Webcomics: Reviews of Hubris!, Hobo Lobo of Hamelin, and Runners - a podcast by Stergios Botzakis & Derek Royal

Time Codes:

• 00:00:27 - Introduction
• 00:02:50 - Catching up
• 00:05:38 - Hubris!
• 00:31:05 - Hobo Lobo of Hamelin
• 00:56:35 - Checking in with Jim McClain and Paul Schultz
• 01:08:07 - Runners
• 01:29:15 - Wrap up
• 01:30:12 - Contact us

On the November webcomics episode, Sean and Derek discuss three vastly different titles. They begin with Greg Cravens's Hubris!, a strip that's been going on since 2010 and revolves around the exploits of a small outdoors business owner. This can best be described as a gag strip, reminiscent of the kind of comics you would read in the newspaper (which makes sense, given Cravens's long history in newspaper comics). The guys point out that this is the first time that they've discussed a gag strip like this on their webcomics series, and perhaps it was a long time in coming.

Next, the Two Guys turn to a much more experimental webcomics, Stevan Živadinović's Hobo Lobo of Hamelin. As the title suggests, the story alludes to the legendary German tale of a piper hired by a small town to take care of its rat infestation. What makes Živadinović's version so striking is its complex presentation, with multi-layered visuals that provide three-dimensional depth and perspective. On top of that, the webcomic is structured as a strip to scroll through, not multiple pages to click through, and it includes both animation and sound. Unfortunately, the webcomic hasn't been updated since July 2014, but the ambition and impressiveness of Hobo Lobo of Hamelin take a little bit of the sting out of the long wait.

And after a brief check-in with Jim McClain and Paul Schultz, the guys discuss this month's already completed webcomic, Sean Wang's Runners. This richly textured science fiction narrative ran from 2009 to 2011. The series is made up of only two volumes, but the story is written in such a way that the installments could continue for much longer, should Wang decide to return to the property. As much as Sean and Derek enjoy this title, they're saddened by the fact that there is no more of Runners on the horizon. Nevertheless, what there is is definitely worth reading.

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