If there's one thing I've learned about life, it's that you really need to have a sense of humor if you're going to get through it with any sort of grace. Because there are a whole lot of things that are gonna go wrong (like, I don't know, sites being shut down by hackers with backwards agendas), so you might as well just laugh about 'em.
Which is why I love webcomics like Penny Arcade, which inject humor into the world of video games--a place often taken far too seriously. Sure, that game you bought that you were excited about for months turned out to total dog doo--it's suddenly okay if you know someone else went through the same thing, and laughing about it is a hell of a lot better than being bitter about it.
Not that Persona 3 turned out to be one of those games. Quite the contrary. Having received across the board rave reviews from every major gaming site lucky enough to get their hands on a non-delayed copy, it's now Penny Arcade's turn, with a hilarious look at what it must have been like to be a fly on the wall at Atlus' boardroom.
Potent Yet Troubling Imagery [Penny-Arcade]
If anyone saw the Transformers movie and absolutely loved it, then you're not gonna be happy with me. Because I think it sucked. Not just a little bit. I think it was the worst so-called "blockbuster" to come out of Hollywood this summer. The only thing that saved it from utter Pirate Prince opinion annhiliation was the extremeley dreamy Shia Labeouf who has enough charisma and comic timing to make an empty dumpster seem interesting. But I digress...
I'm not alone. VG Cats creator obviously was just as disappointed, and dedicated his latest webcomic to the main problems. First off, there just wasn't enough Transformers action. Most of it was focused on the giant cast of humans, which although often funny, just should not have been as important. Why, Michael Bay, show us extra footage of the kid's parents during the credits? Did I pay good money to see "ma and pa's comedy shtick?" No, I paid to see Transformers change and destroy. As many times as humanly possible. It was also too long, and by the time the big battle came around at the end, I was pretty much bored with slow motion shots of the porny love interest girl and ready to leave (and use the urinal).
Check it out: VG Cats #236 Darkest Hour. And be warned--if you haven't seen it, spoilers abound.
Seriously, funniest VG Cats in awhile. Not that it's ever not funny, just sometimes a little... obscure? While obsessing over all the breaking news coming out of E3, take a break to laugh your pants off. I mean, sure, Mario Kart Wii and Super Mario Galaxy makes me feel like a kid again and super happy that I own a Wii (considering that reported shortage). And Metal Gear Solid 4 makes me feel all gitchy inside and hoping that that 360 rumor turns out to be true. Mostly E3 has just made me feel very sure that I have a mustache fetish.
But I digress... if you need a break from all that gaming stress, take a moment to laugh at this. I swear that this actually happened to me one night while standing in line for some good mall food after spending a weekend up in the mountains and swimming in rivers full of fish poop. Actually, if it had, I'd probably still be in quarantine.
VG Cats #235: Worms
The first time I saw David Hasselhoff stuffing a burger into his face, as drunk as the human body can get before total shutdown (believe me, I've been there--at least that's what people tell me, my youth is a bit hazy) I laughed, thinking smugly to myself: "How far the mighty Baywatchie has fallen!" Then I watched it again and felt kind of disturbed, remembering the time I jumped into a disgusting city lake after one too many vodkas and cut my feet on shards of mystery glass, made a solemn to never get drunk again. Then I discovered his daughter posted it, and I just felt really, really sad.
But VG Cats has made it funny again! Yahoo! Conscience cleared. Seriously a hilarious spoof, and proof yet again that I will get every reference Mr. Ramsoomair throws at me. Check it out, and wash your guilt away with the safety of the very cute 2nd dimension. Besides, it's about procrastination, right?
#234: Humiliation Tube [VG Cats]
I swear Scott Ramsoomair and I were separated at birth--our interests appear to be far too much on the same page. Lucky for everyone I'm just a big nerd while he uses his immense artistic talent and has the willpower to be quite prolific. It seems like every time I become obsessed with something I find it on the pages of his much-loved webcomic VGCats within days.
Having just read the most recent VIZ release of Deathnote (Volume 11) and eagerly anticipating the final volume in a few months, I was tickled pink to find a reference in the latest chapter of VGCats. If you've never heard of Deathnote and don't really get the above-linked comic, do yourself a favor and pick up the first volume of the great manga at your nearest distributor of Japanese comic addiction. You won't be sorry... unless you're not into gods of death amid battles of wit and sexy hair. And really, who isn't?
VGCats #230: Judgmental
I'll have to admit, the first time I read the latest VG Cats, I was completely at a loss. Who were these worms, and what's with the big guys? Regardless, it was just twisted and morbid enough for me to find it hilarious, which I blame entirely on growing up watching Ren & Stimpy cartoons. Over and over and over.
If you're like me and have never seen much more than a screenshot of Viva Pinata, then you're gonna need to read the little backstory Clif Notes on the main page. Regardless, I think we just discovered the next Pixar project. Doesn't every great story start out with the hero's parents brutally murdered and then fed to him/her? Or is that too much Ren & Stimpy talking again?
VGCats #227: Family Matters.
Back in September we brought you the news that Gaygamer would be getting a webcomic. Well, here we are six months later and everything is finally starting to come together. With story and dialogue by Tiny Dancer and yours Brutley and jaw droppingly gorgeous art by the incredible Martegod, look for the first episode to land on your computer screen in the next few weeks, Until then, we will tease you with some of Martegod's fantastic art to get you in the mood...
Excelsior! Here it is, the news you’ve all been waiting for!
We were fortunate enough to find the uber-talented Martegod back when we had our Magnetica haiku contest and Alexander ran a short article on him. I am pleased to announce that we now have him in our clutches to draw an original webcomic exclusively for GayGamer with scripts written by the staff. These are our two main characters, Zev and Deimos and yes, they are boyfriends! That’s all I can reveal to you for now, but more to come as we get closer to the launch date. Until then, enjoy Martegod’s amazing work!
(Launch Date TBA)
