Awhile back I was looking at some files I’d kept of this webcomic from when I first started publishing it. Not this version. I’m talking about Far From Home as it was in the beginning. Before the re-boot.
Comparing what it was then to what it is now I can’t believe the improvement. Color, layout, story. All so much better than before.
Now, before ya’ll start thinking I’m getting a big head (Though I actually do physically. Really hard to find hats that fit) please keep in mind the title of this post. I’m not taking the credit for the improvement. Well, I guess maybe a little of it. I am the one holding the pencil, I guess.
That being said, the purpose of this post is to say, “Thanks!” Why? Because to my mind, the biggest factor leading to that improvement was a few folks that were willing to take a little time to help out a “noob.”
Let me start the list with Mike Maihack, creator of the sci-fi webcomic “Cleopatra in Spaaaaace!” because he’s the first person I worked up the courage to email and ask for an honest opinion of my work.
Well, he gave it. Not a “Great Work! Keep it up!” brush off. He pointed out its flaws, mainly in relation to colors. He took a little time to explain to me how to improve my work in that area. He was also kind enough to mention what he thought was good about my work. This was some time ago. He may not even remember me. But I sure do appreciate his willingness to help out a noob.
The next person I asked to take a look at my work was Tom Dell’Aringa, creator of the sci-fi, humor webcomic, “Marooned.”
I asked him for the same thing I asked from Mike Maihack, “What do you think?” It must have been either a really slow day for Tom or he really wanted to be helpful (I like to think the latter was the case).
I got an email back from him. An email that would probably have filled up four pages if printed out. Tom went into exhaustive detail concerning both what he thought were the strengths and weaknesses of my work and suggested ways I could fix them. It was good advice.
Up to this day, he’s made me feel free to shoot him an email with any questions I might have. And, as always, he’s very clear as to what he thinks. It’s much appreciated.
Last, but certainly not least, is Steve Ogden, creator of the webcomic, “Moon Town.”
Steve’s case is a little different. My first real contact with him ( besides blowing a big secret about his storyline with a wild guess in the comments section) had to do with a piece of fan art. It was kind of crude. #2 pencil on sketch paper.
He posted it, which in itself is not that unusual. He linked back to my site. Also not unusual. What stuck out in my mind were his comments. They weren’t the “Hey, here’s a piece of fan art from so and so. He does this . . . NEXT!” that you so often see on many webcomic sites.
He commented on my comic. Didn’t just tell folks to check it out but why to check it out. Explained the backstory that led to my doing the piece in the first place. Even made some nice comments about me, personally.
Since then Steve’s been kind enough to let me run ideas by him, has given advice, even let me give Cassie’s ship a cameo in my comic.
What really touched me was the morning I found a comment from him waiting for moderation. It had to do with how much he thought the webcomic had improved. Now, I’m not going all screaming Justin Bieber fan or anything of the sort. It just that from what I’d pieced together reading his webcomic blog this guy is juggling more cats than Steve Martin in the form of work and other projects, let alone family. Even so, he was taking the time to check back on the noob. Might not have seemed like a big deal to Steve but, I appreciated it. A lot.
One of the things leading to the re-boot was dealing with a serious illness. Far From Home went on a loooong hiatus. As I hadn’t gotten too far into the storyline I decided to go ahead and re-boot the project. Try to synthesize all this good advice and help I’d received into something better than the original. “Far From Home” as you see it now is the result. Like the commercials say, “It’s New and Improved!”
Now I know that in the BIG picture there are things that are much more important than webcomics. However, there’s also a saying, “If you’re going to do something, do it well.” I’d like to see Far From Home continue to improve. Not only for me, but for all you folks who’ve decided that Far From Home is worthy of your attention.
So, I’ll keep on working at it. It’s just nice to know that you’ve got someone to turn to for help when you need it.
Thanks, Guys!
