Webcomic Wednesday: The Space-Time Condominium
(From “Previously On Space-Time Condominium“)
Howdy, folks! This week we’re in for a fun comic with a slightly different style to it. While most webcomics read like, well comics, The Space-Time Condominium by Dave Dwonch is more like reading a sitcom — a strange, strange sitcom where all of the actors look the same. Well, not just look — they are. (Well, with one exception… you just have to read it!) The style is such that the story arcs and even the canned laughter really give you that ole’ “watching the TV” feel.
While I do find The Space-Time Condominium very funny, this is where I have to put in the warning that it is for a more adult audience. If you’re a member of the adult audience… go read it now!
Kelly Melcher: First, would you mind introducing yourself and giving us a bit of background on how you got involved in comics?
David Dwonch: Hey Kelly! I’m Dave Dwonch, and I’ve been into comics for as long as I can remember. My mom used to bring home old Neal Adams Batman comics when I was a kid and the bug has been with me ever since. I worked at my local comic shop through high school and after a couple of years at a community college I attended The California College of Arts, where I majored in illustration. I knew I would eventually wind up doing comics, and in 2006 my first book, Special Education, was released. Recently Super Real Graphics published my graphic novel, Gnome.
(From “Griffin Gets an Interlude“)
KM: Where did the idea for The Space-Time Condominium come from?
DD: Funny story. I troll message boards a bit, and a guy named Patrick posted a thread entitled, “I have a name for a thing, but no thing…” Basically he had come up with the title “Time Space Condominium” and was offering it up to the person with the best idea. I blurted out “It’s about five versions of the same guy from parallel Earths who share a condo that exists outside of the space-time continuum.” I quickly realized what a fun idea it was and called dibs. Since then I’ve worked Patrick into the fictional history of the show, giving him credit as co-creator of the TV show.
KM: How far ahead do you have planned, and how do ideas get from your head to the Internet?
DD: Well, I’m only releasing a page a day, so I have the next year plotted, and the next four months scripted. To be honest, the writing comes easy — it’s the art that I’m always playing catch-up on. I’m working on other projects as well, so there have been times where I’ve been under the gun. I haven’t missed a release date though, and have been getting better at balancing the work.
KM: Who do you think is going to most enjoy The Space-Time Condominium?
DD: I think fans of TV sitcoms will get a kick out of Space-Time Condo. I’m writing it as if I’m adapting a failed Canadian TV show. Every week I release a page of the show and a faux Wikipedia entry chronicling the history of the show. I think people are going to appreciate the humor and care I’m putting into both stories. STC definitely plays on a couple of levels.
KM: I know it’s still relatively new, but do you have a favorite page or arc yet? Why?
DD: Oh, the Cow Griffin story arc for sure. As I was drawing it, I decided to add a musical montage to help sell the progression of time, and I think it works really well. Plus, the Cow Griffin was just so much fun to draw. I had her play Nintendo! How stupid cool is THAT?!
KM: Which of the Griffins do you think you’ll end up liking the most? Are they based on real people?
DD: The Gay Griffin and the White Trash Griffin are my faves right now. They get all the snarky lines and it’s always fun to see them bicker because at the end of the day they are two halves of the same walnut. And while the Griffins aren’t based on anyone, the “real life” actors who played the Griffins are portrayed by my friend Clay Sagun. Through the magic of Photoshop I’ve been able to make Clay into the Debreau quintuplet for the Wiki entries. When I get a call from Clay complaining about how ridiculous he looks I know I’m doing my job.
KM: At Fandomania, we are fans writing about things we are fans of. What are you a fan of?
DD: Books, comics, movies, TV, podcasts… I’m pretty much a pop culture junkie. And Cheetos. Can I be a fan of Cheetos?
Yes, I think you can be a fan of Cheetos! Thanks very much David for taking the time to answer my questions and I hope everyone goes and checks out The Space-Time Condominium!
(Right side picture from “Griffin Murders Himself“)
