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Yeah, I might have over reacted a tad about the aliasing. I didn't take the time to check the PDF version (the digital download comes with both cbz and PDF versions). The aliasing problem is exclusive with the cbz version, since they are just zipped jpg images don't do scaling with their lettering. So whatever conversion process was used should probably be reevaluated. Personally I prefer cbz files for comics over PDF.

On the 'file size' standard front. I know ComiXology HD files are something like 50 or 60 megabytes for 32 color pages. That's probably more then a small publisher wants to deal in bandwidth. Judge Dredd Megazine files are something like 40 or 50 megabytes with both the Megazine and the floppy. But I've got problems with compression artifacting concerning 2000ad product as well.

In my opinion there's no good reason to use compressed jpg image quality. It's just ugly.

Ah, it's a cbr issue. Think Alex knows about this and is sorting it.

As regards jog image quality-even the hd comixology files are compressed, just not as highly compressed as the the dom files.

We're gonna sort this! Aiming for 25-40mb files sizes, which seems reasonable for a 22page colour comic.


-pj

EDIT: Okay, on second check I may have been a tad harsh. Its still lower resolution then it should be (lots of artifacting in solid colors. Especially blacks). But the 'stairstepping' problem seems to be exclusive to the word balloons and lettering. (I really hope that doesn't turn up in the print edition. People will be PISSED)

The Publisher has just sent me the pdf they use for online sales, the two issues are:

'Stairstepping' on word balloons/lettering (I think you're describing 'aliasing') - to be honest, this sounds like it's to do with your pdf reader - the font/lettering is all scalable, and, depending on your reader, should render the text at the sharpest it can look no matter how zoomed in you are.

Here's how it renders on my imac (using the built in pdf preview reader, so nothing fancy)


The second issue is the quality/artifacting. I'd agree I'd want it a little bit sharper (actually, I'd want it a lot sharper, because it's my art and I'll be damned if it shouldn't be presented in crystal clear a fashion as possible).

JPG compression keeps the file sizes low (which does a few things: 1) makes it manageable cost wise, 2) makes it managable download image file size wise and 3) allows it to be readable on pdf readers than will keel over with larger files).

But it's really about judging what looks best against what gives the most appropriate file size (in other words: there is no set industry standard for this sort of thing, at least not yet).

I'll ask the publisher about upping the image quality, and if you dm your email address I'll see if he can get you the higher res file.

(and, with a bit of luck, your pdf reader can cope with the larger file without keeling over!)

-pj

Also- if there is a trade at the end of all this, will it include the prologue printed in the Meg? (is that part of the Meg deal, or out of the question?- just so's I can weigh up whether to preorder said trade if and when it appears).

There's nothing about the meg appearance that would preclude the prologue from appearing in the trade. Though, the trade isn't necessarily a given - as it depends on sales/interest/etc.

-pj

Big Bang also do mail orders (and I've signed all theirs...)

https://www.facebook.com/TheBigBangIE

-pj
(Been reliably informed that, even though they're in the south of ireland, they're still pretty competitive price wise).

I'll pass this on to the publisher. I haven't seen the digital issue, but anyone who knows me knows I fanatical about getting this stuff right, so I'm really sorry this has hampered your enjoyment of the comic. I'll let Alex (the publisher know).

-PJ

Sadly no Rennie, and it's now on the Saturday. To make up: I'll be there longer and it's a Halloween free comic day thing...

I pointed out last night that Ryan Brown's contribution to this cover would, inevitably, be overlooked, but he painted over Glenn's greyscale, and it seems a shame to ignore that fact (which isn't to say that Glenn's greyscale drawing didn't look lovely - I'm sure it did, but pretty sure Ryan's contribution is huge, as it was on the Dredd year 1 covers he coloured over Greg Staples).

-pj

Can you guys imagine the days long debate, that probably nearly made the comic late, about this very thing?

-pj

Well, that's one vote you're clearly not getting Mike...

-pj

Digital sales available here:
http://www.renegadeartsentertainment.com/comics/dept-of-monsterology-issue-1-digital-download

-pj

delete the app and reinstall it - I had the same thing happen to me yesterday, a reinstall did the trick (plus it remembered my settings to didn't need to re-enter password)

Next weeks signing at FP has been postponed (on the phone about it this afternoon), sadly - they're expecting the original order of Dept of Monsterology BUT NOT the loads extra they had intended for the signing.

Signing in Big Bang on the Friday 25th oct is still on though, as they ordered loads to begin with...

-pj
(And I will do a free sketch for anyone that buys fearless...)

Gordon Rennie and I will be heading to the Big Bang comic store in Dundrum, Dublin on Friday the 25th of October at 4pm to sign copies of Dept of Monsterology (and, inevitably, whatever else is proffered). Well then be heading to Belfast to sign in Belfast's Forbidden Planet at 2pm on the Saturday the 26th of October.

Big Bang has an exclusive print to give away to the first 100 people, and I might have some treats for those heading to Belfast too...

Will probably be doing quick sketches on the day, but if you're after one of the colour sketches I've been doing at cons, you can ask now and I'll bring one along with me - €30 in Dub, £25 in Belfast.

-pj

No problem with dropping the pixel size if you're exporting as a jpg (with greyscale or colour) if you make it a mono image it'll look awful.

BUT- this is far too small to print from. If you need to send to a printer, export as a full size PSD (manga studio 4 exports Tifs a little weirdly, so psd is the next best thing)

-pj

I'm mostly using ms5 now but it you can specify a percentage reduction in the ms4 export - set it to something reasonable ( for me it was 15%) you can also increase the jpg compression ( seperatly) but it sounds like you're not reducing the image size on export.