Showing posts with label webcomics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label webcomics. Show all posts
Monday, October 13, 2008
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Some People Care WAY too Much about Webcomics
I was perusing my daily dose of webcomics today and at PvP Scott was talking about a blogger who devoted immense amounts of time to critiquing PVP. Scott wasn't blasting the guy, in fact, he called him a fan, because, as Scott said, only a fan could care so much. I commend Scott as someone who deals fairly well with that sort of thing. I don't have the personality (or talent, but that's beside the point) to deal with things like that.
What amazes me is how worked up people get about webcomics. I've gotten into discussions on forums about them. I've read tons of flaming posts about them. It boggles my mind because wake-up people, they are FREE!
Now, possibly I am caring too much about webcomics, but hear me out. Webcomics can be read by anyone, for free. Now, some comics do a better job of updating than others. Schlock Mercenary is pretty much the king at 7 straight years of posting on time. It's also hilarious. Dave Kellett drawing Sheldon does a great job too. Others, like PvP, are sketchier. Posting daily...usually...but who knows when. But again. Who cares. Its a comic you're reading for free. I've heard the arguments, "they have an implied contract with their reader." What? No they don't! If the readers get upset, they'll stop reading! Then ad revenue will dry up and the strip goes under. Simple economics.
For someone like Scott Kurtz, Dave Kellett, or Howard Tayler (to just name a very few) who make their living off the comic keeping your readers happy is important. The people who get so upset don't seem to understand they can just stop reading. Or the people who don't like how a strip or storyline went...that's fine, that's your opinion, but, you're not the creator. Voice your opinion, but the creator is creating, we are reading and we decide if we like it or not. Network TV is what happens when you pander to your audience. And we don't want that happening to webcomics.
What amazes me is how worked up people get about webcomics. I've gotten into discussions on forums about them. I've read tons of flaming posts about them. It boggles my mind because wake-up people, they are FREE!
Now, possibly I am caring too much about webcomics, but hear me out. Webcomics can be read by anyone, for free. Now, some comics do a better job of updating than others. Schlock Mercenary is pretty much the king at 7 straight years of posting on time. It's also hilarious. Dave Kellett drawing Sheldon does a great job too. Others, like PvP, are sketchier. Posting daily...usually...but who knows when. But again. Who cares. Its a comic you're reading for free. I've heard the arguments, "they have an implied contract with their reader." What? No they don't! If the readers get upset, they'll stop reading! Then ad revenue will dry up and the strip goes under. Simple economics.
For someone like Scott Kurtz, Dave Kellett, or Howard Tayler (to just name a very few) who make their living off the comic keeping your readers happy is important. The people who get so upset don't seem to understand they can just stop reading. Or the people who don't like how a strip or storyline went...that's fine, that's your opinion, but, you're not the creator. Voice your opinion, but the creator is creating, we are reading and we decide if we like it or not. Network TV is what happens when you pander to your audience. And we don't want that happening to webcomics.
Friday, July 13, 2007
The environment and webcomics
Alright. First, a little frustration to vent. I'm frustrated at rich celebrities, of any stripe, who are suddenly jumping on the "green" bandwagon. I guess I should have stated that I fully support sensible environmental action. Spewing toxins and carbon dioxide into the air is bad. Cutting down too many trees is bad. Over-fishing is bad.
However, I have a problem with many of these people. They buy a Prius, or 'biodegradable' clothes or the newest 'green' appliances. All of that is well and good. BUT! Do you really need a 15,000 square foot home? AND a vacation house?
The response is "I buy carbon credits." As if that somehow makes it ok. What many people, especially wealthier people do not seem to understand about preventing environmental change is that it is going to require a change in lifestyle. A DRASTIC change in lifestyle. We must reduce consumption, not just buy a clean conscience. All that does is push all the real changes off onto the poor people who cannot buy credits.
I am not against credits. Say a singer or movie star or politician has to fly alot for their job. Ok, buy some carbon credits to off-set that. That's great. But, when you go to build a house, build it 'green' yes, but conserve too. I don't care how 'green' a house is built, it'll be a lot more green at 3000 sq ft. than at 15000 sq. ft. All you'll do if you have more space is fill it up with stuff that no matter how energy efficient is going to use energy. It seems the "REDUCE" part of "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle" is being forgotten. And that is not good. I'm concerned that being 'green' is becoming so trendy, that it will become just that, a trend, and not have a lasting impact.
I understand that we NEED to change, but we aren't. We're still just consuming and cosuming and consuming. We must consume some to keep the economy going, BUT at what environmental cost? I'll write more some other day.
The other part, webcomics. Ahh, such wonderfulness. (That is now a word.) Check out PvP. (http://www.pvponline.com/) Check out Sheldon. (http://www.sheldoncomics.com/) Check out Starslip Crisis. (http://www.starslip.com/) Check out Schlock Mercenary. (http://www.schlockmercenary.com/) What artistry, what wit, what fun! If you enjoy the funnies, webcomics is where it is at because aside from Get Fuzzy and Pearls Before Swine and maybe one or two others, there ain't much out there. And they are all so heavily censored and I don't just mean cursing. The web is where creativity is completely allowed to roam free. Check these guys out and others. Then, if you like them, buy a book, or a shirt, or an original art piece. These guys are good.
However, I have a problem with many of these people. They buy a Prius, or 'biodegradable' clothes or the newest 'green' appliances. All of that is well and good. BUT! Do you really need a 15,000 square foot home? AND a vacation house?
The response is "I buy carbon credits." As if that somehow makes it ok. What many people, especially wealthier people do not seem to understand about preventing environmental change is that it is going to require a change in lifestyle. A DRASTIC change in lifestyle. We must reduce consumption, not just buy a clean conscience. All that does is push all the real changes off onto the poor people who cannot buy credits.
I am not against credits. Say a singer or movie star or politician has to fly alot for their job. Ok, buy some carbon credits to off-set that. That's great. But, when you go to build a house, build it 'green' yes, but conserve too. I don't care how 'green' a house is built, it'll be a lot more green at 3000 sq ft. than at 15000 sq. ft. All you'll do if you have more space is fill it up with stuff that no matter how energy efficient is going to use energy. It seems the "REDUCE" part of "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle" is being forgotten. And that is not good. I'm concerned that being 'green' is becoming so trendy, that it will become just that, a trend, and not have a lasting impact.
I understand that we NEED to change, but we aren't. We're still just consuming and cosuming and consuming. We must consume some to keep the economy going, BUT at what environmental cost? I'll write more some other day.
The other part, webcomics. Ahh, such wonderfulness. (That is now a word.) Check out PvP. (http://www.pvponline.com/) Check out Sheldon. (http://www.sheldoncomics.com/) Check out Starslip Crisis. (http://www.starslip.com/) Check out Schlock Mercenary. (http://www.schlockmercenary.com/) What artistry, what wit, what fun! If you enjoy the funnies, webcomics is where it is at because aside from Get Fuzzy and Pearls Before Swine and maybe one or two others, there ain't much out there. And they are all so heavily censored and I don't just mean cursing. The web is where creativity is completely allowed to roam free. Check these guys out and others. Then, if you like them, buy a book, or a shirt, or an original art piece. These guys are good.
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