Comic Stripper 03 (Not in 3D)

Since no one's really counting, I guess it doesn't matter that you're going to be treated to three comics I've drawn at the price of one blog post! This doesn't, of course, save you from the long drawn out technical explanations that accompany each of my comic posts, multiplied by three. (The lack of fireworks and celebratory pelvic thrusts upon my return explains my lack of motivation in putting up new posts, but a quick glance at the first principles reminds me why we're here)

The first comic was drawn in August 2011, and apart from being a competition entry, is a tribute to one of my favourite cartoonists, Gary Larson, and his Far Side series.

Fatal Attraction

Unfortunately, the theme of the competition was 'No to Narcotics' which for some reason I subconsciously equated with 'No to Nicotine', which may be why it wasn't considered (What a load of horseshit, the drawing just sucked  compared to other entries).

The second one was actually made after  the third one, but on the same day, so I've taken the liberty of rearranging the order of presentation for dramatic effect, which I know you love. (Is it a coincidence that there's piles of matter in the comic and I've made this one number two?)

Sand Pit

I take an unhealthy pleasure in working with perspective and dividing the frame into components on this basis. In this case, the vanishing point (for all you perspective geeks) is at the top centre of the frame. I used pens with different tip thicknesses; not usually my style, as I prefer fills to line-work, but much faster when you have a deadline; the competition ended the next day. 

Third and final, the idea was simple, albeit executed in order to make it hard to understand. The only thing I will disclose is that 420 is a common term in India for a  crook, because the section under the Indian Penal Code for cheating is Section 420. Now to get to the drawing specs:

1. The drawing was divided into three equal parts, and each part was (roughly) divided into thirds vertically and horizontally. This obsession with threes is nothing new; in fact it'll probably explain my sock drawer a little better.
2. More perspective play; the vanishing point was at the centre of each panel in this case.
3. Different elements of the composition helped build the symmetry of the composition - the sun/moon locations, the building faces, the ladder location in each panel, and the slouchy black-t-shirted guy walking by to balance the poster-poster (What else can you call someone who puts up posters)
4. The shadows are for the most part wrong or unfinished, but I could just as easily blame the laws of optics and play a wave/particle duality card in my defense, so let's just let that one pass. Because I'd be wrong.

AM PM CM

Before you let your fingers fly on your keyboards about the complexity or unnecessary distraction from the main plot, let me play the modesty card and inform you that this one Won The Competition, so move those fingers to W-O-W-Shift+1-C-O-N-G-R-A-T-S-Shift+1, or some other cliché, in the name of social convention.