SEE! Stereotypes and the expectations, good or bad, can cause problems!
I’ve been debating bringing up a certain topic that’s been brought up in the comments recently, but I’ve finally come to terms with the fact that it might be worthwhile, and even fun, to go a bit more in depth about things and describe my stance on the topic. And hey, this space is usually pretty empty anyway. Consider this an “artist’s statement.”
The topic: “safe humor.”
Here’s the original comment from last comic’s thread, posted by Adro:
Stu, whatever you do. Please don’t be that guy who caters to the “safe funny”. I like your comic because of it’s audacity and flair. It’s what sets you apart from the 500,000 or so other web comics.
First of all, thanks Adro, I couldn’t agree more. The entire reason I do a webcomic, the most appealing aspect, is the lack of anyone to adhere to. No editor, no board, no boss. The subject of my webcomic is not the stuff that could be printed in most papers and I’m proud of that fact. The people that know me, work with me, date me, know that I’m a pretty dirty bird, with a one track mind and a no-holds-barred attitude towards sex. This comic is my favorite way to express that attitude. And from the fantastic and supportive response I’ve gotten from CHB’s readers, it rings true with others too.
So what is “safe humor”? Well, I’m not sure what Adro thinks it is, but I’ll venture a guess, because I’ve thought plenty about this before. It’s humor that tries not to piss people off. It’s censored. It’s humor that makes a joke and than apologizes for it afterwards.
Was comic #198 “sushi roll” an apology to comic #197 “hung fu”? Dear Gaga, no.
Looking at CHB’s tagline, “Because sodomy is funny” I’d like to add another part to it: Sodomites are even funnier. Yeah, this comic is about buttfucking, but it’s also about buttfuckers. Gay people are hysterical. In the past few decades, where we’ve been about to crawl out of our closets and shed away some of our fears, we’ve proven something: we’re just as bat-shit crazy as we are funny, intelligent, and sexy.
So, for every “LAWL, BUTTSECKS” joke that I put up here (comic #197), every once in a while I like to put a “LAWL, FAGS” joke too (comic #198, 199). We (myself included) make racist jokes, have regrettable one night stands, go over the top, can’t believe we dated that one guy for so long, and made very unfortunate fashion choices. Sometimes we fit the stereotypes and sometimes we break them.
So, in short, I won’t ever be conforming to “safe humor.” But, on the rare occasion, the comics might have an opinion or point behind them. Those are a little harder to write, and I’m still pretty new at this. I know I’m gonna piss someone off (we’re a fickle bunch –see I bet that pissed someone off), but the whole point is to make someone laugh, and get my creative itch scratched.
So yeah, thanks for listening, and as always, thanks for the comments, feedback, complaints, and compliments.
Kiss noise.
(PS. Capitol Hillbillies is turning 200 — that’s pretty rad. I’ve got a few ideas, but I’m curious, anything you guys want to see for the big 2-0-0? Comment below.)
dude, you have such a great sense of humor. i’ve been following this comic for a while now because i’m from seattle, but living and going to school in boston. it’s great to get a little taste of home every once in a while.
and hey, gays are funny. us bisexuals aren’t bad ourselves, but man, queens and kings alike can kick our equal-opportunity-lovin’ asses when it comes to being over the top. keep me gasping for breath, if you please.
Rock On! You make me laugh every week with, and at the bois! I’ll keep reading regardless of your content.
Your favorite New Mexico Reader!
Ok, SAFE????? It is obvious to anyone who reads this little arc of comics that the point isn’t “Oh I’m sorry I said Asian’s have small dicks.” It’s “Oh those silly stupid size queens who assume Asians have small dicks, let’s fuck with them”. Sometimes it’s appropriate to be politically correct, but sometimes it isn’t. And on some bizzare twisted way people who are against political correctness have gone so far as to say that anything that might seem like it isn’t anti-PC isn’t Politically Correct in relation to their delicate must be offensive sensibilities. It’s like man hating feminists who bitch about sexism. Really? Bite Me.
This comic is one of the best on the web. Keep up the awesome.
Lets me start by saying I don’t like most gay comics out there, they are either about the day to day adventures of a committed monogamous couple (witch can be witty but hardly funny) or a bunch of clichéd queens (and not in the good sense) that are neither funny nor witty. The Capitol fags are the exception, I really love them, even when they do something that pisses me, or should I say I love them even more when they do something that pisses me, because they feel real.
Now for the 200 or after suggestions. I have noticed a phallocentric perspective on most Capitol folk (except the lesbian), and some even show an explicit aberration towards female genitalia. Well, I am thinking fuck with their minds and introduce a really hot gay Transman character.
I’m thinking of my friends’ reaction when they found out the really study hunky boy I was dating had a clitoris. Yeah some of them were offensive, some were quite funny and it changed their perspective a lot. Just a suggestion.
Maybe for the big 2-0-0 you could make an interactive Flash comic. It might be a lot of work though, which might hard to be crunch between today and Friday.
If you want to make it special, without the extra hard work you could just go for a 6 panel or a 9 panel. That would still make your readers happy.
Dude, don’t censor yourself. your comics are funny as hell.
Suggestions for 200:
a) Give your characters another costume change. I thought it was really cool when you updated all of them at 100. I’d approve of changing their appearances aver 100 eps.
b) Whatever happened to Todd? You should use him more. He really balanced out the other characters.
“Sometimes we fit the sterotypes, and sometimes we break them.”
Story of everyone’s life, isn’t it? I love this comic, I’ve been addicted to it since my roommate discovered it. Don’t change a thing. And I’m seriously tempted to have the above quote tattooed over my ass.
Dunno if Adam proposed this to you but while we’re talking about offending people and thinking up ideas for 200, how about a sexy jeebus hookup situation?
Also, I like the idea of another costume change. My Union Jack tshirt is starting to get worn out.
Well, I think that for the big 2-0-0, there should be bears and WS. I say this because I’m a bear into WS, so it works perfectly
Anyway, I agree on the point of “safe humor” and, at first, i thought 198 was a sort of apology for 197, but I realized it was just making fun of the views mos people conform to. And on the blatant racism thing, I’d like to say that some attributes some guys like are much more geared to some races, thus some preferences. I for one like ginger bears, which are rarely anything but predominantly white
Love the comic, love the boldness you’ve got! wish it were daily but I suppose nobody can expect that of an artist who needs to be as genuinely funny as you are right now. also I think it would take a toll out of the quality of the comic… so don’t go there. (;
it would be nice to see the characters get a little 3.0 update on their looks, maybe some brighter more contrasted colours.
my idea for 200 is a bit of a lookback of the past 199 comics, fun quotes and stuff. or a remake of the first one like http://www.sinfest.com did a while ago. (they recreated/restyled their first comic)
anyway, all I know is, it won’t disappoint, whatever you choose.
greets,
Steve
There must be another lesbian :O or not, the comic is fabulous on its own
And 3 Dollar Bill? I effing LOVE you, dude!
I love all of you! But not in the drop your pants and bend over way….unless you wanna.
Though there is no real correlation between penis size and race, there IS a correlation between penis size and sexuallity. Statistically, gay men have more inchage than straight men. No joke! Learned that in a college Human Sexuality course.