How long did it take you master the lore of your comic?

[Lunar-Turtle]

I started to work on my comic last year, in March, May, something like that. Originally it was supposed to be a written book with illustrations. then I started to also make comic version and then decided to make only comic.

I don't know about you guys, but it took me more then one year and one pilot chapter to actually realize what I want to do with my stuff. I changed the lore so many times and felt like something is still missing. Just recently when I started an actual comic I finally settled on what to do and now I feel happy with myself. Do you have any experience when it comes to this? Share your thoughts, I am curious.

Synastry

[Iris-Grimoire]

I adapted the comic's concept into another world I already have, but it still took a few months; and for said, world, it took years. You need to revisit the lore, and yourself sometimes, a lot to truly get what you like.

[JRHoch]

My comic was written as a novel first and then turned into a comic--and I am still modifying the lore and the rules and the plot points.

Part of the problem is doing things sequentially, one week or so at a time, as opposed to just creating an entire work at once and being done with it. The other part is my "wouldn't that be cool" brain.

Afterlifer

[Lunar-Turtle]

Interesting, my comic was originally also meant to be a written book and not a comic.

[mariusthered]

the comic im working on now blunderland book two took me a solid week typing it up (21 chapters) . Before that came about three months sticking ideas and notes on my pin board as ideas formed.
the lore of it was pretty much worked out in book one and that took two years to do because i was writing it as i went and working stuff out, so this time around i wanted to write the whole thing in one go. Having worked on the compendium helped a lot as i now have guides about the land and everything in it without bogging down the story.

Blunderland: Book 2. | Tapas

[DavidPerry]

I'm still in the process of mastering it. In fact, part of the reason Mallory Bash is on Intermission hiatus is because I'm creating documentation for myself so that I can keep each story arc on track and answer questions on good beats. More than that, though, it's because I'm solidifying themes, archetype narratives, and making sure the psychology and philosophy of it all is cohesive.

[Piyobee]

Ahh, it usually takes me several months (2-6 months) to fully flesh out lore and plot of a comic. I only have so much creative juice to squeeze out in a day so it takes time for me to brainstorm and organize ideas.

[kurosakisasorikun]

hello! it's okay if so many lore in the story as long as they still have connection to the main lore. And the most important is of course you have to find the ending of the story first, then you have much free path way to make maybe many new line story LOL

[IndigoShirtProd]

I'm still mastering it. Before I even started posting the comic I hadn't really worked the lore out, mainly because I planned to end the comic on an unsatisfying cliffhanger. Now that the story is going on longer, the major lore bits are now coming into play. Hopefully it's coherent and doesn't sound contrived when all is said and done.

[SynCypher]

I started writing my webcomic in 2008. I researched all the different facets of lore I was going to include in the work and then started doing research on different art styles to match them. Back then, I didn't know how to use digital art tools, so I developed all of my styles using traditional tools. Then, I had to learn how to develop those same skills in digital form so I've spent a long time working on that.

I started posting my comic in 2014, kept developing my digital style and recently I concluded the first iteration of the story and am onto the second as we speak, still posting, still developing new techniques and styles, and still adapting the lore as I wish to make changes. While I certainly have a handle on my lore, I know that I can change things as I go, which is always a comfort to me lol. All in all, it's come out to about 11 years total of planning and work.

The Awlers :: Her Word | Tapas

[AmazementComics]

It took 3 years to master the lore of my comics universe. One important aspect of my comics is that in terms of the mainstream continuity, any character whose died stays dead, no execptions. But since the concept of the multiverse fascinates me in comics, I decided to apply that same plot to my lore (so in a way, this contradicts my previous statement, but oh well ). However none of the many alternate universes are aware of each other's existence so it gives plenty of room to play around the rules a bit. Once you expand your universe for years with lots of new characters coming in, you will get the hang your lore, however you decide to create it.

[GesuGesu]

Never. I'm a hot mess.

[snailienz]

I started the story back in 2009, while playing a pet themed farmville ripoff, when my mind clicked together something like "i used to LOVE pet games" and "i literally made my first original series because of neopets why not make one based off virtual pet games". At first, the idea was more like "this pink goat guy lives in a pet town and they have pet game themed adventures." which consisted mostly of game parody, so think something like your typical "gamer" comic but about virtual pets.

THEN i got the idea for the lore of the planet, and the pixies, the characters, the spirits, and things really took off around 2012, when i was also deep in the homestuck hell hole? Maybe i got inspired to be a little more ambitious. Either way, I felt this version capture things more accurately.

It wasnt until around 2016 or so that I realized that I had missed a huge chunk of what early 2000's pet games felt like. The frustration of over censorship. It's now full integrated.

So I's date it at about 8 years??? Holy moly thats a lot.

Also, obligatory link for all.

Virtual Pet Planet | Tapas

[tchotchkeco]

About two and a half years. Maybe around three years? It’s only because the world plot/ major events go on from 2020 to 2207. The world lore is pretty important so I can’t ignore it and have to subtlety add it in the story.

Detox | Tapas

[Jenny-Toons]

(It's only a month old, so not a complete Revival )

For Our Universe, I'd say the lore took about a few months. It's nothing too complicated, but there are themes with celestial beings and reincarnations. My Demon Valentine is the same way -- a few months of work, and I already have a few AUs for the work.

Most of my horror work has taken the longest time. I've been working on Beneath our Feet (Above our Heads) for about 10+ years. I only say that because this series is made up of 8-9 comics, all of which I've worked on and off with for about 10 years, give or take. Some of these comics are older than others. However, if I were to count the time I've spent combining these comics into one series and connecting them, I'd say I've spent 3-4 years on that lore.

Most of the lore is based on the type of horror and the impact on the world around the characters. There's subtle world-building, and overall, the presence of the supernatural is unknown until one big cosmic horror event. Then, the ideas of science and religion are shaped. I don't spend a lot of time on this because that's not the focal point of this story, but it is shown in the background.

[Darth_Biomech]

13 years to me, and perhaps not even completely over yet still. What the lore is, and what I think I want to do with it shifted so wildly over the years that initially, it wasn't even a comic, it was supposed to be a game mod for Half-life 2 with MUCH more flimsier "development" on the level of "so they had that thing in Star Wars, I should have it as well then".