Stuff: Words

Webcomic Above - Part Whatever
Over in the General Discussion section of the Keenspace Forum a thread was started - Webcomic Above Part Whatever - in which someone reviews the comic of the previous reviewer. I reviewed Slightly Schizophrenic by K.A. Lundy (and an enjoyable comic it is too, especially if you like manga). Loxie & Zoot was then reviwed by Asera aka Gloria Manderfeld (her comic is Night and Day - I haven't had a chance to really check it out properly, but I do like her art!). I had some trepidation about opening myself up to peer review! :D But it was a positive experience and I must say I agree with everything Asera has suggested (especially her 'candyland' and hands/feet comments). I've edited the review slightly only for clarification and a bit of syntax - given english isn't Asarea's first language (and she wrote this at 5:00am) she did better than many english speakers!!
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Well, first of all I thought: What weird names - Loxie? Zoot? Never heard anything like that, but it doesn't matter anyway.

Story: Zoot and Loxie, running a naturist resort called Koala Bares, have to face the campaigns of the anti-nudist politician Tex Tyler and TV reporter Kylie's animosity against nudists. Zoot and Loxie and their friends and co-workers from the resort arrange a large 'Open Day' for visitors to show them their way of life and show them that their prejudices have no real reason. Tex Tyler tries to ruin the celebreation, but there are many other things happening on the grand day ... read for yourself to get all the details :)

The kind of storytelling is very relaxed and has many funny moments, like they really may happen in real life, I really enjoyed the slapstick moment of Zoot noticing he's wearing no clothes in the shop downtown - or Tex 'participating' in the body art contest. Stephen deals with all current prejudices against nudism, and I think he matches them correctly - some people decide to go naked at the open day, some not, and I was able to understand all of them, their reasons, but also their problems to deal with their partners/ lovers.

Though sometimes it's a bit too much candyland. I think Stephen must avoid getting on the 'go naked and all problems are gone' way for some of your characters that slightly seems to be there - or he'll soon lack stuff for his story. Maybe an argument between Jen and Craig could deal with this problem, or Kylie gets doubtful with her decision ... there are many possibilities left for the future and I don't think Tex should be forever the only 'villain' not understanding the nudist's way of life.

I always wanted to read on after every page - and that's the reason for my *THUMBS UP* here. I've noted Loxie & Zoot on my 'check weekly' list of webcomics.

Art: Ambivalent. Stephen seem to have some problems with feet and hands, but also sometimes with proportions, some arms and legs seem to be too short or too long - but that happens and I don't mark this as major weakness in artistic style anyway. The big mega-plus he get's from me is for his huge variety on body shapes and body styles. It's always possible to recognise the characters, and the not-perfect-but-even-more-normal bodies fit very well into scenery. Even the older women have some beauty in them, and the fatter or thinner bodies are very convincing. Stephen's eye for details is fabulous and gives the comic a 'todays' touch - luv the t-shirts and all the little things added to the personal style of every character. *THUMBS UP* here, too.

Overall: If you're a reader into manga style, you won't like the artwork, I'm sure, 'cause most of the cast doesn't match the beauty image given by this artistic style. If you like realistic drawings and a friendly, funny story, this one is your choice. If you're affected by nudity, stay away, this comic contains many nude people - without having porn or anything like that in the story.

It's a good reader (I finished the whole story in about 5 hours, yes, reading texts in a language that is not my first language needs time *sigh*) and it gave me some summer's feeling while listening to the rain dripping on the windows outside.

Asarea