Format Fears

As I’ve mentioned before, I really enjoy the Webcomics Weekly podcast. I recently found their earlier episodes (iTunes begins on #60-something), so in my unemployed state I’ve been listening through them while painting and drawing.

[Side note: besides the lack on income, which is a big deal, I kinda love this. Sitting around all day, drawing the comic, painting Anna and JP’s way overdue painting... it’s pretty much everything I’ve wanted.... except everything I’ve wanted would be getting paid to do this. Oh well.]

Anyway, one of the topics they discussed in episode 6 is long format versus gag-a-day comics. This is something I’ve been thinking about a lot lately since the comic Ben and I are planning is long format and frankly, it terrifies me. There are a couple long format comics I LOVE (Digger, Abominable Charles Christopher, Bearnuts), but I fell in love with them a couple years after they started so I could read them all in (basically) one sitting. And since I was already invested and couldn’t wait to see what happened to those beloved characters, I continue to check in weekly (or whenever they’re updated). But had I found a long-form webcomic at the beginning, I might not be too interested in spending the time waiting to get invested.

Gag-a-days are great, I read a few of them daily (Sheldon, Bug) but I think I tend to forget about them and then catch up every few days (besides Sheldon, which I get delivered to my email which is BRILLIANT.) Plus there’s the skill in writing a joke in 3-4 panels, which comes with it’s own set of issues, traps and problems to overcome.

But the real question is: how do these individually work on the internet? The guys over at Webcomics Weekly argued (albeit a few years ago, I’d like to hear what they’d have to say now) that long form just doesn’t really work on the internet. I sort of agree with them, although I wish I didn’t. The payoff of a long format, such as Digger, is so high. Investment in the characters is much stronger in a story arch... but how do you keep people coming back when each update is not as significant or funny or dramatic or whatever compared to an entire chapter together?

Karl Kerschl over at ACC does an interesting thing which both infuriates me and thrills me at the same time. He has an over arching story, but every now and then (sometimes more often than the story) he inserts these hilarious gag-a-day type strips. They’re still in the universe he has created, but they’re a little break from the main action. Sometimes all I want is to know what happens (like recently when he broke up a fight scene), but other times he makes these strips that are just too brilliant to be mad at him. Is there a way to make that balance work?

What Alison Acton does with Bearnuts (which I adore, and it continuously cracks me up, so I highly suggest you go check out her gorgeous and well written snarky stories about the bears at the discount zoo) is she does “chapters”. Technically it’s a long format comic, as there isn’t necessarily a “payoff” each comic, but they’re only a month or two long at a time. And she has a larger format so you get a longer read per day (Monday and Fridays) than a 3 or 4 panel comic. And she’s just downright hilarious, so that has something to do with it, too.

So here’s my question: Is there a way to make long format comics work better online? Gag-a-days work easily because they’re a quick read, a good laugh, then you’re on your way. But when you want to tell a longer story, how do you build an audience and a story at the same time? Would maybe a beginner chapter to get people hooked first, and then go to updating weekly work? Do long formats have to offer something more per update than gag-a-days - like should the artwork on long format comics be more stunning so the reader gets a little bit more out of it? I recently stopped reading a long format comic (which shall remain nameless) because, as much as I liked the story (although it got a little convoluted), the art was atrocious and I just couldn’t stand it anymore. Should long formats be prettier than gag-a-days? Does it matter?

As Ben and I talk about getting this thing going, I have a lot of questions because I want to do it right and do it well. I guess most of this blog was questions because (duh) I don’t have any answers at this moment. I’ll let you know when I know everything. (Approximate wait time: forever.)

If you want to contact Beth to give her a verbal hug, commission some art, hand her a $20 bill, solve all her problems and fears, or just say hi - send her an electronic carrier pigeon message at beth@fledglingcomics.com

New Years Inspiration

Happy New Year!!!

I was reading something on Kris Straub’s blog a few weeks ago and then was browsing through his archives and read something that intrigued me. He wrote that it somehow became a tradition/superstition that on New Year’s Eve he would draw all his characters together on one page. He felt that if he didn’t, they would in essence die, so he had to draw all the ones he wanted to continue on with him to the next year.

Yes, artists are weird. Let’s get past that.

Since I don’t have any characters of my own (yet), and I’ve been thinking a lot about the influences on me cartoonily (rather than fine art), this is what has happened:

I have drawn me and my major influences so that maybe something of them will continue on with me on to the next year. I know next year will be a big one for cartooning, as I’m just getting started in the evening of 2010; the dawning of 2011 only promises more and more drawing. (Yay!)

(Click for larger image.)

Alright, let me give you a run down at what you’re looking at. From the top left:

Rogue: Ben got into comics when I was in junior high or early high school, and I fell in love with them. I even stole the Rogue mini-series (1995) and 2 other random X-Men comics. She is not drawn in any one artist’s style, although I really love MIKE WIERINGO’s style. Also some of my favorite books were drawn by TOM RANEY and I really love LEINIL FRANCIS YU’s style. Beautiful stuff.

Garfield: Ok, JIM DAVIS isn’t a favorite of mine. But the earliest cartooning I remember is tracing Garfield. I don’t mind if Garfield decides to stay in 2010 (or the 1970’s where he belongs) but I felt like I couldn’t do this without mentioning him.

Abominable Charles Christopher and Townsen: As you have read, I love KARL KERSCHL’s work with a passion, especially his painterly style. I had a blast drawing these two. I can’t wait to see what 2011 brings with their own comic, as well as their influence in mine.

Cowardly Clyde: BILL PEET was a favorite growing up. He did a lot of old Disney illustrations, and did a ton of kid’s books. Cowardly Clyde was one of those books that just stayed with me (probably because he’s a horse and, yes, I was *that* girl). But Peet’s style is beautiful and I would love to learn more from him.

Arthur: DAVE KELLET’s Sheldon is what got me into web comics. I’ll forever be in his debt! (And I want an Arthur hat.)

Pinkerton: It’s not just because I live with a great dane, but STEVEN KELLOGG’s illustrations (and books) are wonderful and a great memory from my childhood. His illustrations are pure joy.

Digger: I have learned so much from URSULA VERNON’s stunning comic, and I know I will continue to devote hours to pouring over the artwork. As the comic comes to a close this year (SO SAD), I can’t wait to see how it ends, but I also don’t want it to. I want Digger by my side all the time! Digger and I have become good friends.

Last year’s “resolution” (although there was very little I could do to influence it) was to sell a painting to a stranger. It didn’t happen, even though I was in a handful of shows. As disappointing as that is, it’s probably a good idea to make a resolution where I actually have some say in it.

That being said, my resolution for 2011 is to get that webcomic launched. And to finish this comic book I’m working on. (At this rate, it just might take all year....)

Thanks for reading and I hope you’ll stay with me through the new year, too! I hope you have a blessed New Year and you learn more about yourself, learn how to love others and - most importantly - learn how to love God.

Until next year - Happy New Year!

ABOMINABLE!

Today I finally write the love letter about The Abominable Charles Christopher that I’ve been mentioning from practically day one. I adore this comic. And I hope you will to. Make sure to click the links to get directly to sample strips. You don’t want to miss any of them, so go read the entire archive!

Dear Karl Kerschl,

I just wanted to let you know of my deep and undying love for The Abominable Charles Christopher, your webcomic about an Abominable “snowman” named Charles who finds himself on a quest involving a bear trap. Along with Charles, I adore the forest creatures and slice-of-life strips that interrupt the story every now and then. The advertising skunks make me laugh out loud; the philosophizing raccoon is hilarious; the dysfunctional bird family is just perfect; and the snow fox friend Townsen made me laugh as well as bawl like a baby. Then there’s a side story about Russian circus bears that I’m excited to see how it unfolds in the story

There. Are. No. Words. To describe how fantastic the artwork is. (But I’ll try anyway.) Your professionalism shows through in this “side project” and I wish you’d quit your day job making other comic books to work full time on ACC. I would LOVE to see this more than once a week (it is updated Wednesdays)... but I digress. The grey-green tones with a wonderful use of transparency and a painterly quality creates a really rich, foresty and moody feel. The building up of these green tones along with the black inking is so beautiful I can’t even stand it. The way you show action from panel to panel makes visual sense, and you employ wide angles so well it makes me gasp in delight to see more of the world Charles lives in.

The story, Mr. Kerschl, is brilliant. I adore Charles from page 1. I wept bitterly (almost literally) when he loses his friend. I laugh with great joy at your sense of humor. Somehow you manage to do physical humor in a comic - and I am delighted. The sweet, poignant moments are just as stirring - like the family moments with the birds. Many times I have teared up while reading this, just in the same as I burst out laughing. Both reactions stir odd looks from the people who happen to be in the lobby at the time, but I don’t care. It’s worth it.

The only complaint I have is that I am torn. I want to know what happens to Charles. The main story arch is thrilling and I just want to know what happens. But I also don’t want to lose track of the other wonderful side characters you have developed. Mr. Kerschl, you have managed to write a poignant story arch and interrupt them with humorous gag-a-days, and I barely mind. That is quite a feat.

Also, I must make a comment here that the guest strips you have posted have been fantastic. Seeing artists I know draw your characters through their eyes is such a treat. Clearly you have created something that touches people.

Mr. Kerschl, I am a fan. Please never stop making beautiful art. The great story is pretty fantastic, too.

Your devoted reader.

PS: I love that your domain name for this comic is Abominable.cc. It’s subtle, but it’s clever. Way to go. And I’m sure the Cocos Islands don’t mind.

Kerschl has released a book of the first chapter. It looks stunning and I can’t wait to get my grubby fingers on it. Go buy it here.

I hope everyone had a most fabulous Christmas weekend. Ours was great and full of dogs and really yummy food. I’m really excited for Friday’s blog - a special New Years edition!!