The Mal and Chad comic strip is back!

[pH]

Hey all, about two years ago I posted about 5 or so of my first Mal and Chad strips online here at the flight forums. I got some good feedback, and a lot's happened since then! I had to take a hiatus from drawing this strip so that I could focus on drawing a graphic novel for kids featuring the Mal and Chad cast. Let me tell you, drawing 200 pages of Mal and Chad has changed my style significantly. Here's a couple strips from when I first started:





And here's some strips I drew last week:









So I just wanted to announce that the hiatus is over and the strip has begun updating again monday through friday, and also ask for critique since it was so helpful the first time around. What do you guys think? Is the new, cleaner style better? Or is the old scratchy style something I should move back towards?

[Jason_Brubaker]

I think I like your new style better. It's clean and easy to read. It looks really professional if you ask me! Where can I see your graphic novel?

[Mr. Average]

I have to say I like them both equally - the key is that they're consistent with each other - the sketchy ones are sketchy throughout, and the slick ones are slick throughout. And they all have a wry and kind of warped sense of humor to them that speaks to me. The "Man's worst enemy" gag was particularly on target!

--M

[Gunwhale]

Love it. New style is better. Your linework flows more naturally. Are you doing it traditionally with ink, or all in Photoshop/Manga Studio? (or whatever it's called) Oh, also, I love that the robot speaks barcode. Good stuff.

[pH]

Jason: Even though I've finished inking it, my publisher's tell me it won't be out for a while. We've still got corrections and cover design and print tests to do. I can't wait!

Mr. Average: Thanks! I'm happy to hear that.

Gunwhale: Thanks man! I've got a method where I pencil and letter in photoshop, and then ink in Corel Painter. Painter has those nice texture brushes. Maybe I should make a post on the process sometime.

[pH]

There's more on the site, but here are some of my favorite strips I've made in the last couple weeks.







Let me know if you have any ideas on how to make this feature better! Thanks everybody!

[Joost]

Wow these are really funny and original! I love the last one "I thought you'd never ask... that stupid question again", really great!

What I also would love to see, is some strips colored. The header image of the Mal and Chad website is just gorgeous and I think it would look awesome in the strip. I know it wouldn't serve a real purpose, because the focus lies on the gag and not on a some amazingly colored background, but I guess I'm just a sucker for good color .

[pH]

Joost, you're right! They would look good in color. I wonder how long that would take. This weekend I made a visitors page with all the characters colored, and that didn't take too long. I dunno. Thanks for the feedback! I'm glad you enjoyed the latest!

[thirdeyeh]

Love this comic so much. So good to have it back.

[pH]

Thanks Michael! I'll try to make it even better!

[RobPeters]

I hadn't read any of your work before, but I must say that this is fantastic! I'm definately checking out your site.

[pH]

Thanks Rob, let me know what you think!

[mr cow]

woo! great to have m&c back, stephen! new strips are better then ever.

[k-9lives]

I'll be really interested to see the graphic novel... Is it B+W? These strips are looking better in the new style, definitely improved over the course of drawing your book! Looks like a funny strip.

[RocknOats]

These are really great! Funny and appealing! You got the whole package. Good Luck!