From M/Cyclopedia of New Media
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Online Comics
- Specifically categorized under digital art, online comics (or web comics) are comics that are available online and require computer software for their creation. Most online comics maintain exclusive online publishing, whilst some artists maintain a web-based archive for comics published in print (Wikipedia, 2005).
- Online comics offer viewers a dynamic, colourful and interactive experience, like Scott McCloud's My Obsession with Chess, that no longer confines readers to the rectangle and gutter that characterize print comics. Rather, online comics have been transformed into a new medium that ignores conventional rectangular panels reading left to right, and instead embrace the use of a flash player located in a web browser to animate parts of the online strip (Sharwood, 2003, p.5).
Audiences
- Online comics offer new reading experiences and have transformed into a medium suitable for older audiences. Most web comics strips focus on 'quirky' and complex subjects, include the use of strong language and centre on adult issues like sex, violence and alcohol (Sharwood, 2003, p.5). As such, the internet functions as a medium for cartoonists who do not want to write for an adolescant audience (Sharwood, 2003, p.5).
- With the move of comics to a new medium and in turn to a new audience, the reluctance of print comic fanatics to accept the digital conversion has ignited fierce rivalry between print and online enthusiasts. Because of this, new audiences have been generated regarding preference to viewing medium: print or online.
History
- When the Internet emerged in 1990, the medium was quickly realised as another outlet for comics. The first online comic, Where the Buffalo Roam, was posted in 1992 by Hans Bjordahl, and was concerned with comical observations of his university life (Campbell, 2003).
- Doctor Fun, a one-panel strip and Netboy followed in 1993. Netboy is considered the first regular webcomic.
- When the comic book industry fell into a slump in 1995, online comics continued to grow and develop alongside the internet (Campbell, 2003). Argon Zark! a video-gamed theme webcomic and Kevin and Kell appeared the same year.
- In 1997 Sluggy Freelance, with its cast of unintelligent characters, and User Friendly followed (Wikipedia, 2005).
- Scott Kurtz’s PvP began in 1998, and was a comic for 'geeks' with an emphasis on computer gaming humour.
- In August 2000, Scott McCloud’s book on webcomics, Reinventing Comics, was published. Scott McCloud is considered an advocate of web comics and an influential figure in the 'online comic' field.
- Online comics only grew in numbers from this point. Currently, some of the popular online comics include Ctrl+Alt+Del, Penny Arcade, Something Positive, Sexy Losers and Megatokyo (Wikipedia, 2005).
Business
- The internet, with its access to a global audience, has enabled commercial success from publishing comics online. However, not all online comics are profit-driven, with thousands created and published online purely for audience entertainment. Online cartoonists that do aim for commercial profit charge small monthly subscription fees to view their comics, allow sponsorship advertising on their website or ask for donations in order to keep their strips online.
- Some cartoonists use the internet to snare online readers into buying their comic books. Of particular note are R. Stevens' Diesel Sweeties and Jon Rosenberg's Goats which attract high readership and profit because of their popularity (Wolk, 2004, p.15). Several volumes of each strip have been published in print, portraying an economical and effective means to expand audiences for a strip.
Further Information
External Links
- Compixmedia provides a comprehensive history to online comics.
- The Webcomic List presents a list of the most recently updated online comics
- Herorealm lists online comics, interviews, reviews and other articles about comics for viewers
Internal Links
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References
- Sharwood, S. (2003) "The Rebirth of Comics," The Sydney Morning Herald, 30 Aug., p.5
- Wolk, D. (2004) "Web Comics Send Readers Looking for Books," Publishers Weekly vol.251, no.44, p.15.
Contributors to this entry include:
--Marnie-Anne Snow 09:59, 28 Oct 2005 (EST)
Word Count: 536 words
