Would you read a comic that starts with a NSFW page?

[alaingrey]

When I first started my comic here, I had no following, and I dont have a big online following on other sites. The first NSFW page was marked for an F-bomb, and it got 30 subscribers within a few days- there's definitely something about the 'dangerous' aspect of the filter that make people click and stick. I think the biggest reason to not make a first episode NSFW would be that staff probably won't use it as a daily snack etc. because its too strong for half the audience here. That said, the half that can read it definitely are more likely to click and see why something's filtered.

[miesmud]

@joannekwan @alaingrey Oh man, that makes me feel better. I was actually worrying about the community maybe being too pure for my curse words, violence and shirtless boys. I guess you really prove me wrong, haha!

@Shanny8 I never marked anything NSFW before, so I always saw it as a big thing?

Thanks for your feedback guys!

[UrMom]

Well, my comic starts with a NSFW segment, soooooo...

I don't see why a comic being NSFW would be a factor in anything, as long as it's interesting and the creator isn't just putting in mature content for the shock value. I'm sure some people would be deterred by it, either due to age or being more conservative, it can also depend on the content. My comic is NSFW for graphic violence and some upsetting subjects, along with a list of other things, and I can see how that would turn more people off to it than say, a comic with cussing or nudity. (Actually, why do people flag their comic for cussing? It feels like we've gotten to an age where saying damn, shit, and fuck isn't that big of a deal. But then again, I guess it depends on the environment you were raised in. Either way, it looks a bit silly.)

If you're going to make some aspects of your comic NSFW, own that shit, don't get into it halfheartedly. Also if it's bl, you'll do fine, that's like one of the most popular genres right now.

[miesmud]

@Bloomer Well yeah I'm not really affected by NSFW content here on Tapas tbh, but I can't think for others. Some people are already stressed out when they think they see a nipple, while others read hentai manga in the bus while others are watching haha

In my country foul language, and most nudity doesn't even get censored on TV. So if I see NSFW on something from my country, I will expect something hardcore. So I think it's kinda weird how some things are tagged NSFW on here just because of an F word.

Yeah I noticed the front page is basically 80% BL comics most of the time, why is it so popular?

[UrMom]

Yeah, I've got family like that. They couldn't care less if a guy goes topless or the see someone get beat, but if a chick shows cleavage or the part of her boob near her armpit, OH NO the world is coming to an end! In reality there isn't anything sexual about the human body, until that person is doing something sexual.

Pff, now here in the states nudity is considered more graphic than violence, which is... logical. -sarcasm-

I've read a number of reasons why people get into bl. Some like it because mainstream media is over-saturated with the same, generic hetero relationships, and it's something different. Some people like it for the idea of there being twice the penis, with no vaginas. Some people like the idea of a guy being in the heteronormative female role without worrying about sexist stuff happening to a female. Another one is so they can get their character abuse fix without there being a female victim.
I'm not as into it as I used to be, there's too much romanticized sexual assault, and fetishizing of homosexuality for my taste. But I'll sift through them every so often to see if I find any gems... and I guess I shouldn't talk too much since I make comics featuring LGBT+/MOGAI characters. Lmao!

[Mikayi]

I actually will read the little mini plot even before I read any comic. NSFW doesn't bother me. Cause sometime I find a comic even in the middle and it has that tag. I still read. I think the only thing that will make me not want to read is if it was straight porn, no plot. I like to read comics with good stories and interesting characters , I'll read a mix of genre .

[SpavVy]

Well, my first page is labeled NSFW and I'm still getting plenty of readers.
NSFW doesn't bother me at all personally.

[Kura]

NSFW is not a selling point nor a deal breaker for me.

Unless it's just straight up porn for the sake of porn, that's deal breaker. Especially when it's on a site that not meant to hold porn.

If I open a comic and the first 10 pages are 7 guys fucking in an orgy I know that this is not the type of content that I am looking for, because clearly introducing me to this fuckery (haha...) first is more important than introducing me to the actual god damn characters or story. It's just porn at this point, and I have no interest in porn. (also not singling out BL... this example just literally comes from one of the comics I opened not that long ago. My friends send the worst links by the way. Do not trust them.)

[indagold]

I don't really care, it's the comic that matters. if it's just some weird porno or a comic with pointless sex scenes I definitely would not read it.
On the other hand sometimes people put it on and it's barely PG. That makes me scratch my head.

[69Michi]

Like I started HH with just a chapter image of the main guy, naked but not showing anything really, labeled it nsfw, and had like 100 subs in two days.

I wonder if that was why my comic gets popular real quick too because my main character started out shirtless HAHAHA

Personally I wouldn't care if a comic starts out with NSFW or not, as long as the plot and art is good, I'm all aboard the ship.

Yeah I noticed the front page is basically 80% BL comics most of the time, why is it so popular?

I'm guilty myself for liking BL and definitely will check out any BL related comic, but to earn me as a sub is a different story. Maybe it's the fact there is no main girl that you can get jealous of (Why is she so dumb? What does he even like in her?) or maybe it's the fact there is twice hot guys on the screen, or maybe the sense of forbidden love is very intriguing. I'm not sure which category I would fit in I just know I enjoy BL and the interaction between 2 males.

[miesmud]

I start reading a comic when I like the art and if the story is interesting too I'll subscribe.
It's not that I specifically like BL, because I also like girl love and straight love, or even no love. I like anything tbh.
It's funny, I did a presentation on school about YAOI because I wanted to know why people like BL so much, but I couldn't find many specific reasons... I guess "you won't see this every day" is also a part of why it's so popular. I think it's very interesting and it really makes me want to have actual researchers find out why it is this popular!
My new comic has two boys as main characters because it's a big part of the plot. But I'm gonna use that BL tag on the bottom of my icon, because I know a lot of people here on Tapastic are crazy about BL haha. Maybe it will attract some other readers than the readers I already have on my other comics

[69Michi]

I did read some article about BL bk in the day. It's like straight guys who like lesbians, straight girls also adore gays, it's quite a normal thing tbh haha but the real reason behind it... welp, no one actually knows!!!
About the BL label sure you can do it! It will surely attract that side of reader for sure but do keep in mind though there are people who dislike the BL labels and usually walk away from it.
If you want to read more about this there is a topic discussing it here:

What do you think about thumbnails with "bl" label?

[UrMom]

Not meaning to butt in, but I have seen the types of reactions @69Erocento mentioned, it not only makes a good neon sign to attract but to also deter. If you're looking to try and wrangle a mixed group though, I've noticed putting both your main characters in the thumbnail does something.
No saying this to show off anything, but to report some interesting results. I recently replaced my old thumbnail with this one:

After using it I noticed my subs jumped from 60+ to over 100, and a little over half of them have been from the bl fan community. It seems that having two visibly male characters close to one another gives the look that your comic contains bl without saying what it is or isn't, and a few people have gone that route for their comics as well. I didn't actually intend for that to happen since my comic will forever be platonic, and I really wanted to put a new illustration I did to good use, but it's an interesting observation.

Try experimenting a little when you start posting, you might see some cool stuff.

[demthorshie]

I turned off my NSFW filter here on Tapastic, NSFW content doesn't really bother me and I would probably be interested in why the first page is NSFW, which would keep my eyeballs on your comic that much longer! I tend to like sexy NSFW pages rather than violence, but neither are a deal breaker for me.

[nattbear]

Sure, if the page convinces me or the story is interesting, NSFW doesn't really matter. Not everything are flowers and ribbons. But for me to like it NEED to be a reason for thing to happen. Not only free violence or free porn stuff.

[miesmud]

Oh wow, that article is interesting! It's true that BL is like a genre on it's own, which isn't really my taste tbh. And I really don't want my comic to come across as a cheap BL, my comic is a lot more than just two very pretty boys being unrealistically romantic, it's a rather serious sports drama about acceptance and friendship, the romance is only on the side tbh. (They are all pretty boys though, but that's more because I can't draw unattractive people)

Man, making decisions is hard.... I just want as many people as possible to read my comic BL is not really a big part of my story, so maybe I won't use the tag anyway.

And @Bloomer a bit random, but I need to say this, your comic looks super nice! I love your coloring skills Too bad I don't like drugs and stuff, but if you were to make another comic about a different theme I would totally check it out too!

[CelestialNavigator]

OF COURSE! It actually warms up the interest - what author has inside?
Sure nobody says it has to be anything sexy but murder or fighting is just as good!

[quakeulf]

I read anything as long as it's good, but if it's good is a whole other story.

[UrMom]

Huh, the whole bromance thing has been popular in Japanese sports cartoons as of late.

(They are all pretty boys though, but that's more because I can't draw unattractive people)

It's never too late to learn. ;;;;;; (If you're actually interested in drawing different features, that is. Most people aren't)

Pfff yeah, it's doesn't feature the most comfortable subjects. Thanks for giving it a go though, and for the compliment.

[Kura]

Like what was mentioned before, try making your series icon to show there is a close relationship with the characters. Just don't put the BL icon on it. The icon will display that the comic may or may not contain that content so curious fans of such content will give it a look, and because it doesn't have the BL tag it doesn't automatically look like a cheep BL. while for fans of cheep BL, tey will not feel like you are abusing the tag as an easy way to try and sell your content to them.

It's not as big as a seller as a BL tag, but it's a lot more honest to members on both sides of the argument. As NO ONE like false advertising..