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I've read it a few times, but I'm surprised at how many threads pop up about this cartoon-seems like some of the discussions go on for page after page, people are clamoring to be the first to get a thread started that the latest strip is up (there are always a couple threads at least, one gets closed). I see no such clamor on any of the other D&D websites I frequent re: this cartoon- in fact, no mention whatsoever that I can recall.
I'm not looking to be convinced it's "good", but I'd be interested to hear some rationale about the love/fanboyism (admin note - please don't use derogatory terms if you are honestly interested) for it here on ENWorld.
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I think people sometimes get too fixated about what's "official" to see what they could do with the whole- "David "Zeb" Cook
Last edited by Plane Sailing; 27th April 2009 at 05:41 PM..
It features interesting protagonsits and antagonists. It mixes humor, D&D and an interesting narrative (complete with twists and surprises.) The characters are just funny looking stick figures, but they still manage to evoke all the emotions we might usually reserve for "real actors".
Some characters are more likeable than others, and people have different opinions. It's a world that follows the D&D rules (mostly), and the characters are aware of that (but they don't have players or DMs). Not merely jokes, but also concepts of the narrative are based on the rules.
The storyline has become more complex over time. Both protagonists and antagonists gained more personality and depth than a stick figure webcomic might expect, and the background of the world has been fleshed out - and is a major motivation for the action now.
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OOTS is a long-running narrative that won't be appreciated fully without starting at the beginning and following the story. Fans of the comic look forward to each new episode to see how the plot and characters will develop, and they love to talk about it with other fans.
That's much of what goes on on sites like ENWorld - RPG fans sharing their interests. It's often hard, if not impossible, to have these kinds of discussions with coworkers, family, or friends who don't share the hobby. Because people on ENWorld read and talk about OOTS pretty regularly, other people who read the forums become exposed to the comic and read it themselves.
Web comics spread best through word of mouth (or the electronic equivalent thereof). All the discussion here about OOTS and the enthusiasm shown for it by its fans is creating a nice audience of ENWorld members. This is where I heard about it for one, and now I and my older son read the comic regularly.
Perhaps folks on other D&D sites aren't aware of OOTS, or perhaps they don't talk about stuff not directly related to gaming, such as web comics. So why does ENWorld talk about OOTS and other sites don't? Probably because this site has a critical mass of readers that the other sites may lack.
__________________ Founding Father of O.A.F! - Old school Admirers of Fourth edition
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"I feel books like "A Princess of Mars", "The Swords of Lankhmar" and "The Black Company" are far more important to your gaming experience than whether you choose between OSRIC, Labyrinth Lord, or D&D4E." - The Ravyn
I think people sometimes get too fixated about what's "official" to see what they could do with the whole- "David "Zeb" Cook
Maybe the question should have been - did you read the comic, from episode 1 in order?
OOTS episodes don't always work as standalone strips (and often aren't intended to) - but do work as part of an ongoing narrative, which is what people like to talk about in addition to just discussing the jokes and arguing about how they might relate to D&D rules.
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I find the plotline compelling. As Mustrum says, the characters really express emotions quite well, and I want to know what's going to happen to them. And there's really quite a lot going on in the story, so it holds my interest.
Also, it takes me back to reading Calvin & Hobbes as a kid. Rich explores some interesting philosophical ground (even if it is just D&D philosophy) in a humorous way. The art is also simple enough and laid out clearly, so I can follow it (unlike some other D&D-ish webcomics). In that way, it also shares some characteristics with C&H.
Different stuff appeals to different people. I love it, my brother can't get past the "stick figure art" and won't read it.
I like the characterisation, the story, the fun it pokes at RPG tropes in general and D&D rules in particular. I also like the degree of expression which can be delivered through stick figures (surprisingly high) and some of the mass battle scenes with tiny little details realised in them.
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I see no such clamor on any of the other D&D websites I frequent re: this cartoon- in fact, no mention whatsoever that I can recall.
What web site are you talking about?
As for OOTS. It is (normally) damn funny and has a great story and has a great world and has a great auther. What is not to love? (other than having to read like 5 years of comics to know what is going on)
I'm not looking to be convinced it's "good", but I'd be interested to hear some rationale about the love...
What rationale? You may like it, you may not. Maybe it works with your sense of humor, maybe it doesn't. If you don't like it, there's no point in us "rationalizing" why we do.
I've been reading it a long time and I have found it wonderfully entertaining the whole time. You apparently don't. No matter.
__________________ Bill D
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First, as others have said, don't try and judge OoTS by random episodes. Especially for the past year or so, they just won't be very good without a context. Start and read straight through. If you start at the very beginning, there will be a number of "joke" strips before you get into the main plot. To start out on an early story arc, try here: http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0044.html To start out on the really big, world defining story arc, try start here: http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0272.html I personally started getting into the strip around #439, the "Sexy, shoeless god of war" strip posted above.
If you can't get past the art style or the way the story can get sidetracked (really really badly), you'll probably never like the strip. But if you focus on the jokes (make sure to read the names of the individual strips) and characters, you'll probably learn to like it a lot.
I will also admit that the strip has been losing my interest. I've been hanging on for a year to get the main plot back on track, and I'm still waiting. The random intervals between strips has also started to affect my interest (this is caused by the author's medical problems - but its still a pain in the ass). And the server problems are far too numerous at this point for me to say that they aren't a hinderance to enjoyment. I'm starting to think that a good plan right now is to just ignore the strip for six months, then come back and read it through in one fell swoop. It's also a perfect time to go and re-read the early strips, or to buy the book.
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I think that OotS have evolved over the years to be a very different sort of strip than it started as. When I first read it, it was a funny comic about the rules and situations involving 3.5 D&D. Rich has been playing D&D for a long time, and has a sense of history that worked into the strip as well.
After the initial dungeon adventure was over, the strip sort of changed, and has gradually become deeper and more interesting. This is the part where I think you tend to see more controversy with it, since it has started to become more about characters and story than teh funnay.
For what it's worth, I really enjoyed this transition, and really appreciate what Rich has been able to do with such simple art. I think he's done just about the best job of describing alignment and the afterlife in D&D terms that I've ever seen, and some of the storylines have been genuinely moving. Obviously that's just my opinion, but the fact that I was genuinely moved by a comic with stick-figure art tells you how much I enjoy it.
--Steve
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I play 4E, and it's every bit as much Dungeons and Dragons as any other edition, including the one(s) you play. No more, and no less.
I've found some of it really damn funny. Other bits, not so much. So, uh, like a lot of comic strips, including webcomics. Like say, DM of the Rings. They vary.
But I don't really see this 'fanboyism' you spoke of. Um, some folks like it. And they post about it. Uh. . . and that's it. There's nothing and nobody demanding that you like it, or even read it. So what's the issue at hand again - especially considering you have stated that you don't want to be convinced that it's good?
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