Damnit people review MORE.

http://www.clovenhand.com/uiu/cover.php

Artwork: It's very good. It kind of has a water color look to it adding to the dark attitude of the comic. The characters are very distinguishable, and the backgrounds are great

Plotline: The plotline is eh...not great. The humors good and the characters have a large range of emotions, but i've seen a lot of comics very similar to this one and it just doesn't strike as very original. I've felt like i've read this comic 20 times though i've only read it once.

In the long run its not a bad comic, but it doesn't have the originality to be a great comic. If you could find a way to twist it for a little more original humor this comic could really stand out.
6/10

Heads up here: I'm not a fan of self-insertion comic, chibi comics, or Charby the Vampirate. So don't expect to get a glowing review from me.


Art: Chibi, simplistic, and influenced by anime. Coloring's decent, but not amazing. Too little in terms of contrasting colors to be top notch. Still, better than most. Backgrounds are there. Text is readable (although the speech bubbles are a little flowery). All in all it's decent art.

Story- Here's where we run into problems. You see there really isn't much of a story. Sure, there's the fact that there's this undead kid, but the comic is half non-funny gags (aka the kind of gags you'd groan at) or self pandering plot. Besides the fact that Fernando has a different name than Charby, they're both basically the same. And the whole idea of you creating a zombie character which loves you...is kinda creepin' me out here. I know all characters are a reflection of the writer, but THIS much is ridiculous.

Overall, it'll appeal to goths, but it don't appeal to me.

By the way, good job on the site design. I like the fact that I can click the page to get to the next one. That makes it easily navigatable.

ART:
Artwise at first glance it all looks pretty good. Nice cute characters with some vibrant coloing. Then after a few pages i realise nothing changes much. There is the usuall talking heads mixed with the random full bodys. There are no angles or wide shots at all. For me it gets boring as most pages more or less look the same.

STORY:
The story is for me un-interesting. The cute jokes fall flat and at best they get a "yeah, i get it" from me. The deal with the author being in the comic and having some strange love affair with a zombie is just disturbing. ( And not in a good way. )

OVERALL:
Feels like a hit or miss comic. Some people might love it but for me this totally bombs.

Maybe it is too much to ask, but could you just review the comic and leave personal attacks out of this? I'm not some horrible creepy necrophiliac pervert like anyone reading this would believe, (at least this is what impression I have from reading these)
While Amelius is based on my personality, she is not "me" and I've always tried to explain that (but the lack of author notes on that site makes it a little difficult) I explained it when it was on DD, but of course those notes got lost in the crash.
The character represented is actually more like I'd want to be, sans being the magnet for affections of the undead. For exapmple, I am not attractive or outgoing, the only thing I have in common with her is the (apparently poor) sense of humor, stupid hairdo and the black jacket.
But I'll say it again, it is not a story about "me" and my fantasy fun-trip into zombie-love wonderland. No way. I should have said so before anyone reviewed this really.
And for the record, YES creepy is the angle I went for, because I like situation comedy, especially awkward cartoon-humor ones. It makes for more interesting writing...at least I thought.

I would understand being creeped out if there was sexual content in this comic but there isn't any (and I'm just not that kind of girl) Yers there's a few not-so-innocent aspects and some gore, but this is intended to be almost completely innocent (hence, the use of chibis)

The art/coloring is indeed far under par, because I don't have time with daily updates and 2 comics (plus a cowritten one, possibly the return of one later). I wanted it to be simple because it's quick and I have more time to put into the other comic.

As for the writing, what can I say, it is a lot like early CTV. Which apparently sucks also. Ah well. I already have the next 40 pages drawn and inked, I'd like to say it takes a few interesting turns but I doubt any of you will check on it (and I can't blame you for it either)
And YES there is an actual underlying plot, but like CTV I only hint to it instead of making it blatantly obvious about what is happening.


Also I cannot take credit for the site design, even if that was the only positive thing said about UIU.

I'm truly sorry you all had to waste your time on such a big dissapointment, but thank you for taking time out of your day to trudge through those gawdawful archives. I very rarely get any word on this comic and I appreciate hearing some opinions.

I really hope I don't come off as some ungrateful harridan, I was really looking forward to this and I do respect and appreciate the honesty.
I wasn't expecting glowing reviews but I had hoped there was at least one good thing to be said about it. I should really stop hoping for things.
I'll try harder, though I don't see much of a future anymore for any of my comics.

Awwww...
Personally I can't work out why you're not doing cartooning professionally Amelius. Especially if you use the current comic under review as an example. The quality is consistently high and the humour is broadly appealing, as well as being gothically cute and creepily interesting.
You have an amazingly phenomenal stamina to produce these things, as well as keep all these complex and interesting stories in your head at the same time. It just blows me away.

People are always commenting on my work that I should go "pro" with it, but I just can't pump them out... YOU can! What's holding you back Amelius?

Unlife is Unfair should be your portfolio piece into doing this stuff from real money. Jebus, IT should be making you real money.

And that's my "review", such as it is: This is a saleable project.

huh? my post got deleted? I could had sworn I reviewed this... :shock:

Artwork: I think the artwork is great, the chibi-ish nature of the characters lends itself well to the comic's cheesy humor. and the soft rendering and dark atmosphere works well for the setting and subject matter.

I'd also like to point out, that it looks alot less Manga influenced and alot more American Toon influenced, like Loony tunes or disney kids cartoons. Bugs bunny, Elmer Fudd, Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck. Think of Tiney Toons or Animaniacs, thats what I see when I look at this comic's style.

Plotline: I think this is a flawed section, not every comic reviewed will have an actual plotline. Unlife is Unfair has a slight one, and has a few simplistic stories, but the comic is obviously more about the fun humor.

Humor: The comics humor is cheesy in nature, as I'm sure its supposed to be. I chuckle at it alot just because its soooo cheeeeesy, but I love it because of that. I'm not saying its allways the greatest, or that it allways makes me laugh, but I find the cheesyness of it fun to read.

Overal I find it universally cheezy, fun, and has a dark twist that you dont see much in cheezy fun comics. I find the idea of it quite origonal, but I dont see it going too far.

well, I was in the mood to rewrite my review, and also to calify on what I meant by my negative comments.

the postive stuff first: I like the style of this comic, as well as the coloring. I like the dark morbid stuff at times, even if it's a little (or alot) corny at times. :lol:

negative stuff:
There was just times when it just plain grossed me out, and not in the good way. espeically that page where the zombie had an dream about confessing his love to the girl, and then he eats her head clean off.
but then again, I'm one to talk... I sometimes overdo the gore in my comic with the battle scenes, just to gross people out. so you might as well as ingore that bit.

and I was also creeped out by how the zombie seemed overly infutated with the girl... but it's not because I'm thinking about them having sex or anything like that. God, I'm not that much of a pervert.
I just think that the zombie tends to express his love in a somewhat...unhealthy manner.. and while that might be funny to others, that's not to me.
proably because I had bad exprenices with guys expressing that sort of feeling to me in very unhealthy ways in the past... so when I see guys acting in an slimiar manner in comics, it just disturbs me I guess.

so basically... The guy might be a zombie, but doesn't mean that he stopped being human, you know? like would he be that obbesive if he was alive? if he wouldn't if he was alive, then... umm... I find that odd, condsering for an zombie he seems pretty much rational-minded and human.

Sethasathi
For the sake of respecting the feelings of others, I will forego any direct response to personal insults made against the artist, however, I would like to note that it is under protest. I will say that such behavior is shameful. If you want to review someone's work, do that. Do not turn it into a forum of personal attacks.

wow, I must have missed the part where we "insulted" anyone. And personal attacks? Really?

Sethasathi, since this is your first part im guessing your a friend to the artist, or related to her. And so you want to defend her and protect her comic. Fine.

But this is the comic review forum where we are supposed to be able to post HONEST reviews of comics. We have no reason to bash peoples work, it would give us anything. We're just giving our opinion.

Alright, this comic has 7 reviews. That's more than enough. I don't want this turning into a fight, so I'm gonna go ahead and start the next review.

And remember these two points from the Review Guidelines Thread:

DON'T BE AFRAID TO BE MEAN. People signing up for this should expect honest critiques to come their way. At the same time, don't flame. Give logical reasons for why you don't like something.

NO NON REVIEW POSTS IN REVIEW THREADS. You are not allowed to comment directly on other people's reviews, the nature of the comic outside of a critical standpoint, or on the comic's author. Stick to the discussion of the comic, only. (Note: if you are the author of the comic being reviewed, you are allowed to respond, but if you start a flame war or whine a lot I will shut you up.)

I remember finding this comic a long time ago and really enjoying it! I'm glad it was reviewed so I can catch up on it. :)

I quite enjoyed it. I read it from beginning to end (which I only do with comics I really am into) and check for updates everytime I do my little "where my comics at" browsing.

The jokes: well..okay, so some of them are corny, like the limb falling off joke. That's getting a bit old. :P We get it, he's a zombie. But it's okay..it's part of Fernando's personality. I think a lot of the jokes are funny though. Here's one page I really loved: http://www.clovenhand.com/uiu/index.php?page=20

The art: Very cute. It's chibi, yes..but Amy has her own style. The coloring is good and hey, there's backgrounds! Yay! I also like the random pages done in colored pencil: http://www.clovenhand.com/uiu/index.php?page=15 I love colored pencil and she colors so well with them. The only thing I can see where Amy can improve is the hands. I understand it must take forever to draw and color these pages..but I would like to see actual fingers! :) I notice she does draw them once in a while..but most of the time it's the little ball hands. I think fingers express a lot of emotion..so it's good to use em in comics. (example: Jack Sparrow. look at his hands and fingers while he talks. VERY expressive.)

the story: well there's not a story all the time, but I think when there is a story, it's interesting. The zombie woman was a nice addition. As for the main point of the story: Nando and Amelius, I don't think this could end well unless Amy pulls a "Corpse Bride" ending. :P Although, hey, maybe Amelius could just die in the end and they live happily ever after as zombies! Woo! Ah, but Amelius is sidetracked by the living blue haired guy. I don't like him. Fernando is cute and charming in a creepy, zombie way.

As far as Amy putting herself as a main character, I really do not have a problem with this and don't see why it's such a big deal. I think, for most people, drawing yourself is easy and fun, so why not put yourself in comics? ...and yes, I'm guilty of putting myself in my comic..you probably guessed that already...

Overall, very very good. A bit addictive, too. I want to know what happens to Fernando and Amelius!

Okay, overall I enjoyed this. The idea of a Chibi zombie comic is, by itself, downright hilarious. There are some definite problems, but I can also see a lot of development as the strip continues.

Art: The artwork is very strong. I'm not really a fan of anime-esque stylings, but these characters are not just generically anime. Overall, their appearances are surprisingly unique, and their faces are expressive. Very strong character designs-- the only one I'd quibble with is Skylar, who seems the most stereotypically anime of the lot. In addition to that, sometimes his expressions don't seem to fit properly on his face.

Amy and Fernando almost always look terrific, though.

I love the backgrounds, and the fact that it feels like the two of them are in a very complete setting. This, in combination with a unique lettering/ballooning style, really puts the artwork in this strip far above the usual in web comics.

The colors are also strong, with the occasional patches of bright color really standing out. I think some formal study of color theory could benefit you, but it's still good work.

While some of the artwork is a bit gross for my taste, I even like this in a way. For one thing, cute-but-gross artwork is a rarity. For another, you're not afraid to cross that line, and you mostly choose good times to do so. Continue to use the gross-outs selectively, and I think that will go well as well.

Writing: Very patchy, but obviously developing by the end. I think if I'd stopped after twenty strips or so, I'd be disappointed in this regard. Early on, there are no appreciable storylines, and the dialogue was... not good. Easily predictable, too many cliches, not much payoff. Not much character development, either.

This changes with the first storyline and, with the introduction of Skylar, the first much-needed conflict. There's still the occasional strip based around a bad pun and accidental dismemberment, but the quality goes way up at this point. I think you needed direction, and-- in fits and starts-- found it.

Gregory still needs some development, just so you know. I like that he's a gravedigger, as that gives him a reason to be in the graveyard. He needs more personality, though.

As a result, the main characters are strong and likeable. There are some consistency problems-- Fernando sometimes wandering as he likes without comments, other times Amy is worried about him being spotted-- but I mostly chalk that up to growing pains.

I like that, in spite of his like/love of Amy, Fernando's zombie-nature is still dangerous. The Roxana story is both the most ambitious, and the strongest-- a good sign for the strip. Also, "Fudgebunnies!" is a great thing for someone to yell when he's just lost important parts of his body.

Humor: As has been noted, some of the stand-alone strips are groaners. Still, I enjoy a lot of strips. Sometimes you're just stretching a little bit too far to tell a joke. It's okay if the occasional strip is amusing as a whole, and doesn't end with a punchline. Think "Get Fuzzy," as opposed to "Garfield." GF is a much closer relation for "Unlife is Unfair."

Overall: Good job! Since I can see a lot of progress in the writing, I want to see more.