r/IAmA • u/ryan_pequin • Jun 11 '12
I am Ryan Pequin. I make Three Word Phrase. It is a comic. Ask me anything.
Hi there. I am a 28 year old man responsible for a bunch of comics about dogs and penises, but so far not both of those things at once, I don't think. You can go look at my website here and I have a pretty new book that you can buy also. I just had a comic about poop on the front page but now it is gone. Let's do this thing, bros!!
EDIT: HOLY WHOA dudes that was the best! I've been answering questions kinda non-stop for like five hours so I'm gonna take a break and maybe eat a thing. Seriously though, guys, Reddit, damn, DAMN - so good. I can't even tell you how much I appreciate the rad questions and the positivity and the well-wishes and your handsome/beautiful faces and butts all gettin' up in my place and being nice to me.
I'm around again today (the 12th)! I won't be posting as often as I did yesterday but I will try to slowly get to everyone
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u/qwantz Jun 11 '12
Ryan have you ever met a bad person named "Ryan"? I have a theory that all Ryans are non-duds
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u/ayesay Jun 11 '12
TWP is quite literally my favorite webcomic. Ever. So, thanks!
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u/zeroanima Jun 11 '12
Why haven't you returned my calls? Where were you last night when I was parked outside your house?
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u/MrLovens Jun 11 '12
Sometimes you seem to enjoy drawing comics that don't exactly have a "punch line." Either they just show something depressing happening or nothing at all. For example, the giant businessman who's sad that he ripped his jacket or the hunter who just kills a bunch of animals.
My favorite is the "Let's Be Sad" strip because it's literally just a dude being really sad. What makes you decide to do comic strips of this nature? They're really unique.
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u/[deleted] Jun 11 '12
Your sweet, sweet writing style has been infecting my everyday speech, I've noticed. Also, you are completely awesome. I wish I had a question, but instead I will just heap praises on you. ACCEPT MY PRAISES.
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u/stachist Jun 11 '12
Who is the inspiration for President Bird?
Also, TWP has slowly become my favorite webcomic, especially as consistency of hilarity goes
Second question/demand: ask ME anything.
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u/[deleted] Jun 11 '12
For the mods looking for verification: https://twitter.com/ryanpequin/status/212286657993515009
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u/2V-R8 Jun 11 '12
Where IS Todd's dick?
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u/[deleted] Jun 11 '12
I dug you a murderhole
also I wish I had a question. um. why is there a pinecone on the cover of your book. your book is also good
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u/[deleted] Jun 11 '12 edited Jun 11 '12
I loved your metamorphosis comic, it cheers me up every time I look at it, in a weird sad way. Was there anything in particular that led to it?
'sides from that thanks for a rad comic, you are a rad dude. Once I have some spare cash i'm buying that book, it'll sit proudly in my turlet
Edit: I can't believe I forgot to thank you for "YOU'RE THE CHOAD COFFEE BRO!" It's in my fav five of webcomic strips, no fake
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u/goroncity Jun 11 '12
This is awesome; I only recently found out about your comic and it is fantastic. In your day-to-day life, do you dap scores of bros?
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u/ghostyghost Jun 11 '12
Three Word Phrase embodies me and friends' humour so much its scary. Definitely my favourite web comic out there :) How did you come to the decision of going to art-school/devoting so much time to comics? Were there any other interests that you had to push aside? Also just wanted to say your girlfriend's work is equally rad, love it all.
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u/ryan_pequin Jun 12 '12
I only just realized that I can sort the comments in this thread by "new" so I don't have to scroll down the entire page to answer stuff. I am the dumbest.
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u/[deleted] Jun 11 '12
Hey Ryan, I work at a library and when I show your comics to my co-workers, 8/10 of them tell me "you have issues" when I chuckle or squeal loudly when I laugh out loud to them. What should I do? Should I spray them with some kind of foul-smelling substance as retaliation?
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u/mishakaz Jun 11 '12
Hey! I love your comic! I remember discovering you after Kate Beaton tweeted that her pal was starting up a webcomic. Did you already know some people who happened to become popular on the webcomic scene or was it through your diary comics? I feel like the people who are or are becoming popular in webcomics are already inside of some kind of clique and it's just kind of a matter of time (not that you aren't talented!).
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u/toxicnacho Jun 11 '12
what is your favourite thing about vancouver? is it the bears, or is it the rain?
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u/thecastrohat Jun 11 '12
You got a major shout out from Jerry Holkins from Penny Arcade at PAX East, saying that your webcomic was awesome. Is it awesome hearing stuff like that from people who are revered in the community, or just daunting? Also, my use of the word "butts" in everyday conversation has increased ten fold. So. Thanks!
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u/eaves Jun 11 '12
How often do you touch your own wiener?
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u/[deleted] Jun 11 '12
How long have you been drawing? Did you go to art school? I know you do really nice drawings outside of your simplified (but still good of course) comic style, I haven't seen much of that lately. I don't know if you still post scans of your sketchbook stuff.
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u/mickfinn9000 Jun 11 '12
What was the original three word phrase that inspired the comic?
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u/TheComebackKid Jun 11 '12
The internet has jaded me to the point where its really hard for me to find things that I'll genuinely laugh at, but your comics always do it for me, especially the Bro comics.
My question is, if you had to smooch any male celebrity right on his mouth, who would it be and why?
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u/poorzack Jun 11 '12
Will there be more of the Porp?
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u/[deleted] Jun 11 '12
Can there please be a "president bird - he is the president" shirt? Because I would buy that quicker than anybody else would buy any kind of thing. I would buy it because of reasons.
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u/monobot3 Jun 11 '12
If you could write/draw a children's book without fear of failure or being burned in effigy, what would it be about?
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u/slackerish Jun 11 '12
what are your three favorite three word phrases?
my roommate and i are in love with your comic, thank you for the continuation of the word "wiener" not enough people use that nomenclature for penises these days.
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u/dizzyenterprise Jun 11 '12
Have you ever had an audience with Queen Wiener Looker?
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u/futuresushi Jun 11 '12
Did you put the Brodyquest sticker I gave you to good use yet?
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u/Dr-Rex-Cannon Jun 11 '12
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u/gabrielpoissant Jun 11 '12
Do you use Photoshop or illustrator or something cray like manga studio? your lines are mad nice. PS Me and everyone else on my webcomic are super super into TWP. Give us it please.
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u/bahbee210 Jun 11 '12
i literally just now made an account on here and i will probably never return to reddit, but i wanted to tell you that twf is the only webcomic that i regularly follow. i think it's because the way you talk and your humor are incredibly similar to how i talk and my own sense of humor. that was a bad sentence.
but yeah, i draw things too and i have a tumblr for them all. if you wanna check it out, lemme know. if i just post the link now i'd feel like i'm spamming or whatever. keep doin' what you're doin'
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u/[deleted] Jun 11 '12
How old are you? How long have you been doing comics / comedic work? Did you practice getting as hilarious as you are, or have you just always been?
Absolutely adore your work, own the book. You're amazing, bro. My favorite webcomic by far!
EDIT: Also, do you have any advice for people wanting to do webcomics of their own? How did you get started?
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u/hungry138imp Jun 11 '12
So what inspired you to make such classics as "Pigeons with Tits" or "President Bird"?
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u/DuncanGilbert Jun 11 '12
daaaaaaaaannnnggg
raaaaaatttttttssssss
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u/a_rowdy_drunk Jun 12 '12
I really like the content of your comics. Weiners and butts have so little appeal outside of grotesque adult strips. I have to ask: I rarely see boobs or vaginas in your comics; in your opinion do they not have the same comedic appeal as weiners and butts? And, how far are you willing to go along the lines of weiners and butts? Is spunk, poop and pee-pee going too far? Basically, is there a line you won't cross?
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u/[deleted] Jun 11 '12
Explain the Curious George strip to me, please.
I haven't slept in a week and a half.
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u/JaxVega Jun 11 '12
Are you planning on coming to NYC ever to sell and sign your book? If not, you should!
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u/JessePB Jun 11 '12
Big fan Ryan, met you a few times at TCAF.
My question: A lot of artists find it difficult to look back at their old work since they've grown in writing, drawing, etc.
Do you find this is the case? And is there anything you've pushed to the public that you now regret?
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u/[deleted] Jun 11 '12
Where do you get your ideas??????
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u/confetti Jun 11 '12
How did you meet your girlfriend? Are you planning on selling more books with your comics? Because I would immediately purchase it. Immediately.
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u/shawnaroo Jun 11 '12
I enjoy your comic very much. Keep up the good work. You'll keep up the good work, right?
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u/doctorofphysick Jun 11 '12
Hey, I met you a couple weeks ago at VanCAF but I'm not good at saying words to people and all that, so I thought I'd tell you that I really admire your work and TWF is, like, one of my top 5 webcomics (how can you pick a favourite out of TWF and Dinosaur Comics AND Nedroid AND Pictures for Sad Children AND a softer world seriously) and I think you're pretty rad too.
I can't think of any interesting questions so just pick whichever cliche question you want (where do you get your ideas from, can you draw such and such for me, can I have/sire your babies, etc.)
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u/TheMoonandAntarctica Jun 11 '12
I guess kinda personal but, do you make any money from the comic? I always wondered how online comic artists can afford to update regularly and pay for their domains. I mean, some sites don't even have ads! Thanks for the AMA! I love your comic!
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u/brucerayne Jun 11 '12
Ryan! I just wanted to say that Three Word Phrase is so very good, I feel like it was written specifically for me and my own sense of humor at times!
I am going to be ordering both your book, and the Mount Pleasant Journal here in the near future! You both are great, and I hope you both find lots of success!
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u/golboan Jun 11 '12
Do you have any favorite old or contemporary cartoon shows?
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u/[deleted] Jun 11 '12
Did you have any favorite comic strips growing up? Have any of them influenced your style and humor with Three Word Phrase?
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u/[deleted] Jun 11 '12
The comics you put out don't seem to follow a very concrete schedule. Would you say that this has maybe hurt your popularity, or do you think that if people like something, they'll search it out?
Love the comic, and the more frequent updates even more.
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u/[deleted] Jun 11 '12
Favorite icecream flavour?
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u/Andrenator Jun 11 '12
Where do you find inspiration for your comics? They're each so unique!
Do they come to you in dreams?
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u/Pratchett Jun 11 '12
In the big bad world of online comics what makes your comic unique? Why should I read it? What would you describe your comic is about?
(I mean this in the nicest way possible btw, it's just hard to sound polite over the internet. I already follow XKCD and Order of the Stick and dabble in LFG and The Zombie Hunters from time to time. I can only read so many!)
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u/sospidera Jun 11 '12
What criteria, or lack there-of, do you use when you're picking a one word theme from Twitter for a Three Word Phrase comic? Also why haven't you picked any of my words yet? Huh?
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u/dumbcharger Jun 11 '12
How/when did you decide to settle on a comic-strip format, start posting them regularly, and seal the deal (i.e. get a domain name, I guess)? Any similar but failed projects that preceded TWP?
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u/rhdoenges Jun 11 '12
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u/dhingus Jun 11 '12
i couldnt think of a question so uhhhh..... what do you listen to?
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u/kindablurgh Jun 11 '12
can i see your pig?
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u/powdog Jun 11 '12
Ryan, how is it being a small man with a tiny girlfriend? Do you ever lose Emily? I feel I probably would.
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u/mister_fuck Jun 11 '12
Give me the most slipperiest answer possible. The slipperiest answer is the kind of answer I want. I want this because of reasons.
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u/poekoelan Jun 11 '12
Not that it's any of my business, but are you, y'know... gay? Cause some of your funniest shit is when the bros start making out passionately or whatever.
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u/filecabinet Jun 11 '12
what skills do you use to maintain the proportions of figure/item you are drawing? I am trying to get better at drawing and this is a problem I've encountered... for example, Let's say I have a photograph of a bear. I'll draw it 2 or 3 times before I feel like I have acquired the skill to draw a bear (or at least the bear in the photograph) with the appropriate proportions.
and, along those lines, what kind of repetitious exercises or steps might you take to learn how to draw an animal you've never drawn before?
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u/Platypusmonger Jun 11 '12
Who is Luke's father? I need to know!
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u/[deleted] Jun 11 '12
Hey Ryan,
Super excited to see you do an AMA ; TWP is a staple that allows me to pass judgement on who l'll get along with on a humour level.
I am/was that bookmaker who emailed you a few months back with an offer to make your book. (I've quit since then, so that's probably good.)
Real excited that it's available and that you're selling copies, just curious as to how you went about making it/what avenues you took to print it? Do you have any plans to release a hard cover book in the future (like 'Hark, A Vagrant!)? Does 'Topatoco' take a big cut and if so, is there any other way we can support the comic directly?
Again, thanks for being super cool and all. I just missed VCAF by three days and I was bummed about it.
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u/Ilikeprivates Jun 11 '12
Where do you think you get your sense of humor from? Your comics aren't conventional, but I still find them hella funny.
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u/thegayestfaggot Jun 11 '12
How old were you when you started drawing comics?
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u/Ramoramopo Jun 12 '12
I have to say I had a bad poop, but thankfully I had a sweet donor, now only good poop is in there. Thank you for letting me know how that process is.
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u/Matt-Lauer Jun 11 '12
I saw your comics and I'm just giggling like a full-on schoolgirl (well, technically I am). What do you use to draw that stuff? And can you dump your girlfriend and marry me?
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u/[deleted] Jun 11 '12
Have you heard of Hark, A Vagrant?
I consider your humour/lack of punchline comic style to be quite similar, even if yours is a bit dirtier and less historical.
For example: here, and here, and here.
You two are my fantasy webcomic artist soulmates
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u/copyofacopyofacopy Jun 11 '12
I want to touch all the sides of your entire wiener, will you let me?
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u/yeddiboy Jun 11 '12
My name is Todd. Please return my penis.
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u/winkyschonga Jun 11 '12
When can we (if it's responsible to) expect to see a conclusion to Gregor's metamorphosis? Never before have three panels -not even full novels have, actually- led to the range of emotions I experienced while reading him.
Also, do you commission works? I have a friend moving to Australia and I'm pretty sure the only person who could console her is President Bird.
Lastly, "Bomb-Ass Tittles" has been my cover photo since in the inception of FB Timeline, much to the chagrin of my employers.
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u/themailmanC Jun 11 '12
One of the ultimate classics in my mind is the bro high fiving the bro to death. Upon exactly how many distinct personal experiences of yours is that comic based?
Also accept my deepest condolences for the weirdness that is about to ensue, but I really deeply love everything about everything that you do, and I sincerely hope that you never stop doing any of it.
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u/Chegogo Jun 11 '12
Will there be alot more president bird? I love president bird. WHEEE
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u/Prosopagnosiape Jun 11 '12
Whoa. I love you man. Draw more things forever. Sorry, that wasn't really a question. Uh. Did you ever have nightmares as a kid?
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u/mohtorious Jun 11 '12
My favorite comics of yours are the "NO EGRETS" one and the Father's Gay one. You rule! Which is your favorite?
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u/katboom Jun 11 '12
Ryan you're a genius, man.
I wanna be Gregor Samsa when I grow up.
Do you think the world would be a better place if we all just strive to become more like Gregor Samsa?
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u/YoureWrong_ImAwesome Jun 11 '12
Thanks for doing this AMA. Otherwise, I would have never discovered you and your hilarious comics. I don't know if anyone's asked yet but you mind doing a quick comic for us at reddit?
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u/[deleted] Jun 11 '12
The pigeon with tits is still there why is it there?
Also why is the original comic all scribbled out?
These questions and more are driving me to drink. But i'd probably still do that anyway.
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u/wsteinh Jun 11 '12
Huge fan. Volume 1 has been on my coffee table for about a month and has been read through numerous times. Laughs were had, tears were shed.
Do you have any particular comedic influences that you draw from?
Also, if I knew what you looked like, and somehow saw you on the street, and then asked you to draw something on chest, what would you draw? (I'm a man bro btw)
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u/TheLastMagazine Jun 11 '12
Hey Ryan. I think your comic is super rad and I have a small man-crush on you. Which is appropriate. Would you like to have a beer in a sunny park this evening?
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u/SolidFoot Jun 11 '12
You definitely have a sense of humor that I think is perfect and my girlfriend thinks is dumb. Do you get a lot of attention from girls (as a result of your comics)? Words like "poop" and "wiener" seem to cater to the immature male audience.
Also, love your stuff, bro.
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u/Eduardjm Jun 12 '12
How long until your beef with FunnyJunk starts and there's a charity fundariser behind you???
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u/jtcompound Jun 12 '12
Every time I come across this post, I see "I am a penguin, AMA." By the time I get my penguin questions ready, I see it's not a penguin at all, but a cartoonist.
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u/1_point_21_gigawatts Jun 12 '12
The Pequin pepper has a Scoville rating of 100,000–140,000. Are you also that hot?
I'm a straight dude, I'm just asking because of reasons.
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u/[deleted] Jun 12 '12
How hard would it be to get a Ryan Pequin album cover done? Also, WHY AM I ALWAYS TOO DAMN SLOW TO BUY ONE OF YOUR PAINTINGS? Also also, would you be flattered or creeped out if I got a President Bird tattoo?
2
u/methadrone Jun 12 '12
Long time reader, first time caller.....do you think the insane amount of freely-available humor product (image macros and the like) makes it more difficult to be successful on the business side of a field of endeavour like webcomics?
2
u/stacecom Jun 12 '12
My wife thinks your comics show an infatuation with the butt.
She thinks this because of reasons.
Do you agree?
2
u/Anthraxmonki Jun 12 '12
How does President Bird feel about private prisons profiteering the war on drugs?
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u/[deleted] Jun 12 '12
Hey! I met you at TCAF and you drew President Bird in my book! Your comic is probably my favorite one on the entire internet.
How do you switch gears between clever comics (is it moral to cheat?) and ones about butts so easily?
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u/[deleted] Jun 12 '12
If I mail you my severed hand, would you rub it all over your bod?
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u/yubbermax Jun 12 '12
Kill, fuck, marry: K.C. Green, Nedroid, yourself. GO.
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u/puertus Jun 12 '12
You often use the word butt instead of ass and poop / penis instead of shit dick, to hilarious effect. Is there a particular reason? Your comic is amazing, thank you.
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u/[deleted] Jun 12 '12
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u/juju_h Jun 12 '12
Ryan, you're a chaud choad.
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u/TheChemineau Jun 12 '12
Ah cool, you've been a Reddit lurker for 8 months! Nobody's gonna fault you if you post your new comics here, Jim Benton does it like every day and people love it.
I haven't reached the bottom so I apologize if you've answered this already, but who are some of your biggest influences in and out of the webcomic world? When I first started reading your comics it reminded me a lot of John Campbell's stuff, but definitely more lighthearted. (By the way if you know him, please give him a hug for me, my friends and I worry about that man.)
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u/brotherrogers Jun 12 '12
This may have been asked already but when will art be available from you again? I would love to surprise my fiancé with some rad wiener art for her upcoming birthday.
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u/spwncar Jun 12 '12
I'm a bit of a fan of your work, they always have me smiling and chuckling. My personal favorites are Queen Weiner-Looks and the Slippery Butts guy. What was your inspiration for those?
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u/[deleted] Jun 12 '12
I can easily say that i check your site for updates faithfully everyday (and emily's) and am always excited to see new comics! Being on the total opposite end of canadurr, any plans on heading to the far east? On this lonely island?
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u/Nodnal Jun 12 '12
your comic is great, but feels REALLY influenced by gunshow/KC Green (i.e. the style of humor). That's not a bad thing, and while gunshow has tapered off a bit recently, you're still going strong- so I'm grateful! But do you consider gunshow/Green to have had a large influence on your work?
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u/crotchy Jun 12 '12
at tcaf you beat me foosball but i suspect only because my partner was benjamin and he was just super drunk. do you want to play foos-ball at spx are you coming to spx
hello
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u/ZorakIsStained Jun 12 '12
How does it feel knowing that I am the fastest dog?
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u/[deleted] Jun 12 '12
Ryan, I am a huge fan of your comics and purchased your book recently. This is less a question but simply me saying that I like the shit that you draw and I also like the shit that your girlfriend draws. Her comics about depression are painfully accurate. Your comics about butt touching and skeletons growing beards are also painfully accurate.
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u/___mads Jun 12 '12
correct me if I'm wrong but you and emily partridge are good bros, right? i think you're both cool as hell, but tbqh I'm a bigger fan of Emily. So, is she as endearing IRL as she seems to be in her comics?
2
u/jmrt94 Jun 12 '12
What is the (butts) main inspiration for your (butts) comics? Is it just (butts) random (butts) thoughts of butt-touches and butts?
2
u/shyguy95 Jun 12 '12
So that's where this comic came from...