El Goonish Shive

This week I'm reviewing 'El Goonish Shive', by Dan Shive (more often than not just referred to as 'EGS'), for a couple of reasons. One, to explain the name of this blog. And two, because EGS is one of my favorites. I mean, some web comics I'll forget about for a week or two, and then go back through the archive. Or just not go back at all. But EGS is one of those comics I'm never going to forget about and/or give up on. Not until, perish the thought, the creator dies or gives up on EGS himself. I see neither happening for a while yet.

I'm going to start off by saying that you'll probably get more out of EGS if you are an anime fan, or at least enjoy it on some level, as there are many anime-like aspects o the comic. Such as a character with purple hair, "energy fights", etc.

The only fault I can really find with EGS is that because of the aforementioned elements, it might not appeal to as broad a range of readers as possible. Other than that, nothing really comes to mind. Although, in the past, there have been issues with the comic updating on time, but the comic has either had a stretch of punctual posting, or has reached the end of a tardy update phase, depending on how you look at it.

The story gets a bit complicated at some points, but the author makes it easy for new readers (or old readers who simply can't remember that far back) by skillfully reviewing important aspects in the more recent comics, or with footnotes. And short of that, you could just re-read to jog your memory, with most pages being just as enjoyable the second time around. I would try to give you a general idea of what the comic's like, but there are just so many things I would know where to begin.

And there a great many deal of pages to go through in the archive. The comic's been around since '02, and for a good stretch at the beginning of the comic's life, Mr. Shive had a strip or filler image up seven days a week. That gradually tapered off, however, and the schedule is now Monday-Wednesday-Friday.

Now, what this comic has to do with this blog's name (though I forgot, didn't you?). In one of the high schools of Moperville (that's the town that most of the comic takes place in) there is a poster that says 'Read or the owl will eat you.' So I guess I thought, like, although the poster is just referring to reading in general, I could consider the blog an owl that's telling you what to read. Or else it will eat you. Or something.

I know this review is a little shorter than my last, and it feels like it's lacking. I'm not sure why that is, exactly, but I think it may have to do with the fact that I've been a fan of this web comic so long it makes it hard for me to write an objective review.

Anyway, here's hoping next week is better!

Oh, and the link, of course:
El Goonish Shive


Cheers,
-Celsius


P.S.: This comic deals with things some people might be a little uncomfortable reading about. Or not. Namely, some characters dealing with their sexuality. Just thought I'd make a note.

I've decided on a day!

I'll be posting reviews every week on Thursday or Friday. Sometime over the weekend if I can't make either of those days for some reason. And... that's all.

-Celsius

Dresden Codak

For my first review, I'm going to focus on a web comic with some of the best art I've seen. Easily in my Top Three Best Drawn Web Comics. It's Dresden Codak, by one Aaron S. Diaz.

Although having a currently ongoing story arc, most of the archive of DC consists of one or two shot deals (an exception being the reoccurring characters "Rupert and Hubert"). Among other things, the pages incorporate Transhumanist and futuristic ideas and technology. Other than that, all you might really need to know is that the arc I mentioned is called "Hob". And on to the review!

I'm going to start with the few things that could be considered faults of this comic. Why? Because I want to be able to write at least semi-objective reviews, and not fanboy-ish love blobs of text. And I figure that forcing myself to start with the faults will help me do that.

Anyway, back to the review. The biggest thing hurting DC is a sporadic update schedule. It was like that even when the creator had a "day job". After the main comic became his "job", the schedule was supposed to be once a week, if I remember correctly. As it is, only one or two comics appear every month. Don't get me wrong; those one or two comics a month are always drawn to the best of his significant ability, and those who are already loyal fans don't mind waiting for each new installment. But to newer, or more casual readers, an unpredictable schedule may be a turn off. This is what kills a lot of promising web comics.

The second thing may or not be that big of an issue, depending on the individual reader. That being the sometimes complicated scientific ideas and concepts incorporated into some of the pages, and the commentary on said ideas. I know that I, for one, find the science going over my head on occasion. But don't let this daunt you-- even if you don't always fully grasp the science present in every page, you always will find something to like about every page. The humor, for example, which always shines through the science which you may or may not always get.

But this could also be considered a strong point; that it might make you go learn about something new. That's always a good thing, isn't it?

To reiterate the strong points of DC: this comic has some of the best art out there, will draw you in (sometimes by the sheer oddity of what is going on in a given page), and although this last one is not a very objective statement, is just a plain neat comic.

And I'll stop there. If you wish to check Dresden Codak out (and I suggest you do), you can find it at:
www.dresdencodak.com


If anyone has a web comic they would like to suggest for me to review, please just send me an e-mail at: i.am.ozymandias@live.com with the subject 'Review Suggestion'. Or just put it in a comment.

Until next time,
-Celsius

Greetings, Salutations, and Introductions

Welcome to the blog. At this point, you may be wondering "Where am I? What is this? Who are you? Who am I?" Well, I can answer all but the last question. You need a therapist for that one.

By recommendation or wanderlust of the web, you have found yourself at The Owl, a blog that will review web comics in hopes of bringing attention to those superb web comics that deserve attention. Because no matter how many readers a web comic has, more is always better. And what's more, the more fans a comic has, the more the individual(s) involved will work on both the comic and their art.

Oh, and although the main focus will be web comics, I'll more than likely post some reviews on Flash animations and Flash games.

As for who I am, that's not really all that important. For the curious, I am between the ages of 15 and 25, live in the Midwest United States of America, and for the purposes of this blog go by "Celsius". Why Celsius, you ask? Hell if I know.

You should see my first review up sometime this week.

Cheers,
-Celsius