Introduction
Gamers Anonymous is as the name would suggest, a comic about gaming. This comic is not like the millions of other comics on the internet today, with very Americanized drawings or pixilated game characters. Sure it has those in droves, but it doesn't rely on them. While the first five comics form some small story, it's on page six that Gamers Anonymous really finds it's mark. From that point on, Gamers Anonymous progresses through fourth-wall breaking parodies, randomness, and humor to bring to the world a gaming comic that is truly different.
The Positive Aspects
Reading through the vast archives of Gamers Anonymous has made me believe that my own comic doesn't require amazing art or well made sprites to make it good. Almost every other page changes style completely from the previous. In any other comic, this flaw would cause horrible failure; however, for reasons I can not seem to explain, Gamers Anonymous manages to pull it off. There are two very similar reasons why it can pull off such a feat: writing and plot. By the first, I mean simply that this is a very well written comic. The way the actual words are handled is beyond words. The focus on gaming and the plots conceived are wonderfully handled. Keep in mind that no matter how nearly-unlimited this genre is, it is surrounded by an equally boundless flow of poorly written gaming comics. Gamers Anonymous is distinctive in it's ability to talk about games with a fresh perspective, and not fall into the sea of mundane, or (worse), tedious. Also, to speak a quick word on the template: Gamers Anonymous has a background which I happen to like very much, that being a smudge stick effect in Photoshop. It is very fitting for this comic in that it can portray a plethora of different things very simply.
The Criticisms
I said already that the art in this comic isn't always the greatest; in fact, it was a recurring theme in the above passage. Although the writing for the most part makes up for it, its appeal would rise tenfold had it better pictures. If I could suggest one thing to the authors it would be to invest more time in the drawing (or possibly take on a third person who can draw very well). Another bad point to this comic is that you need to look deep into the comic to find something not game related. If you have absolutely no idea what's going on in the gaming world, or just flat out dislike video games, there isn't much to be offered without carefully analyzing each panel. There are a few comics slipped in here and there, but not enough to keep most non-gamers interested. While as two separate individually are not that big a deal, combined they potentially cost the comic a lot of would-be fans.
The Conclusion
I was pleasantly surprised when I read through the archive. I expected it to be just another lackluster gaming comic, which artistically it was; however, when I got past the artwork and into heart of the beast I found that the writing was like a ferocious lion tearing at my funny bone. I am sure that once Gamers Anonymous improves their art the comic will really reach its full potential.
(You can read Gamers Anonymous at
http://gamersanonymous.smackjeeves.com/
)
- Vito
