Uwahhhh… damnit. I hate it when i put up a comic or get to a point where people are actually, like, really happy with it.
Eh? Why is that? Why on earth not be immensely pleased with myself for finishing a sequence of comics people really seem to like a lot? Is there something wrong with my head? Well, yeah, but that’s not what i’m referring to here. I wonder if other people in the entertainment business feel this… and if they don’t, i think some of them should because they often do at a later date anyway…
The problem with doing something successful is that your future work is always compared to your successful work in the past. The more “good” work you do, the harder it is to to keep meeting the expectations created by that “good” work.
I fight with that all the time with Megatokyo. There is always the classic “it was better back when…” stuff. Actually, if you think about it, we all have artists, writers, groups, etc, where we read their latest book, or listen to their latest album and are disappointed because their LAST one was so damn good. I suppose it’s a natural thing, and you can’t avoid it to some extent, but I really don’t like disappointing people.
So here i sit, struggling with the next comic, all worried about where things go from here and trying to trust that part of my brain that makes all this work. I’m not saying that the rest of this chapter is gonna be lame, because i really don’t think it will be - but i still worry. With satisfaction comes expectation, and managing that with a long running story isn’t easy.
I guess i just happen to respect that and understand it, and thats why i’m sitting here stupidly worried about the rest of chapter 6 even though i probably shouldn’t be. It’s been going good so far, i just don’t want to flub it…
- pirotunes: Ill Niño - Liar from “Revolution/Revolucion” -
Fred,
I think that you have well and truly killed the “it was better back when…” stuff. The way I read Megatokyo, you have been on a steady, exponential curve upwards. That is in art quality, plotting, and characterization. Stop worrying.* Yeah, there will be little fluctuations, but you’ve been doing this for how many years now? You’ve learned so much (and taught me so much) over those years. You aren’t going to magically side backwards.
I don’t know how to say this clearly enough. The amount of difference in quality from day to day is an order of magnitude smaller than the difference in quality from first to last.
I think we fans fluctuate a lot more in our approval/interest/acceptance based on our own weird needs and desires more than your work fluctuates in quality. A lot of that has to do with the fact that stories have an ebb and flow, that act III and act V have different purposes. (Imagine if Hamlet was just act V over and over for five acts worth! Death, vengeance, and more death for two straight hours.)
R.
*I am arrogance incarnate for telling you what to do. sorry.
Fred, just do the rest of the chapter as you want it, if people don’t like it.. then they don’t have to read it. But i can’t see people not liking it. ^^
Hmm, I sorta know that feeling, within a few seconds of thinking “wow, that’s actualy pretty good.” You get “Now how the hell am I gonna top this?”
Still, if you can just keep going stuff turns out well. Besides, what are people going to complain now? “It was better when Fred wrote the comic?” :p I think as Rhandir said you’ve blown that particular demon right out of the water.
Mm..just stopped by to say that I’m a fan of Megatokyo. It’s great to see that you’re really exhibiting your style through your comics, and I hope you continue to draw what -you- feel is right, not what other people feel is right. That makes your work truth, which is more important than fanservice.
Because see, fangirls like me still look forward to seeing every comic. ;-; It’s an incurable urge.
Yeah, you shouldn’t worry about flubbing Megatokyo. Focus instead on telling the story the way you think it should be told, getting the point across in whatever way you see fit. I mean, Megatokyo has been stunning so far, and you’re only getting better. I mean, hell, I’m addicted enough that I re-read the whole thing every week just to prolong the moments of joy that accompany new strips… call me obsessive, whatever, I dont mind.
It’s understandable to worry about your work… but if I may wax cliche and cheesey, just do your best. You’re best has been damn near flawless so far, if I may say so.
Don’t let yourself worry about topping each comic with the next one. Just keep on being consistently good, refining things little by little, and Megatokyo will always be an excellent webcomic to read.
Just to echo what’s been said before, don’t worry about the art and if you can keep on toping yourself. For me I’ve been hooked on the story the art, to me at least, is secendary, and it help express the story but the art doesn’t tell the story. If you care at all Sid Mier delt with the same problem of trying to top himself after Civ I, so your not alone :).
You keep blowing my mind every time Fred. So don’t worry. ^ ^
Dude, what a horrible way of looking at things! Get your head out of that mindset. There’s absolutely NOTHING wrong with doing something good! You should be proud of yourself. If you think that your next work will be crap, then it will be! Don’t be a victim of your own self-fulfilled prophesy, Fred.
Pull yourself together. You’ve got new fans everyday that enjoy all of your work, the good and bad. So please don’t underestimate yourself. You have nothing to worry about.
I if you asked the question of whether i liked it back then… or not, a few (10 maybe) comics strips back, i might say i like it back then.
Now with the current comic, which is to say in a honest form breaks the barrier. The drawn out piro angst i think drove people nuts. And with piro actually having some high point, the comic can be a lot interesting.
Its probably your best, that you closed off the old piro and begin anew… a lot of me was losing interest in the comic… hoping Piro would change in the next 50 strips or something. Was planning on waiting a year.. come back to MT to read the good comic. (or buy it!)
Your doing great!
I admit, those last few pages will be hard to top, I’m not going to lie about that… So don’t worry if the next one isn’t /quite/ as good as these are! There’s only so much one person can do, so dont strain yourself too much!
And besides, even if you can’t top that, as long as the story keeps on as good as it has been, then I’ll still be hooked! n_n
Just do what you can, and what you want! After all, this is your comic!
Well, ja ne!
- R.Drango
ZOMG where’s t3h funnay? This suxzors!!1bacon
*Ahem* Sorry. I figured we needed something to balance out all of the above comments (You’re only making it worse by saying how great it is! Tell him it sucks and maybe he’ll be inspired to do even better!
In other news, it’s nice having some free time again. I was rather hoping to find new episodes of Moon Phase and Mahoraba to unwind with, but there aren’t any. Most of the ’subbers are probably inundated with work as well.
If anybody complains about the rest of the chapter, I’ll just make them look up the word denouement.
Besides, everybody should be used to the chapters ending on a quiet note by now.
Migi-Fangirl mode: “OMG Piro-sama why do you say that you’re so awesome don’t ever change megatokyo I love you!!!!!!” -.-”
Migi-Reality check: I can honestly say I have learned alot from you in both my artistic abilities and in plot development. Yes, the ‘four-panel-joke-a-day’ days were good. I remember a certain comment from a certain person saying that “life doesn’t always have a punchline.” Today’s comics prove this. I think Megatokyo has matured from being ‘ha-ha Sunday comics’ into a deep storyline with characters you really grow attached to. It’s like a novel, almost. A humorous, illustrated novel.
I don’t know why I’m telling you all this… maybe I just want you to do what you can. Don’t stress over this so much and feel like the world is coming to an end just beacause Kimiko’s nose is off-center or Largo has six fingers. We all have ‘dead piro days’. (I’m currently in a ‘dead allison week’, myself…^-^)
Migi-Fangirl mode: “Keep it up, Piro-sama~! You’re so cool and good and…YAY! COOKIE!” ^-^
~midgetrat/allison, megatokyo fangirl.
Mr. Gallagher,
It is your comic, therefore it is your decision what to do. But I suggest adding a character named Carmen, because I also am named Carmen and I am cool. That would make your cartoon Carmen even cooler!!
Keep up the good work. =)
Carmen the cool.
After a climax there must be a restful moment (unless you’re an American movie…) or perhaps a survey of the wrecked landscape…
Here’s hoping that my guesses turn out - (one of the few win-win scenario people apparently…).
Nightstrife: I feel your pain.. yes, really, constantly — I don’t want to stalk Mahou and Froth-bite but I can only assume that Finals and AP tests are eating their souls…. the next ep of Moon Phase is a pivotal turn and its been 3 weeks since 15 was released. Mahoraba is less pivotal but it would be nice to see a schedule… plus or minus a week is fine…. or at least a “OMIGOD the APs are eating my Brainz!!!!” status. Thats okay too (as opposed to “I got bored and started needlepoint.”).
you don’t know me. heck, i don’t even know you, but i accidentally stumbled into your website and liked your sketches (which sort of reminds me of something). i want to tell you i feel the same thing. i don’t like a good first impression to people who liked my first work–or even, heaven forbid–my personality and was impressed by it because by then, you would have to live up to the expectation and the pressure people set for you…anyways, keep up the good work! don’t let me disturb you in any least. just think of me as someone who likes your sketches very much…(or the nerve to display them online for all to see!hehehe…just kidding) oh, well…good luck!may lady luck smile upon you…:)
you don’t know me. heck, i don’t even know you, but i accidentally stumbled into your website and liked your sketches (which sort of reminds me of something). i want to tell you i feel the same thing. i don’t like a good first impression to people who liked my first work–or even, heaven forbid–my personality and was impressed by it because by then, you would have to live up to the expectation and the pressure people set for you…anyways, keep up the good work! don’t let me disturb you in any least. just think of me as someone who likes your sketches very much…(or the nerve to display them online for all to see!hehehe…just kidding) oh, well…good luck!may lady luck smile upon you…:)
this could be something ur dealing wit urself but dont worry about it. Make the comic the way u feel it should come out and it will be great. All of megatokyo is great and im not getting tired of it. Sure one comic might make me laugh or think more then another one but all your comics are great so dont worry and just make a comic that you feel is good and it will be good.
life doesn’t always have a punchline
but the punches come anyway, some you can avoid, more you can divert towards Dom, but others seem to slip through. Writing can be a bitch. If we were to see what Shakespeare, Wilde, hell… Anyone who has ever put pen to paper or fingers to keys, what they refered to as Crap, we would be blown away!
The people who say “your only as good as your last big thing” has never had true fans. With Megatokyo #0 and #1, how many preorders did you have? well over 4000? the only way you could screw this up is if you had Largo turn gay and have him give it up the to Junpei.
ok, ignore the last part, it’s after midnight and I have had class all day.
What I mean to say is… for the past 5 years and 700+ comics, the only semi-negative thing has been the SGD’s and even thouse have a fan club, I’ve been known to use fillers and DPD’s as Desktop images for months later!
So far we have seen Zombies, Big guns, Ninjas, little guns[Boo!], a Giant turtle wasted on Sake being thrown into the top of a building by a PS2 accessory, hearts being broken, arms being broken, a hot goth chick, a dude in a bunny suit driving a muffin scooter, a Conscience with wings plus a Twin sister, and god knows what else!
I’m willing to bet that some of the for mentioned ideas were compared to “the better stuff back when…” Chapter 6 will be the better stuff back when sooner then you know it, and so will chapter 7, 8, 26… there will always be fans, and most don’t look back on the better whens only to the best yet to come.
Don’t dwell on it mate. You, your story, your art and everythign about megatokyo is well beyond first rate (the better side that is). Not once have i compared one comic to another. There is no doubt you art has improved drastically from strip #1 onwards but i must say it has be great to watch you grow all these years.
Your expertise can only progress as you learn and experience more Fred. Thats all there is to it.
Just do waht you want to do!!!!
If you don’t do your best, what’s the point?
Yes! Ye-eeeessss!
Miho and Ping get SEXY!
I will now engage in the most excellent dance known to mankind: The Sakura Shuffle.
Get down!
Addendum:
The ultimate icing on the cake would be Ping brushing Miho off, leaving her crushed and humbled, only to return later, as an ally in getting Piro and Nanasawa together… all so she can get Ping for herself.
If my spider-loli-senses have not failed me, this will be the development… SEX-AY! : D
Aside:
The last panel of the previous comic has been making the rounds on 4chan. Fairly amusing if you’ve seen ‘em.
Addendum 2:
Last two panels look really weird.
Miho’s magical shrinking head and stretching arms? : P
Also, sorry for the triple post. : P
oye. alota comments here. im just dropn by and pointn’ out that your last couple of comics have had more of the ‘wide-eyed’ anime-style to it.
Meh, I liked it just fine; I assumed Miho followed Ping for the two steps needed to grab her sweater. I also liked Ping’s way of rationalizing things and how quickly she reached her conclusion.
Did I mention the art rocks? No? Well, it does, so there. *thbpt*
Dan Kim, your gift art rocked but you’re scaring me. o.o Fred, don’t tell me that that’s really gonna happen. >_<
so cheer up!! *waves flag*
As for your blog thingy: Hey, its YOUR comic. Don’t worry too much! Think of it this way: Atleast you’re not one of those big-time manga-ka. The way they’ve got it, they’ve gotta deal with fans, due dates more extreme than yours, and others. And little free time.
Dan Kim: oh god. please. stop.
Fred: as a rule, i try not to judge or criticize other people’s work, simply because i’m not able to produce better. i end up feeling hypocritical and pretentious, and i dont want to feel or appear to be that way.
…not to say that i wont give constructive comments.
i just need to say, i have been _delighted_ with the way MT has gone in the past 9 (or so) months. I think back to the Fanboy Hoard of last summer, and think about how far the comic has come, and i’m thriled. In all honesty, i am just overjoyed.
IF you lose some readers because “it was funnier back then”, or “the art si not as good as it was bakc tehn!!1″, nobody will miss them.
i mean, i can imagine how you feel. persoanlly, i hate dissapointing people — but, where i would just be dissapointing one or two people (at a time X_X), you would be taking on a couple hundered-thousand.
it takes balls, i’ll say that much.
i don’t know why i read MT. there’s something about the setting, story, characters, and art combined that has made me feel something really deep down.
i felt it two years ago when i first found the site, and i still feel it every monday, wendsday, and friday.
I’ll either compare you to your past work or other people’s past work. There’s no way out from it, so just forget about it. Besides, there really isn’t any such thing as the past or the future. It’s only what you’re doing now that’s important.
Lots of comments…
Just want to say I understand what it’s like to be paralysed by the fear of disappointing others. Even when you know its silly (even if you mess up or don’t quite meet expectations, its better then not even trying, and you do better when you don’t worry about it) and there are plenty of people out there encouraging you, it still bothers you. Overcoming such barriers is another part of the biz, like learning to draw hands or working on proportions.
Oi… what to add? Well, first, I agree with Nishiko that I just figured Miho followed Ping… and yes, I did like the decision making process there (reminded a little bit of Vardaman, though… *shivers* No… get out of my head, As I Lay Dying…)
And I really don’t think people are as critical of the comic as you think. I mean, I wouldn’t be happy if you suddenly regressed to Chapter 0 art and writing style, because you have gotten a lot better since then, but I can’t think of anything besides something that drastic that would bug me.
On a completely unrelated note… are the servers being problematic again? My load times have been on the upswing recently… Of course, as I’m typing this, it seems they’ve gone down… or something…
I am surprised by the lack of support for a Miho/Ping robot vampire yuri-fest.
That aside, I think that the concerns about disappointing people (and yourself) is a healthy concern. It’s that kind of feeling that drives people to improve themselves and aim for excellence in their work.
Honestly, if everyone felt good about the work they were doing (I seriously dislike this stupid ‘feel good’ and ‘everyone is a winner’ ideology being pushed by the so-called experts) no one would bother to work hard and long for their success.
So anyway, if you ask me, the day it becomes easy, the day you feel 100% statified, is the day you’ve become complacent, and Megatokyo becomes Garfield or Marmaduke.
Anyway, keep feeling that pressure! Pressure is life! : )
After reading Dan Kim’s past posts, that last one kinda surprised me…
Well… Except for the “Miho, Ping yuri-fest” thing… That was sort of expected after reading his past posts… No offence to him though…
But I didn’t really think of it that way…
So… Push yourself to get better, but not too much that it burns you out! That’s probably the best advice to follow…
Ja ne!
Hey, over-exposure to Hot Sakura Sexy leaves you a little insane. It’s unavoidable.
Also, I’ve always maintained that if you’re serious about your work, burnout is unavoidable. Period. The trick to it, though, is to make sure your burnout co-incides with your retirement. Careful management of your mental composure will allow to achieve a nice long burn (as opposed to being reduced to a flash in the pan). The fact that Fred has lasted this long, though, suggests that he already knows this. I mean, that’s where DPDs come from, right?
Well, I guess I’m getting awfully close to putting words into someone else’s mouth, now, so that’s the last you’ll hear from me. : P
Dear MR Fred Gallagher,
If I may, I’d like to point out that, what if you had taken on this feeling before? Earlier in the comic? You’ve said you felt you were improving, and Indeed you have been were it is actually possible. But, When George Lucas did Star Wars… When it came to creating “The Empire Strikes Back”, who knows what was playing through his mind, and again for “Return Of the Jedi” - Even More so. It must have taken not just alot of self confidense, but a Vision. An Idea that only he truly knew and understood. In actual fact, he never cared for appealing to fans so much as forfilling his own dreams in filmaking. And He did what he could. And you know what? THAT is what made his films three of the most popular films of all time. Not because he looked so much for what people wanted, and how he could “better” Himself, but what was his own vision and artistic expression.
The Fact of the matter is, that an artists greatest peice of work, is one that is closest to his heart, to his vision, his dream. Because everyone can relate to the pure emotion. You sir, with your story, have put across your own vision. And you may have added things knowing people would love them, but they were YOUR things in reality. Because you ARE a TRUE artist. I believe this.
Rather than worring about bettering your previous, your “golden age”, think about finding ways to express more purely what megatokyo means to you as a person, and follow that. THEN and ONLY then, when you believe in this, and have a little more trust in yourself, will you find your centre to keep drawing and writing this fantastic online manga comic, for as long as you desire into the future. And people will love it.
I hope that J00 R34D my thoughts here, and that it 7RU1Y H31P5 J00, in some way. I’m sorry if i seem like some smart-ass upstart kid. I’m only 16, and I don’t expect you to learn anything new from this, much less spend time acknowledging me. But that doesn’t matter. I just want you to realize that your not at fault, and that I too, have found your comic inspiring throughout it’s lifetime. It can only keep going in the same kick-ass state it’s always been in, never diminish. I’m sure many will agre33 with me.
Long-term stories have fluctuations, like hills and valleys. quiet, content, smooth, rising, climbing, high, top and then calming again back to another renewed smooth and calm. In other words, climax’s, anti climax’s, middles, and more renewed middles. The real challenge is to find what you are comfortable with, what you think will happen next, that’s true to your vision. That, in turn will lead to fan’s appreciation in the progress of the storyine. And besided! you can always buy some time with a classic bit of humour on another “Piro’s…” something or other funny “…day” ! I love it! Everyone likes some light-hearted intervals to a deep or tense storyine. Infact, now, as a suggestion, it may soon be a good time to create another queit period of story, that focuses on a paticular characters(s) growth. BUT! I Stress that is but a mere suggestion, and that your own true Megatokyo, is the only real direction for the storyline. HAve some faith in yourself, what do you think got you this far aside from your freinds/fans/Families, etc’s moral support?
I wish you the best of luck and confidense,
Myles Edwin Thomas
What Myles said. W3rd.
Wow… What Myles said is some of the best advice I’ve ever heard… And no, I’m not being sarcastic, this is true!
If you skiped past it because it’s a little on the long side, go back and read it!
True, it also refers back to your drawing style. The one thing I am afraid of is the fact that all the characters have taken on a certain round face feature, and Kimiko’s face is round as well whereas earlier comics show her to be more angular. Is this an expectation not lived up too or simply a style change?
Dont sweat it Fred,
your doing fine. I seriosly think that your comics are getting better and better. Thats why I cant stop reading them. Even though your comics are awsome I do think that they need a bit more humor and shouldnt be as serious. What happened to Largo and Piro? It seemed that they were in every pannel doing somthing wierd and crazy toghether and Largo always got Piro in trouble but now it seems that they have two completely different lives and dont see each other anymore. They just get in each others way. Its hard to write comics and keep them as good as they were in the past because you suddenly run out of ideas and then your progress starts to go down the drain. Ive always liked to draw comics and I admire the way you can make the charecters seem real. Even though I am far from a computer I cant stop thinking about megatokyo because I can relate to the charecters so much. I often compare megatokyo to real life events when im sitting in school with nothing else to do boored as hell. Ive told some of my friends about your website and I hope they are willing to try it out. Keep up the good work.
lordy, marcus - you only have to hit ‘post’ once. Refresh your browser, and you’ll see it
thanks i got it now
sry about all da confusion