Traditional comic page vs vertical page

[Mane]

So I've seen this discussion come up more and more recently. Ever since I discovered Tapastic and Webtoons I've been thinking about this new comic reading format. I can't quite get used to it and I fear I might become an oddity since I don't see that many stories anymore that follow the traditional style like me. Since I've seen people talk about Webtoons here so I went to check it out in hopes to maybe discover a new platform for publishing, but all of the series I see there are in the horizontal format. I figured I could just copy the pages under each other but even the panel structure seems different.

What's your opinion?

[joannekwan]

I personally dislike the webtoons format, too much scrolling just to get through one dialogue exchange. If you ask me, everything is read vertically, webtoons format or traditional page, you're still reading text and images left to right (or reversed), top down.

[dglisson]

I stick with traditional and the reason is just this: I'm working with my end goal in mind. My end goal for my comic Beast Bait is to have my comics in print in a collection and a more traditional digital publishing experience, so I do traditional pages. If my end goal were to get a huge webcomic following then I'd do the scrolling page format, but even then it really only works IMO if you perfect it. Here's an example that does that style right and has it down to a science using it to enhance the reading experience and not just as a gimmick: LivNPC

[Dariru]

I really like the vertical scrolling format. That said, I don't think it works with all stories. Things that are cinematic work better in a horizontal frame. But one thing I've noticed that works better in the vertical-scroll format is showing the progression of action or time. I don't think it will replace the traditional format, but the vertical format will be another tool we have to work with.

[Maxiachan]

I prefer the traditional comic page but only because I'm use to that format than the horizontal format. Like what dglisson said, I'm considering printing when I make my comics. So I go with a more traditional approach when I'm making comics.

[Silvo]

It works very well for fast pace action comics, and simple slice of life works. I find myself scrolling through large talking scenes because they're boring to read, but i think thats more about how its presented.

I find people who have insanity long scroll ccomics terrible because they don't have a break point to let me as a reader breath. But that is more of an issue with not understanding the format/medium on the part of the creator.

Edit: because its designed for a phone the engagement time is expected to be lessened vrs normal formats. You want to design your mobile game/comic to be able to provide brief periods of entertainment and long standing entertainment. Try to think of it in the context of mobile vrs pc gaming.

[maxzaguishi]

my comic has the classic style of page, but I have changing old pages to use the new style
https://tapastic.com/series/WHITE-PALADIN-

[fleetinginfinity]

I'm a fan of the traditional style, because I plan to, and have already actually done a print of my comic. (Admittedly it was just an ashcan, but still.) Anyone who does the horizontal style I think would have a hard time when it comes time to print their book, if they plan to print it anyway.

[monochr0m8tor]

i think you meant vertical scrolling format. It drives me insane sometimes like trying to read words without any paragraphs or page breaks. Even the good ones, the ones with white spaces acting as paragraphs or page breaks, gives me nausea from scrolling too much.
I read several webtoons myself but have to put it off sometime when I had butterfly in my stomach.
It's to cater the mobile audience I guess there's no easy way around it.
Damn I am already sea sick just by thinking about it.

[wbparham247]

I always used to do horizontal pages, but my first printed comic had the issue with pages continuing over the crease which is sorta annoying, so everything since then for stuff I'm gonna print has been vertical for that reason. Other that that, I love using horizontal but honestly love comics with both formats, it really just depends on the artist and style!

[Mane]

Fudge! Yes, I meant vertical D: Well, this is embarrassing...

[cheeidynherold]

how did you make them horizontal im confused on how to change the format. an example on webtoons is Yumi's cells. she has a side swipe comic and i wnat to make mine like that

[inkycharland]

I do too. I think it lends itself to bad storytelling habits. Layout and spacing are as much a part of the story as the art and writing. IMO, long format makes it easy to lose sight on how the page reads. (In general.) Obviously there are those that do it well, if not expertly. I think those that are good at it probably can do a good page layout in a more traditional style. Mastery of a skill transcends limitations, after all. I know I'm not good enough to tell a long format story, so I don't do it.

[cheeidynherold]

ok. you have used it before. do you know how to use it on webtoons

[BobbyjoeX]

personally, i hate vertical scrolling formal, i recently did a mini comic for my series (usually done traditional page format) and it killed my computer, i also dont know how to panel in the format and... i made a comic in that format and... dont like working on it...

[Beatrush]

Traditional format. Just makes thing easier when it's time to make a physical version.

[AceRagz]

I use both. I only use vertical on Tapas everywhere else I post my comic to it's in traditional format.