Strip Search 1.28: And Then There Were Three

It’s Maki vs. Lexxy in the dungeon.  After having a few days to think about it, I’m pretty curious to see what happens with these two. Katie was right about them having similar styles. However, I can’t decide if Lexxy will actually win, even with my pro-Lexxy concerns I had for the judges.

So, drawing from the Wire Basket of Broken Ideas, Maki turns in his redraw ticket to ditch Lexxy’s ‘The City,’ redrawing ‘Candy.’ I await with baited, sugary, prayers for the combination of Religious Candy.

While there’s not much that can really be said for this elimination, as it was all kind of blasé, what really stood out as the death knells for Lexxy were two of her comments. The first being “Not every comic [artist] has to be funny.” While technically correct, because it depends on the context of the comic itself, too much seriousness (I’m looking at you, Lexxy) in persona and comic can lead to nothingness. The second, while not necessarily a singular statement, was her attempting to explain why she hadn’t done any of her comic ideas already. Plain and simple truth is if you want it, you have to do it. She hasn’t done it.

Either way, there’s not much difference when we see the end  results. Maki’s, while outrageously offensive (I’m sure) to some (many), was funnier than Lexxy’s, while Lexxy’s was simply gorgeous, Prince Valiant style. However, her earlier comments made her comic feel…less…but more self-important than it really was. Bias on my part, most likely. So, Lexxy’s out, again, and the triumvirate is Maki, Katie, and Abby. And I still stand by my caveat from four? weeks ago that Abby could bag the whole deal.

We shall see. We shall see!

My current top three are now just my top two:

Katie, Tavis, and Maki- though I think Abby could bag it all. Apparently I don’t think Lexxy will win it, despite my feelings that Mike and Jerry are a bit skewed towards her. Interesting.

New episodes air Tuesday and Friday on Penny Arcade and youtube.

Current Standings:

Abby Howard, 20, Montreal, Quebec.
She’s the youngest and has the least experience. But she draws dinosaurs! However, will any of those things even matter?
(Kept: Elimination #6)
(Social Game #7 / Full set of Jungle Speed games, and the final Redraw Ticket)
(Kept: Elimination #8)
(Social Game #9 / Dinner with Jerry, Mike, and Robert)

Alex Hobbs, 22, Tempe, AZ.
This swear-word dropping free-spirit is highly likeable, but will his work be up to par? Set to graduate post-Strip Search, it’ll be interesting to see where this will take him. Eliminated 1st Challenge

Amy Falcone, 24, Noank, CT
Gamer to the innards, Amy is serious and competitive to a fault. Will that fault be her undoing? Whatever the result, quitting her job to do Strip Search shows her passion.
(Challenge #1 Winner)
(Social Game #3 / Drawing Blind Winner – Intuos5 Tablet)

(Eliminated 5th Challenge)

Erika Moen, 29, Portland, OR
Proven work in social and sexual commentary brings her to the contest with a following that marks her as one to have eyes on.
(Social Game #3 / Drawing Blind Winner – Intuos5 Tablet)
(Challenge #4 Winner)
(Eliminated 6th Challenge)

Katie Rice,31, Burbank, CA
A soft-spoken artist with a following of her own.  Some of those fans are also fellow contestants. Will she use the star power to stun?
(Kept: Elimination #1)
(Kept: Elimination #2)
(Social Game #4 / Street Art Winner – Artist Alley booth at NYCC ’13)
(Social Game #5 / Sculpt-Off Winner – Redraw Ticket)
(Social Game #7 / Table-Tennis-Off – unknown prize!)
(Challenge #7 Winner)
(Challenge #8  Winner)
(Social Game #9 / Dinner with Jerry, Mike, and Robert)
(Challenge #9 Winner)

Lexxy – Alexandra Douglas, 27, Carmel, IN
Also seen in Penny Arcade: The Series, she’s dealt with Gabe and Tycho’s reality egos. If that helps or harms remains to be seen.
(Social Game #2 / Seattle Trivia Winner – Wacom Cintiq HD Tablet)
(Eliminated 3rd Challenge – BARELY)
(Returned to compete after the double elimination #4)
(Social Game #6 / SS Grand Prix Winner – Penny Arcade “First Party” Wardrobe)
(Kept: Elimination #7)
(Eliminated 9th Challenge – FOR REAL THIS TIME)

Mac – Mackenzie Schubert, 26, Portland, OR
Quiet, doe-eyes Mac has a very defined artistic style all his own. It’ll be interesting to watch how his gentle soul deals with the mood swings a competitive show can bring.
(Eliminated 4th Challenge)
(Social Game #4 / Street Art Winner – Artist Alley booth at NYCC ’13)

Maki Naro, 31, Brooklyn, NY
While I sincerely hope this guy watches Psych, his cool logic and talent may very well be what brings him to the final set of competitors.
(Social Game #1 / Fax Machine Winner – Redraw Ticket)
(Social Game #4 / Street Art Winner – Artist Alley booth at NYCC ’13)
(Kept: Elimination #5)
(Kept: Elimination #9)

Monica Ray, 22, Northbrook, IL
While seemingly quiet at the beginning, Monica’s super-power of Always Doing Something And Befriending All seems a gift. Remains to be seen if that gift implodes or explodes.
(Challenge #5 Winner)
(Eliminated 7th Challenge)

Nick Trujillo, 30, Walnut Creek, CA
Something of a philosopher and jack of all trades, Nick’s ability to be alright with people and make good art is something to watch. But will his relative newness to the industry be a detriment?
(Challenge #2 Winner)
(Challenge #3 Winner)
(Eliminated 4th Challenge)

Tavis Maiden, 31, Mesa, AZ
Bringing the attitude only a parent can, Tavis wants this more than any five-year-old screaming for the last piece of cake. He may get it, too.
(Kept: Elimination #3)
(Challenge #6 Winner – Black Ink Pro Kit and Airbrush Kit from Copic)
(Eliminated 8th Challenge)

Ty Halley, 25, Portsmouth, OH
Clipped, dry witted Ty has no brain-to-mouth–filter. And, he’s using his time on Strip Search as material for his own daily life strip. That will be interesting. 
(Eliminated 2nd Challenge)

All  bios and links to the personal websites of each artist can be found here.

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