Online manga?

[Ikari_Asuka_Langley]

:devil: OK I know alot of us out there are interested in breaking into the sequential art field in here right? Well I propose an idea... why don't we do something online that will knock the socks off prospective companies... it will be great practice and hopefully something great to add to your portfolio as well... so any ideas people?

[Fairybane]

Interesting that you brought this up. I myself have been hard at work preparing (concepts, character design) an online (daily, bi-weekly, or whatever) manga. I really haven't seen all that much online manga, and this leads me to believe that there is an unfilled niche out there. The closest I've seen to one is 'Tokyo City', and that's more of a comic then a manga...

Does anyone know of any REAL online mangas which I could check out? Thanx for your time :)

[eva2000]

well all i know of is heart havok's upcoming Animeboards Manga and Nairohe/Fairybane/Yellacrakka's AB Comic :heh:

[Ikari_Asuka_Langley]

hmm... I have alist of links on my brother's computer I will post some of them later... And you know I thinkt hat the AB parody should be added too.. I mean maybe it should only be sort of a central indew page to the online cimics of AB members but I've been working of rough designs and story ideas for about a year now... and as soon as my anatomy skills improve some I'm going to start drafting it. We should try and get a list together of people who are currently attempting to break into the comic business... and maybe we shoudl talk to the fan-fic people for those who have the drawing skills just not the story layout ability ne?

[Fairybane]

Originally posted by Ikari_Asuka_Langley
I've been working of rough designs and story ideas for about a year now... and as soon as my anatomy skills improve some I'm going to start drafting it.

EXACT same boat as I'm in :)

I used to want to be a comic book artist, but...I hate to burst your bubble here...the comic industry is going down the tubes. It's a constant topic among all American comic book artists. I dunno how the condition is in Japan, but here in America, sales have been declining steadily, and prices have been creeping up.
That's one reason I've been interested in online manga...many online comic artists have somehow managed to squeeze a successful paying career out of their daily online work, but so far I have only seen it applied to humor comics strips. Call it experimentation if you will, but I want to see how a serious mecha manga would fare out on the net...

[jackal]

I'd be interested but I don't know if I'll really have the time once I go back to school in two weeks.

Yes the comics industry in the US to my knowledge isn't too healthy (who knows why? I know people who spend $100's AUD a week on comics) and industry-wise, it is almost non-exsistent in Australia aside from afew independent releases which hardly get noticed. However, as far as I know, in Japan, nearly the majority of people read manga. So if you make it big there, I think you'd be set for life.


I have plenty of story ideas (I write them in my spare time) but I don't think I'll have the time this year. But who knows? Let me know if something definite will happen:)

[Yui_Reborn]

Err, I know of MegaTokyo, but I'm not entirely sure that that's different from Tokyo city. Even so, that's more of a daily than a comic book style comic......I've yet to find any of those, or any that were worth looking at at any rate.

My project is (ideally): a monthly 22-page comic, done in a very similar manner to a print comic or manga, but maybe with some allowances made for the difference in format (page layout should probably be different on a computer screen.) I won't get into the intricacies of my "aeka project", because that's all content-oriented.

On the site there would be:
-a section that goes in depth about different aspects of the comic with sketches and commentary, including:
-characters
-locations
-technology
-weapons(if applicable)
-costumes/clothes (can you say "kero-chan check?")

-a LARGE image gallery, like the kind you get on popular anime sites with Desktop wallpapers, featuring all the characters from the comic in artwork that both further illustrates the plot and some artwork that's just kind of umn, there.

-Short animations of the comics characters (tee-hee I already have one of Aeka).

-fan participation-fanart, fanfics, fancomics even.

Basically, like the best anime sites except the site wouldn't be paying tribute to the comic, but the comic and the site would be one cohesive package.

That's my ambition anyway.

[jackal]

That sounds very good. Nice ideas. So how much would it cost for someone to start something like this?

[Ikari_Asuka_Langley]

:devil: yeah the whole fact that the paper comic is declining is why I wanted to look into an online comic company to begin with... it would be alot cheaper to do and on top of that you have alot more of a say-so as to what it includes... but Yui-sama you're idea is the same for mine as per a site layout... I hope that perhaps the consolidation of at least links to individual comics would help to genrate traffic and a fan base too... I want a great and all inclusive site for my comic and I know everyone else wants the same... theoretically we could use a basic layout for each pae (at least feature wise) and go from there having each storyline support itself in it's own merrit... and considering that we all come form a very strong online community as it we will have an excellent support base for each other ne?

[Fairybane]

Uh...Yui, don't forget the most important section...

-merchandise

[Ikari_Asuka_Langley]

@_@ ooh merchindise *drools* um... yeah i think tomorrow when i'm a little bit more co-herent I will come up with ideas about hosting services... but as for now I'm going to bed to drool over more merchindise.

[Yui_Reborn]

Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees, Aeka T-shirts! Aeka coffee-mugs! Aeka Wallscrolls! Aeka resin kits! A "How to make Aeka in 3D Artbook"..................

*sanity grudgingly returns*

My main problem now is that I don't know where to start.....originally, I had thought that working on the site before drawing at least some of the comic is putting the cart before the horse, but I'm re-evaluating that. Right now, I have a LOT of material that's floating around in different sketch pads and my head(duh), but I'm kind of not sure about any of it.....it's like there are a million possibilities, but I'm not sure I what would go best in the comic. Like, I have characters without names, different attributes that I want to use but not for which character they go with, ideas for locations but no idea how they would play into the main story, etc. Having to lay it all out for the site would force me to commit to things finally, so that when I start drawing the comic I'm not like 'now who did I decide this character is going to be again?'

So I'd like to register a domain and start adding all that sort of content over the next few months, then hopefully start drawing the darned comic over the summer when I'm not in school (another duh). The problem is I don't know html and I'm not sure if it would be worth it to buy all that there fancy web-editoring software. I had thought of teaming up with someone who does web design, but then they might expect me to pay them or something icky like that:heh:. Plus I wouldn't have things looking EXACTLY the way I wanted them.......and I'm picky!

So basically I'm still hella confused:) What are all of your plans as of right now? I mean, I think we all basically want the same thing, but how are you planning to get from point A to point B?

And as to some kind of link exchange/partnership yeah, I think it would be a great idea as long as we all have the same type of comics.....not content wise, but in the fact that they are all manga-ish and continuing stories rather than Sunday funny type things. I've checked out some Online Manga webrings (there ain't that many), and there would be one or two decent sites, but there would be pretty much no quality control and anyone could join regardless of what was on their page.

I think we should DEFINITELY all remain individual sites (I think some people got the idea I was advocating a studio type thing, which I wouldn't want), so we can all do exactly what we want, but a loose affiliation would be a really cool thing for a lot of reasons.....I mean, obviously I was kidding about my crazy Aeka merchandise ideas, but if we wanted to try experiments like printing t-shirts and that sort of thing than it would be cool to do it as a group and we could pool our pocket money together:)
Just a thought.....

*sanity happily skips away*

.......................and Aeka limited edition lithographs! Aeka letter-openers! Aeka potato chips!.....

[Fairybane]

WOW! You people are great!! It's creepy how you all just keep saying the exact same stuff I've been going through for the past year...

My curiosity has been sufficiently picqued though, I'd love to hear the premise for your guys' mangas, and see some sketches perhaps? I've made a portrait of my 'introductory character', and I'll post it as soon as I finish it up!

*visions of mecha action figures dance in my head*

[jackal]

I got alot of my characters on shirts and on a couple of mugs (just the average transfer paper) which I had made at a friends graphic design shop for personal use and to give to people. The mugs are really nice but the shirts wore out after a couple of years (the images are on them but thy're alot more faded than originally), so Yui, stuff like that aren't completely out of the question even to make some income on the side.

And Fairybane, you can check out my site under the original characters link to see a just a handful of 1000 handfuls total of some of my characters and a little about themselves. I've been writhing some of these for about 3-4 years and some I haven't written anything but have the basic plots in my head already (I know how the story starts and ends). Currently I have three major stories and I think there's at least one link for some of those characters at my site.

[reeceb41]

Hey, this all sounds like a good idea.

I actually have about three manga ideas. All have their characters, but I need to sit down and work on one at a time. I've a basic storyline for only one, so I plan to write out the first 'episode', then start on it.

If you're doing a site for a comic, it's probably best to come up with a basic storyline and character designs/personalities first so people can get interested.

One big website for the whole thing isn't a bad idea, and would be easier on most of us. You could have artist profiles, image galleries, individual links to all the manga (where the artist's personal creativity comes in), etc. Doing this would cut down on cost for each cause we'd all contribute a little (i.e. domain registration/costs, hosting, merchandise perhaps).

I'm sure there are plenty of people out there able enough to do a website. I would be willing to do the site if at least one other person will help.

Well, that's just an idea. If we can come up with something usable, I'll be willing to join in!

[jackal]

This is really cool! It's like all of a sudden a whole heap of die hard artists just signed on in a couple of weeks!

I'm in too (if anybody is interested in like a studio thing) but like Yui, I have no html knowledge:( and school is approaching fast.

[Usagi^.^]

wow, people, you have the same dreams as me! if my manga idea could be read by everyone, and that action figures, lunch boxes and all would be based on it, it would be heaven :)

but, as you know, this takes a lot of time and work. but i have a good idea of a manga story, made a little script of the first 'chapter', made a list of many of the characters and personnalities and made some sketches.

well, I'll just tell you the topic, and tell me honestly if it would interest you.

it's the story of four sisters, born-witches, that have to use the powers past down in their familly for many generations, to defeat an evil demon, that was sealed by their incestors. but to do that, they seek the help of experienced magiciens, and they do magic training to get more power, and to learn new spells. a fact that is different from those kinds of manga (like Slayers) is that it happens in the present, and that normal people don't know about magic. but the world i've created is still different from the one we know.

do you like it, or not? any suggestions?

[jackal]

Ummmmm..it sounds good but it also unfortunately sounds like some other show with witches and sisters. :(

Is it like totally different from that show?

[Ikari_Asuka_Langley]

well I'm interested sort of in making a main promotional site... i guess sort of like an artist showcase (which we of course are hella picky about who we let into) so that would allow us for a supposrt group... and excellent promotional basis for all of us... so when we go out doing blatant self promotion we're helping our friends out as well ^_^ but I think each individual comic should have it's own domain (if the artist is up for that) I don't know... i guess it would be not so much like a master corporation as far as anything goes... just a central hub and a support group. But I'm thinking it will be best to discuss most of these things through AIM or email.... so add me to your buddy list and the like if you want to talk about this...

BTW I know some web-design techniques... mostly HTML and I have some decent publication software too... so um anyway more about this later... I have alot of great ideas but i have to organizes them before I put them up x_x :devil:

[Fairybane]

Hmm....have any of you wondered WHY there aren't any real online magas out there? I'm kinda wondering if this has been tried before....

[Ikari_Asuka_Langley]

:devil: I'm not really sure... most places I have seen have been improv comics... where one person starts it and other peole finish it... i don't want that I want independant works that could hopefully have all of us working for a paper comic company one of these days... i honestly think this can and will be done successfully we just need to be organized about it. Oh and um... Usagi-chan the story idea sounds pretty cool so far ^_^

[jackal]

So kinda' like a webring or something?

[Ikari_Asuka_Langley]

:devil: hmmmn... come to think of it yeah it would be similar to a web-ring but more of a cental site... I don't know the links would probably just be banners instead of the whole ring thing but I don't know *steam comes out of ears* hmmm... well AIM me people we'll discuss this mah name is: megamiasuka okees?

[Nairohe]

there are online comics out there... if you're underaged... DO NOT CLICK ON THE LINK!!! Dont say i DID NOT warn you...

http://www.umbrellastudios.com

http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Shrine/5444

they're mostly into Yaoi, shojo and the like... they do have an online manga and its doing quite alright...

[Usagi^.^]

Originally posted by jackal
Ummmmm..it sounds good but it also unfortunately sounds like some other show with witches and sisters. :(

Is it like totally different from that show?

well, since there magic in it, there's surely some similarities, but i don't know of which show you're talking about... mine is different of the ones i saw, 'cause each sister has not only their particularities and own spells, but also their own element: fire, earth, water and wind. so, one of them can't do the same spell as the other, so that makes them a team, and that makes them unseperable. they have their own good points and weakness.

[Fairybane]

So how do you all plan on doing the manga? I was figuring maybe a full page, bi-weekly...I wouldn't want to do strips because the possibilities for dynamic paneling with those is essentially nil. And I sure as hell can't do a full page a day!

[Ikari_Asuka_Langley]

:devil: yeah full page bi-weekly sounds like a nice relatively safe goal to go for... I know if i do less I won't do anything at all but because of my schedule I can't really do much more x_x

[jackal]

So....for those of us with no HTML exp. or the dough, we really can't do jack can we?

[Ikari_Asuka_Langley]

:devil: well i can help with the html but the other stuff is up to you I'm a broke ass starving artist myself *winks*

[Fairybane]

All you need is time. HTML is fairly simple to learn, and after that, all you need is time. If your manga became a big hit and you got a lot of traffic, you'd probably have to move to a paid webserver, but by that point, you'd be able to make do with banners probably...And there's always Keenspot.com, I think they host webcomics for free.

The biggest resource though is TIME. You'd want to make sure that you got your comics done on time, so that your audience would feel that you're reliable. And as we all know, Time is a hard-to-come-by resource!

[Mika-chan]

There are quite a few online manga series out there:

Online Comic Artist Directory (http://ocad.syste.ms/index.html)
Eavansei (http://www.eavansei.com)
A.K. Comics (http://www.crosswinds.net/~akcomics)
eigoMANGA.com (http://www.eigoManga.com)

There are some of the best places to look. OCAD has tons of great stuff. I'm a online manga junkie! :heh:

[Daedelus]

:devil: *Runs off to check out the online comics* hey thanks for those links ^_^

[Nulani]

Okay... here goes the online mangas I got in fav

http://www.megatokyo.com
http://niko-niko.net/okashi/index.html
http://baka.keenspace.com/

[jackal]

Hey I checked out the first one, they're really good. Nice style!

[oAscensioNo]

I'll help with whatever I can...