Understanding Web Comics: page 2
As pretty as the pictures are, they don't mean a darned thing if I can't relate to the people in the pictures. People is a generic term I'm using for the protagonists. They could be cats, weyr-coyotes, cacti, etc. A good story is what ties all the pretty pictures together.
I'm not going to get into the argument about there being only five plots. Instead, I'm going to talk about how there's different ways to handle them. I personally don't like the heavy handed far-to-serious stories. I prefer to have fun while reading. A comic that takes itself too seriously kind of defeats the concept of being a COMIC.
Many comics do not have a solid plot. They're theme based, or observations of the writer/artist's life. Like, The Devil's Panties (not satanic porn) by Jennie Breeden. These are easy to get into, because every page is different, and the one or two that you "just don't get" are surrounded by the ones you do.
The important thing about stories is that no matter what the subject is, they're successful if they draw you in, make you care, and push your sensibilities around a bit. Of course, they also have to be highly addictive. After all, what's the point of reading a web comic if you don't regularly find yourself wondering why it got dark so soon? Or, realize that you need to go do something else ... after clicking on the next page ... or the one after that.
So, if you can forgive the clunky artwork at the beginning and see that it's getting better, appreciate the style of the artist, find the story is not too heavy or vapid, and find yourself losing time, you've succeeded in finding a web comic that works for you.
Now, all you have to do is cope with the withdrawals when you find you've read up to the latest page. Here's a hint: Find a couple more comics and read them. Come back for more later.
Web Comics I'm reading
