The People’s Publisher

According to A Sense of Order, by E.H. Gombrich, “-happiness is found between Boredom and Confusion. ” That is to say, too much of the familiar and our minds cease to perceive the world around us, and if we are surrounded by too much novelty, we lose our bearings and become overwhelmed. The ideal balance is struck when the framework is familiar to us and there is enough variation or assymetrical elements that our minds are stimulated. In this book he is talking specifically about decorative patterns, but I think that this concept, can be applied to comics, or just about any visual medium. Perhaps it is obvious, and is similar to that old cliche “variety is the spice of life”, but like eating a  really spicy burrito, if there is too much variety or unfamiliarity, the mind recoils. Sometimes comics try too hard to be different, sacrificing ease of reading and understanding for a bold, innovative style. Im sure we’ve all seen comics which are confusing to read because the panels are all over the place or the font used in printing the text is too hard to read. This can be frustrating for the reader who is trying to follow the story, and they might just give up.

It is important that we as creators try and innovate, and come up with stories that are original, and ways of telling those stories that keep the reader interested and entertained. We strive to find that balance between boredom and confusion.

Well, enough philosophizing. Rip Current, the new comic by Carmen Wright has been busy growing this week again. The pinup page, showing the main characters and setting of the story has been fully rendered and coloured. Page X is a hair away from completion and is looking great. We also have another fully pencilled page, ready for the inks and four others roughed out, so this has been a very encouraging week of production. Everyone on the team is excited to be working on this story, and have been bringing their A game to this project. Here is the pinup for feasting your eyes.