I think I'm still going to work on these weekly, regardless if they get published. I've been told that they have a good supply of comics to work with, so Dissect My Brain won't be seen in the Union Weekly for a bit. (They did, however, publish my short story "The Stars Laugh at a Bitter and Desperate Man" in the latest issue.) It's all good, so be sure to check out the other comics they put out. If you love 'em, hate 'em, or you think you can do better, be sure to show or tell them so! (I feel very passionate about the comics page, and want everyone else to too!)
On to the strip! There really is a lot to say about this one. First and foremost, I did this in tribute to my friend, Kym, who recently left America to work in Japan. I've been wanting to include her in a comic since the original development of this comic, but the idea somehow got lost in the shuffle. In what I originally plotted, she was supposed to be the "straight, no-nonsense" character and I would be freaking her out in the vignette. (Funny how this turned out, huh?)
The idea of this strip is made up of two parts. First off, this is legitimately what a conversation between Kym and I sounds like. Second off, I had a conversation with another friend in a similar spirit, in which we asked each other how we would feel if we found out someone made porn based of something we've made. Is having porn made out of your work a sign that you have finally "made it?" Granted, this idea didn't really go into the strip, but it was sort of the basis I had as a starting point.
On technical aspects, I originally wanted to first Kevin speech bubble to be this long winded rant on the frustrations of the comic page. I also wanted to include how "anime" has gone from being the "cool, edgy" thing of the 90's, to now being a signifier of the socially inadequate. Seriously, I think people think I'm a big, creepy otaku guy, when I dislike those kind of guys with an intense passion! I also wanted Kym's fantasy to be very elaborate, but alas, I ran out of space; besides, I feel the more I write, the more likely I wouldn't be able to do one of Kym's fantasies any justice. The third panel, is once again used as the "deadpan" panel.
And this is where I will have to critique myself. I've used deadpan jokes in recent strips, "Remember to Smile" and "What Usually Happens When You Make an Autobiographical Comic." I don't know what people think of this; is this a well-loved trademark of the series, or a tired trope? Also, I probably really should start drawing backgrounds. I don't partly out of laziness, but seriously, there's only so much you can fit in those goddamn tiny panels!
But again, I'm nitpicking. I do like how this turned out, and it sure as hell, provided me with great commentary material.
UPDATE: This comic eventually got published on the very last issue.
UPDATE: This comic eventually got published on the very last issue.
Original Publication: May 9, 2011.
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