The Drunk Duck Quackcast

Today we have a special guest! Jessica Schab. Jessica works for Mainframe entertainment in Canada, one of THE premier digital animation companies! Before things like Pixar they were THE CGI animation people! Behind the Video for Dire Straights' Money for Nothing video back in the 80s, Transformers Beastwars, Octonaughts, Babrie, and my personal fave: Reboot! Jessica is an interesting person. She's in charge of production design on an upcoming show for Dreamworks, which involves a particular kind of organisational based leadership which is quite uncommon in a lot of small scale creative projects like webcomics, but still extremely important nevertheless and a lot of projects fail because they don't take account of it. Jessica is an even more interesting character than that though. She's been a spiritual guru who has lived all over the world. She then reversed course and became a sceptical activist! She's even had a documentary made about her! So she's quite good at building and maintaining a personal brand which is what every webcomicer should know how to do. You'll have to watch our Patron video to find out about that stuff though. This week Gunwallace has given us the theme to Grey Sky Blue Moon. I’m tempted to write a bad early 80s rap for this, but I won’t torture people that way. This tune is remarkably 1980s in style: rap, dance style music, exactly like you’d get from a big budget movie from 1984 or ‘85. Think Beverly Hills Cop or Police Academy. It’s perfect! It’s a great match for the crazy light night hi-jinks that the girls of Grey Sky Blue Moon get up too! Topics and shownotes Links Equal time for free thought: WBAI 99.5 FM - http://equaltimeforfreethought.org/ Reboot - https://reboot.fandom.com/wiki/Mainframe_Entertainment_Inc Mainframe - https://www.mainframe.ca/ Jessica Schab - http://www.jessicaschab.com/ Featured comic: The Red Moon - https://www.theduckwebcomics.com/news/2020/jan/14/featured-comic-the-red-moon/ Featured music: Grey Sky Blue Moon - https://www.theduckwebcomics.com/Grey_Sky_Blue_Moon/, by xailenrath, rated M. Special thanks to: Gunwallace - http://www.virtuallycomics.com Tantz Aerine - https://www.theduckwebcomics.com/user/Tantz_Aerine/ Ozoneocean - https://www.theduckwebcomics.com/user/ozoneocean Banes - https://www.theduckwebcomics.com/user/Banes kawaiidaigakusei - https://www.theduckwebcomics.com/user/kawaiidaigakusei/ VIDEO exclusive! Become a subscriber on the $5 level and up to see our weekly Patreon video and get our advertising perks! - https://www.patreon.com/DrunkDuck Even at $1 you get your name with a link on the front page and a mention in the weekend newsposts!

Today Banes and I chat about our top tips for doing a great comic page: What is most important? I mainly focus on art and Banes is talking about page design and writing tips. Bellow are our top 5s for ways to make better comics! We expand on these and explain them in the Quackcast. Banes' tips for making a comic page: 1. Page layouts 2. Economical wording 3. Vary the camera 4. Don't always hide things you can't draw 5. Don't eat the ink off your brush! Banes writing tips: 1. Avoid too much exposition up front. 2. Write things that matter to you. 3. Let different characters be different 4. Powerful stories have themes but work better if it's hidden 5. Avoid burnout by working too hard all in one go BONUS 6. JUST DO IT! Jump in and start. Ozone's comic art tips: 1. Practice 2. life Drawing, 3. Simplification 4. Backgrounds 5. Consistency This week Gunwallace has given us the theme to Molly Lusc: Dark shades of grey, shadows in the night, penumbra, tenebrae, and twilight. We move in the not-quit-night, keeping our actions secret and behind closed doors. No one must know! The dual life and secretive nature of Molly Lusc is well summed up with this creepy noir tune of whispers and shadows. Topics and shownotes VIDEO exclusive! Become a subscriber on the $5 level and up to see our weekly Patreon video and get our advertising perks! - https://www.patreon.com/DrunkDuck Even at $1 you get your name with a link on the front page and a mention in the weekend newsposts! Links My top 5 comic art tips - https://www.theduckwebcomics.com/news/2020/jan/09/my-top-5-art-tips/ Featured comic: The Watch Dogs - https://www.theduckwebcomics.com/news/2020/jan/07/featured-comic-the-watch-dogs/ Featured music: Molly Lusc - https://www.theduckwebcomics.com/Molly_Lusc/, by Andreas Helixfinger, rated M. Special thanks to: Gunwallace - http://www.virtuallycomics.com Ozoneocean - https://www.theduckwebcomics.com/user/ozoneocean Banes - https://www.theduckwebcomics.com/user/Banes/

Happy 2020 all you lovely people who listen to us! What we're talking about today are tropes in fiction that bother us because they don't exist in reality: they ONLY exist in fiction pretty much. In the cover pic we have an image from The Witcher: he has two big longswords on his back. In fantasy people always carry longswords on their backs. This is a trope that only exists in fiction because you can't draw a sword longer than about 60cm from your back. So people just didn't carry swords like this. Even if it was only to transport them (although ta transport only option makes a sort of sense). This was only even rarely done with Asian swords. We'd LOVE to hear about more of these that other people have noticed! Other ones we cover in the cast are things like defibrillators restarting stopped hearts, people flying back when shot, walking away from an explosion and not flinching, guns clicking all the time and always needing to be cocked, corsets being the worst thing ever and always being word against bare skin, people being fine after being knocked out, the “Heimlich maneuver” being the best way to stop someone from choking, and a few more… People tell us more and also tell us why we're wrong. This week Gunwallace has given us the theme to Runner - Breathing evenly, gauging the distance, examining the terrain… one, two, three… GO! Eating up distance with very bound, forward progression, moving, moving, pounding on and on, lungs heaving, arms swinging, legs rise and fall, feet slam heel first into the turf and spring away on the ball. An anthem to sprinting! With touches of Relax by Frankie Goes to Hollywood. Topics and shownotes Links Problems with the heimlich manoeuvr - https://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/healthreport/the-heimlich-manoeuvre/3053794 Featured comic: Runner - https://www.theduckwebcomics.com/news/2019/dec/31/featured-comic-runner/ Featured music: Runner - https://www.theduckwebcomics.com/Runner/, by JC Mraz rated T. Special thanks to: Gunwallace - http://www.virtuallycomics.com Tantz Aerine - https://www.theduckwebcomics.com/user/Tantz_Aerine/ Ozoneocean - https://www.theduckwebcomics.com/user/ozoneocean Banes - https://www.theduckwebcomics.com/user/Banes kawaiidaigakusei - https://www.theduckwebcomics.com/user/kawaiidaigakusei/ VIDEO exclusive! Become a subscriber on the $5 level and up to see our weekly Patreon video and get our advertising perks! - https://www.patreon.com/DrunkDuck Even at $1 you get your name with a link on the front page and a mention in the weekend newsposts!

It's been a great year! DD has continued to grow bit by bit, we've been stable and a great host for many many webcomics. DD is one of the only truly independent community focused webcomic hosting sites left. Most of the rest are commercial hubs that are not community centered. Part of our commitment to the community on DD is showcasing our best webcomics every week, which we've been doing for 17 years now, and I've personally been doing that for about 13. Kawaii and I continually search for new high quality webcomics on DD to feature. We never look for standard art style or story type, we like the featured comics to be highly varied, reflecting many types of art style, format, media and story type. Featured comics can be long form stories, comic strips, stories for all ages, comics for kids, mature comics, action horror, fantasy, covering topics like politics, conspiracy, religion, or just be pure fun. Comics can have amazing art and story, or just one or the other. As long as the comic has over 15 pages and is updating regularly, is not a A rated work and has no borrowed copyright then it's fine to feature. What matters more than anything is the commitment and passion of the creators and giving them the recognition that they deserve, so that we can hopefully showcase their varied and interesting work to a wider audience. This week Gunwallace has given us the theme to Feint: A raw thrumming violin importantly intones ringing chords over and over as it sets us up for a beautifully rocky crescendo that culminates in a tumultuous sonic climax! Topics and shownotes VIDEO exclusive! Become a subscriber on the $5 level and up to see our weekly Patreon video and get our advertising perks! - https://www.patreon.com/DrunkDuck Even at $1 you get your name with a link on the front page and a mention in the weekend newsposts! Links Start of the 2019 featured comics list - https://www.theduckwebcomics.com/comics/featured/?page=3 2019 featured comics https://www.theduckwebcomics.com/Ripping_Off_King_Arthur/ https://www.theduckwebcomics.com/Legend_of_Wind_Fist/ https://www.theduckwebcomics.com/Molly_Lusc/ https://www.theduckwebcomics.com/Barkham_Horror/ https://www.theduckwebcomics.com/The_St_Nickolas_Conspiracy/ https://www.theduckwebcomics.com/Feint/ https://www.theduckwebcomics.com/Inner_Enemy/ https://www.theduckwebcomics.com/FULL_HOUSE_by_ProjectNutz/ https://www.theduckwebcomics.com/The_Jacket_Comic/ https://www.theduckwebcomics.com/Risk_it_for_a_Biscuit/ https://www.theduckwebcomics.com/Wild_Wolves/ https://www.theduckwebcomics.com/Interstellar_Dust/ https://www.theduckwebcomics.com/Out_of_the_Blue/ https://www.theduckwebcomics.com/Speaking_In_Tongues/ https://www.theduckwebcomics.com/Stunlock/ https://www.theduckwebcomics.com/The_True_Face/ https://www.theduckwebcomics.com/Limbo_Road/ https://www.theduckwebcomics.com/The_Shootin/ https://www.theduckwebcomics.com/The_Adventures_of_Kevin_Kid/ https://www.theduckwebcomics.com/The_Mystic_From_Wanzerbe/ https://www.theduckwebcomics.com/The_Frolic/ https://www.theduckwebcomics.com/The_Feelings_of_a_High_School_Girl/ https://www.theduckwebcomics.com/The_Great_Khan/ https://www.theduckwebcomics.com/The_Caraway_Crew/ https://www.theduckwebcomics.com/Android_Blues/ https://www.theduckwebcomics.com/Unprecedented_Cleanup/ https://www.theduckwebcomics.com/The_Strange_Case_of_Dr_Jekyll_and_Mr_Hyde/ https://www.theduckwebcomics.com/Ice_Massacre/ https://www.theduckwebcomics.com/Monkey_Nukes/ https://www.theduckwebcomics.com/QUASI_and_PSUDO/ https://www.theduckwebcomics.com/Completely_Unrelated/ https://www.theduckwebcomics.com/Jetpack_Jill/ https://www.theduckwebcomics.com/Way_of_the_Waifu/ https://www.theduckwebcomics.com/Customer_Service/ https://www.theduckwebcomics.com/Angels_of_the_Fallen/ https://www.theduckwebcomics.com/Operation_Boom/ https://www.theduckwebcomics.com/Void_The_Guide_to_a_Healthy_Relationship/ https://www.theduckwebcomics.com/Generation_Y/ https://www.theduckwebcomics.com/Sunstrike_and_Bluemist_An_Origin_Story/ https://www.theduckwebcomics.com/Bunni_and_Carot/ https://www.theduckwebcomics.com/Aikonia/ https://www.theduckwebcomics.com/Ursa_Tale/ https://www.theduckwebcomics.com/Breached/ https://www.theduckwebcomics.com/Redneck/ https://www.theduckwebcomics.com/My_Cute_Wish/ https://www.theduckwebcomics.com/Scarred_Eden/ https://www.theduckwebcomics.com/Space_Repair_Garage_The_Comic/ https://www.theduckwebcomics.com/The_Vagabonds_Waifs_and_Strays/ https://www.theduckwebcomics.com/Cafe_on_Crepe_Island/ https://www.theduckwebcomics.com/Percival_Pigeons_Perilous_Plan/ https://www.theduckwebcomics.com/Run_Stop_Go/ Featured comic: Ripping Off King Arthur - https://www.theduckwebcomics.com/news/2019/dec/24/featured-comic-ripping-off-king-arthur/ Featured music: Feint - https://www.theduckwebcomics.com/Feint/, by Stonedraccoon, rated M. Special thanks to: Kawaiidaigakusei - https://www.theduckwebcomics.com/user/kawaiidaigakusei/ Gunwallace - http://www.virtuallycomics.com Ozoneocean - https://www.theduckwebcomics.com/user/ozoneocean Tantz Aerine - https://www.theduckwebcomics.com/user/Tantz_Aerine/

Hey! Merry Xmas! Happy Hanukkah! Merry Kwanza! Merry Festivus! Happy Yule! Happy Saturnalia! Winter Solstice and all the rest ^_^ In this Quackcast Banes, Tantz, and I chat about our fave Christmas stuff, from films to music, to what we like to do on the day and the popular Christmas traditions of our parts of the world- Australia for me Greece for Tantz, and Canada for Banes. What is your fave xmas movie, music, or activity? What's you fave things to do at this time of year? Do you have any rituals or practices that are particular to your part of the world? Let us know! :D This week Gunwallace has given us the theme to The St Nickolas Conspiracy - The good children looked once out To see their parents scheming And the lies lay round about Deep and crisp and steaming Brightly shone the truth with light Though ears with lies were full When bursting with right Micha's words seemed true… Topics and shownotes Links Tantz's pick: Julie Andrews A Partridge in a Pair Tree - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8u3j6poaVU Jona Lewie - Stop The Cavalry - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2HkJHApgKqw Pouges Faiyrtail of New York - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9jbdgZidu8 The Darkness, Don't let the Bells End - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQhuoY5h2kE Home alone - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jEDaVHmw7r4 Scrooged - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2fTMi2hoYA Sugar plum fairy - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zV1qLYukTH8 Oh come All ye faithful - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z51apErmAuw Good king Wenceslas - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ty2GogvrP4c Troika - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5QsRDpsItq0 Featured comic: Legend of Wind Fist - https://www.theduckwebcomics.com/news/2019/dec/17/featured-comic-legend-of-wind-fist/ Featured music: The St Nickolas Conspiracy - https://www.theduckwebcomics.com/The_St_Nickolas_Conspiracy/, by Doorki, rated T. Special thanks to: Gunwallace - http://www.virtuallycomics.com Tantz Aerine - https://www.theduckwebcomics.com/user/Tantz_Aerine/ Ozoneocean - https://www.theduckwebcomics.com/user/ozoneocean Banes - https://www.theduckwebcomics.com/user/Banes kawaiidaigakusei - https://www.theduckwebcomics.com/user/kawaiidaigakusei/ VIDEO exclusive! Become a subscriber on the $5 level and up to see our weekly Patreon video and get our advertising perks! - https://www.patreon.com/DrunkDuck Even at $1 you get your name with a link on the front page and a mention in the weekend newsposts!