Before I begin, I would just like to apologize for my absence the last couple of update days: with the holidays coming up it's been a bit hectic! I hope you all understand, and thank you for you support! :D
So Bittersweet Candy Bowl is a pretty simple webcomic, and I think that's one of the reasons why it's so popular. It's actually one of the only webcomics I've seen that's all hand-drawn! The art is only corrected on Photoshop. This webcomic is certainly unique all on it's own! It also updates every weekday!
About: So I think the only webcomic I could compare this to is Lackadaisy. And the only thing they have in common is that they use animals as stand-ins for human! Bittersweet Candy Bowl is about the daily lives of dogs and cats in high school. Now as soon as you hear the subject "high school" a cringe might be felt! The obvious criteria for any high school theme is normally drama. And Bittersweet Candy Bowl is an oil mine of drama; it's plot revolves around many characters (Mike, Lucy, and Paulo may be the big three as of currently) that go through the many dramatic challenges the high school offers. Most of it, so far, seems to be more of the romance genre but there are also the pains of growing up on the side. Now this series is still ongoing so there is no telling how it will end up, however it does have a very interesting storyline so far.
Review:
Pros: This comic seems to revolve around one pretty cat, Lucy, and all the drama that follows in her wake. Now there are other plots in the storyline, seeing as there are about twenty three plus characters that make up the cast of this comic, but I find Lucy's to be the biggest craze. Her character actually made me feel a bit of a connection. I very rarely get that with characters, but I found that she was so unique as an individual that I understood her easily. Perhaps this is due to a likeliness in personalities, but with the way the comic is illustrated and written, I don't see how it would be hard for anyone else to understand her. The other thing I found surprising in this web comic was that the subject was high school drama and I was actually interested in reading it. I came across Bittersweet Candy Bowl in an advertisement on the side of a web page for another web comic. The art was, dare I say it, adorable and I felt that this web comic was worth a read. But as I stated before, there's that little cringe you get when you see something themed "high school" so I was a little apprehensive about even continuing on this strange journey. You're looking at a girl who couldn't even watch Glee without thinking it was way too over the top on what high school life is really like. Despite having cats and dogs as stand-ins, this comic is representing what it's like to be in high school. And I have to say that while some of it was over the top, to an extent, it did touch on some actual teenage issues: examples would include, teenage pregnancy, drinking, sex, and who could forget love/suicide? It's the horrifying growing pains that we all go through at some point or another. And I felt that the authors really did a good job of grasping some different perspectives on said subjects. I found myself actually wondering what was going to happen next. Then, of course, we have some of the external positives outside of just the storyline. The art is one thing I found to be very interesting. It has that Scott Pilgrim style that I'm personally attracted to; maybe the rest of you see it? Now while it may be a bit of a more simplistic and soft style, what I really admire is that it's all hand-drawn. As I talked about in my little introduction, the small team of authors and artists really only use photoshop to color correct and to correct mistakes. Unlike previous web comics I've reviewed before, there isn't any computerized art whatsoever! Taking that into consideration, they also update every weekday! Even I struggle with updating on specific days in the week, the fact that this team can do it almost everyday is something to really look at with admiration.
Cons: Now one of the biggest flaws I find with this web comic is simply that it's about high school. As I said before, it did do somethings I felt were a little too over the top when trying to depict high school life. Now of course there needs to be some drama when you're doing something entertaining, such as a comic, book, or even show, but sometimes it goes a little too far. Of course this comic isn't supposed to be completely realistic, I'm pretty sure the cats and dogs already suggest that, but as I talked about previously in the Pros section, this comic is themed high school and therefore is representing what high school life is supposed to be like. I found myself on the edge of my seat sometimes but at other times I just felt very annoyed by certain situations. And I find that if you have a theme like high school for a web comic, you might have a tough time finding viewers who want to stick with the comic. Web comics are all about loyal viewers, without them there's nothing left to be considered an audience. I don't feel that this web comic will ever really have an issue with that, seeing as they've done fairly well on their own, and also considering that they've predicted the comic will end sometime in the upcoming year of 2014, but for future references or for simple advice for anyone else who's trying to start a web comic of their own, it can become a dilemma. The other thing is that with so many plots and points of view going on at the same time, it's very easy for a reader to get confused or understand exactly what's going on. As of currently, despite their very fast updates, I feel as that with the number of pages they've set between very dramatic climaxes and then their explanations is too far apart. So for a few weeks, or even a month or two, readers can be lost. It kind of feels like the characters move a little too fast and there isn't enough of a clean rise and fall when it comes to action and reaction. Now this site is interactive with their viewers via Tumblr. Fans can go onto their Tumblr and ask questions about the comic or even ask questions to specific characters. I went ahead and tried it out in order to, hopefully, clean up my confusion. But what I found was a little upsetting. Now of course the authors can't get to all questions, but I'm sure I wasn't the first to ask this specific question on what was going on at the time in the comic (I won't tell since I don't want to ruin it). However, they seem to spend time answering more trivial questions rather than questions that can help their views to an extent. Of course Tumblr questions are supposed to be fun, but at the same time I feel that there should have been some sort of recognition about the confusion. Of course I wouldn't want them to give away a great ending but I felt the writing was just a little too confusing and since this web comic is also in print, it's probably important to help out your readers a little. I think it mostly has to do with the timing. All of those issues could have been fixed if the actions and emotions blended a bit better together.
Worth the Read: I feel this web comic will appeal to a more younger crowd, especially to those who seek out a dramatic tale and also one they might even be able to relate to. However, I also feel that this story can aggravate or make other crowds feel a bit uncomfortable. While I admire this web comic for it's unique style, I also feel that it needs to start helping the storyline's scenes fall more into place. It's a bit too scrambled for my taste. So how should I put this? I defiantly would say it's worth looking into. However, I feel this is going to be one of those comics that will only appeal to certain people and certain groups. As I said, it gives a good range of emotions but it also seems to place them in odd sections. So is it worth the read? I'm going to have to say that will be up to you, the readers. I feel it is worth looking into, but I really do feel it's up to personal preference.
Nuclear
Bittersweet Candy Bowl: http://www.bittersweetcandybowl.com/
All rights to the photos go to their original artists and might I add they do a fantastic job! I do not own ANY of the photos!
:D
Thanks for stopping by again you guys and thank you for supporting me! I hope you like the review and happy belated holidays! :D
Slightly Damned is probably one of my all time favorite web comics. Now it's not only due to it's comic but I think a lot of it has to do with how the author really communicates to her audience and really speaks to the audience. This is a great tip I think any web comic writer should know: having some sort of a relationship with your audience is the best way to keep viewers interested. Don't force it, it needs to be genuine. But overall I think this is something I see with certain writers and I find it to be one of the things that makes a comic special.
About: Now Slightly Damned's story line takes place when a Jakkai named Rhea dies. Death weighs her wrongs and rights and finds that her scale has tipped slightly out of her favor. However, she has not committed enough sins to really be sent to Hell, or so Death says. So he sends her to the Ring of the Slightly Damned. There, she meets a demon named Buwaro. He lives there with his favorite pet rock, Thadius, his older sister, Sakido, and older brother Iratu. The two spend their days wandering a ring of land that seems to go on forever, until one day... Now, sparing details and without ruining the story for you guys, Rhea and her companion find their journey taking a serious twist which includes meeting an angel and countless characters; some of them guardians of their lands! Issues such as angels vs. demons, good vs. evil, friendship, and yes, even romance come into play in this comic.
Review:
Pros: This webcomic, up until maybe a month or two ago, was actually ranked number two on Top Webcomics. What I really love about this webcomic is that it's got something I consider classic (angels vs. demons, friendship, ancient wars, etc...) while at the same time keeping an interesting plot. That's a very tough thing to do! Often writers have a hard time keeping a reader's attention because the reader has already read plots and story lines similar to the one that the author is feeding them. At first, I was worried that I would be taken on a route I'd been on before. However, the background stories and all the small things you thought wouldn't be very important to remember all of a sudden tie up together! Now, the art is a different story. I love how well the art progresses. It was a pro and a con with how the story began, however Chu, the artist and author, is very talented! I love her artwork. I actually thought Rhea was a Neo-Pet when I saw her, that's how good the art looked! But no, ladies and gentlemen... Rhea is not a Neo-Pet. She's just a badass. And like I said in the very beginning of this review, I love that Chu interacts with her readers through her comic. ALSO! Please not that Slightly Damned is actually part of a small forum group that is just amazing! Monster Hive is wonderful, if you ever look into them you really need to. The people you meet are genuine and nice, along with the bots. I think knowing there's a place for a reader to go makes this comic actually feel very homey. Maybe that's just me though, I am a bit off as it is.
Cons: Now the only issue I think I had with this webcomic was how it started off. But this is one thing I also greatly admire and appreciate about webcomics. The art in the beginning of the story was not much to write home about. It was clearly made on the computer, but it wasn't at the peak of where it is now; not by a long shot. I know there was one page, somewhere in the start of the story, that was definitely hand-drawn. When I saw the picture, I could tell how much talent the artist really had. It was just a matter of getting down the transition from paper to the computer. So if you do choose to read this webcomic, please keep that in mind with the first few sections. I don't find it to be a big deal, to be honest, because the story really did pick up anything the art might lag in. And I'm not completely sure, but I think Chu was going back through the older pages and redoing a few. I saw a couple double pages and one was significantly better then the other, however I'm not too sure if she plans to do this for all of those first couple of sections. I also found the start of the story to be a little too long. It just takes a while for the main characters to get to the real plot. Now this is an older comic, so I know a there are some people out there who feel it would be tedious to read through all of it's pages, but if you read comics normally this isn't one that moves slow. In fact I wish it would update a little bit faster. Of course, that may just be me being selfish because I really enjoy the comic! :D I find it wonderful to see where the artist started and where she is today.
Worth the Read: YES! No doubt in my mind! I really push for this one. Especially for those of you who are new to webcomics. It's a simple webcomic, there's no special effects or anything to it, but it's very special in terms with it's storyline. It has a really nice aura to it. Okay, maybe that's a little weird to say, but in all seriousness I find this to be a comic that really gets me fan-girling as well as thinking about the plot. It really did deserve to hold the title as number two on Top Webcomics, and I'm sad to report that it no longer is, however I really hope it eventually takes over again. It's definitely worth looking into. However, keep in mind it is fictional but is also containing the Heaven vs. Hell scenario, so if you don't prefer that than you may not want to read this. However, I think it's overall a truly classic webcomic. Keep it up Chu!
Nuclear <3
Slightly Damned: http://www.sdamned.com/
If you guys would like to find other webcomics, please check out: http://topwebcomics.com/
Hope you guys liked the review, hope to see you next Friday!
I own NONE of these pictures! All writes go to Chu, not me.
Cons: Now one of the biggest flaws I find with this web comic is simply that it's about high school. As I said before, it did do somethings I felt were a little too over the top when trying to depict high school life. Now of course there needs to be some drama when you're doing something entertaining, such as a comic, book, or even show, but sometimes it goes a little too far. Of course this comic isn't supposed to be completely realistic, I'm pretty sure the cats and dogs already suggest that, but as I talked about previously in the Pros section, this comic is themed high school and therefore is representing what high school life is supposed to be like. I found myself on the edge of my seat sometimes but at other times I just felt very annoyed by certain situations. And I find that if you have a theme like high school for a web comic, you might have a tough time finding viewers who want to stick with the comic. Web comics are all about loyal viewers, without them there's nothing left to be considered an audience. I don't feel that this web comic will ever really have an issue with that, seeing as they've done fairly well on their own, and also considering that they've predicted the comic will end sometime in the upcoming year of 2014, but for future references or for simple advice for anyone else who's trying to start a web comic of their own, it can become a dilemma. The other thing is that with so many plots and points of view going on at the same time, it's very easy for a reader to get confused or understand exactly what's going on. As of currently, despite their very fast updates, I feel as that with the number of pages they've set between very dramatic climaxes and then their explanations is too far apart. So for a few weeks, or even a month or two, readers can be lost. It kind of feels like the characters move a little too fast and there isn't enough of a clean rise and fall when it comes to action and reaction. Now this site is interactive with their viewers via Tumblr. Fans can go onto their Tumblr and ask questions about the comic or even ask questions to specific characters. I went ahead and tried it out in order to, hopefully, clean up my confusion. But what I found was a little upsetting. Now of course the authors can't get to all questions, but I'm sure I wasn't the first to ask this specific question on what was going on at the time in the comic (I won't tell since I don't want to ruin it). However, they seem to spend time answering more trivial questions rather than questions that can help their views to an extent. Of course Tumblr questions are supposed to be fun, but at the same time I feel that there should have been some sort of recognition about the confusion. Of course I wouldn't want them to give away a great ending but I felt the writing was just a little too confusing and since this web comic is also in print, it's probably important to help out your readers a little. I think it mostly has to do with the timing. All of those issues could have been fixed if the actions and emotions blended a bit better together. 
