Life in Existence

A Nice Argument

Thu, 13 Sep 2007 14:33:40 GMT

This just came to me while in the shower... Like wow.

As for those of you (meaning: none) wondering where James the Rat has been, he's backpacking through Europe currently. Since I can't draw Europe, he's not appearing in the comic any time soon in the near future.

Movie Trailer #1

Wed, 15 Aug 2007 13:42:14 GMT

And we're back from our scheduled break:

"Mass Panic Ensues"

Wed, 30 May 2007 17:31:06 GMT

Sorry there was no comic for the past few days. I have been SWAMPED with work. I'm doing some proofreading work for a school publication, and it has literally ate up all my time. The time frame that the school gave was ridiculous (I have to proofread about 500 pages in just two days), and I spent every waking moment just getting the work done (sans meals and short breaks). Anyway here is the long overdue strip, detailing the adventures of Dude the journalist, hope you like it:

"The Real World"

Wed, 23 May 2007 13:07:06 GMT

I'm totally unhappy with today's strip. Left's bubbles in the first and second panels are all screwy (that's the problem with ellipse bubbles), and the title actually referred to the first version of this strip which had a different punchline.

So why didn't I change it? Because my computer was acting up and all my programs were running at the speed of a one-legged tortoise running against the wind while wearing an open parachute, so I gave up after Photoshop hung on me about three times in a row. Oh well, hope you like it all the same.

"Critics"

Mon, 21 May 2007 08:14:40 GMT

Beginning today, I'll be updating on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. I doubt anyone would miss it during the even days.

"Return" and "New Guy" plus a bit of musing

Sat, 19 May 2007 09:38:40 GMT

As promised, here are two strips:

I kind of think that with speech bubbles, things look a bit better. But if you think about it, speech bubbles are probably the most unrealistic, irrational thing in the world, yet we all read comics and never question the speech bubbles. We don't so much as pretend they are not there, but just don't really see it. Even if the comic's realistic and true-to-life, we still look at speech bubbles and appreciate their presence. Even more interestingly, we are forever amused by photographs that have speech bubbles attached to the people in the picture. It entertains us endlessly to see "real" people (or at least representations of real people) suddenly "talking" via speech bubbles. The bubbles are an enframing device no doubt, surrounding and enframing speech. But the speech bubble takes for granted that speech and words can be encompassed in a frame of any kind, and that they even exist as something that can be enframed. The humble speech bubble actually is making a very big case here, merely by just being there. Ok, enough musing, like anyone would care about what I just said. Here's the second one... Before that, just want to say that no comic for tomorrow. Starting Monday, I'm taking the suggestion of hansel25's advice and will only be updating on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Occasionally, if the whim strikes me, I might put out something on Sunday. Ok now on to the second comic:

The mighty speech bubble...

Sorry

Fri, 18 May 2007 13:53:08 GMT

Sorry folks, no comic today. I just reached home (it's nearly 10pm) and I'm pooped. Plus I have to wake at 6:30am tomorrow for my university's Open House.

This is the reason why I should have a buffer of strips, for times like these.

I'll post two strips tomorrow as compensation. Sorry again...

"Back to the stone age"

Thu, 17 May 2007 14:25:44 GMT

The truth was that some guys were at my block today to replace the electrical mains and they shut the power off from 9am to 3pm. The weather was horribly warm and I basically felt lost without Internet access. I think I may be addicted. No, I'm sure I am.

Anyway TOMORROW! An old friend returns to Life in Existence. Who could it be?!? The answer will be much lamer than you think!!

Head-Check: Epilogue

Tue, 15 May 2007 15:37:03 GMT

Yep, that's the end of this story arc. I did this to try and flesh out the characters of the Brown guy and James a bit more, and I thought it would be appropriate since James just joined the cast (I use three words beginning with "J" in succession. That must be rare!).

Initially today's strip was going to be different. After the Brown guy suggests to Left that he should see James too, Left was going to laugh long and hard in the second panel. Then in the third panel we'll see him discussing with James when would be a good time to schedule their sessions. James was going to say he has has tennis lessons on Thursday.

In the end I went with this one instead partly because I thought the word play would be funnier, and partly because I'm influenced by "Pearls Before Swine" after having been reading it for the past few days.

I think I need to pace my dialogue out a bit more. The last panel doesn't really "make" the reader stop before the last "NOT!", so it loses the effect of it being an prank. Lots to learn still obviously...

"Head-Check Part 4: Remuneration"

Mon, 14 May 2007 11:45:21 GMT

James once worked with Freud in Vienna. They broke over the concept of penis envy. Freud felt that it should be limited to women.

"Head-Check Part 3: Revelation"

Sat, 12 May 2007 08:09:49 GMT

Thanks to the good folks at Fleen who mentioned me in their post for today! The comic have publicity now... Or at least it's starting to.

Sorry the words on James' desk and cup are a tab too small to be read properly. I could tell you what they are but I think that will spoil the fun. I did like how the table turned out though. Yes, I have low standards and even lower expectations for myself.

Alright, if anyone is checking this out having come from Fleen, hello! and thanks for stopping by. Do leave any comments you may have. Love to hear what you think. Cheers!

"Head Check Part 2 - Confession"

Fri, 11 May 2007 11:58:46 GMT

Ok right. If anyone has any ideas on how to publicise or market this, please let me know. Talking to myself is becoming very old, very fast.

"Rated 'G'"

Wed, 09 May 2007 08:54:59 GMT

For a really cute rat and a really great comic, check out Pearls Before Swine. I apologise to Stephan Pastis because James came out looking like Rat much more than I had wanted or intended him to. Then again, how many ways can you draw a rat?

And to all readers, I'm happy to announce that "Life in Existence" is nine!! Nine strips old that is! That this monumental moment falls on the NINTH of May is nothing short of a miracle!! The stars are aligned, and the world is right. You readers have been so generous with your comments and support and adulations that I just want to let you know that without you, this comic would not have been possible.

Technically it would have been possible, but you know what I mean.

"A Different Kind of Hate"

Tue, 08 May 2007 02:20:10 GMT

Comic's up early today because I have a career talk to attend in the afternoon, and then a meeting with the people from my Esplanade Youths rubbish thing in the evening. As far as I know, I'm still sick. Ack. Hack.

I'm going to try three panels for a while because I realise that with six, there is a high tendency to insert needless dialogue; probably more of a requirement since I have to fill up each panel with something at least. I think empty panels do say a lot actually. I like how the lack of any expression, action, or cues allow the reader to fill up the gap with his imagination. That was what was most fun for me when I was reading Death to the Extremist. I think comic strips that give you everything kind of takes something away from you too. Sure, some people like to just read and laugh/chuckle/giggle. But I like to engage myself when reading a strip. More fun that way.

Plus having to tell the joke in three panels presents a rather interesting creative challenge. Ok, fine. Coming up with anything that is even half-funny is a already an uphill struggle for the unfunny ol' me. But if no one will laugh with me, then I shall laugh at myself. Ha! Ha! Haaaa!

(PS. I realise now the last panel ought to read "What planet..." rather than "Which planet...". Plus the second panel's bubble could do with a lot more improvement. I really need to get that tablet soon.)

"Woke Him Up Before He Went"

Mon, 07 May 2007 11:49:32 GMT

Today's comic almost didn't make it because I was busy trying to prevent my lungs from killing me. How can one human cough up SOOOO much phlegm is beyond me. There must a biological weapons factory in my chest.

A Sunday Special

Sun, 06 May 2007 03:12:37 GMT

A Sunday editorial-style comic. I thought for days how to phrase the words better so the message gets across more clearly, but I couldn't think of any other better way. By the way, just drawing and painting the dude took two days. My shading definitely needs a lot more work. Not to mention the posing and posture. Eugh. He looks like someone broke his back and stapled his arm to his side or something. And my speech bubble's all fucked up. And I believe this is the first pair of jeans that does not have pockets. Ok, I'm like just posting notes to myself now. I'm gonna stop.

Anyway I hope whoever's reading likes this short departure from the other normal (i.e. boring) stuff.

Sat, 05 May 2007 06:15:33 GMT

Oops, forgot to put the date. Ah but who cares since I only have like 0.2 readers. And they probably don't care either. *shrugs*

"Alone"

Sat, 05 May 2007 06:12:47 GMT

Am going to post today's and tomorrow's strip up since I probably won't be at home most of tomorrow. Sorry that the arc is running stale, and it's not funny anymore. At least that's what I assume it is, since the only comments I've received about this so far is how unfunny it is. Yea, the ego is taking a beating, but I knew I wasn't a very funny guy to begin with. At least I'm trying.
Ok, the "anti-gay" story arc will end on Monday. No more torture.

Writing comics is tough man...

"Leaving on a Jet Plane"

Fri, 04 May 2007 12:17:23 GMT

Yes I know the windows on the plane are not aligned properly. This is a comic, what the hell do you want? Realism?

"Credibility"

Wed, 02 May 2007 10:49:51 GMT

I wanted to do a strip on Spider-Man, since I watched the movie two days ago. But the gay-rights issue is taking the country by storm, so Spidey had to take a backseat.

"Blessed"

Wed, 02 May 2007 05:17:22 GMT