So, I used to be big on webcomics when I was younger, and I kinda want to get back into them.
I'm interested in stuff with plot right now, but I've been feeling disappointed with what I've been finding. I wanted to know if anyone had similar or differing experiences, and if anyone might have something to share that I haven't seen yet.
Some examples of stuff I've tried and haven't liked (that I'm sure at least some people will know of) are below:
http://www.avasdemon.com/pages.php?page=0001
http://dresdencodak.com/2010/06/03/dark-science-01/
http://cucumber.gigidigi.com/cq/page-1/
My major issue with these types of comics is typically the characters. They often act strictly according to a stereotype, which is pretty thoughtless writing. When characters don't play with expectations, they're boring and flat outside of whatever "cute" appeal they have for the first few pages. And that's fine, until you realize how many pages these comics have.
I really can't care about characters who only seem to exist to move the plot along. I feel put off when the whole cast of characters don't have something resembling "genuine" internal workings (believable/dynamic emotions, thoughts, concerns, etc.), because then the only somewhat interesting thing about them is how they affect things externally. But what good is it to have some interesting things happen if I don't care about the people they're happening to?
It's not even that these comics are really "bad", it's that they're incredibly unremarkable. Ava's Demon gets some points for quirky visual stuff sometimes, but I feel no level of true engagement when I read it. I don't wanna open up a comic and then feel like I'm just going through the motions over and over again.
For an example of something I like, I was shown Gunnerkrigg Court not too long ago. I think it's great, but I know I'm going to catch up to the updates, so I want to find other stuff to read too.
Gunnerkrigg's characters are a little more human and a little less like bland cartoons. The characters form actual relationships, too. Another thing I don't like in comics is when everyone feels incredibly alienated from each other, which I think is a problem in each of the three comics I listed above.
If you want to see it, you can take a peek here (though do note that it has quite the art evolution):
http://www.gunnerkrigg.com/?p=1
Viper and I used to read this other one that I might pick back up called Zelda: El Rey. It doesn't even really try to be Zelda, it just takes some of the characters and lore and such and does its own thing. Nothing groundbreaking, but it's fun enough:
http://comiz-inc.deviantart.com/art/Zelda-001-189812786?q=gallery%3Acomiz-inc%2F16295723&qo=3
So, what's been your experience with webcomics? What about them appeal (or don't appeal) to you? Do you think the characters in the comics I complained about have something going for them that I'm missing? Do the characters not bother you so long as the plot goes somewhere? Does the art make it worthwhile? Have you read any that left an impact? Leave your thoughts and recommendations
I'm interested in stuff with plot right now, but I've been feeling disappointed with what I've been finding. I wanted to know if anyone had similar or differing experiences, and if anyone might have something to share that I haven't seen yet.
Some examples of stuff I've tried and haven't liked (that I'm sure at least some people will know of) are below:
http://www.avasdemon.com/pages.php?page=0001
http://dresdencodak.com/2010/06/03/dark-science-01/
http://cucumber.gigidigi.com/cq/page-1/
My major issue with these types of comics is typically the characters. They often act strictly according to a stereotype, which is pretty thoughtless writing. When characters don't play with expectations, they're boring and flat outside of whatever "cute" appeal they have for the first few pages. And that's fine, until you realize how many pages these comics have.
I really can't care about characters who only seem to exist to move the plot along. I feel put off when the whole cast of characters don't have something resembling "genuine" internal workings (believable/dynamic emotions, thoughts, concerns, etc.), because then the only somewhat interesting thing about them is how they affect things externally. But what good is it to have some interesting things happen if I don't care about the people they're happening to?
It's not even that these comics are really "bad", it's that they're incredibly unremarkable. Ava's Demon gets some points for quirky visual stuff sometimes, but I feel no level of true engagement when I read it. I don't wanna open up a comic and then feel like I'm just going through the motions over and over again.
For an example of something I like, I was shown Gunnerkrigg Court not too long ago. I think it's great, but I know I'm going to catch up to the updates, so I want to find other stuff to read too.
Gunnerkrigg's characters are a little more human and a little less like bland cartoons. The characters form actual relationships, too. Another thing I don't like in comics is when everyone feels incredibly alienated from each other, which I think is a problem in each of the three comics I listed above.
If you want to see it, you can take a peek here (though do note that it has quite the art evolution):
http://www.gunnerkrigg.com/?p=1
Viper and I used to read this other one that I might pick back up called Zelda: El Rey. It doesn't even really try to be Zelda, it just takes some of the characters and lore and such and does its own thing. Nothing groundbreaking, but it's fun enough:
http://comiz-inc.deviantart.com/art/Zelda-001-189812786?q=gallery%3Acomiz-inc%2F16295723&qo=3
So, what's been your experience with webcomics? What about them appeal (or don't appeal) to you? Do you think the characters in the comics I complained about have something going for them that I'm missing? Do the characters not bother you so long as the plot goes somewhere? Does the art make it worthwhile? Have you read any that left an impact? Leave your thoughts and recommendations