I’m just saying…

Some of you may have noticed I ain’t said shit here in like two weeks. That’s because I’ve actually been keeping myself plenty busy with video work and secret webcomics-based projects. So, in my book? Actually producing work to the point where I barely even have time to read webcomics registers as a solid win.

I really, really like keeping busy. I’m one of those. I like keeping busy because it makes me feel like I’m accomplishing things, and I also enjoy complaining about not having any time to myself. That, and the hard drive thing put a major dent in my webcomics-reading habits. I’m still catching up on my trawls and still getting back into the habit of reading them every day. I’m realizing that I’m going to have to clean house on my reading lists. Maybe I’ll post about what made the cut/did not make the cut and that might interest you or something.

But the main point is that while I enjoy myself some criticism, I enjoy myself some actually making stuff more. I think most, if not all of you can feel me on that one. If’n you’re curious to see what kind of terrible work I’ve been making as a film student, you can scope some of my work on my “vlog.” That’s short for Video Blog, and I fucking hate that word more than I hate the word “blog.” But it’s there, and it’s got an RSS feed, and it’s got a comment section, so feedback would of course be lovely. There’s a lot more material I’ve got waiting in the wings to upload on there. Maybe I’ll post something once a week until I run out of stuff to post.

Mmm… how about Mondays? Starting on Monday I’ll put something random and new on there for all to see. That work for you? Super.

Anyway, thanks, as always, for continuing to read this thing. Even when, and especially when, I go through the nice cricket chirp weeks.

Wellp, I beat Kingdom Hearts II. Didn’t 100% it yet, didn’t try hard mode. But I got to the ending. And what an ending it was.

I’m not even going to bother posting anything spolierish. Most folks who’ve got it prolly haven’t beaten it yet. But I will divulge my impressions on the game as a game since the last time I got to play it.

The story was complex as hell. Luckily, Jimminy’s Journal keeps notes on everything that happens so you can refresh yourself. You’re going to need it sometimes, if you’re like me. I’m pretty decent at handling complex japanese plots, but the metaphysics behind this one are a bit of a doozy. But the good part is that it wraps up a loooooot of loose ends from Kingdom Hearts I and KH: Chain of Memories. In fact, after this game’s feel good ending, the sense of closure is pretty strong. Strong enough to not need another sequel.

But there’d better be.

The presentation was just fucking gorgeous. More animation, more dialogue, more voiced dialogue, more music, better graphics, better sound (Dolby Surround for those compatible)… just amazing. All the dazzling light effects and fantastic character desgins, everything. I could gush on.

Gameplay was stepped up exponentially. It was just more fun to play, really. Enemy specific reactions commands were a blast, as well as the Drive forms (forms Sora can take to become more powerful). The controls were a lot better, but I miss the exploration that Kingdom Hearts I had. There’s not much of that in KH2, as the worlds don’t really extend beyond a handful of larger screens. With less interactive landscapses, to boot. But the other best improvement is that flying the Gummi ship isn’t lame anymore. Like it definitely was in the first one.

I really can’t go into too much more depth without spoiling a fuckton of cool suprises. Kingdom Hearts II is flat out amazing. Highly recommended for any Square or Disney fan, and essential to anyone who enjoyed the first game.

The Hard Drive is fixed. The computer works. I am back. Webcomics can now safely resume activity.

You might’ve been curious to know which comics I made it a point to keep up with away from the computer and bookmarks and whatnot. When you’re blanking out and staring at a computer screen, the comics you recall without assistance make an interesting assortment. They may not neccessarily be your favorites, but maybe they say something about you. Here were the comics I kept up with whilst my life was in disarray:

Achewood
Dominic Deegan
The Last Days of FOXHOUND
Narbonic
The Order of the Stick
Penny and Aggie
Penny Arcade
Perry Bible Fellowship
PVP
Questionable Content
Shortpacked
Something Positive

So yeah, those were the ones I checked up on nearly without fail. Narbonic was tougher, since I didn’t have a Modern Tales account.

That’s right. I said “didn’t.”

Because now, I do. Narbonic is a good enough comic that I will pay to read that one and that one alone. I don’t read any other Modern Tales comics (yet, I suppose), but goddamn that Narbonic is good stuff. And picking up on the few strips I missed while I was gone made the $3 worth it already.

But I digress. I’m back. So celebrate good times. C’mon.

I preordered my copy online so I wouldn’t have to worry about going to the store. Should be here by the 4th. I’m a patient man. I’ve been doing very well to avoid spoilers. Not having a computer that works helps that along quite nicely actually.

I’m a pretty damned big Kindom Hearts fan. Love the franchise. Fell in love with the first game, got a GameBoy Advance SP for no reason other than to play Chain of Memories. I downloaded the Kingdom Hearts Cell Phone game onto my phone. It sucks, but I don’t care. It’s Kingdom Hearts.

Now, I’m the kinda guy who tries to analyze why I love or hate things when I declare my love or hate of things. I feel it’s important. Because I want to be prepared if I’m ever asked why. So I thought about why Kingdom Hearts captures the love of myself and so many other folks. Why is it such a hit?

It dawned on me.

Kingdom Hearts is the greatest fanfiction ever told.

Think about it: You’ve got your story-focused attention-getting Mary Sue, Sora. Sora gets to go to all these classic Disney worlds, fight with and/or alongside mainstay favorites of the Final Fantasy series, gain ultimate power and answer to a prophecy and destiny. All while being “just your average kid.”

It’s a fan story. They wrote a story that justified bringing all these characters and franchises and worlds together that have nothing the fuck to do with each other, put together some killer graphics and music and bam: Instant hit.

I’m not complaining here. If that’s the formula, then by golly it worked. I fucking love Kingdom Hearts.

But it’s fun to realize just exactly what it is.