Thread "DC Comics to launch Zudacomics.com (a DD.com rip-off)" in forum "Comic Talk and General Discussion *"

Posted at 3:07PM, Jul. 9, 2007

It's not going to change a thing. There will always be free webcomic hosting somewhere. And if push comes to shove you can shell out seventy bucks to have your own website, and then just do whatever you damn well please.

Were you one of the people who totally freaked out when Platinum bought DD almost a year ago? Like "Oh no now it's not my comic anymore!" Quick I'm leaving because I don't know what to expect.

I came over when Platinum bought DD. I thought "finally DD will be reliable enough that I can post comics there."

You don't have to do anything you don't want, no one's twisting your arm to join Zuba.

Why do you have to be such an optimist? You people and you assumption that everything's going to fine sickens me. I like panic, panic is goooood. I reject this Zuda/Zuba/piss bollocks thing more on principle. I hate the idea of creativity being stifled for cash. Also, I wasn't here a year ago, I'm quite new. Also again, I know Conned won't get on there, I wasn't suggesting that she should try, I was suggesting that well written comics with (Edit, after I realised what I wrote there made me look like a total bastard: less than professional art) wouldn't get on there.

Besides which, with net neutrality going away not just around the corner, but actually happening, now, it's real possibility.

Posted at 3:07PM, Jul. 9, 2007

Hummm, It sounds good and if it's comics for free, I'm there! it will be interesting if we get more diversity of ideas, or will it be nothing but superheros and verigo clones.

The size limitation is odd, maybe so they won't have competition with their print comics.

We came up with a 4:3 aspect ratio. By declaring that as our "screen," that gives people a space to work in. It gives them a "page," and creators can be as creative within that page as they want. … If you want to do a more traditional action-adventure periodical, you can do that too, but it will be displayed in these half-page increments, but you can still do it.

Obviously we can't predict every device that's going to come out, and we can't necessarily plan for every business relationship that DC or Warner Bros might enter into, which is why we went with that 4:3 aspect ratio … it's an industry standard. It's a monitor size, a television size. If your device can handle that, they should be able to work with Zuda.

There was talk of year long contracts and vetting by staff and voting. I like the free for all acceptance of DrunkDuck.

I can see some of the more mainstream comic artists like Devoid of Life or Purgatory Tower or The WAVAM Project (to name a few) being tempted but the aspect ratio means a reworking of storytelling and that it will never look good in print. But with ZuDu, you get paid, in theory.

Besides, who got into this for the money? I did for the screaming fans I get at conventions (grin)…
- Ian

Posted at 4:07PM, Jul. 9, 2007

I smell a internet-fight on our hands.

The worse kind of fight…one where no one gets hurt…

Posted at 4:07PM, Jul. 9, 2007

Personally, I have no problems with DC. They make some good stuff. And if you have to ask my favourite, you don't know me very well.

But the truth is, I think that they're getting a bit paranoid. Namely when it comes to popularity, particularly against Marvel. How many movies has Marvel released recently? How many has DC? Which were more popular? When was the last big crossover event in the DC universe?

You get the point.

They think that they're losing popularity, and thus are trying to make themselves more popular by doing this. This way, more people will read their comics, and thus, will ensure that they get more money.

And, of course, it's always about money.

Posted at 4:07PM, Jul. 9, 2007

I half-read half skimmed the interview so I'll have to go back and read it again later. What I'm really intrigued about is the community aspect since a lot of their features rely on a community. Sure it's great to vote comics every month but you'll need people to do the voting.

Most webcomic hosting sites however start out with more creators than readers. This may change for DC since unlike most webcomic hosting sites out there, they're actually starting out with money to back them up. (DrunkDuck itself initially started out through word of mouth.) But a lot of the rating issues that DD had when it first started stemmed from the fact that it had more creators than readers at the time.

Actually thinking about it, money could change a lot of things for Zudacomics. Hosting sites like DD, SJ, and CG traditionally relied on the community and word of mouth for growth. I knew about DD through Megatokyo forums (we were looking for a place to host our images for critiquing and Volte6 actually came over to answer questions) and I know Subcultured found out about DD through this spam e-mail Volte6 sent out. Over time the site would develop a group of loyal users who in turn would spread the word. They might even volunteer to assist the site or lead community activities that further foster community growth.

Would money replace that? Certainly Zudacomics would have more resources than DrunkDuck did when it first started out. But I don't think you can buy a community.

I personally don't think comics is even an issue for Zudacomics. Let me put it this way: DD had crashed twice in the past and lost all of its comics (this being prior to Platinum Studios coming in.) But yet it's still around. Why? It has a strong community to help support it. Zudacomics could be hosting the best webcomics out there but if it has a weak community, then sites like DD, SJ, and CG will still have a leg up.

Posted at 4:07PM, Jul. 9, 2007

Sounds to me like DC is gunning for an entirely online version of the Comic Book Challenge. Inviting creators, letting people vote, offering them money to work on their comics.

My two cents at least.

Posted at 5:07PM, Jul. 9, 2007

And I quote…

"When you submit your Web Comics to Zuda, you could be chosen immediately for a publishing contract or be entered into a competition where the rest of the Zuda Community will pick a Web Comic to win a publishing contract. We'll post the full specs and all the details in plain English right here soon, long before we're ready to accept your material. So sign up and we'll let you know when it's live. "

I recall Pirates 3 - "the reason we don't have a king is because everytime there's a vote, each pirate votes for himself."

Seriously? If it came up for that I'd vote for meself too. Granted, I'm happy with my studio so I wouldn't go over there in the first place. Any publishing company gets rights to edit and change and also own your comic. They also get rights to sell it off to someone better if they decide their employees came up with the idea first (see submissions of most publishing companies).

Let the big boys do what they want. Webcomics I don't think will change as a whole. I wouldn't lose sleep over that at least. This would bring more comics to the web though and quality may become a more easily found thing. So they may take the cult out of webcomics.

But they can never take our freedom…

^_-

Posted at 5:07PM, Jul. 9, 2007

But they can never take our freedom…

Like hell they can't!

Posted at 5:07PM, Jul. 9, 2007

When I read the PR about Zuda, it immediately sounded like Platinum's partial business model with Drunk Duck and Comic Book Challenge– as in, they want the community, they want a contest— but they're keeping it editorially controlled, which might be good or bad for them. Who's to say they might not find the BEST there is because of the taste of one or two editors? Interesting. I'm going to find out more at Comicon.

Also, here's something people haven't really focused on and it's in the shadows. DC is doing this to build their library of fresh new Intellectual Property rights. Something that Platinum already has– but DC says it straight out in the various articles I've seen now that they're looking to maybe have something like "V for Vendetta" happen. It was a graphic novel for ages and then BAM, it became a movie. Just like Men in Black was an almost forgotten independent book until that mothership landed— that's the real game with intellectual property rights, some call it a lottery mentality. And just like anything, some will make it, some won't.

Someone else brought up that fact that if Zuda is closed, this might actually help sites like Drunk Duck and the other freehosts, because talented creators who have been turned away by an editorial board there, can find a great oasis of freedom out here to do their thing, and JUST AS MUCH OPPORTUNITY, IF NOT MORE. I mean, if they totally kickass, Platinum will end up noticing.

It bugs me how they called current webcomics a "slushpile" – it smacks a little insulting to me. Comics are comics, no matter what level you might be at skill wise, I enjoy being mixed with a group of people, some better than me, others not but on their way up. It keeps me on my toes. ;)

Posted at 7:07PM, Jul. 9, 2007

It bugs me how they called current webcomics a "slushpile" – it smacks a little insulting to me. Comics are comics, no matter what level you might be at skill wise, I enjoy being mixed with a group of people, some better than me, others not but on their way up. It keeps me on my toes. ;)

Where in blaze of homicidal glory did they say THAT? I certainly can't find it. :/

Posted at 7:07PM, Jul. 9, 2007

The NY TIMES headline.

Posted at 7:07PM, Jul. 9, 2007

I smell a internet-fight on our hands.

*rolls up sleeves*

Posted at 9:07PM, Jul. 9, 2007

For God's sake put a shirt on. This isn't San Fransisco.

Posted at 10:07PM, Jul. 9, 2007

heh
the ratio size is almost likr my page size :)

Posted at 11:07PM, Jul. 9, 2007

I laugh at the ratio and expectations of DC.
If they don't re roll their character, they will die while playing the harsh game of internet DnD.

Places like like DD are where they are because they grew nourished by a great community and because they don't limit their artists and users and hit a vein of awesome that helped them keep afloat and even rise above the common folk of the virtual world.

I love DD for the same reason pirates loved piracy, freedom, friendship an the expectations and dreams that come with them, the feeling you get when you amass a treasure of fans and companions and the possibility of becoming a legend among your own because of something you love doing (i bet others would agree).

If DC doesn't recreate that, they are very likely going to have a place full of elitist b's, desperate people screaming for attention or at the best case a handful of show offs.

DD is what it is because of the wide range it covers and the variety it has to offer, like a flea market, not because it's a stockpile of comics and artists.

I bet a lot of people are going to try it out and even stay there because of the trademark stamped on it.

Don't get me wrong, i like DC, and i think that major comic publisher+online comics is a good idea, but for the way this got started and other reasons already pointed out i will always see this with bad eyes.

Posted at 12:07AM, Jul. 10, 2007

And you cannot tell me that any one of you would not jump at the chance to have a contract signed with DC.

I can. :P

Ah well, whatever, they're sort of just jumping on the bandwagon though aren't they? Ho-hum another one… Yeah, DC's a big name in comics, great, I hope they do fine on the web. Blah, it'll only become more and more crowded as time goes on. Personally the content they'll have won't appeal to me, I'm more interested in the less polished more unique stuff that enthusiasts come up with than the sameness of corporate comic styles that appeal to people like DC.

Posted at 12:07AM, Jul. 10, 2007

And you cannot tell me that any one of you would not jump at the chance to have a contract signed with DC.
I can. :P

Somehow this shocks me not.

Posted at 1:07AM, Jul. 10, 2007

Somehow this shocks me not.

As if I'd ever get that offer anyway lol!

No one should ever jump at contracts when it concerns your work…
Plus, the big comic company names don't have the lure for me that they might for some others. :)

Posted at 1:07AM, Jul. 10, 2007

No one should ever jump at contracts when it concerns your work…
Plus, the big comic company names don't have the lure for me that they might for some others.

I have to agree with you there, Oz. Working for DC or Marvel doesn't appeal to me at all. It seems a bit like wanting to be a rockstar, and then going on Pop Idol or X Factor to achieve that end. XD

I guess we're just not very commercial artists. Oh well. :3

Posted at 2:07AM, Jul. 10, 2007

A community built of screaming fan boys and show offs? I can't think of anything worse and I'm pretty sure the mere idea of venturing into Zuda will give me nightmares for weeks.

I don't think we need to worry about DC's latest venture; despite the fact it'll appeal to a more commercial audience I know of at least one other company who tried something like this. So when's the last time you heard about comic hosting at Tokyopop's site? It's difficult to use, seems to have no real community and is just a bit ugly.

If Zuda even gets off the ground I can't see it ever possing a threat to DD. They're just too different.

Posted at 6:07AM, Jul. 10, 2007

The NY TIMES headline.

To be COMPLETELY fair, DC only says "slushpile" in relation to the tons of unsolicited manuscripts they receive, its the NY Times that then calls webcomics a slushpile.

You better watch out NY Times. I'm the freaking night rider.

If you want to have a straight-on newspaper strip, like a Doonesbury or something like that, great. If you want to do something a little more abstract, like a Family Circus thatÃƒÂ¢??s all in a circle, fantastic.

I wish I could do something as abstract as Family Circus. I just have trouble thinking outside the box.

Posted at 6:07AM, Jul. 10, 2007

Well, I think it's pretty awesome. haha! :D I might work up something for it, see how it goes.

Posted at 6:07AM, Jul. 10, 2007

Right– the "slushpile" thing was brought up in another interview I read yesterday I think too, in regards to what's out there now in webcomics being hit and miss with quality. I guess that's true, it's hard for people looking for polished quality to find it at a big list like Webcomic List, etc. Well, unless you know you're way around.

I kind of think that's the fun of webcomics too though, discovering something YOU like. That feeling of discovering something out there in the haystack, and sharing it with others.

Posted at 6:07AM, Jul. 10, 2007

Dogtopus! SQUEEE! :D

Well, I think it's pretty awesome. haha! :D I might work up something for it, see how it goes.

Traitor! TRAITOR! *tapes chikin to the Duck so he may not leave!*

Posted at 7:07AM, Jul. 10, 2007

I think ZooDoo will have a hard time creating a community.
I was on ComicSpace and I never got a comment on my comic. There was lots of fragments but not much storytelling. DrunkDuck has people who want to make stories and people who want to read and comment on them. ZooDoo may have trouble getting a community. Was anyone one else dissapointed by ComicSpace? I think ZuDa could go down the same bleak path.