Question about self-censorship of NSFW comics

AdrenalineShots 2017-01-09 21:25:00 UTC #1

Hello everyone!

I'm working on a new comic which will have some NSFW elements (naked bodies, crazy stuff) and just wondered if anyone could help with experience / guidance on the following:

For sites like Tap, Webtoons etc. is it safer to "self censor" and cover nipples and genitals with black boxes, and make the "unedited" version available elsewhere (personal website etc.)
I think I read somewhere that nipples are fine for Tap, Webtoon etc. are fine but genitalia are a no-no... is that correct? I think I could probably be creative in the panels so that things are more "hinted at" than shown...

Any tips on doing this kind of stuff greatly appreciated, I don't want to make any noob errors straight off the bat!

Oh, and examples of how you do things with your own series would be great.

Cheers

Danny

joannekwan 2017-01-09 21:30:04 UTC #2

Nudity is fine, like the artistic kind, think of classical nude sculptures and paintings in museums. If it's from a distance and not highly detailed, I don't think a nsfw label is necessary. A close up with detail, then yes, label it.

As for sexual nudity, label it. Use black boxes over any close-ups of penetration or particularly graphic elements.

AdrenalineShots 2017-01-09 21:40:35 UTC #3

Thank you! Appreciated.

insomniumeye 2017-01-09 22:58:24 UTC #4

Given that my own comics can get a bit grizzly sometimes, I tend to go for the typical "silhouette" whenever something is a bit too violent. But I make it clear to the reader what's happening, I just don't feel like having overtly disturbing imagery helps that much.

hushicho 2017-01-10 10:22:11 UTC #5

I wrote in to Tapastic some time ago, before I decided to come here and start posting anything. I asked if full nudity was acceptable, and the reply was that full nudity is fine, but explicit sex is not. So when it gets into naughtytimes, it probably should be something that is dealt with discretely, but naked people aren't something that is, from my understanding, objectionable on the site. Nipples are certainly not anything people should be worried about, I shouldn't think.

Vanesalisa 2017-01-10 14:39:47 UTC #6

yeah it fine but some of the viewers are like around 10 or 13 to see it or their parents might monitor on them , it's better be safe than sorry

hushicho 2017-01-10 17:14:43 UTC #7

To note: as long as it's clearly marked as "NSFW", it should be fine to show anything that isn't explicit sex or graphic violence, as per Tapastic rules that are clearly outlined on the site. The age or circumstance of readers is not really relevant so much as the clear marking of material that is mature in nature.

Censoring your work is unnecessary unless it veers into the explicit sex or graphic violence territory, or some other content contrary to the site's terms. However, marking your work is important. Be sure to mark any such pages as NSFW.