Welcome boys and girls to the Way of the Geek guide to webcomics. For the next few months, Migo, Shawn, and myself will be teaching you how to create and manage your own webcomics. This will be a truly step-by-step guide that will cover everything from initial concept to character design to strip creation to website construction to hosting issues. We’re even going to cover some aspects of the hobby that other writers don’t think of, such as internet diplomacy, drama, and other social aspects of webcomics. At the end of it all, we’re hoping to refine and collect these articles into a proper, cohesive book, and offer it for free in one form or another to the world.

Now, with that all out of the way, let us begin with….

The Concept

Maybe you’ve had the idea for a while, or maybe it just popped into your head; but one thing’s for sure – you want to make this webcomic. You’ve got your basic idea, but you need to develop it into something you can work with. It’s time to get organized. There are some key points you must consider.

1 – Is this a graphic novel, continuous strip, or more of a traditional comic that should be released by the issue? This will help you to determine how you need to tackle the project as a writer.

2 – Do I have an interesting cast and setting? One character isn’t likely going to do it for you. Are you following clichés and creating Mary-Sues? (cookie cutter characters that have been done to death) Look at that and determine if you need some more originality. Does you main character suffer from amnesia and doesn’t know he possesses god-like powers? Is the setting some time after the apocalypse? Is there an annoying talking animal or object that’s only there for comic relief? Are you following the wacky, crazy guy paired with the straight man formula? If you answered “Yes” to any of these above questions, you’re going to need to do more to make the work original, because these are some of the most frequently used elements in all of webcomicdom. You’ll need to be prepared for countless comparisons that might drive you a little batty.

3 – If I’m doing a journal, or really any kind of comic, is this something that might come back to haunt me? Now that employers are checking the net with virtually every application, you need to make sure that the material you post on the web won’t negatively affect your future employment, especially if you’re just a hobbyist. There can be repercussions that won’t be seen for years sometimes.

4 – How do I want to format the pages? The internet allows you nearly unlimited ways to display your comics, which allows room for more creative expression. The ability to scroll down indefinitely is called Infinite Canvas, and is quite often taken advantage of with webcomics. There are some things to keep in mind.
- Most people want the comic to fit entirely on the front page, but that doesn’t
mean you have to follow that.
- Readers would rather scroll down than side to side. They quickly lose
interest in scrolling that way, and can just give up on your comic. Avoid that
by making the comic fit within the screen, and leave all the scrolling
vertical.

5 – Does this project really mean something to me? All too often, webcomics suddenly end due to lack of interest from the creator. This can let an existing fan base down and create apathy in the creator; he or she will suffer disappointment in the failure of the project. Make sure you can really be invested in a comic before you begin.

6 – Am I using sprites? If you are, you may as well stop reading now. There’s not much we can do to help you. Like most webcomic readers, we just don’t like sprites.

There are some exercises that you can do to help you solidify the concept. Write a rich description of the setting. Make sure you can envision it within your head because you’re going to have to draw it eventually. Do the same with the characters. Make sure you only record details that actually matter. No one gives a damn about your characters’ blood types, which is something that is seen on far too many character profile pages.

Once you have your concept on paper, you’ll need to actually create some concept art for it all. But that’s another lesson for another day. I’ll see you all soon to walk you through that process!

If you liked that, try...

1. Webcomic Creation - Lesson 2 - Character Designs
2. The Big Debut Webcomic Review - Horribleville by KC Green
3. It Ain’t a Webcomic, but that Funky Winkerbean…
4. Webcomic Idol Finalists Chosen!
5. A New Comic Review and some Webcomic Idol Stuff

2 Comments »

1. 
   Brock Heasley
   September 20, 2007 at 4:53 pm

   This is gonna be a great series. Long-live sprite hate! Can’t wait to learn a thing or two here.

   (Quick edit: last word in item 4–should be “vertical,” no?

   [Reply]

2. 
   J. D Wenzle
   September 22, 2007 at 7:11 pm

   Lol, I would have to say yes to a few of those cliches but you’ve already declared our comic to bring originality to the otherwise unoriginal characters/settings =D

   Sounds good thus far.

   [Reply]

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