FAQ

(Foil Abacus Quota.  Flaming Amish Queens.  Fabulous Aardvark Quiches.)

Yes this FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) section does actually contain some answers!

1.  I've noticed a difference in the art quality from strip to strip.  Especially in the older archives.  Not small, insignificant, this-was-done-at-three-in-the-morning-on-a-caffeine-binge differences.  Humongoid style changes.  What's up?

        In December of 2000 Dan, the artist/writer of 'Gunz!, decided to go six days a week.  But Dan doesn't do things like the sane people do.  Uh uh.  He decided the only way to have continuity for the strip was to fill in the gaps from his three day a week schedule.  This would also give him a chance to fill in some of the storyline gaps that plagued him about the earlier plots.  Plus, he added whole new story elements and plotlines as a bonus.  You're welcome.

2.  What about the coloring?  Sometimes it's great, sometimes not so much.

        Check the credits on the first panel.  If Nico, the ex-colorist, was able to color the strip then she would have "Color By Nico" or "CBN" or somesuch on there.  Now the ones you're asking about are probably when Dan is forced to do it himself.  Not FDA approved, really.

         Nico is no longer with the 'Gunz! staff, but we still refuse to release those compromising New Years pictures.

3.  Why is it called "gunz"?

        It's not.  The comic strip is entitled 'Gunz!  Notice the punctuation.  This makes it so much clearer.  Dragunz... 'gunz...  It's all very grammatical.

4.  What is this l33t you speak of here?

        You're not from around here, are ya?  Well, 1337=l33t=leet=elite.  It's basically what a bunch of bored people on the internet do to make sure everyone knows they're a "hax0r" that will "r0xx0r" you with their "m4d l33t s|<!11z" unless you "ph33r" them appropriately.  It can get quite complex/annoying/humorous (in the point at you and laugh kinda way).

5.  What is the difference between a dragon and a dragun?

        Bull says it's phallus heft, but let's try another explanation.  First of all, there are many types of dragons.  As you look at separate cultures there are little dragons, dragons with moustaches, dragons with wings, dragons who wear bad toupees and smoke Camel lights...and so on.  So it could be said that dragunz are only a certain type of dragon, but this is the subject of a future story line, so I will go no farther.  Just stay tuned.

6.  Why the "z"?  Dragun-z?  Kinda immature, no?

        No.  Besides, are you going to tell them any different?  Well, I started off with just "dragun" and for a while used "draguns" but man, a>it didn't look right; b>didn't want it to look unintentional (I know how to spell, dangit!); and c>the "z" made the word less tame/lame/all around sucky compared to the essential niftiness that is "dragunz."  So nyah.

7.  Why do you do a comic about an Oriental family when you are obviously Caucasian?

        Because I'm an equal opportunity story-teller?  It just happened.  This was the topic of my first, and so far only, piece of hate mail.  Except, as with most hate mail, it was presented in a manner consistent with the grammarian instincts of a drunk gnat and the deep thought of Mike Tyson hepped up on ear chunks.  (Tyson™ brand Ear Chunks being a whole different subject.)  Apparently I was not "orient" so I had no business drawing "orient" people.  I can only guess she (I think it was a she) guessed this by my name since that was the only thing up about me at the time.  Well, folks, I'm not Oriental.  But as most of my readers are smart enough to figure out, you can't tell that by my name.  Gah.  Moving on.

8.  Do you look like Oswan?  If so, are you single/open for parties/a hair-dresser?

        No.  Yes, maybe, and no.  As someone said, "Oh, so you're not a Chinese body-builder that does Johnny Bravo moves?"  Further queries can be sent to the ex-colorist.  Heh.  HA.  Muwahehaha!  What?

9.  Will we ever see Yi's face?  How do you pronounce "Yi"?  

        There's a chance.  But don't hold your breath.  This is covered in her character profile.  And it's pronounced "yee" by those who know.  And now you do.

10. What all was on that "Do Not Flame" list?

        Ya know, my dad once told me, "Son, you remind me every day that I should have just gotten a dog."  But that's not important right now.  What is more pertinent is what my sheriff once told me.  "Son," he said, "There are some things just better left unknown."  I think he meant the reason for his odd obsession with pickled pig's feet and applesauce sculptures, but the point stands.

11. How do you draw your strip?  How long does it take?  While I'm at it, how do you like your steak?

        That info about my process is here.  It takes around 30 minutes to an hour and a half to do a daily (with occasional foray into the 2 hour range) and around 3 hours or much much more (not counting coloring) for a Sunday strip.  And I like my meat dead, red, and well-fed.

More questions?  One I missed?  Drop me a line.