Agency Publishing is at a crossroads, we'd love your feedback

[oblesklk1]

So it's no secret that The Agencies, our longest running tickling comic, has had several artists over the years. While we tried to establish one long continuous storyline and one look starting with issue 7, the art studio we chose unfortunately signed a long term contract with a higher paying customer and well...that's business! I was personally dismayed to learn this, as that team produced some of my favorite artwork I've ever seen. But the show must go on, so we continued with another artist.

Then issues 11 & 12 came along, and...feh. Some of you actually liked the artwork a lot, most of you didn't like it at all. I didn't like how it turned out either. So then we continued with yet another artist.

Then we just released issue 13, and now we're back on track. The new art team is the same as the ones doing The Ruthless, and they're just incredible.

But...

If I could have just one Christmas wish, what would it be? Hmm, well I've been trying like hell to find the individual members of the art team that did the work for issues 7-10. As luck would have it, as a 'friend of a friend of a friend' kind of thing, I found them. I don't want to disclose too much detail, but I'm optimistic.

So having said all that, I want to pose this question to the fans of the series. The fans that have stood by for so many years so patiently and supported us through these changes. If you had the choice, would you have the old art studio take over issues 14 going forward (and possibly even revamping issues 11-12 in the old style), or keep the art the way it is and assign them to a different book?

This is a very important decision, and I see pros and cons to whatever decision is finally made. But this is a wonderful opportunity to bring these guys on board, and I don't want to make the same mistake twice.

I'm attaching a page from the old style, and also a page from issue 13, the new style. Compare and contrast and let me know what you think in the poll. Also feel free to PM me your thoughts, I would really love to hear from each of you if you have a strong opinion on the matter.

 

[Violetta]

My personal feelings are that the old style was way better. More vivid and bright, it was really eye-catching. In my opinion, the new characters don't get set apart as much from any other action comic characters I've seen. But the older style reminded me of classic 90's cartoons that I grew up with and loved, so there's definitely a nostalgia factor there. But I also feel it let the characters really look different from each other and from other characters found in other places. I guess I'm just a die hard cartoon fan, but the older style would definitely get my vote.

Still, kudos to the Ruthless team as well. They are certainly masters of their medium.

 

[oblesklk1]

My personal feelings are that the old style was way better. More vivid and bright, it was really eye-catching. In my opinion, the new characters don't get set apart as much from any other action comic characters I've seen. But the older style reminded me of classic 90's cartoons that I grew up with and loved, so there's definitely a nostalgia factor there. But I also feel it let the characters really look different from each other and from other characters found in other places. I guess I'm just a die hard cartoon fan, but the older style would definitely get my vote.

Still, kudos to the Ruthless team as well. They are certainly masters of their medium.

I hear ya.

I hadn't thought of the 90s cartoon nostalgia factor. I watched a lot of cartoons from the 80s (when I was a child), then oddly enough quite a bit in college once I found out someone actually created a 'Cartoon Network' (oh my, what a thought!). But you're right, they do have a lot of that in there. It is a much brighter, more vivid translation of the series, and I always appreciated that.

I've received a lot of emails over the years about this very issue. The older emails took on an angrier tone, the more recent ones just ones of nostalgia for those old issues. Which I can definitely relate to.

Thanks for your vote 🙂

 

[10 armed tkler]

My personal feelings are that the old style was way better. More vivid and bright, it was really eye-catching. In my opinion, the new characters don't get set apart as much from any other action comic characters I've seen. But the older style reminded me of classic 90's cartoons that I grew up with and loved, so there's definitely a nostalgia factor there. But I also feel it let the characters really look different from each other and from other characters found in other places. I guess I'm just a die hard cartoon fan, but the older style would definitely get my vote.

Still, kudos to the Ruthless team as well. They are certainly masters of their medium.

I hear ya.

I hadn't thought of the 90s cartoon nostalgia factor. I watched a lot of cartoons from the 80s (when I was a child), then oddly enough quite a bit in college once I found out someone actually created a 'Cartoon Network' (oh my, what a thought!). But you're right, they do have a lot of that in there. It is a much brighter, more vivid translation of the series, and I always appreciated that.

I've received a lot of emails over the years about this very issue. The older emails took on an angrier tone, the more recent ones just ones of nostalgia for those old issues. Which I can definitely relate to.

Thanks for your vote 🙂

Crap...I have now been hit by Nalstogia. Memories flooding in...cant...stop...the bliss.:redface:

I told ya my take over on the TMF, about maybe expanding the roster and adding some more minor characters. But now that I think about it I like her idea.

 

[Barefoot_Sis]

I agree with Bella Donna. There's no comparison: the old art is much better. Okay I guess by definition that IS a comparison. Pretty much the dictionary definition of the word, even.
The old artwork is cute. And conveys the real feel of tickling. The new one is just lacking a certain verisimilitude. If those were real actresses, I'd say they were faking it.

 

[laughinggaszone]

I've spoken with you on the whole art thing in the past. I was particularly vocal about the art change up. Your current artist is very good, but for me, lacks a certain "je ne sais quoi." Don't get me wrong. i like them. Big improvement over the last team, but I always liked the team on book seven. Maybe Bella Donna is right when she mentions the nostalgia factor. I always found book seven's characters expressions more emotive. the newer team emotes, but it seems...contrived. Hard to say. Still, well worth buying. But beyond all that is a more important question, should you switch back to a company that bailed on you and shift a company that took you considerable time to find? I don't know the nuances of your dealings with the prior company, but having dealt with artists, I know that they go where the money is, and will always do so. Unless you have a contract with them, and even then, they may break it, most artist having limited knowledge of their legal obligations, you may end up in the same boat all over again. Also, the idea of redoing the previous books is...I don't know...a slap to the artist you hired to do the originals. Yeah, the work is not very good, but you hired them, so in my book, you're stuck with it. Consider it a life lesson learned. Besides, unless you're swimming in cash, why waste money on a redo when you can use it for future projects. So, these are all things to consider.
webmaster joe

 

[oblesklk1]

Crap...I have now been hit by Nalstogia. Memories flooding in...cant...stop...the bliss.:redface:

I told ya my take over on the TMF, about maybe expanding the roster and adding some more minor characters. But now that I think about it I like her idea.

Yes, new characters will keep popping up as the story continues. The last three issues have been pretty simplistic in that regard (really only having Succubus, Yin/Yang as featured characters), but as the storyline continues, there will be new characters introduced, evolving, and undergoing the feather.

Thanks for voting, nostalgia is never a bad thing 🙂

I agree with Bella Donna. There's no comparison: the old art is much better. Okay I guess by definition that IS a comparison. Pretty much the dictionary definition of the word, even.
The old artwork is cute. And conveys the real feel of tickling. The new one is just lacking a certain verisimilitude. If those were real actresses, I'd say they were faking it.

LOL.

I laughed when I read your last sentence. I love the new art team dearly, but I know what you're talking about. It's just the cartoony approach versus the more traditional comic book approach. Since this opportunity came along, I've been torn about this decision, mostly because The Ruthless has really caught up to The Agencies in terms of popularity in really no time at all...and I'm a bit hesitant to use the same art studio on both lines for a few reasons. But on the other hand, we've switched so many times, it becomes confusing to follow.

I've spoken with you on the whole art thing in the past. I was particularly vocal about the art change up. Your current artist is very good, but for me, lacks a certain "je ne sais quoi." Don't get me wrong. i like them. Big improvement over the last team, but I always liked the team on book seven. Maybe Bella Donna is right when she mentions the nostalgia factor. I always found book seven's characters expressions more emotive. the newer team emotes, but it seems...contrived. Hard to say. Still, well worth buying. But beyond all that is a more important question, should you switch back to a company that bailed on you and shift a company that took you considerable time to find? I don't know the nuances of your dealings with the prior company, but having dealt with artists, I know that they go where the money is, and will always do so. Unless you have a contract with them, and even then, they may break it, most artist having limited knowledge of their legal obligations, you may end up in the same boat all over again. Also, the idea of redoing the previous books is...I don't know...a slap to the artist you hired to do the originals. Yeah, the work is not very good, but you hired them, so in my book, you're stuck with it. Consider it a life lesson learned. Besides, unless you're swimming in cash, why waste money on a redo when you can use it for future projects. So, these are all things to consider.
webmaster joe

Noted on the emotions of the characters, much easier to display exaggerated expressions in a cartoony format than a traditional comic book approach, which the old team did in spades.

On the business side, you're right to be concerned about such things. The reality is (I'll try to keep this short so some of you don't fall asleep as I ramble on about contracts and such) this is a different studio than before. The line artist left that studio to form his own. So you have different management, which may or may not mean anything. Second, we were only on single issue contracts at that point. Shame on me, but I was new to the game, and hadn't considered their leaving a realistic possibility. I assumed if they just wanted more money, they would ask and we would renegotiate from there. Well lesson learned, and this time we will enter a long-term contract. As for whether they'll honor the contract, who can say. This has never been in a problem in the past, but you never know, you know? Next week the guy could be hit by a train and that's that. I try not to worry too much about things I can't control, and just focus on things I can reasonably alter. So we'll see how this goes, and hopefully I don't get burned twice 😛issed

Interesting note about redoing the older issues. Yes, it may be a slap in the face to the artist, but I see it as "we did the best we could with what we had". If, down the road, those parameters change, would you then revisit to "do the best you can now with improved resources?" But look, let's just be honest here, this is purely an ego thing. It's not about the money, I just want our primary comic line to look uniform and represent the vision I had when I wrote the script.

And ya, there's always a danger in doing this, as it almost appears like the producers are sitting down to alter the entire history of the comic because there's something in the past that doesn't agree with where they want to go. But this is a just a cosmetic change, it would almost be a frame for frame remake of the book. But to your point, that was tried with the movie Psycho several years back and everyone was left asking 'if you're remaking it frame by frame, why bother?'

And I don't have an answer for that 🙂 So if there's a strong opinion on it one way or the other, I will act. If there's not, I will most likely just move on and focus on the future.

Guys, thanks a lot for this feedback, it helps me out a lot! There are a varied amount of opinions on the matter, some strongly felt, others not. But you guys are giving us a great barometer and launching point for the next step.

 

[player 01]

I personally like the current artstyle.

Though honestly i like how this series has occasionally changed art studios over the course of its publication, makes it more interesting imo.

 

[NeoMetalSonic50]

I reall liked the 7-10 style, because it's more cartoon-like.

 

[kkcsm2495]

I just HAVE to chime in. The "old" style, like others have stated... absolutely amazing. 90's cartoon-like, somehow just doesn't do it justice, and yet, the description fits. I often find myself trying to draw in that style, failing miserably, but trying none-the-less. Whoever, whatever, HOW-ever... do what you can to get that style of artwork team together again. I, sadly, have not purchased any of these comics... I find myself, more and more, wishing that I had. Seeing the "old" style, and the pop off of the page type of art, takes the temptation to an even more difficult level. I do like the 'newer" art, but, NOT nearly as much as the older. I sit and stare at the older page, waiting for this figure to leap out of the screen, somewhat like Roger Rabbit and that silly movie.

Again... please, find some way of re-creating that team, that style of artwork is just amazing.

-kmer

 

[oblesklk1]

I personally like the current artstyle.

Though honestly i like how this series has occasionally changed art studios over the course of its publication, makes it more interesting imo.

I love the fact that what I consider to the be the biggest flaw in the series (the constant evolution of the characters' appearances make it difficult to really appreciate the characters) is the one thing you really like.

Thank you for that :cool It's constant reminder that no matter how bad I screw up, someone may still find some redeeming qualities in it (or the converse...no matter how good I think a product is, someone will hate it).

I reall liked the 7-10 style, because it's more cartoon-like.

Thanks for your feedback as well. It's early Saturday morning, and I'm definitely seeing a trend so far in the polls on TT.

I just HAVE to chime in. The "old" style, like others have stated... absolutely amazing. 90's cartoon-like, somehow just doesn't do it justice, and yet, the description fits. I often find myself trying to draw in that style, failing miserably, but trying none-the-less. Whoever, whatever, HOW-ever... do what you can to get that style of artwork team together again. I, sadly, have not purchased any of these comics... I find myself, more and more, wishing that I had. Seeing the "old" style, and the pop off of the page type of art, takes the temptation to an even more difficult level. I do like the 'newer" art, but, NOT nearly as much as the older. I sit and stare at the older page, waiting for this figure to leap out of the screen, somewhat like Roger Rabbit and that silly movie.

Again... please, find some way of re-creating that team, that style of artwork is just amazing.

-kmer

Thanks kmer. And don't beat yourself up too much, I really dig a lot of the work you've posted here lately.

Specifically:
http://www.tickletheater.com/showthread.php?t=55583
http://www.tickletheater.com/showthread.php?t=55882

These are two pieces that are just wonderfully done. It's hard for me to get into 3D art, so I have to give respect to artists that really pull me into that medium. It's cute, simple, well thought out, and amazingly executed.

Err, wait, what was this thread about again? Heh, doesn't matter, art is art. Definite trend here, but I'll wait until Sunday evening before I make a decision. I was hoping for 50 total votes by the time the weekend ends, and we already have 63 between the TT/TMF polls.

 

[Umojar]

It's hard to say. I've been trying to go through a bunch of different styles to find what kind I like. It really depends on what you're going for. The issues I've read have a serious tone overall except for the tickling, so a more realistic approach isn't necessarily a bad thing. When the readers say they're faking, I wouldn't blame the style necessarily. There's a fine line between someone laughing from being tickled and someone whose just laughing that is really hard to portray in art(if that makes sense). When it's cartoony it's easier, but it can still be pulled off just as well in more realistic style, you just have to be a bit more creative I think.

 

[oblesklk1]

It's hard to say. I've been trying to go through a bunch of different styles to find what kind I like. It really depends on what you're going for. The issues I've read have a serious tone overall except for the tickling, so a more realistic approach isn't necessarily a bad thing. When the readers say they're faking, I wouldn't blame the style necessarily. There's a fine line between someone laughing from being tickled and someone whose just laughing that is really hard to portray in art(if that makes sense). When it's cartoony it's easier, but it can still be pulled off just as well in more realistic style, you just have to be a bit more creative I think.

Yes, I agree 100%. Cartoony styles are much easier to depict tortured or coerced laughter, and are also easier to depict emotions, as noted above. For people whose fetish revolves around the reaction of a person, it's what we like to see. Realistic is more challenging, to be sure. But there's not a lot of it out there, so never hurts to explore a bit (I hope)

 

[oblesklk1]

I just wanted to quickly thank everyone who participated in this poll. We've made a decision and it's thanks to you guys giving us invaluable input (in the poll, privately, and publicly). These kinds of things really are never "easy" to do, per se, but receiving input from our valuable readers did make it easier to pick a path and stick with it.

Production continues on a variety of lines, so stay tuned to see where we're headed next in the months to come. I hope everyone is having a Merry Christmas and will enjoy the New Year as well 🙂

 

[desdemona]

Wow, art debate...lol. I guess I should visit more, but seriously... I guess I care more about story. I won't say plot per se, but hey, I like what you write Oblesklk or your writers. Whomever.

 

[oblesklk1]

Wow, art debate...lol. I guess I should visit more, but seriously... I guess I care more about story. I won't say plot per se, but hey, I like what you write Oblesklk or your writers. Whomever.

Thanks. And thanks again to everyone that took part in the poll. It helped a lot after having done a bit of soul searching on our end. I will say that The Agencies #14 will start production in a few weeks, and that's all I want to say about it right now.

Issue #13 has turned out to be quite popular with our readers, so I'm glad our large issue was a crowd pleaser. Yelena #3 is about to release, and there's always something going on around the corner, so stay tuned, and thanks again for your guys' input!

[unconfirmed sources recently spotted Agent Starlight sunbathing near Mazatlan...]