Yes, the fateful time of year is upon us when another chapter of 6-Commando draws to a close, and as ever, is coinciding with a perception on my part of unreality as I go about my daily routine, podering at the back of my mind what to do next. Add to that a bout of insomnia from which I briefly recovered, only to be plunged back into its depths almost at once; a very long commute on one of the most underdeveloped mass transit systems in a nation of underdeveloped mass transit; a large amount of work at… well, at work; and a generally delayed springtime in New England that is leaving me feeling a little depressed – put that all together and it’s hard to keep my brain in focus.
So, although I know it’s unlikely that you’ll see this, tucked away down here, unless you’re getting the RSS feed on this (which I recommend, by the way!) I thought I’d seek a little clarity from the readership to help me sort out what’s going to happen next with 6-Commando.
That is NOT as ominous as it sounds, by the way, I promise. I’m not quitting or stopping or going on “the permanent vacation” so to speak, none of that. I’m simply trying to decide what the most productive thing to do next would be, and since you guys are the beneficiaries of my madness, as it were, I thought a little reader input might help. Yeah, that’s right, I’m opening up THAT can of worms. So for starters let me preface this all by saying that though I’m soliciting comment, I make not guarantees that I’ll take any suggestions – think of me as the FSR, not the UNA. Not a democracy. But I do feel a little torn on a few things, and so I’ll lay out what’s circulating in my mind, to wit:
- I’ve received the form email from the New York Comic Con informing me that Artist Alley registration is open;
- I’ve recently made alterations to my process and style that have changed the general tone of the comic, art-wise (on my end, anyhow);
- Chapter 2, though at an end, is not, as it were, “finished,” due to the computer failure in the first third of the chapter that left several pages incomplete;
- Chapter 1, though satisfactorily completed in full color and with all lettering and line art, needs a serious overhaul before press;
- I’ve assessed the likely financial situation for this comic, vis-a-vis the likelihood of being able to self-publish my desired “deluxe edition” of 6-Commando, Part 1, and it does not at present seem feasible unless I go for Print-On-Demand;
And so, with all that, I’d like to see what the general thought is on these issues:
- Is it worthwhile to try to print each chapter via POD as an individual unit?
- Is it worthwhile to bother rectifying the art for Chapter 1 before doing so?
- Should I bother to apply for space at NYCC this year?
- And perhaps most importantly, do you want to see Chapter 3 start up right away, or would you rather see Chapter 1 and 2 “digitally remastered” for what would effectively be a relaunch of the series?
I know this is probably all obvious to you but for whatever reason it really isn’t to me, so I’d like to know what the thought is. To say where I am at the moment, by way of comparison, my leanings are:
- No
- Yes
- No
- Maybe
So what do you think?
I’d have to say:
1. No
2. yes
3. No
4. Yes – starting chapter 3 before you remaster 1 and 2.
I appreciate the frank response – I lean in the same direction and it’s good to know that I’m thinking a little more clearly than I thought.
–M
I don’t really see a reason to rework earlier pages other than the ones who aren’t in color. Sure, you’re better now, but the first chapter isn’t ugly! It’s perfectly fine, and so is the second one.
Well I’ve already done a little editing to Chapter 1, but the early pages of Chapter 2 need a lot more work, as they’re at BEST half done. Ah, well.
I’m a great second-guesser when it comes to my artwork. Maybe it’s because I revise so much just for a living, in the studio where I work.
–M
I gather that your decisions regarding POD and working on previous chapters hinge on the NYCC question. If you were to go to artists alley you would want something to sell.
My question is, why go to the big show first? I just found out about a a Webcomics Convention in Norwalk, CT in October. The tables are $60 for the weekend and the convention is specifically geared towards what we do. If my calculations are correct, part 1 of Aquarium Drinking will be finished by then.
I THINK I am going to get a table, POD a handful of Aquarium Drinking Part 1, with unrevised art. I’ll label it as “the original” or some such thing and indicate that this could very well be your only opportunity to purchase a printed version of AD as it ran on the web. I’ll silkscreen a few t-shirts, maybe get some stickers made up. I have some and will have some more published works that I can sell as well. I also might burn DVDs of AD and sell them cheap or give them out.
The idea is more to get my feet wet, make mistakes and figure out how to work a con than to make money. Also, the other exhibitors will probably be a lot more laid back because of the decreased pressure so networking with them will be a plus. Also, I live in CT and would love have more of a local audience.
Hey, if you do decide to get a table at this con and print up some PODs I’ll buy one of your’s if you buy one of mine so, you’ve already made a sale.
Here’s the link to the Con. http://webcomicscon.com/
BTW, I want to see chapter 3 happening rather than refinement of chapters 1 and 2.
Well, the POD is pretty much what I think I’ll have do no matter what, at this point anyway – that’s based not so much on product as on cost/benefit analysis. To make an independent printing cost-effective I’d have to sell about 2000-2500 of them, requiring significant up-front capital. And frankly, the site does NOT get enough traffic for that, nor do I think I’m doing work that’s mainstream enough to attract that much custom at conventions on the back end. So given that POD is basically what I’m going for at the moment because of that budget structure, it made me wonder whether the single-issue idea might not be something people would be interested in.
I did NOT know about the con in Norwalk, which I will surely check out. NYCC is of course the “big time,” but it’s also the most visible, and the best place in the region (New England/Tri-State) to make a serious impression. But I’ve since calmed down about the whole thing – the hype gets you, then you let it go – and I’m definitely just going to focus on finishing the first book, in its entirety and to total “printable” completion. So first order of business (after a few days off) will be Chapter 3, then the Dreddit Eddit, followed by a print.
–M
I would say remaster chapter 1, 2 and 3 at the end of chapter 3, so you can do al de revisions for book one in one go.
Going to a con as a participant is something important I think, I have never done that myself , but it seems like a very good way to learn about who your readers are/can be and give a general idea of how selling comics works. But you need something to sell, so POD printing chapter 1 might be the way to go, maybe also some t-shirts like Chris suggested.
A very good idea. I admit it’s difficult to get traction on revisions when I’m still trying to come up with the right stuff to finish what I already have in front of me. So really, the best thing, as you say, is probably to suspend any revision until I’m actually focussing on the book itself.
Indirectly, though, your comment reminds me of something else I started but put aside for 6-Commando. I believe I will start it up again.
But it’s a secret. 😉
–M
I remember that! My lips are sealed sir 😉