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Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes!

I’ve made the decision to change how I update the Epic Fail. From now on new updates will be coloured, but not shaded. This is because the shading, pretty though it is, takes me ages! I want to update reliably each week without getting stressed. Late updates aren’t fun for anyone. So, basically, I will concentrate on giving you a fun story and pretty it up later.

This will give me more time which I’ll use to:
1) Rebuild my buffer so I can still update when the unexpected happens.
2) Do those Webcomic Cameos and other things I promised to do but didn’t get around to.
3) Fix spelling mistakes, continuity errors, and pages that just plain suck.
4) Go to Comic Conventions.

No promises, but I may even update more regularly. We’ll see how things go. For the time being I’m shifting my update schedule to Thursdays.

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Fanart from Sacred Pie

epicfail_sacredpiefanart
Today I recieved this brilliant, action-packed piece of fan art from Phil Shaw of Sacred Pie. It’s of Martin, Clodin and Amuletts versus a Cave Troll. I really appreciate the attention to detail here and especially the character nuances. It’s a wonderful mix of action and humour – I only hope I can do as well when I get to the big fight scenes! At least I know who to go to for advice.

Sacred Pie is an epic science fiction webcomic. It begins with a mysterious traveller stumbling through a portal into Sid, Roonas and Bob’s living room. Following a portentous demand involving the fate of the universe, he disintegrates on their carpet leaving a stain and several artifacts.

It’s the story of ordinary guys turned super-heroes with resemblances to Star Wars and The Last Starfighter. The art inproves as the story progresses with some experimentation along the way. There’s a lot going on which can be hard to keep track of sometimes, but if you are looking for variety and a comic that doesn’t take itself too seriously this is the perfect read.

Pg 8: How can you be deaf with ears like that?

This week in Epic Fail: Amuletts, in an act of friendship, explains to Martin that he should expect her to try and cheat him.  (If she hitherto succeeds Amuletts will consider Martin responsible since he was warned but let her do it anyway).  Unfortunately, with a mix of subtlety and a word of over three syllables, she merely manages to confuse him.star_trek_huge_ears

She offers Clodin a rather glib apology which only in angers him further.  Finally, the irate dwarf feigns deafness.

Creator’s Commentary: The title for this page is a quote from Star Trek III: The Search for Spock. Look, I took a screen capture of the alien Dr.McCoy was referring to.  Yep – them’s some huge ears!  Anyway, I used it in this instance to poke a little fun at my own cartoon style.  I tend to, shall we say, exaggerate ears a bit.

Pg 7: Because you can’t get something for nothing

This week in Epic Fail: Clodin throws an axe into Amuletts’ negotiations with Martin. Martin figures 100 gold is a small price to pay for her to behave herself. She explains, rather cryptically, that he has been cheated, but pockets the money anyway.

Creator’s Commentary: Now you know why Clodin responded so violently.  As for Amuletts… she’s greedy.  Mind you, she didn’t think Martin would take her offer, after all, it was extortionate!  He was supposed to barter.  Gold to Amuletts is rather like a pocketful of coppers, but “look after the pennies…”

Incidentally I like the close-ups on Clodin.  They worked out better than I expected.

I gave my Mother the comic to read and she did so out loud.  She did Clodin’s lines with a squeaky little voice, presumably because he is small.  It made me laugh.

BONUS 01: Valentines Day 09

Happy Valentines Day!

So, under the influence of a love potion – a gift from Amuletts – Tinuvielle and Clodin do something absolutely unmentionable.  (An elf and a dwarf together?!  There’s gotta be a law against that)!  Martin pulls some absolutely wonderful facial expressions in response and Dirk goes blind.

Being a holiday special this page does not fit into the story-line.  I told Miriam (the player who controls Tinuvielle an our role-play game) about this page and she was absolutely horrified!  So I put it up anyway.  I may be punished for it later.  See how nice I am to you guys, putting out a comic despite great personal risk?

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I’ve been given my first ever fan art!!!

tinuvielle_by_purenightshade

Purenightshade of Children of the Tiger gave me my first ever fan art!  It’s of Tinuvielle and I think it’s absolutely beautiful.  I literally danced around the room when I got this.

I found Children of the Tiger a while ago.  There are some stylistic similarities between our comics, so if you like mine you may well like hers.  It’s one of my regular comics to read and I’m really enjoying it.

By the way, there is now a fan art gallery XD

Pg 6: Just fight amongst yourselves…

This week in Epic Fail: Despite Dirk’s efforts fighting has broken out between Clodin and Amuletts. The King isn’t happy and hints at dire consequences.

Creator’s Commentary: So, we have our first fight scene, and it’s infighting.  I’m not sure how well this scene flows, especially with Dirk and the Golem (known as Andy Roid), but hopefully it makes sense.

Amuletts is my namesake.  I use it a lot online.  I decided I wanted a nickname like Trillian (Patricia McMillan) from The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy.  So I joined Amy Letts together by bastardising the U.  Of course, using variants and anagrams of your own name is a long-standing tradition in rpgs, originating from the great Gygax himself (Zagyg being the most obvious example).

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The UK Web & Mini Comix Thing 2009

image008As a UK web comic creator I have decided I am duty-bound to go to The Thing this year.  It is the only major exhibition in England for small-press and web comic artists and takes place on the 28th of March at Queen Mary University in London.

It will be my first time attending and I will not be exhibiting, however I may consider doing so in the future.  Aside from the many stalls there will be drawing and reading spaces, so I will be bringing my sketchbook.

If you are going and would like to meet up please let me know. I’m eager  to meet other artists and comic-lovers.  It may seem too early to think about, but you can save a lot of money by booking both tickets and travel in advance.  I hope to see lots of people there.

Pg 5: Yoru needs you

Curiouser and curiouser.  That’s one mysterious message, but I guess the sender thought Tinuvielle would know what it means, which apparently she does.  I love how caring and sensitive Martin is here.  Though obviously disappointed he just lets her go.

And the King makes another fantastic appearance!  Personally I think he has one of those teleporting Thrones like the Keeper of Traken *EDIT: Okay, Whoies, it’s a wing chair* – a perfectly good security measure in a magical universe if you ask me.  It’s hard to assassinate a target who can vanish at will.

Yeah, I know some of the faces are a bit dodgy – hey, I’m new at this.  At least the characters are recognisable from frame to frame, quite an accomplishment for me.

Pg 4: Some messengers are asking to be shot

So, the messenger delivers her message (if you thought she was a man you are forgiven.  I drew her pretty androgynous to add to her mystery.  But in page 1, frame 8 you can see the curve of her left boobie).  In case you haven’t guessed she is a lead-in character, and you probably won’t see her again.  That said she has quite a strong personality and I will miss her.  She is determined and practical.

Not there are a lot of mistakes on this page.  “Shoot mess-anger” is one, Tinuvielle’s left arm is another.  I won’t point out the others.  Perhaps you won’t notice them. Mistake fixed!