I'm not sure if this should go here, or if it has already been done somewhere else, but right now, I just want some input: What style of comic am I?

I wonder what style of comic other people think they have. And, would I agree with them?

See, I was just noticing the little labeling things that say "manga" "american" "cartoon", etc. on the the comic overview page of my control panel, and I realized my comic had been labeled as "cartoon". I knew for certain that this didn't fit, but when I looked at the other options, I really got confused! I sort of have "manga" tendencies...but does "american" comic mean opposite of "manga" or just not exactly "manga"? "Sketch" comic because my drawing style is sketchy (not sketchy as in suspect...although sometimes...)? "Realism" because I'm trying very hard to draw pretty realistically, although it is quite stylized, but people aren't deformed (intentionally), therefore, opposite of "cartoon"?

Anyway, if there are some definitions for these terms somewhere, someone please point them out to me! If this is just a matter of our own interpretation...well, other opinions would be welcome!!

I'm pretty sure that manga, at least on this site, usually refers to comics that are read from right to left, instead of from left to right. Other than that, though, I can't help you.

I think your style is completely unique, alej...it would be hard for me to put it under just "manga" or "American". There should be an "Other" category or something. >.> ....or....."mixed breed". XD

While I've been trying to go into more of my own thing style-wise...I'd be kidding myself if I said my style wasn't very manga-inspired. ESPECIALLY now that I have been doing this cel-shading thing with VP X that makes look like anime screenshots in a way, or so I'm told and that was my intention. ;)

So yeah, I'd say mine's more on the manga side style-wise than anything still. I say this with very slight regret as it makes me sad knowing some people turn away from it for that fact.

The writing however, is still completely my own thing.

I have similar issue with my comics. I admit they are quite manga influenced..but I don't really want to pigeon-hole it into that since they aren't really manga. Definitely not american style, digital coloured so they don't look like sketch.
Personally I just stayed with cartoon, since it's a fairly vague description and doesn't really restrict as muh as the other style lables do.

I agree there should be an 'other' option, since losts of comic artists do have sort of 'hybrid' styles.

Haahhh, i'm an anime and manga fanatic, but i didn't start off drawing that way~
i actually drew dragons and monster things before i got around to drawing people. And my style is a mash of some of my favorite artists on a website i've been active on for like...four years. So i CAN at least say that it isn't a popular style~

^^;

I disagree with the right to left thing: if someone thinks they're doing "Manga style
comic, then that's what they're doing. ^_^

I think, coming from out of the blue, "manga" is what first suggests itself with Jump. Not just the drawing style, but the panelling, word balloons, subject matter etc. But then it's any style that you call it ^_^

The labels are extremely superficial...

I just checked Pinky TA and it was set to "cartoon" again... Ugh, the settings have reset themselves -_-

I changed it to "realistic". It's not; it's stylised in my own style, but what is "American" anyway?

ozoneocean
I changed it to "realistic". It's not; it's stylised in my own style, but what is "American" anyway?

Yeah, and why can't I choose "Canadian"??? :)

I agree with you though, the labels are extremely superficial. I would definitely put my style in the "North American" ;) style but I know that what little Manga I've read (Death Note, Monster, and one volume of Lone Wolf and Cub) still had some impact on me and my work. As well, I've also been influenced by other artists who were influenced by Manga or by what I've read in Scott McCloud's books who is a fan of Manga books and talks about tools and tricks they use.

well, the listing your referencing is new.
I never seen it before and never gave a category for "style" with my comic.
So I just went and changed it from "cartoon" as well.
I think everyone who is not aware of this new update will be listed as cartoon.

But as to your style Alej, I think it has a strong manga feel as Ozone said and for the reasons he reviewed, but it is definitely your style.

But I think defining a style seems kind of silly in a way because as an artist and as most artists we are all trying to find our own voice and don't necessarily want to be compared or categorized with a label. We want to be "original" and different. But as much as we try our influences will always be reflected in our work.

Take my comic for example, most people make the comparison to Frank Miller's Sin City because of the gray scales and minimal inclusion on additional colors. Since his comic was such a huge success any use of that technique going forward will always compared to it and will either stand or fall. Honestly when I started work on my comic I never consciously said, "Hey lets copy Sin City!" Its influence was already ingrained in my artistic experience. Same would go for most artists who have that "manga" feel to it.

Thanks for all your input!

Frostflowers Although right to left reading mode is a good hint, I feel that manga is pretty distinct, and although there are many sub genre of manga, I tend to think of comics like "Gott Gauss," "Nightmistress," "Scorch," "Fight," "Elder Star," hmm, "Star Crossed Destiny" would also be one that I'd categorize as manga from the drawing style. It feels to me that they are really trying to emulate manga aesthetics.

SarahN Y'know I've never really thought of your comic as exactly manga. And perhaps lately the color art has been shooting for a cell-shaded anime look, still I always think of your style as "That's how SarahN draws!" Then again, I could say that for a lot of people who have a distinct style of their own. When someone uses a very classic Marvel/DC style or a very classic Shonen/Shoujo style it should feel obvious if I'm going to label them that.

I also agree with you as to the sadness of categorizing causing people to reject your comic before even looking at it. It's like comic "stylism"! Prejudice at its worst!!

Arswyds Again, the issue of restrictions and pigeon-holing. I'm happy to hear you have found a good compromise in "cartoon" as your label!

Katch Yeah, I began my drawing comics career copying my favorite Marvel and Image comics of the day. But even then, those comics were becoming more and more influenced by manga art. Later on, I've also become very influenced by the art of other webcomic creators because everyone brings something cool and original to their work, you get quite inspired by it. I say be proud of being a mongrel artist!!!

Ozone Initially Jump was meant to be very manga, and at the time when i first drew it was when I was really getting into anime and steering away from american comics. Pinky TA the cartoon would be much different I'd think! I'd imagine Pinky drawn as like a Betty Boop type, or maybe Jessica Rabbit! Sexy!

Realistic is a strange label, because I'm sure most of us try to do our best to draw as realistically as possible! But of course we are hindered by our own drawing experience and our own personal style. For you, your backgrounds, settings, all these things are wonderfully rendered and get close to being photographic at times. But you of course have your own stylized take on your art. As for "american" comics...a couple comics that come to mind are "The Dreamer," "Killing Demons," and "Terran Sandz." But I really feel that american style is just to be some sort of end of the spectrum for manga style.

darrell I'd like to say your comic is "american" in style, cause when i see it, I think of oh...what's that guys name...Rob Lefield or something like that? He drew Wild Cats, that Image comic book. I mean no insult, but I say you are similar because men are really super buff and over muscled in his style and you seem to have a tendency to do that, too. I think it can be cool, and there was definitely a time that I was super influenced by that style, but I got that manga influence in me that started making all men look androgynous. *sigh* Once again, it's all about what has influenced us over the years to help us create our own amalgamated style.

Midge Yup, we can't help but be influenced by what we enjoy. And sorry, it's hard not to think Sin City when looking at your comic! No offense man! But, I must say, the type of comic you are doing, the sort of dark, horror-ish noir detective story, it just lends it self to bold blacks and minimalism! Frank Miller just happened to be one of the first/latest popular ones to get that style out into the public. I actually also feel a bit of manga influence in your work, especially in the monster version of Yokai. Once again that's just me trying to pin you down with labels and categories. I guess this is just some horrible human trait we have.



In the end, I decided to label most of my comics as sketchy, just because I love all me sketchy line art!!

When the style options came up, it gave me pause. When I got here, I called my comic "manga" because that was the style I was going for when I started drawing. It evolved differently, though, and I found that my regular readers are not generally "manga" people. I thought about listing it as that style once again, but, even though I use manga conventions (chibis, sweat drops, etc.), no one identifies my comic that way, and it most certainly doesn't fall into the mainstream manga look at this point.

I think it's best to look at it not as the creator but as your readers would see it. Listing your personal inspirations and what look you are "going for" is not really what your comic is.

Once I put myself into the "what do the readers think" mindset, it was really easy. I have heard my art called "sketchy" (actual quotes from the reader comments o.O) several times. So, that's the category I chose. ;)

I guess I'd call your style manga, alej, if I was limited to the options in the DD search engine. You clearly have alot of japanese influences in your art. I wouldn't jump on board calling it manga if it could be elsewise categorized. In reality "manga" is a pretty broad spectrum, if you just look at the mangas in say a barnes and nobles, there stuff that runs the gambit from pokemonesq to some brilliantly detailed realistic looking stuff. Cantegorizing a style is tough because no matter how spot on it may be, it will always be wrong in a couple way. Plus as demonstrated by Frostflower the same label of style can mean different things to different people.

Many comics fall between categories. The way I look at this is to ask what point the categories actually serve and, as far as I can see, their only practical purpose is to help people search for comics they might like.

So, for example, even though I don't feel the style of my comic fits neatly into the usual definitions of either "American" or "Manga", I would choose "American" because I believe it's more likely to appeal to fans of that style.

(So sad to think that all those Manga fans will now never find it!)
;)

alejkhan
darrellI'd like to say your comic is "american" in style, cause when i see it, I think of oh...what's that guys name...Rob Lefield or something like that? He drew Wild Cats, that Image comic book. I mean no insult, but I say you are similar because men are really super buff and over muscled in his style and you seem to have a tendency to do that, too. I think it can be cool, and there was definitely a time that I was super influenced by that style, but I got that manga influence in me that started making all men look androgynous. *sigh* Once again, it's all about what has influenced us over the years to help us create our own amalgamated style.

Rob Liefeld??? OUCH!!! That kinda hurts. Wildcats was done by Jim Lee.

Eh..? I wasn't even aware of this option until I saw this thread, lol. Although, I just left mine as "cartoon". I don't really know what else to call it. I don't really want to label is "manga", because it's not manga, although there are some influences. I don't know what "American" is (it makes me think "superheroes", I guess?), it's definitely not "realism" (everyone having tails kind of puts the nix on that I guess), and it doesn't fall under any of the other categories by a long shot.

Erh. Needs an "other/undefined" option, imo. lol!

darrell

alejkhan
darrellI'd like to say your comic is "american" in style, cause when i see it, I think of oh...what's that guys name...Rob Lefield or something like that? He drew Wild Cats, that Image comic book. I mean no insult, but I say you are similar because men are really super buff and over muscled in his style and you seem to have a tendency to do that, too. I think it can be cool, and there was definitely a time that I was super influenced by that style, but I got that manga influence in me that started making all men look androgynous. *sigh* Once again, it's all about what has influenced us over the years to help us create our own amalgamated style.

Rob Liefeld??? OUCH!!! That kinda hurts. Wildcats was done by Jim Lee.

Argh! And I even got it wrong!!! What the hell horrible comic did Rob Liefeld draw anyway? Ah well, I meant no insult. Just to point out that 90s super buff men style that you kinda have going on.

DAJB You bring up a good point that I hadn't fully considered. Using the labeling to attract the type of reader you think would enjoy your comic. Hmm... Well, that does indeed add a new dimension to my choice. Now I have to think even more...curses! How do you choose one without horribly excluded others that may also enjoy your comic? Will Manga and American always be mutually exclusive when it comes to fans? Is that just how it is?

silentkitty Other, undefined, or mixed would indeed be helpful. I also feel the same way about my categorizing the story type of my comics. I mean, I could check just about all of the options for all of my comics! It's tough living inside the box.

kingofsnake I'll admit to being manga, maybe.... But you are right, it is a broad spectrum, and I have to remember that. However, if going by DAJB's point, if I were to choose manga, would people be popping in expecting to see people with big eyes, tiny mouths, and blue hair? *smacks forehead for the ancient Strongbad joke* Would I be disappointing people and turning them off? Another tough call......



Looks like this topic is working as a public service announcement about those categories!! Glad I could help, I guess?

alejkhan
Looks like this topic is working as a public service announcement about those categories!! Glad I could help, I guess?

well it got me thinking, when did they add these features and why?

If you go to the Search & Browse Tab on the front page it brings you to the search engine which I have used on a regular basis to check out new comics. Well it has been changed with subsection criteria for style, which was never a search parameter before, and additional categories for story.

I wonder when they were going to announce this addition and if it has already been announced when and where did they announce it?

TheMidge28
well it got me thinking, when did they add these features and why?

It was a couple weeks ago. They didn't announce it, but I noticed pretty soon since I wanted to search for something.

I think it's a great change to have a style and two genres for your comic. It's been discussed a few times how "manga" isn't a genre and how many people couldn't really pick a single category for their comics. I think it really streamlines the search. Now people can look for their "action manga" without sifting through a dozen "romance" ones. Oh, and I like the added genres too. Now mine can be "mystery" instead of "noir." (It was never really "noir" but that was the closest category I could find.)

I'd call it a manga variant.

...There's always been categories of some sort...
There's a second one for the genre. Has that always been there? DD has changed so much over the years I never remember any longer. Both mine were on "Adventure", I just changed the second one to "War" :)

Hmm, I vaguely remember we had a suggestion thread in the admin forum for the style list at one time... So that's the result eh? huh.

ch-ch-cha changes! Turn and face the change...

ozoneocean
Hmm, I vaguely remember we had a suggestion thread in the admin forum for the style list at one time... So that's the result eh? huh.

ch-ch-cha changes! Turn and face the change...

There should at least be a "Misc." for the styles I still think.

NO! You must pick one! What's wrong with you????
lol!

Yeah, I think we had a suggestion for something like that. It was a long time ago. Must have gotten overlooked :(
There'll always be more "miscs" and "others" than photo comics!

what does sketch mean?

I don't even know what mine is

also Liefeld wasn't terrible at the beginning of his career. It was something for kids but the more serious he got the worst his comics got. He needs to just fade away. How many people even do Hyper detailed art for comic books anymore>

What do you mean by "hyper detail"?
I love the detail Shirrow puts in his comic art. It's one of the best bits.

Liefeld is as bad as all of us really. Jebus, my figures are just as lazily done as his a lot of the time.

"Sketch" is for someone who associates their style with sketch work I suppose?

but we're free

really I think it's too easy to pick on Liefeld. Why not pick on Bagely(?) some of his panels in Ultimate Spiderman looked odd

alejkhan
I'm not sure if this should go here, or if it has already been done somewhere else, but right now, I just want some input: What style of comic am I?

I'd say that all of your comics (that's a lot) fall under the general manga category. You can see the heavy influences in the line art. There are "American" influences as well, but not as prominent. Or maybe it's just that manga has so many sub-variations, the American influences end up reminding ppl of manga as well.

In the end though, consider what the readers are looking for and what kind of readers you want to attract. If you think your comics have manga sensibilities, such as a similar storytelling pace, then put down "manga."

I'd definitely call Purgatory Tower as cartoon. It reminds me more of a good Saturday morning show (if those shows had blood and intrigue and stuff) than American comics or manga.

When one says American, usually that'd mean USA horror, noir, or superhero comics styles.

Your style looks sketchy. And similarly, Scorch would qualify as a sketch manga. Hell, the author herself said so. But nobody should use that as a category, cuz no reader is going to look for "Sketch." It's like a pit trap trick question category.