Comments on: Stop the Paper Doll animation. It’s embarrassing.

By: Matthew

Matthew — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 02:19:39 +0000

The complexities come from having the same comic story told but loosing your ability of telling the story in a left to right fashion. I think the Invincible ones are pretty good for what they are. If you don’t have the word balloons then it would be difficult to tell who is speaking. Do they need to bounce around all the time? I probably would have done it differently but it isn’t that bad… It gives it some energy. You may not care for its style but as a creative solution it is a good one. It is a new way to tell a story. It is loads cheaper than doing high cell count animation (Like it or not this is animation… not a whole hell of a lot less animated than most Japanese Anime), and it isn’t a still frame sitting there. It doesn’t have to be from existing material either. Why can’t custom layered art be created so animation can be easier so you can have more of it? It is a new work opportunity for comic artists. Not to mention the sound, I work with some talented individuals who can create all kinds of music and sound effects that will make the hair on the back of your neck stand up. You don’t really get that by just reading the comics.

By: katie

katie — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 16:54:44 +0000

At least the Platinum ones don’t have the speech bubbles animating in (as in the Invincible trailer), I suppose. More than a trailer’s-worth of shaky text like that, and I think I’d get motion sickness.

By: joe_iguana

joe_iguana — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 07:04:10 +0000

what complexities? Like I mentioned, I’m pretty sure this was campy when it appeared in the early 90’s and it still is now. It loses the impact that if it was purely animated or purely traditional comic format. It makes what should be a story into what feels more like a trailer for something else. Like DJ mentioned, it can work if it is done right. As it is now for most, it is not done right. As a format they need to find it’s inherent voice and emphasize that rather than try to imitate both mediums of animation and comics. It’s a lot like watching silent movie style shows in our current era. It’s one thing to move forward and find new ways of expressing a story, it’s quite the other when you are obviously just trying to squeeze every last dollar out of an IP that you can.

By: DJ Coffman

DJ Coffman — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 04:04:47 +0000

I don’t understand the complexities of telling a story this way? You and I will have to agree to disagree I suppose.

By: Matthew

Matthew — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 03:20:26 +0000

Your entitled to your opinion but I think you are way off. You don’t understand the complexities of telling a story this way. Animation means a great many things. just because it isn’t Pixar or Disney style doesn’t make it bad… or not “real” animation. I don’t think “animated comics” is making a ton of money, but I think money is secondary to the marketing message. It is really being targeted to iPods and Cell phones. Its something pretty cool to watch that I can download to my phone while on a bus. I think we will see more of this type of work and it will get more and more compelling.

By: joe_iguana

joe_iguana — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 21:06:46 +0000

that is a fundamental irony in the animation world. People only want to hire 3D animators these days so traditional 2D animation has become a bit of a relic of the past as far as people that hire for it. Another thing that bugs me with the as you call it “paper doll” trend: isn’t this just a rehash of early ’90s stuff? Wasn’t that type of animating a big deal back then? I vaguely remember seeing stuff like that early in the mass internet age and it was corny then as it is now. Then again, nostalgia usually does leave a bad taste for me.