Vera » 25 Apr 2011 » Reply

Well, I think that feedback (comments and all) can be pretty dangerous for stories that are updated regularily. It's just that sometimes readers are like "this is boring, change this and that!" and sometimes authors actually try to change what they're doing according to the taste of the crowd. And this is exactly what kills any decent story. Readers shouldn't always get what they expect or what they think they want.

areffd » 25 Apr 2011 » Reply

1. Wheel-spinning. I know it has to be a grind coming up with however many panels per week/month/whatever. I know there's the desire not to blow the story too early. But readers can tell when we're just being strung along. There's a certain well-regarded web comic that's been stuck in pretty much the exact same place for a couple of months now just reiterating the same relationships and situations, and it's getting really tiresome.

2. Forgetting it's a COMIC. Nothing turns me off more than seeing a comic where the wall of words is 90% of the panel, with a tiny little drawing scrunched in next to the word balloon. It's the web-comic equivalent of a 1970s Hanna-Barbera cartoon. If you're going to so completely disregard the visual aspect, just write a blog.

David » 25 Apr 2011 » Reply

Good question!

Assuming I started reading something because I liked it, I stop if:

1. It doesn't have an RSS feed and I forget about it.
2. I realize the writing is bad. Sometimes it takes a while for this to come through, but if a comic continues to disappoint me I eventually drop it. Examples: El Cuervo, Dead Heaven, Union of Heroes.
3. I get bored of it. (Which almost falls into the bad writing category, really)
4. There is a decrease in quality of the comic. (But I can't think of a time this has happened.)

Infrequent updates don't lose me as a reader, thanks to RSS.

Scott » 25 Apr 2011 » Reply

Lack of an RSS feed won't kill a comic for me, but it makes it very hard for me to keep up with it… but I'm a little more dedicated if I really like the comic.

I think the only time I consciously abandoned a comic was after the overly violent death of a main character in a comic that did not have a tone set for such happenings. (it was generally funny and light hearted) I did come back eventually but there was a major rift for awhile there. Surprisingly the fact that I announced I was done for awhile (that's how upset I was) actually caused a smaller bit of drama within the comics' comments, because up until that time I was a strong supporter.

So for me, any comedic comic attempting to go down too far a "dramatic" lane is a mistake. If you wanna do a dramatic comic, do a dramatic comic. Don't take a funny or light hearted comic and then try to go down drama lane with it.

Also, never do anything from DBZ or its ilk. That makes me barf.

Celtic Traveler » 25 Apr 2011 » Reply

I stop reading if:
If I get bored with the story
There’s innaproprate content
I don’t like the art
the author doesn’t post pages often

I’m happy to say that you’re webcomic does not fall into any of these categories:)

Kenneth » 25 Apr 2011 » Reply

Lack of regular updates is probably the biggest thing that drive me away; and lack of an rss feed makes me less likely to continue following it in general because I just plain forget about it. I generally find that I prefer stories to a series of singles, but if a the singles are funny/interesting enough, I'll hang around (see also: xkcd).

As for what draws me in, I need some combination of humor, a fascinating world/group of people, and/or a good story. Pretty art helps too, but imaginative, well composed art is more important than high resolution images that include every hair follicle and sunspot.

Spencer B » 25 Apr 2011 » Reply

not that i would want u too stop – getting on a role is a hard thing so please stay on. all u need for the animation is one empty scene and then add the character with a clear overlay, that all of it can take place in one scene. an infomercial and intro to characters or just a rant about how stupid people are stupid. that is all. but no need for it in earnest. we all know it is an eventual step… well maybe, years of success have proven your judgment what ever it may entail. good luck,

Scott King » 25 Apr 2011 » Reply

I have two big deal breakers when it comes to webcomics…

1) Lack or an RSS feed. Sounds weird but every so often I'll come across a comic I like and looks good, but it won't have an RSS feed. Since I read over 100 webcomics (Most I read cause I really enjoy them and others I read simply cause I think its important to stay up on what's popular and what's going on in the medium), I can't take the time to bother and check sites that doesn't have a feed.

2) Can't stick to a schedule.

*note: about 95% of what I read is considered "long form" and not a "gag" comic.

Mike » 25 Apr 2011 » Reply

It's important for the art to carry the narrative from place to place. You're doing a good job of that!

The only web comic I got kind of tired of reading after a while was the beautiful Phoenix Requiem. After a while it seemed like it was all dialogue and two people looking at one another. That, combined with the fact that the explanation of what was happening was very complicated, made me actually relieved when it ended.

Spencer B » 25 Apr 2011 » Reply

trav your comics are awesome dont change a thing i wish i could get them in motion. i know that is a whole other ball game. but i know you have the voice talent right in your own house. all u need to do is make a 5 min clip with sound. welcoming new readers to the adventures of bean. just an intro – u can play it at cons and use it to market new chapters. do exotic pans with theme music on selected frames. i have always been a fan of your art. you think it well. i hope to see the Bean explosion some day soon.