Hey everyone, sorry for the wait on this one. This was a very important video for me to get right and I wanted to take my time with it, and I really hope that you enjoy it. Thanks again for everything, and I hope you've been doing well and seek out Strangehaven. I've got a shorter video I'm currently working on that should be out here in a few weeks, then after that I believe is going to be my project on Alan Wake. I'll see you next time.

@CoobyPls

2 жыл бұрын

I'll be here to comment eggs on the next one, don't worry bud. ^.^

@cosmavoid

2 жыл бұрын

Please take as much time as you need, your videos are always worth the wait!

@jackbritt1237

2 жыл бұрын

Quality over quantity

@ACameronUK

2 жыл бұрын

It seems almost fitting that the video took a long time to get right - given the subject matter ☺️

@patrickjohnson1649

2 жыл бұрын

I was certainly interested enough to buy the Volumes from the Website, and something I kept note in my mind was how great the backgrounds were in this video. Very Good 👍.

Those time-skips with monthly images are the most nostalgic thing I've seen in a while. Distilled and concentrated to the polycrystallic.

@dvv867

2 жыл бұрын

I absolutely loved the editing in this video, made me feel very nostalgic.

I've been lucky enough to meet Gary a few times over the past few years, he's a lovely man and I'm glad this video exists to shine some light on his work.

This reminds me of that Russian couple who've been working on their stop-motion movie for decades. As someone who has been creating various musical Gesamtkunstwerk entirely on my own with no commercial viability, it's nice to see that some folks can make these things work at least to the point they can keep going for so long. It can be seen as quite a tragic tale, but the perseverance of the individuals involved is to me why the phrase "cult" is often used for the following. It takes a certain kind of person, as my grandma says, and Gary's infinitely more talented than I am. I can barely draw stickmen, and even after decades I can barely play my guitar.

@prabhdeepsingh5642

2 жыл бұрын

The channel Atrocity Guide has made a great video about them.

@EliasFakenami

2 жыл бұрын

Nice self promotion bro

@muhklungky6855

2 жыл бұрын

What is this word: Gesamtkunstwerk? I can't tell if it's German or if you really fucked up trying type.

@viderevero1338

2 жыл бұрын

@@muhklungky6855 Definately a native phrase. Probably German like you said.

@denisfedotov3414

Жыл бұрын

I guess you are talking about Petrov Aleksander and his son. Each of their work is a pure masterpiece.

It took me 10 years to complete the first and only volume of Serious Engineering, afterwards I suffered a two year breakdown that I'm just now crawling out of. Comics is not an easy artform by any means, and painfully overlooked.

@chavesa5

2 жыл бұрын

It's especially insulting how many people see comics and animation as inherently more disposable. They require immense work.

@thegeekclub8810

2 жыл бұрын

That’s rough. I hope you are doing better now.

@lmarieisme

2 жыл бұрын

I feel the pain in my own way also. I created what felt like a passion project back in 2017-18 of the 2017 Women's March on DC. Hundreds of illustrations of the weekend went into a graphic novel. It is quietly waiting for me to figure out how to share it. kzread.info/dash/bejne/da6FrriJiby1iqw.html

@samuelraji8343

2 жыл бұрын

@@chavesa5 Critics and writers value comics the average person doesn't. For animation its the opposite unless its from Ghibli or Pixar, critics aren't very nice to animation.

@thefvguy5648

2 жыл бұрын

Interesting can I see where I can get the volume?

2:26 Second-hand books bought on impulse for a dollar often make for the best reads. It’s how I discovered my favourite novel.

@TheMightyPika

2 жыл бұрын

Absolutely yes. I'd say the happiest hours of my life were spent in second-hand bookstores.

@jordanhedington2421

2 жыл бұрын

You can’t write that and not give us the title of the novel!

@Edo_Marinus

2 жыл бұрын

@@jordanhedington2421 The Crying of Lot 49, by Thomas Pynchon.

@jordanhedington2421

2 жыл бұрын

@@Edo_Marinus great author. Loved inherent vice

@sclogse1

2 жыл бұрын

Nightmare Alley by William Lindsay Grishham.Anything by Joesph Conrad. The James Jones war books. Peter Matthiessen's At Play In The Fields of the Lord. Street of Crocodiles by Bruno Schulz.

Characters getting older was untentionally the coolest thing back when I was reading it, like it's the reverse of the comics where everyone are perpetually young and Magneto from x-men is still a young lookin' holocoust victim in 2020s

As someone who's been working on a fantasy series for 15 years and wrestled with some of these feelings Gary had, I'm willing to guess Gary will likely really appreciate your video when he learns of it. Getting work reviewed is the best feeling, particularly when said reviews are in depth and thorough. No piece of art is perfect and I think addressing flaws as well as points of strength make the most rewarding reviews to read

gotta be the most stressful use of "Single Ladies" I've ever seen

@RallyTheTally

Жыл бұрын

huh?

@stefstef2662

Жыл бұрын

Put your hands up 🙌

@danielcantiego9374

15 күн бұрын

Yoooooo

I know this is probably a small point but the static images you use behind the year/month frames to show pop culture moments really help to show the passage of time, it’s a really cool way to do things 🙏🏻

This is one of the most engrossing youtube videos I've ever watched in my life (and I've watched a lot). Started out watching it laying down on my bed, and about 20 minutes in I got up, sat on my chair and was glued to the screen, chain-smoking, on the edge of my seat. You are immensely talented, thank you for that, and for making me aware of this amazing series, which I can't wait to read!

This channel is so dang good. Can’t imagine how long this vid took to make. So much research and well thought out points. I love how every video on your channel seems to be something you are passionate about. It really shines through.

@venomtang

2 жыл бұрын

Share it in a place where people enjoy these things, that could help

@xHarpyx

2 жыл бұрын

Hi, TenHun!

@RallyTheTally

Жыл бұрын

TEN!

Damn, Gary deserves an incredible amount of respect for his endeavour and the sheer force of will it took to bring to life. I can't wait to get my hands on Strangehaven and experience it myself.

@TheGoldenWildcat

9 сағат бұрын

Too bad the comic is no loner self-published… Well, at the very least, a Strangehaven that no longer self-published is better that no Strangehaven at all.

Usually I’m mixed with Praise of Shadow’s take on the comic book scene, especially with his Batman video. But videos like these, exploring obscure horror or disrupting media not many people heard of and telling his passion for it will forever be his greatest strength.

@cthulhutheendless1587

2 жыл бұрын

I personally think his horror comics video was some of his best work, and I enjoyed his perspective on Tom King as a flawed Batman writer (though I like Tom King overall).

@thefvguy5648

2 жыл бұрын

@@cthulhutheendless1587 Not saying the videos were bad, they were good. But they came off as a bit elitism to me, as if he believes there should be one universal iteration of the Dark Knight, and hating the Bat Family because it goes against his subjective view on Batman. With such a vast history of Great Batman stories that are never exclusive to genre of horror, I can’t help but disagree immensely with this idea.

@gruslen

2 жыл бұрын

@@thefvguy5648 Had a similar issue when watching that video. Don't get me wrong, I love hearing his takes on comics, but that one didn't sit right with me. Glad I'm not alone in the feeling.

@friezastan

2 жыл бұрын

His batman video kicks ass fym

@thefvguy5648

2 жыл бұрын

@@friezastan I explained my points above. It’s a good video, but a lot of stuff I disagree with personally.

Channels like this one are what make KZread great…new Shadows video equals fantastic evening viewing ☺️

@dillonwalshpvd

2 жыл бұрын

Great afternoon viewing here in the States as well :p

Great comics take the time needed. RIP Kentaro Miura

@venomtang

2 жыл бұрын

bad example, he drove himself insane

@gobblegobble5567

2 жыл бұрын

@@venomtang how did he drive himself insane u can’t just say that, extrapolate on that

@venomtang

2 жыл бұрын

@@gobblegobble5567 sure, yes, I have good account from explanations from people he worked with and around him, I forget which site sorry, but basically they said by the end of his career he would obsess over small details on the large size of paper that would barely even show on the final print version, which he should basically be already aware of, to the point where they felt like he's basically lost his mind. end of the day, that smells like a depression to me, where basically even if it doesn't make sense it keeps you focused and temporarily distracted from having to examine and deal with your own life or issues. To my knowledge he wasn't married and probably both unhappy and soul crushed under the pressure of his fandom and legacy. A rock and a hard place

@c4nnske

Жыл бұрын

@@venomtang 🤣🤣🤣

@venomtang

Жыл бұрын

@@c4nnske what's funny, the ugly truth?

Yep. This is how I get through my work from home job I don't particularly enjoy, today. Thank you. Your ability to sink me into a topic provides an exceptional amount of relief from the mundane.

@andrewtesdahl2371

2 жыл бұрын

omg same lol

I bought the box set of the first 3 volumes, and followed him on twitter. The story sounds intensely interesting, but on top of that genuine love and dedication to a craft through so many hardships has to be supported. To be appreciated. It'd be criminal to let it go under the radar. Thank you for making this video about it, and for all the work you do with your craft

There's something quietly devastating about how this story weaves in with the last 6 years. The montages only reinforced how much de-realization has become a real problem because up until 2016 everything felt "right" with where and when it happened. Everything after both happened "yesterday" and "years ago". Gary is probably one of the few people that felt time passing at a more realistic pace with the amount of pressure put on him to finish the comic, and with the delays exacerbating things. I'm gonna buy his comic with the hope he realizes how much people appreciate his work and respect him as a person for sticking with it.

Hey, I just wanted to thank you for uploading because you’re my favorite youtuber atm and I’ve been waiting for a video from you for weeks. Thanks for delivering me a two hour video that I will probably watch three times!

I’m such a huge fan of Strangehaven, so many haven’t heard of it... this is a wonderful chance to tell many others of the weird, touching, sad world of Strangehaven

This is a wonderful video, thank you for bringing attention to a comic and artist who sorely deserve it. I just turned 25 this year, and it's difficult to imagine working on anything for a quarter century. You managed to capture the feeling of the irresistible tug to create contrasted with the realities that we live in

I'm only about a quarter of the way through but listening to how my man did so much to get his dream done makes me realize I should be doing more to accomplish my dream, outside of already working and going to college.

This video hits too close to home. I’ve been developing an idea for the last few years that I’ve been trying to write and draw out. Initially, I wanted to make it a series of animated shorts, but I realized just how hard that would actually be, so I decided to turn it into a comic instead. I have no way of getting a company to pick it up, being a no name artist and having no other stories under my belt, so the only way I’ve thought about getting it out there is through self-distribution. Just doing all the writing and drawing by myself is a hassle, but it’s worth it, as it’s challenged me creatively. One can only respect Gary Spencer Millidge for what he did, just putting himself out there like that, and doing everything by himself. As always, awesome video Zane. Keep up the good work.

@christopherwallace8304

2 жыл бұрын

I'm in a similar boat. Been writing comic stories for 4-5 years now, and none of them have gone anywhere beyond the initial 10-11 page pitches, despite me finishing nearly 20 issues of scripts for the first concept and the 4 entire issues for a 5-issue concept. Being a "nobody" who doesn't have the largest income monthly with my day job (I live outside the US, in a Balkan country), paying artists, letterers, editors, etc. is nearly impossible. I am trying my best to make these with a good friend of mine, but it's slow and grueling. I do the lettering, writing, and sometimes SFX, while he does all the art. I respect anyone who dedicates themselves to this artform, this craft, because it's definitely difficult. I wish you all the best. Don't give up!

@DarkReflections86

2 жыл бұрын

@@christopherwallace8304 Thank you. Good luck as well.

@lexxsadbuttrue

2 жыл бұрын

10-11 years back, when i was about 20 i worked as a bartender. At that point of my life i was fresh out of school where i studied fashion. i just loved my work at the bar but i wanted to do something more knowing i have a creative side. Wanted to animate the last few comic books from The Pirates of The Dark water series (one of my fav animated shows back when i was kid) so there is a end to the animation. When i realised how much work this is for li'll old me, i turned my focus to making a comic book inspired by Misfits song "From Hell They Came" 20-something artist with drinking problem that works in a dive bar to pay her bills, but when she is drunk and start drawing everything she draws comes to live. Most things are inspired by the 50s horror movies so shenanigans ensue when she and her co-worker (will they won't they) and few of their regulars try to eradicate the monsters she have created as the first step is to go sober so nothing more can come out of the pages. i have only few characters ready when i dropped the project for it was looking impossible for one person. The sad part is that years later i spoke to a guy i knew back than and reminiscing over our work at that place where we first meat, i told him about the comic and he asked me why i didn't ask for his help. So guys, DON'T give up! Ask for help and make your dreams come true!

having come from a place where webcomics last for years and I grew up with fandom as passion projects I desperately need to tell this man what we keep telling writers when they update one time a year apologizing for the long wait or that they had to get a job: It's fine!! Take a nap!! Prioritize your health!!! oh my god we will be here, but please take care of yourself

I've said it twice and I'll say it again: This truly is one of the best videos you've ever made, and I will most definitely start reading Strangehaven before the year is over!

This video absolutely oozes style, Zane! You have such wonderful talent for telling stories about the creative and personal lives of prolific artists that I feel truly grateful for. I know it’s taken an incredible amount of hard work and perseverance to develop your skills as a storyteller, and knowing your journey in that way gives me tremendous respect for you and your craft. I’m so glad that you’re on this platform making this content.

This type of video, it’s subject and the delivery is exactly why I love KZread and it’s extraordinary creators.

Someone should do a cut of just the timeline transition portions bc I feel like they perfectly captured the era

Seeing the years go by with the highlights of every month made me existential. How things that felt like last week were 10 years ago. Time is cruel.

The strangehaven art style in Meanwhile reminds me a lot of Waking Life or A Scanner Darkly where it was filmed and then animated over. Very similar feeling.

@Mike_Jones1980

2 жыл бұрын

That's called rotoscope animation

@direcircumstances

2 жыл бұрын

YES I was thinking the exact same thing!

@slyaspie4934

2 жыл бұрын

It's created the same way I think, essentially just tracing over an actual photo. It's definitely an art form in itself and a lot trickier to get right then it seems on the surface, and certainly has its own aesthetic style even compared to freehand photorealistic illustration

The ending of this is a good companion piece to Super Eye patch Wolf's Berserk retrospective and specifically the final scene of the last Berserk issue before the delays and how much it said about the creator's real life and what he'd decided his priorities were.

Just finished watching this vid and I'm just going to buy these comics I JUST CAN'T WAIT TO READ THEM ❤️ I'm really thankful for this video, it shows how bittersweet is life, especially while following dreams... Now I'm in the time of my life when I have to decide what path to take, how far I can persuade my dreams while living good, peaceful and happy as far as I can. And it's frustrating deciding what to give up on. Hearing Millidge's story is calming and uplifting in some way. Maybe I'm just happy I'm in a better place, chilling in bed, in warm home not worrying about money (at least for now). But maybe seeing how far he's committed to finish he's beloved work makes me feel stronger in a way about my own possibilities. It's just hard to tell.

The fact that you put Paul Thomas Andersons “The Master.” As one of the highlights of 2012 makes me like you even more. Probably my favorite movie ever.

Incredible video. Gary himself told me about this as I went to do a re-read of Strangehaven after the latest Meanwhile got sent through only to find I had lent out my copies of the TBP's and had no idea who it was. Went to buy some new copies but they were all sold out. Gary said it was because of this brilliant and meticulous video. Luckily Gary found a few copies which I jumped on. Fantastic video and a fantastic series. Supper excited if the TV show ever happens.

I’m so happy to click on the link to millidge’s shop and see that EVERYTHING is sold out.

Thinking about the sheer amount of time covered in this video is staggering and a bit of a melancholic experience, especially when the month by month montages began covering time that i’ve actually lived through as opposed to having not yet been born. Anyway, this was a brilliant video (as always), about something that I had never truly heard of before, and I look forward to getting my hands on Strangehaven when I can.

1:54:53 I've been playing elden ring all day and when stephen king's name popped in with that red stripe my stupid ass automatically assumed it was a health bar

Got sold on this comic like 10 mins in. So glad you mentioned it was available to buy on his website, the second I heard that I ordered the tpb bundle. Very much looking forward to reading it.

Today at work I thought about this channel and that you have a tendency to present things I really want to see. Then I thought that wouldn't it be nice it there would be a new release soon. And here it is, later the same day. Fantastic!

Give this man the respect where that respect is long overdue!

You are constantly introducing me to weird, beautiful, wonderful things. Next paycheck, I'm buying all 3 volumes of Strangehaven directly from Millard. Thank you.

@puffnisse

Жыл бұрын

Did you end up buying them?

I can only try to imagine the burden GSM has been carrying for so long. Stories about creative people struggling for years to put their vision out there, uncompromised, are encouraging, but also sad and painful in a way. Man, what a tale. What a video.

One of my first online friends has a comic they've been drawing since they were a teenager called the Wasteland and they even sent me a hard copy version of one of their first issues when we used to do mail-pen-pal packages. Later, I followed them on Patreon to see where it goes. Good art is obviously a labor of love and it makes me happy to watch my friends' art grow over time.

@Vivivofi

Жыл бұрын

Is it any good?

@NanaShaCrash

Жыл бұрын

@@Vivivofi I think so. It's pretty genre savvy and does a lot of unusual and original things.

@Vivivofi

Жыл бұрын

@@NanaShaCrash anyway I can read the first volume ?

It feels that this is the story of Captain Ahab all over again. I appreciate his desire for Independence, it's a shame that his skill as an artist was suppressed by the extra work that was needed to publish.

34:32 - it's nice to hear that Molchat Doma have grown in popularity so much internationally that they're used as bgm in KZread videos

Fantastic video essay as always. Thank you so much for your time and effort on these.

What a fun, slightly stress inducing video with overall levity. Love it.

This is one of my favorite channels I always get excited when you upload, I know I’m in for a good time and for an hour or so I’ll almost forget I’m at work.

I REALLY hope you keep making videos. I love this channel. Been listening to your stuff over and over again while drawing. I'm working on a comic book right now. This story was especially meaningful to me. Take care. In a world of content creators you are an artist.

Great video and I'm gonna check out the comic for sure! But as a big Alan Wake fan, I'm very interested in your side of the story regarding the game. There is probably more to it, but video games are a very different medium and the development of AW was pretty rough. The concept of the game changed a lot during 2005-2010. And the story is overall more focused on Alan as a character, rather than the town and the weirdness. But I'm gonna hold off on more until there is maybe a video coming from your side :) But saying "it's bad" kinda caught my off-guard at the beginning xD

@InPraiseofShadows

2 жыл бұрын

Oh yeah I’m going to take all of that into consideration in my review, a lot of the script is done and a lot of the video is similar to this one where it talks about the realities of the production and how that influenced the final product and how I hope the sequel does some different things with that world. It’s a very interesting game, but I think there’s a lot of design flaws that more or less come from its troubled production. I’m excited to work on that video soon though. Also thanks! I appreciate it.

@Neko123Uchiha

2 жыл бұрын

@@InPraiseofShadows Sounds good! Yeah, just different opinions probably, so I'm looking forward to the video! And the game has its flaws, that is true. I played Control first and then took a deep dive into other Remedy titles. And I have some things on my list for the second game as well.

@carabe197

2 жыл бұрын

@@InPraiseofShadows 8:04 This is kind of comparing apples to oranges. I don't think 99.9% of any work would understand a reason to include scene of "Janitor takes agonizingly long to clean the floor with a broom" Would you like to play a game where there is that kind of cut-scene to establish normalcy in the setting? Most people would as "why did they include this boring scene?"

In Praise Of Shadows really does videos on pieces of media I've never heard of before and make me check it out for myself, I watched this around lunchtime, it is now 5 in the morning, I've read everything so far and I'm looking forward to the future episodes of Strangehaven, I'm enchanted, one of the greatest thing I have ever read and I wouldn't know about it without this video! Also an awesome song at the end of the video, so my day was filled with wonderful discoveries, thank you, man, this was a hell of an experience, lots of love, keep up the good work, looking forward to whatever's next for you, I'm sure I'll love it!

Fantastic video as always. I love the images chosen for each month and the beautiful landscapes shown during sections. Fascinating video as always. I really hope there is a finished 4th volume at which point I will purchase the entire series.

This one hits close to home man, especially as someone who left her job to pursue art studies full time and is having doubts after a year of it. You did great on this, thank you, and I'm so happy to have found your channel

Man, what a treasure you are. Each video is a beautiful piece of art i keep returning time and time again. A big thank you from Argentina.

You knocked it out of the park, as usual! You’re doing some truly excellent work. Glad you introduced me to this comic. It seems right up my alley.

I just wanted to tell you that I love all your videos, I know you work hard on them. Thank you so much for gifting this content to us. ♥️

Wow! I remember having read about this comic way back in an issue of Wizard. Thank you so much for showcasing it.

Damn, this is really inspiring. I consider myself a comic artist, I don't know that I'll be successful at it but there's a passion that burns in my chest, that compels me forward to be better and better. I have a story in my head that I've been thinking about for years.

Great video. Content and editing were first rate. I particularly appreciate how you managed to show the artwork and give an overview without spoiling the work for anyone (like myself) who is new to it. Strangehaven bundle just ordered. Really looking forward to reading it. Many thanks!

No matter what the topic is, I will always click as quick as I can & enjoy every minute of your work, so thank you so much for helping me get thru each day... 💜✌🐼

I don't follow comics or even horror tbh. You have helped me want to enjoy those things. So thank you for that. It's crazy how hard he worked

I like the clever pop song choices.

I love the editing on this video, the choices for the music, las transiciones, los hermosos y variados en temáticas backgrounds, even the fonts! Thank you for using your platform to share such rich and captivating topics

i feel like i have a lot of thoughts about all this, but what mainly comes to my mind is that as an artist, the thing i find most valuable, beyond social media likes or sometimes pay .. (well, it depends) is when someone expresses a genuine interest and care for something i made. it is the same feeling as when someone takes the time to ask you how you are doing. or when someone makes you something to eat. or someone stroking your hair. it sounds weird, i know. but the thought that something i made somehow connected with someone else on some level, that something i made is meaningful to them, that is the feeling i make art for. i dont know about berserk though entirely. since it has been said that miura had been living much more healthily in his last few years, but i suppose this much work and isolation leaves a lasting impact. and through all the pain and tiredness, somehow even i myself think, to make something that people care so deeply about that it becomes part of their life.. its a true magic in this world. i am not kentaro miura, my work ethic isnt nearly at his level. but in a simple way, if our work kills us, is it our choice? if we do it for the gratification of knowing how much people enjoy and care about it? the worst feeling is not to be hated, but to be forgotten , at least to me. but a human in the end is always more valuable than a book. im sure some people around kentaro miura and others like him curse this type of work, understandably. if i could have had one more year with my mother, if they could have had one more year with their friend, or son, or father, who cares if a story is not being finished..? i guess the ones who grieve most at their unfinished work are the artists themselves.

Total aside from the actual topic being explored here, but I absolutely love your editing decision to include stills from various pieces of history/pop culture to denote the passage of time (alongside the music, of course). Really helps to emphasise the cultural shifts that have accompanied this series' ongoing existence. Remarkable video, as always.

I have only read the first 2 books. Came across them an age ago in university, when I got into Sandman and comics. I always felt it had potential, it left me wanting more, but it drifted from my consciousness with the passing of time. Excellent video and it urges me to read the rest.

@RallyTheTally

Жыл бұрын

Yeah, I wish Gary would realse a digital copy of all comics so people could read it online paid for legally.

I remember reading about this comic in Wizard Magazine in the late 90s, and I also recalled having seen a video about it, and I was going crazy checking on all of my comics-oriented subscribed channels and just couldn't find it, though they had taken the video down, and today I came across this again. Keep up the great work

I really love your video essays! I can really see how much thought and effort you put into your videos and it's so awesome!!!!

I gotta say man, you're a master of your craft. The month montages were amazing and really drove home how much time had passed in between updates.

I started watching your channel because of videos on media that I liked, and now I will happily sit through your movie length documentaries on topics that I never heard of before, because I know that you're going to make them fascinating and informative. I really love the way you used to music to anchor the time-line. It was engaging to remember what was happening in my own life at the same time as the events of the creation of Strange Haven, which i had never heard of until started watching this video. I'm genuinely interested in reading it now.

Damn, This is probably my favourite video from you. I like to draw when I'm not working and wanted to do a webcomic in the past years but got crushed with the reality of doing this project, my amateur skills, juggling work, personal life and responsability. This video really inspired me to restart this project, even if I don't finish it or isn't popular.

This whole video really resonates with me, as a freelance artist who runs a little shop online. I feel like the amount of different roles you need to play as a small, one person art business, you really don’t get a ton of time actually painting and drawing. Love your deep dives into such interesting topics.

Stop dropping interesting subjects in the middle of the day, I have to work.

I remember Strangehaven in the 90’s but I didn’t know how it all turned out. Bless Gary. He’s a sweet soul. And thanks for profiling his life and art. Thank you for describing the ridiculous blissful agony it is to be a cartoonist. It basically describes my experience as well but it’s been a little different for me as a mermaid. Like I was probably the only cartoonist maybe ever that was also a runway model in my 20’s in NYC ha ha! Also working for 30 years, and my title Meat Cake is on Fantagraphics. So many shifts and compromises to just keep going through the decades. Seems like the eternal issue for us is making a sustainable income from the comics themselves so you don’t have to do all these other things that take time away from the project. But then at the same time its not healthy to not have a life / work balance to socialize with people. Never bored or lonely while alone. In fact always a feeling of urgency and holding back panic about the story not being told or seen. Driven by the muse and life means nothing without the completion of the legacy. Constant Compulsion to see it through to completion and resentment of the constant everything to attend to outside of the creation of the story. As of now all platforms in which to buy my books virtually (Except my Etsy shop) are stealing my work and money. So I’m considering getting a 3rd job again to acquire some savings ear marked for hiring a lawyer so the fake Amazon acct in my name (and all others) can finally be connected to my bank acct and the villain parasites who stole my life’s work will stop. My heart goes out to Gary. Who knows why someone like JK Rowling gets such a big break and Gary has to get by, but he will be justified and compensated what he’s worth. And thank you for your description on magic, spot on. Intellectual properties can be more valuable than actual land property. However they are acquired by the inexpensive alchemy of ink meeting paper and “drawing” down from the ether, the drawing on the page. Then publishing the story so others can share the same dream vision. Sometimes I think cartoonist’s lives are blessed and unique and magic, and other times this seems like a level of hell and we are way worse off than normal people with normal aspirations and goals. For example the descriptions of Gary’s dogs being his companions but also taking away time from his work and being distractions is exactly why I never had kids or pets. Having to draw constantly filled the void of everything to the point where sometimes you look up and are like, “Where is everyone and everything?” Was this weird story worth it? Do I regret my entire life? Did I actually have a choice to do anything else anyway? Also I can’t imagine what everyone out there is doing with all that time I’ve spent drawing. During the lockdown when everyone was freaking out , literally everything was exactly the same for me. Working from home, running an online publishing biz, didn’t skip a beat. I was like, welcome to my world bitches. I didn’t know it was such torture until I saw you all complaining. I love your video about Tales from the Crypt too and it heavily influenced me as a kid. You are so well spoken, thoughtful, and researched. In Praise of Shadows , you are an angel and thank you for this video.

This was absolutely brilliant man, it felt so good to listen to you and see the authors reaction 🙌🏾 these are moments when I love the internet

Great video Zane. I had never heard of this comic, or its creator. But ordered the 3 first volumes as soon as the video was over! It’s frustrating how things like this can go so overlooked for so long. But also encouraging how someonen can shed a light on it, like you just did.

Togashi is a bit of a different story, given he had a chance to naturally conclude the story but chose not to, after already taking multiple year long breaks. He chose to start another, long arc, despite having Gon reunite with his dad, so having somewhat of a decent potential conclusion, make 10 chapters a year at most for a weekly magazine, then disappear for several years again outright, while not changing his writing style to at least adapt to his new publishing schedule, so for example one time 9/10 chapters just had people sitting around, talking, mostly rather vague stuff about team dynamics. I also feel really bad that Togashi gets the super star treatment by Jump and can get away with anything, but so many struggling authors get their series canned because it didn't magically win an audience in 8 weeks, only to replaced by another series that has the same thing happen to it in 2 months' time, 9 times out of 10.

This video and the comments below it are making me cry, in a good way. Thank you Mr. Shadows.

Your best video yet. Amazing work, thank you!

This video is wonderful. On a technical level, your editing was fantastic, and I love the way you depicted the passage of time, unlike what I usually see on the platform. Notcto mention how interesting the subject matter is, I can't wait to get my hands on the books now

At around the same time, David Lapham released issue #1 of Stray Bullets through his own label, El Capitan, producing 40 or so issues of what many agree to be the best crime comic ever made. He started the series back up a few years ago, this time published by Image, and produced another 40 or so issues. He was the artist, writer, cover artist, designer, etc., etc. Dan Clowes & Chris Ware, despite being published by Fantagraphics, D&Q, & Pantheon, create every square inch of their comics themselves, like quite a few of the Fantagraphics artists. Chester Brown did Yummy Fur himself from the late 80's on, and the Hernandez brothers did Love & Rockets themselves from 1981, on to the present day. I'm not trying to mitigate the accomplishments of Millidge with Strangehaven; I just wanted to point out the surprisingly large number of hyper-dedicated artists who sacrificed their days & nights on creative endeavors that they never really expected to 'pay off' in any meaningful way. Shockingly, for all the creators above, it did 'pay off', in varying degrees. Great video, as always. I'll have to dig up the 'Strangehaven' TPBs I've had shelved away for years, as well as the great book on Comic-Book Design Gary Spencer Millidge created a decade or so back; it was incredibly informative.

I just want to say that I have really enjoyed your content since I discovered your channel during the pandemic, al la The Nightmare Artist video. But I wanted to thank you for this video personally. I have been working on a horror novel about an unfortunate salvage crew that get an enormous bid to scrap an ominous abandoned building in a Centralia-esque town for over 3 years now, and I barely have a complete chapter to present to anyone. I do, however, have a ton of notes, references, scribbles on post it’s and loose, random papers all together in a notebook though. Sometimes I feel like I’m never going to finish it. But hearing you talk about empathy for artists and their craft gave me a more positive perspective on completing a passion project. It doesn’t matter if it takes me 10 years to make, 20 even. I’m happy if it’s just a finished file on my computer, ready to be printed. Because I realized I’m not making this for someone else, or for money (but that would be nice.) I realized I’m making it for myself. So for that, I thank you. Please keep making more videos. They are excellent.

@InPraiseofShadows

2 жыл бұрын

Good luck with your novel! I’m currently working on one myself so I know how difficult that process can be. I hope it goes well and you complete it down the road, and thank you for your kind words they mean a lot to me.

Don't understand how you have so little views, personally I can't get enough of your videos. They're extremely well researched and always interesting. Also love the obscurity of a lot of the art you report on. Really appreciate your work and hope you continue for a good while.

I think this is my favourite video of yours (and there's many contenders). I think the decision to explore the life of the man behind the art and mention very little of the art itself was the right one. I bought the three-book set about halfway through the video mostly because the brief synopsis and bits of panels you shared intrigued me and I wanted to read it, but also because I think Strangehaven holds a special place in the comic book landscape and Millidge's personal story of putting everything he had into his magnum opus is incredibly powerful. I, like you, want to share Millidge's stories-Strangehaven and the creation of it-with any and everyone I can. I love all of your videos, but it's ones like these that make me really happy to have found your channel, you are my favourite content creator on the platform and I really hope Millidge watches this.

These videos are top notch. I love the brief reflections to what was happening year by year to add context to the time passed.

injesting this video has brigthened my day thank you in praise of shadows as well as the man and his work who inspired this heartfelt video.

This reminds me of the guy who wrote Ceberus the Aardvark, who did something similar (with an artist assistant) for over 40 years. At a severe, apparent detriment to his mental health in the process

Making comics and art are very difficult undertakings for certain kinds of people, especially when doing it all solo. I fully admire anyone who can accomplish almost anything in those directions even if when the work is not my taste. I started a comic over a decade ago, and I have completed 8 pages only, it feels unlikely to ever be completed, even as a single issue or graphic novel. Gary has achieved far more than I have, and I intend to buy his book soon now.

I gotta say, I love how you take a topic I have never heard about, have no interest in, and make an engaging two hour video on. Kudos 😊

Just dropping here to say I am a big fan of your content and was really looking forward for your next upload! Cheers !

Another excellent video. You're knocking it out of the park. This video resonated very much with me. I just ordered the TPB bunlde from Gary's online shop.

Completely obsessed with your pics for each Month. This is a wild trip on many levels

@The5n0w

2 жыл бұрын

They made me feel old as fuck

What a fascinating comic! and the deep look at the history of this work makes me want to go out and read every issue.

This video was absolutely remarkable! I'll definetely keep an eye on Strangehaven from now on.

Holy crap this was such a great video, thank you for putting this together man, I'm definitely going to pick this up.

Man, I love this « travel through time » structure, it kicks me right in the feel !

Well, I'll definitely be looking in to Strangehaven now lol, can't believe I've never heard of it. Thanks, great video as always!

Seeing a new video just made me smile love you man

Pure inspiration! Thanks for your content!