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Allison's Wacom Graphire 4x5 tablet
Input devices, such as scanners and pen tablets, are important tools for the webcomic creator. They allow the artist to get their images into the computer in some shape or form, whether you want to scan in a drawing, or save some trees and draw directly into the computer. So how do you know which one to buy? Or should you get both a scanner and a tablet?
It's actually better to have both. Pen tablets take a lot of practice to draw with, and if you're not saavy in using them, you're better off using a scanner until that time when you're not so clumsy. It may seem easy, as a pen tablet allows you to use your writing hand for tasks (such as if you're a lefty like me and the mouse is used with the right hand), but in truth, it's far more complicated than that. It's like learning how to draw all over again. It's because of that fact that it's better to have a scanner along with the tablet, as scanners are easier to learn how to use.
As far as brands are concerned, the most popular pen tablets out there are the products put out by Wacom, namely the Intuos. They also have Graphire (which is what I use), but the Intuos is the more popular brand these days, even though they do tend to be pricey. Scanners are usually bought these days as all-in-ones, as in, they can also triple as fax machines and printers. A standalone flatbed scanner is better, as all-in-ones tend to have complicated menus and one can scan things on flatbeds that you can't scan in on an all-in-one. Flatbeds open up from the front while all-in-ones open from the side, hence the advantage. If one is looking to scan in a book with a binding that isn't saddle-stitch, then a flatbed is your scanner to use. Epson or Canon would be the best brands for such scanners. However, all-in-one's do have their advantage in that they can save on desk space and you can make use of them if you're only scanning in drawings and photos. Epson and Canon are again, the better brands to use for the quality photo work for prints.
These tools are essential for webcomic creators, as we couldn't get our art into the computer without them. As with your computer, it's good to take proper care of these tools, as they do wear out over time and proper maintenance can make them last longer, if not forever. And if you must replace a tool, don't wait until it dies on you. It can cost precious time off your comics, which is not good.
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