Does anyone remember Inkblazers? Got questions!

[akitsukino]

I’ve just been really invested in looking at how webcomics have changed recently and it’s had me looking at platforms of the past. Inkblazers manages to stick in my mind as it seemed to come much later than Smackjeeves and just a little before western Webtoon. I spent way more time on there than most other comic sites at the time and felt pretty forlorn when I saw the site having to shut down due to budget issues. In fact, I remember there being a big exodus from there to here when it was still Tapastic. So far any of you remember Inkblazers:

1. Were you simply a reader or did you also post there? What do you remember most about the kids of work there?
2. How different would you say your experience as a creator there was compared to other hosting sites? Comments? Numbers? Audience? Exposure? Revenue?
3. Speaking of revenue, if you were a creator do you remember how much you made? I know asking that can be a touchy subject, but I remember one of the things that stressed so many artists out about the shutdown was that they lost as income source. Artists being able to monetize their comics is a pretty big topic now so I’m interested in what it was like back in 2014.

Anyone who has answers who can remember would be appreciated!

[konori]

Wow, it's been a while since I've heard the name! It was a really long time ago, so I may have forgotten most of my experience on the site, but I'll do my best to answer!

1. Were you simply a reader or did you also post there? What do you remember most about the kids of work there?
   I was a reader and I also posted my first proper webcomic on that site (though it was a fan comic). I remember the works that stood out being kind of unique in terms of plot and premise, but unfortunately I've lost track of those comics after the site shut down. Compared to now, there were probably fewer comics on there so I didn't feel like I was overwhelmed and still read the comics I was subscribed to. (The early days of Tapas was also manageable but nowadays I don't have the energy and time to explore and read other webcomics.)

2. How different would you say your experience as a creator there was compared to other hosting sites? Comments? Numbers? Audience? Exposure? Revenue?
   I really liked my experience in the site, even though I was a small potato back then. I liked the layout and the UI of the site. With Webtoon and Tapas there is still something lacking in the way those two sites work. If memory serves, in our Inkblazers profile there is a gallery to post artworks apart from our comics, and while Tapas allows you to post images in the profile wall/messages it just doesn't feel the same. I don't remember the numbers and exposure because back then I was just posting for fun and was not paying too much attention to those things. The audience seemed nice. I don't think I got any bad comments.

3. Speaking of revenue, if you were a creator do you remember how much you made? I know asking that can be a touchy subject, but I remember one of the things that stressed so many artists out about the shutdown was that they lost as income source. Artists being able to monetize their comics is a pretty big topic now so I’m interested in what it was like back in 2014.
   I mentioned earlier that the comic I posted on Inkblazers was a fan comic, so I was not eligible to earn any revenue. Looking back, I regret that I didn't make an original comic because the revenue program for Inkblazers looked enticing. It sucks now that we have to rely on 3rd party sites to earn more revenue because making money on Tapas and Webtoon alone is not enough unless you're really big.

I hope my answers were satisfactory. Nostalgia may have affected my answers a bit, and the end kinda turned into a small rant. 8D;

[sushy00]

I never heard of Inkblazers before