[Xfire] Phatteox: Hello! We are very pleased to welcome everyone to chat with R Stevens Please join me in welcoming our special guest!

[Xfire] Phatteox: Our guest will now say a few words and start taking your questions.

rstevens333: tap tap

rstevens333: Is this thing on?

rstevens333: Bring on the questions! Hey mod types, don't totally ignore those pressing potato queries!

 

rstevens333: Question: Demon: What previous art background did you have?

Answer: I've been drawing comics since I was about 3 years old, but my formal art background is graphic design. I tried being an illustrator, but the computer kind of sucked me in and hasn't let go. (I blame Photoshop's alluring ways)

 

rstevens333: Question: tallgeeselll: have you ever been interested in other forms of comics, ex: manga, superhero comics, etc.?

Answer: I'm a huge comic nerd! I've been reading superhero stuff since I was a kid. Manga's taking a little longer for me though. I'm a ****huge**** fan of that graphic novel about the invention of Cup Noodle ramen, though! (seriously)

 

rstevens333: Question: d10273m: What influenced you toward becoming a webcomic author? also why the pixelated look?

Answer: When I started in webcomics, nobody was really doing them in the same numbers they are now. The only people making a living off 'em were PVP and Penny Arcade... I actually started on the web just to test out what might make a popular comic BOOK. Goddamn, was I ever wrong there. Since then I've probably done 100x as much stuff online as on paper.

 

rstevens333: Question: Demon: What comics did/do you read currently/previously If any?

Answer: Comic books are kind of depressing right now, but I love anything Warren Ellis does, followed by the current run of Detective Comics and some of the Boom! titles. (Tag is the grossest zombie story I've seen in years)

 

rstevens333: Question: Bram1337: Do you ever write a comic that has happened in real life or a variation of it?

Answer: Yes, and luckily modern medicine has treatments for the symptoms of that event.

 

rstevens333: Question: #XprT! Smoreo+: What has been your favorite career opportunity? most difficult job? etc

Answer: Favorite opportunity? Quitting McDonald's at 16!

Most difficult job? I used to do freelance web design for lots of people who thought "MAKE THE LOGO BIGGER AND ON FIRE" was the coolest thing to put on their site.

 

rstevens333: Question: 2006ade: If story lines in the two venure are going to run concurrently , will your newspaper editors have any input or control over the content of your Web strips?

Answer: The main thing I fought to get in my contract is complete control over my website. My favorite part about webcomics is doing them "live" and posting them a few minutes after they're done! It's pretty tough for anyone to influence me at 11:55 at night when I post a comic at midnight ;)

 

rstevens333: Question: Artaxs: Do you see yourself as more "Metal Steve" or "Indie Rock Pete"?

Answer: Unfortunately, Indie Rock Pete is pure, crystalized form of all my lamest traits. It's taken me almost ten years to not reflexively HATE anything my friends try to get me into. I'm kind of a douche that way, even though I know next to nothing about music.

 

rstevens333: Question: Artaxs: How many newspapers are carrying your syndicated strip now? Are editors afraid of the edgy nature of your comic as opposed to the Cathys and Garfields that usually get the space?

Answer: The numbers change as slots come and go and old ladies freak out, but it's been at least 30 at any given time. I have yet to get an email saying I was "too edgy," but one guy wrote me a 1500 word email about how I'm responsible for "ruining comics" because I use a computer. That was fun to post on Livejournal.

 

rstevens333: Question: ««•ÃØЙ•»» 死の天使: Why are comic books depressing to you? Is it because more viewers are interested into actual anime instead of manga?

Answer: It's mostly the fact that the majority of mainstream American comics are "baddd assss" rehashes of older work- people would invent amazing new things if readers and companies LET them.

 

rstevens333: Question: Strike: What kind of methods do you use for creating each comic? Do you sort of write it down in a story based format and then form visuals and pick and choose from the text. Or do you take heavily from real life issues that are in the world or even in your own life and just formulate ideas from that?

Answer: I don't really plan my comics- I do a lot of boring side jobs (shipping, mailing, etc.) during the day and wind up getting random ideas when I'm not thinking too hard. I kind of do the whole thing subconsciously, dumb as that sounds. It's kinda hard to put into words

 

rstevens333: Question: g0dd13: What sort of goals should the beginning webcomic artist have in mind?

Answer: I was waiting for this one! Honestly, the first thing you should do is make sure you *know* your characters. Secondly, you should find a schedule you can handle and *stick* to it. From there on, you should just practice, post and listen to criticism CONSTANTLY. Every day is practice for tomorrow, you just power through.

 

rstevens333: Question: khisme: Your job sounds like it would be fantastic to do, if you had to change jobs though, what would your 2nd choice be?

Answer: If I couldn't be a cartoonist, I think I'd either go back to being a graphic designer or try to sneak my way into talk radio. I really, really love asking weird questions and cracking bad jokes. Third choice is a hot dog cart with a wifi point.

 

rstevens333: Question: Bram1337: Have you ever designed comics for anything else then books (i.e. movies or campaigns)?

Answer: Just comic strips and comic books- I did a couple pages of pixel comics for that "Urbz" game that came out a couple years ago, but those were just web strips.

 

rstevens333: Question: Supercop007: How do you feel about the influx of comic-based movies like Spiderman and X-Men? Do you strive to create a movie based on your comics someday?

Answer: Here's where I get in trouble... I kind of hate movies. I like 'em when someone is in charge and gets to make a really WEIRD or fun movie, but I'd be afraid to get caught up in that world. It seems kind of boring to spend YEARS on something that will onyl be in theaters for a couple weeks. I get to make new stuff every DAY. Apples and oranges!

rstevens333: (That said, I loved Mystique in the movies and thought they made a total sissy out of Doc Ock)

 

rstevens333: Question: #XprT! Smoreo+: Do you believe webcomics will revolutionize printed comics or replace them?

Answer: I think it's going to be a symbiotic thing- neither one really *could* replace the other. As much as I love the internets, you can't roll it up and put it in your back pocket yet.

rstevens333: (iPhone notwithstanding)

 

rstevens333: Question: Xaroth: Why did you pick Nipples the Bear, of all characters, to represent you in the comic?

Answer: Most webcomics people who are in their own comics make themselves out to be some mythical hero or god type. Screw that! I want to be the absolute lamest, grossest guy in the comic as an excuse to draw him more. Furry rights! (as long as I don't have to go yiffing)

 

rstevens333: Question: Demon: Do you have a Battle Cry while doing daily things (Like eating Potatoes or doing Dishes)?

Answer: A battle cry? I'm holding out for a theme song, but can barely afford my own ring tone.

 

rstevens333: Question: Xaroth: Could you talk about your relation to Jeff Rowland and the Overcompensating folks? What about other Dumbrella peeps?

Answer: I started up Dumbrella waaaaaaaaaay back in 2000 or so, before I knew most of the other guys. The only other original member who still has a site is Sam from exploding dog. The rest of us just slowly got to know each other over the years and band together for cons, because we hate being stuck alone at a table! Most everything else, we do separately.

 

rstevens333: Question: 2006ade: Who was the first person who helped you to become a succesfull webcomic artist?

Answer: Honestly? I went from a tiny audience to a good audience in about a week after getting my first link off of Penny Arcade. I pretty much owe my 2000-2002 growth spurt to Tycho, and you have no idea what kinds of things I have to do in return for him at cons.

 

rstevens333: Question: Lista: With respect to "Urbz", I noticed that the graphical style matched the Sims promotions earlier. Did you work on these two, or did the previous style influence your drawing?

Answer: I didn't have any say in the game- I made comics off of existing designs and screen shots. (neat-ass game, I must say)

 

rstevens333: Question: Lista: have you always had the same sense of humor, or is it something that has changed since you were a child?

Answer: Let's just say I had a third grade teacher who called me "dry" ... and that in fourth grade, I wound up writing a lot of apology letters for a Valentine card "incident". I've actually started getting nicer since I hit my 20s. (not much)

 

rstevens333: Question: Rebelgecko: What webcomics (if any) do you read other than your own?

Answer: Everything on the list links on my site- check the right hand side of dieselsweeties.com. I'm probably most engrossed with Scary Go Round, Octopus Pie and Goats right now

 

rstevens333: Question: Artaxs: What inspired you to create lolbots, and will we see more updates in the near future?

Answer: I was messing with some droid pictures and being annoyed at LOLCATS for taking over my mind. I posted a few more this week and hope to crank it back up when I'm a little more caught up on work. I love when people send 'em though, I intend to post almost every single one in my inbox. (at least a hundred to go)

 

rstevens333: Question: Vossk: Does your family read or support your comic? Do you like it if they do read it?

Answer: They read it and kind of even get it. I'm the type who just does things without asking if it's OK or not, so I'm pretty much doing the same work I would if they hated it.

 

rstevens333: Question: tallgeeselll: what is a good way to find exposure if you're an unknown amateur comic artist?

Answer: Email, blogs, messageboards and social news sites like Stumbleupon/Reddit/Digg. You don't have to hit the front page to get a ton of readers! Brief, polite emails to people you like will probably get nice replies at least 10% of the time. (that's how I wound up meeting Wil Wheaton, who is kind of my favorite living mammal)

 

rstevens333: Question: Lista: are you interested in 'moving' comics, like maybe using flash animation, or are you happy with keeping things the same? Do you feel making your comics a bit more 'flashy' (pardon the pun) will attract a larger audience?

Answer: I *hate* working in Flash, but love animating. I think animated stuff *does* get more people interested, even though my main love is static comics. There's a cool app I just found called "Anime Studio" that makes Flash animations without using the terrible interface Macromedia cursed us with!

 

rstevens333: Question: Scaithyn: How young were you when you first started, and what were your original ideas?

Answer: I think I was 23? Something like that! It was about 7 years ago and I just turned 30, but time is weird on the internet.

 

rstevens333: Question: d10273m: How much email do you get daily from fans? Any hatemail? Does it affect you in any way?

Answer: I get a lot less email than you'd think, unless I make a tiny adjustment to the format of a feed or something... then it comes out of the woodwork. I get a lot more feedback on LJ and by using blog search (Technorati and the like) to see what people think. I definitely read everything and fan response usually causes me to do follow-ups to strips I might not have otherwise.

 

rstevens333: Question: Rebelgecko: What aspects of Mac OSX make you prefer to Windows or Linux?

Answer: I don't know enough about the modern state of Linux to say anything, but I know how annoying Windows can be. It's mostly all the "activations" and "registrations" and horrible malware stuff tha keeps me on the Mac. I really like being able to yank a user account out of a dead computer and move to a new one without having to call India for unlock codes.

 

rstevens333: Question: [SOS] HeatDrive: Do you think you have to be a good comic artist or do you think only good ideas and half decent art skill is necessary?

Answer: I think I'm living proof that a lot of ideas and writing can carry "decent enough" artwork. For the ULTIMATE triumph of writing over art, check out qwantz.com.

 

rstevens333: Question: [Vadeka Deathsong]: Of all the time you put into making a webcomic, how much of that time do you spend on random drawings and thinking before you actualy know whats going to be on the paper(or screen)?

Answer: I sketch and scribble a lot of stick figures to work out my dialog, but I don't waste a lot of finished art- I don't really draw anything unless it's part of the plot. (when I do have spare time to doodle, it winds up @ iheartpixels.org )

 

rstevens333: Question: Scaithyn: What do you think you would be doing other than webcomics, any other passions?

Answer: This might sound kind of depressing, but I don't like to do anything except work, brainstorm crazy business ideas, play Tetris and hang out with the missus.

 

rstevens333: Question: [SOS] HeatDrive: How long does it take to make a strip of comic (start from nothing, brainstorm, finish the artwork and making it available public)

Answer: I've done them in 20 minutes flat... and I've done them in 12 hours. (that was the time I stayed up until 5AM making a comic with slogans for every single state in America. Dumb idea, but worth it.)

 

rstevens333: Question: tallgeeselll: do you play video games? if so, what is your favorite console?

Answer: I have a Wii and a DS, but my favorite console ever is the Dreamcast. SO MANY WEIRD GAMES! These days, I spend most of my time on the DS... Tetris, Rocket Slime, various Mario stuff, Bust-A-Move. I love games I can play for a few minutes at a time. I bought a PS2 for Katamari though, I love Katamari in unhealthy ways.

 

rstevens333: Question: [Vadeka Deathsong]: Did you have any fear that nobody would read your webcomic when it was first released? How did you handle this?

Answer: You really can't worry about that. It's pretty impossible to have *no one* read a comic if you make it legible! You're only gonna have fun and make lots ofd strips if you make them mostly for the fun of it.

 

rstevens333: Question: tallgeeselll: have you ever been interested in making your own manga or working with a manga team?

Answer: I would LOVE to design/collaborate/write for a manga series if someone wanted me to. Haven't had any offers though!

 

rstevens333: Question: GullMoli / Hjalti: Would you say you are a workaholic?

Answer: Hell yeah, my job is fun!

 

rstevens333: Question: d10273m: have you ever poster a comic that you later felt wasn't funny and wanted to take it off?

Answer: I try really hard not to read my archives too much because I think it would freeze me up on making new stuff! That said, every time I did a strip I thought sucked it wound up being someone's favorite. (and vice versa)

 

rstevens333: Question: CaLiLaTiN: Have you ever thought about having a student intern to show them the ropes?

Answer: Absolutely, if I found one insane enough to keep up. I taught design at an art school for a few years, loved working with students. (not like THAT, ew)

 

rstevens333: Question: tallgeeselll: what is your favorite movie? do you like star wars?

Answer: The greatest movie of all time is Evil Dead 2. Period!

 

rstevens333: Damn, did we just burn through a whole hour??

[Xfire] Phatteox: Yes we did. It went fast, huh?

rstevens333: One last question from a mod!

 

rstevens333: Question: Xaroth: Weird, eh? Like: "Who would win in a fight: Electron Mike or Weedmaster P?"

Answer: Electron Mike because Weedmaster P can't read. Literacy FTW!

 

[Xfire] Phatteox: That concludes the chat with webcomic creator R Stevens. Thank you very much to our special guest for joining us on Xfire, and thank you everyone for participating.

rstevens333: Can we do this again sometime? Aside from having to borrow an XP machine, this was ridiculously fun.

[Xfire] Phatteox: You are welcome at Xfire anytime!

rstevens333: You guys had a great mix of normal and weird-ass questions!

[Xfire] Phatteox: Now on to prizes...

rstevens333: thanks all! I won't be in a chat room, but you can drop me a line whenever. ( dieselsweeties@mac.com )

rstevens333: OH YEAH THE GOOD STUFF

[Xfire] Phatteox: The following 10 people will receive a prize pack that includes three signed R Stevens books: Pocket Sweeties, Collected Newspaper Dailies #1, and his mini comic.

[Xfire] Phatteox:

1. Demon

2. khisme

3. /̵͇̿̿/'̿p̅a̅c̅°

4. CaLiLaTiN

5. Bram1337

6. Vossk

7. Diablo

8. ___!!'`w__Fz`'

9. Scaithyn

10. d10273m

 

If you are one of the winners PM me for instructions on how to claim your prize!

rstevens333: I'll sign up a big stack when I get back from Canadialand next week.

[Xfire] Phatteox: Thanks again for your participation!

 

Transcripts will be posted on the Xfire Sci-Fi Week site as soon we’re able to get them out.