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1. Calvin and Hobbes
Believe it or not, this is where it all started. I was greatly inspired by the awesome imagination of the Calvin character and all the madness he got himself into through his thoughts. His alter ego “Spaceman Spiff” was the main muse for my first fictional character, “STX”. MAN, that was a while back! I still consider it to be one of the greatest comic strips ever written.
2. Peanuts
Of COURSE, I had to include this! Almost all cartoon centered on children owe debt to this strip in one way or another. Whether it be “Hey Arnold!” or “Fairly Oddparents” or “Doug” or even “Rugrats”, you will see the ripples of this work through it in some shape, form, or fashion. The romance stories are always really cute as well. And yes, it’s okay for a straight guy to say that romance is “cute”.
3. C.S. Lewis
For my money, he’s the best author of the 20th century. Both his fiction and non-fiction works top my lists of favorites. My all time favorite would have to be “The Screwtape Letters”, but others would include “The Four Loves”, “The Chronicles of Narnia”, “The Abolition of Man”, and “Mere Christianity”. Seriously check this guy out. You’ll be glad you did.
4. Team Ico
This company has put two of my all time favorite games, “Shadow of the Colossus” and “ICO”. This team has shown itself to be a master of minimalism. The charm of the character’s body language, the sun-soaked environments, the utter loneliness brought on the player by the huge architecture and enemies, and the unforgettable characters make for a gaming experience unlike any other. The music’s pretty awesome too. If you have a PS2, check them out!
5. Digimon
This is one of the few Saturday morning animes I watched that I can sincerely say has aged quite gracefully. I could take it seriously because it took the audience seriously. While Ash and his retard brigade were running around trying to win badges in super-powered cockfights, the Digidestined were actually doing something meaningful with their lives, like SAVING THE WORLD. My personal favorite series would have to be the third one, “Digimon Tamers”. It was like “The Matrix” meets “The Dark Knight” meets “Ghostbusters”. AWESOME. They really should have stopped after that. The fourth season was forgettable and the fifth should have been killed with fire.
6. Samurai Jack
Like him or hate him, Genndy Tartakovsky is a TV animation legend; and “Samurai Jack” is certainly his magnum opus. Keep an eye out for “Sym-Bionic Titan”! Anyway, this show resonates on all levels. Even though it’s a direct rip-off from Frank Miller’s “Ronin”, it still has an original charm all of its own. The silent progression, the deep and complex storylines, the epic battles, and unique art direction all make for near-perfect cartoon bliss. Oftentimes, I marveled at how they were able to cram so much story into 30 minutes. Why didn’t they finish the series???
7. Bleedman
I know this may seem cheap, but Bleedman pretty much reminded me why I love cartoons so much. He’s done an amazing job of staying true to the original while being original himself. His unique style has many imitators, but no duplicators. Also, the brilliant way of having these classic characters interact will keep a man reading on.
8. Devil May Cry
Yes, the games have been disappointing lately. Yes, the story is lame. Yes, the dialogue is corny beyond redemption. Yes, the only good element to the gameplay is the combat system. Despite all that, Devil May Cry is a fond gaming memory of mine. Dante is awesome, though Nero is much more awesome. The huge, gothic environments of the first game instantly caught my eye, and the fights scenes are just as much fun to watch as they are to play. Great stuff here.
9. Batman
Come now, do you really think I could pass this up? After my love for Spiderman was completely eradicated by the third Sam Raimi film, Chris Nolan brought his awesome sauce to the plate and made Batman even more awesome. “The Brave and the Bold” can die in a fire, but Batman will always resonate as my favorite comic hero. My favorite film is, of course, “The Dark Knight”, my favorite animated series was “Batman Beyond” and my favorite graphic novels would be “The Dark Knight Returns” and “The Long Halloween”.
10. Jhonen Vasquez
This guy’s the definition of a “mad genius”. At first glance, it seems like the guy’s just fooling around. Once you start reading, it becomes clear that he actually has something meaningful to say in the midst of his supposed madness. His satirical wit on the subject of society and education cuts to the bone and makes you feel it, whether you want to or not. His hit cartoon, “Invader Zim” also has much to deliver on these fronts. I’d strongly suggest “Johnny the Homicidal Maniac” and “Squee” for your reading pleasure.
11. Fatal Frame
This remains to be the best survival horror game series ever made for my money. The second game, “Crimson Butterfly” is the best of the series, so start there. Everything about this game works together. The fear factor is escalated by the fact you’re your characters are nothing more than waifish Japanese children with a sixth sense, the moody music does an excellent job at sending chills down your spine as you slowly trek through the environments, the spirits (both docile and hostile) pop out from the least expected places no matter how many times you play the game, the story of souls long lost to the past are spread out through crudely written journals giving you the challenge of putting the story together, the obviously haunted locales of this ancient village almost seem alive and actually change while you are trying to escape this horrid nightmare, and all the while, your only defense against these supernatural threats is a beaten up old camera. You’ll quickly realize that the most valuable thing in the game is the exit door and you’re a complete wuss who can’t play this game with the lights off. Good times.
12. Crime Drama
What is it about criminals that make their livelihood so fun to read and watch? Maybe it’s the lesson learned from those who failed the task of redemption. Maybe it’s the suspense of what act of revenge is about to befall these crooks. Maybe it’s the unorthodox way of presenting the lawmen. Maybe it’s just how awesome the characters look in those thousand-dollar tailored Italian suits. Whatever it is, crime drama is one of my favorite story genres, so long as it’s done well. Favorite titles: “The Godfather”, “Goodfellas”, "The Departed", and “Inception”.
13. Apple Geeks
[link] It’s really the art style of this webcomic that catches my eye. It mixes techno/cyber punk art with modern graffiti-style street art together in a way not soon missed. And the use of Photoshop filters is always in good taste. At least, that’s how the earlier comics were. Now, they seem to be lacking that original charm. Oh well, it was fine while it lasted. Check it out!
14. The Bible
Last, but definitely not least, is the glory of the Divine Record. Honestly, the Scripture is so full of artistic inspiration, that it’s uncanny how the ideas have been missed. One of my personal goals is to produce a short film series based on the Book of Judges, as well as a recount of the Gospel story. In all honesty, the elements of Drama and Irony find their origin in the Scriptures. The key defining element to Drama is Redemption, and Redemption is the entire message of God – righting that which has been wronged. And if there is one thing I have learned from reading the Scripture is that God certainly does have a sense of humor, and Irony is His favorite type of comedy. Read the stories of just about every major figure in the Bible (Moses, Gideon, King David, Jeremiah, Paul, and even Jesus Himself) and you’ll see what I mean.
Original template:
[link]
Believe it or not, this is where it all started. I was greatly inspired by the awesome imagination of the Calvin character and all the madness he got himself into through his thoughts. His alter ego “Spaceman Spiff” was the main muse for my first fictional character, “STX”. MAN, that was a while back! I still consider it to be one of the greatest comic strips ever written.
2. Peanuts
Of COURSE, I had to include this! Almost all cartoon centered on children owe debt to this strip in one way or another. Whether it be “Hey Arnold!” or “Fairly Oddparents” or “Doug” or even “Rugrats”, you will see the ripples of this work through it in some shape, form, or fashion. The romance stories are always really cute as well. And yes, it’s okay for a straight guy to say that romance is “cute”.
3. C.S. Lewis
For my money, he’s the best author of the 20th century. Both his fiction and non-fiction works top my lists of favorites. My all time favorite would have to be “The Screwtape Letters”, but others would include “The Four Loves”, “The Chronicles of Narnia”, “The Abolition of Man”, and “Mere Christianity”. Seriously check this guy out. You’ll be glad you did.
4. Team Ico
This company has put two of my all time favorite games, “Shadow of the Colossus” and “ICO”. This team has shown itself to be a master of minimalism. The charm of the character’s body language, the sun-soaked environments, the utter loneliness brought on the player by the huge architecture and enemies, and the unforgettable characters make for a gaming experience unlike any other. The music’s pretty awesome too. If you have a PS2, check them out!
5. Digimon
This is one of the few Saturday morning animes I watched that I can sincerely say has aged quite gracefully. I could take it seriously because it took the audience seriously. While Ash and his retard brigade were running around trying to win badges in super-powered cockfights, the Digidestined were actually doing something meaningful with their lives, like SAVING THE WORLD. My personal favorite series would have to be the third one, “Digimon Tamers”. It was like “The Matrix” meets “The Dark Knight” meets “Ghostbusters”. AWESOME. They really should have stopped after that. The fourth season was forgettable and the fifth should have been killed with fire.
6. Samurai Jack
Like him or hate him, Genndy Tartakovsky is a TV animation legend; and “Samurai Jack” is certainly his magnum opus. Keep an eye out for “Sym-Bionic Titan”! Anyway, this show resonates on all levels. Even though it’s a direct rip-off from Frank Miller’s “Ronin”, it still has an original charm all of its own. The silent progression, the deep and complex storylines, the epic battles, and unique art direction all make for near-perfect cartoon bliss. Oftentimes, I marveled at how they were able to cram so much story into 30 minutes. Why didn’t they finish the series???
7. Bleedman
I know this may seem cheap, but Bleedman pretty much reminded me why I love cartoons so much. He’s done an amazing job of staying true to the original while being original himself. His unique style has many imitators, but no duplicators. Also, the brilliant way of having these classic characters interact will keep a man reading on. 8. Devil May Cry
Yes, the games have been disappointing lately. Yes, the story is lame. Yes, the dialogue is corny beyond redemption. Yes, the only good element to the gameplay is the combat system. Despite all that, Devil May Cry is a fond gaming memory of mine. Dante is awesome, though Nero is much more awesome. The huge, gothic environments of the first game instantly caught my eye, and the fights scenes are just as much fun to watch as they are to play. Great stuff here.
9. Batman
Come now, do you really think I could pass this up? After my love for Spiderman was completely eradicated by the third Sam Raimi film, Chris Nolan brought his awesome sauce to the plate and made Batman even more awesome. “The Brave and the Bold” can die in a fire, but Batman will always resonate as my favorite comic hero. My favorite film is, of course, “The Dark Knight”, my favorite animated series was “Batman Beyond” and my favorite graphic novels would be “The Dark Knight Returns” and “The Long Halloween”.
10. Jhonen Vasquez
This guy’s the definition of a “mad genius”. At first glance, it seems like the guy’s just fooling around. Once you start reading, it becomes clear that he actually has something meaningful to say in the midst of his supposed madness. His satirical wit on the subject of society and education cuts to the bone and makes you feel it, whether you want to or not. His hit cartoon, “Invader Zim” also has much to deliver on these fronts. I’d strongly suggest “Johnny the Homicidal Maniac” and “Squee” for your reading pleasure.
11. Fatal Frame
This remains to be the best survival horror game series ever made for my money. The second game, “Crimson Butterfly” is the best of the series, so start there. Everything about this game works together. The fear factor is escalated by the fact you’re your characters are nothing more than waifish Japanese children with a sixth sense, the moody music does an excellent job at sending chills down your spine as you slowly trek through the environments, the spirits (both docile and hostile) pop out from the least expected places no matter how many times you play the game, the story of souls long lost to the past are spread out through crudely written journals giving you the challenge of putting the story together, the obviously haunted locales of this ancient village almost seem alive and actually change while you are trying to escape this horrid nightmare, and all the while, your only defense against these supernatural threats is a beaten up old camera. You’ll quickly realize that the most valuable thing in the game is the exit door and you’re a complete wuss who can’t play this game with the lights off. Good times.
12. Crime Drama
What is it about criminals that make their livelihood so fun to read and watch? Maybe it’s the lesson learned from those who failed the task of redemption. Maybe it’s the suspense of what act of revenge is about to befall these crooks. Maybe it’s the unorthodox way of presenting the lawmen. Maybe it’s just how awesome the characters look in those thousand-dollar tailored Italian suits. Whatever it is, crime drama is one of my favorite story genres, so long as it’s done well. Favorite titles: “The Godfather”, “Goodfellas”, "The Departed", and “Inception”.
13. Apple Geeks
[link] It’s really the art style of this webcomic that catches my eye. It mixes techno/cyber punk art with modern graffiti-style street art together in a way not soon missed. And the use of Photoshop filters is always in good taste. At least, that’s how the earlier comics were. Now, they seem to be lacking that original charm. Oh well, it was fine while it lasted. Check it out!
14. The Bible
Last, but definitely not least, is the glory of the Divine Record. Honestly, the Scripture is so full of artistic inspiration, that it’s uncanny how the ideas have been missed. One of my personal goals is to produce a short film series based on the Book of Judges, as well as a recount of the Gospel story. In all honesty, the elements of Drama and Irony find their origin in the Scriptures. The key defining element to Drama is Redemption, and Redemption is the entire message of God – righting that which has been wronged. And if there is one thing I have learned from reading the Scripture is that God certainly does have a sense of humor, and Irony is His favorite type of comedy. Read the stories of just about every major figure in the Bible (Moses, Gideon, King David, Jeremiah, Paul, and even Jesus Himself) and you’ll see what I mean.
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I share a lot of the same inspiration here exchange a few (apple geeks, crime drama, and ico) for craig mc. cracken, mc. escher., house pets, miyazaki, mirukami, and Shigeru Miyamoto, and we're the same person! Jhonen Vasquez Rules!
I share a lot of the same inspiration here exchange a few (apple geeks, crime drama, and ico) for craig mc. cracken, mc. escher., house pets, miyazaki, mirukami, and Shigeru Miyamoto, and we're the same person! Jhonen Vasquez Rules!