U.F.O. - New webcomic with old-school appeal!

[agitainment]

Hey, everybody!

There's a new update out to my webcomic, "U.F.O.", being serialized in the online comics anthology Agitainment.comics! If you haven't already checked it out, it's a retro sci-fi romp featuring kooky farmers, flying saucers, and alien invaders!

It updates every Monday, and you can view the latest installment at http://agitainment.com/ics or start reading from the beginning at http://agitainment.com/ics/2008/12/22/ufo-part-1/.

Here's a sample from the latest page:

http://agitainment.com/ics/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/UFOink7-sample-72dpi.jpg

Other stories are available there as well, so feel free to explore and post responses.

[agitainment]

Hey, everybody!

There's a new installment of my old-school comic, “U.F.O.”, now running in the online anthology, Agitainment.comics.

You can view the new page instantly at http://agitainment.com/ics, or to read from the beginning go to http://agitainment.com/ics/2008/12/22/ufo-part-1/.

Just to whet your appetite, here's a sample:

http://agitainment.com/ics/PR/UFO8-sample.jpg

There’s lots more to explore there, so have a look and enjoy! Comments?

[Viktor Bogdanovic]

ha! love that farmer! :biggrin:

great use of shadows and nice storytelling. really enjoyed it.

thanks for the link.

[agitainment]

Thanks, Viktor! There's more coming every Monday. And not to give too much away, but the farmer will definitely be making a return before it's all over.

[agitainment]

Hey, everybody.

The next installment of "U.F.O." is up at Agitainment.comics.

As always, it updates every Monday, and you can view the new page at http://agitainment.com/ics, or read from the beginning at http://agitainment.com/ics/2008/12/22/ufo-part-1/.

A sample for your viewing pleasure:
http://agitainment.com/ics/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/UFO9-sample.jpg

[BKKiMP]

I definitely think that artwork is gorgeous. Top notch all around. I'm even in awe of the great retro site design you've modified ComicPress with. Did you do that yourself as well?
I've just started my own webcomic and it's sites like yours that are inspirational, and make me want to get further along myself. Kudos, keep up the good work, and you've picked up a new reader.

-Bryan "the Imp" Imhoff

[agitainment]

Hey, everybody.

It's Monday, so that means a new installment of "U.F.O." at Agitainment.comics. You can read today's page at http://agitainment.com/ics, or start from the beginning at http://agitainment.com/ics/2008/12/22/ufo-part-1/.

Here's an image from the latest installment:
http://agitainment.com/ics/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/UFO10-sample.jpg

As always, I'd love to hear your feedback!

[agitainment]

Thanks for the kind words, Bryan. I did the site design myself. It's got Wordpress with Comicpress for the content management engine, but I had to really overhaul the templates to get the look I wanted--which was neither a short nor easy process. If you want to do the same, you'll need to get deep into php to pull it off, but believe me it can be a very satisfying project.


I definitely think that artwork is gorgeous. Top notch all around. I'm even in awe of the great retro site design you've modified ComicPress with. Did you do that yourself as well?
I've just started my own webcomic and it's sites like yours that are inspirational, and make me want to get further along myself. Kudos, keep up the good work, and you've picked up a new reader.

-Bryan "the Imp" Imhoff

[agitainment]

Hi, guys.

I really appreciate the feedback I've been getting since posting here, so I hope you don't mind if I keep you all informed as new updates of my comic "U.F.O." are posted at Agitainment.comics.

A new installment is available now at http://agitainment.com/ics, or you can read the story from the beginning at http://agitainment.com/ics/2008/12/22/ufo-part-1/.

Here's an image from the latest page:
http://agitainment.com/ics/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/UFO11-sample.jpg

And thanks for letting me know your thoughts on the comic!

[Jeremiah]

Nice work! I really like the art and the horror/sci-fi feel. It reminds me of simpler days when all we had to worry about was crop circles, farmer's daughters, and defending capitalism.

I'll definitely check it out next Monday.

Was any of this project influenced by Coast to Coast?

[agitainment]

Thanks, Jeremiah. Those were truly the days.

As for Coast to Coast, I would say I was influenced indirectly. I used to listen to the show, but it's been a number of years now.

However, the story sprang from some ideas I was batting back and forth with Gus Higuera, the writer of "New World Order" for Image Shadowline and (shameless plug alert) "Re-Evolution" over on Zuda (hmm, should I mention here to go check it out?) .

Anyway, aside from being a talented writer and all-around great guy, Gus is a big UFO buff, so I'm betting he was influenced by Coast to Coast...which in turn would have influenced me. Confusing?

So, is there a particular parallel you see to "UFO" and a program on Coast to Coast?

[Pro]

That's great. Love the retro look and your art really invokes the setting.

[CBikle]

Very cool comic and I also really like the faux-classic Marvel look to your website.

[Rik Levins]

Beautiful stuff. Looks like classic EC comics from the Fifties, with art reminiscent of Al Williamson, Reed Crandall, et. al.

[agitainment]

Thanks, Rik. I'm honored to even be mentioned in a list of greats like that.

CBikle, you're the first person to comment on the faux-Marvel feel. I'd give you a "No-Prize" but that might be stepping on Smilin' Stan's toes a little too much.

And thanks for the kind words, Pro. I'm glad you're enjoying it.

Lots more to come in the story "UFO" (new additions every Monday), and after that, even more Agitainment.Comics stories are in the works! Cheers!

[GusHiguera]

Thanks for the shout out Rick. Definitely like what you did with the story. See ya around cyberspace =)

[agitainment]

Thanks, Gus.

Keep up the good work on Re-Evolution. It's looking great!

[agitainment]

Hi, guys.

Another installment of "U.F.O." is up on Agitainment.Comics (http://agitainment.com/ics--or to read the story from the beginning, http://agitainment.com/ics/2008/12/22/ufo-part-1/).

Here's the latest sample:
http://agitainment.com/ics/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/UFO12-sample.jpg

As always, I'd love to hear your feedback!

[CBikle]

"Look out ! He's Loose !"

Nice job dude.

For some reason, I get the impression that Hunter's a little high strung even when he's not brawling with communist extra-terrestrial spies.

[agitainment]

Good point. I'm guessing to go into the commie-smashing business in the first place, you'd probably have to be the excitable type.

[Pro]

Eagerly awaiting the next page. Great stuff.

[agitainment]

Thanks, Pro. I'd love to be able to post more than once a week, but alas, I've got to keep food on the table.

[agitainment]

Hey, everybody.

Thanks for the kind attention and continued feedback.

Here's another image from the latest installment of "U.F.O.", entitled "Escape!", now available over at Agitainment.Comics (http://agitainment.com/ics). To read the story from the beginning, you can go to: http://agitainment.com/ics/2008/12/22/ufo-part-1/.

http://agitainment.com/ics/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/UFO13-sample.jpg

As always, I'd love to hear your thoughts!

[agitainment]

Ladies and Gentlemen,

An offering from the latest chapter of "U.F.O.": "The Chase!".
http://agitainment.com/ics/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/UFO14-sample.jpg

If you wish, you can see it in its entirety at Agitainment.Comics (http://agitainment.com/ics), or you can read the story from the beginning at: http://agitainment.com/ics/2008/12/22/ufo-part-1/.

I'd love to hear your comments.

[agitainment]

Hey, everybody.

Brand new goodness from the world of Agitainment.Comics:
http://agitainment.com/ics/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/UFO15-sample.jpg

It's from the new installment of U.F.O., entitled "Concealment!", and you can see the whole thing at http://agitainment.com/ics, or read from the beginning at http://agitainment.com/ics/2008/12/22/ufo-part-1/.

Comments?

[BADunn]

I just read what was posted of U.F.O. and am now a fan. I can't wait to see what happens next but I guess I have to wait anyway, huh? The art is gorgeous and the story is already surprising and smart. I'm already telling all my friends about this one.

[agitainment]

Thanks, BADunn! I really appreciate the support, especially in getting the word out. I hope you enjoy the new episode.

[agitainment]

Hey, guys.

In an effort to keep you updated on the very latest from the world of "U.F.O.", here's a new image from today's installment entitled, "The Plot Revealed":

http://agitainment.com/ics/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/UFO16-sample.jpg

If you'd like to see the whole installment, you can go to http://agitainment.com/ics, or read the story from the beginning at http://agitainment.com/ics/2008/12/22/ufo-part-1/.

As always, I'd love to hear your thoughts, so I encourage you to post responses, questions, and discussion here!

[king white]

Keep up the good work Rick! UFO is great! The collector was cool also.

[agitainment]

Thanks, King White. I'm glad you liked The Collector!

[agitainment]

Hey, folks!

Fasten your seatbelts for another furious episode of "U.F.O.", only at Agitainment.Comics. See today's mind-bending installment at http://agitainment.com/ics, or read from the beginning at http://agitainment.com/ics/2008/12/22/ufo-part-1/.

Don't believe me that this is one of the best-drawn comics on the web today?

Then here's a sample of what's in store, from part 17, "Incredulity!":
http://agitainment.com/ics/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/UFO17-sample.jpg

Oh, and since this is a forum, I'd love for you to post responses, questions, and discussion here!

[Rik Levins]

I just saw the newest page. This webcomic continues to amaze me with it's EC feel, both art and story. Keep up the good work. I especially dig your use of heavy blacks and shadows. Very nice!

A few questions:

Have you tried getting this published in paper form?

What inspired you to develop a "fifties" style like this? It's certainly different (better, IMHO) from most of the stuff being produced today.

What are you using for your inking? Looks like old-school brushwork to me, but with today's graphics tablets and digital inking programs, I could easily be wrong.

[agitainment]

Thanks, Rik. In answer to your questions:

We're working on getting UFO in print form very soon, hopefully not long after the story wraps up in May. Keep your eye on the Bulletins sections at Agitainment.Comics for updates.

As for style, I've learned (and am still learning) from the great illustrators of comics--Frazetta, Wood, Williamson, Alex Raymond, Hal Foster--so I think this is why my style has an older feel to it.

It also may have something to do with my brushwork. You're right in that I'm using an actual brush, like the artists above used to. Brushwork just gives such a different feel than pen work or inking digitally. And you've picked up on that.

If you want to know more about how I ink with a brush, I'm starting a column on that very subject in the Soapbox section at Agitainment.Comics. It should be up by the end of the day. Check it out.

[agitainment]

For those who haven't seen it yet, here's another image from the latest episode of "U.F.O." over at Agitainment.Comics:
http://agitainment.com/ics/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/UFO18-sample.jpg

If you absolutely must know why this girl's face is melting, the answer can be found at http://agitainment.com/ics, though you might want to start from the beginning at http://agitainment.com/ics/2008/12/22/ufo-part-1/.

[agitainment]

Here's another drawing from the latest episode of "U.F.O." at Agitainment.Comics:
http://agitainment.com/ics/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/UFO19-sample.jpg

I believe she's giving out hugs at http://agitainment.com/ics (or start the story from the beginning at http://agitainment.com/ics/2008/12/22/ufo-part-1/).

[king white]

Another great installment! Hopefully this is getting some looks, it deserves a lot of attention IMHO.

[agitainment]

Thanks, king white. We humbly agree!

And here's another tasty morsel from the latest episode of "U.F.O." at Agitainment.Comics: "The family that preys together, stays together!"
http://agitainment.com/ics/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/UFO20-sample.jpg

Feel free to join the feast at http://agitainment.com/ics (or read from the beginning at http://agitainment.com/ics/2008/12/22/ufo-part-1/), but be careful you're not dessert!

[Pro]

Aw how sad, poor tentacled aliens ...

Looking great.

[agitainment]

Thanks, pro. I didn't realize it till now, but the aliens seem to have a certain Homer Simpson quality about them.

[agitainment]

Here's a new image from the latest episode of "U.F.O." at Agitainment.Comics:
http://agitainment.com/ics/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/UFO21-sample.jpg

If you'd like to see it in context, it's at http://agitainment.com/ics, or you can read from the beginning at http://agitainment.com/ics/2008/12/22/ufo-part-1/.

[agitainment]

Here's the final image I'll be posting from the senses-shattering conclusion of "U.F.O." at Agitainment.Comics.
http://agitainment.com/ics/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/UFO22-sample.jpg

If you'd like to see more, feel free to go to http://agitainment.com/ics, or you can now read the entire story at http://agitainment.com/ics/2008/12/22/ufo-part-1/.

Oh, and starting next week at Agitainment.Comics, we've got a brand new thriller entitled "IRON HARVEST", so I'll be sure to post work from that then.

[Pro]

Great ending.

[Jaye]

Great artwork, cool story. Well done, and thanks for posting it!

Jaye

[agitainment]

Thanks for reading and posting feedback!

"Iron Harvest" starts next Monday, so I hope you'll check it out. It's got a more contemporary vibe, so I'll be interested to see what you think. I'll make sure to start a new thread where you can leave comments.

[king white]

Ha! Great ending Rick! Good job!

[agitainment]

Thanks, king white.

My new story "Iron Harvest" is now up at Agitainment.Comics, and it's a lot different than either "UFO" or "The Collector", so I'll be curious to see what you think.

I've started a new thread in this forum, here (http://forums.comicbookresources.com/showthread.php?t=270897), so I'd love to hear your feedback there.

Thanks again for the support, everybody!