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.