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T Campbell

Researching Webcomics for school project

Submitted by Altercator on November 19, 2004 - 03:23

I'm doing a research on webcomics for my school project. Now, I know there's Comixpedia, and you will go "Duh!" on me, but the site's too large for me to go through. So far, I can only start off with Neil Cohn, Ian Hamp, T Campbell and Joey Manley for their educational input, but any other avenues of Comixpedia I should check out?

Besides Comixpedia, what other websites I should check out to find out about the ins & outs of webcomics?

What is Comixpedia for?

Submitted by Stark on November 9, 2004 - 08:07

I have just read the new article 'Beyond Journal Comics: Life-like Webcomics' and I must ask: what is the point of this article?

Okay, I'm being a bit unfair to pick on this article in particular because of something that is endemic across the site, but this is where my patience snapped.

When 'Comixpedia' launched, I was very optimistic; I thought that finally there would be a site covering webcomics in critical depth. However, instead we get numerous articles like the above: 750 words that skim the surface of a topic, patronising lists of obvious terms (does anyone, anyone really imagine that people need to have the difference between autobiography and biography explained to them?) with random words made into links and absolutely no attempt at analysis beyond a couple of throwaway questions. How much thought goes into creating an article like this? Ten minutes, maximum, with maybe another five to collate the links? It's lazy, that's all it is. Lazy and patronising, both in its condescending tone and in its assumption that people are so stupid as to find something so devoid of original thought interesting.

And the reviews are no better: mere descriptions of comics, again with random linked words. One single (pre novel-writing-month) article on http://www.websnark.com/ has more depth of analysis than every review Comixpedia printed in its first six months. So it's a good thing that Burns is now writing for Comixpedia, but it doesn't excuse the lack of substance that still abounds over the entire rest of the site.

I know that people aren't getting paid for Comixpedia work, but really, what is the point fo doing something if you don't do it properly? A real, meaty site dedicated to webcomics would be a wonderful thing but Comixpedia just isn't it.

So I suppose the question is, what is Comixpedia meant to be? Is it just a glorified news site for which people occasionally dash off articles form the top of their heads, articles that say nothing -- candy-floss for the eyes? Or is it a serious attempt to provide commentary on the emerging medium of webcomics? Because if it's meant to be the latter, you really need to shape up and start writing articles that assume your readers are intelligent, knowledgable people, not children who need to have it pointed out to them that there are 'many moments within journal comics and illustrated blogs that definitely fall within the slice of life category' as if it's some great revelation, rather than something which any webcomics reader with half a brain has already noticed for themselves. That assume your readers can understand basic critical terms like 'focalisation' and 'diegetic' and discuss such things in articles that provide real insight.

So which is it?

Meetup.com: Washington Webtoonists -- Web Comics -- Events

Submitted by Xaviar Xerexes on October 23, 2004 - 16:22

T Campbell has been organizing Washington Webtoonists and the next meeting is supposed to be either November 2nd (according to Meetup) or october 26th (according to a recent email from T). Either way if you're in the DC metro area sign up and give it a shot. If nothing else we can terrorize the staff at the Fairfax Borders Books & Music about their poor placement of graphic novels.

Definitely Nov. 2nd according to T. I will have to miss this one with all of the election related activity going on that day but I'll try to make the next one.

Don't Forget: Washington Webtoonists First Meeting Tonight

Submitted by Xaviar Xerexes on October 1, 2004 - 17:36

T Campbell will be meeting up with folks interested in starting a local group for webtoonists in the DC Metro area tonight. T will be holding up a "WW" sign in front of the SPXPo in Bethesda MD, meeting up with folks at 8:00 - 8:15 PM before heading off to an undisclosed location for the initial dinner/planning session. You don't need to go to the SPXPo! Just look for T in front of the SPXPo doors.

To get there, go to the Holiday Inn Select Bethesda, 8120 Wisconsin Ave., Bethesda, MD 20814. Go inside, up the spiral staircase and look for T Campbell - he'll be the one with a sheet of paper that says "WW." From there the plan is to take a vote on restaurants and proceed to dinner.

GraphicSmash.com Updates

Submitted by Xaviar Xerexes on September 27, 2004 - 14:55

Yes the Japanese Beatle is leaving GS, but editor T Campbell has lots of other news on webcomics coming to and going from Graphic Smash.

Transitions: Comixpedia Begins Second Act

September 27, 2004 - 00:11 | Xaviar Xerexes

As we roll out the final week of this issue it's a good time to say thanks to the many folks who have worked hard to create this magazine and website called Comixpedia. Why now? Well besides the fact that the September 2004 issue is the 20th installment of Comixpedia, Frank "Damonk" Cormier is turning over the editorial reins of Comixpedia magazine to Xaviar Xerexes (See, I'm already writing in the third person - this EiC thing is going to go to my head!) and in many ways this marks the end of the first chapter for Comixpedia. It is also the beginning of a second act for Comixpedia, o­ne where I fully intend to bring new voices and new features to this project to continue to make it a worthwhile resource for the webcomics community as well as a great read every month.

Webcomics Are From Uranus

September 26, 2004 - 21:00 | Meaghan Quinn

Come Together

Which would you rather go see, a one-man band or an orchestra? Is a four-piece band just perfect? Was The Who so loud because they were overcompensating for only having three instruments? Is bigger really better? Or do too many cooks spoil the broth? (Should I throw in some more metaphors or get right to the, uh, meat of the matter?)

The point: Most online comics are done by just one person.

The Japanese beetle leaves Graphic smash

Submitted by Erik Melander on September 24, 2004 - 16:12

On a post on the Talk about comics message board Dave "The Knave" White announces that he will be leaving Graphic Smash.

Today is the last Japanese Beetle strip for Graphic Smash. I just wanted to say thanks to T and Joey for giving it a chance. It's not you, it's me - and I really do mean that.

and on his website he adds

Well, and that's it for Graphic Smash. Thanks to T. Campbell, who's been a great editor, and to Joey Manley for making it all possible. I've had a good time at GS, but honestly, I'm just not a group-joining type of guy, and it feels kind of liberating to be back on my own again.

T Cambell's reply to Dave's post at TAC hints that The japanese beetle isn't the only strip that will soon leave Graphic smash.

Graphic novel review classifieds

Submitted by Erik Melander on September 24, 2004 - 10:48

Not much interesting going on out there in La-la-land but one thing I noticed earlier this week is that Graphic novel review has a classifieds section. Looking for a collaborator? Maybe you have something to sell? This is the place (well, one of them) to let people know so.
For instance, both T Campbell (Fans!) and Barb Lien-Cooper (Gun street girl) are looking for artists to collaborate with.

More on The Norm Subscription Drive

Submitted by Xaviar Xerexes on September 16, 2004 - 10:51

A couple of thoughts this morning on Michael Jantze's break from the syndication model. I had an exchange of emails with his wife Nicole yesterday. Apart I think from a naive enthusiasm that the Jantzes were trying something new in the world of comics (although everything in the world of webcomics is still "newish" Jantze is trying out several revenue strategies already pioneered by others) she seemed to be passionate about working with Michael to support his ability to continue creating The Norm. Without naming a specific figure she did say that Michael desired to match his salary (from syndication revenues I guess. Any takers to try and calculate something like that?) and that as of yesterday they were 10% to that goal.

Scott McCloud weighed in on Tuesday with a supportive comment. T Campbell was also supportive in concept but made the fair point that we can "subscribe" to every comic (he indicated he would be giving his money to Jamie Robertson instead. Robertson, while never syndicated, is in a similar situation to Jantze).

I also noticed that the pitch for money on The Norm subscriber page is pricey by webcomics standards. I will be interested to see how that goes? Is Jantze asking too much? Are other popular webtoonists asking too little? How much cache comes from being a previously syndicated cartoonist?

UPDATE: Saw that Eric had also posted some similar thoughts on these recent developments earlier this week.