Characters (updating…)

Joel

Josh

Eli

(and sometimes) Denise

FAQ’s

What is “The Experiment”?

“The Experiment” is the chronicling of my attempt to make a full time living from my webcomic, HijiNKS Ensue.

In keeping track of my attempts, successes and failures I hope to create a road map for other creative individuals (artists, writers, bloggers, podcasters, film makers, musicians, etc.) to more easily turn their passion into a full time job.

Quick Links:
The Experiment Overview | The Whole HE Story | The “Digital Age” Artist’s Manifesto

What is HijiNKS Ensue about?
-Nothing, really. Geeking for the sake of geekery. HijiNKS Ensue doesn’t really follow a story. Most of the comics use one geek pop-culture reference to make fun of another geek pop-culture reference. That sounds stupid when you read it out loud but it ends up working in the end. If you are into SciFi, Technology, Comic Books, Cartoons, 80’s TV, Non 80’s TV or geek-life in general you should find something to laugh at here.

Is HijiNKS Ensue a gaming comic?
-No. You will see video game related comics from time to time because gaming does fall into the category of geekery, but this is NOT a gaming comic. That category is fully covered.

Are the characters based on real people?
-Absolutely! Joel, Josh and Eli are based on myself (Joel) and my friends Josh and Eli. Their looks are caricatures of their real world counterparts as are their personalities. Their shoe and hat sizes are exaggerated for dramatic effect.

HijiJINKS Ensue doesn’t spend a lot of time focusing on their jobs or relationships or whatever else. There are plenty of great comics that can give you a daily soap-opera fix. The HijiNKS Ensue characters are there to make fun of the things that need to be made fun of. I try to tag each strip with the most prominent character, so you can easily find comics about Joel, Eli, Josh and Josh dying.

Where do you get the ideas for the comics?
-About 75% come from things I find on the internet, TV or movies that need desperately to be made fun of. The others come from IM’s and conversations I have with Josh and Eli. If you ever want comedic inspiration, get some funny friends. Let them do all the work while you rake in the giant piles of sweet internet cash. So Sweet. Cash.

What do you use to make the comics?
-Photoshop, a Macbook Pro, a Wacom Cintiq 12WX, Wordpress, Comicpress, and the internet. You must never forget the internet.

Where should I start?
-Since there isn’t a story, it doesn’t really matter. The closer you start to NOW the better the art will look. Also the more topical the joke will be. Otherwise, knock yourself out and read them all in any order.

This site uses a helpful tagging system so you can find comics about a particular topic. Here are some to get you going:

• Apple Computers
• SciFi
• TV Shows
• The Internets
• Movies
• Video Games (it’s really not a gaming comic. I swear)

I really like Hijinks Ensue. How can I help?

• Link to the site
• Tell your friends
• Submit a comic to your social network of choice
• Buy something from the store
• You can drop $5 or $10 (or $20 if you are so inclined) in the donation bucket.

Do you have a questions that isn’t answered here?
-Email comics (at) hijinksensue (dot) com, use the contact form or leave a comment on a comic. If you email me, I WILL respond. Maybe not right away, but I appreciate your questions, comments and ideas and I will get back to you.

About the Artist

I, Joel Watson am the one responsible for offending you in some way. I live in a suburb (of a suburb) of Dallas, TX with my wife and daughter. I have a hard time making friends because I’m loud and my brain->mouth filter is set to negative low. If something is happening, I’m getting ready to turn it into a joke and then drive that joke into the earth so deep that you thought you were watching The Core. Much like The Core, the experience can be funny, frightening and ultimately disappointing.

I would usually rather be watching Firefly, Battlestar Galactica, Futurama or Arrested Development, drawing, playing guitar, playing piano poorly, or just picking apart your insecurities and exploiting them for fun and profit (and to mask my own.)

Hijinks Ensue is my only job (for now, and I’m trying desperately to keep it that way) but I am sometimes employed as a Voice Actor, Freelance Illustrator, and Freelance Writer. If you want me to explode creativity on your project, email creative (at) hijinksensue (dot) com.

Tags: comic books, geek, geek comic, webcomic

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