These are the frequently asked questions of Planet Zebeth. Perhaps one of the questions that have been plaguing you for decades will be answered here. Or perhaps it will only answer questions involving the comic strip (and subjects thereabouts).
Q: Assuming Kabutroid isn't your real name, what is?
A: James. And that's about all your gonna know unless you specifically ask for more information :P
Q: Why do you always use 24-hour time?
A: I highly prefer it. Causes less confusion in the long run.
Q: Where do you live?
A: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. In the frozen north, eh?
Q: What IS with the "eh" thing in Canada?
A: It's a Canada thing. Deal with it.
Q: Who's Hiroshi?
A: Hiroshi Mishima is a fellow Metroid fanatic who has taken it upon himself to create a mini-series, somewhat based off of Planet Zebeth. Basically, he emails me his Friday strip (usually), and I put 'em in.
Q: And what about Cyrus?
A: They arrived a little later than Hiroshi, but do excellent drawings and various comics. Her update schedule is a little more sporadic, but they've got excellent quality and ideas.
Q: At what time do YOU update?
A: Sometime on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday... no specific times during these days. Just 'when I update on that day'. If you want to always see the comic up at the start of the day, check it on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday mornings at midnight.
Q: Where did you get your sprites?
A: Most of them I got from screenshots of the game. Others I found on the internet (many at GSArchives.)
Q: Why use MSPaint? There are infintely better graphics programs out there. To name a few...
A: You can stop there. I use MSPaint basically to stay true to Metroid's 8-bit existance. If I start using different kinds of palette fades, fancy lettering, or intricate frame overlapping, then it wouldn't be 8-bit, now would it? This also keeps the sprites themselves from becoming fuzzy when converting to .gif format. Only on rare occasions will I use Microsoft Photo Editor to adjust some colour or blur something specific.
Q: Near the start of Planet Zebeth's existance, you mentioned that Kabutroid may change to 16-bit. When's that going to happen?
A: Never. That was back when I was thinking of eventually going to Super Metroid sprites. But like I said... I prefer these highly.
Q: Did you once say that Samus was slightly different at the start of the comic strip?
A: Yes, and they were. After making about 40 comic strips (only about 15 were on the net at the time), I realized that the sprite for Samus was missing a pixel. Hence, I went back and changed every comic strip to include that pixel.
Q: Somewhere around strip 90 or so, I swear both Samus and Kraid suddenly became lighter coloured. What the hell was up with that?
A: True, true. It annoyed me for long enough that when I originally changed my sprites to .gif format, they went darker for some reason, and I didn't take the time at that point to fix it. However, it got to me, so I fixed em. Yes... I've fixed them all. Bwahahahaha!
Q: Umm... right. Where'd you get the fixed sprites?
A: I originally noticed the difference while playing Metroid on the NES. I then checked a Nintendo emulator to verify this. Hence, I used emulator screenshots for the switch.
Q: Can I use some of your sprites?
A: Sure, go nuts. There's a sprite sheet in the Bonus section.
Q: Can I copy your comic strips?
A: How about no. And if you try, I'll know... trust me... I have precautions in place.
Q: Such as...
A: Pfft, yeah right. Like I'm gonna tell you.
Q: What is Metroid?
A: ... Ok, seriously... seek help. I suggest the Metroid Database for the aformentioned help.
Q: Can I submit stuff to you?
A: Sure... just email it to me or post it on the Message Board. Check out that Extras section for more info on that.
Q: Can I donate to the site?
A: If you want. I don't expect nor ask for any donations, but there's a Paypal donation link on the left of the homepage, or you can just click here.
Q: What if I don't have Paypal?
A: Well, I always highly, HIGHLY recommend against sending cash or even cheques in the mail (hey, a signature or account number is on there)... so never do that if at all possible. If you don't have paypal, I DO keep an Amazon wish list for personal reference. I wouldn't argue if you got me something off of there, given I collect DVD's.
Q: Pfft, why not just download them?
A: Bah. I HATE the idea of pirating movies (so sue me if you think otherwise). Every DVD I own is a legal, purchased copy, and I aim to keep it that way. Yeah, don't mind me... I like collecting DVD's (over 200 and counting as of writing this).
Q: Where do you get your ideas from?
A: Basically, they usually come to me at work. Hence why I always keep a notepad around with me when I'm there.
Q: Are there any secret links on the page?
A: Actually, there are currently well over 50, and it'll keep going up. There's basically a level for every Metroid game, and each level contains a secret for the number of games. So for example, when there was 4 metroid games, there was 4 levels with 4 secrets each. At 6 games, there were 6 levels with 6 secrets each. And so on, and so on, to coincide with the number of Metroid games out there. Odds are I'll stop at 100 though, because I really wouldn't want to go further. It's exponential as is :P
Q: Where are these secret links you speak of?
A: Find 'em yourself, you lazy bastard.
Q: So, are you going to be updating this page whenever various things come up.
A: Definitely. I kinda like things to be kept current. It may take me a while, but eventually it would be updated.
Q: Why don't you put up any advertisements to make some money?
A: Because I absolutely HATE advertisements, and will fight to the bitter end to keep Planet Zebeth ad-free for the rest of it's existance.
Q: How do you get money to keep the strip running?
A: I don't. I make this comic out of pure enjoyment of making the comic. Technically, there's a donation link on the main page, but I don't think anyone's either seen nor used it.
Q: Can you link to my site?
A: Perhaps. Although, the only sites I link to are ones I specifically recommend to everyone, or visit on a daily basis. If your site would become a site I'd visit regularly, then defintely. If not... then no. End of story.
Q: Touchy... but anyway, how do you keep up with schedule?
A: Kinda like I said before. I think of ideas at work or whatever, and makes the strips a fair deal ahead of time most of the time. I used to have a massive backlog, but I discarded that method a while back because it simply caused procrastination and slowing down of ideas. So I usually make the strip about a day or two in advance. It works out pretty good, seeing as I've never missed a strip to date.
Q: Long explanation... will you ever update this FAQ page if people submit more questions?
A: Of course. In fact, that question alone is a hint to everyone who wants to submit some questions (by email or the message board) so that I can put them up here.
Q: Umm... are you just making up these questions off the top of your head?
A: Maybe... what's it to you?
Q: Should I ask why?
A: Basically to answer general questions that I've usually had to explain on the main index page several times, or may have actually been asked at work or something. Some of them (such as the "what is Metroid" question) have actually been asked.
Q: So.... you're basically talking to yourself right now?
A: It would appear that way. For example, I both asked, AND answered this very question to myself.
Q: Freak.
A: Yeah, what's it to you? You're still reading this. Purely, by the fact that you've seen this sentence, that in itself indicates that you're still reading.
Q: That doesn't explain you talking to yourself.
A: I'm answering questions and explaining things that would likely be asked in the future! What more do you want from me?
Q: A little sanity might be nice.
A: Yeah probably. Hey... why the hell are you answering the questions anyway?
Q: Bahahahahaha! The tables have turned Kabutroid. I am now in charge of this FAQ.
A: WHAT? But aren't we both Kabutroid?
Q: Hmm... interesting dilemma. Perhaps to ward off dementia, we, and by that I mean I, should propose a truce.
A: What kind of truce?
Q: If I stop asking questions, and you stop answering them, then in theory, this downward spiral should collapse in on itself before any serious damage is done.
A: Intriguing... but wouldn't the FAQ end then?
Q: Is there any questions of value being asked any more anyway?
A: No, I can't say there is, come to think of it.
Q: So then do we have a deal?
A: Fuck that! I just turned the tables on you! I once again rule this FAQ!
Q: DAMN YOU! You've outsmarted... yourself. Wait... does that mean you're insane, or not insane?
A: Bah, who the hell cares. I own you now.
Q: How so?
A: Because I can end this FAQ at any time now, and you're powerless to stop me.
Q: Prove it.
A: Oh, no ya don't. You're not pulling that again. I'm not asking a question.
Q: C'mon... end the FAQ. I dare you.
A: Don't push me, asshole.
Q: Are ya chicken?
A: Oh, that's it! You're going down! And you know what? I win.
