Why are so many comics just 1 or 2 pages per episode

[thedude3445]

I get exactly why, though I do prefer longer episodes when we are talking about webtoon style series. 20-40 panels is a good spot, or even the ultra long 70+ panel episodes as well. But, those are very difficult to do for one person working by themself and not making a living wage off their work! So single page updates are just fine, then.

[Kaydreamer]

Personally it keeps me more motivated when my updates and schedules are by pages instead of chapters. I have ADHD my attention span is horrible and I actually really struggle to keep my focus on my comics even though I really want to make them and I really like them. The more often I see engagement, the more motivated I am to keep working and not get distracted by something else.

Hah, yeah, same! My ADHD was a big reason I chose weekly releases. I think I'm at the point now where I could manage bi-weekly updates because a) I've settled into a steady routine with creating my comic, and b) I have a readership to hold me to account, so I can't just get bored and stop making it. But I get so excited for Wednesday every week, because I can read the comments and see the engagement and receive that sweet, sweet dopamine... It'll suck only having that once every two weeks.

[darthmongoose]

I'm an action comics creator and I upload pages originally made for print and spread out a bit for long scroll stacked in pairs. I respectfully disagree about there being a problem with pacing caused by not being long scroll. I actually find long scroll action comics to often lack rhythm and punch, they can often either become floaty and timeless or just an overly long, increasingly tiring slog of constant fighting.
I personally prefer the punchy feel I get with natural lulls and high points and "punchlines" or "beats" by working page by page. The non-stop action in Michael Bay Transformers movies may feel exciting when you're in it, but it leaves no lasting emotional impression because it lacks a clear rhythm, or break points so that the audience can comprehend what just happened, or parts with lower intensity that make the high intensity moments stand out. Like the gavel bashes followed by a music break in the Phoenix Wright games, or a return to the tonic note at the end of a musical phrase, I feel like a page break can be useful to punctuate a scene, giving structure.

But more than that, my comic is in full colour with moderately detailed art and I'm working solo. It takes like... I dunno 6-12 hours per page. I can either update a couple of pages a week, or I can update like... once a month with stacks of 8 pages. More updates means more visibility means better growth. I can't afford to employ a person to speed up production, I don't want to compromise on the quality of the pages because I'd like to print my pages as a book, so I want them to look at least decently good and finished, and I know from years in webcomics that colour is better at building an audience. So... yeah, this 2 page stack is currently the best format I've found for pleasing fans, being mostly feasible for me and staying fairly visible.

[sushy00]

My attention span is really short so I prefer short episodes. My main comic is a short slice-of-life comic and there it makes more sense to just have one page per episode.

[SarahMarie]

I am going with two types. My first comic "Milord and the Tailor" takes a lot of extra work. Its more of a labor of love with traditional nib pen inking and a lot of colorful characters. I do a once a week update on that one. I did the same for "Red Kettle Spell Shoppe."

For my soon to be released webcomic "Insectis, it is the first time I am doing a scroll comic style. I believe I am doing 12 panels per update so I can get into a weekly update on it without being overwhelmed. I want to be able to get into a habit of weekly updates. I'm a one woman show so I need to get things done when I can.

[Jenny-Toons]

Everyone else really hit the nail on why: if you're not getting paid to upload (or getting paid enough to make it worthwhile), you post whatever you can. With that said, I'm going to throw you all a different answer:

I prefer updates that have good pacing.

This can mean a couple of things: something new has happened in the story, we've closed a scene, we're starting a new scene that carries to the next update, we learn something new, etc.

All in all, I want the story to feel like it's moving.

You can argue 1-2 pages can't do that, but I will also argue an update with 14 pages can't do this as well. A lot of webcomics (especially featured webcomics) will have 60-70 panels an update...and the story is moving at a snail's pace. Meanwhile, someone else who knows how to pace can keep the plot moving with just 10-15 panels.

The amount of pages can't fix bad pacing.

So whenever someone is able to have good pacing and move through scenes, I don't care about the amount of pages. It could be 1 page -- has good pacing? Then I don't care.

Side note: Also remember genres can affect the amount of pages/panels. A comedy doesn't need 14 pages/70 panels. A horror might need more than 1 page/10 panels. Again -- another thing about pacing.

[ArhyaM]

I agree with you on that.
There are some stories with single page updates that keep me more interested than other with longer updates.

It's more comfortable having a rather long update in terms of page-loading and so, but if there's nothing happening (or absolutely everything) I get bored and start scrolling down as fast as I can to see where it ends.

To me, a good update is that one that has things happening in the right amount: you can relate to the previous updates, you learn/discover something new about the story and you want to know a little more next time. No more, no less.
That's pacing, and it can make a simple story great!

[potatogirl]

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[Ender_Books]

It depends on what kind of book they are doing and what there story line is. If they are telling mini storys, a short section of a hole, small story is okay in my opinion. If you have a comic where you do plain art, without any storyline, its also understandable, because you are just doing art and do not have a specific story going with several pictures needed and such. If your doing a full on story though, I would say it is good to have AT LEAST 6-7 pages, if not more.

[Kevbrinx]

I agree with @Rhonder here.

Time management and artstyle complexity are definetly two things to take in consideration.

Personally, I want to try to upload "bits", small pieces of the story similar to single scenes in storyboards or movies.

It's not necessarily about money or engagement the reason why artists use this upload schedule.
Sometimes it's just not realistic to upload entire episodes/chapters when you have a job or school. And even without them, that's a huge amount of time spent in front of a screen.

[Iris-Grimoire]

I'm sure no one is satisfied with only a single A4 page a week since we can't flip them like a book, but it's free and it's thankless. I always try to merge episodes in interesting points like the start of chapters, but guess what - doing that cut my buffer by several weeks and it's not fun knowing that I'm less than a month away from running out of things to post, and my injury makes art really slow as is.

As a reader, my favorite is 2-3 at a time just because you can scroll a bit and be surprised nicely by the progression, but as an artist I wouldn't ever expect that out of anyone, I already think it's witchcraft when someone has enough months ahead to post twice a week.

[Inspector_Spinda]

to add to what everyone else is saying. there are different types of comics. not everything is action fantasy. i personally think a slice of life comic or gag a week would benefit nothing from being in the long scroll format.

[noenoh]

Im going to add this about the wise use of the area where you are drawing in (either it is 1 page or a long webcomic episode) the layout

[MTDG]

• As a reader, I tend to devour the series I start to read. I easily get engulfed by a story if I fall in love with it, so I want to read more and more in fast, full immersione, lengthy sessions. I can't help it, I'm greedy... But that's why I prefer to read series that already came to and end. I'm very bad at waiting for weekly updates, both long or short. If I have to choose, according to what I said, I'd prefer medium or long updates. Most of my nerdy friends are like me, to be honest, and I think this applies to the average reader who's unaware of what happens behind the scenes.

• As an artist, you already know the problems and issues of working alone on such a hobby. The same goes for me but I also want to keep in mind the needs of the reader, that's why I'm working on a huge buffer before start posting (at least 1 year worth, if I can resist the temptation to anticipate it). I'd like to submit 4 vertical pages a week. Not too many, not too little. It's a lot of work and exposure will be limited but I think that updates with multiple pages can help appreciating more a story: you can remind the readers what happened before with brief mentions and you also have the time to fully develop a scene.

Besides, many users in this forum say that you shouldn't publish webcomics for the numbers, the exposure, the fame. That you should do it because it's something you love. I do believe it too so, to me, it's not such a big issue if I don't appear in the Fresh page as often as others. I'm quite convinced publishing multiple pages a week creates such an interest in the story so much so that it pays back the sacrifice.

At the end of the day, it's your choice.

My choices are usually wrong, hehe. But I took this decision and I can't wait to implement it and see what happens. But, right now, I must work hard to make it true. The anticipation is enough to keep me motivated.

[R.n.P]

Slice of life i can see being really short, it tends to work better that way but if a slice of life or comedy can make long episodes I'd be pretty impressed with it more, even if it has to be monthly or takes long update times
As long as a story is interesting I will stick around

[rajillustration]

You could always subscribe and binge it when there's a few more updates. Remember you're reading a story in progress. It's not done yet.

[sarahmcsquish]

I personally can only achieve uploading 2 pages weekly. I get that's not everyone's favorite amount to get, but it's that or my readers have to wait a month per episode.
Small updates weekly generates way more views, likes, and subs, versus large monthly or even biweekly updates.

[R.n.P]

true true
I dunno its probably just me being selfish, the authors probably have heavy schedules other than the comic, but I'm more than willing to wait to be honest, as long as its interesting afterall its free, it just feels way more satisfying for me when i read a long episode

[Kaydreamer]

I prefer updates that have good pacing.

I agree, though I do want to add that (as you pointed out regarding genre) pacing preferences differ from person to person. I find a lot of comics are too fast-paced for my tastes. Not just webtoons; published graphic novels as well. When I find a comic artist willing to take their time and let a scene truly breathe, I treasure them. The creator of The Croaking gets this pretty much perfect for me, along with the creator of Punderworld + Blood Stain.

That's very much my taste speaking, though. I need immersion when I read, so a slow pace which lets me sink into the ambience of the story is my jam.

You could always subscribe and binge it when there's a few more updates.

I tend to do this for series I follow which have short updates. I'll often circle back to read it once a month. I'm not sure how sustainable that will be as I follow more and more comics, but we'll see!

[Grhe]

For me... I got no money and very little time, so I post one page whenever I can.