Thoughts on extra doodle /illustration in webcomics

Stellamari 2016-01-26 07:20:18 UTC #1

Normally, when I share my extra doodles with my readers, I'd include them at the end of the episode or create another episode for it (depending on how much I am sharing). So, as a reader, I was wondering how do you guys prefer the artist to do so without making the webcomic appear cluttered?

a.) Create a new series meant for sharing these extra stuff?
b.) Insert it at the end of the episode?
c.) Put it under a different episode?
d.) Share it only on profile wall?
e.) Other suggestion/ opinion.

AnnaLandin 2016-01-26 07:28:29 UTC #2

As a reader, I am against having extras/doodles appear in among the regular comic-episodes, because if I read everything in one go, I keep having my reading-flow interrupted.

I suggest either creating a new series for it, or posting it on your wall - or just linking people to a Tumblr where you post stuff.

WintreKitty 2016-01-26 07:31:42 UTC #3

I don't mind a short doodle at the end of an episode. Just one small one... don't do multiples where I have to scroll down to see all of them. I want to be able to read fluidly, like @AnnaLandin pointed out.

I prefer that extras are put in a separate series' or on the creators wall. I've never really been a fan of a full episode dedicated to these sketches. I sometimes find it disappointing since I'm waiting for the next part of the story (especially if the creator doesn't update very often).

Stellamari 2016-01-26 07:55:05 UTC #4

@AnnaLandin @WintreKitty Yeah, making the comic appear less fluid would be the last thing I want to happen to mine. I'll take the opinion into consideration, thank you so much guys!

gateofselidor 2016-01-26 10:39:17 UTC #5

I don't like it when authors create whole new comics just for extras. I barely have time to keep up with my reading list as it is, and I don't want to have two subscriptions for one comic.

I'm happy to see extra images at the end of a chapter, but not in the middle, as it disrupts the flow of the comic. Posting it to their wall works as well, as long as it's not too frequent. I also follow creators on Tumblr if I really want to see their extra art.

getsuart 2016-01-26 11:34:40 UTC #6

I like seeing them either on the creator's wall page or on a brand new serie for extras

AffectedMind 2016-01-26 11:44:26 UTC #7

I will be making separate series for extras and illustrations, a lot of my readers responded very optimistic to it, so I guess it's a good way to go ^^

zetina 2016-01-26 12:24:26 UTC #8

Same here! It's a good way to create a break too.

I wouldn't post random drawings and sketches though. Maybe bonus strips and self-parody. A character profile. Y'know, the kind of stuff you might find in a manga volume.

Kura 2016-01-26 12:30:00 UTC #9

I like them at the end of chapters, I don't like them in the middle.

On and off with the making a separate comic for them, I mean it's nice so it don't overcrowd the comic and I like going through them if I have time to waste and I wanna see more from a comic I like, but I honestly think that tapastic should develop a better system for these extras so creators don't have to register them as 'comics' when they are actually NOT comics.

Stellamari 2016-01-26 13:16:55 UTC #10

@AffectedMind It's great that your readers show good response to that! But for me, I don't think I have enough extra materials to set up another series just for it.

You know, sometimes I wonder if the extras I shared are just plain trash in the eyes of non-fans and what you said would be a good bench mark for me. I never thought of it that way!

PixyByte 2016-01-26 18:56:53 UTC #11

I'd go with inserting it at the end of an episode or make it it's own episode only if it has something to do with the next episode, as a sort of a "next episode preview" type thing. Anything else would disrupt the flow of the comic.

mac 2016-01-27 02:43:19 UTC #12

i dont really mind if an extra comic or doodle was put in its own episode as a reader,,, i think id get slightly off track if there were too many of them between actual episodes but if ive forgotten something, i can always read back, no big deal, yknow?

demthorshie 2016-01-27 02:51:25 UTC #13

I don't see any problems with having an extra doodle at the end of a chapter. Doodles in between episodes are somewhat distracting.

revzet 2016-01-27 16:10:43 UTC #14

Well I'm still trying to figure out how deal with in on tapastic, but usually on my comic's real site I post a filler, and then remove it and put it on an extra page so i's not in the main archive. Here on tapastic I may just post and then remove after the next real update as well I think, it gets the notification across but does not clutter the archive.

Choosybeggar 2016-01-27 22:43:03 UTC #15

My current feelings (subject to change) are more on the "it's okay" side. However, I know that it's against the rules of Tapastic to have completely unrelated or just semi-related doodles in your comic. Based on Michaelson's comment somewhere on this, I've come up with an idea that's not too far into the gray area, and I would personally find more or less okay in a comic I was reading.

Bonus doodles/comics/illustrations with my main character giving a running commentary, and showing his face in between the panels. Given that my comic will be centered around seeing the main character's face a lot anyway, there's not much difference in content. Problems solved, right? I know others might not be quite as happy about this, but what I'm imagining should be tolerable and within regulations.

Stellamari 2016-01-28 11:43:29 UTC #16

Whaaaaaaaaaaaaat ? I did not see that coming, to be honest.

Choosybeggar 2016-01-29 00:47:47 UTC #17

To give you a chance to see for yourself without my interpretation, here's the link. Michaelson has several comments in the thread about the rules, and it seems to me that the more your comic is regular in its content style, the more they don't want you to put in random things. But don't take my word for it, positive or negative.