In your oppinon what is so compelling about a long running narrative?

[MinNCompany]

What keeps me hooked personally: well-written characters, not necessarily complexly-written or groundbreaking or unique or even relatable. I prefer reading about a character that's good at being themself rather than a character that's good at being 'good' (if that makes any sense whatsoever)

[joe_galindez]

I agree. It's usually the characters and their community that keep me involved in a long story.

[feardeer]

The characters are a huge part of it for me too. I want them to be unique (but not over the top, unless it's a comedy, I suppose), I want them to be interesting, and I want their actions and motives to be in line with their background and personality.

Other than that, it's anticipation. I need something to look forward to. Whether it's the resolution to a conflict, the development of a relationship, the build up to a dramatic fight sequence, the turning point in a character's development, etc. It has to be done in a way that makes me excited to see the progression. In general, I prefer stories that don't just build up to one big thing (the major conflict, the big love confession, w/e), but build up to many things, milestones I guess.

[Testaccount]

For me, it's good characters and an exciting plot.

One of my favorite book series is heading into its fourth book, but since the characters are so captivating, I need to know what will happen to them.

I feel a good writer knows how to keep their readers engaged with the story, making sure there isn't too many slow moments but just enough for character development.

[Aspie_Gamer]

Watching characters grow and evolve over time. You just don't get that with short form comics. i.e Garfield still hates Mondays, John's still a loser, and Odie is well...Odie.

[nikaalexandra]

oh man, probably interesting and well-written dialogue and a 'mystery' of some sort that makes me keep clicking NEXT to find out what happens

also if an artist is just genuinely REALLY GOOD AT DRAWING, i'll keep up with a comic just to see what beauty they'll render next

[AdrenalineShots]

I think that the best ones mirror our lives and provide a reference point as we grow older. The characters mature as we do and grow wiser, which is kind of special

[zetina]

Besides things already mentioned, I like a strong, interesting premise. The kind that you explain and immediately you can start imagining how different the world would be based on that. So then you wait for new updates to get a glimpse of that, how the characters live in that world and what unique challenges the setting poses.

[SpavVy]

Having interesting characters and seeing them grow over time is what keeps me interested.

[IdiotWithPencil]

characters characters characters

[AmysGames]

Good characters and good plot, definitely. Some of my favorite long-form comics have several interesting plot threads which keep you always wondering what will happen next.

[indagold]

Well first if they seem like theres an actual plot than the author coming up with stuff out the blue or adding things last minute. Some stories I read that went on for god knows how long made me quit because of that. I won't name names but there was a comic that introduced characters based off the fans and the haters of it I knew it was time to jump boat.

Characters are compelling and interesting and serve something and aren't just there to be there.

It actually updates, like consistently. Taking a year long hiatus is a big no no. Have a buffer, people.

[erma]

Definitely the characters, that's almost always what draws me towards a comic or show. Getting to see a character mature and learn from their mistakes is really rewarding to watch.

[insomniascrawl]

The characters become like friends, you want to check up on them and see how they're doing. If the story is well written and engaging, I love a long story, but the same can be said for a short story. It just depends on how the story is told for me.

[darkone4587]

The characters, seeing then change and grow over time is a big part of it and even seeing their impact on the world at large. That's part of the reason I read Shounen Manga like One Piece of Naruto was to see how they evolved over time, that and the fights.

[Rai]

Characters is a big one. In fact I've gone back to a few series I've dropped after months/years just to see what development the characters have went through even if the plot bored/frustrated me at the time.

[echotokki]

Naruto was definitely a comic I continuously checked back with. I don't have any older siblings and so growing up me and Naruto were almost the same age when I started watching it on Toonami. He was kinda my childhood hero and a rolemodel in a sense, so I would always check in and catch up to see my childhood hero back in action.

[darkone4587]

I can understand that feeling, and seeing Naruto grow up over the course of the series was pretty cool. Honestly it's something I wish we'd see more of in the mainstream comics.

[Chronitis]

I didn't quite catch that what did you say?

[IdiotWithPencil]

puts on the most insufferable Jeeves voice he can muster
I am most sorry, I sometimes have trouble expressing myself adequately or in a satisfactory manner,I shall try to explain my position to my best abilities in hopes that I may convey that which I meant with my comment, what I wished to transmit was that if I where in a situation of having to experience a long running material of entertainment or narrative if you will, be it animation, novel;graphic or written;or a series of cinematographic pictures, I would find it compelling, not for the situations or schemes the author would introduce but only if the characters personalities and relatability are of a high enough calibre for me to understand and enjoy their reactions and actions to such plots and machinations that the author will surely have them experience, without having it break what you would call my immersion and enjoyment of said narrative.

in summary what I find that compels the audience and myself included to keep watching and reading a long running narrative, is that the characters, the eyes with which the audience will observe the story through, is well made, relatable and enjoyable or in other words stops the voice

CHARACTERS CHARACTERS CHARACTERS!!!!!