Good morning NASDAQ, Kabutocho, la Bourse and Footsie, how’s your inflation today? Hard times? Well, put your Dickens novel away and get comfortable in your armchair because today we're providing you with a brand new kind of stock-exchange graph that we'll call: illustration. We tried to call Bernard Madoff, but we keep getting an answering machine, so instead, we've contacted a real artist, and not some random one, we’ve got the actual creator of Calamities of Nature! Ladies, gentlemen, traders, please welcome Tony Piro!
Before we start, we would like to break open a bottle of champagne for Tony is officially our first adult artist. Tony is 30 years old; he lives near Berkeley, CA, with his wife and his daughter, who's expecting a little brother in the next few days. He works as a postdoctoral researcher, specialized in theoretical astrophysics. He's currently developing mathematical models to understand things like how stars explode. And as Tony says "what's better than things exploding?" Well, we have to admit that we kinda have a crush on things that implode. Anyway, his job seems pretty funny, we could almost forget that he's also the proud creator of the web comic Calamities of Nature.
Calamities of Nature started in July 2007, which means it's a baby-web comic which, despite its young age, is already on the top 10 of our favorite websites. In 2007, Tony got Photoshop and was curious about creating some full-color artwork. He didn't know anything about blogs and web comics, but he tried to post his work online as it might give him some feedback that would be helpful for boosting his craft. In the meantime, he learned about online communities, which made him think that it would be fun to share what he was working on, and check out other people's projects. "There are so many talented people (both in terms of writing and artwork) online. It's both intimidating and inspiring."
Fortunately, Tony's shyness faded, and so he created his own website, where he displays a group of characters that he created when he was 10 years old. When he was in high school, he used to draw mini comics and was struggling just to get a handful of them sold so that people could read his work. Yes, times change, there may be a big financial crisis going on, but at least it's a great time to do art. Nowadays, thanks to the internets, anyone can post their artwork online and have their singular artistic vision seen by thousands of people, for better or for worse. Especially for worse. But not in Tony’s case. The comic gives him a great outlet for all the things that are rattling around in his head. It becomes a challenge to present the idea that he’s thinking about, but also to both make it funny and interesting to look at, the most important combination that some people seem to forget.
Time to let you go back to your morning financial TV show, but before here’s another question. Why did our trainee economist choose this FML?
"FML can be really hit or miss for me. Some of the quirky ones can be really funny or surprising. This specific FML was chosen because I thought it was a nice observation. The current economy is really affecting everyone, either directly or someone we know and I thought it would be fun to take it to the extreme. "
And for the very first time, here's a new traditional question that we'll be asking our Saturday artists:
"- Why did you decide to send an illustration to FML?
- I saw the other comics that had been posted and it looked like fun. Because I produce my comic online regularly, it doesn't give me much of a chance to experiment with format. FML gave me the perfect excuse to try something a little longer. "
click on this preview !
You did a great job Mr.Piro! Thank you!
And now here's a little instruction manual on how to be our next published artist: send an email to alice@fmylife.com which starts with a hello and ends with a goodbye, including your name, age, and a link to your website/blog. If you don't have one, attach some of your drawings. It's not that complicated is it? Don't waste any more time and send an email now!
this one really sucked. it really beat a dead horse on the joke and took it too far.
#1 - On 08/01/2009 at 1:59pm by heygirlheyyyyy
When someone post a FML, it has to be short, funny and concise.
But when it comes to illustrations, the artist will not draw the exact FML words by words, it's useless and boring to read twice the same story so we let the artist enjoys the liberty he has, to create whatever he wants with the original story. It is what creation and imagination is about. And here at FML, we love creation :) !
Can I just say that usually I like the illustrators that do the illustrations, but this one was just waaaaaaaaaaaayyyyy over the top. The guy is an astrophysisisisisists. However you spell it. Stick to the exploding starts, dude, and give some proper illustrators a look in.
Oh, and FML staff, you are here to please us, and not Queen Victoria. We made this website happen by digging it and telling our friends, so you should damn well respect us.
I'm allowed to voice an opinion on what I think of the illustration. Its boring, far fetched, doesnt make sense, and isnt that well drawn either. Kthnxbi.
Bahahahahahaha, this makes me laugh when people think they are important enough to challenge the makers of the website they are on(: it made me lawl
yeah i felt this comic was really dragged out. :/ not really funny.
#12 - On 08/02/2009 at 9:58am by KellyisSleepy
I just don't think the whole "Illustrated FML' concept is working. Nobody thinks it's funny. It just doesn't make people laugh like FMLs do. I don't know why the website creators think this idea is so great.
#17 - On 08/02/2009 at 6:15pm by anniebananie
Erm, most people seem to enjoy them. When I'm watching TV and something I don't like comes onto my screen, I just change the channel, I don't write in to the networks saying "I'm allowed to voice an opinion on what I think of the programs. They're boring, far fetched, doesn't make sense, and aren't that well directed either. Kthnxbi." I've got better things to do than bitch and moan about stuff which is just there for entertainment and fun!
So why complain, people? No one is forcing you to look at them! We can't please everyone, so chill out, relax, pour yourself a cup of tea and breathe! ;-)
Alan, you misquoted me. I actually said 'I'm allowed to voice an opinion on what I think of the illustration. Its boring, far fetched, doesnt make sense, and isnt that well drawn either. Kthnxbi.'
I didn't misquote you, I was paraphrasing and adapting your sentence to the subject matter I was making reference to, Ie. TV Shows. Otherwise it would've complete nonsense ;-)
Except, Alan, in regards to TV shows you *do* have the option to call in and voice your opinion. That's one of the ways besides ratings that determine the fate of shows.
Yes, ultimately the Staff has the final say, but personally I've seen more complaints about the Illustrated FMLs (not including my own complaints). Wouldn't keeping something that many visitors don't like make you risk losing visitors? Something like (okay, let me use your TV analogy) "Oh, I don't like this show, I'll go watch something else." yet the execs keep showing the show regardless of the fact that many viewers seem to prefer it not be there. I'm pretty sure they would get fired quickly.
I'm just speaking off the top of my head and don't feel like actually THINKING of something to debate with, and besides, speaking of TV, Merlin's on and I wanna go watch it.
#21 - On 08/02/2009 at 8:02pm by TheBigDawg
*Lols at the stupidity of this conversation* I just find it rather funny how we, the visitors, voice our opinions and are then mocked by the FML staff. Just remember the visitors and the diggers, tweeters and stumblers that have made this site what it is. *Removes FMyLife from bookmarks.* I'm going back to my collection of shrunken human heads.
If you REALLY think I was mocking ANYONE, maybe this isn't the website for you. And hey, you started the stupidity by deriding the artist's work, not me. Ok?
As for ringing TV networks, the point I was trying to make is that most people have better things to do than do so. The illustrations section is just that, a SECTION of this website, if you don't like it, don't look at it!! Jeez, what it is with you people? ;-)
Bleh.... I'm to addicted to FML to not go back. Damn you Alan and your addictive website. *Offers the FML dude a shrunken head* Peace offering?
Hehehe, no need for a peace offering, we're all here to have fun! But seeing as you're in the UK, and I was born in Swindon and miss lots of stuff from my home country, can you send me some Shreddies? I can't find them over here in France ;-)
Honestly, I like the illustrations. Sure, some of them I don't find amusing, and the first one that went "beyond the FML" I found poorly illustrated, with too much "comes out of no where" stuff. But I like that people do this, and I like that the FML staff has it as an option.
I actually liked this new comic. It went beyond the FML, without going completely out of the realm of it. It was cute and amusing.
Not worth these huge arguments.
#23 - On 08/02/2009 at 10:37pm by anniemeece
people should really be more respectful! how would you like it if you submitted something and everyone trash talked it? if you dont like it than simply dont look at it..
i think this is a great illustration and the storyline is creative! i agree with the staff.. who wants to see the same exact fml word for word again?
#25 - On 08/03/2009 at 11:47am by bacon_bitz
Are people really arguing with the mods over this?
Look, keeping the illustrations that some of us don't like will not make the website lose visitors.
I still come on every couple days and read through every FML that was posted in that period of time.
Sometimes I click on the illustration, sometimes I don't. Just because I don't like one little tiny part of the website that gets posted once a week, I won't stop coming on to read the hilarious, fake, stupid, weird, etc. FMLs that get posted on a daily basis, and that are the real reason why I come on here.
I started coming on here to read people's FMLs and will continue to do so as long as the site keeps receiving and accepting them.
Anyone who boycotts a site simply because they added ONE thing to it that they don't like is pretty much a loser =) If they change something you like, fine, understandable that you're mad and don't wanna come on anymore. If they remove something you like, fine, don't come on anymore or whine about it all day long.
But they added something that no one forces you to look at, and that some users enjoy.
Stop whining and go read some FMLs and post one about how you have nothing to do with your time but complain about something that doesn't affect your life or any aspect of it.
#26 - On 08/03/2009 at 1:34pm by dudeitsdanny
I don't mind the Illustrations. If they're not funny, oh well, there's thousands upon thousands of FML's I've not read that I can go read instead. Or, you know... Visit one of the million other websites out there.
I agree that the joke was too dragged out. It didn't need to end on the FML (I agree that being creative with an FML can make it even funnier), but it was like watching the million endings of Lord of the Rings. I think that it could have ended a lot sooner or stronger, I just thought it dragged too long. But I thought the art was pretty good. :D
#33 - On 08/03/2009 at 7:44pm by Vertoule
I would just like to say that although the concept may have been drawn out, it was done for comedic purposes most likely. Exaggeration is just another form of comedy artists use to get their points across, and while not everyone has to be a fan, people who dislike the illustration should at least try and be respectful. After all, would you appreciate some of the nastier comments left on this page if you were Piro? I know I wouldn't. I personally felt that this was a good illustration. The art was good and the exaggeration was appropriate! Good job, Mr. Piro! :D
#35 - On 08/04/2009 at 2:57am by chrisannasaurus
Gotta say... I'm a little appalled that anyone would slam these illustrations in such a disrespectful manner. Mr. Piro obviously has a greater attention span than a gnat, which is more than i can say for most of the people on these interwebs. That aside, it takes a lot of work do hone a craft like illustration. He's doing something with his life, what are you doing? If it's not your thing, move on, or offer constructive criticism. Don't just crap on that sort of thing like a spoiled child; it really, really... _really_ says more about you.
Ya'll have a good one.
i have seen some of the other comics, and i like them- i feel like this one did go on a tad too long, but i like the idea and the format. this *is* something new, so before y'all decide to hate it, look at more than one comic. honestly.
#39 - On 08/07/2009 at 10:37pm by rayofsunshiinee
