The Urban Adventures of Melvin Blank
Genre:
Modern, Drama
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Melvin Blank has the mind of a child and the strength of a brute. After
the passing of his parents, he lives in his Mother’s house in the heart
of a big decaying city. He works as a dishwasher at a nearby greasy
spoon and he has his urban adventures as he travels to and from work.
Melvin thinks its hilarious that the mass transit system he rides, the
City Area Rapid Transit System, is called "the CART", but he doesn't
understand why a nearby diner is called "Joe Mama's". In a world of
grays, Melvin sees things in black and white. Good and bad. Day and
night. Cereal and pizza.
Melvin is pretty sure that the house down the street is haunted, but
don't worry, he plans to do something about it. He is in love with a
beautiful co-worker who has an abusive boyfriend, for now. He is selling
items from his parent’s estate to pay for an elaborate headstone for the
pair. At home, he has an angry cat named SOCKS and he never, ever misses
SPACE PATROL RANGER. Melvin is absolutely sure that he is living the
American Dream and he wants to share it with the rest of the people in
his neighborhood whether they like it or not.
The first story is a complete eight screen story. It has a beginning,
middle, and an end. Melvin is like that, he likes things simple.
Melvin Blank features a script by Bill Williams (SideChicks) and art &
colors by Thom Zahler (Love & Capes).
Nice Style and a great read!!
Future story ideas sound really interesting. I hope we get to see them :)
Its tough to say what I don't like about this comic because both the writing and art are technically sound. I think it boils down to my feeling that this story should be literature, and not a webcomic. I just don't think webcomics is the proper media for this story. The art doesn't really add anything to the writing, and I'm not saying the art is bad, because it's good. It's just this story seems like it's better left on the page as a short story or a novella.
Not sure if I like the main character. Although, if that's what you're going for... Then, bravo! Otherwise... I don't have much to hold onto for future issues. I still wish you the best of luck.
All the contestants unite in this month's crossover poster event. Check out the fan art at http://zudafanart.blogspot.com/
Thom and I were interviewed about the webcomic here.
Click. Read. Vote Melvin.
http://ncane.com/hvs2
Congrats on getting into the competition. I liked the art and pacing. Still, averaging only 2 panels per page...I feel like you could have done a whole lot more with your submission. Also, by not revealing Melvin until page 7, I was expecting there to be something remarkable or interesting about his appearance. Nice job though, and best of luck!
How am I supposed to FEEL about this?!!??!
Cool comic...
This is a weird one. I don't know if I like it or not. I might vote for you though, if only to see the haunted crackhouse.
I like the concept, and I do get a sense of where you could be going with it, but I don't know how well it was conveyed here. Without reading the summary, I get no sense of who melvin is, or the gunman for that matter. The artwork is fantastic, the contrast between subtle darkness that lies in the stories concept and the lighthearted images is always something I've found greatly entertaining. I feel like I'm left with nothing but speculation about where this is going, or what it will become though. Definitely great potential, best of luck to you.
I like the concept, and I do get a sense of where you could be going with it, but I don't know how well it was conveyed here. Without reading the summary, I get no sense of who melvin is, or the gunman for that matter. The artwork is fantastic, the contrast between subtle darkness that lies in the stories concept and the lighthearted images is always something I've found greatly entertaining. I feel like I'm left with nothing but speculation about where this is going, or what it will become though. Definitely great potential, best of luck to you.
short and sweet and longs to stay that way. Its times like this that I wish Zuda would split up the competition into categories or genres. This "farside-esque" style of writing has been seen here a lot and I feel like there creators should get some love from Zuda as well. After all, web-comic'ing was born out of the short, 1 plot per week style, low panel count comic strip
My review is here:
***********************
http://pigs-of-the-industry.blogspot.com/2009/06/zuda-review-urban-adventures-of-melvin.html
Hello MELVIN fans.
Thanks for the votes and all of the kind words. If we get to keep following the adventures of Melvin here at Zuda, we will go with him to a Space Patrol Ranger convention and see how he deals with a 'haunted' crack house in his neighborhood.
Thanks again for the votes and views.
Thanks, Bill
you know, Melvin could really turn out to be totally dark, twisted, and appealing in its extremes.
I don't entirely understand the rasoning behind not showing his face until the end, but that's just nitpicking.
That Was Funny Bill
Very oddball. In a good way. Pulled me right in.
You got my vote. Not really sure where this is gonna go, but I like the way its moving.
Bryy_Miller, thanks for the very kind words!
Ryanovision--
I've seen Bill's plots for future stories. Believe me, there are LOTS of places we can go.
Nicely done! I hope Melvin isn't based on anyone I know . . .
Reviewed:
http://leftyfilmsblog.blogspot.com/2009/06/zuda-june-2009-manga-month.html
LOL, your main character is endearing in a Daniel Johnston kind of way. I can't really see where this would go though. Good job, and good luck.
Dang! Cool artwork, it fits the story well. Best of luck this month.
Man...this is dark. Kill da bad man, bad man...I want peanut butter. Kinda reminds me of Observe and Protect. I like it! Good luck!
Thanks, James. And now we're extending the Melvin experience throughout the interwebs.
Melvin is Twittering at www.twitter.com/melvinblank
And he's already got a page over at Facebook. http://is.gd/LFoM
Sweet - matter-of-fact, straight-up and simple. Damn, I really like this! It's quirky and nice to see a hero "with the mind of a child". Really clever idea you guys - I'd definitely follow the adventures of Melvin.