Interview with Tokumei

Webcom:  Tokumei, you run River City High.  What do you find hardest about running a webcomic and website?

 

Tokumei:  I'd say the hardest part about running a webcomic is the time involved.

 

Tokumei:  When people first start a webcomic, they rarely take into consideration the long term.

 

Tokumei:  As for the website, I feel that for a creative bunch of people, webcomic authors rarely put alot of work into their websites.

 

Tokumei:  The comic's site should be just as interesting as the comic.

 

Tokumei:  ...I think that covers it.

 

Webcom:  What is more challenging, thinking up jokes, or putting the comic together itself?

 

Tokumei:  Definately thinking up jokes... Once you have the whole comic making process down, it's not much of a challenge.

 

Tokumei:  But it takes both good writing and graphics to make a successful comic.

 

Webcom:  Do you find it hard to reach a more mainstream group using a lesser known video game? [River City Ransom]

 

Tokumei:  River City Ransom's audience may not be mainstream, but it has a cult-like following.

 

Tokumei:  Which brings in its own steady stream of viewers.

 

Tokumei:  I think that even if someone has never heard of River City Ransom they can enjoy the comic.

 

Webcom:  Given that RCR in itself is somewhat playful, do you find it easier to make jokes?

 

Tokumei:  Yeah, I think RCR provides plenty of opportunities for jokes. The hardest part in my opinion is adding personality to the characters.

 

Webcom:  What si your favorite weapon?

 

Tokumei:  *ponders deeply* I'll have to say the chain.

 

Tokumei:  ...It's got style that a simple pipe cannot match.

 

Webcom:  True dat

 

Webcom:  Have you gotten a case of writer's block yet?

 

Tokumei:  Oh yes, many times. Whenever I come down with one, I play through RCR up to the current point in the story and ask myself "Ok, what happens next?"

 

Tokumei:  Adding plot to a game like this is like adding a 3rd dimension to the game.

 

Webcom:  The BIG question: Generic Dudes vs. The Frat Boys.  Who wins?

 

Tokumei:  The Frat Guys of course. Why do you think they carry an extra $0.05 around in their pockets?

 

Webcom:  I always figured because their parents were rich.  How else do you get in a frat?

 

Tokumei:  By being the life of the party and consuming your body weight in alchohol?

 

Tokumei:  Oh... that wasn't a question.

 

Webcom:  Heh.

 

Webcom:  If by life, you mean drunken mess of course.

 

Tokumei:  Indubitably!

 

Webcom:  Where did you get the idea to make the main character a punk-beating gentle hearted guy?  Aside from the game, of course.

 

Webcom:  Was it just a random idea, or did you think carefully.

 

Tokumei:  I suppose after playing a game for 10 years, you start making up personalities for the characters...

 

Tokumei:  That's always been my mental portrayal of Alex.

 

Webcom:  Hows about his friend?  What is your image of him?

 

Tokumei:  That's the hard part, I never really played as Ryan that much. I usually played RCR on my own as a child and I always chose Alex as my character.

 

Tokumei:  I'll eventually work Ryan into the storyline once I can get his character established.

 

Webcom:  How about a level-headed pacifist?  <giggle.  bursts out laughing>

 

Webcom:  I almost didnt laugh, there.

 

Tokumei:  River City isn't inhabited by many pacifists. They're like walking targets.

 

Webcom:  Cept the kids.  I wish you could hit them and steal their lunch money.  Any kids that young walking around a mall have to be loaded with $$

 

Tokumei:  Yeah, too bad unknown forces prevent you from raising your fists in anger inside a town... in the game.

 

Tokumei:  That's another benefit of making a comic from the game...

 

Tokumei:  You can bend the rules.

 

Webcom:  Well, thanks Tokumei.  I appreciate the time you took for this interview.

 

Tokumei:  No problem.