N.U.S. May 30, 2006

Hey all,

Where to start? Well, first off, sorry about Saturday. Small bit of artists' block. Man, what I wouldn't give to be in a situation where if I didn't update because of something stupid like that I might not loose readers. Ah well.

First news: There's a new t-shirt avaliable in the STORE so if you've been looking for something new in the way of Newscast apparel, sink your teeth into the Bounty Hunter shirt! And yes, I know the store sucks, I would like to redesign it but in case anyone forgot, I suck at web design. If you know of something I could run besides CafePress, please let me know.

Secondly, something I forgot to mention last week. In addition to this site with the Computones, I have recently come into posession of a book: How to Draw Manga: Computones. This is a book of how-to with tones, AND a CD full of digital ones for manga. I mention this, because I am currently using the CD and it's a really good product.

Um...not much else I am afraid. I'll be adding the DOWNLOADS page sometime this week, I hope...unfortunately, I just haven't had much time to make stuff. But I have some things, so up it will go.

IN OTHER NEWS:

Beat Teen Titans on the GC, full review here. Also, another episode of Taymation TV is up. Still not sure what I'm sending to my Guest Comic makers, but I'm thinking on it. Suggestions of what you would like would me nice....you know who you are.

They totally have a room just full of Ensign Ricky's, waiting to be killed in the line of duty.
-Lovez, Ayame

Oh, P.S.
Happy Memorial Day *small trumpet fanfare*

N.U.S. May 23, 2006

Hello folks,

Well, I'm finally back. I mean, I was back from E3 last week, but it's always hard to jump back into a schedule after a vacation, especially when you have videos to edit and swag to ship around the country. As for Newscast this week, I actually like it a lot more than I thought I would. It's been a pain in the butt to layout. But I'm glad to do it, because I think it's really helping me improve.

IN OTHER NEWS:

There isn't much really. Except a little tidbit about the possibility of another Newscast Live! event. At the moment, the details are sketchy, and I'm not even going into the possibility of stuff for sale (besides shirts) but I'll keep you updated.

Also, I think I fixed last Thursday's guest comic, check it out. If not, I'll be posting it in the 'Fan Art' section soon. Also, watch over the next few days for the Downloads section to open. In the meantime, head on over to the forums page and grab the 'Author' Nintendo Wii desktop background. You too can harness the power of Wii!

Well, I'm tired so it's off to bed. Enjoy the comic folks!

-This is DECIDEDLY Un-Bold! What's the deal?!
Lovez Ayame

N.U.S. May 8, 2006

By the time you read this, I'll probably be on the road to E3. I would like to thank Stuart Packrell, Fighter Chick Cam, and DoomHat for guest comics. I still haven't decided what you're getting, but I promise it'll be something cool. As a reminder, the comic update schedule this week will be TUESDAY, THURSDAY, and SATURDAY. Please enjoy the great GuestComics.

-Lovez, Ayame

N.U.S. May 4, 2006

Greetins,

I'll make this one brief because I am too tired to type a lot...First off, sorry about Tuesday. Nienna is capable of some very interesting acrobatic feats which I was not wholly prepared to draw AND layout. Compromises were made, and in the end...I spend an extra week working on a page. I'm sorry, but quality is more important to me that making sure something crappy is up just because it's a Tuesday. However, it will be up Saturday. Yay.

On to more pressing matters, as you no doubt read up above, Newscast is seeking guest comics. Why? Well, first off, I do have a few from Fighter Chick Cam, but the thing is, I like seeing what other people can do (cause I don't get much fan art these days) and I think having someone who predominantly does all your guest comics might shy others off. Rest assured, Fighter Chick Cam's short Nienna story WILL be up next week, but I'm hoping if I get enough comics, I'll have a new one every day of the week. There will be at least three (FCC) so there will be a

NEW UPDATE SCHEDULE FOR E3 WEEK:
TUESDAY, THURSDAY, SATURDAY

And if I get any others, the schedule will change again. PLEASE send me some. I like to know there are fans out there. Also, you'll get something. I don't know what yet, maybe a desktop background, maybe some original artwork. Maybe something else entirely. I dunno, but I'm willing to bribe you for guest comics.

ALSO:
I'll be adding a new section to Newscast sometime shortly after my return from E3, something I realize I should have had for awhile....a DOWNLOADS page. Here you can DL icons, backgrounds, XBOX360 faceplate designs (for this loverly NYKO thing I bought yesterday), and maybe even cursors and avatars. I dunno for sure, we'll see.

AND LASTLY,
If you haven't joined the Gamers Guild on the FORUMS, you might want to. Because when Tay, Stuart and I return from E3, we'll be answering questions from boardy users and also loading some special videos (we hope) from the inside. Most likely, ones from the Nintendo Press Conference and the show floor of E3 itself. Watch for them.

Any questions, feel free to email me.

I figure he'll get bored and die, THEN I WILL RULE!
-Love Ayame

N.U.S. SPECIAL REPORT April 26, 2006

This is a special message about something that is important to me; the Silent Hill movie. All questions will be answered at the bottom of this post.

I'm sure by now nearly everyone has heard or read a bad review for Silent Hill which was based on the Konami game for PS1 Silent Hill which was based on the breakfast cereal Demons From Hell Flakes. I would like to take this moment to say that while Silent Hill isn't the greatest movie ever made, fans of the game owe it to themselves to see it.

I've noticed that most people who 'reviewed' this movie have either never played the game, or if they had, they didn't like it. Well, I'm stepping in here because I LOVE the games, and have a slightly differerent point of view to offer the movie-going public.

Silent Hill isn't so much a movie where we watch the game, or where we watch characters we're supposed to already know going through events similar to those we've already experienced. The movie is more like a trip INTO Silent Hill. The artistry involved is spectacular, especially the scenes where the town transforms into Nightmare Mode.

Fans of the series will also note the almost bizarre mishmash of elements from the first three games. Essentially, the story is from the first game, the monsters are from the second, and the music is from the third. It's fun for anyone who's gone through each game to take note of all the small elements that have been put into this film, which tie it well to the game, but seperate it enough to make it interesting.

I will say this: if you haven't played the games, or have and don't like them this isn't a movie for you. Unless you know someone who HAS and can explain certain elements to you. In this way, yes Silent Hill fails as a movie. Here we have the opposite end of the movie-game spectrum, where a movie is made TOO similar to a game, and then pulled back to try and rope in people unfamiliar with the source material.

So I guess my point is that I, a fan of the games, DID enjoy Silent Hill and while I know it can be hard to resist what certain self-assured 'experts' in such fields may attest, I urge you, SH fans to go see it and make the call for yourself. I would HATE for this to turn into another Resident Evil, especially since we finally are reaching the point where a movie captures most of the same elements from a game.

Oh, and the movie is one of the reasons that there was no comic on Saturday. Unfortunately, it kinda blew my mind and I was in no fit state to make a comic.

Okay, so Q and A time.
Why am I posting this here? Because I have an opinion, and while the manga above might not have anything to do with video games, this is still my forum so I'll use it however I like. Also, as you may have noticed, I am a huge fan of video games and especially Silent Hill.

I feel that the movie got an unfair wrap and am using my space to assert MY opinion.

Also, I love talking about Silent Hill. I love discussing it, explaining it and sharing info, theories etc. Feel free to email me about it.

So I'm done now. Check out my GALLERY for some special Silent Hill art which I am going to finish right now.

"Only the dark one opens and closes the door to Silent Hill..."
-Lovez, Ayame.

N.U.S. April 18, 2006

Greetings fellow Newscast enthusiasts, or I as I like to call you Newscastians (10 points if you got THAT joke). Today's comic represents a major step forward in Newscast (in my opinion) I shaded the whole thing, and found some kicky digital screentones for Photoshop http://psychobob.xepher.net/screentonez/. The combination of the two, as well as the ever increasing complexity of the backgrounds and streamlining of the characters are all coming together to make Newscast something I am a little more proud of, and I hope you will be too.

The pie has only officially been in politics for a matter of minutes and already he's mudslinging. Richard Nixon would be proud. Oh, and because I have a few readers who apparently don't live in the USA, I would like to note that 'Yellow Days' are the days when our....*sigh* current President thinks we should be on guard against Terrorists. Course, every day is a yellow day, so take from that what you will.

IN OTHER NEWS:

I did a little freewriting this weekend, and came out with part 1 of a story I call SHARPENED EDGE. It's a little universal expansion project for the RPG that Tay suggested. As I'm sure certain users of the boardy were hinting at, I don't have great control over the proper placement of semicolons, commas, formatting, etc. However, I think for something I was just playing around with, it turned out to be a good read. It IS a work-in-progress, so more is on the way, if you like it.

Also I finished Tomb Raider Legend on the 360 and even though I loved the game, I haven't felt so cheated out of an ending since Halo 2. But if Crystal Dynamics and Edios keep the liscence away from CORE, I'll be buying the next one too.

TRUMPY! You can do STUPID things!
-Love Ayame

N.U.S. April 15, 2006

Hello all,

Well, like I said I had a guest comic today, special thanks to Tay from Legend of Link for this one. Also, Lauren posed for a panel....yeah, she wanted to make that known.

I feel much better now that I've had a break and Tuesday's comic should come without any problems.

IN OTHER NEWS:

The largest gathering of NC crew members will be taking place tommorow (today)....Saturday...you know what I mean. Anyway, that'll be happening and who knows what sort of craziness that could mean for upcoming comics and the site and stuff. So watch for new stuff!

Also, I've been playing Tomb Raider Legend on the 360. I bought it on a whim and I really really like it. The graphics are impressive, though I'm seeing things I hoped were behind us with this Next-Gen of gaming, such as flat plants in the environments and disappearing enemies. Perhaps when they start making games that they don't port back to the PS2....Ah well.

Also, Tetris DS has me addicted to the game again. The only problem with that one is the lack of the original Tetris music. You know, the dun dun dun dun do do do do do do dododododo....The music from the Nutcracker....that's what that was supposed to be. But mission mode is fun and it's a great spin on the game.

Great...now Tay and Lauren are making the Tetris music.....kinda.....*sigh* *reaches for a sharp, stabby impliment....*

"I'd like to go to bed, but I have a victim strapped to it right now..."
-Love Ayame

N.U.S. April 11, 2006

New Newscast again. More evil pie. I still love him, however I hate this page. Honestly.

So I made a descision, I won't be updating on Saturday as normal. I'm gonna take a day off, and relax. Thing is, I wrote a bunch of the script, and I like it, but I think the rushing and constant pressure is causing the quality of the comic to suffer. So you'll get a guest comic on Saturday.

IN OTHER NEWS:

Happy Birthday Khepri.

Meet the Hobgoblins: Frankie, Sniffles, BounceBounce and The Claw!
-Loves Ayame.

N.U.S. April 8, 2006

Well, Newscast has updated again, and this time, VERY early. Cool eh? So we finally see the Evil Pie, MWAGUMPH and learn part of his plan. Is his plan truly evil? Can a pie even properly wear a Monocle? Only TIME will tell. For bonus points, guess who this story arc's special guest star is. I'll give you a hint, he's an actor.

IN OTHER NEWS:

Preperations are in the works for E3 this year, and I hope to convince Fighter Chick Cam to step up to the challenge of handing off some of her beautiful and hilarious Guest Comics, however, I'll take submissions from anyone, send in your FanStrips today!

Also, I would like to apologize to BookMaster, because I spelled Heroes wrong in the title for the webcomic The Hero's Handbook. I have fixed the error, and I hope you'll still take some time to give it a read.

And finally, I'd like to congratulate Khepri for making it into the Newscast Interns Club on the NewscastRPG game. She's the first new poster since Lonewolfe joined a little over a year ago.

N.U.S. April 2, 2006

Hey everyone. Just a quick note today, yesterdays' lack of updation was not a poorly-concieved April Fools' Joke. What happened is that, after finishing the comic once, I realized that the last panel wasn't big enough, and the top 5 were too small. So I cut it in half, but I had to redraw the thing. Sorry about that, but it's better this way, trust me.

In the meantime, Tuesday's should be fine because I pretty much know what it is, I just have to draw it again. It's big.

IN OTHER NEWS:

I didn't mention it the other day, but I should have. Another great webcomic with which I am affiliated (Link Exchange) and is also done by a very cool fan of mine...

The Hero's Handbook

So make sure to check that out too. Oh, and tag the thing over there. You know, to the left of this box? Tag it so I know you're out there, but take off your tin-foil hat first, it interferes with the signal.

It's an 88 Magnum. Got it special. It shoots through SCHOOLS!
-Ayame

N.U.S. March 30, 2006

At the request of Moero, I've put up a TagBoard. I'm gonna test it out, see what happens. I've gotta be honest, I've never liked the idea of them, but I figure if those who use it prove to me they're mature enough to handle it, then so be it.

Sorry about Tuesday, as you can imagine, that comic up there was a royal pain in the butt to finish. However, all things are on track for Saturday's installment. Tune in, won't we?

Oh, and I read a couple funny webcomics today, thought I'd share them with you, as long as you don't desert me entirely.

Fail!
This one is just funny.

Hopscotch
This one is quite different than most, but it's interesting to read.

Stray Crayons
This one is going to do a link exchange with me, but it's so...intriguing that
I just had to mention it. It's extremely well done, but there aren't many pages yet (like I should talk...)

So yeah, give those a read, enjoy the Tagboard and...yeah, just keep reading Newscast...please?

-You're SuperSprode!
Ayame

N.U.S. March 25, 2006

I finally hit #70, and I'll be honest, for awhile there, I didn't think I would make it. 50 was a milestone, but I don't think I ever thought about it reaching beyond that which is probably why it stopped for so long afterwords. When you consider that most active comics span well into 200 strips, Newscast is still very young and has a long time left to go. I've gotten into a nice groove for working on it, so it's not a chore like it used to be. I only wish I got paid to do it which brings me to:

IN OTHER NEWS:

I've been out looking for a second job. And if I get one, the time I am able to devote to NC is going to be drastically cut back. *sigh* tis the life of a poor poor temporarily-between-colleges student. I'll be uploading a 'store' page soon (I hope) please support Newscast buy buying a shirt or a poster. It helps in more ways than just a donation, you'll also be spreading the word everytime you wear it/show it off. And the more people come to the site, the more time I can justify putting aside for it.

/pathetic rant

Imagine a world where emails are sent before they're written, and read before they arrive by people you don't even know.
-Ayame

N.U.S. March 21, 2006

Yo! Sorry about the lack of updation on Saturday, I was a little under the weather this weekend, and it prevented me from being at the computer, a TV, or anything with a screen, really. However, the plot moves onward. Without Cade? Apparently. Don't worry, he'll be back. Or will he? Yes. Stay Tuned.

IN OTHER NEWS:

I finally put Kingdom Hearts back in my PS2 and realized that I'd thusfar only logged about 15 hours into it. But after I reaquainted myself with the controls, I fell quickly back into it, and even discovered some stuff I think I missed entirely on my first foray into it. Also, I finally pulled myself out of the dark ages and got my friggin XBox 360 online. So if you wanna play against me (I really only have Dead or Alive 4) my gamertag is, of course, AyameExGoddess.

Also, Ryo-Ohki finally is reborn! Her new form is quite a bit different than her old one. But it's a joyous occasion nonetheless. Perhaps some pictures will be here soon.

N.U.S. March 14, 2006

Well, Fighter Chick Cam is at it again. Because I had lots and lots going on this weekend, I wasn't able to get any farther along on the comic than the script. However, now that my computer is back to 97% functionality, and all guests from out-of-town are gone, as well as like a thousand other things are done, NC will resume updation on Saturday. Anyway, I would like to reiterate that I really do like Fighter Chick Cam's guest comics, and in fact, I do think this one is hilarious.

IN OTHER NEWS:

There really isn't any, except that I cannot find any track-ball mice ANYWHERE anymore. I will not be buying an optical mouse either unless I have no other choice.

Check out the new parts of the site when I get them up. Yay!

N.U.S. March 11, 2006

Just a quick post today. The new mouse and my Keyboard's current malfunction, make it extremely difficult to work on my comic. However, it's up and stuff. Read it, love it.

In Other News:

Not too much else to report. I finally found a car, which is nice. Hopefully a new job will come soon. What else what else....Oh yeah, did you see that release for the new DSLite in Japan? Pretty amazing stuff. This proves that ideas are more powerful than graphics! Not that graphics aren't important too, but...yeah.

Oh...I think I need to call my parents.
-Lovez Ayame

N.U.S. March 9, 2006

EGAD! A crisis today that almost effected Newscast Saturday! So I was surfin the net this morning and all of a sudden, my computer goes ballistic! Everything locks up....I can't click on anything, close anything, or move anything. When I move the cursor, it's like I'm holding down the button.

I think -quite reasonably, I might add-;
"Virus"

So, my hatred for humanity rekindled, as well as all number of hypothesis going through my head as to where I might have gotten one (That email I got this morning? Kazaa left running? Star Trek fan encrypting them into the episodes I downloaded?) So I managed to activate my Virus Scan and left for work. Confident that when I returned, my Mcaffe would save me.

Oh how mistaken I was.

Long story short, after hours of panic, paranoia, and an excuse to watch Howls' Moving Castle, turns out my FUGGIN MOUSE WAS BROKEN! So I'll be picking up a new one tommorow and now Newscast can hopefully update Saturday.
Why am I posting this here? Just in case something else happens. The mouse I am currently using is only 1/10th as operative as my formerly-not broken one, so everything I do on this comp takes forever. Be forewarned.

ALSO:

I got most of the page updated. All the ComicGenesis logos are up and all the Keenspace stuff is gone. I'll be relocating stuff here shortly and adding some new buttons and pages. Keep on the lookout for them. Also, check out the new FAN ART on the page of the same name.

IN OTHER NEWS:

Like I said, I watched Howls' Moving Castle tonight and what a great movie it is. When it was in theaters, me and my friend Mina went to see it three nights in a row before they took it out. And I've been dying waiting for it to come out on DVD. If you haven't seen it yet, I suggest you doso. I liked Wallace and Grommit: The Curse of the Wererabbit, but Howls' Moving Castle is on another level of consiousness entirely. It should've won that Oscar....

Miyazaki, you are a GOD!

N.U.S. March 8, 2006

Yes...a day late. However, a comic I like it is....I don't know where I was going with that. I was distracted...the glory of Futurama on TV...anywho this was a fun comic to draw. Oh yes, and sorry to anyone who missed the last comic because I forgot to upload it on Taymation I won't do it again...without warning that is.

Also, I am gonna spend a little bit of tonight working on the website. So hopefully some of the stuff that hasn't worked for a long time will work...and if not tonight, then tommorow. But probably tonight.

IN OTHER NEWS:

Howls' Moving Castle is on DVD today. I hope you did your job and bought a copy. If you didn't, you should. Truly, it is one of the best animated movies of this, or any year. Heck, it's one of the best movies period.

The big brain am the greatest! Now I am leaving Earth for no raeson...
-Lovez, Ayame

N.U.S. March 4, 2006

Greetings all.

Not too much to report here, but the new comic is up. I like it, especially the lighting effect in the cage. That was pioneered once already in this comic, but I liked it so I did it again.

The story marches onward, and Tuesdays' even has a touch of the funny.

In a slightly related story, I might stop updating on Taymation for awhile. I want to see if it boosts the readership here. And if so, by how much. Honestly, I like Taymation's format well enough, but it screws up all my comics and frankly, they're bad enough. They don't need assistance.

IN OTHER NEWS:

Not too much to report here. Still playing Super Princess Peach which rules. I also found out that the DS has a rumble pack, which I...er...acquired the other day. It's not a great thing, but it's a cool little widget. Plus, since my DS is the ultimate one, it was a nessescity for me to own.

I've also been playing EQII a lot lately. Well, not a lot....but i played once. I keep trying to get back to CoH, but damned if I have the time lately. *sigh* I miss my friends in Paragon City.

Anyway, gotta go vaccum. It's Four Swords Night!

"Oh, and after a thourough search of the FIRST room..."
-Lovez, Ayame.

N.U.S. February 28, 2006

A little late, but not as late as it could be. Newscast #65 brings to the table a character whos' design I have always liked, but never really perfected. However, thanks to my tenure at Discover Financial, I finally settled on a design I liked. So, now we've met Cade. Who is he? What is he doing here? Is he friend or foe? All these questions will be answered, so stay tuned.

In the meantime, two new shirts are about to be offered on the Newscast website. Supplies are limited, because they were for a convention and they've just been sitting in a box for awhile. These are two of my favorite shirt designs, especially the Kioko one. So look for that coming in the next day or two. Also, some posters may be avaliable. These are all gonna be slightly discounted as well, because they sport the old KeenSpace URL, I mean, it's still good because newscast.keenspace.com will still take you to my comic, but discounts are always great!

IN OTHER NEWS:

So I watched Return of the Jedi last night, (the classic version) and it rekindled my love for Star Wars. I never EVER realized how much Episodes 1, 2, and 3 really killed it for me. I mean, 3 was ALRIGHT, but after seeing Vader as his true, badass self again...there's just no comparison. All the CGI in the world can't replace a damn good movie. And to think I almost watched Final Justice instead...

Also, Super Princess Peach is in my DS today. I'll have a full review up in the Gamers Guild section of the Taymation Forums. The guild is by invitation only, so you'll need to submit a request to join here.

And that's all the muck that's fit to rake.
-Love, Ayame

N.U.S. February 26, 2006

Well I know it's been awhile since I updated the blog, but I felt compelled to with the release and beginning of Chapter 2 of Newscast:

Of Evil Pie and Magic Tricks.

Why the title you ask? Why not, I reply. Then I smack you upside the head for sassin me back. Yeah. Well, anyway keep checking because Newscast is going to keep coming at ya, twice a week (if we're lucky) and soon even more fun and offbeat adventures will begin. Special thanks goes out for this comic to Tay from Legend of Link and Stuart Packrell of The Mind of James Freemon for helping me with some of the...hidden...things in this comic.

IN OTHER NEWS:

Taylor's an ass. lol, IMHO omfg! :) he iz t3h oob3r l337 r0><><0rrz j0!!11 ...Yeah, I'm done now. Seriously though, Super Princess Peach comes out for the DS next week. Buy it or else I shall send a horde of Menacing Moeros down upon you. I have that power. Yes. Yes I do.