Home made comics/graphic novels-- What, where, why, how... when?

[LittleSlurpee]

I've been working slowly on developing my own online comic of sorts, but I wanted to get some input on people about what to expect and so forth.

Most of the comics which I find posted online for free are comedy based. Actually, I can't remember the last web comic I came across that was doing well with a serious background to it. Or there's at least a common occurrence of comic relief. Then there's also the "porn" type comics, which are equally abundant for obvious reasons.

Does that mean I should expect failure with an attempt at something more drama and story related? Because that's what I have been planning on..

I'd like to know what people are interested in reading when it comes to online stories/comics. I have a feeling that the humorous and sex based types fair better, but I'm not going for a popularity contest. I'd just like to see at least some appreciation for the effort that'll be put forth.

So tell me what you like.
Show me what you like.
What makes it good to you?
How do their creators do it?
Thoughts and input.

Also, don't give me sexual answers as a joke-- you gutter-minded dogs.

[Rabidelly]

I like something with a GOOD story. My current list of "Comic & Dailies" is: Drowtales, Questionable Content, Eerie Cuties, Selkie, The Dreamland Chronicles, Red String, xkcd, and Grrl Power.

You can certainly succeed with a drama story, but like any genre it has to be able to grab the audience. Personally, beyond a good story(and maybe even more important) is to have a reliable update schedule. It's so damned annoying when you find a good comic and then have to abandon it because they can't stick to a schedule or are just always putting up filler (which is fine in moderation). Also, make sure you keep a good pace story-wise. If you're only updating say, once a week, those cliffhangers can really drag on and even regular story fare can get confusing or drab if you take too long to just tell it.

I can enjoy a comic in nearly any form, even if the art is meh at best so long as the story is interesting. There are so many comics that look lovely but have crap stories. Bounce your story off a friend, see what they think. Good luck with it!

[Kohan]

Most of the comics which I find posted online for free are comedy based. Actually, I can't remember the last web comic I came across that was doing well with a serious background to it. Or there's at least a common occurrence of comic relief. Then there's also the "porn" type comics, which are equally abundant for obvious reasons.

Does that mean I should expect failure with an attempt at something more drama and story related? Because that's what I have been planning on..

Going by what you've written, I've a feeling that whatever you're going to write will be boring and passed over. You're probably wondering why I'd say something so harsh when I haven't read a word of it, but it has everything to do with your short-sighted analysis, and the presumed belief that a "common occurrence of comic relief" precludes something "drama and story related." You've also said that you're not worried about this being a "popularity contest," as if there were something wrong with comics that succeed.

If you've taken that personally and are already feeling defensive, you're also going to need a thicker skin, so add that to your list of things to work on.

Considering that you aren't interested in establishing an audience, and may not believe that humorous incidents can build character—even in a storyline with a legitimately serious tone—who are you writing for? Do you believe you can capably craft a completely serious tale that isn't painfully melodramatic and poorly paced? It isn't as if a straight-faced comic can't succeed, but it must be very well-done. Accessibility is important.

How do you intend to hook people? What will prevent the characters from being two-dimensional? Have you read any thorough analyses of what makes popular webcomics, well, so popular?

You did ask what people like, and that may provide a lot of reading material, but it may not be in-depth enough to really help you formulate a good approach to comic creation. If you want to understand why comics are appreciated, this archive is a reasonable start:

http://www.comicsalliance.com/tag/best+webcomics+ever/

You won't have to fully read the comics themselves, unless you want to—the summaries will give you an idea as to why they're appreciated.

On that same site, you can read further and discover why some of them are so appreciated. This coverage extrapolates on why a particular web comic is good, giving you something constructive to work with:

http://www.comicsalliance.com/2011/1...-pie-webcomic/

Meanwhile, this talks about a popular comic book character, Spider-Man, and explains why he's so well-developed:

http://www.comicsalliance.com/2012/0...cter-ever-yes/

Further, here's a good article to reference in relation to cover design:

http://www.comicsalliance.com/2011/1...gn-wins-fails/

Things like that may help you more than any individual's personal preferences.

[grantlogan]

To ask this forum what they like I feel is just lazy. Develop something yourself and if it's good, then you get an audience.

[Shiroikage]

Gunnerkrigg Court is pretty sweet and Neil Gaiman-approved:
http://www.gunnerkrigg.com/

EDIT: And is serious enough.

[LittleSlurpee]

Going by what you've written, I've a feeling that whatever you're going to write will be boring and passed over. You're probably wondering why I'd say something so harsh when I haven't read a word of it, but it has everything to do with your short-sighted analysis, and the presumed belief that a "common occurrence of comic relief" precludes something "drama and story related." You've also said that you're not worried about this being a "popularity contest," as if there were something wrong with comics that succeed.

If you've taken that personally and are already feeling defensive, you're also going to need a thicker skin, so add that to your list of things to work on.

Considering that you aren't interested in establishing an audience, and may not believe that humorous incidents can build character—even in a storyline with a legitimately serious tone—who are you writing for? Do you believe you can capably craft a completely serious tale that isn't painfully melodramatic and poorly paced? It isn't as if a straight-faced comic can't succeed, but it must be very well-done. Accessibility is important.

How do you intend to hook people? What will prevent the characters from being two-dimensional? Have you read any thorough analyses of what makes popular webcomics, well, so popular?

I have to say, at least, that your own analysis (of me) is presumptuous. But let me rephrase what I said for you; comedic and adult "web" comics seem more popular than other comics in my opinion. I posted this thread asking for input and help on something I am entirely new at. All I know is how to write and illustrate; I'm unsure how I should orchestrate those together, and online for that matter. And for free. -- And there's nothing wrong with a comic being popular. You seem to have mistaken me for a hipster. I was only saying I'm not in it for the "numbers" I just wanna make enjoyable stories for people. Giving others pleasure (wink) gives me pleasure. Plain and simple. Also, "defending" myself in any respect doesn't mean I need a thicker skin, it just means I'm not a coward. If I ran off crying because I took your opinion to heart, then yes, I'd need a thicker skin.

I am interested in establishing an audience, but I don't have to have massive numbers. Also, I just don't wanna feel like I'm ramming it down peoples throats in effort for people to at least take a look.

I never said I don't believe humorous incidents don't build character. Humans are multifaceted in their emotions and how they will respond to things. "Comic relief" can be necessary for people in real life just so they don't go fucking crazy. My point was that the core of my story was to be established in a more serious manner. Like labeling it a "horror" story rather than a comedy. Get it?

I am looking to appeal to readers who are interested in dark fantasy-- a world of my own design with races of my own design, and my own version of humans (to keep a connection of sorts to the reader). Drama, violence, romance, action, adventure, and even a bit of horror/macabre.

No, I haven't read any analysis' of how/why a web comic is/can be popular. I'll have to try looking for an actual analysis, which I hadn't thought of.

The rest of your information-- thank you. I appreciate the links. And your bluntness, too.

[LittleSlurpee]

To ask this forum what they like I feel is just lazy. Develop something yourself and if it's good, then you get an audience.

People ask "What blah blah do you like?" all the time. It's not lazy. I wasn't trying to formulate a story based off what's popular. I already have my own ideas for what I am gonna do. My question was for other purposes such as: finding out about other comics; seeing how other web comics put their shit together so I get an idea of how I should do mine; and for fucking curiosities sake.

Something being good doesn't mean it'll get an audience automatically. Like Rabidelly said, importantly, that a comic producer needs to produce their "chapters" consistently and productively. VG-Cats is a good example. I love their comic, but FUCK they post slowly. They do good but I don't go to their page often at all because I know it takes FOREVER for them to put something new up.

[LittleSlurpee]

Thank you for the input so far, guys. I appreciate the links, too.

[shepardG]

I'll second gunnerkrigg.com. That site is fucking phenominal.

[Skjie]

Never ever publicly respond to your critics. Take useful information to heart, but never engage them.

[Tajin]

a) Regular updates (i.e. at least once every one/two weeks)
b)I used to read lots of webcomics but now I only read:
-Sinfest
-Garfield
-Foxtrot
-Everyother year (UserFriendly, Ctrl-Alt-Del,LittleGamers, Cyanide, xkcd)

What makes them good to me? : The humor is right around my alley, and personally I read webcomics because I'm looking for a quick smile, not sure I'd read a serious one.

[LittleSlurpee]

Never ever publicly respond to your critics. Take useful information to heart, but never engage them.

Why? I like a little head-butting. If they actually prove me wrong on something I'm not afraid to admit it. But otherwise.. I'M ALWAYS RIGHT. Rawr~!

But honestly I'll try to control myself ... try....

[Shiroikage]

I'll second gunnerkrigg.com. That site is fucking phenominal.

The only thing wrong with it is that there is not more of it.

[The Stig]

I like comics which is both intelligent but yet makes fun out of current (roughly) events.

I'm not a huge fan of them due to my attention span for something static, but I do like to browse VGCats and XKCD. Both comics are short and funny and easy to digest.

Both also like to call back to some older (own) comics, or develop some sort of mini arcs (which is also short and funny but a change from the original.

The only comic I did read when I was really young was Sonic The Comic (UK). Not sure what got me hooked but I guess because at the time the Sonic universe wasn't truely fleshed out, so it was nice to read something based on it. But in your case you want something original, so perhaps it might be a bit tricky.

[Syntex]

If you want to do something serious take a look at MegaTokyo.

He started off doing 4 panel jokes with a mild story in the background. Later he did both and in his latest books its all story that's drama driven with the occasional funny stuff with Largo which isn't even part of the main story anymore and is just for jokes really.

Just don't do what VGCats did and get popular only to turn out 4 comics in a year. Regular updates(or lack of them) can make or break your success.

[Correction]

If you are dead serious about long-form comic storytelling I can find no more straight-faced advice than that given by John Allison of Bobbins/Scary Go Round/Bad Machinery fame. His interviews come with 10 years of experience writing, drawing and self-publishing his stories. He's done tons and tons of interviews and he doesn't shy away from talking about the business of making a modest living doing comics. He's also been pretty open about his process, something he covers a lot in his personal blog.