Page 825…
Hey everyone.
So we are finally past the cute…and entering…THE DRAMA part of the flashback.
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I’m trying to book a trip to San Francisco for WonderCon.
I am planning on going back to visit my old school Academy of Art for the first time in like 20 years.
Are any of you attending the con?
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I’ve still not really got an idea of what the best Anime conventions I should consider. So still open to that if you guys have ideas. Definitely ones where I can get an invite would get higher priority.
I hope you all have enjoyed this week. Our second week of cuteness.
I’ve been toiling over the whole “stealing thing” but it is who Felicity is. Even back then.
It only makes sense that she’d teach Nicole. The Dreamland Chronicles goes into the TEEN MANGA section of Borders and Barnes and Noble. So it’s not aimed for kids. But still good for kids.
Do any parents have any objections to this part of the story?
Please let me know and thanks again all.
See you on Monday. Have a wonderful weekend. And hope you enjoy the Super Bowl.
Scott
Am I the first to respond? Woo! Well, let me tell you, I’m excited to see what’s going to happen next! Nicole caught, Felicity…what are you going to do? What will happen to Nicole?
Too bad I have to wait all weekend. Oh well. I look forward to the next update.
As long as you teach that stealing is bad, I’m sure there will be virtually no objection to this storyline.
Nicole’s teeth look unrealistically blacklighted in the shadows of panels two and five. In other words, they appear to be glowing purple, and a glow seems to be the opposite of the intended effect.
Also… Go Steelers!
The last panel, it looks to me like the pinky of whoever is grabbing little Nicole’s arm has a touch of clipping going on. Not sure how noticeable it is, but I thought it looked a little odd. It’s probably the angle of the hand π
Great as ever, Scott. If this plays out like I think it will we’re in for some great stuff… *grins*
And this is where the “I was just helping you gather up this fruit that fell!” comes in. But I’m afraid our little Nicole won’t think of that… Dang it! And yet another perfectly timed friday update – I swear you do this on purpose! π
Well – we’ve seen this coming, haven’t we?
Hmm, i’d call it rather: if you ‘re up to no good take care not to get caught else you DESERVE every beating you get – and hold the trap tight and don’t brag about it.
I like it. I wonder who the they that took her from Nicole will be. I saw that in Barnes and Noble. I think thats silly. When you look for graphic novels you don’t look in the teen section you go to the comics and manga sections right next to the scifi and fantasy. Dream land fits with any age group but it should be in a expected section. people expect angsty highschool dramas in teen sections. Scott ever think after the series is done shopping around to see if it could be turned into a short animation series? I’m sure it would go a lot faster animated then reading but it would be worth it if you could get perfect music and vioces to go with it.
As a dad the stealing thing doesn’t bother me, especially since Nichole gets caught. That reinforces the understanding that stealing is wrong and that Flecity’s excuse is just a rationalization for her doing something she knows is wrong.
I may be at the con, though it all depends on schedule for me, but I’m hoping to be there
Ok, first off.. I wanna start with I’ve been reading this comic all the way through for two days o_O off and on I mean. . . I LOVE the artwork, the detail is amazing. And the story line is awesome. I’m going to buy the books, and I want to plant the idea of you going to the Kawaiicon this year… Just an idea o_O
And I agree with some of the other commenters, it’s fine to have stealing in the story, as long as you impart that stealing is not right.
I love this comic! I’m glad to have found it.
I’m not a parent, but if I were, I wouldn’t have a problem with my child reading this, at any age. The story is wonderful and the whole thing is ‘any-age friendly.’
wow – sweet acoustic version! i have always loved men at work, but somehow never explored more than the one album i had of theirs from way back when. i love this – i see now that i have to own works & contraband – what is your favorite of their albums? – thanks!
I think we’re starting to coddle our children FAR too much. I mean- when we were kids, we saw all sorts of things, and because nobody made a big deal, we didn’t think anything of it. And we turned out, I would say, MUCH better than the younger generations.
Anyway, I’m unfortunately going to have to echo the thing on Nicole’s teeth- they look like they’re lit by blacklight. It’s a bit wierd.
As a parent, my first thought was that Felicity is a bad influence and I wouldn’t want my kids to play with her.
But, I would have no problems letting my kids read this, as it would present a teaching opportunity.
I love your story, by the way.
I’m not a parent but in my opinion, there’s nothing wrong with adding this sort of element to a story. I mean, it’s like Aladdin. (And heck, that was done by Disney.) Stealing is apart of the story as are the consequences that follow.
On another note, these past few pages have been so freaken adorable! =D Keep up the great work!
Well, I think that kids would not learn that stealing is right just because some fictional character does it and gets caught. In fact, it would go the other way: Kids would see that is dangerous and can make people angry.
Moreover, Felicity and Nicole are not stealing for their own profit, just a couple of fruits in order to be able to eat. I do not see any bad in stealing for really needed food: They are just kids and they have no other source of income to pay for food, so they need to steal it. That, in my opinion, is not bad in any way.
However, I also know that people’s opinions around the world in this particular topic are really different. The culture is an important factor here. For example, I have lived in US for a little time and I know that stealing, even for such a couple of fruits, is considered really bad. In other countries in Europe; however, this is seen like a perfectly excusable conduct. In fact, stealing for such small-value things is not even a crime there.
If you plan to distribute your comic around the world and get it translated, I would advise you to try to research and take a “moderate” position in all this kind of topics. For example, do not let kids think that stealing is good; but neither let kids think that stealing for a couple of fruits is a sin; because either way you would be educating “wrong”in some countries. It is pretty hard to please everyone π
Your friends sometimes get you into trouble. That’s an important life lesson no matter what the age.
Thanks all.
I’ll fix that clipping with the pinky and the purple teeth.
You guys are so awesome.
And Thank you also for the advice on the stealing.
For all of you who care…I’m an OVER protective dad. I monitor EVERYTHING they watch…I even record hockey games in advance and watch it with them so we can fast forward past some questionable commercials.
So hopefully I’m a good test as well…and I don’t see a problem with Felicity stealing. It’s her nature…and I’m hardly preaching thievery.
π
But thank you for the great advice…and I’m glad I’m not offending anyone.
Scott
Oh…and Autumn Rose…
I’d be an idiot to turn down an invitation to go to a convention in Hawaii. I’ve never been.
If you know anyone there who’d like to contact me…I’ll make every effort to make it happen.
π
Uhm, why’s everyone saying that you have to say that stealing’s bad? Whoever this comic reads should make its own decissions. You’re not the babysitter of your readers
Mouth and finger fixed.
Thanks all…
As cute as these past two weeks have been I just have to say that panels 3 and 4 from today are the cutest!
Wow… Nicole caught it. But got caught. Wagh. Hm. I wonder what my kids will think when I present this to them. I’ve been meaning to loan the first two dead tree volumes to my daughter… it might be time.
The wondercon!? In SF!? Wow! Now I’ll have a REASON to go to it this year!! :)!
You went to the Academy of Art too!? Awesome opossum!
You can’t teach a lesson, if you never approach a subject. How can you teach a child that stealing is wrong and can get you in trouble if you never address the topic? I’m a grandparent, and I have no problem with these past pages, Scott. In fact, I think it is a wonderful way for a child to grasp the concept that stealing is not acceptable behavior. Well done!
Am I the only one bothered by the fact that the music notes on Nicole’s shirt are backwards? π Maybe she’s wearing the shirt inside-out.
Also, there’s no reason to avoid a topic (such as stealing) because it might be controversial…if that’s how the story goes, that’s how the story goes, you know? Let the characters do what they do – such as Felicity stealing – and readers can deal with it.
Lovely work here, as always. Except you mentioned in a comment that you had fixed the mouth and finger, but the teeth in panel two are still bright purple.
I’ll be there, wandering around with a group of Alice in Wonderland characters on Saturday. I’ll definitely stop by. π
It is my job, as a parent, to know what my kids are reading, and if there’s stealing, lying, etc involved in the story, to make sure that -I- reinforce that the activity is wrong/bad, not the author’s job. The author is telling a story. Obviously, they would not be sneaking around if stealing were just fine. I think the context of the action ‘teaches’ the lesson well enough. So, I don’t think you need to go out of your way to beat “Stealing is bad!” into the story.
Just tell the story. Stories have a way of making those things pretty clear without it being a “main point” to the telling. (I am not excusing gratuitous stories that go out of their way to have characters do bad things and be rewarded, however. I don’t think yours is one of those stories by a very far stretch.)
“Sir, I think you dropped these” π
Aladdin stole too. And they never went out of their way to instill “Stealing is bad!” in that plotline. Don’t sweat it. You’re not advocating thieving, just telling a story.
I don’t think you need to worry about offended people? As you said stealing is part of Felicity’s characters and you also have fighting and lying within the storyline. I don’t think stealing on top of that is really going to affect many people’s opinions π I’m not nearly old enough to have kids, but I’m pretty sure this is still kid appropriate, I would definitely show this to younger cousins.
Anyways, awesome job as usual. The characters as minis are just too cute! XD
Silly Nicole. She should have realised that the sound of her body hitting the floor would make far more noise than the sound of a fruit hitting the floor!
Perhaps this is the impetus for her overly-scientific nautre?
Oh, and Scott… SF’s right in my back yard… I may be able to convince my better half to let me pop over there.
Oh, nice catch (except for the landing on her face part). Looking forward to the next one. π
her teeth in the second panel are still messed up π
story is great. I think if you are trying to making it for little kids, you need to make it that stealing is bad. and so far it seems you are doing a good job at that. Hopefully their parents will be reading with them and be able to make the point clean to them as well. Teeth are still blue in panel 2 by the way.
Think fast!
“I was just wondering how much these two particular fruits might cost.” *cute, innocent eyes*
Teeth fixed.
No way, you’re not in trouble until you get caught.
GOTCHA!
I’M in trouble!
As a mother of 4 children, I get to make an authoritative statement on this subject. This is Dreamland, not the real world. In Dreamland, you get to steal, to hit people, to fly, to cross the street without looking both ways, to commit racial profiling, to go places without telling your parents…
If you couldn’t do all those things, it wouldn’t be much of a Dreamland, now would it?
pfft stealing is nothing, theres stealing in many great children stories but that doesnt mean 8 yearolds go out on the streets to loot and pillage, moraly theres alot worse things to worry about than some innocent stealing, you’d be suprised how much implied sex you can find most modern kid movies
in most modern kid movies** <.<
that doesnt mean they have sex either ofc.. just saying π
I think you NEED the stealing for the story to work … and don’t worry because everybody knows it is wrong to steal, and I feel sure you are gonna show the consequences for both gals sooner or later.
Plus the STEALING in this story is not nearly as difficult for a child/teen to understand and digest as some of the potentially scary or violent elements in old fairytales or Biblical stories most of us have heard since day one. (King David as a boy kills a giant with a slingshot when even the adult warriors are scared for their very lives… or Hansel & Grettle’s little ‘problem’ …. compared to that a little theft is tame business)
Not to mention that a lot of parents have no problems with their teens, and sometimes younger kids, seeing pg-13 and even R rated movies.
This story at it’s most ‘daring’ is still G rated in today’s society … so don’t sweat it ANY more Scott … just keep telling good stories that YOU know work for the All Ages crowd as you understand it …. if you keep that up, you’ll continue with even more great and deserving success.
I think that you should do as you please with Dreamland. You should not be held responsible with teaching children right and wrong in your comic, especially since it’s already as kid friendly as it could get. I love how you make it so that everyone can love Dreamland!
Drama, you say? *turns and faces camera* O.O
I’m glad you fixed the finger and teeth ^_^
Though the finger is still a little thin, I’ll live.
Great story! The girls are so cute!
Regarding this sequence, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with it. In fact, it has two positive messages (so far). It shows the dangers of peer pressure and that stealing leads to trouble. Scott, you need to trust your instincts. You’re creating a classic story.
*gasp* Oh no! QUICK! Make up some story about how you saw those fruits fall and were quick to catch them and how that guy should be grateful and all!
I only have one word to say about this stealing Storyline.
“Aladdin.”
Y’know… as a teacher, I don’t see anything at all wrong with this.
Nicole just got caught. So one, not only is it showing in just this one page that stealing isn’t a good idea, it’s ALSO showing that you shouldn’t give in to peer pressure, and that your friends aren’t always going to get you to do things that are good; sometimes even the best of friends might encourage you to do something that’s wrong. So you’re fine.
I want to add my voice to those telling you you’re doing a fantastic job, and that there is nothing wrong with how you are handling stealing in this story.
Might I suggest SakuraCon in April, if that’s not already planned? My anime club is headed there, and I’d love to meet you in person ^_^()
I just want to know: how’s Felicity gonna get her outta this scrape?
and its sooo Lady and the Tramp right now π
(anyone else remember the trouble Tramp got Lady in?)
Love the story, love the artwork.
I’d LOVE to see you out my way at Otakon in Maryland. It’s a pretty large con, with a hugely popular artist alley!
well scott, to make a comment on your parenting. while you say you are over protective, (which is a good thing these days i would say, in the TV area anyways) the fact that you allow them to watch hockey i must say that i am filled with admiration and respect.
heh, if you couldnt tell i love hockey.
to keep this on the topic of the comic, I am a Christian and very conservative. I have no issues whatsoever with the stealing issue. You showed that some people get away with it, and some don’t. and yes, it may be a small thing to eat for food, i think that that should be emphasized. and perhaps a small consequence for stealing would be good. either way i have seen no problems with this comic and what you are doing.
as someone commented earlier, you aren’t going to please everyone but at this point anyone who is offended should just not read it. there only issue is the one you make of it.
keep up the good work.
Something wrong with the website? or also a flashback? π
Something went wrong. Today’s comic was up earlier today, but for some reason everything reverted back to last Friday. I’m sure Scott is losing some hair right now trying to fix it.
If this helps, the direct links to Monday’s and Tuesday’s comics aren’t working either.
http://thedreamlandchronicles.com/comics/2009-02-02.jpg
Felicity can’t bear to watch, but can’t bear not to, so she peeks between her fingers. Love it!
CUTE OVRELAD IN 3rd panel somewhat
Free knoweglde like this doesn’t just help, it promote democracy. Thank you.
Great article but it didn’t have everyhtingΒI didn’t find the kitchen sink!
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That one, along with panels 2 and 4 from the previous comic, and any of these single panels of Young Fel would make a nice collection if put together.
“These just fell off the cart. I was picking them up for you.” =3
Yeah, she hasn’t been caught stealing the fruit, a simple “I was just looking at it” would work.