The gamecock. (Columbia, S.C.) 1908-2006, July 23, 2003, Page 8, Image 8
Web offers diverse comic strips
BY ELYN BLACKMAN
THE GAMECOCK
When most of us think of
comics, we think glossy $3 maga
zines produced by a handful of
publishers or the ones in the
Sunday paper. When we consid
er them that way, the art form
doesn’t seem incredibly accessi
ble for those who wish to produce
niche or specialized comics.
Of course, like many other
forms of art and representation
the World Wide Web is creating
opportunities for distribution that
never existed for small comic
artists a decade ago.
In the last several years online
comics have grown in popularity
and made a real splash in the on
line, world. The reality is that
short format comic strips are per
haps one of the most perfect ap
plications of the Internet because
they deliver entertainment in the
bite-sized pieces that we so often
demand in the information age.
Here are a few examples of such
comics that are making a mark.
www.dieselsweeties.com
This strip, created by Rich
Stevens, is a behemoth in the on
line comic world. It features some
times nonsensical hut always
apropos storylines that follow the
lives of (or at least the witty come
backs of) a unique group of char
acters. The major ones include
Maura, an ex-porn star, and her
boyfriend Clango, a robot. Other
flesh-based beings are indie-rock
Pete, who everyone loves to hate;
Lil’ Sis, Maura’s easily excitable
(you guessed it) little sister; and
metal Steve, the most pursued vir
gin in the world of loud rock.
But the characters that engage
in cellular respiration aren’t even
the most interesting of the pack.
In addition to Clango there are
several other robots such as Red
Robot #C-63 of explodingdog.com
fame as well as Menace 11, the to
ken gay character.
Some of the slightly less so
phisticated technology that plays a
role in Diesel Sweeties includes
Johnny Toaster and Uncle
Grandpa, an Apple HE that is a
distant relative of Clango.
With such an eclectic assort
ment of characters it isn’t sur
prising that the simple, pixel
based, four panel comics rarely
fail to produce a laugh.
The subject matter is rarely
significant or worldly. Sometimes
it comments on politics or popu
lar culture, but more often it
dwells in the world of the Diesel
Sweeties characters exploring
everything from their sex lives to
their bowel movements. Updates
every weekday.
www.penny-arcade.com
There isn’t a whole lot that
seems dorkier than a comic strip
that revolves around the lives of
two obsessive video game fans.
SURFYOURSELF
Explore the Web comic world by visiting
www.dieselsweeties.com
www.penny-arcade.com
www.keensport.com
www.dumbrella.com
Somehow though, this autobi
ographical strip by two real-life
gamers, Jerry Holkins and Mike
Krahulik, carries enough wit and
punch that even on the days when
the humor goes over your head,
you still find yourself coming back
for more.
Luckily, the comic doesn’t just
focus on video game commentary
and often delves into the more pro
found issues of life such as bal
ancing a relationship with a full
time video game habit, trips to the
doctor and consumer electronics.
The comic has a slick and some
times varying art style and is ac
companied by a weblog that is al
most as humorous as the comic it
self. Updates around three times
weekly.
Of course, Diesel Sweeties and
Penny Arcade are just the briefest
glimpse into the thriving online
comic community. The best place
to start is one of the major comic
hosting Web sites such as
www.keenspot.com or www.dum
brella.com, which house dozens of
the quirkiest and most talented
comic artists that you’ll never find
in the Sunday paper.
Comments on this story?E-mail
gamecockmixeditor@hotmail.com
State of the art Fitness Center
Multi-station Computer Lab
Fax and modem station linked to USC campus
Study area
Two on-site laundry facilities
Spacious 1,2, & 3 bedroom apartments
Swimming pools
Tennis courts
Catering to students
Lounge area
On-site 24hr maintenance