Sharks+Shrinks
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The dining room of Chez Madeleine is a refined controlled environment. However, just out of sight of the customers decorum unravels into a rich bohemian society; a raucous and sometimes poisonous mash-up of cultures, attitudes, and prejudices.
Long Synopsis
Sharks + Shrinks chronicles some of the unusual characters and their eccentric behavior in the world of white linen restaurants. Gender, ethnicity, addiction, gambling, scams, and sexual politics bubble poisonously just under the surface of the genteel experience of dining out.
The stakes are high and the competition is more than intense—it’s downright murderous. Some stories are ongoing and some are told in a single panel. The unifying thread is the absurdity of the lifestyle and the strange characters who thrive on the intensity.
Everything is true, but more often than not you won’t believe me.
That’s OK; I’ve got no proof and no axe to grind. All I can tell you is I was there.
S+S (Steve and Sam) thanks for the votes.
I'm hard at work on another 8 page zudapitch. Third time around the block might be lucky. Good luck in July Sam. Steve, I expect to see number three from you in August.
G
I stuck with you, Gary. It's the first time in 3 months i haven't changed my vote! Good luck on your next strip!
Ah well, Gary. So it goes. I voted for ya!
Hello Gary, what are you still doing down here? I expect you'll be out this week prostituting your strip like a crack-addled whore. A prediction with Criswell-like accuracy no doubt. Make up a few IDs and vote for yourself. Everyone's doing it apparently!
I have made a serious accusation against DUAL, go to its comments and read it! It is important!
Greetings, my friend! Spectacular work but I predict the average readers will go for simpler and more accesible fiction. In your future I also see a redhead woman and an unexpected trip abroad. Farewell!
this is really original.
This is simply not getting the respect it deserves. Very well done. Some of us really enjoyed this.
The is just the type of tale that this competition was created for(...I think.) It is bold and creative, with an intelligent appeal. Plus, I owned a restaurant, so this was strangely familiar. I love the art and am reminded of Dave McKean but it is still unique. You are in tenth but that's not going to discourage me from giving you my vote. Good Luck!
better than spelunker's guide, in my opinion. i still just don't read it and go "man, i wanna read more of this." the surreality and detail are cool, though.
SWIM Sharks SWIM! Analyze Shrinks! Analyze! (Is that already a rally cry??)
Very unique and original! Best of luck!
Wooo!!!! Climbing the ranks.
Dear Zuda Competitors/Creators,
I recently started a Zuda fan blog, and I would love to interview all of this month’s creators. If you would be willing to answer 5-10 questions, to be posted on the Zudafan blog, please contact me at: zudafan@gmail.com . I’ll try not to repeat any of Rob Berry’s questions. :)
Feel free to check out the blog: zudafan.blogspot.com
Thanks!
The artwork was funky, fresh and bazaar and the story was a tightly packed package of strings and backdrops. She wasn't the prettiest girl in the bar (but aesthetics only counts for so much- look at the line up in Adult Swim), but the mixed-media style worked with the story and I really liked the story. Hmmm, I wonder if I would like this art style better on some content a little more darker, still with humor, but a little more creepier? G'Job & G'Luck m'brother.
AMAZING! So different and creative! I want this hard bound with huge pages so I can really appreciate the detail. I would so pay 50 bucks for a book like that.
Very interesting idea, but I don't know if it works in its current format. Not webcomic-ey. More Coffee-Table-Book-ey. Would make a great film methinks.
Concept is cool, but I didn't make it past page 2. Overproduced. This is why God invented Punk.
Love the mix! This entry demands a second read. By the way, is this restaurant on Post Street?
This is a very fascinating piece. Inventive and extremely interesting to look at. That said, I think it's really held back by the format. Taking it a step further with more interactive and animation aspects would make this an excellent webcomic. But, I think that's something Zuda isn't going to support, sadly. Best of luck!
So when you're planning your overall page, Gary, do you already have planned how you're going to use the mixed media? Like do you know where you're going to use a sculptured head? Or do you shoot more from the hip and use your instincts?
Haha!
I understood, Gary, no worries. Your answer makes a great deal of sense given what you set out to do. I enjoy looking over your work again and again to "see" a little more each time.
-gabe
Gabe:
A hard question to answer. At the risk of sounding even more pretentious than I actually am let me explain how I'm approaching this... since I think it's somewhat different than other people.
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I'm a painter first. A page for me is not a collection of panels, but an overall painting. This means that the navigation of a page is not restricted to the standard left to right etc. I want people to unravel the page as a whole. I understand this is very off-putting for some, but it's like a painting that hangs behind the couch for years and one day you notice something new, a harmony or a reference you hadn't seen before.
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In the long piece I'm working on now I'm developing the first 30 pages slowly together; finishing them as a whole.
So the answer to 'how long?' is usually that the project reaches an end all about the same time. Or if more specific is better. It takes me between an hour and a month. (one of those smiley faces since I know I didn't answer you very well.)
G
Gary,
given the impressive level of composition in your pages, wondering how long it takes to complete a single page?
-gabe
I've gotta echo the "This deserves more than 10th" sentiments.
The story, usage of mixed-media, incredible compositions....wow.
This is more than a comic, it's an experience.
This does not work for me at all. Too weird. No, no, no!
Thanks to the Zuda OGs for support.
WebPlup: Have a care. Another Eisner reference and I'll need sedation.
Cecelia:Don't think that Larry the Timebomb escaped. His fate is far more interesting than merely self-inflicted walking the plank. Think of it more like we were playing with our food.
G
Wow. "Contract With God." That's a great point, because Gary's narrative voice in this piece and his open panel design have some strong similarities to what Eisner was doing in "Contract" and some of his other New York stories.
Good one, Webpulp.
-Rob
I don't get why this is 10th. Are people just not getting it? Reminds me a little of "A Contract with God." (I thought I posted that comment before but I can't find it.) The art is interesting and the story is spot-on.
Your right a person's views of there job changes, or to put in another way the new wears off of everything sooner, or later.
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In retrospect maybe you should have killed the guy off, if for no other reason than shock value????
rudis said: kind of dark and scary to me, especially when i thought clayface was going to die.
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I had the same thought! I was thinking what an interesting and dark turn the story would've taken if they'd just let him drown.
I really like this comic. I don't think there's any way it could possibly be improved, it's just that the Zuda audience is expecting something a little different. It's such a shame. I would love to see this continue, please let us know if it ever does.
I must have read it at least three times before I laughed.
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The important thing here is - I DID laugh. It is funny. Not instantly funny, and not a belly laugh, but it does stay with you and bubble up again into a chuckle when you least expect it. Subtle he is and I'm calling it a 'Spelunker's Aftershock Effect' or SAE.
Thanks Mike for the glass half full.
I recommend following his link. Not only is lots o' words about me, but he is writing some thoughtful and acerbic reviews of some of our other faves.
GoodonyaMPD.
He mentions that he wonders about the title S+S.
The explanation is one of the other chapters that I have planned, but since it doesn't look like they will appear here, a short explanation.
When people first enter the restaurant world they invariabley go through a Shark pahse. For waiters there is free money (tips seem effortless when you're new), there's free booze and food (if you know where to look) and you are like a small businessman within the diniing room. It's really easy to smell blood in the water and become ravenous.
The Shrink part happens later as you begin to realize that nothing is free. There is a price to be paid for everything that looked so juicy when you were a newbie. It's at that point you have to take on a much more philosophical view of customers, fellow workers and the madness you are part of.
I'm betting there are plenty of other jobs out there that require the same progression.
G
... Sharks+Shrinks. All I'm saying is it takes a while to sink in. It takes a while to appreciate the humour. I must have read it at least three times before I laughed. I think it was the same with Gary's previous effort on Zuda. The problem this strip has ...
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Want to know more? http://mpd57.blogspot.com/ and yes that is a Starship Troopers gag!
I'm super disappointed, and quite shocked, actually, that you're in tenth place.
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Without being too bold, I hope, I didn't expect first; but I thought you'd at least beat your previous ranking. It appears you expected to as well. I think this entry is leaps and bounds over some of the other entries, including some in the top half. (I won't mention names; this is a gentleman/lady's war. ;) )
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I am routing for you to become a member of the Zuda team. Maybe not with this entry, but someday.
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(And I agree with you about the new media aspect. Perhaps it is due to the parent company of Zuda; and thusly, who Zuda is marketed to and/or would be an easy sell.)
I try.
RKB:
Now, that's a super genius idea.
G
Gabe:
I appreciate the Blofeld comment... But I'm afraid I'm more like a coyote wearing an Acme supergenius helmet waiting for large mallet. I do like pussies though.
I wonder if some of the creators that end up being a bridesmaid instead of a bride enough times (in other words getting in but not winning), might given time earn a golden ticket in a later month (i.e. instant win)
Just a thought???
FC:
Thanks for the polite way of telling me I'm barking up the wrong Zuda. Of course you're probably right, but I thought the Zuda mandate was to foster 'new' media. I could be wrong, but it seems like very few people are interested in this aspect of the competition. The web and digital art offers a much broader color palette than traditional media and seamless integration of unusual media. It seems like most contestants see web comics as just another venue to showcase their print projects. Doesn't take anything away from their work, but as you say I'm on a different page.
G
Wow. First off, I loved the artwork, it's fantastic the atmosphere you get to create by mixing all those mediums. To be honest, I got lost when I tried to read the story. I guess maybe I was more inclined towards staring at the images instead of following the text. Anyway, I feel like this comic (probably more than anything on Zuda) needs to be read more than once to be fully appreciated. In any case, I'm interested in seeing more of this series. Applauses for not being afraid of experimenting. Bravo!
Beautiful, but out of place on a site like this. If you only want to win, a more standard panel layout with a more genre-inspired story is the way to go. Otherwise, just keep doing what you're doing... the fans will come to you.
yeah 10th, come on.... please..... no.....
Re: Sharks + Shrinks in 10th place:
"Well, the methods of the great pioneers have often puzzled conventional minds"---Blofield, evil agent of SPECTRE
Stole the words out of my mouth, Sam!
10th?!? Ridikumolus! Zuda NEEDS a regular dose of of whatever Mr. Epting is mixing up in his psychofunk electric laboratory!
This comic was understandable, the artwork superior. the story, kind of dark and scary to me, especially when i thought clayface was going to die. excellent job.
Thanks Steve + King;
I didn't have any fantasies that S+S would come in first, but I was hoping to improve on my 8th place last time. It seemed to me that I had a shot since I figured everybody had a job that made them crazy at some time in their lives. Maybe not...
G
I know the futility of being in last place, Gary. It lind of came down to the option of turning all my energy into climbing a few spots and still losing or using my energy for somethign constructive. Guess we both came to the same conclusions. Good luck with the new strip. I look forward to it!
Tenth place? That is a travesty! A travesty I say!