Comments on: Straight Up

By: YLlama

YLlama — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 23:35:51 +0000

I adore Achewood. But when I started reading three years ago or so, I was also sort of puzzled about what all the fuss is about. And I also tried to go back to the beginning only to find disappointment and additional bafflement, and even now find the early strips less, well, great.

I find people who appreciate Achewood most are the sort of people that read comics for the words more than the visuals.

If I were suggesting a starting point for a newbie, I’d start with the Great Outdoor Fight story arc (which I believe was just put into book form). Or the series of strips where Ray learns to be a breast man. I am digging the current line, with Cornelius and the stripper. But I can totally get how it isn’t for everyone. And although I find it hits way more often than not, it does sometimes miss.

By: DC

DC — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 23:17:59 +0000

I truly, deeply love it, find it hysterical, although I haven’t read it in about 3 months, for no reason.

I have been reading it for about four years and I agree with the above person who said it’s kind of about the very specific rhythms of the characters. I could definitely understand it being sort of elliptical if you hadn’t been reading it religiously for a long time.

By: Kirk

Kirk — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 17:19:16 +0000

Also not into it.

By: Terry

Terry — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 16:26:41 +0000

In the latest Achewood strip, I did enjoy the “RE/MAX” joke at the end.

But I am with you on the “not getting why people love this.”

By: Tab

Tab — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 04:50:29 +0000

I’ve had read some of the later ones and I have a hunch it just gets better later. Something about lolcats was *hilarious*.

By: Benjamin

Benjamin — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 00:39:01 +0000

I’m a big fan, but I agree that it is hard to enjoy a random Achewood strip out of context. I don’t think it’s a matter of learning to like it; it’s about getting to know the characters. The strip doesn’t offer much else to hang on to if you don’t already know the characters well.

On the other hand, having complex characters earns Onstad the ability to show a wedding in a strip consisting of 47 small panels and no dialogue.

By: Brian

Brian — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 00:16:25 +0000

I still get bewildered looks when I tell people I’m not really into Radiohead.

By: Will

Will — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 15:49:44 +0000

I wouldn’t if I didn’t have a lot of people saying “Wow, I enjoy X, and you would too.” Then I don’t, and then someone else is like “Hey, you know what? You would enjoy X.” I start to get curious. That build and builds.

By: tony

tony — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 15:47:50 +0000

Why work at enjoying something?

By: Dyna Moe

Dyna Moe — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 07:27:49 +0000

I don’t get it either.

It was printed in some free weekly for a while and it just seemed poorly drawn and baffling… I didn’t put it the effort though, that you’re about to undertake.

I mentally filed it away under “Family Guy” and “rap music” as something many people seem to enjoy that is not for me.