Doctor Shadow
Funny you should say that Blitzkreig1701, I'm of the same opinion about Manga art actually.

Yeah, I noticed several people seemed to share that opinion, so I figured I'd add my voice to the opposition.

Blitzkrieg1701

Doctor Shadow
Funny you should say that Blitzkreig1701, I'm of the same opinion about Manga art actually.

Yeah, I noticed several people seemed to share that opinion, so I figured I'd add my voice to the opposition.

All mainstream styles (whether in animation or comics) merge into an uninteresting blur to me. ;) Whatever their influence, I am drawn to unique styles. The best ones are the ones that can't be clearly labeled as Japanese-style, American-style, or anything else.

usedbooks

Blitzkrieg1701

Doctor Shadow
Funny you should say that Blitzkreig1701, I'm of the same opinion about Manga art actually.

Yeah, I noticed several people seemed to share that opinion, so I figured I'd add my voice to the opposition.

All mainstream styles (whether in animation or comics) merge into an uninteresting blur to me. ;) Whatever their influence, I am drawn to unique styles. The best ones are the ones that can't be clearly labeled as Japanese-style, American-style, or anything else.

While I still prefer one blur over another, well said anyway. :D

usedbooks

Blitzkrieg1701

Doctor Shadow
Funny you should say that Blitzkreig1701, I'm of the same opinion about Manga art actually.

Yeah, I noticed several people seemed to share that opinion, so I figured I'd add my voice to the opposition.

All mainstream styles (whether in animation or comics) merge into an uninteresting blur to me. ;) Whatever their influence, I am drawn to unique styles. The best ones are the ones that can't be clearly labeled as Japanese-style, American-style, or anything else.

I'm with you there usedbooks, one of the reasons I was drawn to Neil Gaiman's Sandman, especially at the time: it was unique.

I cannot abide Manga art. And Chibis are a complete deal breaker. The story and the art have to be so excellent as to be masterpieces for me to more than just glance at a Manga styled comic.

I'm not too fond of the "old style" american art, but can handle it in small doses.

Art-wise my favorite webcomics are the ones where the artist has their own style. They draw how they draw and you can't really compare the style to any of the big publishing companies of Alpha Minor.



I typically prefer to read funny comics. I love irony, absurdism, and even a touch of slapstick from time to time. I like good art, but if the comic is funny enough, I'll stick around (ex. XKCD). Most of my favorites are funny comics with some story attached. There are many Gag-a-day types that I read as well. I like to laugh, so that is generally what I seek out when I'm bored. This is what I try to create as well, so it is not strange that it is my favorite type of comic.


I only have a handfull of favorites that do not fall into that category. Those that are by far just awesome comics. Great story, fantastic art, with a dash of humor thrown in. (These include Surfboards and Rayguns, Nadya (D0m if you see this it means you have to update again),Chronicles of Wyrden, and the Dreamer) They are so amazing that I forgive the relative lack of humor because the stories and art captivate me. I love fantasy and scifi so, my tastes tend to run that way for story comics.

Thanks Loud_G. I admit that I'm a sucker for story and characters, so there isn't always whizz-bang action in TCoW. There is some whizz-bang action coming up though. I'm really digging the direction that Reva has taken the art with the new style.

for me, the best way to describe the type of comic I enjoy is explain how I search through the browse comics search engine on The Duck.

Type of Comic: Comic Book/Story

Style: Cartoon, American, Realism, Sketch, Experimental
Tone: Serious or random

Categories: Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Horror, Abstract, Adventure, Noir, Superhero, Western,
Mystery, War

Plus list according to Last Update.
If you haven't posted in forever than not really interested.

1. Has to have good art.
Not because I value art over story. Rather... if I just care about a good story, I can go read a novel. ATM, I've just finished reading an awesome novel series and I'm through half of another series (by same author).
When I'm reading a novel, I can imagine the most awesome pictures in my mind, rather than look at shoddy pictures of a comic with great story and mediocre art. Yes, comics have it hard.

2. Comic strips can't hold my interest.
I do read them. Sometimes I binge on one, like the time when I first found 8-bit Theatre. But because it's all strip-long episodes, there's nothing to drag me back.

3. Large archive intimidates me.
Not because I don't want a good story. But I know that if it is a good story, I'm going to binge on it in 1 sitting because I can't tear myself away... and heaven forbid it's like 500 pages!

4. Genre...
As long as it's something with a fantastic or larger-than-life element. Sci-fi obviously counts, but James Bond counts too. Complete non-fiction bores me.

Skullbie
I haven't read anyones replies yet but I'm willing to bet they're reflective of their own comics. lol!

Actually, not so much for myself. I tend to pick graphic novels. I get bored easily with most gag strips because they're usually the same 4 panel setup and joke. I prefer things with variety and change in them.

If I'm going to read it I like to read large chunks at a time so any more I almost prefer to read from the beginning of a comic and then ignore it for several months so it builds up. That part is at least indicated by my comic since I have over 200 pages produced in a span of about 7 months.

Overall though, I'm not picky in the least when it comes to genre, tone, archive size or style. What I am big on though is quality. I can't stand comics like Questionable Content that have little to no continuity and are constantly leaving threads untied. That might change with it in future years if he's just got some massive, overall idea in mind, but that's going to wind up being on heck of a massive story if that's the case. On the other hand, I find Sam and Fuzzy to be quite well written and executed. He has very few untied loose ends, and I suspect those that are loose will get tied up as Sam Logan has a habit of making sure to tie them up even if they're two years old like the cell phone bit.

lba
I can't stand comics like Questionable Content that have little to no continuity and are constantly leaving threads untied. That might change with it in future years if he's just got some massive, overall idea in mind, but that's going to wind up being on heck of a massive story if that's the case.

Honestly, I think he just makes it up as he goes along. I also hate how every now and again, he'll do the "Oh, haven't seen you in a while!" thing with random characters that've been MIA for months, and they'll have like, a couple punchlines that week, then drop back into oblivion. And it serves no point other than coitus interuptus for whatever thin plot there is... It's like it's always straddling this fence between unrelated "gag-a-day" and ongoing story.

That said, I do read it, or else I obviously wouldn't be know enough to bitch about it. ;) And it's not like it's just sour grapes because the guy's mad popular and I'm hatin' on him or something. I've just always had serious beef with his writing. Far be it from me to call it lacking, but... yup.

Hyena H_ll
Honestly, I think he just makes it up as he goes along. I also hate how every now and again, he'll do the "Oh, haven't seen you in a while!" thing with random characters that've been MIA for months, and they'll have like, a couple punchlines that week, then drop back into oblivion. And it serves no point other than coitus interuptus for whatever thin plot there is... It's like it's always straddling this fence between unrelated "gag-a-day" and ongoing story.

That said, I do read it, or else I obviously wouldn't be know enough to bitch about it. ;) And it's not like it's just sour grapes because the guy's mad popular and I'm hatin' on him or something. I've just always had serious beef with his writing. Far be it from me to call it lacking, but... yup.

Hater :)

I like webcomics that are willing to go a little out there with the story.

I mean, this is the internet and you have the freedom to pretty much tell whatever story you want, yet you choose to do another 20 something slacker/gamer etc. Comic.

I just really can't get into those. I look for webcomics that are willing to do something risky whether it be visually or story wise. Those are the type of webcomics that interest me.

Blitzkrieg1701
Regarding art, I’m a total manga geek. No offence, comic fans, but the vast majority of western style art just blurs together into one drab, uninteresting smudge to me. I don’t care what kind of story it is, give me big eyes any day.

You aren't looking hard enough.

It's also pretty ironic, considering that manga is heavily influenced by Western art.

After thinking this over... I don't think I have a fav type of webcomic. The comics I go for are generally in the area of "wow, I'd never make that myself" or "damn, I should've done it first!" kind of thing. so basically either stuff I wouldn't come up with or someone did it before me (and better).

Also, I'm staying away from any silly manga vs american vs whatever kind of war. :)

There's a reason Dr McNinja is a better comic than Dominic Deegan.

And that reason is execution rather than influence.

I like stories with a sense of exploration and discovery in the context of an adventure/journey.

If I can tell what's going on with the art. I'm happy.

I love drama comics. I prefer story comics to strip.

The art:
I don't care if it's manga, American, furry as long as the faces show a good range of emotions. I hate the manga faces that try to be so pretty in each panel that there isn't enough expression. I dislike Western comics that draw so realistically that there isn't enough expression. It goes both ways. I feel that with comics overdoing emotions are ok. It just depends on if it is serious expressions or funny expressions.

Also helps if I can easily tell each character apart too.

Content:
I like
-Coming of age stories. It's stories about a weak child that slowly develops into a capable (and sometimes very cool)young adult. (I don't know any webcomics that have this theme :( . Some of my favorite mangas have this theme such as Eyeshield 21, Reborn, and Naruto.)

-Main Character Curse stories (Gnoph and Jack)

-Transformation comics that are not male to female TFs, because male-to-female-tf comics are overdone. (SkinDeep, Strawberry Death Cake, Luna's Journey and Twisted Mirrors)

-Xeno Society stories (Nature of Nature's Art, Trying Human, Jack, Two Moons)

-Tragic stories (I'd love to find more webcomics with this theme too.)

As far as Questionable Content goes, I think it's refreshing sometimes to read a story that is so open ended. It's like life. You can plan somewhat for what you want to happen in the future, but ultimately, you are swept along the tide that is life, and you just go with it.

I like comics that have good writing, and preferably good art. Usually with lots of humor. I'm going through my links list now.

Lots of auto-bio stuff, like DAR and Devil's Panties and Shrub Monkeys.
Lots of adventure stories like Dr. McNinja, Skadi and Flipside.
Cheesy high school stories like Penny and Aggie and Red String.
Silly girl adventures a la Scary Go Round.

While I appreciated open ended stories like Questionable Content, my favorites are the ones where there seems to be so much mystery and an epic story that sprawls out. Gunnerkrigg Court is a prime example. That story has layers to put onions to shame.

Incidentally, proving Skullbie's point, I guess, the type of story I like to write is the sprawling complicated plot kind. The kind that you get to the end after reading for a while, and your mind is blown.

megan_rose
I like comics that have good writing, and preferably good art.

. . .

Well no shit. Of course you bloody like comics that are good. You wouldn't like them if they were bad would you?

Phillby
There's a reason Dr McNinja is a better comic than Dominic Deegan.

And that reason is execution rather than influence.

Dr. McNinja is an all-round awesome comic!

I can go between light-hearted and deep stories. My tastes in humour tend to be more dry and dark; as for deeper stories, I tend to be drawn more toward sci-fi. However, whether serious or funny, the comics I read need to have at least some brains behind them. Nothing turns me off faster than when a comic seems to assume that I'm not smart enough to get the joke on my own, nor am I a fan of serious comics that just don't seem to think. Also, it helps if the characters feel natural (unless you're using a stiff or stock personality as either an homage or a parody).

I'll admit, huge archives can be pretty daunting. While established comics are always great to read, I do get a thrill finding a brand new one that shows a lot of promise. Also, let's not forget about short stories; some of those are just plain awesome.

For me, it's not so much about Manga or Western, but more about whether the art helps or hinders the story. If you're making a comic that's a reflection of what's actually happening in your life, I feel that chibi art can detract from that. If you're doing something more along the lines of slapstick comedy, feel free to go nuts with exaggerations (although there are some cases where realistic art can work, too.)

Updates aren't too big a deal for me. I guess I'm a little old-fashioned that way; I'll happily wait for weeks at a time if I know the artist is working to make some real quality work, rather than cutting corners to meet an update schedule. I mean, art takes time to make, and when you put the time and effort into each page, it really shows.

As for the feel of comics I like, give me something that's off the beaten path. I rarely read video game, superhero, random comedy, sprite, and fantasy quest comics because there are just too many of them that are practically clones of each other. It's one thing to take some inspiration from someone else's work and use that as a foundation from which you create your own body of work; it's quite another when you change just enough to not get sued. This is also one of the main reasons I started making my own comics; I got sick of reading both hard and web comics that were the same damn thing over and over, so I started making the kind of comics that I wanted to read.

Wow...that really made it look like I'm narrow minded when it comes to comics. Fact is, though, that any comic has the chance to catch my eye; it needs substance, however, to keep me around.