.jpg)
If you have been wondering how to start a webcomic you have come to the right place!
Webcomics are a way to not only express yourself, they’re a great way to exercise your creative muscles. You not only have a way to share your thoughts you also have an excuse to practice your artistic skills.
But you probably already knew that…so let’s get down to business!
First you need a platform to share your webcomic with the world. So let’s cover the steps involved in building that then we’ll get into tips recommended by a popular comic creator to get you started on the creative end of things.
Building your comic's site:
1. Website host & domain name
The first and most important thing you need is a reliable host and a domain name. It’s highly recommended that you sign up with iPower in order to host your site for many reasons, affordable, reliability, support, complete control and integrated tools are just a few of those reasons.
Once you’ve figured out the name of your comic determine a domain name which will best fit. The goal is to find a domain name available which is as exact match to your comic name. You can search available domain names and register them at iPower.
Try to find something simple and easy to remember since that will make it easier to spread your comic’s name around.
2. Display and promote your comic with WordPress
WordPress is a blogging platform which has powerful search engine optimization features built in. This will not only make it much easier to set up since iPower has WordPress integrated into their tool kit for free, the SEO and capabilities will make it easier for readers to find and subscribe to your site.
Another recommendation is that you take advantage of the powerful tools designed to convert WordPress into a customizable, easy to use webcomic platform by installing WebComic & InkBlot which will not only make publishing and managing your comic much easier, it will simplify setting up the appearance and promotion of your site so you can focus on creating your comic.
Tips on comic creation:
Now that you have your site up and running let’s cover some tips given by Jay Dyke, the creator of the popular comic Mows:
1. No physical humor. It just never works in still images. Physicality can lead to humor a panel or two later, but it can’t be the end gag
2. Know that the viewer will always read or at least look at the last panel before reading the entire strip.
3. Lock into using a larger font just to prevent yourself from over-writing. You can find perfect fonts and other resources for creating comics at Blambot.
4. Be absurd, or be really stupid. Just don’t try to be witty.
5. Don’t allow follow-up comments. Just write the strip, and be done with it
6. Find the time to create your comic. Web comics are a lot of fun, and they are WAAYYY cooler than anything you’ll read on a dead tree.
So there you have it! Now you know how to start a webcomic all you have to do is take action and start bringing it to life. Start by searching for your domain name and get those drawings posted.
Once you have everything set up you can then post your site in the comments section of The wonderful world of WebComics and share your creation with the world.
If you find that you need additional support in setting up your site you can request that by clicking here.
Comments
Good grief, I disagree with four out of the six tips presented here (no offense to Jay)!
1. Physical humor can absolutely be the end gag, but unlike writing, it's completely dependent on your ability to stage the gag and then make it clear what is happening in the last panel. I wouldn't limit anyone by telling them the punchline absolutely must be textual.
2. DO know the reader will often look ahead to the last panel, but knowing that doesn't really make a difference unless it helps you do something more sly with your joke set-up. If the reader wants to jump ahead, that's their business. Authors don't alter the last page of the book knowing that some people like to flip ahead. It's still your story!
4. What on Earth is wrong with wit (unless you can't deliver)?
5. Comments can be distracting, but by and large they've been audience-solidifying for me.
Kris Straub
Contributing Editor, webcomics.com
I'm sorry, but this is horrible advise.
If you avoid wit on purpose, yet going after the stupid or absurd, your work will only appear stupid or absurd and you won't keep readers long, if you ever get them. Try for wit as long as you can do wit. Be flexible.
Physical humor works well in comics just as it does in any media.
Comments are a good way of involving your fans. You may not want them on your front page taking up space... look at rosalarian.com/yume/ for a great way to leave comments, while not cluttering the page.
Some of the most successful comics have a comment section on the front page.
And there are tonnes of good places to start for hosting. comicdish, Drunkduck, comicgen, etc. Just google webcomic hosting.
Be yourself. Believe in what you are making. If your hear is truly in it, fans will come.
BigJC
Upheaval.comicdish.com
Those "tips on comic creation" truly suck
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!