The Daily Comics Review

Webcomic Review: The Wastrels

2012-05-31T20:30:00.002-07:00

Every so often, someone sends me a link to their webcomic, and by every so often I mean it's happened twice so far. The first time, it was a multimedia extravaganza, and this time, it's a fledgling comic from Steven Huber called "The Wastrels".

The comic's premise is the tried-and-true "group of friends at college" scenario, and in this case, it's more about how it's done then any other factor. Luckily, it's done quite well. The characters are introduced organically, and each intro allows some of their personality to spill out. The male characters are a little more fleshed-out at this point, but considering how they seem to be the stars, that's understandable. The writing is solid and funny, with a slant towards raunchiness, which works well for the comic.

On the art side of things, well, take a look at the two images included in this post (the cover and page three):

The backgrounds are very realistic and well-drawn, and the people are a bit more stylized and fun to look at, which helps them stick out. Once again, the male characters seem to have had a bit more work done on them, but each girl is different enough that once we're spending more time with them we'll know who everyone is. I'm looking forward to seeing how the guys and girls meet up and the shenanigans that will ensue.

All in all, the comic is off to a very good start and I highly recommend reading it.

Fast Clocks and Useless Librarians

2012-05-30T18:08:00.001-07:00

Adam@Home

A lot of people like to play this little trick on themselves; it isn't so unusual. My question is why, after so many years of marriage, are they just arguing about this now? Also, why is Adam the one setting clocks ahead? He's the one that works from home, it's not like he needs to be anywhere.

Barney & Clyde

Harold has no sense of humor, but he must at least have some sense of irony, judging from his ridiculous flat-top hair cut.

Betty

A smoke break? Guess who's getting laid off next for raising the insurance premiums, spending too much time outside, and for having bad breath? Mr. Squiggle-Hair, that's who! Say, that's a nice pocket protector you've got there, is it company issued?

Diamond Lil

Just what I needed to read about in the comics this afternoon: promiscuous old ladies with weird rashes. Ug. It cannot be unread.

Farcus

This comic poses several of unanswered questions. Since when is a title not enough to locate a book? Why does a priest need to check out the Bible from the library? He already should have lots of his own copies. And lastly, why is this comic funny? Dumb librarians must be hysterical, I guess.

It Doesn't Matter If You're Black and White

2012-05-23T19:23:00.002-07:00

Animal Crackers

Well, everything in your world IS in black and white, Mr. Unidentifiable-Animal-Thing. Also, I wouldn't worry too much about the coloring book "industry"—I'm sure the publishing companies that spit out those toddler scribble pages have varied enough projects that they'll survive the Color Apocalypse. Now, the Crayon Industry on the other hand...

Ballard Street

I shudder to think of what horrid mound of white flesh is disturbing enough to freak out that poor dog.

Betty

Whoa! Did Betty's friend just give her a not-so-subtle jab there at the end? "Surprise, surprise. I'm intelligent and well-spoken, unlike some people *cough*you*cough*. 'Funny friend' my ass!"

The Flying McCoys

Yes, this was a Superman diarrhea joke. Fun times.

The Grizzwells

I guess it should come as no surprise that the bear's laziness extends to his parenting as well. "The little tyke has been so annoying lately, I think I'll just avoid him altogether. Ah... I feel better. I must be doing a good job!"

somehow, somewhere

2012-05-21T14:57:00.001-07:00

REPLY ALL

One of my mom's boyfriends, though I don't recall his name Chuck? Nick? used to always tell me, "if you can't say nothing nice about something, then you should not say nothing, and then you should get me a Busch Light."

And I won't argue with Chuck Nick in this case because he used to throw empty beer cans at me. I didn't mind though. I just loved to hang around him and hear his stories about being in the Merchant Marines and how one time in the North Sea he was caught in a storm and he didn't think he was going to make it so he made a pass on a crewmate and the next thing he knew he awoke in a hospital in Nova Scotia and they said three weeks had passed!

NANCY

Nothing says good wholesome family fun more than everyone's favorite scamp, Dennis the Menace!

But if your budget's a bit lower you might have to settle for one of the forgotten Tungsten-Era comics classics like Nancy. I always liked the sexual tension of this strip, no not between Sluggo and Nancy, you weirdo. The smoldering sensuality that cannot be denied between Aunt Fritzi and the Gilchrist brothers. I can just imagine what goes on in their studio, "Tonight it's my turn to dream about Aunt Fritzi, Brad!" "Not if I fall asleep first, Guy!"

CHUCKLE BROTHERS

If there's an uglier comic in syndication, I haven't seen it. What the freaking best artist in 4th grade is going on here? Questionable Layout? Ridiculous character design? Random cross-hatching? Weird shadowing? Empty space? Check. Check. Check. Check. It's all here and more, mate.

NAVY BEAN

This isn't syndicated for all you insensitives who were gonna push my nose in it being uglier than the likes of a Chuckle Bros. It was however, nominated twice for best Webcomic by the Washington Post (yes, really!). And that's the kind of publicity that can't be syndicated! Wha?

I am no longer available for life-coaching or comics writing upgrading due to a very heavy schedule. But please contact me to get on the waiting list: mr.navy.bean@gmail.com.

Diagnostics

2012-05-17T19:30:00.003-07:00

Sorry for the tardiness. Someone forgot to pay the Internet bill. It was me. Also, there were slim pickings today so the two comics were chosen entirely at random.

Ikea Pizza

2012-05-16T19:28:00.002-07:00

F Minus

What an ugly, motley crew of children. If I were this guy I'd try to return more than just the extra one.

Birdbrains

The giant stone buttocks are disturbing enough—are the butt-warts really necessary?

Freshly Squeezed

Seriously, the Padres? They're the worst team in their division! And the 2nd worst team in all of baseball! Looks like Irv's mind is fading along with his hearing.

Home and Away

I like the idea of calling home assembled pizza "Ikea Pizza." It's very apt. I personally enjoy Ikea salad and Ikea pasta.

What? Huh? And Yes!

2012-05-13T13:23:00.002-07:00

I present today's Reply All without comment.

Inspector Danger's Crime Quiz is a CSI type comic where you're asked to solve crimes by making crazy assumptions based on conjecture and circumstantial evidence. It's also used heavily in FBI textbooks.

I admit my thoughts on Luann's mom are evolving a bit. If she was up for it, I would be available to come over while her husband is at work and we could just get to know each other as people do.

Unfortunately, and due to amazing response, my schedule for life coaching and comic writing is full. If you'd like to be put on the waiting list, please email me at mr.navy.bean@gmail.com.

And be sure to check out my Washington Post 2x Nominated Best Webcomic Navy Bean.

All my love,

Melange

Horrors Unbeholden

2012-05-10T10:56:00.000-07:00

Meekrat here, taking a break from making comics for the DCR because I need to figure out a way to do it that meshes well with a thrice-weekly comic. Still reviewing them, though, so here it is:

Prickly City, 05/10/2012:

From the first time I read this strip on the Houston Chronicle's site, I have hated it. Not as much as certain other comic strips (I'm looking at you, Edison Lee) but it's still a pretty terrible example of how to do a political comic strip. It's heavy-handed with unlikable characters, and while it's been trying, bless its heart, it's not nearly enough. For example, this week we've been looking into Winslow the Coyote's history that no one asked or cared about and is proving to be him inserting himself into various media properties awkwardly. Today, it's a poor mesh of "The Godfather" and "Bonnie and Clyde". About the only redeeming thing is that Carmen readily acknowledges that no one cares. It's entirely possible that if this strip was more self-aware then it would be better overall. Perhaps in a year I won't hate it so much. We shall see, I suppose.

Crankshaft, 05/10/2012:

Meanwhile, we have this Crankshaft which has always been one of those comics which exist but are only really on my radar because of where it takes place and how relentlessly grim they are. Today, for example, we're forced to contemplate an elderly woman in lingerie and, unless I'm misreading the second panel, the fact that Crankshaft likes to wear lingerie as well. Yes, you could argue that he simply admires it on its intended audience, but this is Crankshaft we're talking about. Anything he can do to undermine happiness will be done.

Break of Day/Bizarro: 05/10/2012

Finally, we have two comic strips that feature Frankenstein's Monster holding drinks. This sort of synergy is always interesting to behold. Retired Frankenstein looks very melancholic, though.

That's it. I might be back with a comic-like thing next week, but if you really want to see new comics from me, just go to my Emporium of Nonsensery.

Morbid Obesity and Shaq Carpeting

2012-05-09T17:46:00.001-07:00

Baldo

Tia Carmen is old—a few nips from the bottle won't hurt her much probably. Cruz, on the other hand, is developing terrible habits that could lead to severe health problems down the road. Look at his heavy-lidded stare in panels one and two: just a teenager and already his obesity has made him listless and lethargic!

The Born Looser

"And on a totally unrelated note: if the neighbor calls, I may have set some these eggs free on his house."

Bound and Gagged

What's the joke here? I guess it's funny because vampires sleep every day in a confined space, thus making the doctor's question rather silly. I was going to suggest that a doctor performing a blood test while also asking the vampire if he's squeamish at the sight of blood might be a more obvious execution of this gag, but then I remembered that vampires don't have their own blood, so never mind.

Brevity

Does anyone actually choose to install shag carpeting these days? Rather retro-ish, no? Regardless, having multiple etchings from the Kazaam poster on your floor is surely an improvement.

Lola

What's Lola doing picking up coffee on her way to a coffee shop? Makes no sense!

The Grizzwells

So did the bear and porcupine find the fish in the garbage or did they catch it somewhere else and just like hanging around a turned over trashcan? Knowing how lazy these guys are, my bet is that they raided the trash for the fish. But who throws away whole fish? By all rights, these two should have starved to death long ago.

Into the breach

2012-05-06T09:39:00.002-07:00

I present today's Reply All without comment.

Pretty good overall. Had a very "Pearls Before Swine" feel today. The AFLAC "gag" at the end is unnecessary and actually hurts the final panel.

I don't know what I enjoy more: the 1950s Asian stereotype design of Corporal Yo, the crimson heart tattoo on Cookie -- hysterical name BTW "Cookie." HA HA HE HA! HE HA! Cookie is the cook for those of you who are unfamiliar. Cookie! and he cooks! -- or the shoulder/high arm hair on the aforementioned Cookie -- don't get me started on the name. Seriously though, there should be some sort of hair net for that.

I feel like a cheap version of Josh when I do BB critique.

As always, feel free to head on over to read my 2x Washington Post Best WebComic nominated comic Navy Bean, where the laughter is plentiful and where your soul (among other things) will be touched.

www.gocomics.com/navybean

-Melange

Also available for life coaching and comics writing help. mr.navy.bean@gmail.com