Remember last show when I said I was pissy because I’m hungry because I’m in a stupid weight loss competition? Well the competition, like my hunger, continues, so keep that in mind as you listen in. I’d recommend taking everything I say with a grain of salt, but that would get be thinking about food, so I won’t.

It’s Zuda Watch time again. This month the great comic battle was not as overwhelming impressive as it was last month. Lots of great potential was had, but not focused into tight, well told eight page stories. But, as is the case every month, there were several entries that just stood out and made us take notice.

Was your favorite among those we deem awesome? Or are you going to have to step up and make a case for it in the comments section? The only way to know for sure is to listen in and represent.

Three side notes. First, I lost my record of which comics we mentioned in this episode. I’ll listen again and get that added as soon as I can, but in the mean time, no show notes. Two, I’m still messing with some recording settings, so this show’s level’s aren’t the best, I hope you don’t notice but let me know if you do, especially if you know how to get it better. Finally, in this episode I made the throat-punch worthy mistake or referring to David Gallaher as David Gallager. I hope he can find it in his half werewolf heart to forgive me.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

On this episode of Digital Strips we force our listeners to walk a mile in our shoes and get to know us better by reading comics that describe our past and a present places of work. This was totally unplanned and yet really find of fun.

We take a look at two new comics on the Internet scene. Jason picked Retail by Norm Feuti which offers an indepth look at the hardships endured by the faithful retail army of the First World. I, on the other hand, chose Not Invented Here which shows the true trials face by people who sit at desks and think about Star Trek all day.

We hit a couple of big comicy topics this show. Like art, pacing and go back and forth on the issue of can a Web comic read like a Newspaper comic. I also learn a big lesson in podcasting etiquette that I’ll try to keep in mid for future shows. Come along and learn with me.

Show Notes
Diesel Sweeties
Legend of Bill
Legend of Bill show
Bear and Tiger
Ugly Hill
Unshelved
Monsterplex
Imagine This

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Growing up in the frozen wasteland that was Idaho in the early 90s with a little brother, I found it very easy to relate with Bear the titular protagonist of Bear and Tiger a Web comic by Bob.

Bear is every straight man you’ve ever read, only he works in the Soviet Army, hangs out with an abominable Snowman and a crotchy old man dog that used to be a girl and the bane of his existence is his Tiger commanding officer who won’t stop kicking him in the nards.

Is this enough to carry a strip? Does there need to be more? Is there more? Is Jason really slow on picking up puns? All these questions and more shall be answered with in the walls of Digital Strips Episode 187.

Show notes:
Ice Ice Baby
PATV
DLC
Woody After Hours
Odari Park
Max Vs Max
LitterBox Chronicles
Devils Panties
SMBC
XKCD
SMBC theater
Funny or Die
Captain Excelsior
Snowflake
Much the Miller’s Son

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

It’s time again to gather around the campfire, sharpen some sticks and toast a few Zuda entries to make s’mores. It’s another attempt at the shorter format, though not as short as last time. There’s just too much to talk about with Zuda.

This month has it’s usually crop, some good and some bad. We get down into one of my biggest pet peeves about the average Zuda entrant and talk about a couple of Jason complaints about comics in general that I never seem to notice

We also chat a bit about Bioshock 2, the proper voice for an eagle, those aliens from Sesame Street and a bunch of other cool stuff. Plus I make about the biggest hosting error of my career so you don’t want to miss that.

Zuda Entries in Order

Scifi drive By
Techno Insecto
Aliens vs Ninja vs Samuari
Monsterplex
Divided by Seven
Gelgun
Hawkrider
Island, Alone
New Morning
Fulcrum

Other things we mentioned
Ryan Estrada
vote for Ryan Estrada
The Kind you don’t bring home to mother
The Meek
Onry Boy
Torchlight
Superfogyes
Pet Professional
Tales from the Middle Kingdom
Problems
Extra life
O
Brian

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Because of a certain show that is making a major return on the night of our recording, we weren’t able to do a regular show with preparation and the like. Instead Jason and I step back from the role of the reviewer and just talk. We never just talk anymore. But don’t worry, we mostly just talk about Web comics.

We start with PATV and how while we like it, it’s killed something we liked even more. Not only do I dislike it for all the reasons I mention in the show, but I really miss hearing about the ideas that didn’t go into the final comic and why. DLC was one of the best “How to write comedy” resources out there. You could learn from their process, they’d explain what makes a strip pop and what didn’t. Now it’s just entertainment. Still lots of fun, but no learning.

Next we talk about the iPad. I don’t have any better reasons for what I said. I’m just anti-Apple, which really isn’t fair, but it is fun. And I have Jason to balance me out.

Then we talk about Bill Watterson and his mythic first interview in years.

Finally we do a mini-review of axe-cop and learn that I truly am old and hateful.

Going back through this episode in post-production, I totally come across as the negative douchebag of the week.  But what is the Internet if not a home for negative douchebags? But please, put me in my place. Or just let us know what you think of this format for future shows on occasion. That’s what the comments section is for.

Show Notes:

That guy with the glasses
last unicorn review
D&D podcast
Scott Kurtz
Wil Wheaton
Downloadable Content
Chris Straub
Web Comics Overlook (turns out he didn’t interview them, I was reading to fast, he was quoting this article)

Kate Beaton
Jeff Rowland
Randall Monroe
Ryan North
Chris Ogstan
Bill Watterson Interview
Imagine This
DSA
Axecop
The Interview
Comics Alliance

Podcast: Play in new window | Download