COMICS FUTURE (Or : Let's Thinktank!)

[mike black]

As demonstrated by The Apparat Program, as well as thousands of other weekly (or monthly, or daily, or whatever,) podcasts, it's easy to spread uncopywritten material with speed and ease when you let people know it's out there.

So let's look at this with another concept that's been floating around. Podcomics. Comiccasts. Downloadable Comics. Advancement of the medium in a new and exciting way that has yet to be marginalized by corporate America.

I don't know if there are any comic podcasts (henceforth cPc's), if there are any repositories of downloadable comics on the net already (outside of the torrents - which are closing down as I understand it.) So, it seems there may be a hole in comics culture for cPc's now - is it feasable? Speed of transfer isn't an issue (not with the mass dissemination of DSL, and the oncoming of FiOS), so will people come?

[DrMachine]

outside of the torrents - which are closing down as I understand it.

never happen

[Jacob Lyon Goddard]

:no:
comic's are "ink on paper"

[mike black]

never happen

Then let's look at it this way:

CPC's of unregistered content that is free by design for anyone who wants it. A torrented comic (22 pages) runs between 12 and 14 kb as near as I can figure. I'm not talking webcomics, but full online comics.

[CraigM]

:no:
comic's are "ink on paper"

Keep thinking like that and the world may past you by.

I think CpC's are very feasible, you'd just have to figure out the best way to do them, etc.

Craig

[mike black]

:no:
comic's are "ink on paper"

And music is "only live".

What's your point?

[Jacob Lyon Goddard]

Keep thinking like that and the world may past you by.

I think CpC's are very feasible, you'd just have to figure out the best way to do them, etc.

Craig
but i, (and R Crumb), will always be better at spelling than you

[DrMachine]

it may seem like I'm splitting hairs..but comic podcast, implies someone reading a comic to listened to on an iPOD, or watching them read it on an iPOD

I'd recomend changing the name to something that implies exactly what it is

[kubiak]

This would be a good way to spread the appreciation and understanding of comics but I don't think they will ever replace ink and paper. I need to hold my comics in my hands.

[CraigM]

but i, (and R Crumb), will always be better at spelling than you

As if you're perfect and can't ever make a mistake?

Craig

[DrMachine]

This would be a good way to spread the appreciation and understanding of comics but I don't think they will ever replace ink and paper. I need to hold my comics in my hands.

exactly

Ebooks have been available for years now, but so far the paper variety seems to be just fine, for the mass market anyway

[mike black]

it may seem like I'm splitting hairs..but comic podcast, implies someone reading a comic to listened to on an iPOD, or watching them read it on an iPOD

I'd recomend changing the name to something that implies exactly what it is

Podcomics? Is that fine? It doesn't matter.

And I'm not talking about replacing paper comics. I love having books in my hand, and greatly resent the concept that everything in the future will be directed through my computer.

Let me get down to what's in my head at the moment:


Subject: And One Demand For 2006 In Comics
Date: Sat, 17 Dec 2005 09:23:03 EST



[B]bad signal
WARREN ELLIS

Yeah, yeah, I know, shut up now
Warren. But no. Listen.

I know a friend of mine is already
considering this, but I'm going to
throw it out there anyway.

In 2006 I want to see a bunch of
monthly anthologies. And in a
particular style. The STRANGE DAYS
mode. One writer and a group of
artists. The "band" book. No ads.
Just fill that fucker up any way you
like.

For those not old enough, or recently
added to the list: STRANGE DAYS was
a three-issue anthology book circa
1983 by Peter Milligan, Brendan
McCarthy and Brett Ewins. Three
groundbreaking serials, odd one-
page art pieces, both of and ahead
of its time. It was a thematic whole,
every inch of it planned and
designed. And the three of them
were, undeniably, a band.

If a bunch of people just took their
guts in both hands, ignored the
received wisdom of "nobody buys
anthologies" and just Did It, the
medium would be a much more
interesting place next year.

(Especially along with a few more
FELL-style 1.99 books and a few
more people going straight to OGN
or novella. A more mobile, alive
medium, where we move like
sharks and bite the nuts off the
unwary.)

Yes. Sharks. Whooosh. Snap.

...

Jesus. That fourth Red Bull may
have been a mistake.

- W

Look at it this way - An online compendium, released weekly as an anthology book. Three stories per download (22 pages traditional format,) of creators doing what ever story fancies them. Little downloads of before unknown comics orgasmic pleasure on your desktop each week. Thousands of creators scrambling to inject their visions into your brain - without having to worry about making Diamond benchmarks. That's comics future. Or indi-comics-future. Or iCF if you want.

[copypastepuke]

if it is done well, i wouldnt be opposed to it.

do i think it is the future? no, the ink and paper will forever be my option, and the option of people who have the collector's mentality towards their comics. but if it offered up good stories and interesting art then by all means i would be all for it.

[mike black]

Once. Again. I'm. Not. Talking. About. Replacing. Funnybooks.

[Jacob Lyon Goddard]

As if you're perfect and can't ever make a mistake?

Craig
even my mistakes are perfect

[Ben Rosen]

ew. i want my comics on paper.

[mike black]

ew. i want my comics on paper.

FUCK!

[Ben Rosen]

FUCK!
:lol:

i know what you're trying to say, i just wanted to get that out there.

:lol:

[natalie]

Once. Again. I'm. Not. Talking. About. Replacing. Funnybooks.


But that's why I don't think this would ever work to the degree you seem to want it to.

[andrew french]

i'm sure there are people who'd enjoy this, but personally, i could never endure that kind of punishment.

trying to read some of those image online previews is difficult enough, and those are on a computer screen.

[mike black]

But that's why I don't think this would ever work to the degree you seem to want it to.


Look at it this way. There's no money looking to be made. This is expressly about entertainment. And it's a good way for indi creators to circumvent the boys-only mentality of the direct market through building an online fanbase.

[mike black]

i'm sure there are people who'd enjoy this, but personally, i could never endure that kind of punishment.

trying to read some of those image online previews is difficult enough, and those are on a computer screen.

The offer up a differing idea. A counterpoint. This is, afterall, a think tank thread.

[Ben Rosen]

The offer up a differing idea. A counterpoint. This is, afterall, a think tank thread.
he offered a counterpoint. he said they could be hard to read.

[The Human Target]

It would be a good way to get your shit out there for sure. And its totally workable.

I wouldn't pay shit for it though.

[JoshuaFialkov]

Someone was talking about selling comics with a free online version. So you come to the H&B site to order a comic, and as soon as your order goes through, you get a free PDF of the book, followed by the hard copy in the mail.

How's that sound?

[The Human Target]

Someone was talking about selling comics with a free online version. So you come to the H&B site to order a comic, and as soon as your order goes through, you get a free PDF of the book, followed by the hard copy in the mail.

How's that sound?

RPG companies have been using pdf formatted books for a while now. Selling them cheaper much cheaper than the book itself (if one is even made) would go for.

I don't know how well one erson getting two copies would go over though. If the person cares enough to order, why would they really need one?

[mike black]

It would be a good way to get your shit out there for sure. And its totally workable.

I wouldn't pay shit for it though.

Free.

It's an experiment.

[The Human Target]

Free.

It's an experiment.

I know thats what you were saying.


I just personally don't pay for digital information.

[mike black]

I know thats what you were saying.


I just personally don't pay for digital information.

Kind of like how I don't pay for your mom? Or you?

[The Human Target]

Kind of like how I don't pay for your mom? Or you?

Once you go Black you never go back.


<sigh>

[Pat Loika]

Someone was talking about selling comics with a free online version. So you come to the H&B site to order a comic, and as soon as your order goes through, you get a free PDF of the book, followed by the hard copy in the mail.

How's that sound?

That's actually a great idea...but I think, instead of giving them the whole book as a PDF, why not give them half? It gives them something to look forward to when the hard copy arrives...

P.

[mike black]

Once you go Black you never go back.


<sigh>

Tell your dad I'm sorry. I'm not, but you can tell him anyway.

[The Human Target]

That's actually a great idea...but I think, instead of giving them the whole book as a PDF, why not give them half? It gives them something to look forward to when the hard copy arrives...

P.

But why would they need it? They already cared enough about the book to buy it. I think if you're gonna go electronic you're gonna want to get it out to all the people who wouldn't just up and order your book. Put half the comic or the first whole issue up on your site. Send out links to all the comic news websites. Tell peeps to send it out to their friends. Get a bunch of creators together and make a big online catalog of books.

[Pat Loika]

But why would they need it? They already cared enough about the book to buy it. I think if you're gonna go electronic you're gonna want to get it out to all the people who wouldn't just up and order your book. Put half the comic or the first whole issue up on your site. Send out links to all the comic news websites. Tell peeps to send it out to their friends. Get a bunch of creators together and make a big online catalog of books.

I agree with all your points, here's my take on the PDF deal: they don't need it. It's a bonus. Yeah, we sold the book, but they'll feel that we care enough about them that we'd let them catch a glimpse of the book, and give them more than 5 pages.

P.

[The Human Target]

I agree with all your points, here's my take on the PDF deal: they don't need it. It's a bonus. Yeah, we sold the book, but they'll feel that we care enough about them that we'd let them catch a glimpse of the book, and give them more than 5 pages.

P.

I can agree with that totally. But its only gonna do so much. I'd say, send out the script to people who order, as a pdf. Or scans of some artwork, or uninked pages, or a whole extra few pages of new material that you couldn't get otherwise.

[JoshuaFialkov]

The other option we've been talking about is doing a $1 Digital Version of the book, then if they like it, for the additional 2 bucks they can have a hard copy shipped out.

What about that?

[Smokinblues]

but i, (and R Crumb), will always be better at spelling than you

ya. expload.

[Smokinblues]

there still isn't a good way to read them electronically.

[mike black]

there still isn't a good way to read them electronically.

It can most likely be dealt with. Scans are a no-go. We might have to look at coloring them VIA photoshop, because frankly, there's no other way they'd look good. Sadly, I'm not a fan of computer coloring - but if it helps to make everything more clear, than I'm all for it.

[mike black]

You know, guys...

This thread isn't so much me asking if you think it can be done, but rather a statement that gears are turning.

[natalie]

You know, guys...

This thread isn't so much me asking if you think it can be done, but rather a statement that gears are turning.


I hear ya and I'm all for anything that gets people checking out the medium. It's just hard for people to look at new ways to get their entertainment.

[The Human Target]

The other option we've been talking about is doing a $1 Digital Version of the book, then if they like it, for the additional 2 bucks they can have a hard copy shipped out.

What about that?

That, is a very interesting idea. I like it. Some people would take advantage of it, but those fuckers wouldn't buy the book anyway.

Another pain in the ass with electronic stuff is payment. It can be a hassle. And some people, me included, are loathe to give away any personal information online.

[mike black]

I hear ya and I'm all for anything that gets people checking out the medium. It's just hard for people to look at new ways to get their entertainment.

Aparently free comics by top tier creators, and a 2 minute download time are too much for some people. (Not directed at you, hon.)

[DrMachine]

You know, guys...

This thread isn't so much me asking if you think it can be done, but rather a statement that gears are turning.

gears have been turning for awhile now, and still nothing

you've got to change the paradigum (sic)

[mike black]

gears have been turning for awhile now, and still nothing

you've got to change the paradigum (sic)

If I try, I won't have to. There's always someone out there smarter.

[copypastepuke]

i like paper.



maybe if we had
e-paper?