[SURVEY] WEBCOMICS VS PRINT: What do you think?

[moaharbour]

Hello Tapas! I am a humble high schooler currently writing my own research project specifically on the differences in fandom engagement between the print comic fandom and the webcomic/webtoon fandom. To get a bit more broad, I'd like to determine the factors that causing a fandom to grow. I am in desperate need of participants to take this short survey -> https://forms.gle/BEiWcHpCo1Lh59yZ8

Also, feel free to answer these questions by replying to the thread:
How did you first get into webtoons / print comics?

Describe a positive / negative experience you’ve had within the fandom.

What keeps you engaged in the community? Interacting with readers? The stories? Etc.

Why do you prefer webtoons or print comics?

Anything else you would like to add?

[Lensing]

-What is your gender?

Male

-What is your ethnicity?
White / European

-What is your age?
50

-How did you first get into webtoons / print comics?

I was born in the 70s, every kid in school was reading comics. They were
sold in supermarkets. It was a medium as normal as smartphones nowadays.

I was only reading printed comics but then got into webtoons some years ago
through social media (instagram)

-Describe a positive / negative experience you’ve had within the fandom.

I´m not sure what that means. No positive or negative experiences with a fandom.

-What keeps you engaged in the community? Interacting with readers? The stories? Etc.

I like that basically everyone can publish, this means a large variety of stories which doesn´t
depend on the decisions of publishers. Publishing goes fast online and it´s very direct.

Why do you prefer webtoons or print comics?

I prefer printed comics but it depends on the story. I mostly read comics because I love the art,
it looks better to me when it´s printed. Some comics work perfectly as webtoons, especially short
meme like funny webtoons. I don´t need a joke webtoon series which is drawn digitally as a printed version.

Anything else you would like to add?

I don´t like the online censorship how it is right now (naked bodies, sex and erotic) and I see that as a huge
problem for the art form.

[moaharbour]

Thanks for your response!

[kyupol]

How did you first get into webtoons / print comics?
Print comics - I was a little kid in the Philippines wandering around a tricycle station. Saw a vendor selling comics. Caught my attention. Then the rest is history

Webtoons - I was a college student and needed to pass rime in between long breaks. Some days, class at 8 am then vacant the whole day then next class at 3 pm. 9am to 3 pm. 6 hours to kill...

Describe a positive / negative experience you’ve had within the fandom.
Positive - met interesting people online. Became close with them. Met my ex wife from reading webtoons and browsing art on deviantart lol

Negative - with friends, come enemies. Just like in schools, workplaces, etc, you simply can't get along with everyone. Believe it or not, I've had some death threats and harassment when I spent more time online.

What keeps you engaged in the community? Interacting with readers? The stories? Etc.
As an author, my fans and friends always engage me.

Why do you prefer webtoons or print comics?
I prefer webtoons because I can read them on my phone

[jwabeasley]

How did you first get into webtoons / print comics?
I was avidly reading webcomics as soon as I was allowed to browse the web on my own (mid-2000s).

Describe a positive / negative experience you’ve had within the fandom.
I drew fanart for a fellow comic creator and then she made some right back!

What keeps you engaged in the community? Interacting with readers? The stories? Etc.
Creative, unique stories, great art, community with fellow creators.

Why do you prefer webtoons or print comics?
I prefer page comics to scroll comics by a country mile, and print comics are better if I can get them. Having the physical book is great. What I like about webcomics is that they have an indie creator with a unique vision and style and they tell stories that aren't just superhero, violent horror, or autobiographic (those are 95% of the non-manga print comics at my local shop).

Anything else you would like to add?
You might be overestimating how much 'fandom' there is for small indie webcomics! I've liked many webcomics but I have yet to see something like a dedicated fan page for all but the most popular webcomics.