Random nudity in comics

TrustyShamrock 2015-09-27 00:46:59 UTC #1

heyyy yall. so i gots a weird question. my comic is mostly a comedy/action/scifi dealio. but theres a scene that has a butt in it. like a big front and center butt not just some backround tush. but i dont have anythin else like that anywhere else in the comic so far so it seems kiiinda out of place. i thought it was funny tho so i kept it in. but i was wonderin if random nakedness turns people off to a comic? like is there anyone out there whos like "woah thats two cheeks too many. im outtie." or does it just not matter? cuz i was thinkin of maybe censoring it out with smoke or somethin if it bothers people

heres the page just in case it helps answer the question

scythe 2015-09-27 00:53:21 UTC #2

It's a strange time we live in when artists are questioning whether it's appropriate to draw naked people.

Strange days indeed.

DruidPeter 2015-09-27 01:07:17 UTC #3

It looks all right, @TrustyShamrock. You probably don't even need the NSFW tag for just a couple of butt cheeks. Having said that, you asked if having a big but front and center would turn off some people.

The answer is, of course it will. There's 9 billion people on this planet. at least one million of them are sufficiently prudish enough to scream bloody murder for seeing something like that.

But that leaves plenty more to enjoy your comic. You should have no problem establishing a fan base.

Marton 2015-09-27 01:11:36 UTC #4

I'm wondering about this myself.... But I think majority won't mind a random butt. I certainly wouldn't.

danacraig78 2015-09-27 01:14:02 UTC #5

Honestly, I didn't see a problem with it. I saw a guy coming out of the ground and went "ok". I don't think that is random nudity because it appears to be tied to a storyline.

For example, I have a burlesque club scene where there is partial nudity. It is essential to the environment where that part of the story is taking place. What I would make "huh" about is if someone is naked for the sake of being naked. I can think of a good example without relating to porn where a good portion does not have a storyline context to the nudity. I say a good portion because there are some that do have some storylines and stuff (parodies).

I have no objection to nudity. I think it should be listed as NSFW, but other than that.:) The only thing I would want is context for it, which you have covered I believe.

DynamoToon 2015-09-27 01:27:34 UTC #6

Well, i dont really see the point of random nudity in comics, i think it's a bit unwarranted and SLIGHTLY perverted. Also, i think it's not really that important as i dont see how it contributes to a story, but if you want to put nudity, go ahead. Im not gonna judge... unless you use it as a pretentious excuse to be ARTISTIC. In that case, you can dive off a cliff. Not you, specifically. Just like you in general. The general you. You know what I mean.

danacraig78 2015-09-27 01:28:10 UTC #7

@mitzeigreuenshaeden I have to agree with your statement about bloody murder (not that I scream bloody murder..well..except for network 101 mistakes at a doctorate level, but that is a different story). I think the big thing you mention was audience and that is a big part of it.

When I was brainstorming Fiery Soul, I had to decide who my audience was. I knew my storylines often avoid the general audience because I tend to touch on dark stuff. However, I came to the conclusion to look at what American Horror Story shows and go with that. Essentially, what the FX channel allows for TV-MA rating. The reason for that is because HBO/Showtime TV-MA allows for more (Spartacus/Game of Thrones). With that in mind, that was the type of audience I wanted.

I think I saw a topic going into How much does the Author/Artist concede to the fans. I think if you are creating works for a niche audience, it is a harmonious balance. Now, I do not object if someone wants to see something in the graphic novels (i.e. topics, social commentary, or more burlesque dancing). I do draw a line at someone going "You need to stop all that nudity" because I am careful about it.

I have a friend who I shared my written works with. One thing she and I established along the way is how to determine to insert a sexy scene. One good rule we came up with: Can the story survive without it? Is it necessary for the narrative? Does it push the character from point A to point b? If the answer is no, cut. Otherwise, feel free to write and draw as you will while within the confines of legal requirements.:)

williamjbowles 2015-09-27 02:10:35 UTC #8

I think that's a legitimate question to ask.
Generally, I'd say if it's just a butt, and it's in a comical, non-sexual context, it shouldn't be a problem except maybe for kids-- depending on a given person's sensitivity and, again, context.
And it is never out of line to be considerate of other people.
I know this sounds like a cop-out answer, but it really just depends on how you feel. I haven't read your comic, so I don't know what the target audience is, and if there would likely be any little kids reading it. I don't think it'd be such a big deal however you handle it, so just just your own best judgment.

keii4ii 2015-09-27 02:14:31 UTC #9

Keep the NSFW tag for the readers who might be at work, stuck with a nudity-phobic boss. It's not that uncommon a situation, unfortunately.

eschaefges 2015-09-27 03:24:46 UTC #10

I always wonder about NSFW - what kind of boss allows you to read comics on their dime but objects if the comics resemble naked humanoid butts?

keii4ii 2015-09-27 03:29:59 UTC #11

Even during lunch breaks, you can't be lookin' at "objectionable" stuff. Unless you actually walk outside of the workplace for lunch or something.

eschaefges 2015-09-27 03:39:09 UTC #12

makes sense - plus yeah, your coworkers would gossip if they saw big butts on your screen for a second...

Stellamari 2015-09-27 04:12:10 UTC #13

I will not be turn off if there's random nudity in comics that is related to the storyline unless it's just putting it there for the sake of fanservice.

KrugosNavarro 2015-09-27 13:01:55 UTC #14

If it has a good reason to be there, then it doesn't bothers me. What I don't like is random nudity as fan service, when there's no reason at all to have it in the story or if it seems forced or makes no sense whatsoever.

TrustyShamrock 2015-09-27 15:21:32 UTC #15

wow thanks guys! theres a buttload of answers here! i wasnt expectin that.
so PRETTY much as long as theres context and its not for fanservice its ok. also try to make sure it fits the target aduience and add a NSFW tag for bossy bosses
thats all really helpful C: i think the main thing i gotta think about is my target peeps then. i was mostly going for a early to late teen group. but i thiiink they can probs deal with butts. thanks again everyone!

ConradComics 2015-09-28 21:19:56 UTC #16

I'm pretty much echoing most people:

Will some be bothered by it? Of course, because of the variety of people.

Will most be bothered by it? I don't think so.

Are there creative ways of censoring something that'll make the panel/page more interesting? Yes; well, I think there are. Recently, I used focus blur (I'm sure there's a more technical word for it) on a panel. I blurred the foreground object (the butt) and left the person speaking clear and crisp. I felt it made the panel more interesting to look at.

I don't think it would work on your page though, because the guy with the black circles is the focus of that panel and blurring would just obscure the circles, but it's just something I like to keep in mind. One can make a drawing more interesting and censor it at the same time.