Comments on: A Mom’s Journey into Homestuck Part 3

By: Lori Henderson

Lori Henderson — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 14:50:12 +0000

Homestuck is a web comic, and like all web comics are updated periodically with new pages. What makes Homestuck different from most other webcomics is that it’s not in the usual panel format and it uses multimedia to it’s fullest with the flash animations, music and links to supplimental material. It’s the multimedia content that makes reading it so much fun. I checked out the youtube videos “Let’s Read Homestuck” linked to earlier. It’s a fairly well done fan work, and is done like an audio drama, with different people playing the part. If all you want is the gist of the story and characters, it’s not a bad way to go about it, but it’s not necessarily going to be faster. It’s still going at the speed that someone is reading it. But if you have a means to and time to just listen, then the “Let’s Read Homestuck” isn’t a bad starting point.

By: kathy

kathy — Sat, 12 Jan 2013 00:10:03 +0000

I’m glad I came across your blog as I have been trying to figure out this homestuck story. My biggest question/confusion is where on earth do you read this at!? I don’t want to buy the acts. I’m trying to read up on it as in 3 months I’m taking my niece to a comic-con and she is dressing up as John. (I thought his name was Jake!). I visited the mspaintadventures site and it seems that I have to walk through every single step. Is that the whole idea of it? Lol. I don’t have the time for that. . So what’s the pretense… The kids follow along on that site and then have to wait inbetween acts? Is the YouTube link my best bet for catching up on this? Thank you so much for any help.

By: Lori Henderson

Lori Henderson — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 15:12:50 +0000

Yeah, but I think there’s a little more to it than that. At least according to my kids. Thanks for reading!

By: Lori Henderson

Lori Henderson — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 15:10:11 +0000

That’s great! I’m glad to know I’m not alone. I can relate to the time constraints. I just finished reading Act 5 Act 1 over the holiday break, and I needed that extra time off. It’s a long and complex act, and it’s only the first half of Act 5! I’ve wrestled some music from my kids and will start listening to that too. I thought about listening to it at work, but a little reluctant as I think about the language…

By: dancingcrane

dancingcrane — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 05:54:37 +0000

Hi, Lori, Nick and all! I’m also a thoroughgoing fan of Homestuck and I’m 56 and mom of five. My third child turned me onto it, and I have since addicted others. While time constraints still have me ‘stuck’ at the bottom of Act IV, I do have all the albums of music, and enjoy every aspect of the webcomic and it’s varied community.

By: Shannah

Shannah — Mon, 31 Dec 2012 06:36:35 +0000

The record on Dave’s shirt gets broken because Bro gave slashed it in half with his sword during the battle.

By: Lori Henderson

Lori Henderson — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 03:18:38 +0000

No need to worry Nick, I am well aware of the direction the story takes after Act 3. My kids have warned me about the violence, especially in Act 5. I actually found the Intermission to be more violent than Act 4. Act 4′s violence mostly takes place in the flash pages, and is shadowed and fast. The Intermission doesn’t sugar coat anything, though I think part of that is the genre it’s based in.

And yes, I do ask my kids a lot of questions. While I’m reading the act and after, they are peppered with questions about things I’ve read and how they relate to things I’ve seen. I’m rather proud of the connections I’ve been able to make and have them confirm. Thanks for reading!

By: Nick

Nick — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 22:18:05 +0000

Ahoy, I’m happy to hear that you enjoy Homestuck. I kind of thought it nearly impossible for someone in your age-group to enjoy it. According to a poll of average readership age, something like 98% of the readers are below age 30, myself included at 24.

I’m not sure why, but I feel like it’s my responsibility to inform you that, post Act 3, the story gets rather dark and violent at times. I don’t really know what your personal tolerance level is, but expect it to be stretched. Your teenager may be used to this kind of thing, since the internet tends to dull sensitivity, but if you don’t feel comfortable with the level of violence in the Intermission or Act 4, I suggest you don’t continue with Act 5.

Or I could be all wrong and maybe you’ll enjoy it regardless. The story is well-told and expertly crafted. Also complicated. Don’t be afraid to reread parts or ask your kids to explain things you don’t understand, since that sort of problem can snowball down the road to the point where you simply have no idea what is going on. I look forward to future posts.

By: Alexi

Alexi — Sat, 01 Dec 2012 20:40:22 +0000

I too have been using Homestuck as a way to connect with my mom, and I’ve really enjoyed reading about your progress. She unfortunately doesn’t have time to read it, but I have found a really excellent youtube group who make videos of the comic, and we watch it together!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2EjeDmly-k&feature=share&list=PL2B850DF581F84A0B

They actually published the first video of act 5.2 yesterday, so they are a good ways into the comic. I recommend them to anyone who tells me that they weren’t able to get into reading it but still are interested.

Also, common misconception about the music. Every album on the official bandcamp page (23 in all) was written by the music team (exceptions being the two contest albums) specifically for the comic.
There ARE fan albums, but everything on that page is official and endorsed by the What Pumpkin record label.
http://homestuck.bandcamp.com/

anyway, I look forward to your future posts on the subject!

By: Lori Henderson

Lori Henderson — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 15:00:01 +0000

@Woe Kitten: I will admit it. I am now a fan of Homestuck. I’ve really enjoyed reading it and love the characters. If you mom has a twisted sense of humor like I do then, there is a very good possibility you can get her to read it. And I know it’s just Jaspers, but Rose calls him Mr. Jaspers at the beginning, and I think that funny.

@Sterling Ericsson: I was thrown by the intermission at first, but was assured by my kids it was necessary. And I enjoyed it too. Look for a review of that coming soon too.