Webcomic Book Club Full Reviews of Same Difference by Derek Kirk Kim

((I hope this is good enough.)) Visuals: The drawings in Same Difference are very professional looking and consistant. The professional looking isn't the selling point for me (though I prefer cleaner drawings), but the fact that the characters always look consistant. Too many webcomics exist where the main characters can barely be told from each other, and somtimes themselves, as the artist is inconsistant. The panels are varied, and are easy to follow, really helping the story move along. Story: Most webcomics are written as ongoing epics that continue until the artist finally gets sick of them and drops them. But Same Difference actually ends, which is a plus. It is more comparable to a short story than anything else, really. The plot is (somewhat) realistic, and even though I am not old enough to face the same problems that the characters are, I can still feel for them. The characters are consistant, and while their conversations are mostly random ramblings, that is how most conversations I'm in tend to turn out. Like all good stories, I hate that it ends, but can't think of an honest way to continue it. Site: The site is, well, barren. The orange tatarn is a nice change of pace, while not being glaring at the same time. But besides the comic, there isn't... much... else. But being the short story that it is, I guess it does not need much extra. The chapters loading in entirety can be a problem for slow connections. Overall: A- Review by Taua Boswell Sun Sep 21 2003 12:05 PM

I remember that it was some time in the early 1990's that a funny thing happened at the movies. Characters began having conversations similar to the ones my friends and I had been having for years. On the screen were drifting 20-something's who spent their time obsessively analyzing their own lives and relationships through conversations littered with film and pop culture references. Adrift young adults were nothing new to the movies, but the pop-culture speak was a new wrinkle; it was like the movies had finally caught up to the reality that was familiar to me. I think the first film where this phenomenon really struck me was "Reservoir Dogs" which wasn't about drifting 20-something's at all, but gangsters. Here were these hardcore professional criminals arguing about Madonna lyrics and the ethics of tipping just like my buddy's and I might do at Denny's on any given day. There were a slew of these films that came out, focusing on young adults caught between college and "real life", raised with an overabundance of television and psychoanalytic terminology, spending most of their time "slacking" and attempting to make witty observations on life. I remember quite liking a film called "Kicking And Screaming" and there was at least one hilarious series of comic books in the genre, Peter Bagge's "Hate". Unfortunately, all things fresh and innovative get copied and regurgitated through every level of pop culture like so much "Matrix"-choreography. By the late-1990's, many of the so-called Gen-X films were awful--self-indulgent American Independent cinema at its worse. So now in 2003, "Slacker" stories have been corralled into their own genre. And though flannel shirts and grunge attire may be antiquated, tales still abound (especially in webcomics) of slackers slinging their pop culture references as if they were fresh gems of wit. I begin this week's critique with such a lengthy intro for a reason. In some ways, one might superficially classify "Same Difference" as a slacker webcomic, in that it covers the checklist of items so often associated with that genre. But "Same Difference" so transcends the genre and is such a fine piece of storytelling, that it made all of the genuine emotional issues I associate with being at that "slacker stage of life" feel fresh and alive again. *SPOILERS* I'm in my late 30's now and my slacker days are a good dozen years in the past, but "Same Difference" had the profound effect of putting me back into that era of my life, and even earlier into my high school years. It made me realize that I'm still grappling with some of the issues as the characters in the story. Maybe you never really resolve the emotional issues from any stage of life; you just get new ones to replace them. Mortgage payments, investment portfolios and office politics perhaps just keep me from having to wrestle with all the shitty things I did to people back in high school. I read "Same Difference" and also found myself asking, am I the guy the with the wife and the stroller or am I the guy still drawing Woody Woodpecker in the sand for no one but God to see? This is a great webcomic. It's marvelous how so many elements in the characters' lives do not exist solely in the here and now but can only be experienced though contrast with the past: Little things like peeking into Nancy's yearbook to the big things like the high school flashbacks and revisiting hometown Pacifica. Every element in the story is like a satellite that shoots off in one direction or another but can never escape the gravitational pull of the past. Derek Kirk Kim as author keeps all the elements in orbit and brings them circling back when least expected for maximum impact. There's a security in the past, whether it's painful memories or dopey movies you shared with friends. Sure, you were stuck in high school or stuck in college, but despite being "stuck", you were at least on a track that set the broad directional pull of your life. But without school, a "real job" or a family to set the broad directional outline, there's this giant overhanging cloud that's constantly asking, "where am I going?" To me, that's the core emotional theme of the "slacker" genre, but to make that simple concept feel fresh, you need good characters and a good story. Thankfully, Derek Kirk Kim provides both. The characters in the story, 20-something friends Simon and Nancy, don't just talk in the restaurant all day (though I would certainly enjoy listening to them), but they create a mini-adventure for themselves. They go on a quest to track down a stranger, a stranger who has a passionate focus in life (a warped and possibly psychotic focus, but a focus nonetheless). I felt that same buzz I've gotten from "Nancy Drew" to "Blue Velvet", that mixture of excitement and apprehension for young protagonists about to embark on a journey into the darker regions of human experience. It may be deadly and foolish, and you sure as hell wouldn't do it, but you just can't wait to see them go. This stranger happens to live in Simon's home town which further stirs up all sorts of bug-a-boo's from Simon's past. Through "Same Difference" is by no means a "thriller", there is a surprising amount of suspense generated by the simple premise. Even during the flashbacks within the main story, I was eager to get to the next panel to learn more about what happens next. Such a basic requirement for any story, but so rarely achieved. I didn't even notice the artwork. And I mean that as a compliment, like in a film with really good CGI that sucks you in so well you don't even think about except what's happening. I'm only just considering the artwork now, for this review. Everything looks as it should: The cars, the suburban houses, the store fronts, the high school kids--all filtered nicely through Derek Kirk Kim's consistent degree of stylization. His manipulation of time is wonderful too, dragging some scenes out by repeating panels or letting the camera drift to reflect a daydreaming state of mind. Because the scenes are generally so low-key and naturalistic, when there is a bit of action, like a sudden jaunt across the aisles at a supermarket, it impacts with excitement and hilarity. I really could go on and on raving about the joys and insights I found in each chapter, but too much praise can kill the work and rob the pleasures from new readers. I doubt everyone will enjoy this comic as much as I did, but "Same Difference" felt like an authentic portrait of me and my generation--or at least what I felt and still do feel. No, I'm not Korean-American, I don't live in Northern California, and I'm probably a dozen years older than the protagonists, but those are mere superficials. The climax is a tender mix of the cosmic and the trivial. Simon may not have found any new breakthrough direction in his life (do we ever really?), but damn it, he finally remembered the girl's name in that "Real Genius" movie. And for some of us, that's a helluva start. Review by The Phantom Critic Thu Sep 18 2003 11:54 PM

Art: The art is very nicely done in this webcomic. I was impressed, and as others have stated before me, the beginning scenes with the fish were certainly eye-catching. Definitely above average, if not the best out there. Story: Well, there's no save-the-world heroics in this webcomic; rather, it's a short story dealing with very understandable emotions and origins for those emotions that I think most of us can certainly emphathize with. This webcomic is, as I've said, short, as such, there's not a huge amount of complexity to it. Nevertheless, it's rather satisfying, though I would have liked it to go on longer. Characters: The characters...well, there's not enough time to see them fully develop, but they certainly seem like very real people. I wish I could say more here, but this webcomic is only a quick glimpse into the lives of these two, and as such, doesn't really bring all the working of their minds to light. And yet, even though this was only a short glimpse, it seems a perfect snapshot of the lives of two rather odd friends. Overall: This is a good webcomic. I usually don't like webcomics like this, but nevertheless, 'Same Difference' managed to grab my interest and disappoint me when it ended, and I give it due kudos for that. 9/10 Review by Luthorne Thu Sep 18 2003 11:57 AM

Art: The art for Same Difference was a nice blend of realism and cartoons. You could tell when the characters were being serious and when they were being a little outlandish-but not with jarring breaks, as some comics use. Everyone was very distinctive, but not for being very ugly or misfigured. The backrounds were also very cool, without being distracting or overelaborate. And with the level of polish put on this comic, I have no complaints about the lack of color-it certainly didn't need any to look good. Characters: Simon and Nancy are the obvious backbone of the story, since they're the two who drive it. But I liked the story Simon told about Irene, and their meeting at the supermarket. Nancy's motivation to meet Ben Leland was a little disturbing...but at the same time, it's something that happens. And though Ben didn't get a lot of screen time, I felt like he was a well-rounded character; you may not have learned much about him, but he seemed to have a lot underneath the surface. The only one who I would have liked to learn more about was Ian. While having him come on the trip would have been awkward, he said little and did less. However, that's a minor complaint, to me. Plot: Probably the highest point of Same Difference. The plot seemed to evolve naturally without being rushed, and the reasons-as well as the results-made a lot of sense. I only wish that other comics were as lucky. Writing: Another strong point. There's some good dialogue in Same Difference, but none of it seems out of character or odd for the situation-when Nancy says something, it somehow comes out as something she would say. I can't imagine the same words coming from Simon. The pacing is also very nice-I particularly liked the use of the Tom Waits song "I Don't Wanna Grow Up", to mark the trip from Oakland to Pacifica. Overall: The biggest flaw about "Same Difference" is that it ends, really. But it has a natural, unforced ending, which ties up loose ends and leaves the characters changed, and maybe a little better than before. It's a perfectly normal story, but it's done in a very good way. I give Same Difference 9 out of 10. Review by Benor Tue Sep 16 2003 10:58 PM

Art The art is plesant, done completly in grey-scale, the details are very precise. With the first few chapters what really caught my eye, were the fish. the details and placement of said fish made for very intresting scenes, giving a kind of sureal look to strip. After that the backgrounds continued to be expanisive and expressive. the actual human drawings varied in complexity, but with a lot of variety. and like all good webcomics, extremmly expressive people. Story Very nice story, and to say it, a very human story. High school and relationships are something pretty much anybody can relate to. The ones depicted in this comic are realistic, not blown to soap opera proportions like some comics, or reduced to side notes like others, this is very real, and plausible. Chars. Again as in story very real, the charectors act, and react, like humans. They talk about their past and act about their future in realistic matters. Happy moments and sad moments, moments that they will remeber for maybe the rest of their lives. fone well, written well, and expressive. Page Layout A diffrent background then usual, an orange tartan. placed on top with a black and white and grey comic, the colours kinda of mix, and kinda don't. the large page scroll to read down made for a longer load time then most. But it does usually finish a small or larger story arc at the end of each of the chapters which take up the entire page. Overall 8/10 good story, pretty nice art, intresting page design. A few elements could have been left out. but overall a wonderfully done story. Review by Jordin The Learned Tue Sep 16 2003 10:29 AM

Well, when I first saw the title, I thought, "Oh great. It's that stupid saying again." From the beginning, I was slightly biased against this work. I think that lasted until about halfway through the first panel. This isn't so much a comic as it is a graphic novel. The only true difference between the two is not length or style, but the type of story they tell (or if they even tell a story). Perhaps the most enjoyable part of "Same Difference", was the natural flow of conversation and events. I could read a chapter and then successfully imagine me and my friends having the exact same conversation. It didn't seem stilted or scripted, like many webcomics can. The actions the characters go through flows smoothly from one event to the next to the next. 'A dynamic work', as my my theatre professor would put it. One part that really stuck with me comes right in the beginning, where Simon speaks of his high school's Sadie Hawkins dance and his would-be date. It just seems... very human. The feeling continues later on when they meet again. Perhaps I am succumbing to the mass belief that something must be sad or depressing to be 'realistic'; it happens quite enough in my field, truth be told. I do not, however, feel that such invalidates my opinions, nor does it oppugn the over-all humanity (to over-use a word) of the story. Done very stunningly in grayscale (maybe brownscale, as I trust not the combination of eyes and monitor), "Same Difference" has a very clean and readable style. There are some of the typical 'anime' additives, such as sweatdrops, tension Xs, et cetera, but they add to the effect, rather than detract from it. In all, it is a very human and realistic work, artistically, with enough small 'cartoony' visual cues to make up for not being face-to-face with these characters. (Indeed, I often find myself mentally adding such subtly-perceived cues to my friends' faces at certain moments, but that is a discussion for a different topic.) "Same Difference" comes to a close with... well, closure, which is a perfectly uncommon and pleasurable occurrence. It leaves me wanting more, but not entirely upset if there isn't any more to be had. Mr. Kim did a superb job of telling a story; not just reciting a series of events for others to listen to, but actually telling a story. It falls somewhere between Nine and Ten out of Ten. Review by Xenix Tue Sep 16 2003 06:06 AM

A review of Same Difference by Kajamir the Giant Same Difference is a fun short story comic, possessed of about seventeen seperate loadings for the entire story. SD deals with entirely plausible non-fantastical events with two young Korean Americans as they embark on a rather cruel exploration trip to find out the truth behind someone else's sad life. Along the way, they happen to learn about themselves before all is said and done. Same Difference has some fairly excellent art done in b/w, and if my eyes aren't fully deceiving me, shades of brown. Characters are very eye catching, a mix of cartoonish and realistic. Their expressions are maybe a little innocent for what they're actually doing, but that could be attributed to style. Grounded, realistic, shows how normal people can be cruel or foolish, but capable of change or understanding too. The characters embark on a rite of passage that I found welcoming, if not fresh. Reading about the female character was a kick. She had this quality that made me both embarrassed and eager to see what would happen next. Same Difference was a nice short read, easy to jump into. I'd recommend it for those who'd who can appreciate a bright tale combining both humor and serious matters of the heart. I give Same Difference an 8 of 10 stars. Review by Kajamir the Giant Sun Sep 14 2003 01:29 PM

Offsite Review Summaries

"On the surface, this story is simply about two friends – Simon and Nancy – as they try to find a man from Simon's hometown who has been sending letters to Nancy's apartment, the address of his former girlfriend. These letters prove so touching, so heartfelt, that Nancy succumbs and writes back, posing as the man's ex-girlfriend, and indicating to him that she is interested in resuming the relationship." more... Read Full Review by Matt Trepal at Comixpedia Sun Mar 02 2003

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