Three Questions

Subject: Re: Three Questions Wed Sep 05, 2007 6:21 pm

MOOKIE!

1. What do you like about Dominic Deegan?
I've always loved the stories, and the characters and the wonderous, horrible puns. (Don't stop those puns, please!) I actually enjoyed the Storm of Souls arc myself. I'd love to see epic arcs where the "Champion of Balance" gets used to do what he's supposed to do. He's accorded a certain power boost due to his status as champion, but once the deed is done, depower him back to normal(ish).

2. What don't you like about Dominic Deegan?
On the one hand, I don't mind overly powerful characters, on the other I can see the problem that comes with that. If being is X powerful, and an enemy comes along, it has to be more powerful.

Or at least that's the theory.

There's a set of books I've been reading of late collectively known as the Dresden Files. Without giving anything away, the main character is the only professional wizard, and has a certain amount of power. He's decently powerful, but by no means the most powerful in the supernatural world. He overcomes foes of varying power levels from fledgling wizards to all powerful nigh-god creatures. Throughout the books (9 of them sofar) he doesn't get overly more powerful. He realizes his limits, but that's about it. He defeats opponents he has no business even being in the same room with through wits, plans, blind luck and a whopping truckload of steely determination. Perhaps something similar would work for Dominic.

Heck, even having a new champion of balance chosen and subsequently having Dominic's power lowered as a result of not being a cosmic focal point might help.

Greg on the other hand, short of hitting him with another serious dose of Blight, I'm not sure what else will temper him, other than time and maturity.

Power is good, but as a certain point it becomes too much. It's sometimes tough to see where that line is, and once it's crossed, it's damned hard to jump back.

3. What do you feel I should do differently?

Scale down the power if possible, but still have the occasional epic arc that lets characters really shine.

A few people have posted this in other threads (but not here for some reason), and it seems that Foreshadowing could use a little work. Giving bigger hints or clues as to how something is, or that something is on the way. Not neon signs or anything. Something subtle enough that it seems normal, but important when you hit the end (or if you're one of those people who figger this stuff out on your own super quick). A good example would be the use of Red in the movie Sixth Sense.

Also, a little background can go a long way. Telling it through the comics with a brief explanation to a clueless character (as has been done in the past) is a great way to get info across. If that's not as feasible (and if time allows), maybe set up a "World of Deegan" page that goes into further details on the varying important points. Callan geography, laws, etc. History of the orc/human war. General information on the metaphysical planes, etc. That kinda stuff. Heck, if you need help, maybe tap a trusted friend or even one of the dedicated forumites. Hell, I wouldn't mind taking the dictation and putting into a nice format for ya. hehe

Final thing: Site redesign. Classic is good, but the megahuge image on the front page stops me from hitting the comic as soon as I'd like (I'm a lazy geek!) Maybe tap an aesthetically-inclined web designer buddy (or forumite) to help you redesign it.

Final word of note: Mookie, you do a great job on DD, really you do. There's a lot of criticism here, and I hope you take it well. You accomplish what most comics can't by updating 7 days a week, even through your hardships. In the end, try to make sure YOU enjoy the comic and the work, even if no one else does. As a fellow artist, I can attest that not liking what you do is the fastest way to see abilities decline, and I'd hate to see that happen to DD. :) Take care, and thank you so much for coming to visit!
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Subject: Re: Three Questions Wed Sep 05, 2007 8:28 pm

alright, I'll try to make this short, as I know I didn't read all those replies, and you probably won't either, and I want you to read mine, as there's (I feel) an important point here.

1. What do I like about DD?

Dominic Deegan is (or was, I'm not sure) an interesting story. It managed this for a few reasons:

Villians who are not black/white (Celesto, Jacob, TIM, Karnak possibly)
A magic system that is based off science
An overarching plot (you felt like all this was building up to something)
characters with real flaws and problems to work past.

One of the things that shocked me and grabbed my attention was how the comic could be frighteningly emotional at times. I remember this comic at one point shocked... SHOCKED me. (this was in Storm of Souls when Celesto turned Brett into flesh goo) That it's not afraid to be brutal when it has to be brutal, and that it's not afraid to have people die, and be wrong, etc, is something I really liked.

and other reasons, of course, but that's off the top of my head
this leads to:

2. What DON'T I like about Dominic Deegan?

Lately the villians have been very cliche, and their motivations have been pretty basic
The magic system seems to be based off whatever it is you need magic to be able to do for the plot (kinda like DBZ-Magic).
Plot is at a standstill. (it doesn't feel like a full story. It feels like seperate arcs.. and for me, that's BAD)
characters don't really have problems to work past (Everyone seems to be in the "happily ever after" stage, so any problems that arise (Greg and Pam) don't really interest me, because it's not really character growth... it's just kind've drama. Dominic and Luna's love has blossomed, Dominic has gotten less grumpy... and it's just kind've boring)

The main... MAIN reason though, would have to be that lately the comic seems to be safe, feel-good fare. I couldn't imagine seeing something graphic come out of THIS comic that could affect me the way that Celesto killing Brett did. It wasn't just gore, because I know you do that, it was the fact that Celesto executed this person, because he felt it was right... and you feel like it's right, but it's horrible and graphic, and it makes you feel terrible, but a bad man DID die... I can't imagine the DD of today forcing it's readers into that sort of a dilemma... and I feel that's bad.

3. What do you feel I should do differently.

I feel like you should push the envelope. "Snowsong" was a safe story. The Classroom arc was a nothing story... it was essentially "happily ever after" The war in hell was a mess, but the idea of Karnak as a good person (and later the "power of legacy"... which I hope bites Dom in the ass) was interesting.

You should stop worrying about "arcs" and just let the story flow. You seem to be doing a lot better with SoS... just don't be afraid to push the envelope, or explore a moral idea, or... consequences and flaws of our established characters (they have them, or CAN have them, the flaws just don't actually seem to harm them in any real way)

I think that's about all I have to say.
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Shivering Isles Resident Joined : 26 Mar 2007 Posts : 9494

Hmmm.... perhaps you should have a character die... Someone near and dear to everyone... Luna? Greg? Milov? Jayden?

...HUK THAK? =P
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Spoiler:

Subject: Re: Three Questions Wed Sep 05, 2007 10:00 pm

I keep hearing people say Jayden is a bland person... yet she has a bond with many characters... perfect to stir some drama and angst there.

Don't kill HUK THAK Awesome

he didn't even appear yet! Except several times in the strip slay as a Fansite meme...
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Also known as Undead Katharos

Brought to life by the collective insanity of the Dominic Deegan Fansite.

Shivering Isles Resident Joined : 26 Mar 2007 Posts : 9494

Subject: Re: Three Questions Wed Sep 05, 2007 10:11 pm

http://www.minionsforhire.com/

This webcomic has an Encyclopedia and a World page to describe things in detail to keep the action rolling and avoid several strips of talking heads.

It's a big project, but if those are done, it might help Mookie himself to have notes like that. Just gotta be careful to only put basic descriptions online and avoid revealing spoilers to the public.
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Also known as Undead Katharos

Brought to life by the collective insanity of the Dominic Deegan Fansite.

Subject: Re: Three Questions Wed Sep 05, 2007 10:22 pm

1. What I love about your web comic is defiantly the puns and the humor. I also like the original concept of a seer as a hero instead of a by standard. I find it inspiring when characters such as Luna overcome adversity. I think a lot of your comic is inspiring. I like how you are able to plan arcs sometimes years in advance. I could never do that and pull it off so well. The magic and world is intriguing. All of your characters are engaging one way or another. The arcs are usually well thought out and well executed. I also like the unexpected nature of characters and plot lines. As a reader for four years now, I think I like a lot of where this comic has gone.

2. I don’t like things that seem out of place in the DD universe. I do however think it’s important to have fun with you comic. I realize that is likely what you were doing with the Supergreg arc. However, most of your arcs are meticulously planned. For instance, you knew back in the Storm of Souls arc that Snowsong would be back and acted on that accordingly. It would have been nice to know at some point previous that super heroes existed in the DD world. You’re always so great about dropping some hints early on that I was surprised when it had never been mentioned before. Even with all of this though, I’m not as upset about that arc as some people. I think these are relatively minor complaints, considering I’ve like every other arc you’ve done.

3. To do differently, that’s a difficult question. I think paying attention to the art would be great. Sometimes, you miss putting consistent things in your panels. It not that big a deal, but we notice. I do think world building is a great idea, but I don’t think it’s really possible in the comic itself. Focusing just on that would merely detract from the actual story line. Unless there’s a way to make the history of the verse a necessary plot of the current story line, I don’t see a way to do it. The only way then, would be to do something separate. I seriously doubt you have time for that. For that you would need help, I bet there are people here willing to do it (myself included). Some text-based thing might not be something your readers want anyway. I can’t tell you though how many times I wished I had that book A Brief History of Everything though :D.

Overall Mookie, I love your comic. It is by far and away the best web comic I have ever read. No matter what you decide to do, I will keep reading the comic. I might have a few qualms here and there, but overall your web comic is still the best one out there. I wish you the best and here’s to many more strips.
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Spoiler:

Subject: Re: Three Questions Thu Sep 06, 2007 1:17 am

First off, I'm a huge fan. HUGE. I bought the book and read it like fifty times. I gave it out as a gift, and nearly cried when I went to buy a new one and discovered it "gone". Anyways I only made an account to answer these questions.

1. Obviously I like it all. Otherwise I wouldn't read it. Even Supergreg. That was awesome, the homage to Supes, all of it. I love the puns, the jokes, you're a brilliant man.

2. That said, the intro to the snowsong arc did manage to lose me, maybe I'll get it once I see it in print. I wish there was more of DD to read. Maybe an excyclopedia of sorts? So we can know about these places they are visiting? Hmm... My only other complaint is that you've had such a rough time in your life this summer. Seriously I have no clue how you maintained your comic through all of this. You may have taken a week or two to get settled, but you come back, and feed our daily addiction.

3. Not much... Maybe some more action on the Sunday strips? I would've loved to see the Supergreg smashing Snowsong as a Sunday strip actually. But like I said earlier, if there were notes on the laws of the land and such that'd be cool to see.
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"I am the only thing that truly is. All other things you see are but a part of my will to see something other than the desolate nothing that is creation"

Subject: Re: Three Questions Thu Sep 06, 2007 1:40 am

I put a big post on the Keenspot forum, so I figured I'd add a thing you could change here:

The Sunday strips. I don't mind the one-panel color thing, if its a good gag, or worthwhile, but occasionally we'd like to see 4-8 panels in color. The occasional strip in color is awesome. I recall enjoying some of them from the Storm of Souls arc a lot. Color really fleshes out your lineart, and I really wish it wasn't wasted on one-panels all the time.

Though you've done some wonderful one panel work. I'm not saying axe it entirely.

Joined : 25 May 2007 Posts : 41 Location : England

Subject: Re: Three Questions Thu Sep 06, 2007 3:56 pm

1: The running gags and puns, as well as Spark going crazy, as well as most of the plots.

2: One word: Snowsong.

3: Get HUK THAK in!

Subject: Re: Three Questions Thu Sep 06, 2007 4:16 pm