I like the idea of a printed edition of Comixpedia delivered at my doorstep every month.
The internet really doesn't beat papers in some way. Plus I would love to read a lot more stuff than what Comixpedia currently offered. Maybe a webcomic or two could be in the magazine and that be totally great. I read a few webcomic, I could love to get hooked on more. I even imagined a 180 pages magazine.
It could probably supported partially by ads to make it cheaper for us readers to buy. I also imagine it cost $9.99.
I think the print magazine could go into a test run or something or ask a lot of people if they are interested(Polls on the internet tends to be inaccurate so be careful)
xerexes wrote:
I have contemplated a printed "annual" before - sort of a best-of plus some new stuff printed version. Not necessarily for free but reasonably cheap. But I'm maxed out on time basically.
It's surprisingly easy to coordinate. It's simply a matter of delegation, and when you have so many talented people in this community, that shouldn't be hard. Myself and a handful of guys from Indy Cred All Stars did something similar with a book we simply called GUMBO. Because this would have the Comixpedia title, you'd have to give your blessings or delegate someone to make it happen.
I smell a webcomic anthology magazine coming out soon bearing the name "Comixpedia".
I galdly buy it if I can afford to pay $9.99 each month.
[quote:b733de9125="Fabricari"] Indy Cred All Stars did something similar with a book we simply called GUMBO.
What is/was Indy Cred All Stars? Nice name! :)
What is/was Indy Cred All Stars? Nice name! :)
xerexes wrote:
Fabricari wrote:
Indy Cred All Stars did something similar with a book we simply called GUMBO.
Back in '99ish Jamar Nicholas and Mike Speranza ran an informal yet lively forum that included folks who had (or were about to) self-publish comics or put em on the webs. Most of us had websites that featured our galleries and copies of our comics. I was more of a troublemaker with all my anti-webcomic talk back then (Hey who'da thunk it LOL?).
There was a lot of talk about how to print your stuff, pimp your shit at comic cons, and a lot of networking. I think everyone who was a part of that group looks back with nothin' but good vibes. That group included folks like (let the name dropping begin - I'll leave too many out): Jamar Nicholas, Mike Sporanza, Gat Garza, Kris Dressen, Mike Hawthorne, Mike Thorton, Dan Berger, Steve Rolston, Matt Pasteris, Adam White, Neal Von Flue, Jon Morris, Manning Krull, Dan (DSG), Billy Kartalopolous, Joe Williams, Knick Waters, Corey Geloneck, Tony Esteves, aw crappit, I fergit... (add to this list if you know who I'm talkin about)
Point is, most of these people are still doin' it, makin' comics. Some in print, some on the web, and some created review sites of their own. And that's as encouraging to no end. The forum died eventually, cuz most everyone was too busy making comics or careers to grow the community. But made a lot of friends in that place. But I don't need to tell anyone here what a good forum can accomplish.
Who's paying for this idea?
I realize vanity publishing has become rather cheap as of late, but someone still has to pony up the money to begin with. I don't know, but any Comixpedia + money talk around here suggests to me that the coffers aren't full enough to do it.
Now that I think of the idea: If you were to get members of this site who want to see their comics hyped to add in some cash... In exchange they get an "interview" in the magaizine... That would be a way to do it.
Run it like an infomercial to sell the site and the sites of whoever has contributed. Then try to sell the magazine (better yet, give them away) at some major con like a Wizard World or San Diego.
I can't see it not having some long term benefits. Especially at high-traffic cons where you can find people in positions of power/ influence who are always on the lookout for new material.
BUT
For it to work, you'd have to only accept donations from people who have visually appealing art. Because you'll be selling the thing on the included art samples alone, being the only thing the reader can digest immediately.
Anyway, it's an idea.
There already exists a webcomic newspaper, Zoinks, which publishes on a bimonthly (or so) schedule. I don't know if there is enough readers willing to pay to support another.
TWG wrote:
Who's paying for this idea?
Not that this is how it's going to play out, but when we did the Gumbo book, we split the print costs between artists, and distributed copies evenly - we each took our copies and gave em away at conventions. I think for $200 we each got 500 copies each. There are lots of ways to make it work, but you gotta want it first.
GiantPanda wrote:
There already exists a webcomic newspaper, Zoinks, which publishes on a bimonthly (or so) schedule. I don't know if there is enough readers willing to pay to support another.
That might be like saying there's not enough readers for another webcomic. (heh maybe it's true.) And besides, they don't haven't featured Fabricari yet, so they can't be all that. ;) Look, I'm just playin' Devil's advocate in favor of it. It is possible, if not practical.
It takes Xerexes' approval, and delegation to someone who will make the time to manage it. You can't make a project like this a democracy or it'll never happen. Someone would have to make decisions, and roll with it. That's how projects like this happen.
Oh and by the way, we were so happy with Gumbo, we made two issues. The second one with twice as many people and twice as many pages.
you could sell ads to creators ala' Wizard Edge as well.
I'd gladly pay for ad space in something like that.
Not that this is how it's going to play out, but when we did the Gumbo book, we split the print costs between artists, and distributed copies evenly - we each took our copies and gave em away at conventions. I think for $200 we each got 500 copies each. There are lots of ways to make it work, but you gotta want it first.
Fabricari wrote:
TWG wrote:
Who's paying for this idea?
The contributors should get a good chunk of page space, eh?
But Egon says print is dead.
It would pretty much have to be interviews, art examples, columns that are non-current events related - things that won't go out-of-date quickly.
This should be doable for someone with the time and coordination skills.
Along those lines, how would the convention give-aways work... Would individual contributers be expected to give them away at their own booths? Would you want a Comixpedia booth (also an expense)? Try to make a deal with as many webcomic people as possible to give them away at their booths?
I'd think distribution concerns are just as important as organizing and costs.
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As an existing fan of webcomics and frequent visitor of this site, I'd say not neccesary. But it is possible that an anthology of sorts could be compiled to educate new non-webcomic readers of all the incredible content they're missing out on. I imagined a give-away anthology that gets handed out at conventions. Just a variation.
[quote:1dbd4f74c6="Fabricari"]I imagined a give-away anthology that gets handed out at conventions. Just a variation.
I have contemplated a printed "annual" before - sort of a best-of plus some new stuff printed version. Not necessarily for free but reasonably cheap. But I'm maxed out on time basically.