FAQ

1) This question is the most popular and was asked a grand total of two times: How do you pronounce Cibe's name?

I, as well as other people in my school, pronounce "Cibe" with an "s", a long "i", and a silent "e". Think of the word "Cyborg" and take away the "org". That is how you get Cibe.

2) Why does Cibe have a stripe across his shirt?

Cibe and AQ are based off of myself and for a long time almost every shirt in my wardrobe had a stripe across it. That was because when I was young, someone made fun of me since I wore a character shirt. Then I switched to all stripes.

3) When you started drawing and when did you start Cibe's World?

I started drawing from the begining of time! I would wake up and then, using that hammer and nail and piece of stone, would draw all day. Now with paper its much easier. As for Cibe, I started it back in August, 2004.

4) Can you please explain the process of making a regular Cibe's World comic?

First I have to think up of an idea. Then while the idea is still in my head I think on how to put it in a four/five/six panel format. After that I jot down the idea on paper or another surface. Then I use a ruler and draw straight lines on a paper to make the panel sides. Then I use my pen to ink in the walls and erase the extra pencil lines. Then I, using pencil, draw in the pictures and word bubbles. I ink it all in and erase all the pencil marks. Then I scan the comic onto the computer and open MS Paint. I erase any permanate marks which I couldn't make with a physical eraser and shrink the image down by 50%. Then I add in the words and viola! There's a Cibe comic!

5) What other webcomic series do you like (if any)?

I really like Davio's Dayz which could be found at www.daviosdayz.zoomshare.com. Also I am a fan of ctrl-alt-del which could be found at www.ctrlaltdel-online.com. Also www.tyscomics.zoomshare.com is worth mention. Besides webcomics, or as I like to say "womics", I love Calvin and Hobbes by Bill Watterson. Too bad Watterson stopped making them.

6) In your original mind was Cibe's World going to be a webcomic series?

Originally it was just a bunch of drawings of weird characters. I didn't even imagine it to be comics. Then I started to draw the comics. I wanted to show my work to people so the internet seemed like my best bet. I started the webcomic series which you see today.

7) How did you come up with the names for the characters?

I love video games (which is a weird start to a question about names). In this one game for the Gameboy Advance called Warioware Inc.: Mega Microgame$, a character shouts "Shine!" But when I first heard it I thought it was "Cibe!" So that is how I thought of Cibe. AQ is a playing with the word IQ since he's so smart. Jumin is simply Jumin which I just thought sounds good. For Lane, originally I was going to have him be a car fanatic so "Lane" would be like a car lane but then I decided against his personality but kept the name.

8) Why do they all have such abnormal heads?

I am a gigantic fan of www.homestarrunner.com! Each of their characters are really strange looking and I wanted mine to be as well. Originally Cibe's World was going to be a pure Flash site but then I discovered I stink at Flash so it became a webcomic series. The stuff on top of Jumin's head is actually his hair. The thing on Lane is actually a cap. And don't ask about Cibe's four things on his head because I have no clue what they are either!

9) You say you make some of you comics on the computer. Do you make them in Microsoft Paint or do you have a diferent program and if so what is it?

Yup. I use MS Paint. Drawing things on the computer is easier and faster but they look about a gillion times worse. Also I use Macromedia Flash for animations.

10) Do you plan to make comics professionly for a newspaper in the future?

Done and done. For my Jr. High school newspaper, Spectrum, I put comics into it. People at my school seem to enjoy them since I got compliments every time a new issue comes out. I plan to slowly work up from there. Soon you will see a comic in the New York Times or possible The New Yorker (whichever one's better).

11) How long does it usually take to make one comic strip?

It all matters on two simple factors. One) How difficult it is to make the comic and two) how lazy I am at that time. Usually I draw at night and make a bunch of drafts and see if they are funny in the morning. Then I try to work on them in the morning and finish them in the afternoon. It usually takes 2-3 hours. I guess I could make like 5-6 comics a day but (no offense) I have better stuff to do than make 24-7 comics.

12) How do you come up with ideas for comic strips?

This question has been asked to many cartoonists many times. I, personally, think of something, anything and build around that. Like I thought of socks and made "Legend of the Lost Sock". Also I think of these I did or are going to do. Also I'm going to do holiday comics like "Scaryween" and "Toymas" (aka "Halloween" and "Christmas")

13) Where do you get your jokes?

Where do I get my jokes, eh? Well... Can you keep a secret? You can't? Well I'll tell you anyway. On eBay I bought this "Joke Machine". I press a button and out comes a piece of paper with golden material. I use it all the time. But then back in the late 90's is broke down so I had to write my own work (SUCH A PAIN!). Ever since ol' Joke Machine died I get my jokes from everywhere ranging from Laffy Taffy to popsicle sticks. And if I can't find anything funny, I use utter nonsense like I'm doing for this. So, I hope that answered your question, if not: Tough Luck!

14) Does it ever get boring making Cibe comics?

Yeah, sometimes. I love making first drafts but I don't always making final copies. Also I simply hate drawing the panel lines. That seems like work than fun but I'm quite glad about the final copy so I don't really worry about boredom.

15) How do you pronounce "Shugo Tanaka"?

This question is mainly for people who don't know me personally. Shugo is simply "Shoe" and "Go" put together. And Tanaka is Tuh-nah-kuh (sorry I don't have a literary device for that).

16) Why do you choose to make comics, I mean, what's your reason?

Does there need to be a reason to do what you love? Was it not Shakes-Appear who said "Thou art thou art art thou art art art"? Which is translated in today's language to "You be you be be you be be be". Which is translated to in Shugoese to "I like to do art so I do it." Man, I love archaic English and translations. Such fun!  

18) Can you tell us any plans for future Cibe's World comics?

I have some ideas like holiday comics and Cibe & AQ go camping. Also I'm thinking about adding more characters (Look in the Extras section for Past Doodles. In there you should see a page full of old characters which I didn't add yet.) I know how before I was talking about starting "stories" but then I decided Cibe's World comics should be a one comic thing. I don't want to do long stories. I don't want to go into the characters backgrounds and past. Cibe's World is light humor, you shouldn't dig into that (you may dislike what you find). But just wait and see what I have in store for the future.