So... Comicspace. [Archive] - Digital Webbing Forums

JamieRoberts

01-20-2008, 01:35 PM

I had a lot of excitement in my creative canal when this site started up. It made headlines and seemed to be a roaring success.

One year (and a bit) on, and I very rarely even check it anymore. Anyone else feel this way?

I don't know if it's that the expectation couldn't be met the way we all wanted (like The Phantom Menace, but substituting Vader with webcomics), but when the galleries came along things cooled off. Were we expecting too much? I'd like to get my space back up to a decent standard, since I still haven't got my own website, but I feel like it might not be worth it.

Thoughts?

spider

01-20-2008, 01:59 PM

It feels more a portfolio for creators than something for the fans, many folders on there are portfolio's and actual webcomics (of a good quality anyways) are hard to come by.
It has potential to help revolutionize the industry I think but a lot of users tend to misuse the site, adding their friends folders to their favorites instead of adding it because they like it etc.

Cat

01-20-2008, 02:49 PM

I haven't checked mine ins almost six months

kdmelrose

01-20-2008, 02:56 PM

I deleted my account months ago.

wisper

01-20-2008, 02:58 PM

I got rid of mine after the 1st month. it seems more like a high school yearbook where you get someone to sign yours and then you sign theres... :laugh:

raya

01-20-2008, 03:01 PM

I got rid of mine after the 1st month. it seems more like a high school yearbook where you get someone to sign yours and then you sign theres... :laugh:

I deleted mine a long time ago because I kept on getting these people signing up as my friends, and it was really spam. I couldn't find out if there was a way of preventing it like you can at MySpace (though I don't use that either), so I got frustrated and deleted the account.

albone

01-20-2008, 03:26 PM

They're merging with...er someone. And with that they'll be a bigger online community. Maybe when that happens, things will get exciting again. I dunno.

Mecha

01-20-2008, 04:10 PM

He's merging with Webcomics Nation.

Cat

01-20-2008, 04:37 PM

He's merging with Webcomics Nation.

is that a good thing?

The Anti-crest

01-20-2008, 04:38 PM

I never use it either. I suck at socializing though.

heartofglitter

01-20-2008, 05:27 PM

NILgravity

01-20-2008, 05:51 PM

they're merging with Online Comics (http://www.onlinecomics.net/pages/details/listing.php?comicID=12679) too.

JamieRoberts

01-20-2008, 06:22 PM

I don't login that often to mine, but when I do it's usually to check out what people have been drawing, and stuff.
I don't really see it was a professional sort of thing, but just another social networking site, but for comic geeks.
That's what I think it was always intended to be. I wonder whether we all saw it as something it wasn't, namely an opportunity to create a readership for our webcomics. I intended to produce a webcomic myself, although a happy accident meant I didn't have time, but like Spider said, it seems to have been taken over by galleries and portfolios as opposed to webcomics. Part of that is surely down to the fact that there are 'Galleries' rather than, say, the strip opportunities that Drunk Duck offers. Maybe too ambiguous? I dunno.

It's entirely possible that it was only ever intended to be a simpler version of MySpace for one artform alone. That in itself should have been an exciting prospect. There's something missing though, that stops people from updating or visiting as much as they should. I don't see regular news contributions, features or featured creators, a real blog...

What keeps people reading Newsarama, CBR, creator blogs is the news and opinions as much as the creative stuff. Comicspace doesn't feel as fresh as it should, probably due to the fact that Josh is a one man operation and it's a massive undertaking by anyone's standards. Creator spotlights and a more interactive front page would work wonders, in my opinion.

JamieRoberts

01-20-2008, 06:26 PM

He's merging with Webcomics Nation.
they're merging with Online Comics too.
Aren't they both owned by Josh too? It would make sense. Rather than trying to maintain a handful of sites, Josh could focus all of his attention on Comicspace and build it into a supreme site. I really think it has the potential.

Scott Story

01-20-2008, 06:41 PM

No, Joey Manley owns Webcomicsnation, and Josh owns Online Comics and Comicspace.

AlternaComics

01-20-2008, 06:44 PM

i feel the same way about comicspace. it's turned into a disappointment that seems half-baked.

i think that one of the most obvious problems is the fact that you can't really have any fun with your page. there's no customization at all and in dealing with creative people, it'd be fun to be able to customize SOMETHING.

another problem i've seen on the site is that it doesn't have a forum. umm hello this is the comic biz and why there is no forum on a site that bolsters thousands of people...is beyond me. it can become a great place to share work with others, bring up topics, etc. it can become a true social network. but instead it's kind of haphazard in its execution and the whole "premium" user thing just seems like a bit of a waste.

And then probably another big problem is that the site could really become an in-depth comic news site, featuring reviews, interviews, etc. Because with near instant access to many creators, publishers, and readers/fans, there's almost no reason to not offer spotlights on books, publishers, fan art, and more. BUT that's not gonnna happen...at all. and it doesn't look like it ever will.

there's just nothing new to look forward to on the site, and it's just a shame because it just needs a few simple things to really be half-way decent.

AlternaComics

01-20-2008, 06:47 PM

and also, i know that comicspace is mainly run by josh, but i know a hell of a lot of people that'd be willing to write up reviews, do interviews, etc. for FREE and for just the credit of it all. I mean look at aintitcool.com or geeksofdoom.com or most of the other comic news sites, it's not like they don't have day jobs.

JamieRoberts

01-20-2008, 06:57 PM

I see your point, but I'm not sure it's half-baked. I'm more and more sure that it's what it was always supposed to be, but we got the wrong idea. We are quite keen, as a group, you know!

Paul Sanderson

01-20-2008, 07:30 PM

I never expected Comicspace to be anything more than what it is. I still use it, not regularly, but it works as well as anything else. There's certainly nothing wrong with it, nor is there any reason to delete your accounts.

crozonia

01-20-2008, 07:30 PM

I think it picked up alot of steam at the end of 2006 and all of a sudden Facebook appeared and took my attention away.
It still has alot of potential but right now, there's just not much to do.

kdmelrose

01-20-2008, 07:32 PM

... nor is there any reason to delete your accounts.

Sure there is. If you no longer find a use for the account, why keep it?

Paul Sanderson

01-20-2008, 07:34 PM

Just leave it there, some fan may have found out about you through there. Any exposure is good, and the more the better. I myself don't use it that much, but I've gotten new readers/extra exposure through it, and that's a good thing.

JamieRoberts

01-20-2008, 07:38 PM

Shishio

01-20-2008, 07:51 PM

Lovecraft13

01-20-2008, 07:59 PM

After the website's crash, it never fully recovered. Then the owner disabled most of its features because the site slowed to a crawl. The guy just wasn't prepared for its growth, and he should count his blessings he managed to merge it with something else.

J.D. Lombardi

01-20-2008, 08:40 PM

I joined it last week and while I've done almost nothing to my page...I have friended at least 40 people I know in the time since then that are real friends...um, 5 people accepted. lol

It doesn't seem that anyone signs into the site really. I'm glad I didn't like do something stupid and and get rid of my myspace. I've gotten tons of exposure from that lovely site.

JamieRoberts

01-20-2008, 08:46 PM

The initial blast was when you'd see a big name appear and interact, or you'd just go mad, adding every name you recognised. When there was a huge gap between that time and the galleries going live, it was as if everybody had been invited to a party and nobody remembered to bring beer.

AlternaComics

01-20-2008, 09:35 PM

There's certainly nothing wrong with it, nor is there any reason to delete your accounts.

i really think there IS something wrong with it. and i'm not just hearing it on this message board but many others as well and even among other creators that i've spoke to about it. and everyone pretty much states the same stuff - why bother going to a site that offers limited creative freedom, no real updates, no fresh content, and basically nothing other than making friends with people you already friended on a myspace account.

and just because they created it to be a specific thing at first, doesn't mean they should just stop with the evolution of it. the key to anything successful is growth - not necessarily change - but growth. and comicspace is just stagnant at best.

Paul Sanderson

01-20-2008, 09:48 PM

But that's what Comicspace was always about, right from the start. If you, or anyone else, expected otherwise, then that's a problem you have with your own expectations, and certainly not the site's fault.

My take is, any avenue that offers us further exposure, no matter how big or small (and for free) is a good thing. I never said Comicspace was perfect or the be-all end-all, but hey, it's there, use it. I don't see why anyone is getting all uptight about it, for goodness sake :rolleyes:

Paul Sanderson

01-20-2008, 09:51 PM

Not sure about that, Frank. I wonder if it's more damaging to a creator to see their site as good as abandoned. Considering how many comics-related sites just fizzle out, there's very little leaway for creators who want to impress with their web prescence, surely? I've been part of many, many online communities that have lost their way (I'm sure you know one of them!) and there's nothing says "slacker" like a derelict site/space.

Then don't abandon it. It takes very little time to keep it updated. Why did you sign up in the first place otherwise? Again, I think some people's expectations went beyond what the site was ever going to be.

Scott Story

01-20-2008, 09:52 PM

I think its original draw was also the reason for it's near demise--it catered to comic creators and fans alone. It wasn't like Myspace or Facebook, where you can easily interract with new demographics.

Paul Sanderson

01-20-2008, 09:57 PM

Agreed. That was the original draw...so people shouldn't have expected too much from it right from the start. I never did and am continually using it (admitedly not too regularly) to this day.

macnut

01-20-2008, 10:56 PM

My take is, any avenue that offers us further exposure, no matter how big or small (and for free) is a good thing. I never said Comicspace was perfect or the be-all end-all, but hey, it's there, use it. I don't see why anyone is getting all uptight about it, for goodness sake :rolleyes:

That's my take on it too. It's why I mirrored the first three chapters of my webcomic on it, and post bulletins whenever I update my comic on my main website. It always brings me a few visitors, people who may not have found my stuff otherwise.

I do think there are features that could be added to the site, like interviews, reviews, etc. But the lack of them is not going to compel me to leave. And the merger with Webcomics Nation and OnlineComics could do great things for the site, so I'll wait around and see what happens.

Paul Sanderson

01-20-2008, 11:17 PM

Yeah, thanks for that. I agree, it's not the best place around for us, but hey, it's free, so why not use it as best you can and leave it (just update it enough to ensure it doesn't look old and tired). Use it as a pointer to your other, better sites at least. Any sort of exposure like this can lead to one more sale, or one more client. Surely that's a good thing?

Scott Story

01-20-2008, 11:31 PM

Agreed.

As long as your page isn't ugly, why take it down?

nyhardcore

01-21-2008, 12:45 AM

I just recently started checking mine again, but I must have gone six months without logging in. I signed up when it first opened and honestly, I found the original myspace clone set-up a lot more user friendly and conducive to networking.

AlternaComics

01-21-2008, 12:52 AM

i check into mine often, and i'm definitely not going to be deleting it, but i really feel that there could be more done to make the site just interesting and allow people to really learn more about each other. whether or not that happens is up to them, but they have the captive audience to really utilize that effectively so it'd be a shame if they didn't.

Scribbly

01-21-2008, 12:54 AM

I didn't joined it yet, neither My Space nor DevianArt.

It has not forum, which eliminate the idea of comunication and exchange of information between members.
I like that it is for comic creatives.
They have 16089 members right now, from all the world.
The mayority of these members are from:
1) USA, 10941.
2)Canada, 915.
3)England, 813.
4)Brazil , 703.
5)Australia,379.
6)Philipines,183.
7)Germany,144.
8)Mexico, 134.
And ect ect.

As far I can see, it is working as an online portfolio like DeviantArt does.
Which can be very useful for so many people and it is for free.
And just this, is a lot, I guess.

.

TrafconKnight

01-21-2008, 09:44 AM

Whats the "EEUU" ?

Scribbly

01-21-2008, 09:48 AM

Whats the "EEUU" ?
Sorry, I meant USA. :har:

captainarian

01-21-2008, 10:21 AM

i love comicspace, with that i have a place to put my art and get people to see it. there's nothing wrong with it.

Gonzogoose

01-21-2008, 10:25 AM

I didn't joined it yet, neither My Space nor DevianArt.

It has not forum, which eliminate the idea of comunication and exchange of information between members.

.

That's not exactly true. First, DeviantArt DOES have a forum. Second, both MySpace and ComicSpace have alternatives of a forum in the form of comments, instant messages and bulletins. So there's plenty of opportunities for feedback and conversation on such sites. ;)

www.brantfowler.com
Gonzogoose Services!

Gonzogoose

01-21-2008, 10:29 AM

i really think there IS something wrong with it. and i'm not just hearing it on this message board but many others as well and even among other creators that i've spoke to about it. and everyone pretty much states the same stuff - why bother going to a site that offers limited creative freedom, no real updates, no fresh content, and basically nothing other than making friends with people you already friended on a myspace account.

and just because they created it to be a specific thing at first, doesn't mean they should just stop with the evolution of it. the key to anything successful is growth - not necessarily change - but growth. and comicspace is just stagnant at best.

ComicSpace hasn't been around THAT long, so I think stagnant is a little bit of an overstatement. But as Frank and Scott said, the whole purpose of ComicSpace from the get go was a myspace for comic creators and fans exclusively. It was never meant to be anything more really, just an easy community for people to share their portfolios and love for comics with other like-minded people. And as Frank said, any avenue for exposure is a good one. I don't understand why people would crap all over a site that offers that.

www.brantfowler.com
Gonzogoose Services!

Scribbly

01-21-2008, 10:38 AM

That's not exactly true. First, DeviantArt DOES have a forum. Second, both MySpace and ComicSpace have alternatives of a forum in the form of comments, instant messages and bulletins. So there's plenty of opportunities for feedback and conversation on such sites. ;)
www.brantfowler.com
Gonzogoose Services!

Sorry man, I just said that I didn't joined neither of those.

I NEVER said that Deviant Art doesn't have a forum.
I don't know if instant messages and bulletins can work as forums does.
But thanks, anyway.

Gonzogoose

01-21-2008, 10:44 AM

Actually, you said, and I quote, again,

Originally Posted by Scribbly
I didn't joined it yet, neither My Space nor DevianArt.

It has not forum, which eliminate the idea of comunication and exchange of information between members.

Now, I could have misunderstood you, or you could have misworded, meaning to imply that COMICSPACE doesn't have a forum.

Either way, I'm not mad, so no need to apologize. :cool: I was just pointing something out you might not have known. ;)

www.brantfowler.com
Gonzogoose Services!

JAQ

01-21-2008, 10:53 AM

Whats the "EEUU" ?Estados Unidos, which is Spanish for "United States". The letters "E" and "U" are doubled because they standard for plural words.

TrafconKnight

01-21-2008, 01:54 PM

Estados Unidos, which is Spanish for "United States". The letters "E" and "U" are doubled because they standard for plural words.

:huh: Aahhhh! I see. I know next to nothing about Spanish. I only speak English fairly well, kinda' crappy. Thanks for 'splainin' it to me.

Matt ;)

Cyclops

01-21-2008, 01:57 PM

i opened an account, added a few people, a few people added me, I got bored, went back to the site about 2 times and haven't returned in 6 months, and probably only will when my comic is ready to be marketed.

Squid Works

01-21-2008, 02:18 PM

I agree that ComicSpace doesn't reach more than those fans and creators within the industry, but for those of us who understand that often the first fans of our comic work are our peers, that's not necessarily a bad thing, especially if we don't want to get spam about non-comic-related stuff, which is a big problem on MySpace from what I've heard. That makes my time spent on the site more time efficient than it would be on MySpace -- not as much as it used to be, but it still is (this is why I've been hesitating to join Facebook).

Now, ever since the crash, reach IS a problem. Some of the features I found very useful were the e-mail notifications and the on-page counters and notifications. After the crash, Josh finally disabled some of the features that could be useful going forward if they were turned back on -- things that might get those who have stopped visiting to visit again.

Now some of the issues of forums and other content may be addressed through the merger with WCN, only time will tell. I'm optimistic.

Overall, I can't complain... they give me a place to upload graphics for free and just another place that might be Googled by those uninitiated with my work. It's still a win-win to me.

Paul Sanderson

01-21-2008, 06:13 PM

Yep, agreed, Squid.

suriel

01-22-2008, 08:05 AM

I opened my account a year ago, and continued using it, at last we are talking about 30 minutes every day at the most, and you never know where the exposure can come from.

but what I hate about comicspace is that there are LOTS of people opening accounts and never coming back.
I have 3590 people in my friends list and waiting for 7205 to be accepted!!!!

why do you open an account to never go back?? I don't understand....

but as I said, I continue, you never know, specially now that merged...

let's see what happens

sabba

01-22-2008, 09:34 AM

there is potential to have a comic festival in dubai just need more comics publishers big or small to try the the shopping festival here to promote their comics. marvel is doing it.

D.J. Coffman

01-22-2008, 10:02 AM

Well they merged and got some Venture capital behind them, which can be a good thing, and a bad thing sometimes too-- but I've heard they have plans to make the place much more than it is now-- it'll likely be fully overhauled. From what I gathered, Joey Manley was able to do things at Webcomics Nation that Josh couldn't get done, and JOsh was doing things Joey couldn't, but the companies together might be the perfect marriage for a powerful social network for comic creators.

My current thoughts on all of this-- the comic community, etc... it feels weird that your market is primarily, 99% people who draw their own comics, or people aspiring to publish on the web or in print. theres really not much of a draw for regular people to come in and read the comics .Until we start seeing some ads outside of comics-- ads on tv, saying COME READ COMICS!--- not much will change.

Scott Story

01-22-2008, 10:56 AM

suriel

01-22-2008, 11:02 AM

yes, completely true, but how many indie companies you think will be able to but a tv add??? at last, it will be as always, the 2 or 3 big ones sharing the cake....

Squid Works

01-22-2008, 11:03 AM

My current thoughts on all of this-- the comic community, etc... it feels weird that your market is primarily, 99% people who draw their own comics, or people aspiring to publish on the web or in print. theres really not much of a draw for regular people to come in and read the comics .Until we start seeing some ads outside of comics-- ads on tv, saying COME READ COMICS!--- not much will change.

Baby steps.

We're a medium that's been struggling to mature since the days of the Comic Code Authority days. I think in any creative endeavor, whether it be music, writing, etc... your peers are the first place you're going to find a fan base. I'd rather continue to have WCN/ComicSpace be structured this way than to blow a wad on advertising to unproven comics fans and going bankrupt. Heck, look at Crossgen... they didn't really do much to target outside of the industry and they still went bankrupt. I think re-implementing some of the e-mail alert tools would do wonders for putting their growth back on track (e.g. spend some of that money on higher capacity servers. That way their marketing won't outsell the product).

D.J. Coffman

01-22-2008, 11:32 AM

yes, completely true, but how many indie companies you think will be able to but a tv add??? at last, it will be as always, the 2 or 3 big ones sharing the cake....

Well, the kind with some serious VC money backing them.

Scribbly

01-22-2008, 11:57 AM

josephrey

01-22-2008, 12:17 PM

:huh: Aahhhh! I see. I know next to nothing about Spanish. I only speak English fairly well, kinda' crappy. Thanks for 'splainin' it to me.

whoa, lincoln. such a cool town.

i thought nebraska had the most pure and untainted american accent?

for real.

Critters Daddy

01-22-2008, 12:44 PM

There are plenty of ways to advertise OUTSIDE of the hobby and it is the most important thing any comic company can do but no one wants to do it. Why? Cost. Thats it. And for some reason no one has decided to do anything to even test the waters as far as advertising outside of the hobby.

I for one have plans of my own for when my book or books get going. There are always deals to be had if one looks for them and is willing to try something different or ...god forbid...BOLD to put their product in front of faces who would potentially be wililng to buy that product.

Honestly it needs to start at the top however. Marvel and DC could easily be running comic ads for Spider-Man Batman etc, but I would hazzard a guess that they think if they do that, people will come to a shop and buy the other guy's stuff...and that includes the little guys like us.

Theres a lot of talk about putting your stuff on the web and advertising there etc etc. And theres nothing wrong with that persay, but you want to put your time into drawing people into the hobby and to your stuff that arent on Comicspace or Superherohype or Newsarama etc etc etc all day long. Those people read previews and all of that so they are far more likely to already know about you. There is a VERY BIG difference between the standard comic book buyer/collector and the rest of the world. Just because we are online a lot doesnt mean your neighbor is and if he or she isn't, then how does he or she know your book is out there? TV, Newspapers, Magazines...not Wizard...radio someone mentioned is really quite affordable but I don't think of that as much unless your advertising a signing or big event, not just a comic book. All of these are good and all it takes is some money. Find investors or...again god help us...SAVE YOUR MONEY UP TO ADVERTISE! :w00t: Stop buying every single god damn toy that hits the shelves and do something to promote yourself.

This is something else that drives me batty. All i hear about is people who have no money and so they cant hire a decent artist or print enough books to get the cost down or go to a big ass show like San Diego to promote themselves. BUt when asked where they spend their money they have no problem showing your the 75 different Batman toys sitting on a shelf or in a box in the closet. BUDGET PEOPLE. :slap:

Im 36 with a wife whos going to school, a mortgage thats over my head, 2 mastiffs who eat the hell out of everything. I merely work in a sports card shop AND im paying good artists good money to do good work...at least in my opinion. There is always a way to make more money...find it and carpe diem!

Wow this went on and on. Sorry guys but there is way to much whining on DW. Instead of having 3000 posts here, go find a way to make a little more money, pay a good artist and find a way to advertise to people who would want your book. It's all in your own hands. How bad do you want it?

Paul Sanderson

01-22-2008, 08:40 PM

Baby steps.

We're a medium that's been struggling to mature since the days of the Comic Code Authority days. I think in any creative endeavor, whether it be music, writing, etc... your peers are the first place you're going to find a fan base. I'd rather continue to have WCN/ComicSpace be structured this way than to blow a wad on advertising to unproven comics fans and going bankrupt. Heck, look at Crossgen... they didn't really do much to target outside of the industry and they still went bankrupt. I think re-implementing some of the e-mail alert tools would do wonders for putting their growth back on track (e.g. spend some of that money on higher capacity servers. That way their marketing won't outsell the product).

Yep, exactly. Baby steps.

crozonia

01-22-2008, 11:07 PM

I would never blow money away advertising in a non comic medium. Advertising is about knowing your market, not throwing darts at a wall. There's plenty of ways to reach out to the non comic consumer. First and foremost is exhibiting at non comic book events.

In Canada, there's The Word on the Street: http://www.thewordonthestreet.ca/

It's a one day book festival that happens across the country in 5 different cities. Thought San Diego was big? This festival in Toronto brings in half a million people. For the past three years, I have sold over 100-150 issues each time. For one day sales, those are far better than my comic con sales.
There's got to be some large book festivals in the US.

Try Anime Cons - depending on the genre of your book (meaning no super hero stuff) they might like it. Most people I've run across have an open mind about non-manga stuff.

I even tried a Jazz festival once. The reason was because it was in my neighbourhood, and it was over 300,000 people. Sales were okay - I ended up doing too many free sketches.

Now back to Comicspace....

MARS

01-22-2008, 11:25 PM

I would never blow money away advertising in a non comic medium. Advertising is about knowing your market, not throwing darts at a wall. There's plenty of ways to reach out to the non comic consumer. First and foremost is exhibiting at non comic book events.

Don't think i agree on this. I actually think it depends on your product and what type of audience you are looking for.

I think there's a market to put say...more mature subject matter ( no superheroes) comics or something that preys on the pop culture.

You might be really surprised putting a clever and attractive ad in the right spot could do for you.

I have seen Comicspace...And it's basically a Myspace for comicbook geeks. You'd get more heat on Myspace. OR even here on DWP for that matter.

M.

Squid Works

01-23-2008, 10:17 AM

You'd get more heat on Myspace. OR even here on DWP for that matter.
M.

For now. Of course on Myspace you'll get more heat, but you'll also get more unwelcome spam.

crozonia

01-23-2008, 10:24 AM

You might be really surprised putting a clever and attractive ad in the right spot could do for you.

I would be VERY surprised.
If you have a book about let's say.....goth music. And you put up an ad in some weekly alternative paper, what's your point of sale? The comic book store? You just spent money to advertise for a comic book store full of Marvel and DC books - your competitor. Your website? Then advertise online.

The point the other gentleman was making is no one advertises on TV or newspapers. That's because of a lack of a major national chain that carries comic books. When Sony pays for a commercial for their latest DVD release, they don't need to tell you where to go - there's Best Buys and Blockbusters everywhere. If you advertise on TV your comic book, no one's going to know where to buy it.

BestBuy will print flyers, national campaigns that advertise the latest greatest Sony DVD on sale. Where's the comic book equivalent?

Critters Daddy

01-23-2008, 12:06 PM

In the case of comics you have to advertise both your product and where to get it and that actually should make your life easier. Go to 3 or four shops in the area your going to market to and talk to them about co sponsoring the ad or flyer or commercial etc. Defer the cost of the ad by getting them to have their store addresses and phone numbers etc along with your product and your website and whatever you want.

No retailer wants to spend the huge money by himself, but set up a really good ad campaign and get others involved to keep costs low. It's good for everyone.

Eva1

01-23-2008, 12:27 PM

I only recently discovered comicspace, and was not at all impressed by the look of it. I never even considered creating an account.

I do however keep my DeviantArt account updated. I think it's an excellent site, and I'm usually shocked if people in the comics biz don't have accounts there.

maverick

01-23-2008, 01:20 PM

http://www.comicspace.com/_maverick_
http://www.myspace.com/maverickcomics
http://maverick-99.deviantart.com

MARS

01-23-2008, 02:44 PM

For now. Of course on Myspace you'll get more heat, but you'll also get more unwelcome spam.

Indeed.

I get more girls wanting to bang me named Chloe now more than ever.

ANd on the ad bit...

I have some ideas about where i want to target my project...I'm not sure it would apply to other ideas.

But from the feedback research i've done...I think i have narrowed down at least 2 possibilities.

One website and one magazine. My goal is to get that comicbook consumer who usually skips walking into a comicbook store because they just would prefer to skip it if say a Borders or Barnes and Noble or Virgin records is across the street. Comicbook stores are intimidating for the casual fan.

I want that guy/girl. Someone who likes comics for pop culture sake and a general coffee table conversation piece.Not the rabid fan or collector.

I think the reason comics can't "mature" is because of the general "Us agianst them" mentality that seems to always spring up even in these threads so to speak.

It's negative thinking and a turn off for non-comicbook diehards.

Jazz festival sounds cool. Look at it this way...you just got your product into hands that probablly never would have stepped foot into your comicbook world.

People want and need things to entertain them and talk about. (it's why mags like Wizard and US exist!)

Coffee talk.water cooler junk.bar room banter.

It's out there.

M.

MARS

01-23-2008, 02:50 PM

I do however keep my DeviantArt account updated. I think it's an excellent site, and I'm usually shocked if people in the comics biz don't have accounts there.

I was actually told that it was "childish" quote unquote.BUT i know some pros have them...Like Richard Friend for example.It seems most people are switching to BLOGGER.

DA seems like a message board only with more pictures. And i believe you can't view everything until you sign up...Again it limits and pushes the casual viewer on the outside of a private club like feel.

Myspace is great because EVERYONE is on it.

M.

NAS1977

01-24-2008, 04:53 PM

I got rid of mine after the 1st month. it seems more like a high school yearbook where you get someone to sign yours and then you sign theres... :laugh:

Couldn't have said it better myself. :)

StevelKnievel

01-29-2008, 10:05 AM

here's a new article on comicspace:
http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=165612&ac=

I especially like it because it features quotes and artwork by me

Calloway

01-29-2008, 10:12 AM

About myspace and spam...I just checked out comicspace...yeah, almost every page I went to had spam by some other creator. It actually got to the point of being ridiculus.

Fans are in more numbers on myspace. Comic space has a very unintuitive design to it and to me that makes it very unattractive to go to.

It's been around for almost a year and I had to laugh when I noticed 90 percent of the profiles I visited hadn't been updated or logged into since at least october and they were started only a month or two previous.

Hell, Erik Larsen was there once and hasn't been back since. As much as people want to tout it, comic space is kind of dead in the water. Deviant art takes care of the artists aspect pretty well and myspace takes care of the networking, fans and what not. Comic space was just a bad idea I think. Makes me feel bad for those losing money on it (the creators). Maybe with the new merger something better will come. Until then, good luck.

D.J. Coffman

01-29-2008, 10:30 AM

So yeah-- that's weird. Beyond the promise of some sort of cafepress like merchandise machine for creators (coffee cups, mousepads? That's so 1999!) it sounds like they're trying to build the community aspect to be something that a site like drunkduck.com already has, forums, blogs, hosting-- and I think they've been planning on putting an ad share thing in place for a long time too. Not to mention they let you use Project Wonderful ads if you want, you'd likely make more money.

I'm just wondering what makes the NEW service so remarkably different than other services out there now-- DeviantArt, etc.... It's gotta be something astonishing to work, especially with VC backing I imagine. It will be interesting to watch and see how it develops.