Sappy (Alternate Version Patreon Only)
Added 2017-06-18 16:15:53 +0000 UTCSimon and I are always open to hearing and trying new ways to make our comic more fun. This last strip didn't start off referring to TV, but one suggestion made was to try and incorporate pop culture references more often. Here's the original strip. We wanted to see if any of you had any preferences one way or the other. Was it better as a pop culture reference? Worse? The same but different? We're listening <3
Comments
The pop culture references (hereafter refered to as "Pops' culture references") are actually better for making people want to share. I do like the references, but I think you guys shouldn't worry too much about it. I most often share AJ & Magnus for the cute ways it is inclusive in its messages, and for how much I see myself in some situations. ...That being said, I have to point out I did share and comment the hell out of that Elvira altar comic, though. :M
Arthur Bárbaro
2017-06-27 16:53:19 +0000 UTCThe GOT reference is what comedy writer Graham Linehan once referred to as a CBA ("Could Be Anything"). You can basically replace GOT with any major international TV show and the joke still works. That said, I prefer the unbranded version. It's a sort of sitcom reference without referring to a sitcom - how many sitcoms have basically revolved around "life" or "the universe" or whatever making life harder for the protagonist?
George Forth
2017-06-20 14:33:05 +0000 UTCI liked both versions but feel this one to be more relatable.
Kenneth Overton
2017-06-19 18:49:20 +0000 UTCI love how cynical this one is, but I think the pop culture one makes its own point just as well. Personally, I love pop culture references, especially those that are so ingrained in our society that we get the reference even if we've not watched the show ourselves. Game of Thrones, Dr. Who, Supernatural, Sherlock...
Reb Knight
2017-06-19 13:50:01 +0000 UTCI read this one after the "references" version (which I got) ... and found both of them good on their own. It's hard to pick which is best, as both work so well . . . but maybe the "references" does sound more lighter in tone (along with Agent Legbreaker's use of "devastating" doesn't seem so mean or harsh, either).
Sam A Milazzo
2017-06-19 00:19:55 +0000 UTCI loved the pop culture reference BECAUSE it also worked even if you didn't know the media mentioned that well. So for me it worked great!
Bjørn Hannibal
2017-06-18 21:29:40 +0000 UTCI definitely feel for Alex in both. The IRS snaffles some of my royalties just because I deal with a publisher in the US. I'm sure those 30 cents made all the difference last year! :) I prefer this one mainly as I don't get how the situation relates to Game of Thrones, I am not a fan of George R R Martin's works. Though I do know the "sappy Hallmark movies" by reputation, and they make cynicism look very appealing. More generally, I think the problem with pop culture references is down to whether the whole strip hinges on it. If it's in passing then it doesn't matter but if the whole strip leads up to a gag that depends on the reader knowing the reference then it will fall flat if they don't know it. Mystery Science Theater 3000 gets away with obscure references as there's always another riff along in a few seconds. The comic strip format is far less forgiving that way. That's not to say that they shouldn't be there, just something to consider, imo. Here endeth the essay. As always, keep up the good work!
North Grizz
2017-06-18 20:44:34 +0000 UTCI like this one better too.
Cathy Seidenberg
2017-06-18 19:35:18 +0000 UTCPersonally i like this one better. I dont think its too cynical at all
Conor
2017-06-18 17:57:28 +0000 UTCthis one is more CYNICAL! lol
Karmakat
2017-06-18 17:23:50 +0000 UTC
