I like the hand-lettered version better. It's still legible/readable, but has more character.
I'm not sure how the translation to paper would affect that... but I think it would be even easier to read than on-screen.
Hand-lettering rocks (he typed).
Hand lettering. As the previous person said, it has more character.
I actually prefer the font-based version... the handlettering is just uneven enough to be distracting in many of the panels.
Though I agree there are a few panels in the hand-lettered version where the text size changes for emphasis -- "a substance called *teraflex*" -- which feels right.
How's that for wishy-washy?
Hand lettering by far, it adds to the "comic-y" feel.
I like the way the hand-lettered looks, but you'll kill your wrists. The font looks good, too, and I'm sure is quicker and easier.
I really like the font. The hand-lettering gives me a better idea about you, though. More character, definitely.
Final analysis: font.
Dang, I'm really torn. The hand lettering reflects more character, it so clearly comes from the same source as the drawings.
Even so, newsprint is such a snot to print on and the thicker, more even letters of the font probably read clearer in print. Also, the font is more familiar to me, so the handwriting is sort of surprising.
Warning: the typography geek in me is getting riled up...
I'm a big fan of hand lettering myself. There's more personality in hand lettering, and creates a comfortable blend with the artist's drawing style.
Consider that many big-shot cartoonists of the past hired assistants to do tedious stuff like lettering,etc. There's no shame that busy cartoonists of today can put our "digital" assistants to work and save us time and frustration to do the same tasks, but it's always best to use a digital version of your own lettering style, or a typeface that resembles your own.
I hand letter my cartoons, mainly because I try to keep my text to a minimum and I haven't created a font of my handwriting yet. I do like the character of hand-lettering and in your case (neat, legible lettering), it is only geeks like me who are going to care either way. So make life a little easier on yourself and do whichever YOU like best.
Mike, I think the handlettering, since it's not very uniform across the strip, clashes with the very detailed quality of your drawing. If you had a simpler drawing style then I might recommend the quirkier handlettering. As it is, your custom font makes it easy to concentrate on what you're saying while absorbing all the wonderful details in the individual boxes (whaddya call them? cells?)
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