This popped up in the Random Comic window of the website, so I gave it another read and witnessed again the debut and immediate death of One Groovy Maggot.

It was definitely a close call with the votes, and I have to commend the both of you for your visuals alone.  I think this was one of the first comics Fred did that played in the pixel art aesthetic?  Or it's an earlier entry in that exploration.  I really enjoyed the look of the thing and the dialog being so casual and awkward.

Hey everyone. Just wanted to thank y'all for the kind words. It's been a pretty tough year for me and things just started to settle enough that I have the time and energy to get back to arting and making stuff I'm happy with and enjoy doing. It was something that was really missing from my life, so it means quite a bit to me that people liked it. Okay, I ain't gonna get any mushier than that (though I really could) thanks guys.

Kozi - Yo, kick ass for me in this tourney, that was an awesome comic and I have no regrets losing to your skills. I totally love how the TREE managed to get into the club first. Rock on.

LEFRED- You took Capgras in such an unexpected and hilarious direction, I was so enamored by the portrayal, it left me wishing there were more pages. Still, the pages you had felt complete and final. A real tight neat story was had here- and funny to boot! you always come to these tournaments with such unique styles and looks which takes lotsa guts. Being experimental in a contest situation can be risky, but when it pays off, it pays off in spades.

I love the backgrounds of your work. It totally threw me back to my videogame days doggedly trying to beat Darkstalkers. I certainly hope this isn't the last we see of CANNOT DANCEDOESNT CARE because he is too cool for just one boogie.

AAaaah this matchup is so great and there's so little to critique that everything I could say has really been covered already. Really these are both proffesh and that's ridiculous for three days. Both are really funny and have top as hell art. Aaaaaah.

KOZI: The posing is so great and fluid in this and you pick the parts you detail and leave simple so nicely (also love the little 'Lying starts here' sign). The colours are so nice throughout.

LEFRED: Awww man I love the look and just even little things like the blue lighting on the edge of Capgras' pants when he's dancing? Just these stupid little things I really like. I can feel the awkwardness in those last panels.

Oh my god guys, you two are ridiculous. I suddenly feel like it's totally impossible for me to make it to the end of this tourney.


Kozi     -

        I was basically hooked from the opening "MY DARK ARTS" line and stayed there till the end. You're such an incredible illustrator, your lines and poses and everything is just so so so so good.I love how loose and strong your linework is. Seriously, I need to become Capgras, eat you and take your skills T-T.  The story and everything was perfect, and the Capgras face pushing from the center of the face was such an amazing creepy/grotesque moment in what felt like previously such a light and fun comic about owning someone on the dance floor.

       Literally the only critique I can possible give is that the lack of different value tones under the lighting in the nightclub scenes makes stuff feel a little incomplete? I dunno if that would make those scenes seem to complicated though? I might just be terrible.


LeFred    -

            Sweet jesus Lefred, you just have to always do something new and different and PERFECTLY. This was just so good, like it felt like such a lively and charming coversation, I feel so shamed and jealous. Like, everybody has such a clear, great personality. Capgras especially was just making grin like a idiot like the whole time. Bro, you don't even know bro. And I can't believe you manage to get pixel art working so strong and good so quicky.

            Again, I'm struggling to find something critical to say, but maybe get a little more atmospheric perspective in there? You're foreground is super similar to the background in value range, maybe try toning stuff in the distance down.

   How am I supposed to choose one of you?! This suscusckcsksjusjs

 This Tie Fighter battle, tho !!

this is my favorite battle of the whole tournament like next year at Best of Void Im going to remember this and vote this best battle I love these comics so much I could eat them up
I have no idea how Im going to vote between them lol I want them both to win I don't know what to do with myself

I think these two might be my favorite characters in the tournament and I'm so sad to see one of them go!

You both captured each others' characters flawlessly

Kozispoon: Most artists on this site either excel at writing with improvement needed with their technical skills, or are technically amazing but need work with their storytelling. You're of those rare caliber of artists who always seem to marry the two just right every time. This was both a joy to look at and a joy to read.

le Fred: You're back baby! This is the le Fred at prime power! CDDC is so instantly relatable and you had a great twist for the death. And I am LOVING this graphical look, I want to do this seriously teach me how you do this. This was both a joy to look at and a joy to read.

Fantastic job guys

(I'm serious PM me and offer your secrets to me dark one)

Kozi, the amount of details, easter eggs and references you illustrated is a wonderful addition to your already solid work. The whole things flows nicely like a well animated short. Pukka work.

LeFred, you lovely thing you! Your sense of humour always have brought joyous elation every time I read your work. While I don't usually go for pixel art, you have presented it in comic form that I respect you even more. Jolly good work.

On at it chaps and chapettes! Bloody good work!  

Kozi - I feel like the colours were working in your favour on page one but then on page 2 the dark purples and the very dark black panel borders were kind of making the comic muddy and hard to read. I think it captures the vibe of a club nicely, but it was very hard to actually focus on the page. That said the inks were fun and the story was fun and while the more old-school cartoony type stuff isn't really my deal usually I really enjoyed this .

Le Fred- Wow I enjoyed this more than I thought I would. The intro comic left a lot to be desired and I wasn't really sure how it'd hold up in an actual battle but you have that old-school adventure game look down really nicely. I almost wanna point and click at stuff haha. That said I feel the pixel work COULD be stronger but for 3 days that's an insane style to tackle. However the downside is that the joke might get old regarding the alien superior, this is twice now you have used it and I don't think using it a third time will benefit you in future rounds. I think it only works here because its like a followup to the intro comic and is almost like the punchline.

Nice job guys!

Light Speed Critique: Kozi, Last panel makes it hard to see if the dancers are fleeing, or just continuing to party without noticing. LeFred, LOVE the pixel work, hard to find anything wrong besides the Amberresment typo and I didn't notice the first time I read it anyway. hehe.

This was a super tough one to vote, I think probably my favourite comic bout out of the ones I've read so far.

Kozi: The set-up and coup de grace were fantastic, the mood lighting was great, I would never guess this was a 4-day comic and I'm both excited and terrified.

LeFred: hot damn those pixels! I could definitely see the punchline coming, but it was executed so well that it became a sort of anticipation of the moment. The characterization is so good, I love their banter. They may not be able to dance but at least they can think fast on those feet!

it was A TRAP !!! ALL ALONG !!

Kozi: such beautiful! I think the colors worked pretty damn well, I am glad you managed to do them And the story was neat too.

Fred: ffffffffffffff love it. The pixels, the twist... The speech patterns The horror realm. Gold stars from me

All done, but my progress has slowed to a crawl coloring this thing. Color-my kryptonite! Will this be a photo finish? More at 11!

I cant wait to see how this turns out

Excellent match up!

No matter who wins we will all be charmed♥♥♥

oh my gosh i never realized how much i wanted to see kozi fight lefred! good luck!!

It's a dance off, folks. It's a dance off!