BONE CHINA pt.12
While I’m not a big advocate of cartoonists censoring themselves, I also do what I can to keep SCAPULA at a PG-13 rating, or in any event “safe for work”. Depicting nudity is something I’ve been a tad reluctant to do in the past (and for good reason; the moment a bare bum appears on your site all types of ‘warning signs’ tend to appear), but I usually compromised, reasoning that there was a vast difference between nudity and pornography. I still feel that’s true.
Today’s comic, however, was a whole different matter. Sex often seems like the most taboo topic within the context of a comic, and I worried about how some viewers would react to this scenario. My reasoning is that this is meant to be a very vulnerable, heartfelt moment, and censoring it or removing it entirely would have hurt the story a lot. Even prominently displaying Scapula’s extremely offensive tattoo was important in portraying what kind of a man he is, and why this situation would affect him so strongly.
Sometimes a cartoonist really does need to take risks in order to make the best work possible, and in today’s case it was simply a matter just about telling the story in the way that I feel works best. This isn’t cheesecake, this isn’t self-indulgence, and it’s most certainly not porn.
I STILL ain’t convinced. Scapula’s had it worst – come close to getting it so many times only to have it all snatched out from right under his nose at the last moment in the cruelest (?) way possible. One thing’s undeniable – he’s finally relaxed the male tension in him – but to actually have found someone who cares for him – I highly doubt he could make that far a leap.
Forgive me, but I call it ‘healthy pessimism’ – if you always expect the worst, you’re never disappointed, only pleasantly surprised if it turns out the worst doesn’t happen after all. Call me faithless and disillusioned – I’d quite agree with y’all. Heh.
In any case, I see a major character change on the way for Scap. He’s got one thing he wanted with (relative) honesty and no dirty moves. Maybe he’s even learned something. This may be, dare I say it, the beginning of a new trend for our favorite lame-brained, plastic-faced, racist-tattooed villain. But I still have my doubts.
Excellent work on the art, by the way, pal. You made the correct lighting effect and coloring equivalent to 5-star movie standard. Perfect thought-provoking and just a tad wistful atmosphere that screams “This is no night for sleep.” After this, I just can’t picture Edgar sleeping again until dawn.
Treike, amigo, you’d be surprised how much a little ‘healthy pessimism’ gets a fella by in this day and age (another word for it may just be ‘common sense’). But don’t let that stop you from enjoying wonderful things that come out of the norm, whether or not it’s capable of stabbing you in the back!
In any event, I am happy to hear that you enjoyed and I’m also happy that readers approve of this direction. A little character development goes a long way, and whatever may happen to our favorite lame-brained, plastic-faced, racist-tattooed villain (man, that should be the new tagline for the series), I hope these changes work for the best.
Here’s hoping you all stick around; this is no night for sleep for any of us!
scap is just enjoying the afterglow
i wonder if that squid with the swastika was a mood killer
Squids with Swastikas could be a great name for a comic, but I already endorse a different ‘Squid’ comic!
It’s an octopus, actually, but I guess they all taste the same with some breadcrumbs and butter.
I’m totally going to go start a Scapula tribute band and name it ‘Octopustika’! 😀
Odds are it’s already been done! Bands out there always think of the stupidest names.
And our first single will be called ‘Bad-touch me, Knuckle Sam’ off the debut album Sinister Monster Doom Legion. 😀
I would buy that in a hot second!
I think you have succeeded very well in what you were trying to accomplish. Bluenoses / Puritans have no concept of art. Name one work of art in all history they have left. They will only destroy what they don’t understand.
Congratulations on your your willingness to grow and take a chance.
Art history wouldn’t have been nearly as interesting without the stuck-up rabble-rousers to make us appreciate our freedom to express ourselves…plus those kind of folks are ripe for cartoon lampooning! Dorks!
That second to last panel I thought for a second he was smothering her mouth. I need to get my eyes checked….I am losing it. haha
His hand is on her neck…maybe he’s planning some other devious act?
Well, I think you pulled off a very Heartfult Moment.
Thankya kindly! Very glad you enjoyed.
Oh, god, the children! Think of the children!
Where will they get their internet porn now?!
Mrs. Lovejoy wouldn’t want you dear young souls being corrupted by this filth!
As for the internet porn thing, I think kids now are capable of finding more nasty stuff on-line than even the most perverted of adults. Check the computers in any gradeschool classroom and see what they’re looking up!
Very tastefully done, Aidan, and the colors really help set the mood. The transition is Scap’s expression between the last two bedroom panels tells a story all in itself. I think you found the right balance in this one.
Thanks, buddy! I’m very glad to hear you liked it…now wait until next week when they bring out the strobe lights, kinky toys and Lady Gaga music. That should wash out the flavor of this tasteful approach!
Awww, a quiet moment before the coming storm.
There IS a coming storm, isn’t there?!
What makes you think this comic is incapable of a “happily ever after”?
Pessimists, all of ya!
“Past behavior indicates future behavior.” – FBI profiler John Douglas
Wow…that is one poignant page! I love depicting intense scenes with no dialogue myself, my sci fi series A Deviant Mind makes a lot of use of that. This depiction of being all alone in a big cold world and finally finding a human connection and comfort is touching indeed. Well done, Aidan.
Thank you for sharing your comic, Pam; I have to admit, I thought House of the Muses was your only comic output, but it’s nice to see you have extra projects on the side. No rest for the wicked (and all artists are wicked…don’t try to deny it!).
A Deviant Mind, everybody!
Wicked, indeed. The sci fi series was part midlife crisis, part series closing angst over ending House of the Muses this year. I really need to find another crutch. 😉
I’m standing up applauding. You said so much in this installment without a single word being uttered. I figured after last week, you were just gonna “allude” to the Wild Thing taking place (which would have been fine with me, I got a dirty imagination anyway).
But this….this…is storytelling. With only a handful of beautifully-rendered panels, I feel like I’ve learned so much more about Scap’s psyche than I have in the last fifty episodes. I’m offended and sympathetic at the same time.
We get to kind-of see where’s been in life, but we know that he does have feelings. Scap’s merely a dude who’s wanted what he couldn’t have, but didn’t know the right route to achieving his desires.
Poor schmuck. She’s gonna eventually gut him like a fresh-caught bass. Ain’t love grand? 😀
Thank you very kindly for your encouragement, George, and here’s hoping the rest of the story strikes the same chord. “Offended and sympathetic” is probably the best reaction I could ever hope to get from my readers (although I wouldn’t object to a few laughs every now and then), and the fact that readers are able to sympathize with this jerk is extremely rewarding to me. You readers are the best.
Sadly, there wont be many more Wild Things taking place, seeing how a certain Mr. Sendak passed away last week…le sigh…
No, this is not porn. Cuddling and spooning is the best part of being with someone. Intimacy, I mean.
YES; that would seem to be common knowledge, but you’d be surprised how many people get ‘up-in-arms’ over seeing that sort of thing in a comic. Maybe some folks just need to be hugged…or cuddled and spooned.
Some folks don’t need to be spooned. They just need a good forking.
That’s not a very knife thing to say!
Ok, maybe it’s just me, but I don’t see anything that would need censorship. I mean there’s no frontal nudity or something even ‘worse’.
It is great that you reside to just hinting not showing explicidly. in my opinion that is the right way to do it without spoiling the mood.
-anyways: I’m still waiting for the hammer to drop. And every page it doesn’t, makes it aproximately 1t heavier. this week’s page made the cliff i’m hanging over even deeper.
Glad you see it that way (honestly, I don’t know why I was worried; you awesome readers seem to appreciate the comic!). Once again, just trying to set a mood here.
Of course, if I was going for mindless titilation, I could always just whip up a new character who throws her boobs front row and center of every panel, but how often do you see that sort of thing in comics?
Yes, that was sarcasm, folks.
That’s because you have intelligent readers who really appreciate actual storytelling. 😉
Speaking of boobs. Just saw your fine fanstrip for GWS. Nice one. Every woman schould posses a S&Mplifier (goto love that name)!
Wow…you really dug all the way through those and found mine?! I’m shocked!
Yeah, Corsetto received over a hundred of those and sadly mine didn’t really make the cut and ended up in the pile. Oh well, if you feel like seeing the work of a TON of random webcomic artists (and some folks do!), then sift through the lot. You may find some treasures (or else you’ll find mine!).
For the rest of you, my GWS guest comic can be seen here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dcorsetto/7193886230/in/set-72157629719340340
Don’t be shocked! Be flattered. I aim not to frighten people whose comic I enjoy so much that I’m positively surprised to find their art on other sites I like.
… come to think of it, be shocked. Suits me fine. *muhahaha!*
Aidan, I have to echo what others are saying about this page. I already know you’re a consummate artist that could make the devil himself weep with your storytelling. Not only that but you’ve set us up for a fall many a time in the past. I, too, am waiting for the whole thing to blow up in Scapula’s face, leaving him even more embittered if that’s possible. This time though, perhaps he’ll have the memory of one night of warmth and intimacy, even if it does turn out to be a setup.
Aren’t we a jaded bunch.
Well done, sir!
Thank you very much, Jande. If I could make the devil cry (why does that sound like a folk song?), then I must be doing something right!
I don’t know quite what to say about everyone’s expectations: is it good that everyone thinks this will all end badly? Am I getting predictable in my old age? Or will something come right out of left field and make everyone peachy-keen-happy? Who knows…and there’s only one way to find out!
That’s exactly what I meant in my post last week, so I am right there with ya Jande. I am waiting for the other shoe to drop, the signs were all there, I was just so sure Dada was waving the clues in our face with a snicker. But then after last week’s installment I hoped I was wrong – and now I REALLY hope I am wrong.
But still braced for being right. Hopeful, yes – stupid, no. 😀
Does everyone see me as such a tease? Hmm….guess I’ll be doing my next video dressed like that girl in high school who used to flirt with EVERYBODY (even the janitor!).
Well, golly gee, DaDa, I have no reason why after having just caught up the entire archive a couple weeks ago I would already have associated the suffixes “-tease” and “-blocker” with you? 😛
IRL I tend to be a Lawful-Neutral type, by the old standards I learned them from – I believe in the purpose of order over chaos but also see a balance between looking out for myself and looking out for the various groups I associate (or am associated) with.
But even I look at what poor Scap’s been through and think to myself “Jesus, that dude deserves a BREAK …”. I may believe in law, but I want to play guardian angel over the poor sap just for one operation, make sure it works and get him a good one in the “win” column, ya know?
The human form, both male and female, is a beautiful thing and you did very well in depicting it cleanly.
Jim
Totally agree with you there, Jim. I’ve had enough figure drawing experience to know that the human body, in all of its variations, can make for marvelous works of art.
Of course, that’s just drawing. If we’re talking about what you take home with you from the club it’s understandable if you’re a tad more picky!
Now I’m gonna set my semi-trollish behavior aside for a moment to speak seriously on what this update means to me.
I’ve always identified with Scap. He’s a kindred spirit. My whole life has been primarily crap, crap, more crap, and a bit of shit when things were slow. Yeah, the accmulated sum of my lifes work has been a giant flaming pile. I’m really not the greatest guy in the world and the gravity of where my life Is at this point nearly crushes me on a day to day basis. It seems like there is always something or someone screwing with me just because they can and hell with the fallout on me.
I’m a bad guy, or i feel like one despite my efforts to rise above it and escape the smothering garbage. It keeps me up at night more often than not, because i can’t seem to stop trying to figure it out or find perspective on where and why things are so wrong. I look at the woman that loves me, sleeping there in the dark and for the life of me I can’t figure out why she’s with me. And it’s all I can do to just shut up and roll over with her and go back to sleep before i look too hard and end up ruining the one good thing i have going for me. It’ll probably go to crap tomorrow so I try to take comfort in her presence while i still can. When i’m with her i feel like sligtly less of a bastard and failure.
Glad you appreciate the comic, and don’t worry about the trolling: anyone who goes on-line now knows how to deal with a cyber-bully. That’s right; cry into a pillow then write some really angsty poetry while listening to the Cure!
Feeling like a failure often happens when you’re comparing yourself to others, and in Scap’s case (and perhaps a lot of us), it’s thinking that everyone in the world is on one side of the line in the dirt and you’re on the other. There comes a time when you say, “screw this noise” and go live your life. You don’t need anyone’s approval to be happy with yourself, and maybe that’s a lesson Scap himself should have learned a long time ago.
What do ya say, folks?
I remember that he did. – And then some really pissed Miss thrashed the living daylights out of him. Maybe she broke the last bit of Scaps chance to get some happiness… Well he had it comin’.
Seriously, when i read your comics sometimes I feel like I’m watching a movie.
…a GOOD movie, I hope? Gee, I can only imagine ‘Ed Wood presents SCAPULA’! Delightfully awful!
‘Scapula- starring Martin Lawrence’. I can just imagine how it would feel to try to justify that one to your first true fans. I guess the big Hollywood check would have to give you comfort at night (until you spend it all on cheap hookers and expensive Laffy Taffy). 😀
Now I have the horrifying image of Scapula and Shenaynay duking it out…it sure puts the “ho” in “horror”!
I caant say much here, for through the silence, these pictures speak a thousand words…. Beautiful atmosphere with Scap and what may be going on in his head…
Scapula always seems smarter when he keeps his big trap shut!
I had contemplated running an inner monologue or even a poem over this strip, but thankfully that idea passed quickly. Maybe it’s more artistic this way, and maybe I’m just too lazy to write new material!
It can be two things!~
There is porn, there is nudity and there is art.
This … is definitely ART. This is a beautiful moment, captured in a frame. Scapula is living the truth of the old OLD adage “every dog has their day”. This one’s his. And I must say, China has one of the cutest posteriors I’ve seen depicted in this format – not from a primal lustful way either, but more from a “man I would love to snuggle next to THAT” kind of way.
Masterfully done, sir.
Very glad you enjoyed (and you really are a “wolf”! A-rooooooooo!), and I’m flattered by your comment. Now the bar has been raised and every comic I do now is going to have to be ‘artistic’! Oy!
I was wondering how some people would react to Bone China’s physique: she’s one of the few non-zaftig women in this series (well, I guess Mira Mira was pretty trim). Who would have thought Scap would fall for someone who DIDN’T have a humongous heinie?
I identify with this update strongly.
So well done, Aidan…
I can’t even bring myself to spoil it with my usual mindless dribble…
Go ahead! Dribble away! I’m just surprised Jynksie or Bearman haven’t left any of their fratboy remarks yet!
I love the comments this week (and thank you for your support for THIS “squid” comic).
The tenderness shown here in this installment is beautiful… and yet, like many of the other commenters, I feel we are being set up for disappointment… or rather, Scap is. It’s touching how you start the comic with a down Scap… I can’t help but wonder what he’s thinking. It ends with a less-somber note… more loving, more making peace with the happy… or being okay with feeling happy, as opposed to the hate in his tattoos.
And I absolutely love the last panel. The lights are magical.
I’m happy you enjoy, Brig, and what other Squid comic would I ever endorse? Well….maybe one that pays me off better!
The colors in this one were something of a happy accident: the original page was more of a gray-blue tone (like natural night), but when I increased the levels on the page to darken the background it had the unexpected effect of making all of the highlighted areas saturated and colorful. I liked the effect and kept it; the last panel kind of works as an homage to ‘Starry Night’ (yep, I just compared myself to Van Gogh…someone better deflate my ego before I start thinking I’m Michelangelo!).
I’m in awe. Simply beautiful, Aidan.
Awwwwwww! Oh, you said “awe”, A-W-E.
Thank you for enjoying, Mark!
Very well done indeed! I think you presented the situation in a very tasteful manner that doesn’t distract from the story, and you come away with some sympathy for
Scap.
I’ve had hints of nudity in the comics and pin-ups at my own site… and those ARE done for cheesecake reasons. I had debated about that for awhile, but then I had read some of the edgier stuff that other people post, and realized that what I portray is quite tame. I think it’s a lot about context, as well.
It’s all about what works best for you. I have nothing against cheesecake or even hardcore erotica; it all just depends on what the artist thinks is the best way to convey the story (when there IS a story; Lord knows there’s more than enough T&A in comics just for the sake of T&A).
I hope my little diatribe above didn’t come across as a soapbox rant against erotica in comics. Just because it doesn’t work for me or SCAPULA doesn’t mean I’m saying it should be banned outright and burned in a heap!
It didn’t come across as a soapbox rant… I totally get it. It often bothers me about standards in the US… TV shows can be ultra violent or gory without much protest, but nudity… the human body shouldn’t be shown. I’ve never really understood that double standard.
What can I say? There’s a small group of very loud people in this country who don’t want kids to know what a breast is until a decade after they’re married!
So does the Scapula thingy has special features just like his face ?
Horns ? Molded in plastic ?
Very artistic page, by the way.
Shoes. Women just adore a man with tall molded plastic shoes…well, maybe if they’re into the Pinball Wizard!
It’s rare to see someone with a swastika cuddle.
Who knows? Maybe skinheads do engage in pillow talk and insipid terms of endearment. “Good night, my widdle wovewy Awyan!”
YAY! I’m so glad to see that you took the step into character development instead of a cheap “interruption” gag. This makes me want more, more, MORE! You did a great job with the artwork, the timing, and everything. *applauds!*
Cheap interruption gag? What might that have been? All of the other characters peering in through the window with popcorn and airhorns? Why, it just isn’t done!
But seriously, glad that you enjoyed everything, and let it never be said that I would stoop down to using cheap laughs instead of honest storytelling…well, maybe I did in about a dozen other stories, but today is different!
I dont think its a risk to be natural with your work. This strip, to me, captures the essence of your writing and would be and should be expected. This is a momentary, yet monumental moment for Scap! It speaks volumes without a word being spoken!
I do have to say tho, when that anvil drops on this, its going to bloody sting! o.O
Further proof that my best writing is when I don’t write anything at all! And if I had hidden more in the shadows then my best art would have been pitch black!
Thank you for your kind words, Scott, and here’s hoping Scap keeps an eye towards the sky for those wayward anvils!
I can hear Morrisey’s “Everyday is Like Sunday” playing in the background as I read this again
…and all I can hear is “Whoomp (There It Is)” but that’s because my neighbors are trapped in the 90’s!
What the hey.
Porn exists but defining it is… tricky. So is defining art but that’s why I don’t believe in it!
Somewhere, out there, porn exists…deal with it, angry parents!
As for defining art, you’re talking to the guy who makes Dadaman comics. I wouldn’t even attempt to try.
I can’t define porn, but I know it when I see it. And I’ve certainly seen my share of it!
Now that I think about it, Scap reminds me of John from Garfield a little bit. At least in this situation. Someone who basically spent 99% of their time in comics being alone and being rejected by women (much to the amusement of the readers), but then the author takes some sort of pity on him, and sets him up with a woman.
Mind you, the difference here is that Scap could have an anvil dropped on him at any given moment and it could completely crush his emotionally-fragile psyche.
I never thought of Scap as being akin to Jon Arbuckle, but I think the comparison is hilarious. As someone who read a lot of ‘Garfield’ as a child (yeah, I admit it!), I really get a kick out of the implied connection between the fat cat’s loser owner and a certain loser villain.
Heck, you might even say this is like ‘Garfield’, only without Garfield and a lot of crime and violence…soooo it could be called “Garfield Minus Garfield Plus Stupid Villains Equals Scapula”!
The fact he’s sitting up and fretting in the first few panels tells me that he’s still self-aware enough to know something terrible is coming. When you have that little warning bulb in your skull, I advise listening.
Buuuuut that could just be me. If nothing else, the art here is fantastic and of all the serious panels of the strip to date, one of the most beautifully done hun. You even kept the light consistent, fantastic!
It’s kind of hard to ignore many, many years of pain and bad luck, and it’s possible that Scap is aware of the fact that this may not be as solid as it seems. Or maybe he does feel inadequate? Who knows? I left the out the words so you could all decide for yourselves (and because I’m a lazy hack).
In any event, I’m glad you enjoyed the art and seriousness, because it’ll probably be back to the stupid chaos before you know it!
I’m counting on more stupid chaos hun….. it’s the fun gooey bits between all the storytelling gold!