The New York Times Magazine has discovered Platinum studios. Writer Ben Ehrenreich seems to be fascinated by the fact that Platinum’s Scott Rosenberg made a movie deal for Cowboys & Aliens based on a few slim threads of a story—basically, no more than the title and a few character sketches, if the magazine is to be believed. If that’s true, maybe I should clear out my half-baked-ideas drawer and head West.

Ehrenreich’s article raises the question of what exactly constitutes a “comic” when he writes

For most of the intervening years, “Cowboys & Aliens” did not exist as a published comic. Platinum didn’t bother printing any of its comics, in fact, until late last year, when “Cowboys & Aliens” became its first property to exist in tangible, paper-and-ink form.

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When you think web comic hosting there are five names that come to mind: ComicSpace, Webcomics Nation, Smack Jeeves, Comic Genesis, and Drunk Duck. Eighty percent of the webcomics just may be hosted by these guys. Now here comes along the sort of news the corporate world would go crazy for but the government would fall apart trying to block. On October 29th Josh Roberts and Joey Manley announced the intent to merge businesses into one corporate entity. With the help of E-Line Ventures, a New Jersey-based ‘double bottom line’ early-stage investment firm, to secure the necessary funding and support to effectively merge and run the combined business. Here’s the best part of the announcement:

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Three members of Blank Label Comics are ending their partnership with Blank Label Comics to form a new collective, Halfpixel, along with PvP. Scott Kurtz, Dave Kellett, Kris Straub, and Brad Guigar will form the new group, previously a hub for Straub’s and Kurtz’s joint efforts such as their book “How To Make Webcomics” and the Webcartoonist Weekly Podcast. Apparently this has been in the works for a few weeks and true to BLC form there will be no webcomics drama. Brad assures us “Those looking for sour grapes or angry sentiments are going to be disappointed. We’re all still very much friends and fans of one another’s work.”

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When the Internet first burst into creation, there was about 25 seconds of awe before someone thought to themselves “Hey, I bet I could use this to make money.” 4.3 seconds before that, someone thought, “Hey I bet we could use this for pornography!” Fortunately, eventually people realized that the Net could be a great distribution method for some rocking comic strips. Making money has remained in the backs of peoples mind, and rightfully so. People invest a lot of time and effort into building a site and a comic, there’s nothing wrong with trying to get a little bit back for their effort.

There are many ways that cartoonists have tried to raise some money from their strips. These are just two of the more recent and interesting ones that I’ve come across.

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If you’re as curious about this whole DC Comics Zuda line as I am, then you’ve been getting the e-mail blasts from time to time.  Mostly consisting of “Hey, we’re working on it and it’s getting closer to completion” missives, these have largely gone straight to my Trash box.  However, the latest message relays that Zuda is finally ready to go.

Starting next Tuesday, October the 30th, the first Zuda comic will be presented for your constructive and/or destructive tendencies to vote on as you see fit.  After much speculation and derision, the Zuda machine will finally be put to the test and whether you see it as a boon or a bane to webcomics, you owe it to yourself and the community at large to check it out next Tuesday.

When it comes to the Interwebs, being part of a project does not necessarily exempt one from talking about that very same project. Extensively. For weeks. It’s called pimping, and I’m about to do it myself.

Tastefully Done, that deliciously wonderful calendar of nearly nude webcomics characters and creators, is completed and ready to be purchased at your local Lulu retailer. Brainchilded by the influential Michael Rouse-Deane of Webcomics-In-Print infame, the hit calendar is in it’s second year and not showing any signs of a dress code (outside the one big rule, no big censored bars).

After the jump, you can find out that the colorfully-blinding nudity is provided by:

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We all know that there is a large overlap in the Venn diagram of geekdom between comics and video games. There’s a good chance that you, yes you, who are reading this very article, own a gaming console, be it Sony, Microsoft, or Nintendo branded. Heck, I bet there’s even some who are browsing this write-up while using their game platform of choice.

Well, if that platform you’ve chosen is in the Xbox line and you’re also a fan of PvP, you might soil yourself when you find out the whole PvP gang has invaded your precious gaming space. Themes, gamerpics, and even the first episode of the cartoon series can all be found on Live as downloadables, provided you have the required points for each.

While I’ve never been one for paying for downloadable content (DLC), but the idea of Brent and Cole General Leein’ their way across my Xbox space makes me smile a small smile.  And, as with all things PvP, this is surely just the start of something bigger.

Now go! Redeem your points and brand your Xbox in the name of webcomics!

Manga is sort of the original webcomic, as scanlations were the only way fans could get their fix before manga went mainstream. Now that American companies are publishing manga by the truckload, you would think that scanlation would have fallen by the wayside, but you would be wrong. Only a tiny fraction of manga has been translated, and the demand remains high for the quirky titles that will never be licensed here. Also, some people are cheap and prefer to get their Naruto fix for free.

Fansubs are the anime equivalent of scanlations, and the anime companies have made the occasional threatening gesture toward fansubbers, copyright enforcement has been pretty desultory. But that may change: Continue reading →