Fun_MovieNight

I didn't go home for Spring Break, and this has been the best Spring Break ever...coincidence?

Easter Eggs: Z(ero) E(thos) Boy.

At school, I've got full access to a scanner, tons of deskspace, and best of all, a computer lab with Photoshop! So I finally got to just sit down and go with it:

The COLORS, Duke, the colors!
Fun Facts: I used the Joker and Harley's color schemes.

Man, I was so excited to finally try out colors over break! I know it's rough, but I can now move around Photoshop much better than before. Pretty neat! I never want to abandon traditional techniques, but I do plan on using some light Photoshopping here and there on some upcoming stuff.

Reuxben

Fun_ExtraTobacco

I started drawing this up New Year's Day, and after a hiatus, completed it just a few minutes ago.

So I couldn't decide what to write for this piece, but I will say that every time I let my mind get to ambling, I just start cracking up like an idiot.

Anyways, I suuuure wish the Yale Herald had a scanner. If only there was someone on staff who could help...

Reuxben

Fun_HeartSora

This took five or six years to complete. My first, likely last, truly best friend asked me to draw him Sora back in high school in Northern California. After many meh efforts I finally gave up, he understood. That's the only clear memory I can think of us interacting during high school; our friendship had been fizzling since fifth grade.

Cut to my final summer before Yale. I was back in NorCal and thought, if I see him again, I'll surprise him with the drawing for old time's sake. Well, I draw in waves (rough shapes; then super light pencils; then darker, cleaner pencils; inks; clean-up and re-inks/colors) so I lightly drew this up before chickening out of pursuing a reunion.

A few months ago, I found this guy in a binder and set him to be completed. Cut to a few days ago, I decide to darken the pencils without warming up and without the reference art; if that's how I drew it years ago, that's what I wanted. After darkening, I thought I might as well shade it. 5+ years' work done.

So this goes out to you, the only one I could really call my best friend. I haven't seen you in years, have only heard from you now and then, but you've never been replaced. I guess we're still friends like old rock stars are "legends;" the title sticks out of respect, but its only ever greatest hits albums now.

And sorry for that kindergarten thing; I still hate to think about it.

Thanks for everything,

Reuxben

Penny_Rex

I drew this Penny Dreadful cover a while ago. They also used it for interiors.

Easter Eggs: The upturned earth indicates a bottomless pit.

Fun Facts: This was drawn to accompany art for a canceled story I had illustrated the previous semester; the revived story had not been merely tweaked but rather completely redone, so now both pieces are now only loosely related to the story, unfortunately.

The dog, the boy, and the pit have nearly nothing to do with the story now, but you should have read the original story, it rocked.

Also, this could be one of the pieces that caught that publisher's interest! We'll see what happens there.

Reuxben

Record_Babies

The Yale Record's Old Blue issue finally came out...so much for that monthly release schedule. And why did they release it right before Spring Break? The stack at JE is basically untouched and gathering dust, and I'm sure the same is true at other colleges.

Anyway, here's babies. I even got a written piece in as a caption, although they changed all but the spirit of it, like going from "women and minorities" to "womenfolk." Is that funnier? I dunno.

I was weirded out for a while because the Record was funny and the Crayon wasn't, but they may both be settling back to normal. On the plus side to the Crayon, since Benji graduated, the talent is now distributed amongst several strong players, with only one real outstanding Crayon in the Silliman freshman, but the JE sophomores play excellently together.

Also: while working at CT Hall last night, I met a Zero Like Me fan! Freaking yeah, man, IRONY ACHIEVED! That's got to be my favorite title I've ever come up with, I love it. Can you even count how many meanings are packed into those three little words? I love it, man.

Reuxben

Fun_SpaceBattle

I had a pretty eventful Spring Break kick-off weekend: a basketball game and a rock show.

Friday Yale nuked Dartmouth, and my old suitemate even did what I believe is called a "breakaway" (twice), one of which ended in a dramatic dunk (The crowd, guy at left, included, went nuts). I usually get incredibly nervous when he gets the ball, partly because he himself looks quite nervous, but he's certainly improved.

Saturday was the season closer for basketball, vs. Harvard, but I had pledged to support The Sandy Gill Affair at The Space's Battle of the Bands. I discovered I was on my very last page, so no better way to close out a sketchpad than with rock-inspired art.

So here's a gallery of the night's competitors.

Up first was Twas Windmills.

I thought I might as well tag on a little score next to each band along with brief comments, so here's what I wrote for these guys in my sketchpad:

"Excellent guitars, weak vocals"

4/5

Dying to Live

This duo was comprised of neophytes giving it a go, so hats off for getting up there, which is always worth congratulations.

1/5

NoG Jam

"Insane guitars and vocals."

These guys really got the crowd going, and the lead singer's often bored persona was in perfect contrast to the electrifying music.

The lead singer even stopped by to check out the sketches, pretty neat, nice guy.

These guys should have won...asterisk.

5/5

The Sandy Gill Affair

"Bluzzy vocals"

I know what they're capable of, but their vocals, which should have been a selling point, killed them for me.

You can have high energy without blasting--I could enjoy Novus Dae's music and vocals, screaming included, because they controlled their sound so well that nothing buried anything else. TSGA just jolts right up to eleven, not just musically: they start jumping around right off the bat. Build up. Establish ethos before going nuts. Once it's understood you're great and don't care, then go crazy.

One of your strongest weapons is your lyrics, but the vocals are always so utterly lost amid the blaring music, to the point where sometimes you wonder if there are even vocals buried underneath it all!

On the slower sections of say "Mothers and Lovers" (?), the vocals shine, but it really helps to lure us in even during the medium to faster parts. The vocals are always robbed: seek the clarity of NoG Jam: fast and heavy at times, but both music and vocals share the stage evenly without one obliterating the other. I'm rooting for you guys, but tape yourself and study your live performances in comparison to other bands.

I went to a My Chemical Romance concert last year and it was incredibly difficult to follow what they were blaring out, but they had the entirety of Madison Square Garden singing right along because their songs are already etched into our brains. When a band is starting out, they don't get that kind of leniency.

4/5

Mike Falzone and the Peppermint Trick

"Beautiful songs but fuzzy vocals, cleaner than TSGA"

I saw this dude in a cool military jacket, and I'm like, I'm going to draw that guy! As soon as I get to his shirt, he discards the jacket...thanks. Anyway, these guys were great, especially Mr. Falzone's infectious laugh, but I did enjoy NoG Jam more.

The group won the audience draw spot, a bye which I don't believe is fair. Theoretically, Dying to Live could just pack their local high school buds and their families into a caravan and earned a spot. It makes sense for the venue, since fannies in the seats means more money, but artistically, I disagree.

4/5

Ambrosia

"Mostly merely presentable, nice guitars though"

These guys had some obnoxious fans, man. Another downside to the audience draw award: if you bring a bunch of people, vying solely for that bye to the next round, will they show equal respect to all the acts?

Ambrosia had the look of a real emo band, but the music couldn't back it up, unfortunately. The guitars were alright, but the vocals were pretty weak, and overall they just weren't too engaging.

3/5

Novus Dae

"Pro quality...last song sounds like Radwimps"

The great asterisk of the competition. My comments were scarce because these guys were so obscenely good, I was speechless, textless, and almost sketchless.

The only weird thing was that their last song sounded a bit (coincidentally, I'm sure) like this song's chorus by the Radwimps.

But in any case, it felt like these guys were way too good to be in this competition, so while no one questions their winning the critics' choice award, I do question their entrance; these guys should easily be touring the country right now.

5/5

So assuming Novus Dae didn't enter, the top two were easily NoG Jam and either Mike Falzone and the Peppermint Trick or The Sandy Gill Affair. All in all a great show. And Harvard beat us, so the rockshow was definitely the better place to be.

And my sketches even got a few visits from people. One guy asked if I was a pro. Haha! I have been paid a few times for my work, actually, but I'm still as new at this as most of these bands are at their craft. But nothing beats drawing to great rock music.

Reuxben

Herald_mc.MatchUp

Last Crash: Smalltown girl Bee Farnam gets contracted to work on a rooftop.

Get scary and scream about it.

Monsta Crash #8: MatchUp
Next Comic: Here
Previous Comic: Here
First Comic: Here

Easter Eggs: Crash 8 in panel 1.

Fun Facts: A "Monsta Crasher" slays monstas. Monsta design inspired by Endling, Chamba, and even me! I was sharper for splitting up drawing over three days rather than one exhausting 13 hour marathon to meet the earlier Spring Break deadline. Layout was especially fun and experimental.

Also, I was wondering what ever happened to my professor's feedback on Blue Type, but the critiqued script arrived yesterday! I have very little confidence in my writing but he really liked it! Now I want to draw it up.

Reuxben

YDN_zlm.Somewhere

Reason will not pledge a solution, I will end up lost in confusion, I don't care if you really care, as long as you don't go.

[UPDATE: Final art is up top]
Zero Like Me #15: Somewhere
<- Previous Comic...Next Comic ->
-First Comic-
Easter Eggs: "Yale" in panel 3. Lovefool.

Fun Facts: This's the very second Zero Like Me I ever drew. To preserve real Yale settings, the more romantic grassy hill lost out to a JE rooftop.

This is what the original looked like:

I'd been saving this comic for when it finally cleared enough to relax outside at night, but drew it right before the snow returned; midterms precluded drawing an replacement. On the bright side, I'm now officially a YDN staff comicser.

As I often mumble to myself, I'd rather be miserable here at Yale than be anywhere else in the world; honestly, I love it here and cannot fathom leaving. So, I don't have time to respond to last week's comment right now, but in a nutshell: I'm basically terrified of each and every single JE-related person, but am grateful for your anonymous support.

Thank you as always,

Reuxben

YDN_sls.Lifosuction

Shut the garage door and rev the engine, it's Sick Little Suicide #6 - "Lifosuction," in which I rush and hope it's relevant.

Easter Eggs: None really; a little heart..."Yale" is already in the paper.

Fun Facts: "Preggers" was used simply because it's shorter than "Pregnancy." I usually research hairstyles and clothing, but no time for that this time.

I sprinted to get this one done asap because I'm swamped, but need to respond to a Wednesday article, plus I need to feel like I deserve to be at the President's YDN-Herald supper tonight. You have to put on your thinking cap a bit for this piece, and I'll admit it's not my strongest YDN art, but heck, man, at least I wasn't the one hogging the YDN scanner Sunday night. Teehee.

Magneto and Professor X, remember?

Reuxben

Herald_mc.FancyElevator

Last Crash: Smalltown girl Bee Farnam gets whisked away.

Grids gone wild.

Monsta Crash #7: FancyElevator
Next Comic: Here
Previous Comic: Here
First Comic: Here

Easter Eggs: Bruce Wayne's W, Crash 7 in panel 3, Rufio, and 1955.

Fun Facts: I knew I wanted a character named Howell, I didn't know he'd smoke, but maybe it's a lollipop. He's based on Roger Smith and he who lets an awesome name go to waste.

Sometimes I want to quit. That's the worst part.

Reuxben

YDN_zlm.Colleges

It's not biting the hand that feeds you if you eat at Commons.

Zero Like Me #14: Colleges
<- Previous Comic...Next Comic ->
-First Comic-
Easter Eggs: A carving between the lovely Hallers in panel 1. "Yale" in panel 4. Zero Ethos. Farnam B.
Fun Facts: This is a revamp of the very first Zero Like Me I ever drew, part of last September's YDN audition. Also, in one of my very first classes at Yale (taught by who would later become Morse's Dean), we studied ethos.

I like that the only way for a Morsel to take offense to this comic is to admit that Morse does suck. If taken as a compliment, well...alrighty then. I'd just love to see the looks on kids' faces when they get their Yale acceptance letter juxtaposed with their expressions when they learn they're in Morse or Stiles! JE sucks, but it could be a lot worse: I could live in a dirt clod at Yale's outskirts.

So from last week, while I'm flattered and humbled you like what I do, please understand: I don't draw for JE's sake, I do it for mine (aside--we both ignore Xs: you from my name, me from JE's motto). It hurts that you'd implicitly claim my artwork as a point for JE. I only jokingly submit things to JE anymore to avoid emotional investment, but nothing I do is for JE. I sincerely wish it wasn't so, but I feel disowned by JE, so in general I don't have any pride for, personal investment in, or giri to the college.

...Unless I get arrested or something, in which case, it's all for JE's credit--brag away!

Reuxben

Fun_ExitPurpleRichRifle

This past weekend was actually pretty exciting. I had planned on staying in and contemplating where my life went wrong. But there were a whole four things to get to: the Ex!t Players' show, the Crayon's show, the Miron concert, and then the 90s music event.

First, I'm no Ex!t fan. They seem to think they're the best improv at Yale, and maybe they are since Benji graduated, but come on, charging $2? Benji alone made Crayon shows worth charging, yet they were always free for some reason. So I went to the Ex!t show (see a player at left) just to make sure, and yeah, their only memorable event is still just "Jeopardy!"

And while I still crack up over tons of old Crayon sketches, some years old even, the only Ex!t thing that sticks out is last year Mr. Litt (as Babe the Blue Ox) picking a Jeopardy! category: "I'll take ox that are not blue, for how I pity them."

So after Friday's Ex!t show, I went to the Crayon's Saturday show, which they voiced in complete darkness.

Extra cool that they picked my suggestion, "Pokemon," for their theme, and I got a sad dose of joy in correcting their errors under my breath.

...Machop evolve into Machoke, not Machamp...

I saw Benji at an Ex!t show last year and since have always wondered what goes through his head when he watches others improv, especially Ex!t.

Anyway, after that, I blitzed over to TD in time to catch Richard Miron (at right, during the Ex!t show) and Oliver Hill play an incredible set. It was actually emotionally moving stuff, but the audience was a bunch of drunks who wouldn't shut up.

If you're at a concert, you should be there to listen to the music; if you're going to talk, just get out--the door was like five steps away.

But these guys were definitely the best.

The TD venue had some weird chairs. Including a giant dodgeball.

The second band was pretty good, but I could have done without the Christopher Reeve joke.

...as well as the aimless between-song chatter student bands are contractually obligated to make.

I met the guy at right in Japan and had no idea he was in Rifle! Pretty neat.

I really tried to like the band, but I just couldn't get into it and left early.

They sound-checked a Weezer song, so I may have missed out, but I mean, they just blasted their music, the room was tiny to start with, and my sketches weren't coming out too nice anyway.

At left is an audience member who has got the exact hairstyle I've been trying to capture for some time now.

So on the way back from TD, I stopped by the 90s music dance party.

They'd finished all the good tunes already.

Last year's was ridiculous.

Reminded me of Freshman Year.

Reuxben

Fun_1321BlastOff

A bonus drawing because today is Saturday, February 21st.

Easter Eggs: Question Yale and "Zero" in Japanese.

Fun Facts: I don't drink but I'm going to the Crayon's BAT show tonight plus hopefully the TD concert, so that's kinda like a party.

I don't usually remember what happens on these days, but last year's as well as 8th grade's always stick out. Last year I had a Herald comic, classes, and a paper to marathon. In eighth grade, my dad forgot to pick me up from school, so I waited in the parking lot for a couple of hours.

I'm celebrating 13 Zero Like Me's.

Reuxben

Herald_mc.BigDaddy

Last Crash: Smalltown girl Bee Farnam gets free duds.

Be brash funny and twirl your 'stache, sonny; get cash money and get that crash honey.

Monsta Crash #6: BigDaddy
Next Comic: Here
Previous Comic: Here
First Comic: Here

Easter Eggs: Crash 6 in panel 4. Great Caesar and the GoGetters, the Cure, RADWIMPS, Maximum the Hormone, Batman's Lamborghini (says Google), jack kelly.

Fun Facts: I'd been striving to work "big daddy" into the script ever since I saw it dropped casually by Harland Williams.

So now we know where "Crash" comes from...now we need some monstas.

Reuxben

YDN_zlm.Celebrate

If you didn't want a party, why did you tell her your birthday?

Zero Like Me #13: Celebrate
<- Previous Comic...Next Comic ->
-First Comic-
Easter Eggs: "Yale" in panel 2. JE's wind thingy gets pwned.

Fun Facts: The punchline is inspired by a Yalie I saw at a Master's Tea last year.

Also: my editor said he liked this one. What is his name? Reed. When did I start at the YDN? Junior year. Where else do I draw? The Record. Remind you of anyone?

So all you JE-lovers need to tune in next week; I've got to set you straight.

Reuxben

YDN_sls.Fiona

Find a juicy, juicy vein, it's Sick Little Suicide #5 - "Fiona," in which at one point I actually had to Google search for pictures of bongs.

Easter Eggs: "Yale" and "Hope" along his hair. Majin Buu's "M" in "SMOKE."

Fun Facts: I studied Windsor McCay for smoke technique; that man is amazing.

Frankly: If you smoke in my face, I want to smash a brick through your skull...BUT histrionics aside, it really does hurt to see pleasant people smoke.

With that in mind, this one goes out to:

Mr. Obama
Mr. Suarez
Gerard
Scott
Theo
Kira
Kai
Anyone else who smokes.
Please quit, not for anyone but yourself. It's 2009 and you have no excuse to have started smoking anyway. Except maybe for Gerard...but not really.

Reuxben

Herald_mc.TheCure

Last Crash: Smalltown girl Bee Farnam teams up with Peepi the country sprite.

Emo kids, man, I'm telling you.

Monsta Crash #5: TheCure
Next Comic: Here
Previous Comic: Here
First Comic: Here

Easter Eggs: Emo182, ma[kishimamu za horumanu], The Sandy Gill Affair, The Cure, four-star dragonball, guffinium, RADWIMPS. Crash 5 in panel 5.

Fun Facts: Robert's hair and name are from the Cure's Robert Smith, but is otherwise modeled after another rocker Smith. A theme by the Cure helped inspire this series.

This one was fun because of all the Easter Eggs. AND it's even Valentines-y, too.

ALSO: Check out Yoonjoo's recently launched page as well as Yale Herald Comics Online.

Reuxben

YDN_zlm.Homework

Gotta hit those books...

Zero Like Me #12: Homework
<- Previous Comic...Next Comic ->
-First Comic-
Easter Eggs: "Yale" in panel 1. Three heartbreaking things in panel 4.

Fun Facts: Today's setting, the Old Campus High Street gate, is actually under construction currently, but I omitted it, unlike the JE construction. I met a TD '79 on an airplane once, and he said his suite got nicknamed the "Heartbreak Hotel" because they each got dumped and some got suicidal.

So this is the 12th comic and we only need 6 comics to qualify for staff...yet I've got to wait until #15...

Don't hold your breath to hold hands on Valentine's Day,

Reuxben

YDN_sls.miNOrPRESSURE

The economy's bad, Commons never has any clean cutlery, and I have two papers due this week--time for a Sick Little Suicide. This fourth one's about minors and the women who love them.

Easter Eggs: Lou Grant, "Yale," and "FOB."

Fun Facts: It's a minor miner symbolizing a minor, get it? I'm so funny!

So...I personally hate it when people say XYZ was "so good." You go to Yale, can you seriously not come up with a better description? At least dress it up: that was "so incredible." Something. And stop saying "um" like it's an actual word--I'm talking to you, editors of any Yale publication ever. Ummm....I also hate the 70s, but dang, Mary Tyler Moore was an incredible show, from the few episodes I've seen.

Ok, well, if you have an issue you'd like me to suicide, do feel free to gmail "reuxbenart" or something.

Reuxben

Herald_mc.LittlePeepi

Last Crash: Smalltown girl Bee Farnam's mugger gets trounced by a country sprite.

Yeah. (Oh yeah) Ultra Peepi...

Monsta Crash #4: LittlePeepi
Next Comic: Here
Previous Comic: Here
First Comic: Here

Easter Eggs: Crash 4 n panel 3. Jetta. "Yale" and Emo182 in the last panel.

Fun Facts: I don't know anything about cars, but I do enjoy driving the Jetta. Also, I don't want to say he lied, but as I cowered in a corner at one of the new admit receptions in my last pre-college summer, my Yale interviewer said not to worry, that everyone meets their kindred spirit at Yale...

And back in black (and yellow) the devious jack kelly returns, promising a double shot every time he's up this semester...ugh.

First up is "jolly good."

I'm telling you, he has something against British people...what a jerk.

He also spews forth more bigotry in "benny lava."

I'd love to see you pee on him tonight.

In other news, I'm again applying for a scholarship, entering these five quite diverse picks (never really realized how many hats I wear):

Pooping
Bully
concentration
Eve
Somewhere

I hope something comes of this.

Reuxben

YDN_zlm.Please

I am whatever you say I am. If I wasn't then why would I say I am?

In the paper, the news, every day I am.

YDN won't even play my jams.

So let's play Spot-the-Difference instead!

That's better.

Zero Like Me #11: Please
<- Previous Comic...Next Comic ->
-First Comic-

Easter Eggs: "Yale" in panel 2. "West Coast Kid" brand in panel 4.

Fun Facts: I didn't think the editors would get this, but apparently they did and made me change it...sigh. At least that says something about the attention span of YDN editors versus Herald editors (as long as you don't mention anorexia, you're solid). In any case, this comic goes out to Mike Birbiglia, Bill Burr...and my brother.

I still crack up over the original and will always consider it the real version. All the cool kids do, anyway (not really).

Reuxben

Fun_ComedySketches

So a while ago, Mike Birbiglia came to perform for us and no one was looking forward to him except for me. Imagine everyone's surprise when I was right, they were wrong, and Mr. Birbiglia was a hit.

So a while ago, Dat Phan came to perform for us and everyone was looking forward to him except for me. Imagine everyone's surprise when I was right, they were wrong, and dat sham was a poop.

But I'm so freaking optimistic, I'm not here to tear down. I'm here to show you the sketches I did during this suicidal "comedy" show. Note, Corey Kahaney was actually pretty alright; great improvising when the mics kept messing up (for her, the mic kept turning off; for him, the mic kept turning on).

The above is the sham himself. At left is a girl wearing a jacket from Spanish last semester, which I've admired so much, it subconsciously snuck into one of my comics. The next pic is a girl ready to scrap.

I went to the show solo (all my friends were busy) but when the guy two spots to my right tried to cellularly coordinate his party, he was gripped with worry when he thought he'd unwittingly promised the seat between us to his phone pal, because it suddenly occurred to him that I might have saved it for someone. He got all apologetic and was ready at a word to call up his friend and tell him to beat it.

For a few solid minutes of "are you sure you're not saving this seat?" I let him keep on thinking that I had indeed reserved the seat but was simply too uncomfortable about confrontation to speak up about evicting his en-route friend.

It was he-haw-larious seeing the guy literally begging to dismiss his friend. Yeah, that's how I get my kicks at this point. To be fair, this guy's flaunting all his friends in front of me (literally like half the row was his!)...so I mean come on. Screw 'em if they can't take a joke.

But I also get my kicks drawing to entertain, so I drew for the very guy who "stole" my saved seat. The way it works is I draw stuff, nearby people notice, and we both have a (usually silent) good time as the guest tries to (usually covertly) peek at my paper, like I won't notice; it's my job to notice stuff, so it's fun all around. It's lovely when it works, sucka. But then I always wonder who the real sucka is, yo.

Also, I met this guy after the show, and of all people, he was in league with the gentleman I was messing with earlier--haha!--but he was quite nice, and I was quite nervous.

To close, here is another retrato I've been working on.



I'm eager to finish it soon.

Reuxben