Catching Up With The Guard
We’re not dead! It was touch and go with the flu for a bit, but I’m coming out of it and Roland has a stack of artwork that I need to letter and post — but I’m on it! Page 11 will show on Thursday! The comic must go on!
Speaking of which, I want to have a frank talk with all of you, our readers. It comes down to whether we continue to post The Guard as a free webcomic or convert fully to paid digital downloads. Here’s the deal:
Neither Roland or I do comics full time, so we aren’t reliant on this webcomic for income (thank God). We make comics because we like to make comics — it’s something we both enjoy and it’s a great creative outlet. Webcomics became a viable method because of the slow production rate and the fact that, as little as a year ago, publishers controlled the marketplace. Webcomics was a way to sidestep the publishing embargo, build an audience, and prime for a print offering.
Now print is going away, publishers are going away, and people pay better for digital downloads than advertisers do for ad space. The game has changed, my friends.
Some artists have found unexpected success through a donate/download model. Some through download only, and others still rule the printed trade paperback market. It’s hard to tell where The Guard will fall in the midst of these options, but one thing I know for sure: page a week long form webcomics do not do well on the advertising front. As for the rest, only you, our readers, can decide what type of market you are.
So, let’s shake things up and figure it out.
First, I’m going to take down the ads on the sidebar — I think they’re ugly and they (really) don’t make any money for us. Next, we’re going to continue to post the rest of the first issue for free on the site. You’ve stuck with us this far, you deserve to see the end. But, we’re also going to post a “Donate” button on the site and I hope you all chip in a bit. It makes a difference.
When the first issue is finished, I’m going to post it for sale in every place I can, including this site. I’ll make it available for ePUB, PDF, CBZ, and Kindle. There should be some format in there that can please everyone.
I’ll also put up a storefront with some cool merch, as well as a bunch of free wallpapers. I think that art prints will also be an option, so stay tuned for that.
Sounds like business as usual, I know. But depending on feedback from you guys, donations, and sales all tune out, we may change how we do things at The Guard. Options include staying as a free webcomic, going download only, and limiting the number of free pages available on the site for complete issues (sort of like a pay wall of old).
Regardless of how you get to read The Guard, I promise you it will continue to be a premium comic book experience. Roland and I are committed to ensuring this comic is like nothing else seen on the web, and we guarantee you will enjoy the stories we’ve got coming for you.
See you Thursday for page 11!
