What damages a comic's reputation?

[thomassayle]

usually i say if you do read my comic you're a loser cause my comic is terrible! (its a joke comic so thats part of the humor)

[shazzbaa]

2) If an author has not asked for critique or has specifically asked people to avoid certain topics -- or if people already know certain topics set the author off -- it's more than understandable if said author responds less than favorably to that very thing being brought up to them.

I do agree that unsolicited critique is rude, but while getting some rude critique and not wanting it might get you some haters, it won't usually wreck your reputation. (Here's one of my fav examples of Ryan North calling out a critique for being rude, without throwing a tantrum about it.)
There's nothing wrong with saying "hey, this isn't cool, don't send messages like this." But wasting a lot of time and effort following and fighting with trolls or unhelpful bad reviews means that fighting with people on the internet is the thing you become known for.

[gateofselidor]

These two are the most common ones for me.

1. Getting into arguments and drama. It doesn't really matter whether the creator is in the right or not, or who started it, but it ruins the reading experience for me, and especially if I'm following them on other social media, it clogs my feeds with negativity if there's a lot of arguing back and forth.

2. Very infrequent updates and/or lots of filler. As a fellow creator, I fully understand how this happens, and I don't think they have any duty to provide free content to any set schedule, but it doesn't change the fact that it makes me less interested in their comic, when I'm following so many others that do update regularly.

[jasgrove82]

was this something that happened to the creator in real life? it could have been his way of venting or dealing with it.
its a webcomic but its also communication with other people

[Aspie_Gamer]

No. As far as I know, Tim Buckley didn't draw from real life when he wrote the infamous miscarriage strip of Ctrl Alt Delete.

[hushicho]

Providing unsolicited criticism is something that opens you up for a lot of reactions, which can include stern address. As is often said, the road to hell is paved with good intentions; it doesn't matter if your intentions were the very best, if you're giving something unwelcome that not only wasn't asked for, but really can't be used.

I'm not saying that critique is bad by nature, but most who fancy themselves critics -- which would be just about everyone these days, thanks to the internet -- don't know a person or their work well enough to provide anything that person can really use, and more times than not don't show any consideration for the person's approach. There are also people who have been very badly abused by others under the flag of "critique" -- more than you might know -- who react very badly to anything close.

I agree, if you're publishing your work, you're opening yourself up to critique and analysis. Nonetheless, it doesn't have to be directly to the author and certainly doesn't have to be directly on the site of their work, especially if they've expressed wishes to the contrary. That's just part of being an adult. Arguments are arguments, fights are fights, but whether it's the internet or the club, people are going to -- and have the right to -- take exception when others do something that they find objectionable.

If that's all they do, then yeah, I agree, it becomes more about fighting than about making a comic. If they're calling people out or mobilizing fans to attack others, that's definitely not cool. If, on the other hand, someone has been treated in a way they dislike, then they have every right to stand up for themselves and, at the very least, correct people's behavior to something that they can actually use or ask them not to comment if they don't have anything constructive to contribute.

[Mharz]

I don't really the idea judging comics just because the creator has a bad attitude or something. If you don't like how the creator responds to things then just don't participate in the comments. Nothing will be lost and you won't get into arguments. Though you have to admit that some people (creators or fans) really go over the line because they're utilizing the so-called "freedom of speech" and because they have shields known as the internet, they're feeling pretty brave because you can't hunt them down.

Anyway, regarding the topic, stories that invokes hatred, discrimination, and terrorism is a big no for me. Senseless violence and gore are also no. Sexual themes without basis for the sake of "fanservice" are also no.

I don't mind infrequent updates since I'm the type who waits for the pages to pile up first before reading them as long as they announce that they will go into a hiatus or something. When I sense that the story isn't going anywhere then I'll drop it. Plus other aesthetic stuffs that I can't explain in words.

I don't know if answered the topic right. It was more like I answered what I don't want to read in a webcomic. Anyway, I'm gonna crawl back into my hole.

[UrMom]

Sorry if I miss the point with some of this, I don't quite get where you're coming from with some of it, also my grammar is really bad when I'm tired. To start off, I think I actually would agree with this:

There's nothing wrong with saying "hey, this isn't cool, don't send messages like this." But wasting a lot of time and effort following and fighting with trolls or unhelpful bad reviews means that fighting with people on the internet is the thing you become known for.

Yeah, unsolicited criticism can be met with a stern response and that person should be respected... but there's a difference between being stern and just throwing a temper tantrum, also I don't understand how your quote can apply to a comment that can easily be ignored, sure if it's someone(s) ganging up on the author to try and "help" them; is that what you mean? Cuz I wasn't even talking about that before. From how it sounds you seem to not like criticism of your work, which is fine since you're not being childish about it, but how do you know it's not helpful to anyone else?
I've seen a lot of author's and artists who've gotten unwarranted critique, and have found it useful, but the posts were constructed in a way that was meant to help that particular author.

I'm not saying that critique is bad by nature, but most who fancy themselves critics -- which would be just about everyone these days, thanks to the internet -- don't know a person or their work well enough to provide anything that person can really use, and more times than not don't show any consideration for the person's approach. There are also people who have been very badly abused by others under the flag of "critique" -- more than you might know -- who react very badly to anything close.

What do you mean "don't know a person or their work well enough to provide anything that person can really use", like how no one but the author knows how it looks? Or the story? Yeah, it's a given that no one but the author would know where their story is going, but that doesn't mean they did a good job of presenting their ideas and that other's can't see their flaws. Yes, someone giving critique can know what's going on enough to provide sufficient resources, which is up to the creator to find it useful.
What do you mean by "more times than not don't show any consideration for the person's approach"? LIke, I legit don't know what you mean?
I'd also like to pretend that I'm not too ignorant to understand when someone attacks another under the guise of "criticism" and how often it happens, I've gotten people like that and know what it's like, it sucks; but taking a breath and ignoring it is part of growing a thick skin. Also there is a difference between a critique of someone's work, and personal attack, your work isn't you (yes, you put some of yourself in your work, but it's still not you), I know you didn't say anything about it but I'm just saying as a side thing.

While I agree that yes, criticism doesn't have to be directed towards the author's work (although if you're literally talking about criticism towards the author, than yeah, that's horrible and no one should ever go after the person behind the work), there will be people like that; we're a self-centered species and it's part of our nature. I'm not making excuses for the person going against the author's wishes, but I'm just saying that whether it's directed towards someone's work or not, they have to get a thick skin because it's going to happen at some point. I'm not sure if you're trying to say I want to control how people react, I'm not? Personally I don't care what people do, I'll get uncomfortable about that person's work if they start acting like a huge child, but personally I just wanna defend something that's hated by the mass majority of the population.

I dunno, I see your points... most of them, but I guess I just have rose coloured glasses on. I've legit begged for feedback on my stuff because I know a second/third set of eyes can catch things I can't, and to a person like me who feels like they don't contribute anything in life, when I get a genuine 'thank you' from someone who starts using the resources I've provided and getting results they like; it's makes me feel like I did something helpful despite your response on how it's actually hurtful with the "road to hell is paved with good intentions" quote. So I'll back down on my end with an "I guess I agree to disagree", because I know from experience that we'll both keep our biased opinions, which will just keep us going in circles.
Also I don't want to continue to derail the thread. If you want to continue, we can do it via PM or something, sorry @azureXtwilight

[HVOICE]

I definitely get where you're coming from.
Although, I don't really have a problem with artists who are like "Hey, never heard of my comic? Well you can start reading it here-->[link]" You gotta advertise yourself somehow if you don't have the money to pay for real advertising. It's the way you go about it you need to be careful of.
I only put stuff like that in the artist comment for my own work, or on my own personal profile and comment signatures. If there's a group on deviantART that allows comic advertising in their blogs or something, then hell yeah I'll jump at the chance.
Noow, spamming artwork or literally commenting "hey check out my comic" on another persons personal page is a big turn off for me, and its disrespectful to the other artist.

[J.Lovelace]

@HVOICE
I'm cool with respectful advertising nod nod
When they say it like that, it's actually nice. They give you an actual choice, you can give it a look, but don't have to.
Telling people they're dumb just because they don't care/didn't catch up to the hot trends is shitty though >n<

Like omg, are you living under a rock or what? Everyone knows about eet
Well excuuuuuuuuuuse me princess.

[HVOICE]

I understood that reference!
Oh yes, totally agree with you. Absolutely. I would deal with the same thing with popular trends. People still jump down my throat for not watching Star Wars or whatever, and that is annoying as hell. I don't understand how insulting me is going to get me to like what they like.

[J.Lovelace]

@HVOICE
YAY! XDDD
I'm with you on avoiding the SW hype :'D

[vitamindy]

The one big thing that will turn me off from a comic/show/series is if the creator is an absolute dick.

I understand if a series doesn't update because the author/s is busy, especially with more lucrative projects because we all need to make a living. That's partially why I like Tapastic so much, I can subscribe to comics/authors I like and keep updated without having to constantly check their site for new updates (and be disappointed when there's none).

Fans being dicks is not the fault of the author/creator, unless said author is purposely using his/her fans to attack other people. Thinking back to the Steven Universe fiasco in particular, I still love the series even though some fans thought it was okay to harass other fans who didn't represent the characters in ways that they liked.

Of course, there's really offensive material (I count too much fan service as offensive) too that would make me stop following an artist/series. It depends whether it's intentional and whether the author is apologetic. I usually let stuff slide for the first few times, but if it becomes the pattern/norm, then I drop it.

[demthorshie]

I've been turned off from reading specific comics if the creator decides to focus on a controversial subject but do a terrible job of incorporating in to the story (example. unnecessary rape scene that does nothing to progress the story line whatsoever). Another thing that sort of pushes me away from a comic is if a creator spam messages me asking if I can read their comic. I usually won't read the comic at all if that happens :S...

[Bluejay]

I will happily wait for an update as long as I know it's worth it but not when the autor/creator is an ss . I agree with most people that the author/creator's attitude can be a turn-off. Oh, and when the story has too much filler. Especially if it doesn't help the story at all. (But then again I'm okay with it if it's funny and some reason behind by the author: i.e. like taking a break???... Idunno, I'm quite the hypocrite myself)

shivers It's todays norm of mindset that utterly terrifies me. I'm scared and paranoid thinking the jokes I want to make will offend someone. Or thinking of the right gender-pronouns. But, it also makes me angry because I know I'm not a bad person. Granted, might not the be nicest sometimes, but I have common sense. Yet, there will always be a person who will take everything out of context. shrug, if I accidentally put the wrong gender-pronouns, I will happily abide my mistake and fix it it--- but it doesn't feel nice when someone jumps straight down my throat for it, yea?

[Tweekling]

Basically everything Andrew Dobson/Tom Preston and Christopher Hart does and has done. I don't condone the ridiculous amount of backlash they're getting for their behavior now but damn.

1. Being a dick to fans. Like you have to REALLY be a dick. Not just something out of context, they seriously continuously have to be a dick and I have to see proof first because waayyyy too many times have I seen artists get BLASTED over a misunderstanding.

2. Personally attacking individuals. (Such as, when someone gives a critique said person -cough- Hart -cough- goes after their art and points out it's flaws in retaliation or laughs at them bragging about being a published artist and they're not hahahahahaha.) That kind of thing.

3. I agree with the spam messages thing. I totally understand self promoting but anyone who deliberately comes on one of my pages to advertise and try to get exposure from the people who follow/watch/sub me -cough- this happens on DA -cough- I do not read that comic. If it's some poor 13 year old just starting out making comics I'm not going to say anything... in fact I won't say anything to any of these people regardless but mannnn it doesn't make me want to read.

[bakasama25]

Andrew Dobson, now that's a name I thought I never would see here. That guy is an example of how NOT to be an artist. I'm not listing why he's a bad artist, just google his name and read the results.

[jordanthelass]

For me ...

1.) Following a "trend" such as that ridiculous April Fools day comic.
2.) Lack of consistent updates. Even if you miss a day, at least put in some filler to explain your absence.
3.) Not focusing as much on the art as the writing. There needs to be a balance between the two. I don't like when a comic is all scribbles and doodles.
4.) More on the author's part: If you've got a Patreon account .. don't be aggressive with it. For example, don't make your readers pay for answers to a Q&A, or content you won't release unless they donate, etc.

Now I'm the jerk. XD Teehee.

[Vikiro_Hop]

A lot of people covered what I was going to say, the short of it being when creators or fans take the comic too seriously.

The long story being Sinfest one of the first webcomics I fell in love with and the first to set me up for confusion and ultimately disappointment. The comic had been going on for a long time and I slowly slogged my way through it and even bought a couple of the books made of it, then when I caught up the author went off the rails a bit.

The author went from making a lighthearted commentary on contemporary ideals to basically blasting the reader with radical left rhetoric, confusing plot lines, and obtuse character development. It was a pretty quick and dramatic change too which pretty much flipped most of the characters on their heads and became a mess of apologies and condemnation. The author had always been left leaning, but never really took sides and made fun of everything. The humor was quickly replaced with venomous rants, and there I was trying to figure out what the hell happened. He posted a lot of strips basically mocking any fans criticizing his new take by labeling them perverts and bigots, and pretty much undid a lot of what made the comic fun in the first place.

Basically an author can do whatever they want with a comic I believe that. BUT taking established characters and tone and flushing it away so you can turn a your comic into a mouthpiece to voice your agenda is really irritating and stupid. I guess I'm just disappointed because I expected better.

Sorry had to vent.

I admit I'm bitter.

Apparently in recent comics its been toned back and such, but I think the damage has been done, and I would rather remember the comic for what it was rather than the mess it became.

[kristintipping7]

I agree with the venting about people the author hates thing wholeheartedly. The only time I can remember consciously deciding to unfollow a comic (aside from a couple I just got board with) was when an auto-bio comic I was reading slowly turned into a series of ugly rants. It was just page after page about people and things (mostly people) the author hated and why she was way better than them. It might have been fine if she had done it in a funny or clever way, but it just ended up feeling like I was listening to someone standing on a street corner and shouting at passers by. I can see how if would be therapeutic to write, but it wasn't very fun to read and just made the author seem really bitter.