In my column this month, I waxed philosophical and talked about an idealistic comic industry based on strong stories and diversity throughout the marketplace in the stores and online. It's a beautiful concept and although it warms my heart, it's definitely not the reality at this stage. So beyond the sequential paradise that I've envisioned, let's start down the road that can lead us to that brighter place, shall we?

Love him or leave him, no one has set the comics world on its ear in the last several years like Scott McCloud. His books Understanding Comics, and its sequel Reinventing Comics have challenged many preconceived notions of what comics are and still might be. Like a general marshalling his troops, McCloud has invigorated discussion and debate, and inspired a host of people to take up their pencils, markers and tablets to become part of the push towards whatever it is that Comics may become.

So, what are they becoming?

Andrew Arnold writes a column for TIME Magazine's online version, Time.com, about comix. Time.comix focuses mainly on reviewing print comix – in the past he's written about Andi Watson and Jason Shiga, as well as defending his use of the term comix rather than comics.

A Master’s of Journalism graduate from NYU, Arnold got his start writing about comix in his own fanzine, The Comix Review, which tanked after two issues, because, according to his bio at TIME.com, "it was too much work." He then wrote a column, "Hooked on Comix" for the freebie paper Boston Rock. He's been working at TIME as a programmer since 1998 and has contributed articles on comix and video games to the print version of the magazine.

Reading Bueno the Bear is like being let in on a really good inside joke – you can be laughing all the way through, if you’re in the right frame of mind.

Created by Pendleton Ward, Bueno the Bear exposes us to a bear and a handful of his friends as they do everything from pounce on bugs to stare at the sky.

I draw a comic strip about mad geniuses. You know, evil-scientist types, with the insane laughter and the bubbling vats of unwholesome chemicals and the tampering in God’s domain. One of the themes I try to get across, and probably don’t most of the time, is the idea that genius isn’t just a matter of brains. Genius, the real rare deal, is all about seeing the world in a way no one’s ever seen it before.

Jason Shiga’s a mad genius. A real one.

When I look for a comic, I'm most often attracted to the things published with girls in mind. When I was younger, it was Archie. I read so many digests and individual comics (which are still in my parents basement in a large box) that I could tell you what era a story came from based on what Betty and Veronica were wearing.

And man, did I love the pin-ups in the Betty and Veronica comics.

Welcome to Comixpedia, your destination for news, interviews, reviews and articles about webcomics. We have worked hard to put together not only a tremendous first issue for you, but an infrastructure and staff that will ensure we keep bringing you quality issues. Our mission, simply stated, is to bring to your attention the best and the brightest of webcomics and in the process, promote this new art-form. We welcome your comments on our site and our coverage.

Dave Kellett's big break came from Keenspot, where Sheldon, a daily strip about a pre-teen billionaire, his grumpy grandpa and his mischievous talking duck was hosted, to the delight of webcomics readers everywhere. Sheldon now lives on United Media�s web site along with ten other online-only comics. Kellett, a native of Southern California, started drawing in third grade.

Our resident philosopher and all around blue guy brings us a monthly take o­n just about anything.

In his free time he's apt to draw another edition of his award winning comic, Boxjam's Doodle.