New place to create webcomics?
DC Comics has created a site called Zuda Comics (http://zudacomics.com/), to apparently run webcomics on this site and then eventually collect them and sell them in print. According to interviews, they’ll allow open submissions, then they’ll select a certain number of comics to be shown on the site. From there readers will vote on these new comics (8 page submissions I believe) and who ever wins gets a paid contract for a year (on the site).
Of course the biggest concern mentioned on the internet is rights. Who owns what or how much and what money can you get out of the deal? It could be possible that they’ve just posted about the site too soon before they’ve gotten all the details fleshed out. Besides any creator show fully read any contact they may potentially sign (and run it past more law savvy folks too). Also any contact should be negotiable (and if it’s not that’s not a great sign). So personally I’m not shocked or worried about DC not having the rights issue figured out. They are a company and have to make money and DC does have a decent history of making fair deals for creator owned properties (well in the more recent history anyways).
What my biggest concern is, with DC’s deep pockets (well Time-Warner’s deep pockets really) why didn’t they hire or even buy pre-existing online webcomics to help drive traffic to the site and to more legitimate the site. There’s been plenty of other web portals like Zuda start up in the past, and a lot of them failed because they just didn’t have the right content to bring in readers. Just because DC is building this site (well IBM is actually doing the code) that doesn’t mean people will flock to it unless you have like Superman and Wonder Woman comics done on there. Hell, DC already has publishing deals with the webcomic Megatokyo, how hard would it have been to have Megatokyo at Zuda Comics (or at least let there be a mirror for the comic at Zuda). That would really drive traffic to the site and it would be with a webcomic that DC knew was someone they could work with.
Despite what some people think of Platinum Comics, they were smart in purchasing the site DrunkDuck.com. It was already a known quantity, already had a steady flow of creators and readers and it already had technology that readers were comfortable with. There are still several good portals that DC could have bought or started up a partnership with.
Maybe it’s pure hubris on DC’s part if they think they can just waltz into webcomics and do it their way from scratch. There most “creative ideas” so far is that your comic has to be in a 4:3 perspective and be in a weekly/daily updated fomat. So at least DC knows what the physical frame work of a webcomic is. I think that’s shortsighted to limit your focus like that, but maybe it’s only a temporary set format until they get a chance to get a feel for webcomics. Personally I feel that’s why webcomics are started to stagnate because they’re stuck in the 4 panel humor strip of the Sunday Comics mode.
Shoot that’s a good idea from above, if Zuda allowed people to create their own DC comics. The site is run by DC and there will be plenty of editorial control, so it’s not like a creator will have a chance to wreak a brand. That way you’ll have know characters to bring people to the site, and new fresh stories that they can’t get anywhere else. Of course it would be a more work for hire situation, and I’m not saying make all the comics on Zuda be DC based comics, but if they should allow it and put online the crème of the crop. Not only would strength Zuda but it would strengthen the brand because these new stories from different creators could bring in new readers and fans to the brands.
In conclusion, I’m suggesting if you have a webcomic idea (and a team, I don’t think they plan on matching artists with writers), and it’s not your precious child (but is still a good comic) then go ahead and submit it. Make sure to check their contracts and rules and don’t be afraid to break negotiations with Zuda if you don’t fell comfortable. If Zuda’s will to talk with you, then that usually means that your comic is good enough for other publishers (online and off) to talk to you about making a deal (and hopefully one you’ll be comfortable with).
