#116 - Oh God!
Friday, February 15th, 2008Check it!
You can now buy advertising on Anders Loves Maria for nothing! I only have one square ad box at the moment, so get it cheap as free while you can!
Here is an interview with me, where you can totally tell I’m nervous because I giggle like a 12 year old. The part where they interview me is around 30 minutes into the podcast. Nothing too revealing, but you get a chance to laugh at me and I invite it.
Also I’m so sorry to disappoint you lot that wanted a smack down. Contrary to popular belief, Johan is actually not a very violent person.
February 15th, 2008 at 4:07 pm
Poor Johan he is trying so hard to save his little sister!
I love the comic! Thank you!!
February 15th, 2008 at 4:10 pm
Why do we constantly hurt the ones who care about us the most?
February 15th, 2008 at 4:22 pm
ble johan lei seg?
February 15th, 2008 at 4:27 pm
Ahaha, I was so certain there was gonna be a royal rumble.
Don’t worry, Rene, what today’s comic lacked in violence, it more than made up for it in nudity and awesome humour.
You continue to rule. :^D
February 15th, 2008 at 4:31 pm
I love Johan. I am starting a fan club.
February 15th, 2008 at 4:38 pm
haha olga may i be your first member?
February 15th, 2008 at 4:56 pm
Amazing as always Rene. Keep it up!
February 15th, 2008 at 4:56 pm
I love the looks on their faces in the last panel. It’s a combination of “Oh shit!” and “Oh god, I’m so freakin’ amped up on sex endorphins I can’t think right now.”
Awesome, as always.
February 15th, 2008 at 5:48 pm
I am definitely feeling more sympathetic towards Johan as of today’s strip. The interview was delightful by the way.
February 15th, 2008 at 6:26 pm
I want to join, too, Olga.
I just can’t imagine how all of this becomes okay within a few years. *anxiously waits*
February 15th, 2008 at 6:39 pm
I want to hug Johan so much right now. I can’t imagine how it feels to know the sister you’re trying to protect is actively fucking herself over and is using/allowing herself to be used by one of his friends.
Johan
February 15th, 2008 at 7:21 pm
Well, about the “using”… she probably isn’t having so bad of a time herself, either. Bjorn looks like he’s quite large and filling, and besides, Maria started it!
February 15th, 2008 at 7:41 pm
It’s mental how you make me hate these one second, but love them the next. Johan, in particular, is a prime example of this. You do such a good job of writing this, Rene. Several golden stars for you.
Now, if only you could get me to like Bjorn for a moment.
February 15th, 2008 at 7:42 pm
these characters*
February 15th, 2008 at 7:53 pm
I’m glad that we know that Maria and Johan get to be close again later on, I’m looking forward to seeing how they work it out.
February 15th, 2008 at 8:44 pm
Awesome closure of an awesome storyline!
Just wondering: Am I the only one who has second thoughts about the shape of the door bell, especially in this context? (Paging Dr. Freud.)
February 15th, 2008 at 9:56 pm
So, when they interviewed you, did they know that you, too, are a goon? Because some of the rant right before your interview seems kind of insulting, if only because of the scatter-shot nature of some of comments related to Something Awful forums.
February 15th, 2008 at 10:09 pm
“Large and Filling” hehe…
I also love Johan, such a cutie! And I have had that last panel look before in a similar context, woops!
Again Rene, you were totally cute in the interview, you did a good job!
February 15th, 2008 at 10:17 pm
Jesus they are not even using protection, what idiots.
February 15th, 2008 at 10:27 pm
Poor sad/disappointed Johan
You can’t protect her forever. I guess he has a harder time than most big brothers since their parents aren’t exactly Mother and Father of the Year.
The interview was good as well! Not to sound super creepy, but you sounded kinda like I thought you might sound.
February 15th, 2008 at 11:21 pm
I would also like to join the Johan fan club! The look on his face in panel 3… poor baby. It’s amazing how expressive your characters are, considering how clean and simple the art is. Also, I can’t seem to stop kissing your butt! :p
February 16th, 2008 at 1:07 am
Poor Johan. I don’t know if I’m misinterpreting the panels, but is Maria’s hand (the one in covering her mouth) on backwards, or is the palm facing the “camera”?
February 16th, 2008 at 1:39 am
awww haha. I love their kinda “woops, haha” faces.
poor johan, he’s so freaked and confused looking…
I love how they’re just doing it on the table.
February 16th, 2008 at 2:41 am
Jesse: I dunno! But I have to tell you I am a little miffed. I love Fuegos blog and the SA forums is one of my favourite places on the internet right now.
February 16th, 2008 at 4:10 am
Aww, poor Johan.
February 16th, 2008 at 4:49 am
Well how far down does that penis go?
February 16th, 2008 at 7:25 am
A comment on the anti-SA and YWiB rant, the guy who recorded that is responsible for his own opinion, and it’s not necessarily held by anyone else involved in the podcast. I didn’t even know that’s what his bit was going to be until the next day after the interview. I think it’s dumb, too, personally.
February 16th, 2008 at 7:31 am
Diana. Yeah I gathered that. I mean YWB sort of asks for this sort of response I suppose.
SA sucks now. I am on probabation for a week and I don’t really understand why. That makes me laugh sort of. I feel like such a badass!.
February 16th, 2008 at 7:40 am
Hej Rene! JAG rättvis tanken I’d stopp litt efter litt berätta du hur mycket JAG älska den komisk. Du veta , JAG icke gör det jämn veta hur till tala svensk. JAG rättvis skrift på maskin den här in i en översättare och slå till engelsk till svensk. Haha. =)
February 16th, 2008 at 7:43 am
… man, the last few pages have been really hot. Awesome ♥
And while I feel bad for Johan… at the same time I’m becoming a bit annoyed. I know he’s looking out for her, but if she’s a legal adult/of consenting age and everything… what business is her sex life to him?
February 16th, 2008 at 7:46 am
melissa. That is some crazy swedish that machine talks. I barely understand it. But thanks anyways!
I’m happy you like the comic.
February 16th, 2008 at 7:54 am
“SA sucks now. I am on probabation for a week and I don’t really understand why. That makes me laugh sort of. I feel like such a badass!.”
Hey Rene, the reason you were probated from the SA forums was for posting while intoxicated. I tried to give you a heads up there, but unfortunately the moderators probably figured out your edit
I hope that you’ll come back when your probation is over, because the webcomics threads will really miss you otherwise 
February 16th, 2008 at 7:57 am
Ah ok. So it wasn’t the choice of language? With such strange rules I suppose I will find myself on probabation again. I don’t plan on leaving SA even though it can be annoying at times. I am happy I found my way there.
February 16th, 2008 at 8:13 am
SA has a lot of weird rules like no drunk posting to keep down the number of obnoxious members who post useless threads and replies saying shit like WHOOO I AM SO WASTED. It’s a big forum with a lot of traffic, so what would be a minor annoyance on a small forum can become a big issue if not dealt with. It sucks that innocent, normal posts made while “happy” get the same treatment as jackasses, but the mods can’t afford to make exceptions to the rules. At least be glad that the probation system is in place. In the old days, you just would have been banned and made to pay to have your account unlocked.
Oh, SA. You’re weird, but I love you.
February 16th, 2008 at 8:18 am
It is an unpleasant thing to hear your 15-year-old sister having sex. I can speak from personal experience. =(
February 16th, 2008 at 9:45 am
it seems so strange to me, to ban drunk posting! plenty of folks can remain erudite and articulate while drunk, and even more to the point, loads of people are dribbling idiots without a drop to drink. SA is weird.
February 16th, 2008 at 9:50 am
You can post on SA while intoxicated, just make sure it isn’t terribly obvious, and don’t even mention that you’re under the influence of anything. since you said I’m a bit “happy” right now it was rather obvious you meant some kinda drug, so the mods probated ya. Hope to see you posting there within a week
February 16th, 2008 at 9:53 am
lefty: I wrote drunk at first, but then I changed it to “happy” after someone said that it wasn’t good to write drunk. I guess happy is no good either.
February 16th, 2008 at 9:55 am
banning drunk posting is like banning fun =p
February 16th, 2008 at 9:55 am
bah! they can’t ban drunk and happy at the same time!
February 16th, 2008 at 10:37 am
Does anyone know the rules about me getting someone to post for me on SA? So that I am not completely absent? The last thing I want to do is get banned…
February 16th, 2008 at 10:46 am
im not really familiar with SA unfortunately, so… not gonna be able to help out there. sorry rene =[
seems like there would be some other more knowledgeable people who post here though….
February 16th, 2008 at 11:02 am
Getting someone to post for you could count as sharing an account, which is also a no-no. A week of lurking won’t kill you. There’s always the comic comment section.
February 16th, 2008 at 11:12 am
That’s true. I’ll just bide my time. I just wanted to comment a little on the Flashback Within A Flashback. I will of course be coming back to that and the flashback with 15 year old Maria and the flashback with 6 year old Maria will “soon” start to make sense with their present day situation.
February 16th, 2008 at 3:09 pm
Det blir bara bättre & bättre ! Är helt besatt av din serie. Rene - du rockar !
February 16th, 2008 at 3:20 pm
Tack Helena!
February 16th, 2008 at 3:59 pm
the female interviewer was extremely obnoxious in her critique of other webcomics prior to your interview. her tone of voice and out-loud laughter at the creators of *wonderful* webcomics gunnerkrigg court and the phoenix requiem was just plain obnoxious. claiming these comics were nominated on popularity alone just rang false and bitter - perhaps *her* webcomic was not nominated.
ironically, right after that there was some kind of poorly performed (obviously read aloud from a written page) critique of people who are obnoxious on the internet bc they have no life and no accountability with the anonymity of the internet.
they were nice enough to you, though i don’t think their interviewing skills are remotely worthy of a podcast - and i will not be listening to more. in fact i suggest you add the time your interview begins to the link to the podcast so others don’t have to suffer through that crap. there are tons of other webcomics zines online who will interview you as time goes on and i’m betting they’ll be more prepared with questions they actually prepared in advance. webcomic beacon snobs, don’t quit your day jobs!
February 16th, 2008 at 6:47 pm
Although I am happy that you now haveyour own topic on theforum, I don’t honestly feel comfortable posting in such a strikt forum. Getting suspended for mentioning you are drunk or something like that is just rediculous. Anything I have to say I think I will do so here. =)
February 16th, 2008 at 6:59 pm
I am not encouraging anyone to start an account at SA. I posted that more as information for those that are members already. Feel free to discuss here as much as you like.
February 16th, 2008 at 9:41 pm
It seems you are no longer probated on SA. Post away, young Rene!
February 16th, 2008 at 9:49 pm
Michelle: Well, you’ll be happy to know that I was only filling in, so my obnoxiousness won’t get in the way of future episodes, until I’m needed again. Also, I stand by all criticisms of Phoenix Requiem. Technically pretty, but stiff with no soul to the art. Not worthy of those scads of nominations. And when did I disparage Gunnerkrigg Court? That’s one of my favorite webcomics EVER. I even did a guest strip for it. I’m seriously confused by some of the problems you seem to have with me.
February 17th, 2008 at 12:58 am
Diana: I think that person is confused about another person’s comments?
Honestly–I have to say, I do think the show could use a little filter, because the guy from tunisia? I am pretty sure they would have just not run him on NPR
February 17th, 2008 at 12:59 am
oh, and Phoenix Requiem does look kind of stiff–too much explaining in the dialogue? The art is GORGEOUS, but it just is a little sticky, I understand the crit.
I think with time the creator can probably create a really compelling narrative, but it takes time! There are few webcomics that start off perfect in art AND writing!
February 17th, 2008 at 1:05 am
Sorry, again and again posting.
OK, the awards aren’t good. The choice of comics is kind of poor. Many of the comics are good, but do have serious problems: Dresden Codak DOES have awful layouts, they are way too clever & contrived.
I think “Good use of the medium” would be an acceptable category though–comics that are “good as comics”. Some comics would be better in other medium. But seriously, the awards are awful: PA is not a colorful comic… they missed a lot of amazing comics, too.
February 17th, 2008 at 2:12 am
Diana, for the record, I had a lovely time talking to you and Fes even if it was a little unorganised and interrupted by my internet connection.
February 17th, 2008 at 4:31 am
I’m glad you did, Rene. I was afraid I came off like a jerk there. I interrupted you more than once without meaning to, I recall. Sorry about that. I definitely enjoyed it, as well.
February 17th, 2008 at 8:50 am
I see your point, streever, but in general they were just snarking and openly laughing about many long-running popular webcomics instead of providing any real criticism. Phoenix Requiem, at the very beginning of its cycle, is one of the few that they justified their snarky laughter (this is a turnoff and nothing but) with an actual reason (stiff storyline) - and having read Inverloch, I do think Sarah Ellerton knows how to craft a compelling story. Her fans in her forums are waiting with baited breath for each new page as the story gets further along…more anxious to know what happens next than with any other webcomic I can even think of except perhaps Lint: http://www.purnicellin.com/lint/ which is my favorite fantasy webcomic and goes unrecognized year after year by the WCCA, so I even see your point about their nominating rules.
I take issue with your super-snark and I think you made a fool of yourself with that Diana, in the context of the separate rant on the same podcast by some guy about how obnoxious people are on the internet. If you don’t want all the fans of the comics you find so unworthy to publicly mock jinxville all over the net, you might consider being a little more diplomatic or professional with your criticism. I took the time to look at your comics and I thought your egghead story was pretty cute but considering that none of your comics are long developed stories, you might reserve criticism for someone who is in the process of developing such a tale - or at least be more polite about it. I can tell you that common courtesy is much more expected and respected by fantasty and manga webcomic fans - I feel certain you will hear more about this from others but I won’t bother to repost your interview because that crowd is easily upset and they will definitely be upset with your obviously unplanned rambling. Had it been me (and I would never do that job) I’d have read the WCCAs in advance and taken a glance at each comic on the list beforehand and made a note what I liked and disliked about it. I see you’re a fan of Gunnerkrigg - maybe you should give your own interview another listen bc you even seem to mock Tom for repetitive entries.
AND you should have prepared questions for Rene - she might not mind (she’s excessively sweet) but the whole thing would have come off better (read: more interesting) had you done so.
In conclusion, perhaps you were just filling in, but in the future I recommend the webcomic beacon does a teensy bit of preparation regardless of who the hosts are - it sounded like a couple of high school kids shooting the shit and if it was me I’d remove that particular episode from the internet with some embarrassment - ok nobody’s perfect - admitting your mistakes is the first step. Hopefully there others are less pathetic. OR somebody else should start up a real webcomic podcast.
February 17th, 2008 at 12:27 pm
Please, if you think I’m snarky, you have no idea. Try submitting some of these comics to an actual editor. I’m going to speak my mind if asked. If that makes people want to come after my little website, I welcome them. I can use all the criticism I can get. I LOVE good criticism because it gets harder to come by after a while. Praise is nice, but it gets old fast and doesn’t help me improve at all.
Sounds to me like you just don’t like anyone saying anything negative about webcomics you like without sugar-coating the hell out of it and sanding down all the sharp edges. Keep in mind that it’s the creative works I and other critics have issues with, not the people themselves. Nothing I say about a comic, no matter how cutting, is an attack on the person who made it. Every other medium and venue has their critics. I don’t give webcomics a free pass just because someone’s feelings might get hurt. If we’re lucky, maybe that could create a desire in them to improve. I’ve seen it happen.
As to Gunnerkrigg, how could pointing out that it’s silly for the comic to be nominated in almost every single category be considered an insult against the creator? It was a note of my annoyance with the WCCAs, if anything. I don’t care how awesome any of those comics are, there should be more variety in the titles considered for the different categories. Maybe it’s you who should go back and re-listen.
Yeah, the podcast was a lot of shooting the shit. That’s the way my favorite podcasts are, personally. Aside from Valentine’s Day, there was no set topic, so we just talked about whatever. And if you’ll go back and listen, we did in fact prepare with interview questions. You’ll hear us asking them. They were written down on a little sheet of paper and everything. I didn’t prepare for the main part of the show — meaning, everything that wasn’t the interview with Rene or my comic review — because I didn’t know what we’d be talking about. I shot my mouth off about whatever came up. That’s called open discussion.
Speaking of courtesy, I’d appreciate it if you would stop clogging up Rene’s comment section with rants against my podcasting style. You should send any feedback on the show to the Webcomic Beacon’s e-mail and any more of those oh-so-insightful personal jabs and thinly-veiled threats to my e-mail address, which you can find on my site.
Sorry about encouraging this silliness, Rene.
February 17th, 2008 at 4:07 pm
I dunno.. i thought diana sounded like she was pretty hot. Rene.. you did an awesome job but your phone did not. Boo phone.. yay rene!
You sounded so artsy talking about anders making his own choices. Adorable.
PS.. first comment drama on anders loves maria. Mark the day.. we’ll celebrate the anniversary next year.
February 17th, 2008 at 4:13 pm
Olga: It’s true, she is pretty hot.
February 17th, 2008 at 4:49 pm
Olga: Haha! Artsy?
February 17th, 2008 at 6:30 pm
Come on dudes, stop fightin’ !
February 17th, 2008 at 8:00 pm
Johan is quickly becoming my favorite character.
February 17th, 2008 at 9:51 pm
All this fightning is due to the lack of reminder that there is nudity at the top of this page.
February 18th, 2008 at 12:34 am
LOL Hec.
I do think you are being a bit too hard, Michelle. Much as you dismiss their crits of Phoenix, so to can your crits of them be dismissed: “She doesn’t really give anything constructive or concrete, really, it’s just her opinion that it’s a bad format for a podcast. Lots of people LOVE the podcast, and that STYLE of podcast!”
See?
So, I think it’s enough to leave it at, “I really disagree with the format of the podcast, it’s not something I enjoy, and I disliked the views they expressed on Phoenix Requiem. I think it’s a beautiful & well-told narrative.”
Instead you came in here attack dog style “It’s not even worth listening to their garbage cast”…. that’s why people are being resistant…
I’ll let it go too now, I mean, I’m not invested in this, just wanted to point out that there is no need to be so upset just because you didn’t enjoy the podcast! If Rene thought it was worthless, she wouldn’t have linked to it at all…! So why try to convince her that a great spot on a show, with a lot of interesting questions & conversation, is worthless?
February 18th, 2008 at 1:48 am
streever: i’m gonna try and put this like i’m not entirely up my own arse (which i am) but RE: dresden codak, do you really think that ‘clever’ is a problem? half the time i read a new (too seldom) DC i spend a good half hour on wiki wrapping my head around what diaz is talking about and i really enjoy it. i also think that the ‘too smart’ character of kimiko ross is really well rounded out and fun as all hell. as for the layouts, i think that a strip that bucks the pure linearity trend is entirely appropriate for that particualr strip, especially considering the earlier ones. direct pacing and layout is perfect for a slice-of-life (see? i am restraining myself; didn’t even use the french for it) strip like ALM (which i just envy the crap out it’s writing) but not so much for one that includes a trip to the aztec land of the dead and copenhagen interpretation fantasy camp.
February 18th, 2008 at 2:28 am
Hmm, personally, I find it hard to read Dresden Codak: I don’t think it’s using the medium well. I do ENJOY IT, and I do think it’s a GOOD COMIC: but, I don’t think that it should win, over all other comics, an award for it’s layout.
You know? Let’s just remember, they were debating comics which are said to be THE BEST: not just “GOOD” or “GOOD WHEN YOU GET USED TO IT”–several of his comics have left me confused until I read them 2 times, and not because of the science or the storytelling….
So, I do think, as an annual award, it doesn’t have much meaning when a comic like DC is up for good use of layout: I think that Aaron is VERY new to cartooning & creation of comics, and it’d be pretty hasty to say he was great at layout. He’s experimenting & enjoying occasional success, and also occasional failure: I haven’t seen anything yet that convinces me he’ll consistently produce a solid landscape.
Does that make sense? Don’t worry about being up your arse, you don’t sound it, and it’s totally valid that you disagree with me or want to point out where you think I’m wrong
February 18th, 2008 at 6:37 am
what’s with all these people gettin all mad and ruffling their feathers about forums, podcasts and shit??? Lets go back to talking about how much we love Maria! I guess i could just skip comments that look long.
February 18th, 2008 at 4:43 pm
There is really only one person ruffling their feathers, and she already quieted down
Considering this comic posted Friday, I think there isn’t too much comic discussion left, so people started discussing the news that Renee posted, and now we are discussing the discussing…. Woah, meta.
March 6th, 2008 at 1:11 am
Way to be the adult there, Johan. Let me get this straight: He comes to beat up his friend for screwing his poor sister, and before making his entrance, decides to abandon his slutty sister as punishment.
“I’m on my own now? Oh that’s great, I didn’t know you were there in the first place.”