Final Task: Fandom Wars

I got the idea for this final task from one of the many things in fandom culture that frustrates me. The pointless arguing about whether thing A or B is better. I mean there's nothing wrong about talking what you like and don't like or disagreeing with people, but it's gotten ridiculous. For example year ago when Star Wars: The Last Jedi was released, the people who didn't like the film got so mad they started to threaten and harass the creators of the film.

While the Last Jedi case is one extreme example of this,  I keep seeing these pointless fights going on. What is the better console? Who makes the best superhero films or comics? While there might be some good points too, mostly it's been just as pointless as fighting whether blue or red is the best colour. 

In this one page comic I try to illustrate what I'm seeing. The arguments people have online are represented by an physical fight in my comic. Both participant thinks of themselves as a huge and powerful warrior, fighting for the most important thing in their life. However, in the end we see that the two are actually pretty much the same, with their preferred choice of colour being the only visible difference.

Process

My process of making the comic was pretty simple. I used Adobe Photoshop and Wacom drawing tablet at school. I'm not especially great at painting or drawing, but I had good time doing it.

1. Sketching. I draw a quick simple version of the panel

2. Coloured shapes. Under the sketch I paint the characters.

3. Shadows and lights. I simply use Photoshop's dodge and burn tools to give some life to the characters. 

4. Faces. I give the characters facial features and their glasses.

5. The rest. I create the needed effects or weapons and make the simple backgrounds.

The paintings are not perfect but I'm pretty happy with the results.

Fandoms represented

Should be mentioned that the comic is based on my own experience in the past with reading things online and meeting people in real life during these 25 years I've lived. So if you haven't personally witnessed these arguments it doesn't really matter.

• Naruto vs. One Piece. Japanese comics. Represented by throwing star and stretching arm respectively
• DC Comics vs. Marvel Comics. The two big companies telling superhero stories. DC represented by Batman's bat-shaped throwing stars and Marvel by shield of Captain America
• American comics vs. Japanese comics. First represented by cape and heat vision of Superman, the second by Kamehameha-wave from Dragon Ball
• Star Wars sequel trilogy vs. Star Wars prequel trilogy. Sequels represented by crossguard lightsaber of Kylo Ren and prequels by double bladed lightsaber of Darth Maul. CALM THE FUCK DOWN.

The Comic

Here it finally is: 

Hah, that sure was silly.

Final Words

Just maybe instead of yelling about whether strawberry or raspberry is the superior berry, just celebrate how much cool stuff we have available for us? And if someone else likes something you don't try to be happy for them and get yourself something else. And have fun. And most of all love and respect each other <3

-OK