Baldur's Gate comic

flysoup · Post by **flysoup** » Sat Jul 05, 2008 3:48 pm

Hi my fellow rpg companions, just wanted to share some links to my Baldur's Gate comic and other fantasy based stuff.

ballukas on deviantART

YouTube - bgcomic's Channel

Enjoy and good speed!

Siberys · Post by **Siberys** » Sat Jul 05, 2008 4:46 pm

Is that your comic?

If so, I'm gonna be completely honest. It's awful. The drawings are decent, in fact good for a comic's standards, but the dialog often makes no sense, has grammatical errors, bolds the wrong words with the font, and some of the things people say at the time they say it are really...just bad.

"Get away from her you Ankheg freak."

That'd be like me saying "Get away from him you dog creature!" It's a mindless beast wanting food, shouting out what humans have named the beast is completely useless.

Oh....and I have to wonder, why is Imoen naked from the waste down?

Sir_Carnifex · Post by **Sir_Carnifex** » Sun Jul 06, 2008 7:10 pm

Actually, I think the comics are quite good. Excellent drawing style without being complicated and it isn't dominated with dialogue.

Siberys wrote:Is that your comic?

If so, I'm gonna be completely honest. It's awful. The drawings are decent, in fact good for a comic's standards, but the dialog often makes no sense, has grammatical errors, bolds the wrong words with the font, and some of the things people say at the time they say it are really...just bad.

Uh, take a look at the country of Flysoup and you'll notice he's from Sweden, which means English isn't his native language. The nice thing to do is to correct the error instead of just bashing a person for it. Besides, a lot of what makes a comic isn't the literary quality, but the pictures.

Siberys wrote:"Get away from her you Ankheg freak."

That'd be like me saying "Get away from him you dog creature!" It's a mindless beast wanting food, shouting out what humans have named the beast is completely useless.

Actually, I have heard lots of people refer to dogs as dogs when speaking to the dogs. Yup, they can't understand what's being said, but people do do that.

Oh....and I have to wonder, why is Imoen naked from the waste down?

Imoen is wearing dark gray leggings.

Siberys · Post by **Siberys** » Sun Jul 06, 2008 7:21 pm

Uh, take a look at the country of Flysoup and you'll notice he's from Sweden, which means English isn't his native language. The nice thing to do is to correct the error instead of just bashing a person for it. Besides, a lot of what makes a comic isn't the literary quality, but the pictures.

It doesn't matter what country he's from. Lets say he wrote in his national language, that'd be a lot better dialog probably because it's his native tongue. Using colloquialisms in a language you aren't completely fluent in doesn't work.

Oh, and no, what makes a good comic is Dialog AND pictures, 50/50 dead even. Sometimes, comics are really JUST about the dialog. Take "The Sandman" for example. Gritty and somewhat sub par drawings, but the feel of the world around the sandman and the dialog with it makes it work.

Imoen is wearing dark gray leggings.

Sorry, meant Abdel, got the names confused with the persons. But abdel is a male character wearing essentially a miniskirt and no pants. Kind of creepy.

Sir_Carnifex · Post by **Sir_Carnifex** » Sun Jul 06, 2008 8:58 pm

Siberys wrote:It doesn't matter what country he's from. Lets say he wrote in his national language, that'd be a lot better dialog probably because it's his native tongue. Using colloquialisms in a language you aren't completely fluent in doesn't work.

Well, if he wrote in Swedish, we couldn't read it, could we?

I'll deal with the errors as they don't bother me. They only bother me when a native English speaker makes them.

Siberys wrote:Sorry, meant Abdel, got the names confused with the persons. But abdel is a male character wearing essentially a miniskirt and no pants. Kind of creepy.

Actually, that's what the male fighter paperdolls in BGII look like. They wear a short tunic sort of like the lower class Romans wore. It's for freedom of movement. Think of it as a kilt. Heh...

Siberys · Post by **Siberys** » Sun Jul 06, 2008 9:23 pm

Well, if he wrote in Swedish, we couldn't read it, could we? I'll deal with the errors as they don't bother me. They only bother me when a native English speaker makes them.

Who cares if WE can't read it, there are tons of comics out there that I can't read in it's normal language but with a translation it's awesome.

For instance...manga. Manga is almost always starting in Japanese (with the exception of a few American "manga" such as Megatokyo), and I can't read it, but when translated into english, it's much easier to read obviously. However, my point is that it should be TRANSLATED, not written first hand in english as there is a difference in writing a comic in broken english and writing a comic in a native tongue and then having it translated by someone else.

Tricky · Post by **Tricky** » Sun Jul 06, 2008 11:41 pm

Ah, don't mind the forum Pit Bull too much, Flysoup. I think it looks very good and reads fine. It looks tons better than most comics about gaming, which is saying a lot actually. Plus it is very nice to see a webcomic about Baldur's Gate for a change. Respect.

What software are you using to ink and colour?

flysoup · Post by **flysoup** » Mon Jul 07, 2008 1:12 pm

Well hello there, I see that my comic has awakened some feelings out there from dislikes to likes. All as it should be since taste and opinions differs in all minds.

About the style I use, I can understand that some of you think it sucks and also that some of you likes it. I am working in a fast style with simple lines since I think that too many details in comics makes it difficult to read the panels. And the choise to work in a fast speed is due to that everyday life doesen't always give one the time to work with a hobby.

And for the language issue, yes I am from Sweden and I am aware of that my english gramma sucks. I am more than willing to change my text with the help from anyone that wants to aid me with that. I decided to write in english since I wanted to share the comic with as many people as possible, that is the beauty with internet after all.

To answer your question Tricky I am using pencils on a A4 paper to create a rough scribble/sketch. After that I am for the moment inking on the light table with a pentel stylo JM10 pen.

Then I scan the picture chosing lineart/blackwhite into photoshop to colour the page. Colour mode is set on RGB and I multiply the image in two layers when colouring.

Good speed to you all even the ones that hates my comic

flysoup · Post by **flysoup** » Mon Jul 07, 2008 2:03 pm

[QUOTE=Siberys]
And some of the things people say at the time they say it are really...just bad.
"Get away from her you Ankheg freak."
That'd be like me saying "Get away from him you dog creature!" It's a mindless beast wanting food, shouting out what humans have named the beast is completely useless.
down?[/QUOTE]

Imoen has the ability to shout out rather "mindless" things. She is one of the most annoying npc's when it comes to her dialoge

And she doesn't really think that the Ankheg understands her you know....
People can shout out weird comments when in panic or just to get strength in a chaotic situation. And besides that, check all the movies and other comics and see all the cheesy comments in those

[QUOTE=Siberys]However, my point is that it should be TRANSLATED, not written first hand in english as there is a difference in writing a comic in broken english and writing a comic in a native tongue and then having it translated by someone else.[/QUOTE]

Well I don't know anyone with a high knowledge in both swedish and english needed for such a translation. And I surely don't have the money to pay a translater. So what are my option? Not to share the comic just because of that? Well I choose to share it trying to do the best I can.

Anyway I respect almost all opinions and constructive critisism is welcomed. I am not doing this comic to please all, but hopefully some of you will like it and that would make me really happy and keep me going on.

I could choose just to do the comic for myself but that aint my way. I want to share it since comics is about communication ("even though my gramma ability is mediocre") and telling a story that hopefully others can enjoy.

And thank you all that support and defend me in this thread, love you!

Enough typing for now, I should concentrate in creating another comic page instead

fable · Post by **fable** » Mon Jul 07, 2008 5:50 pm

Very nice artwork, Flysoup. Thank you for taking the time to do your comic, and for attempting it in a foreign language, as well. I wish you luck with your future efforts, and will continue to read them.

dragon wench · Post by **dragon wench** » Mon Jul 07, 2008 6:02 pm

I too like your comic, the artwork is great, I love the drawing of Torgal!

Also, in my opinion your English is very good, given that it is not your mother tongue, I've seen so-called "Native Speakers" who have far less command of the language.
Oh, and welcome to Game Banshee

flysoup · Post by **flysoup** » Mon Jul 07, 2008 6:56 pm

[QUOTE=fable]Very nice artwork, Flysoup. Thank you for taking the time to do your comic, and for attempting it in a foreign language, as well. I wish you luck with your future efforts, and will continue to read them.

[/QUOTE]

I bow for your kind and inspiring comment, thank you very much

[QUOTE=dragon wench]I too like your comic, the artwork is great, I love the drawing of Torgal!

Also, in my opinion your English is very good, given that it is not your mother tongue, I've seen so-called "Native Speakers" who have far less command of the language.
Oh, and welcome to Game Banshee [/QUOTE]

Thank you friend, your comment made me really happy and motivated!

Many thanks for the welcome as well!

flysoup · Post by **flysoup** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 2:13 pm

The Baldur's Gate Comic blog is up. Check it out friends!

Baldur's Gate Comic
Edit/Delete Message

deadplayer · Post by **deadplayer** » Thu Aug 07, 2008 11:57 am

Good job!

repapips · Post by **repapips** » Mon Sep 22, 2008 4:40 am

sweet.... cnt wait to read that comic....

flysoup · Post by **flysoup** » Sun Oct 18, 2009 5:34 pm

Baldur's Gate comic visual/script edit progress

Hi, here is a sample of the edit progress of the BG comic that will be uploaded on the upcoming webpage named Bhaalspawn. Visual edits in this sample includes some black contrast add's, closing some opened inking lines and color adjustments. On this page I also gave Sarevok's Sword of Chaos a visual level up. Other edits: Added the Baldur's Gate coat of arms on the shield and the clothing of the Duce, more buildings in the grand city of Baldur's Gate and adjusted Sarevok's skin color. The script edit is done by prune 1 at Spellhold Studios. Due to his awesome script adds I just had to facelift the visuals as well. I used a more sketchy style before he joined the crafting.
The edited page is to the right. Good speed to you all and hope to see you on the upcoming webpage in a couple of month's!

SupaCat · Post by **SupaCat** » Tue Oct 20, 2009 10:13 am

It's well drawn, I guess (I never really read comics so I don't have a lot to compare with). It isn't exciting, to be honest. The dialogue isn't interesting enough to keep me reading (especially since I know how the story goes, which might have kept me reading otherwise).
And what's the point of making a comic of a Rpg? Really, I'm interrested in your reasons to make a comic of a game.

flysoup · Post by **flysoup** » Tue Oct 27, 2009 2:48 am

SupaCat wrote:It's well drawn, I guess (I never really read comics so I don't have a lot to compare with). It isn't exciting, to be honest. The dialogue isn't interesting enough to keep me reading (especially since I know how the story goes, which might have kept me reading otherwise).
And what's the point of making a comic of a Rpg? Really, I'm interrested in your reasons to make a comic of a game.

I think that the game holds a great storyline and characters to portray in the comic medium. I make a comic based on the game for similar reasons as they make games out from movies, movies out from books, movies out from comics and movies out from games and so on... The comic is based on the game and will not copy all the content from it. There will happen alot of things that doesn't happen in the game.

fable · Post by **fable** » Tue Oct 27, 2009 7:59 am

flysoup wrote:I make a comic based on the game for similar reasons as they make games out from movies, movies out from books, movies out from comics and movies out from games and so on...

That's done, in nearly every instance, to make money, by people who have no emotional investment in the product whatsoever. I'm assuming that's not the case with your comic, though, so--bringing up cross-medium merchandising...? Probably not really appropriate.

flysoup · Post by **flysoup** » Tue Oct 27, 2009 8:57 am

fable wrote:That's done, in nearly every instance, to make money, by people who have no emotional investment in the product whatsoever. I'm assuming that's not the case with your comic, though, so--bringing up cross-medium merchandising...? Probably not really appropriate.

Yea in 'nearly' every instance but at some times because it has a good potential to be portrayed in another medium. I hold a love for the game and that is the main reason for me to craft this comic. In the beginning I used a more sketchy style but am trying to put more time into it now for the upcoming Bhaalspawn website. This is a fan based project and I would not try to get money out from it even if I could. This is something I am doing because I want to and enjoy to. The comic has been lacking here and there but that is due to the real time issues. I hope that some people, BG fans or not might find something to enjoy from the comic. There will be/are those that dislikes/hates it but that wont bring me down. I am always open for constructive critique and many of the edits are based on such given to me by forum members and readers of the comic. There are many artist's out there that would do a better job than I but none has yet hooked up on it. I am sacrificing a lot of free time for this project and it is not done for me only because comics is about communication and it would not be any fun without any readers. Well here is another edit sampe from the Bhaalspawn comic:

Visual edits by me and script edits by prune1 at Spellhold Studios. (Edit page to the right).