Ryan Sohmer is a comic creator that I
can't quite decide if I like or not. On the one hand, there is a
strong argument for his comic “Least I could Do”'s central
character Rayne Summers being a self-insert Mary Sue (a character too
perfect to be interesting), and he can come off as a bit cocky
through his comic, such as his current storyline where he-I mean
Rayne, has an idea that everyone's sure will revolutionize the news
industry, or when he implies that he's the only hard working guy in
the entire web-comic industry.
But here's the thing, unlike characters
like Ethan from Ctrl+Alt+Del, both Ryan and Rayne having redeeming
qualities that make them bearable, and even enjoyable. Sohmer may
come off as cocky, but in fairness he really is one of the busiest
people in web-comics, currently running three of them at once.
LICD mainly focuses on the antics of
Rayne Summers, a guy in his late-twenties going through a variety of
real-life and exaggerated-real-life events with his friends. There is
no real overarching plot here, just a series of mini-arcs.
The Good
Rayne himself is, as stated, a more
likable version of Ethan. His antics, while wild and absurd, usually
don't go too deeply into the realm of illegal or mean-spirited. More
often than not, at least in recent years, we find out those antics
have a greater purpose in trying to help his friends and their
families. That's probably what actually makes him tolerable: his
loyalty. Sure, Ethan may help his friends out if he gains by it...or
he isn't distracted...or he isn't the one harming them in the first
place...but Rayne's help seems to genuinely come from a place of
love. He also developes as a character, starting as a one-note sex
fiend and slowly figuring out the worth of his other relationships,
especially with his young niece.
The other characters, while still
usually foils to Rayne, actually have their own characteristics.
Noel, Raynes best friend, is often the straight man, but has his own
life with a marriage and children, as well as limits to his patience
with Rayne. Mickey has to deal with being overweight, low-self
confidence in the beginning, but he too goes through character
development. Rayne's roommate Mike is depressed, lonely, but tries to
keep a brave face and can still be funny when he needs to be.
There is some drama in the series, but
its never as sudden or as jarring as in Ctrl+Alt+Del. When we find
out (spoilers) Rayne has struggled with depression, the explanation
makes sense with everything we've learned about him before. When we
find out (again, spoilers) that Mickey's father was murdered when he
was a child, its jarring, but there's less of a tone in the mood of
the comic than you would think.
Finally, the scenarios seem more real
(usually). Unlike Ctrl+Alt+Del where the problems and settings are
fantastical, the problems closer to real-life are easier to connect
with and actually care about. That has a lot to do with worlds more
clever writing and infinitely more likable characters.
The Bad
The comic can be a
bit preachy at times, especially on the occasions where Sohmer
decides to write about world issues.
As stated above
though, the biggest complaint made is usually about Sohmer's
perceived arrogance and how it transfers into Rayne. I suppose once
it was pointed out to me I started to see it, but to be honest its
never anything too jarring for me. If you're really put off by things
like that, I could see how you would not like this comic.
Likewise,
if you're put off by constant sexual humor, start about halfway
through the comic's run. At the start, that is literally the entire
joke of the comic. Rayne likes sex. A lot. Again though, it gets
better.
The Verdict
I'd suggest at least giving this comic a chance. If you're put off at
the first few comics, hop into the archive and start from the middle,
or latter third. If you still don't like it, well, I won't blame you,
but I think most of you will find something to like here.
