FAQ

When does this comic update?

Typically twice a week, on Monday and Friday. Once in a while I'll put up bonus pages from the donation bar or have to skip/ delay pages due to finals/ school projects/ life. In those events I try and announce it at least a day ahead of time.

Who are you?

I'm Ben Fleuter (I go by Beanjamish or some other play on Bean in most forums), a Game Design major in Oregon focused on concept art, storyboards, and illustration. Comics are a side hobby though I'd happily do them for pay, too.

How can I contact you?

My email is ben.fleuter@gmail.com. You can also frequently find me on the Milk in the Pantry forums or on my Deviant Art account. I no longer give out my MSN without very good reason.

Are you the only one who works on Parallel Dementia?

Essentially, yes. Though the crossovers with NJ Huff are a major part of the comic, and I brainstorm a lot with both her and my friend Sincerely. So those two are huge parts of the process.

Do you take commissions?

Typically, yes. Though I often close them down for a while due to school or other projects making it hard for me to find time for commissions. When they are available, I will announce it on both the news section of the main PD page, and on my Deviant Art.

I want to support the comic but don't have money to spare. How else can I help?

Vote. Tell your friends about it. Spread the word.

Though my greatest reward in making this comic comes from watching it affect people. I am always thrilled to have people discussing and speculating on the forums. Feel free to join up and talk about the comic with other fans.

Would you mind if I made you fan art/ fiction/ whatever?

...What?! Why would I mind?! I love fan work! Gimme!

Man, what is up with all the Emergency Exit crossovers?

NJ and I are good friends and our comic worlds share a lot of similarities. The crossovers are mostly cause we enjoy working together to create them, and they help enforce the idea that both comics deal a lot with other dimensions. We understand not everyone likes the crossovers, but they get a mostly positive response, and we'll do them when we feel like it regardless.

Do you plan on having crossovers with any comics other than EE?

It's possible but unlikely. If I do, it would have to be with a friend who has both a reliable update rate and a thematically fitting comic. Please don't email me with your epic crossover ideas because odds are you do not fit that criteria. I don't mind fan-fic and the like, though.

Are you ever going to do a crossover with Parallel Dementia and your other works like Cure and Glockenspiel?

No. There might be some cameos from one to another or little odes but never a crossover.

Will you link to my webcomic?

I link webcomics that I read, I enjoy, and that still update. That's it for my criteria. If you pester me about it I'll be annoyed but if I find your comic some other way, such as through the forums, ads, fan art, etc, then I might read it, like it, and link it.

Will you give me advice on webcomics? I want to run one/ have just started one.

While I'm honored you came to me for advice odds are I won't help you with it unless I already know you or you have specific questions I can answer in like one sentence each. I used to answer every email I got about this sorta stuff but I just don't have time for that now.

So here's some advice:

-Comic Genesis is a great starting place as a free host that offers some publicity. It also has some good tutorials on the technical side of comicing, and people on the forums willing to give input.

-Deviant Art has a ton of tutorials on art and putting together comics.

-Any book by Scott McCloud is full of good advice.

-Don't make your comic read right to left like a manga you god-damned prick.

How do you color? Will you make a tutorial?

I want to make a tutorial eventually but just haven't found time for a proper one. I did make this demi-tutorial though.

What tools do you use?

Parallel Dementia is done with non-photo blue pencils for initial drawings, art pencils for “inks”, and Photoshop CS3 and a Wacom tablet for color/ layout/ special effects.

What's Milk in the Pantry? Can my comic's forums be hosted there? Can my comic be hosted on it?

Milk in the Pantry is my hubsite to eventually act as my portfolio site. I'm afraid that having your comic or even your forum hosted there is invite only.

Do you have any plans for Parallel Dementia beyond webcomic form? Printed books? Animation?

I don't plan on ever printing the original PD pages as they are made at low-res, and are an infinite canvas format that would make printing them on normal sized paper a bitch. The more I learn about animation through my schooling the more I plan on using that in PD for special occasions, such as the 500th page.