You bring up a good argument though, one that divides comics as a business, and comics as a hobby. Just like if I went to a Burger King I would understand the lack of MacDonald’s advertisements, when money is involved, the game changes.

The thing is, if a money-making comic directs people to a site that is NOT interested in revenue, there is no conflict. Generally, small, good, comics are in it for the art, not the money, so I’d love to see more linking out there!

The best of both worlds is a place like Topatoco, where everyone involved gets the OPPORTUNITY to sell things together, and cross advertising all around lets the audience of one know the other exists (and vice versa.) The give and take is equal, and most probably, joining together increases the revenue of everyone involved.

But back to my original reason subject in this essay, the “webcomic community” isn’t in it for the money. We should definitely be linking each other more. Thanks for commenting, and sorry if I come off a bit sharp in the beginning there. Bengo is a friend of mine!

Thanks for the rest of your comments as well! Just ONCE I’d like to see one of the big guys link a little guy who ISN’T their groupie, or fan, or relative–just a link of merit. One day I’ll make a “findnewcomics.com” site, JUST for that purpose. Someone feel free to beat me to it.

“Do you think that if you send your audience to another site, they won’t come back? ‘Cause seriously, it doesn’t work like that!”

But if you send your audience to another site, they might give their money to that site, and then it ISN’T coming back. Oh, and do you think Tim Buckley wants to risk people seeing, say, The Order of the Stick and deciding, “Hey, Ctrl+Alt+Del looks like crap compared to this! I don’t wanna read it anymore!” (Wait, I read and enjoy both strips. Never mind.)

The majority of “successful” (it’s often feigned) cartoonists today are not in position by merit: they are survivors who found gimmicks that resonated with the fat college demographic. Unfortunately, they have a siege mentality, and most of the ones who are most prominent will do nothing to help you. In fact, they regard you as a force to be blocked.

Fighting them is a waste of energy. The webcomics new wave far outnumbers the grinches, and working to help each other will do far more for everyone than any other thing you can do, aside from making the best comic you possibly can.

I track analytics pretty closely using a bunch of both rickety and solid techniques, and the Old School is losing readers. I don’t want to see them fail, I want to see them lose the cynicism, disdain and dishonesty that characterizes their professional conduct. I’d like to see them stop behaving like juvenile delinquents in adult bodies. I’d also like to see them invest some energy in their art and writing for a change, as many have gotten stale. Unfortunately, people don’t change so easily, and I would say support for other comics *has* to be accompanied by an awareness of the serious shortcomings of those who would speak for the newer, more professional crowd, but do not represent our values at all.

Thanks for mentioning Mike of Lonely Fetus and his role. He’s a neat guy, and has taught me quite a bit. Thanks, Mike.

I find your essay inspiring and will keep it close to heart.

Bengo

P.S. Unshelved is a library-life themed comic. It’s notable in that it is one of several where speaking honorariums do most of the work to make it self-supporting. Others who mine method this are PhD comics and Scott McCloud.

Just a little fun fact. Not an endorsement. :)

But yeah, you could ALSO grant your popularity to the masses. I wish more people thought like you!