PARAGON comic

[Alski]

One problem with No Compromise is I had to wedge the story into six pages, when 7 or 8 would have suited it a lot better. This is because it was an entry to the STRIP competition.

[locustsofdeath!]

Just got my copy in the post - and at first glance the art sits on each and every page gloriously. Will have a proper read tonight.

[HdE]

Page1 Panel 1... I read the first word balloon before noticing the phone-ringing sound effect, so the reading flow is off there.

As the letterer on that piece (and somebody who earns regular money at it as well) gotta say I don't see the issue there. I've looked back at it to check, and it seems to read pretty clearly to me. I'd be interested to hear any ideas you've got as to how it could be improved, though. Sling me a PM!

[Davek]

The comment that has really piqued my interest here is Daveks;

Found it difficult to read and follow in places - there were some nice bits but overall it did not inspire me to buy any more product.

I am not from the small press community so maybe I dont understand the culture/approach in comparison to regular publishers of comics?  Maybe your comic is more for comic creators to read/appreciate

In what way was it difficult to read or follow? Was it the fact the comic is episodic and you didn't know what had gone before? Or was it badly written or illustrated? Or something else?

(This isn't a witch-hunt - I'm genuinely interested in what didn't work for you. Any constructive criticism helps make future issues better)

I will get back to you with a decent response either tonight or at the weekend - I owe you that as you sent me a free copy.  I cant remember the exact reasons why I didnt dig it - can just remember the overall impression I had.  I will revisit the comic to give you more detailed feedback.  Like I said above, I totally appreciate your efforts.  Its just that I felt the comic wasnt for me.

Not as detailed feedback as others provided, but my views regarding Issue 6:

- Overall presentation good, front and rear covers intersting and good quality paper inside

- Found the Jikan story OK, but art was a let down.  Too plain and very basic looking in places.  Also found a few parts of the story difficult to follow/understand e.g. is the old man possessed by demons at the end?, does Jikan put him out of his misery?,why does the demon take the man?, why did Yoshi' wife ask for help, walk away and then realise Jikan had her husband's body?

- Found the Battle Ganesh strip impenetrable.  Dialogue too elaborate and the main story line a little in poor taste (IMO).  An action strip about HIndu god? I dont profess to know a lot about Hinduism but do have friends who display oraments of Ganesh and I'm sure they would find the strip a little in bad taste.

- Didnt enjoy Undertow - didnt really know what was going on or why and didnt feel I wanted to get to know as the art was unappealing.

Please bear in mind that this is the only time I have read Paragon - my only prior experience of any of the strips was the Jikan web comic.  I would probably be interested in more Jikan if the art was more to my taste.

[The Legendary Shark]

I would probably be interested in more Jikan if the art was more to my taste.

How's this?

From the impending Jikan Chronicles Book Two; Demeter by myself and Chris Askham. (Writing is so cool - Chris gets to do all that work and all I wrote was "HNF..."    )

[Daveycandlish]

Thanks for the feedback Davek - much appreciated!

Sorry you didn't like Battle Ganesh - he was one of the most popular strips during his tenure (although I seemed to be the only one who liked Undertow! )

There's a different combination of writer and artist on Jikan each issue, so if this one didn't appeal maybe another one will - there are plenty to choose from in the 100 page Jikan Chronicle collection, including the webcomic from 2010; Jikan & The Kappa King which can still be read online here
http://paragoncomic.blogspot.com/2010/05/jikan-and-kappa-king_8995.html
If you like your comics onscreen rather than paper - try downloading another issue via lulu; you may find the new strips more to your taste (and it'll only be 99p)

Or keep an eye on the blog for the new Jikan previews that have been loaded - and there'll be a new web strip in the summer for free!

[Daveycandlish]

And this is what the latest issue of Comic Heroes had to say about PARAGON#9, giving it 4.5 out of 5.

That'll do

[Greg M.]

Hell yeah! What a great boost for Paragon after that FP review. Hope you're suitable buoyed by that one, Davey!

[Proudhuff]

nice review, well done chaps! carry on.

[locustsofdeath!]

Jikan: Cave of Death 'held together by sheer audacity'. You know what? I like that, I like that a lot.

[Mardroid]

Is Jikan a psychopath? I'll admit, I've only read a bit of his stuff, mainly the stuff in the first issues, and the odd bits posted on this board, but I never really interpreted him that way. He gets a bit choppy with his sword, true, but, well, it's him or the demons...

[El Chivo]

Cool review, guys!

Chi

[Daveycandlish]

He gets a bit choppy with his sword, true, but, well, it's him or the demons...

Can I use this as a quote on the back of the collected edition?

The review was illustrated with frames from Mekkosapiens and Jikan, so Locust should be chuffed to see his work get a bigger readership

Right, now onto #10. Have you seen mygrimmbrother's cover for it? It's a doozy!

[HdE]

Now THAT review was more like it!

[Cthulouis]

The review was illustrated with frames from Mekkosapiens

Dare I ask which ones?