HELLO!
This is a quick little recap of my process over the comic I just released, SLUDGE WORLD U.S.A.
If you haven't read it yet, click here
(Also thanks for the frontpage Mr. Newgrounds)
PRE PRODUCTION
Even though the comic is obviously pretty goofy, it had a decently long pre production phase, bigger than anything I've made so far. Back in late January, there I drew the characters Spitz and Bipo for the first time (You can see Bipo and Spitz here). They were not intended to be apart of anything, just some drawings to put in the pile. But then I ended up drawing Jed a decent bit later (here) and pretty quickly fell in love with his design. Then, when the SweetSixTeen Comic contest came on my radar, I decided that if I wasn't able to come up with a better idea that I would use the trio. Because the last time I finished a comic I was in like 3rd grade, I made 7 mini zine style comics based on a word and color. These most likely won't be released to the public unless I feel extra stinky, but yeah.
Once finished, I was thinking about expanding on the candy world idea, but because it was very Halloween centered, and I knew I wouldn't of been able to complete it that quick, I started doodling some concept art for SLUDGE WORLD
A very early on idea for the comic that predated the concept art above, was that the entire thing would've taken place at a 7/11 style gas station in the middle of nowhere. Everything except for the trio would be very soft and muted browns and they would be in some hillbilly redneck town and be seen as complete jokes. I may end up repurposing the idea for a cartoon later on but I thought it would've not really suited the medium of a comic so I scrapped it.
MAKING THE COMIC
So uh... to be honest I don't know what to put here that wouldn't just be "I made this page, THEN I made this page" so I'll start with a few references and inspirations.
Starting with the title, I've really had been wanting to make something with "sludge" in the name, sounds weird I know but I could give a pretty hefty list of words and phrases that I think would be sick titles so whatever. Anyways the title us basically just a combo of SLUDGE LIFE, the a spray painting walking sim with some funky art, and APOCALYPSE U.S.A, an edgy punk song I really like.
I could honesty write for like 5 hours about all the obscure references in the comic, so I'll just say that this line was in direct reference to Chris Chan, specifically his attraction sign he used early on. Fairly certain I was using that one Chris Chan documentary as background noise at the time.
Some notable inspirations for the comic were Bridge Kids, Hotline Miami, and some of Max Johnsons work specifically for the inside of the building pages.
While I did the heavy lifting, I got a ton of help from a few people. One of my close friends was there for the whole process, giving critique and pithing jokes (main one that comes to mind is the Tim Allen panel on the last page). I suck at names so ALL the main trio's names were suggested by people online and by the friend I mentioned (quick factoid, originally my friend suggested "spritz" for the spray paint guy, but when I was going to sleep, I miss remembered it was "Spitz" and though it was a lot funnier).
I got a ton of help from some nice people on discord who corrected my spelling (both are listed in the special thanks, and I learned that I am completely unable to spell forget, every instance was spelled "froget".
So yeah, I could drag this out more but I don't want this to be bloated so moving on the the last section
FINISHING THE COMIC AND "WHAT I'VE LEARNED"
It was a very fun time and I'm super glad I finished it. My main three goals were to finish a longer project, try and make something on the more "crude" side, and experiment with trying to have a slight meaning to my art. I think I did all those goals pretty well! The last one was tricky and I think I slipped up on it a little bit but was able to get it in with the last few pages.
Showed the comic to my Mom lol, and she enjoyed it but wasn't a fan of a few parts which is understandable. She said " I was very scared for the two kids inside the weird city area with the flasher". I both felt a bit bad to hear that, but also proud in a weird way because that's what I was going for. Cooltopia, and the whole comics universe isn't really a place for little baby boys bouncing around.
Finally I've learned that I probably should take some sort of creative writing class, experiment a bit more with making comics, and that I probably shouldn't put this in my schools art show lol. Was really wanting to print out a physical version and put it in there, but seeing how I'm seen pretty well in our pretty conservative Christian community, I don't wanna be getting any dirt looks when they read the chloroform page lol.
Thanks if you ended up reading this whole thing, means a lot, glad to see all the attention the comics gotten so far and exited to make more in the future on good ol' Newgrounds. Also watch this video please oh please.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DgnnbwXQ7Nc&list=LL&index=56