Hey folks, I'm back! I know it's been FOOOOORREEVER. Would you believe me if i swore i was working on comic stuff and hoping to get things going in the right comic-related direction? no? Yeah, neither would I. lol. In reality I've been procrastinating like crazy while refocusing my webcomic. Due to this I've been researching a NUMBER of webcomics out there. Anyway, along my travels I've found a few treasure that I just had to share. Soooooo please, while you wait for my behind to get moving, take the time to check out these amazing comics!

Evil Diva
Their take: Diva Beelze is an average twelve-year old devil, but she has a small problem. She has these uncontrollable urges to just be nice. Clearly, the best solution is to become a superhero.

Ielle's take: Ok I admit i was skeptical when i started this comic, but something about it charmed me as i kept reading. There are familiar things going on within this storyline, but the solid dialogue and amazing art kept my attention. With fun little literary tips of the hat to Dante, various Greek Myths and Joss Whedon, I have to say Evil Diva is as intelligent as it is lively. If you're looking for something lighthearted and frankly, beautiful to look at, check out this webcomic during your next coffee break (or sneak it in when the boss isn't looking, go ahead. I'll cover you ;) )

Strays
Their take: Meela is a young, orphaned lupian (a race of people with wolf-like features) who is struggling to survive on her own. A chance encounter on less than pleasant terms teams her up with Feral, another lupian who happens to be a mute as well as one of the best mercenaries in the land, and who is not quite so welcoming of her forced company as she would like to believe. Fun, danger and plenty of humorous situations follow the two on their wayward adventures; however the seemingly peaceful world they reside in is not quite the paradise that its reputation makes it out to be. When a taboo topic and a dark secret collide, it may unravel their already tattered lives and force each of them to face the reality of the truth, requiring each to make decisions that could alter their lives forever.

Ielle's Take: So this is not my standard fan fair. Despite having written a few stories for folks where there are animal people, I'm not a huge fan of the genre. But I'm never one to knock another's fandom. So if you can overlook the fact that these folks have teeth an tales (and can turn INTO wolves) then this might be for you (heck, perhaps you'll enjoy it BECAUSE of that reason, that's up to you). With that said, there is enough charm and plot to carry along ANY comic reader. I have to give a huge thumbs up to the creators of this comic for pulling off a MUTE character. I considered writing a mute character once, but wasn't quite sure where to start. While the comic medium is visual, its not like film where we can see every movement of a character and thus follow along with their motions. However their use of facial expressions and hand gestures within the limited panel space they have, is simply astounding. The character, Feral is an very complicated and interesting one. Again this is a story which we've seen (a young child hanging around a wiser, but reluctant guardian) but there's a certain something (mostly Feral's behavior) which makes this enjoyable. Art wise the comic is very solid, but also very manga influenced. If you're not a fan of manga this may not be the comic for you. However if you find that giant eyes and tiny flailing arms to express exasperation are right up your alley, then this is the comic for you.

Finally the best for last:

Shrub Monkeys
This has been my happiest find in the past week. However before i start bubbling over with happiness lets here what they have to say about their webcomic:
their take: "Shrub Monkeys is a comic I started just for the fun of it, capturing random moments, in-jokes and observations made by my two younger siblings and myself. When I began posting them online I was gob-smacked at the positive response from readers and at how many people were able to identify with in-jokes and scenarios I thought were too personal for anyone to “get”. As simple as it is I think Shrub Monkeys is one of the most gratifying projects I’ve ever worked on. It’s one of those things that make me appreciate how much people can have in common regardless of where we come from, and how ridiculous and random we can be!" - KT Shy

Ielle's Take: Who the hell stole my life and moved it to Canada?!! As KT says, its a comic about the randomness of life (who knew that so many of us have very similar randomness going about). While she's dealing with life and an artist in Toronto, i feel her big(ger) city pain within my tiny sad excuse for a city. It was a pleasure getting to know the comic versions of her siblings and boyfriend. While i don't have any sibs, i have plenty of friends that i would consider such and they very much fit the bill. As for her boyfriend, my god... is Jesse dating two women?? He's keeping one in Toronto?? Is this why he keeps joking about how its not cheating if its not within us borders??? It is a joke right? Hmmmm.
Anyway, as KT is a professional animator (whose studio is apparently partially owned by William Shatner, so THAT wins her major points in my book lol) her art is spot on (although some webisodes are more sketchy than others). Her loose cartoony style is certainly appealing and the writing is spot on. While there is no set storyline to her webcomic (as she openly admits and jokes about) you can't help but find yourself drawn into reading her crazy ride of a life. This is certainly one that's fun to check up on weekly and get a nice quick chuckle. Think of it as 30 Rock only with a heroine who's more every day and less NBC successful (although i'd never categorize liz lemon and successful in a personal sense.... poor tina fey lol)

Hey folks, I'm back! I know it's been FOOOOORREEVER. Would you believe me if i swore i was working on comic stuff and hoping to get things going in the right comic-related direction? no? Yeah, neither would I. lol. In reality I've been procrastinating like crazy while refocusing my webcomic. Due to this I've been researching a NUMBER of webcomics out there. Anyway, along my travels I've found a few treasure that I just had to share. Soooooo please, while you wait for my behind to get moving, take the time to check out these amazing comics!

Evil Diva
Their take: Diva Beelze is an average twelve-year old devil, but she has a small problem. She has these uncontrollable urges to just be nice. Clearly, the best solution is to become a superhero.

Ielle's take: Ok I admit i was skeptical when i started this comic, but something about it charmed me as i kept reading. There are familiar things going on within this storyline, but the solid dialogue and amazing art kept my attention. With fun little literary tips of the hat to Dante, various Greek Myths and Joss Whedon, I have to say Evil Diva is as intelligent as it is lively. If you're looking for something lighthearted and frankly, beautiful to look at, check out this webcomic during your next coffee break (or sneak it in when the boss isn't looking, go ahead. I'll cover you ;) )

Strays
Their take: Meela is a young, orphaned lupian (a race of people with wolf-like features) who is struggling to survive on her own. A chance encounter on less than pleasant terms teams her up with Feral, another lupian who happens to be a mute as well as one of the best mercenaries in the land, and who is not quite so welcoming of her forced company as she would like to believe. Fun, danger and plenty of humorous situations follow the two on their wayward adventures; however the seemingly peaceful world they reside in is not quite the paradise that its reputation makes it out to be. When a taboo topic and a dark secret collide, it may unravel their already tattered lives and force each of them to face the reality of the truth, requiring each to make decisions that could alter their lives forever.

Ielle's Take: So this is not my standard fan fair. Despite having written a few stories for folks where there are animal people, I'm not a huge fan of the genre. But I'm never one to knock another's fandom. So if you can overlook the fact that these folks have teeth an tales (and can turn INTO wolves) then this might be for you (heck, perhaps you'll enjoy it BECAUSE of that reason, that's up to you). With that said, there is enough charm and plot to carry along ANY comic reader. I have to give a huge thumbs up to the creators of this comic for pulling off a MUTE character. I considered writing a mute character once, but wasn't quite sure where to start. While the comic medium is visual, its not like film where we can see every movement of a character and thus follow along with their motions. However their use of facial expressions and hand gestures within the limited panel space they have, is simply astounding. The character, Feral is an very complicated and interesting one. Again this is a story which we've seen (a young child hanging around a wiser, but reluctant guardian) but there's a certain something (mostly Feral's behavior) which makes this enjoyable. Art wise the comic is very solid, but also very manga influenced. If you're not a fan of manga this may not be the comic for you. However if you find that giant eyes and tiny flailing arms to express exasperation are right up your alley, then this is the comic for you.

Finally the best for last:

Shrub Monkeys
This has been my happiest find in the past week. However before i start bubbling over with happiness lets here what they have to say about their webcomic:
their take: "Shrub Monkeys is a comic I started just for the fun of it, capturing random moments, in-jokes and observations made by my two younger siblings and myself. When I began posting them online I was gob-smacked at the positive response from readers and at how many people were able to identify with in-jokes and scenarios I thought were too personal for anyone to “get”. As simple as it is I think Shrub Monkeys is one of the most gratifying projects I’ve ever worked on. It’s one of those things that make me appreciate how much people can have in common regardless of where we come from, and how ridiculous and random we can be!" - KT Shy

Ielle's Take: Who the hell stole my life and moved it to Canada?!! As KT says, its a comic about the randomness of life (who knew that so many of us have very similar randomness going about). While she's dealing with life and an artist in Toronto, i feel her big(ger) city pain within my tiny sad excuse for a city. It was a pleasure getting to know the comic versions of her siblings and boyfriend. While i don't have any sibs, i have plenty of friends that i would consider such and they very much fit the bill. As for her boyfriend, my god... is Jesse dating two women?? He's keeping one in Toronto?? Is this why he keeps joking about how its not cheating if its not within us borders??? It is a joke right? Hmmmm.
Anyway, as KT is a professional animator (whose studio is apparently partially owned by William Shatner, so THAT wins her major points in my book lol) her art is spot on (although some webisodes are more sketchy than others). Her loose cartoony style is certainly appealing and the writing is spot on. While there is no set storyline to her webcomic (as she openly admits and jokes about) you can't help but find yourself drawn into reading her crazy ride of a life. This is certainly one that's fun to check up on weekly and get a nice quick chuckle. Think of it as 30 Rock only with a heroine who's more every day and less NBC successful (although i'd never categorize liz lemon and successful in a personal sense.... poor tina fey lol)

Well Whadda ya Know, We UPDATED the Website!

Nothing like a facelift to uplift the spirits (just ask Joan Rivers)! Take some time to check out the new features here at Ob-Zurd Thoughts, take a tour and relax while we wait for Ielle's upcoming WAYWARD comic

Speaking of WAYWARD -- Good News Everyone, the end is in sight (or is that beginning?). Again we apologize for the hold-ups but sometimes life just interrupts. We're hesitant to give a solid date just yet, but while you wait, why not take a spin about ielle's deviantart page! We will be posting sneak peaks of Wayward in the upcoming days! Of course we have more than just Wayward in the pipeline these days, so keep your eyes open for daily updates! And as Always Ob-Zurd Thoughts will keep you posted!

Can't wait to read something by Ielle? Well, you can see more of Ielle's work at Uggabugga.net with The Awesome Adventures of USA Kid and Blazeguy mini out NOW!! Check it out in our updated ARCHIVES section!

Drop Ielle a line and let her know you were here!

Blogs Ielle Reads:

Ielle's Sample Scripts 4 Artists
Future Thoughts
Musings of an Angel
Sobriquet Magazine
Gail Simone
In other words
The Mind's Forge
Paperback Reader


Ielle's Current Pull List:

Green Arrow and Black Canary
Power Girl
Red Robin
Batman and Robin
The New Avengers
Spiderwoman
Secret Warriors
The Avengers Initative
X-Factor
DeadPool
Iron Man
Ms. Marvel
Ex Machina
Walking Dead
Invincible
Loveless
Haunt
Mouseguard