First of all, we all know these 'Madness' characters that Krinkels has created. We all know them, we all love them (well most of us anyway). I've been reading the interview by DirtySyko in the NG Mag Devspot section (I really find that section of the website very interesting), and I thought to myself to make an article about my thoughts regarding the Madness series (partly because of the recently concluded Madness Day).
I'm a perceptive person, plus I have some time in my hands, that is why I decided to write this short somewhat philosophical piece about those loveable crosseye-faced characters.
To start off, (as stated in the interview) Krinkels made the Madness series out of Madness characters that he drew on his sketchbook. I believe that one's personality could be defined by what he does. In the case of Krinkels, the Madness characters may emphasize his simplicity, considering his original design (black & white and considerably easy to draw). I would attribute the lack of arms and legs to a sense of efficiency on the part of Krinkels. The hands and feet are the only appendages visible (I think) because they are the only [appendages] needed (hands to hold weapons/perform actions, feet to walk/run/jump). Even if he would say it's just part of the design, the mind works subliminaly all the time. Using Jebus as the enemy was explained in the interview, and maybe it is because of a sense of humor. Nothing/Nobody is ever one-sided, and only a person with a stable sense of humor have the willingness to exploit this. The use of a religious figure does not entail that Krinkels doesn't have a strong sense of faith, neither does it entail that he has a weak one.
Now that my analysis of Krinkels and the physical aspect of the series is done, time for my analysis of the entire series. Violence is an integral part of the world, as much as peace is. I believe that those two, go hand-in-hand; co-exist. But, violence is widely believed to have been misplaced in society, misunderstood by those who do not seek to understand a deeper meaning for it. Those who are ripe in mind have been exposed to it and has somehow warped their perspective of what is right and wrong, what is moral and immoral. This trend has been going on for years, and even those who seek to rid society of this mentality is inadvertedly causing a further rip to it. Violence is one of the prevailing factors in the Madness series, and who could blame Krinkels. Society sets the tone for our generation to behave this way. It is admirable however how Krinkels manages to insert some humor to this somehow meaningless violence much like most of the violent films that are in mainstream cinema and television. I have listed the actions of the Madness characters in the series and have provided my views on why those characters act that way (obviously it is Krinkels who manipulate the action, but why did Krinkels decide to let's say stab a character instead of shooting in a given instance). Although I will not include that here because it is way too long. Crosseye-faces were used because of two reasons for me. One, I believe is that everyone is a target and that no one is invulnerable from these attacks. The second one is that I believe that in the case of the random seemingly never ending goons is that, everyone is dispensible. They all look alike and just like most of us, they are just dots in a lattice that is bigger than any of them combined. The exception is depicted in the case of Hank, Jebus, the Clown, among others (who are represent the people who have left their mark in history, be it good or bad). Also, a crosseye does not express any emotion. This lack of emotion could be attributed to our own nature. We are so used to violence that nothing is new to us, nothing surprises us anymore in terms of the extent that violence can reach. I am sure that this not apply to all, I have seen many people who act big in the internet but when it comes down to the wire their act is simply an act. Bottomline, violence has determined this series and the fate of this series since the inception of time. It has never been written in stone, it has been written in our minds. Our minds work in mysterious ways and in no way is Krinkels' any different. He has been given the ability to express his imagination and he has exploited it. Most of us (including me) have commended it and others abhor it. Again, the mind works in different mysterious ways.
Mainly, Madness was about "nothing" but nothing is still something. Maybe it's just humor and violence but I see more to the series than just that. The potential for this series is not limitless, it is limited by the imagination of one Krinkels and countless of people who pay tribute and/or parody it. Even if it seems simple to do. Executing a Madness-styled animation is pretty hard to do (trust me, I've tried it). Hardwork does indeed payoff, in this case a following for Krinkels. Will this series end soon, or will there be moar? It is up to Krinkels to decide but then again we have hands, and maybe time to learn and attain the skills needed to carry the torch. Madness won't be legendary, it won't leave a huge mark in history but it will exist and it will be known. Being known is not as glorious as being immensely famous but it's a start. Being known is the only thing that others strive for, what others yearn for, more importantly - what others live (and die) for.
[The picture below is of Krinkels (which HE made and a Madness character beside him that he probably made as well, I have no rights to this picture whatsoever]
weirdoo
hehehe, coming soon XD