Does anybody know of any good photoshop like freeware? You know, something better than mp? Also, is there a learning curve

I use Gimp on all my comics.
It has it's flaws, but gets the job done.

Okay, I use both Photoshop CS2 (but you could also try the latest version CS3) and then I use the program Abobe Illustrator to get the lines straighter. To color and paint I would recommend CS2-CS3 instead of Illustrator.

Hope that helps. :3

There's GIMP: http://www.gimp.org/

Inkscape: http://www.inkscape.org/

ImageForge: http://www.cursorarts.com/ca_imffw.html

Brush Strokes: http://www.pabird.supanet.com/%7Epabird/freesoftware/brushstrokes/

Project Dogwaffle: http://www.thebest3d.com/dogwaffle/free/

GimpShop: http://gimpshopdotnet.blogspot.com/

GimpShop is suppose to be more like Photoshop but I found it easier to use GIMP, but that's just my experience. Pixia isn't too bad either. Inkscape is very good, I'd never use Illustrator again if Inkscape could open and export Illustrator files. Dogwaffle is pretty good, too.

LoveandGuns
Okay, I use both Photoshop CS2 (but you could also try the latest version CS3) and then I use the program Abobe Illustrator to get the lines straighter. To color and paint I would recommend CS2-CS3 instead of Illustrator.

Hope that helps. :3

Meh, If I needed a vector app for something like straightening lines, I'd pick inkscape over Illustrator any day. Illustrator is nice if you absolutely need to use things like gradient meshes and PANTONE colors, but other then that, it's unnecessarily complicated. I don't know why, but somehow I found Inkscape's bezier curve tools to be perfect. They're just so user friendly.

gigatwo

LoveandGuns
Okay, I use both Photoshop CS2 (but you could also try the latest version CS3) and then I use the program Abobe Illustrator to get the lines straighter. To color and paint I would recommend CS2-CS3 instead of Illustrator.

Hope that helps. :3

Meh, If I needed a vector app for something like straightening lines, I'd pick inkscape over Illustrator any day. Illustrator is nice if you absolutely need to use things like gradient meshes and PANTONE colors, but other then that, it's unnecessarily complicated. I don't know why, but somehow I found Inkscape's bezier curve tools to be perfect. They're just so user friendly.

True, but like I said I only use the program for straighter lines and maybe some other touch ups, but for the actual art I use Photoshop CS2. Actually, I use to have Inkscape until I was given a new computer last year, and it was incredibly easy to use even for someone who has never used a program other than Photoshop. So, it's best to go with your idea than mine.

Opencanvas!This one is very popular with Manga artists I Japan. I haven't used it much but it looks very easy to use. http://wistinga.online.fr/opencanvas/ [wistinga.online.fr]