Why We Don’t Like “Webcomics” at Zingerding
The concept of webcomics is what we are most passionate about at Zingerding. What we don’t like is the term, the actual word, “webcomics”. The quotes are in the headline for a reason.
As media migrates to the internet, there grows a rivalry between the classic method of publishing print comics and the new forms of doing so online. This battle is going on between newspapers and blogs, television and video sites, telecoms and voip, etc. It’s not unique to comic strips.
It’s not a novelty anymore to find anything online. There need be no distinction between a comic strip in a newspaper and a comic strip on a website. The term, webcomic, exaggerates that distinction. The craft and talent of a cartoonist and the final product are the same. The difference is the publication method. However, “webcomic” is a noun that defines the product, not the form of distribution. One can argue that the word implies the publication and not the art form, but let’s look at how it’s used. People read webcomics. They email webcomics. They post webcomics on Facebook. They laugh at webcomics. You can see how the term implies the product itself.
Wikipedia defines webcomics as comics that are published online (my abbreviation). Their definition rightly focuses on the publication but as explained, it’s not how the term is used.
So this leaves us with an inappropriate word that’s catching on. Traditional news media often likes to talk about webcomics as if it’s still a novelty that a comic strip is on the internet. They are pushing the distinction. Cartoonists have also taken to the term, partially from a time when it was a novlety, and are only pushing the distinction to their detriment.
Here’s why “webcomic” is harmful.
Readers know that what they see in the newspapers are ‘professional’ comic strips. They also know that it’s easy for anyone to post anything online and that the quality of content can be much lower on the web. When there is a focus on the distinction between the two, it will remain harder for mainstream readers to see beyond the “web” in webcomics, regardless of the quality of the strip.
It creates mental barrier to acceptance. For the highly talented cartoonist whose work is on par or beyond what we currently deem professional, the term is harmful. For the majority of cartoonists whose work is somewhere in the middle, who want a chance to share their passion through their art, improve their craft and build a readership, the term is also harmful. In context, webcomics are ‘lesser’.
The problem with “comics” in general.
Like “comics”, the word “webcomics”, is broad and creates confusion. It can mean comic strips, comic books, graphic novels, single-panel comics, etc. These are different art forms the same way that music and writing have sub-genres. Streaming music isn’t called “webmusic” and everything from blogs to online books to Twitter posts aren’t grouped under “webwriting”. They’re all referred to as their respective form. So just because a comic of any type is published on the internet, it gets unfairly grouped in to the greater category of webcomics. Let’s stop generalizing.
How Zingerding addresses “webcomics”.
We don’t. We won’t use the term. In our view, a comic strip is a comic strip, regardless of where it’s published. All cartoonists, from the seasoned newspaper artist to the newbie on their blog deserve to have their work defined for what it is. Comic strips are an art form we greatly respect and our aim is to elevate their perception. Zingerding will not make unnecessary distinctions with a word that doesn’t fit. So yeah, we don’t like “webcomics”.
Now tell us, what do you think of the term?
[...] explains why they don’t like [...]
I don’t know. It’s like splitting hairs. And worse you’re trying to overcome human nature. The word “retarded” started out as a well intentioned means of describing a set of peoples. It has since taken on a derogatory and mean spirited meaning of its own. Waving magic pixy dust of re-definitions isn’t going to change much.
And yet to jump in, the barrier to entry is an important point. As a whole it’s just less likely one finds bad print comics because there is so much at stake. Judgments have been made before the consumer even gets a chance! The largest possible audience targeted. Not much left to chance. Sure there are charity cases, as long as they are supported by big names, like Peanuts. I didn’t have to search far for that example.
I have a webcomic. Yup, I called it so. Because without the “web” part, I can assure you, you would have no chance of seeing the comic part. It’s not popular, and not that great. Its surely one tiny reason Zingerding doesn’t like what has happened to the word “webcomics” and I’m OK with that. If my comic somehow sullies the other great comics like Penny-Arcade or PVP-Online, it was bound to happen. Guilt by association. I apologize for my contribution to the problem.
Great comics will always be great. However delivered. And the other comics? Now you get more of a chance to read them, on the web!
I agree wholeheartedly. When I started cartooning, I didn’t even know about the word “webcomic.” It wasn’t until I began looking into forms of online distribution that I heard about the term, and even then, it made me feel as if something had been lost along the way.
I have learned to dislike the term through experience. Once, when asked what I did as a hobby, I mentioned that I published a daily webcomic. People tilted their heads in confusion, while others brushed the thought away. “Just another webcartoonist.” Now, if asked what I do when I’m not programming computers, I simply inform them that I am also a professional cartoonist. Nods and soft murmurs of approval tend to follow. It’s quite an interesting distinction.
The whole concept ties in with what Scott McCloud stated in his book Reinventing Comics… “comics [remain] relegated to non-art status by conventional wisdom” (pg. 3). It is my opinion that this same “conventional wisdom” is what relegates comics published in digital form as something less than a comic.
In that same context, a friend sent me a message the other day. He said “I need to figure out how to get you to write more [stories].” At first I thought nothing of it – clearly he wanted me to write more fiction. But then, not long thereafter, I responded “Isn’t my comic considered writing?”
I have seen many artists with equal or greater talent than many professionals in the field. I have dedicated much of my free time to the art of comics and graphical storytelling. Comics are an art form, just like painting or sculpting or writing a novel.
My appeal to the masses is this: Comics are art. Treat them as such.
Dragonaur… The point of not using the word “webcomics” is to take away some of the judgement out of the art form. Your strip is no bettor or worse than Penny Arcade, Peanuts or Mr. Rackley’s strip (who commented below you). They all may reach different audiences and have varying levels of popularity but each is no more relevant than the other. Your voice, humor and talent is just as important as anyone’s. Taking the “web” out of it levels the playing field for everyone, web or print. It may be splitting hairs but sometimes hairs need to be delicately split.
N. Rackley, great story! What defines a “professional cartoonist”? In comic strips, it used to mean only one thing – newspapers. That perception continues but we challenge that notion in an internet age.
Zingerding is very inspired by Scott McCloud’s theories. Part of his mission is to elevate the view of all comics as an art form. We’re doing our part for the comic strip itself.
Thank you very much, Steve. I agree with you wholeheartedly.
One of the biggest banes of newer cartoonists (I include myself in this category) is that we have to battle with “slots” in newspapers if we want to get into print. Of course, we’re competing with other tried-and-true revenue builders such as Pearls Before Swine and Dilbert.
That being said, the print form of newspapers has begun to perform rather poorly as of late. People… ironically… are beginning to read their news online more often now than not. But even so, news published on the internet isn’t called webnews. And the comics that these newspapers published when on the internet aren’t called webcomics.
Since these newspapers are struggling in the print department, they are finding it harder to “risk” newer artists and publications. From a business standpoint, I can understand why this is. From a cartoonist’s standpoint, it can be frustrating and disheartening.
I amused myself a while back by looking up “how to publish your comic strip” in Google. I came up with several “How To”s that said things like…
1. Build a Portfolio.
2. Show your portfolio to an editor.
3. Congratulations! You’re published!
Anyone who has tried to get into print knows that this just isn’t true. Perhaps getting into your high school newsletter or a ‘zine, but not into the larger publications. Which reminds me of the Zingerding strip dealing with syndicates and form letters…
So what do we do in the interim?
Well, do you draw comics? Then you’re a cartoonist!
Time for a silly exercise! Want your comics to be in print? Well, I’ve got a simple solution for that too. Click File>Print and select “Ok”. Walk over to your printer. Guess what? You’re a printed cartoonist!
Okay. What’s the difference between amateur and pro? I like to remember golf when it comes to this. What’s the difference between an amateur golfer and a pro golfer? The pro gets paid.
So what do you need to do to consider yourself professional? Sell something. Doesn’t matter what.
Okay, time for another silly exercise. Take that printout. Tell your friend that you want to sell it to him for a penny. He’ll laugh, but hopefully when he realizes you’re serious he’ll give you a penny. Hand him the strip. Congratulations! You’re a professional cartoonist!
Comics ARE an art form, yes. I read several good comics on the internet. Just as much as I read others such as Dilbert and Peanuts. Hey – Schultz won a Pulitzer prize for his strip!