still laugh-out-loud funny. She is creative and has the talent to convey that through her comics and writing, something not all artists can do.

2. Art

Her art is unique, and that's not supposed to be a euphemism for "craptacular".
It is simplistic yet detailed and her use of lines is what really brings the frames together.
One thing I want to point out that she does better than almost any other comic I've seen is emotion through expressions.

Scared: http://www.katebeaton.com/Site/More_Nonsense.html (omgshoes)
Smug: http://www.katebeaton.com/Site/History_Project_2.html (at least a nice hairdo is named after you)
Imploring: http://www.katebeaton.com/Site/History_Project.html (Not again, Margaret)

And there are many other complicated expressions that she accurately portrays through her simple line art.

3. Talent

She's funny.

I mean what else can you say? When you have all of those things, it makes for a great comic.

Check it out if you haven't already.

Other things that make this webcomic great:
Intelligence
Tongue in Cheek humor
Absurdity
Historical Accuracy

Final Grade? A for Awesome.

WORD TO YO MOMS.

K DAWG OUT