Starting A Webcomic: Can Anyone Help?

[Lord Krunk]

All my life I've been wanting to write something. But not one of those godawful emo poems/fanfics/etc. that no one cares about, something entertaining that I can share and that others can enjoy. So I've decided to write a webcomic in the vein an episodic graphic novel.

Things have been going well, several chapters are written in full and my drawing ability has considerably improved in the last year that I think I can finally start at a reasonable level.

Of course, there are two issues that need to be resolved before I can fulfil my dream:

1) I can draw all right, but there's the issue of getting it onto my computer. To do so, I need a graphics pad. Does anyone know a good, reasonably priced one that I can get?

2) If I am to create a webcomic when I'm a broke teenager without a credit card, I need somewhere to host it. Do you know a free, available domain that'll ensure I can get some traffic?

Anyway, if anyone can help me with these problems, or give an opinion on the matter, please do. But please keep it civil.

Thanks in advance.

EDIT: 1 is almost figured out, but one question remains:

So here's two ones at alright prices with reasonable shipping to Australia (I think, it's pretty confusing):

http://www.amazon.com/Wacom-CTH661-Bamboo-Fun/dp/B002OOWC4C/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1263782474&sr=8-6

http://www.amazon.com/Wacom-Intuos4-Medium-Pen-Tablet/dp/B001TUYTZW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1263782940&sr=1-1

Which one should I get? Which is better for my money?

Also, if I pay for a host, what does that entail?

 

[comadorcrack]

But note one of those godawful emo poems/

I'd suggest Proof reading.

 

[Soxafloppin]

My advice, make sure its funny. That is all.

 

[Lord Krunk]

But note one of those godawful emo poems/

I'd suggest Proof reading.

Naw, good spot.

 

[zauxz]

2) If I am to create a webcomic when I'm a broke teenager without a credit card, I need somewhere to host it. Do you know a free, available domain that'll ensure I can get some traffic?

How about just posting them here? Create threads, make a user group... It's a start.

 

[Monkfish Acc.]

An alternative to the graphics tablet would be a scanner.
Although I suppose the latter could be more expensive, really.

Uh, you should probably do what I do, and check up the website of the nearest big chain computer hardware store.
PC World (Not sure if you have that wherever you are) was selling them from about fourty euros, I think.

As for the hosting thing, Keenspot claims to host comics for free.
Hold on, I'll get you a link...
Here: http://www.keenspot.com/services.html

 

[comadorcrack]

But note one of those godawful emo poems/

I'd suggest Proof reading.

Naw, good spot.

Never get better advice

2) If I am to create a webcomic when I'm a broke teenager without a credit card, I need somewhere to host it. Do you know a free, available domain that'll ensure I can get some traffic?

How about just posting them here? Create threads, make a user group... It's a start.

Actually, Good shout. Post them, and I'll read

 

[Lord Krunk]

2) If I am to create a webcomic when I'm a broke teenager without a credit card, I need somewhere to host it. Do you know a free, available domain that'll ensure I can get some traffic?

How about just posting them here? Create threads, make a user group... It's a start.

That's actually pretty brilliant. Of course, if the Mods allow.

 

[LeonLethality]

You can always use a scanner to get it onto your computer, but a tablet usually is better.

 

[El Poncho]

You could put them on Deviant Art I guess.

 

[SamuelT]

Well...My advice would be not to get a free domain. A name of your own always works better than a free one. But if you can't afford it over hre would be your best bet.

 

[zauxz]

2) If I am to create a webcomic when I'm a broke teenager without a credit card, I need somewhere to host it. Do you know a free, available domain that'll ensure I can get some traffic?

How about just posting them here? Create threads, make a user group... It's a start.

That's actually pretty brilliant. Of course, if the Mods allow.

Why shouldn't they? If your comics are any good, they will atract more people. So its a win win.

 

[Voodoomancer]

I think comicgenesis has a free hosting service.

And Yeah, a scanner is good if you prefer drawing on paper.

 

[Galletea]

To be honest, a good drawing tablet is almost impossible to get cheaply. I have a small wacom tablet, as they do make some of the best ones. However the jump from an a5 one like I have to the next size up is a lot of money. And drawing with a tablet takes some getting used to.

If you can get a tablet then do so soon, so you can get used to it before you try anything you want to share with the internets. Next thing is to think about who you'll be aiming at. If it's going to be full of in-jokes, then a thread here is probably your best bet. Probably easiest too. Then you could get some feedback before you took it more seriously.

 

[Daystar Clarion]

2) If I am to create a webcomic when I'm a broke teenager without a credit card, I need somewhere to host it. Do you know a free, available domain that'll ensure I can get some traffic?

How about just posting them here? Create threads, make a user group... It's a start.

That's actually pretty brilliant. Of course, if the Mods allow.

Why shouldn't they? If your comics are any good, they will atract more people. So its a win win.

I agree, sounds like a great idea, also any criticisms you get here will be honest, well thought out ones, not something along the lines of "OMG, HAX,UR COMIZ IS TEH BOMB BRAH!!!111".

 

[Jiggabyte]

Wacom Bamboo Fun and Comic Genesis respectively.

 

[WINDOWCLEAN2]

Read Yahtzees adivce on webcomics...it helps

 

[Lord Krunk]

You could put them on Deviant Art I guess.

DeviantART's really unwieldy though. It'll be nothing more than a hassle if I try to host a webcomic on it.

My advice, make sure its funny. That is all.

If it's going to be full of in-jokes, then a thread here is probably your best bet. Probably easiest too. Then you could get some feedback before you took it more seriously.

Read Yahtzees adivce on webcomics...it helps

I should have made it clearer in the OP, I'm actually aiming to have a plotline on a somewhat more serious note. I'm also not intending on making a gaming or joke-a-strip comic. I think the internet has enough of them, and anything I write will probably have been done before.

Thanks for the advice, everyone that has posted. It's very helpful to me.

Just some notes:

[li]I'll give Comicgenesis a look, it seems to be my best bet.[/li]
[li]I'll do a bit of shopping to find a tablet; it seems Wacom is the expensive way to go.[/li]
[li]Of course, posting them here will be a good idea as well (as I'm certain to get traffic).[/li]
[li]I need to iron out some stuff first (and actually buy + get used to the tablet), so you won't be seeing it for a few months at the very least.[/li]

To everyone that posted: thank you very much for your help. Your advice hasn't gone unnoted (especially that one about proofreading). Of course, if anyone else has something to say/add then please don't hesitate to.

 

[bcponpcp27]

Actually, if you have a digital camera, you can take good photos of your drawings (make sure they are good though). My college has to do that for large piece of artwork because big scanners cost hundreds of thousands of dollars.

 

[Starnerf]

I have a Genius tablet that is pretty nice. It was $50 on Amazon. I definitely prefer drawing on paper, though. To me, a tablet isn't all that useful unless you can see what you're drawing on the tablet itself. But of course visual tablets are massively expensive. I generally just draw on paper and scan it in.