The Downside of Reading Webcomics

Sudden Stops

When reading comics online, there is one big rule you must remember: online publishing is a hobby for most webcomic artists. Don't be suprised if a comic that you really like suddenly stops being updated.The artist may have started a comic in school for a class, or just for fun. Maybe it was started as an attempt to make a little extra money, or just to put the work out there. Sometimes life gets in the way of the comic. Sometimes the artist simply loses interest in his or her project. A polite artist will leave a message that explains why they will no longer be posting. A less polite artist will let their comic die with no warning to the readers. Either way, the comic will be lost. Mourn it, and move on.

Pay Sites

A debate has been going on for years now about whether or not webcomic artists should charge for the product they produce. Believe it or not, there are artists who are adamantly opposed to charging their audience a monthly fee to view their comic. These artists put up ads on their site, and usually have a link for people who wish to make a donation to support the comic. But the donation is voluntary, and the comic is free to view. Then there are artists who claim that payment is necessary or correct. They provide a service and a product, and the audience should pay. Modern Tales is an example of a pay site.

In my opinion, if an artist wishes to charge, then that is their right. But I don't read pay comics. I can't afford monthly fees, and I hate starting a comic without knowing the whole story. I wish I could afford to read these comics, because there are some really good comics out there that require a fee to read.

Wherever you stand on the issue, payment can be an obstacle to reading webcomics. Sometimes a comic starts out as free, then becomes a pay site. So a comic you enjoy might suddenly have a fee to view. Usually an artist will make the latest post available for free, but charge to view the archives. So you can read the comic for free. However, backstory isn't available and you cannot go back and re-read a section if you forget part of the plot.

Sometimes you are poor, like me, and can't afford to pay monthly for a good comic. I would suggest avoiding pay sites altogether if you cannot afford it, because it is too much of a hassle to keep track of the story. If you are in my situation and a comic becomes a pay site, mourn it like a no longer updated comic. It can be frustrating, but remember there are plenty of comics that do not require payment and are just as good as the type with a fee.