04.21.09
First, I'd like to direct your attention to the right side of the site. >>> See that shoutbox? It's going bye-bye. The comments have finally been scripted into the news section, so it has been outmoded. I plan on putting something in its place, although I'm not entirely sure what at this point. I'll think of something. Perhaps links to bonus content...

In other news, I am tentatively scheduled to appear on this Thursday's podcast on TGT Webcomics. If this changes, you guys will be the first to know. Otherwise, tune in to the TGT webcomics podcast 9PM EST, 6PM PST.

And now for a rant. I think I need a special rant section. This news thing is starting to grow into more of a rant...

Print comics are starting to make me hate them.

First order of business, Non Sequitur's Wiley Miller is a dick:


You might recall Wiley Miller as one of the print editorial artists in last month's humongous catfight between webcomic artists and print editorial artists (check the comments section). Well, after the dust settled Miller had a parting shot for my kind. Apparently, we webcomic artists are "stupid" for putting our content on the web for free. Ironically, this message was brought to you by a webcomic on the internet for free. Thanks, newspaper website! No, I am NOT linking to you, as increased web traffic will no doubt increase your ad revenue, allowing you to further subsidize this whelp.

I don't know Miller personally, but I take his commentary on my business model as such. I am not stupid. I am free. I am free from the stranglehold of some syndicate/publisher breathing down my neck. I am free to do whatever I want with my content. Just because I don't make as much money as Miller does doing this, does not make me stupid. If nothing else, I'm the smart one because every single penny I make from Marsh Rocket goes into MY pocket, as opposed to some faceless syndicate. The same goes for every other webcomic creator out there.

The bottom line here is that this is a guy who wants to hang onto his way of life when it's going down the tubes, and his method of coping is to drag down who take the road less traveled. Sorry, Miller, but you have already lost. The syndicates in which you place your future are the very people putting your content on the internet. For free. For me to poop on pirate and ridicule. So, there is no point in railing against the posting of free content. It's already happening and it can't be stopped. The people have spoken.


1.  Prestwick : Read it on the way home from work and couldn't help but laugh to be honest. The amount of vitriol that these people spout towards the web is hilarious and the inability to change or even explore this 'free' thing even more so.
Posted: 4/21/2009 11:17:57 AM

2.  RGE : Oooh, you hid a rant here too. And I was just going to suggest a huge, honking tower ad in place of the shoutbox. I mean, who doesn't love tower ads? :-) As for Miller, it would seem as if he values money more than freedom. Then again, perhaps he doesn't feel restricted by whatever guidelines his syndicate and editors use, because he might be safe for public consumption by default. That breathing down his neck? It's just his agent telling him how much money he's getting. But I'm with you. Freedom is more important than money. That's why I read webcomics. With the artist/writer being their own editor and publisher, there's no telling what might happen. Then again, I haven't read a lot of printed comics in a while, so I might be surprised by those too.
Posted: 4/21/2009 11:23:48 AM

3.  kat : You said it. Look at people like Penny Arcade or PVP. They started out as free content and now they are probably making more $$ than that guy ever did. That's the great thing about the web. Everybody has an equil chance of making it big. This guys is definately out of touch. :) -kat
Posted: 4/21/2009 12:58:05 PM

4.  Prestwick : I'm going to be a real knob and quite a hard-core conservative Norman Tebbit: "I grew up in the '30s with an unemployed father. He didn't riot. He got on his bike and looked for work, and he kept looking 'til he found it." Now work with me here as I'm going to adapt it to this current argument. The web is about hard work. To get the dough, you need to work hard. My father is in his mid to late 60s and he didn't complain about the changing nature of the world or the economy, he got down to work and changed with it. He runs a successful web driven business but only through hard work on the web to drum up business. People tend to buy their chocolate from the web than from the high street/main street ;) The message is simple: if you want work, artists, then get on your bike and find it!
Posted: 4/21/2009 1:28:13 PM

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