Webcomics 2.0 An Insider’s Guide to Writing, Drawing, and Promoting Your Own Webcomics

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ISBN: 9781598634624 | 1598634623
Cover: Paperback
Copyright: 4/15/2008

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"Webcomics 2.0: An Insider’s Guide to Writing, Drawing, and Promoting Your Own Webcomics" teaches readers how to develop a concept for a webcomic, draw it, and publish it on the Internet. The book also shows them how to promote their finished webcomic and earn money from it. Webcomics 2.0 explores the two methods of webcomic creation: traditional paper-and-pencil art that is scanned and manipulated on a computer, and digital art that is created entirely on the computer. It covers three popular types of webcomics-adventure, humor and manga, and reveals the tools, software and resources that will help both authors and writers get started in webcomics creation.

What are webcomics?
Three most popular types of webcomics
Adventure
Reminiscent of the serial Sunday comics of old
Usually horizontal format and once or twice a week
Characters often don't survive long
Whole series can come to an end while creative team moves to a new series
The Drifter
Humor
Most popular humor subjects are videogames and computers
Typically strip format and three to seven times a week
The most similar to daily newspaper strips
Breaking the fourth wall
Often target readers with high incomes
Stuck at 16 Bits
Manga
The vast majority of webcomics are manga-influenced
Divided between action-oriented manga for males (shounen) and dramatic character-driven stories for females (shoujo) though some cross over
Almost always full page in manga dimensions
This translates easily to a print edition
All are black and white with manga shading
Can spark lively discussions and blogs
Gambling Souls
Concept & Story
As the sole creator
Since you're drawing your own comic, a script is often not necessary
A bare outline is all it takes
Some creators just have a general idea of where the story is headed and make it up as they go
As a writer working with an artist
How to write a comic script
Marvel' style plot-pencils-script
Full script
Script examples side-by-side with finished pages
Compelling characters and plotlines
The 'story arc' concept
Shaking things up by making a major change or bringing in a new character
The Art
Paper and Pencil vs. Digital Art
Scanning in the art and converting it for the Web
Make sure to preserve a high-res version for the eventual print edition
Getting Published
Self publishing
Advantage: Total freedom and control over advertising, publicity, marketing
Using 'top ten' lists to drive traffic to your site
Disadvantage: Tough to find an audience in a crowded market
Expense of paying for web hosting web design can be complicated
Signing up for a webcomics hosting service
Advantage: Built-in comics posting tools and site design
Disadvantage: You're stuck with the templates and page layout they give you with little room to maneuver
The free hosting services often won't let you make money from ads
Joining a webcomics syndicate
Advantage: Built-in audience of readers who will check out your work
Built-in tools for posting your comics pages to the site
Steady paycheck which starts small but goes up if your comics is a hit
Disadvantage: Most syndicates are very, very picky about accepting new comics
Usually your comic has to be amazing quality
Many webcomics start with a hosting service or a syndicate before striking out on their own and taking their audience with them
Merchandising, Advertising and Print Deals
Where the real money from the comic is made!
Using the free webcomic to drive fans toward your merchandise
Spreadshirt and alternatives for T-shirts
Google's AdSense or finding a sponsor for advertising
Putting together an ad rate sheet with your characters
Printing a collected edition
Self-publishing collected editions or original works with the same characters
Finding a publisher
This part's easier if your comic has a fan following
Conclusion
The web is the future of comics!
Gambling Souls
Concept & Story
As the sole creator
Since you're drawing your own comic, a script is often not necessary
A bare outline is all it takes
Some creators just have a general idea of where the story is headed and make it up as they go
As a writer working with an artist
How to write a comic script
Marvel' style plot-pencils-script
Full script
Script examples side-by-side with finished pages
Compelling characters and plotlines
The 'story arc' concept
Shaking things up by making a majo
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Webcomics 2.0 An Insider’s Guide to Writing, Drawing, and Promoting Your Own Webcomics

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