Webcomics Reviews And Interviews

Your supporting characters can fill so many different roles: They can help define your characters and setting, add depth to your characters, and expand their abilities. We look at why sidekicks are hated and the difference between sidekicks and minions. We look at the different roles friends and families play in a story, and the differences between pets and familiars. We also show how hunters add...

Writers strangely ignore all of the additional symbolism a solid fighting style can give their characters. We look briefly at the symbolism inherent to wearing armor, wielding weapons, and even how a character fights, and how looking at and specifying those can be used to create a much more solid character. Please support WCRI by pledging at our Patreon page ( https://www.patreon.com/twosparrows)...

In this episode, the following webcomics are reviewed (numbers are Writing/Art/Design/Overall Rating): Random Slice of Life (3/3/5/3/3.17, URL: https://www.webtoons.com/en/challenge/that-random-slice-of-life/list?title_no=108427 ), Theurgy (4/3/4/3.7, URL: http://theurgy.smackjeeves.com/ ), and How To Be A Werewolf (5/4/5/4.7, URL: http://howtobeawerewolf.com/ ). If you are interested in having yo...

Rutger Hauer passed on July 24, 2019. This is a look back at his movies and what lessons we as writers can learn from them. This includes looks at Osterman Weekend, Ladyhawke, Flesh+Blood, Blind Fury, Blood of Heroes, Wedlock, Surviving the Game, Crossworlds, Lexx (don't ask), and some silly little movie that we all need to forget the 2049 version of.... Please support WCRI by pledging at our Patr...

The following webcomics were reviewed this podcast (numbers following are ratings for writing/art/website design/average on a 1-5 scale): Taiduo ( https://www.webtoons.com/en/challenge/taiduo/list?title_no=144542 (4/5/3/4)), Wizard Along The Way ( https://www.theduckwebcomics.com/wizard_along_the_way/ (3/3/2/2.67)), Galebound ( http://www.galebound.com/ (4/3/4/3.67)) If you are interested in havin...

One of the problems that creators have is making money from their art. We look at how popular you need to be before you should start worrying about making a profit. We also look at how to properly place advertising on your site as well as take a very brief look at merchandising. We explore the difference between sponsors and affiliates, and some of the possible issues. We also look at the basics o...

Interview with the creator of The Stuffed ( https://www.webtoons.com/en/challenge/stuffed/) , an all-ages comic in the vein of Calvin & Hobbes but from Suzie's perspective. And with more stuffed animals. We discuss the importance of character interactions and why they need to complement each other. We also look at how you can keep a secret in the open. Also, we dissect his marketing approach, and...

Food is something that you need to think about when world-building and so we explore what kind of fun you can have with it. We look at how you need to allow for where it comes from, from field to hydroponic bay, and how gives your world an extra dimension from celebrations to the everyday. We also look at how it sets the mood and how it can be used symbolically. We also briefly look at those who e...

Magic is used mostly as a deux ex machina in far too many comics. We discuss different thoughts on how to properly integrate magic into a world, from different schools of magic, to magic items and spellbooks. How magic affects the world is briefly looked at, as well as how wizards may organize. The limits of magic are discussed as well as the what happens when you have crossover issues. Lastly: Si...

Toxic masculinity is not the only kind of toxicity that a writer should avoid. We look at when writers need to back off a little on feminist and racist topics, looking at why Rim of the World is a racist movie, Jack (Will & Grace) is too Jack, and Zoe (grown-ish) isn't that grown, as well as compare Ghostbuster (1984) with Ghstbusters (1016). We look at better ways of handling the topic, such as B...

Interview with Ben Dunn, founder and editor of Antarctic Publishing. We discuss the various anthologies of Antarctic Publishing and how to use them to get into the comic business, as well as the history of Antarctic Publishing. We also talk about Warrior Nun Areala, the newest comic-related series on Netflix. Please support WCRI by pledging at our Patreon page ( https://www.patreon.com/twosparrows...

Sometimes it's easy to forget that we need the support of fans in order to succeed; sure they can be irritating but we need to remember that without fans all creative endeavors are bound to fail, be they patrons, our support, or the people we're counting on to pay our bills. Here we look at ways to show our appreciation for the fans, from merchandise to giving them some agency, and even just doing...

WARNING: There be spoilers and mature subject matter! This is my breakdown of Game of Thrones, as I look back at how great show was, and a few theories, such as Danaerys' intent to liberate the world and why she didn't go insane, Bran setting himself up as king, and a few other issues of the last season. I also summarize what I think should have happened, and have some fun with major events. Pleas...

Interview with Gordon Firemark ( https://firemark.com/) , business/entertainment attorney. We cover all sorts of legal issues, ranging from transformative versus derivative works, copyright versus trademark, and even libel versus slander. The advantages to incorporating your comic are looked at, and we even look at using orphan works. Please support WCRI by pledging at our Patreon page ( https://w...

Interview with Natx Wang, nutritionist/podcaster ( http://thesavvylifestyle.libsyn.com/) as we discuss the issues facing those trying to find healthy food at a convention. She was given two fast food restaurants (a burger joint and a taco outlet), a convenience store, a carneceria, a microwave, and a refrigerator, and told to have fun. This interview represents what she came up with, and the discu...

Conventions represent their very own risks for the uninitiated. This podcast takes a look at the problem in every convention with an eye towards making sure that you will escape it relatively unscathed. Prepping for the con, from self-defense to costume design, securing your belongings and your table, and even going to a bar afterwards are all explored. For those worried about going into a convent...

After establishing my scale of 1-5, the following webcomics are reviewed: Penny Arcade (penny-arcade.com), Girl Genius (girlgeniusonline.com), and Young Protectors ( https://webcomics.yaoi911.com/) . If you are interested in having your webcomic reviewed, please drop me a link at jamaisj@gmail.com . Please support WCRI by pledging at our Patreon page ( https://www.patreon.com/twosparrows) .

One of the biggest problems facing writers is finding an artist; this answers the question of how a writer can do the art. Also, how artists can use these tips in their own art is explored, and using other media for the sake of graphic storytelling is looked at. Please support WCRI by pledging at our Patreon page ( https://www.patreon.com/twosparrows) .

Protecting your rights as a creator is something we all need to worry about. With guest Gamal Hennessy, comic book lawyer, we look at the basics of copyright and trademark law, slam the poor man's copyright, and talk about the Fair Use Doctrine. How to lose your copyright is also discussed as well as some of the problems with fanart. Please support WCRI by pledging at our Patreon page ( https://ww...

Pacing can be a major problem for new writers as they are more worried about just getting it down. We look at how pacing works and how it makes your comic better, and then we break it down into the "three-act fractal", showing you how your acts, your scenes, and even your strips break down into smaller and smaller three-act structures. We also show you how to use beats for maximum effect and how t...

Creatives hate gatekeepers, both the good ones and the bad. We look at getting your comic past the gatekeepers: Why Diamond sucks, the importance of adhering to the submission guidelines and judging your audience, and why your product had best be THAT good. We also look at dealing with trolls, knowing the difference between trolls and those just disagreeing with you. In short, why you have no real...

Writing a comic is an interesting compromise between art and business, even if that usually goes to the art side. We look at several problems that can create problems for that equation: Comics that inspire anarchy and their problems are looked at, as well as why focusing on particular ratings and even the use of nudity may be an issue. Why "exposure" may not be all that bad is considered. We also...

Being politically correct has some serious problems from the writer's perspective; while we should encourage diversity there is a problem with taking it to an extreme. We look at some of the problems. and how to make your comic a little better by keeping in them in mind. We look at writing a character for "who" they are as opposed to "what" they are, cultural appropriation, and even why you should...

Comicsgate is arguably one of the biggest controversies when it comes to comics. In this podcast we look at its main points, why it's right and how wrong it is. We also look at how to fight it and ways we can improve the comics community. Please support WCRI by pledging at our Patreon page ( https://www.patreon.com/twosparrows) .

Warning: This podcast may feature subject matter that some listeners may wish to avoid. You have been warned. Sex is a complicated subject, and it's one that every writer justifiably dreads considering what it can do. We look at the act from a number of angles, such as symbolically, what it does to relationships, and some of its ramifications. We also look at rape and how to avoid it. We also look...