Editing Webcomic

{{short description|Comics published online}}
{{distinguish|Digital comic|Mobile comic}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2018}}
{{Comics navbar|title=Webcomic}}
'''Webcomics''' (also known as '''online comics''' or '''Internet comics''') are [[comics]] published on the internet, such as on a [[website]] or a [[mobile app]]. While many webcomics are published exclusively online, others are also published in [[magazine]]s, [[newspaper]]s, or [[comic books]].
Webcomics can be compared to [[self-published]] print comics in that anyone with an Internet connection can publish their own webcomic. Readership levels vary widely; many are read only by the creator's immediate friends and family, while some of the most widely read have audiences of well over one million readers.<ref name=PWFeb2012>{{cite web |url=http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/comics/article/50797-rich-burlew-talks-about-his-1-million-kickstarter-book-project.html |title=Rich Burlew Talks About His $1 Million Kickstarter Book Project |last1=Allen |first1=Todd |date=27 February 2012 |website=Publishers Weekly |access-date=May 24, 2013 |archive-date=November 2, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131102212947/http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/comics/article/50797-rich-burlew-talks-about-his-1-million-kickstarter-book-project.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=ComicsAllianceOct2012>{{cite web|url=http://www.comicsalliance.com/2012/10/02/homestuck-interview-andrew-hussie-bryan-lee-omalley-ms-paint-adventures/ |title='Scott Pilgrim' Guy Interviews 'Homestuck' Guy: Bryan Lee O'Malley On Andrew Hussie |last1=O'Malley |first1=Bryan Lee |date=2 October 2012 |website=Comics Alliance |publisher=AOL |access-date=May 24, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130308091741/http://www.comicsalliance.com/2012/10/02/homestuck-interview-andrew-hussie-bryan-lee-omalley-ms-paint-adventures/ |archive-date=March 8, 2013 |df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref name=USATodayOct2011>{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/comics/2010-04-01-pennyarcade-creators01-ST_N.htm|work=[[USA Today]]|title='Penny Arcade' a testament to the power of gaming culture|author=Geddes, John|date=April 2, 2010|access-date=October 12, 2011|archive-date=July 3, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100703031741/http://www.usatoday.com/life/comics/2010-04-01-pennyarcade-creators01-ST_N.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> Webcomics range from traditional [[comic strip]]s and [[graphic novel]]s to [[avant garde]] comics, and cover many [[genre]]s, [[style (visual arts)|style]]s, and subjects.<ref name="CCP">{{cite web |url=http://www.charlestoncitypaper.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A36337 |title=Webcomics are profane, explicit, humorous&nbsp;— and influencing trends |first=Steven |last=Lacy |date=November 21, 2007 |work=Charleston City Paper |publisher=Noel Mermer |access-date=November 28, 2009 |archive-date=January 3, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160103034018/http://www.charlestoncitypaper.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid:36337 |url-status=dead }}</ref> They sometimes take on the role of a comic [[blog]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://montrealgazette.com/entertainment/books/from-comic-blog-to-bestseller-kate-beatons-step-aside-pops-is-the-second-instalment-in-a-comics-publishing-phenomenon|newspaper=[[Montreal Gazette]]|title=From comic blog to bestseller: Kate Beaton's Step Aside, Pops is the second instalment in a comics publishing phenomenon|last=McGillis|first=Ian|date=2015-09-25|access-date=January 27, 2019|archive-date=January 18, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210118235459/https://montrealgazette.com/entertainment/books/from-comic-blog-to-bestseller-kate-beatons-step-aside-pops-is-the-second-instalment-in-a-comics-publishing-phenomenon|url-status=live}}</ref> The term [[web cartoonist]] is sometimes used to refer to someone who creates webcomics.

==Medium==
[[Image:Dieselsweeties 01583.png|thumb|Many webcomics like ''[[Diesel Sweeties]]'' use non-traditional art styles.]]
[[Image:Fetusx fx082106painting.jpg|thumb|The themes of webcomics like [[Eric Millikin]]'s have caused controversy.]]
There are several differences between webcomics and print comics. With webcomics the restrictions of traditional books, newspapers or magazines can be lifted, allowing artists and writers to take advantage of the web's unique capabilities.

===Styles===
The creative freedom webcomics provide allows artists to work in nontraditional styles. [[Clip art]] or [[photo]] comics (also known as [[Photonovel|fumetti]]) are two types of webcomics that do not use traditional artwork. ''[[A Softer World]]'', for example, is made by overlaying photographs with strips of typewriter-style text.<ref name="Publishersweekly3">{{cite web|url=http://www.publishersweekly.com/article/CA6327720.html |title=It's A Softer World After All |first=Chris |last=Arrant |date=April 25, 2006 |work=Publishers Weekly |publisher=Reed Elsevier |access-date=2009-11-28 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090606062854/http://www.publishersweekly.com/article/CA6327720.html |archive-date=June 6, 2009 }}</ref> As in the [[constrained comics]] tradition, a few webcomics, such as ''[[Dinosaur Comics]]'' by [[Ryan North]], are created with most strips having art copied exactly from one (or a handful of) [[Page layout|template]] comics and only the text changing.<ref name="attitude3 North">{{cite book | title=[[Attitude: The New Subversive Cartoonists|Attitude 3: The New Subversive Online Cartoonists]] | last=Rall | first=Ted | author-link=Ted Rall | year=2006 | publisher=Nantier Beall Minoustchine Publishing | location=New York | isbn=1-56163-465-4 | pages=115–121}}</ref> [[Pixel art]], such as that created by [[Richard Stevens (cartoonist)|Richard Stevens]] of ''[[Diesel Sweeties]]'', is similar to that of sprite comics but instead uses low-resolution images created by the artist themself.<ref name="Detroit Stevens">{{cite news | title=Diesel Sweeties tackles nuts, bolts of love | first=Michael H. | last=Hodges | newspaper=[[The Detroit News]] | publisher=Jonathan Wolman | location=Detroit | date=January 8, 2007 | page=1E}}</ref> However, it is also common for some artists to use traditional styles, similar to those typically published in newspapers or comic books.

===Content===
Webcomics that are independently published are not subject to the content restrictions of [[book publisher]]s or [[Print syndication|newspaper syndicate]]s, enjoying an artistic freedom similar to [[underground comics|underground]] and [[alternative comics]]. Some webcomics stretch the boundaries of taste, taking advantage of the fact that [[Internet censorship]] is virtually nonexistent in countries like the United States.<ref name="CCP" /> The content of webcomics can still cause problems, such as ''Leisure Town'' artist [[Tristan A. Farnon|Tristan Farnon]]'s legal trouble after creating a profane ''[[Dilbert]]'' parody,<ref name="TCJ Farnon">{{cite journal | last1=Crane | first1=Jordan |date=April 2001 | title=A Silly Little Coat Hanger for Fart Jokes: Talkin' Comics with Leisuretown.com's Tristan A Farnon | journal=[[The Comics Journal]] | issue=232 | pages=80–89}}</ref> or the [[Catholic League (U.S.)|Catholic League]]'s protest of artist [[Eric Millikin]]'s "blasphemous treatment of Jesus."<ref name="CatholicLeague">{{cite web | url=http://www.catholicleague.org/catalyst.php?year=2000&month=November&read=1108 | title=Michigan State President Acts Presidential | date=November 2000 | work=Catalyst Journal of the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights | publisher=Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights | access-date=2009-11-28 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100124060541/http://www.catholicleague.org/catalyst.php?year=2000&month=November&read=1108 | archive-date=January 24, 2010 | df=mdy-all }}</ref>

===Format===
Webcomic artists use many formats throughout the world. [[Comic strips]], generally consisting of three or four [[panel (comics)|panels]], have been a common format for many artists. Other webcomic artists use the format of traditional printed [[comic book]]s and [[graphic novel]]s, sometimes with the plan of later publishing books.

[[Scott McCloud]], an early advocate of webcomics since 1998,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://scottmccloud.com/1-webcomics/|title=scottmccloud.com - Webcomics|website=scottmccloud.com}}</ref> pioneered the idea of the "[[infinite canvas]]" where, rather than being confined to normal print dimensions, [[artist]]s are free to spread out in any direction indefinitely with their comics.<ref name="reinventingcomics">{{cite book | title=[[Reinventing Comics]] | last=McCloud | first=Scott | author-link=Scott McCloud | year=2000 | publisher=Paradox Press | location=New York | isbn=0-06-095350-0<!--ISBN very different from original invalid number&nbsp;– pagination might differ--> | pages=200–233}}</ref><ref name="McCloud TCJ">{{cite journal | last1=McCloud | first1=Scott |date=July 2001 | title=McCloud in Stable Condition Following Review, Groth Still at Large | journal=[[The Comics Journal]] | issue=235 | pages=70–79}}</ref> Such a format proved highly successful in [[webtoon|South-Korean webcomics]] when JunKoo Kim implemented an infinite scrolling mechanism in the platform [[Webtoon (platform)|Webtoon]] in 2004.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/what-is-webtoons-2016-2|work=[[Business Insider]]|title=Millions in Korea are obsessed with these revolutionary comics -- now they're going global|last=Acuna|first=Kristen|date=2016-02-12|access-date=February 25, 2017|archive-date=February 18, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170218064901/http://www.businessinsider.com.au/what-is-webtoons-2016-2|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2009, French web cartoonist [[Yves Bigerel|Balak]] described [[Turbomedia]], a format for webcomics where a reader only views one panel at a time, in which the reader decides their own reading rhythm by going forward one panel at a time.<ref name=Balak>{{cite web|url=https://www.actualitte.com/article/interviews/balak-auteur-et-createur-du-turbo-media-il-y-a-un-marche-de-la-bd-numerique/64884|work=Actualitte|title=Balak, auteur et créateur du Turbo Media : "Il y a un marché de la BD numérique"|last=Leroy|first=Joséphine|date=2016-03-06|access-date=February 25, 2017|archive-date=February 26, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170226131034/https://www.actualitte.com/article/interviews/balak-auteur-et-createur-du-turbo-media-il-y-a-un-marche-de-la-bd-numerique/64884|url-status=live}}</ref> Some web cartoonists, such as political cartoonist [[Mark Fiore (cartoonist)|Mark Fiore]] or Charley Parker with ''[[Argon Zark!]]'', incorporate [[animation]]s or [[interactivity|interactive elements]] into their webcomics.<ref name="attitude3">{{cite book | title=[[Attitude: The New Subversive Cartoonists|Attitude 3: The New Subversive Online Cartoonists]] | last=Rall | first=Ted | author-link=Ted Rall |year=2006 |publisher=Nantier Beall Minoustchine Publishing | location=New York | isbn=1-56163-465-4 |page=9}}</ref>

==History==
{{main|History of webcomics}}
The first comics to be shared through the Internet were [[Eric Millikin]]'s ''Witches and Stitches'', which he started uploading on [[CompuServe]] in 1985.<ref name="Dochak">{{cite web|url=http://m.thegauntlet.ca/story/pioneering-page|title=Pioneering the page: The decline of print comics, the growth of webcomics and the flexibility, innovation and controversy of both|last=Dochak|first=Sarah|date=2011-11-29|publisher=[[Gauntlet (newspaper)|Gauntlet]]|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222133117/http://m.thegauntlet.ca/story/pioneering-page|archive-date=2015-12-22}}</ref><ref name="Paste">{{cite magazine|last=Smith|first=Alexander, K.|date=2011-11-19|title=14 Awesome Webcomics To Distract You From Getting Things Done|url=http://www.pastemagazine.com/blogs/lists/2011/09/22-awesome-webcomics.html|magazine=[[Paste (magazine)|Paste]]|access-date=March 13, 2020|archive-date=September 18, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120918022910/http://www.pastemagazine.com/blogs/lists/2011/09/22-awesome-webcomics.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Services such as CompuServe and [[Usenet]] were used before the [[World Wide Web]] started to rise in popularity in 1993. Early webcomics were often derivatives from strips in [[college newspaper]]s,{{Citation needed|date=October 2021}} but when the Web became widely popular in the mid-1990s, more people started creating comics exclusively for this medium. By 2000, various webcomic creators were financially successful and webcomics became more artistically recognized. Unique genres and styles became popular during this period.

The 2010s also saw the rise of [[webtoon]]s in [[South Korea]], where the form has become very prominent. This decade had also seen an increasingly larger number of successful webcomics being adapted into [[animated series]] in China and Japan.

==Webcomics collectives==
In March 1995, artist Bebe Williams launched one of the first webcomics collectives, [[Art Comics Daily]].<ref name="New York Times">Peterson, Iver (October 28, 1996). "The Search for the Next 'Doonesbury". ''[[The New York Times]]'', Pg. D9</ref> Newspaper comic strip syndicates also launched websites in the mid-1990s.

Other webcomics collectives followed, with many launching in the next decade. In March 2000, [[Chris Crosby (webcomics)|Chris Crosby]], Crosby's mother Teri, and other artists founded  [[Keenspot]].<ref name="sanfrancisco">Yim, Roger. (April 2, 2001). "DOT-COMICS: Online cartoons skip traditional syndication and draw loyal fans on the Internet". ''[[San Francisco Chronicle]]''. Pg. D1</ref><ref name="detroit">Newman, Heather. (February 2, 2001). "See You In The Funny Pixels Michigan Cartoonists Draw On Web Sites To Find Readers". ''[[Detroit Free Press]]''. Pg. 1H</ref> In July 2000, [[Austin Osueke]] launched [[eigoMANGA]], publishing original online [[manga]], referred to as  "webmanga".

In 2001, the subscription webcomics site [[Cool Beans World]] was launched. Contributors included UK-based comic book creators [[Pat Mills]], [[Simon Bisley]], [[John Bolton (illustrator)|John Bolton]], and [[Kevin O'Neill (comics)|Kevin O'Neill]], and the author [[Clive Barker]].<ref name=Martin>{{cite web
 | last = Martin
 | first = Jessica
 | title = Cool Beans or Dead Beans: can the comic barons cross onto the web?
 | url=http://www.sfcrowsnest.com/library/zones/2001/nz5841.php
 | access-date = 2007-03-15 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20061018170131/http://www.sfcrowsnest.com/library/zones/2001/nz5841.php <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = October 18, 2006}}</ref> Serialised content included ''[[Scarlet Traces]]'' and ''[[Marshal Law (comics)|Marshal Law]]''.

In March 2001, [[Shannon Denton]] and Patrick Coyle launched [[Komikwerks]].com serving free strips from comics and animation professionals. The site launched with 9 titles including Steve Conley's ''[[Astounding Space Thrills]]'',  Jason Kruse's ''[[The World of Quest]]'', and [[Bernie Wrightson]]'s ''The Nightmare Expeditions''.

On March 2, 2002, [[Joey Manley]] founded [[Modern Tales]], offering subscription-based webcomics.<ref name="alameda">Ho, Patricia Jiayi (July 8, 2003). "Online comic artists don't have to play panel games". ''[[Alameda Times-Star]] (Alameda, CA)''</ref> The Modern Tales spin-off [[serializer]] followed in October 2002, then came [[girlamatic]] and Graphic Smash in March and September 2003 respectively.

By 2005, webcomics hosting had become a business in its own right, with sites such as [[Webcomics Nation]].<ref name=WashPost>Walker, Leslie (June 16, 2005). "Comics Looking to Spread A Little Laughter on the Web". ''[[The Washington Post]]'', p. D1.</ref>

Traditional comic book publishers, such as [[Marvel Comics]] and [[Slave Labour Graphics]], did not begin making serious digital efforts until 2006 and 2007.<ref name="PWcomicsweek">{{cite web|title=Publishers Look to Digital Comics |url=http://www.publishersweekly.com/article/CA6393781.html |access-date=2007-05-02 |author=Soponis, Trevor |work=[[Publishers Weekly]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070127001532/http://www.publishersweekly.com/article/CA6393781.html |archive-date=January 27, 2007 }}</ref> [[DC Comics]] launched its web comic imprint, [[Zuda Comics]] in October 2007.<ref name="Newsarama">{{cite web|title=PERAZZA ON THE LAUNCH OF ZUDACOMICS.COM|url=http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=134710&highlight=zuda|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100305085613/http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=134710&highlight=zuda|archive-date=March 5, 2010|df=mdy-all}}</ref> The site featured user submitted comics in a competition for a professional contract to produce web comics. In July 2010, it was announced that DC was closing down Zuda.<ref>{{cite web |first=Ron |last=Perazza |url=http://zuda.blog.dccomics.com/2010/07/01/the-future-of-zuda/ |title=The Future of Zuda |work=The Bleed |publisher=[[DC Comics.com]] |date=July 1, 2010 |access-date=July 1, 2010 }}{{dead link|date=January 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

==Business==
{{main|Business of webcomics}}
[[Image:Xkcd philosophy.png|thumb|''[[xkcd]]'' (2005) is among the many financially successful webcomics.]]

Some creators of webcomics are able to do so [[professional]]ly through various [[revenue]] channels. Webcomic artists may sell [[merchandise]] based on their work, such as [[T-shirts]] and toys, or they may sell [[printing|print]] versions or compilations of their webcomic.<ref name="Publishers2">{{cite magazine|last=Wolk|first=Douglas|date=2004-11-01|title=Web Comics Send Readers Looking for Books|url=http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/print/20041101/36779-web-comics-send-readers-looking-for-books.html|magazine=[[Publishers Weekly]]|access-date=November 17, 2017|archive-date=November 16, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171116083158/https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/print/20041101/36779-web-comics-send-readers-looking-for-books.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Webcomic creators can also sell [[online advertisement]]s on their [[websites]].<ref name="movingon">{{cite web|url=http://observer.com/2015/11/webcomics-changing-business-model/|title=The Webcomics Business Is Moving on From Webcomics|last=Dale|first=Brady|date=2015-11-16|work=[[The New York Observer]]|access-date=March 13, 2020|archive-date=November 30, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191130212309/https://observer.com/2015/11/webcomics-changing-business-model/|url-status=live}}</ref> In the second half of the 2000s, webcomics became less financially sustainable due to the rise of [[social media]] and consumers' disinterest in certain kinds of merchandise. [[Crowdfunding]] through [[Kickstarter]] and [[Patreon]] have also become sources of income for web cartoonists.<ref name="ObserverPatreon">{{cite news|last=Dale|first=Bradly|url=http://observer.com/2015/11/patreon-webcomics-and-getting-by/|title=Patreon, Webcomics and Getting By|date=2015-11-15|newspaper=[[Observer.com]]|access-date=March 13, 2020|archive-date=September 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200929053917/https://observer.com/2015/11/patreon-webcomics-and-getting-by/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Webcomics have been used by some cartoonists as a path towards [[Print syndication|syndication]] in [[newspapers]].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Staff report|url=http://www.greensboro.com/blogs/gotriad_extra/new-comic---phoebe-and-her-unicorn--/article_fa8d0efe-d3fb-11e4-8091-8357d61bda6c.html|title=New comic - 'Phoebe and Her Unicorn' - debuts today|date=2015-03-13|work=[[News & Record]]|access-date=March 13, 2020|archive-date=December 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211207005457/https://greensboro.com/blogs/gotriad_extra/new-comic---phoebe-and-her-unicorn--/article_fa8d0efe-d3fb-11e4-8091-8357d61bda6c.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Since the mid-1990s, [[Scott McCloud]] advocated for [[micropayments]] systems as a source of income for web cartoonists, but micropayment systems have not been popular with artists or readers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://webcomicsreview.com/?p=151&page=3|title=Making Lightning &ndash; An Interview with Scott McCloud|last=Zabel|first=Joe|author-link=Joe Zabel|date=2006-06-21|work=The Webcomics Examiner|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080324025118/http://webcomicsreview.com/?p=151&page=3|archive-date=2008-03-24}}</ref>

==Awards==
{{Main|List of webcomic awards}}

Many webcomics artists have received honors for their work. In 2006, [[Gene Luen Yang]]'s graphic novel ''[[American Born Chinese (graphic novel)|American Born Chinese]]'', originally published as a webcomic on [[Modern Tales]], was the first graphic novel to be nominated for a [[National Book Award]].<ref name="newyorktimes">Bosman, Julie.  (October 12, 2006). "National Book Award Finalists Chosen". ''[[The New York Times]]'', Pg. E2</ref> [[Don Hertzfeldt]]'s animated film based on his webcomics, ''Everything Will Be OK'', won the 2007 [[Sundance Film Festival]] Jury Award in Short Filmmaking, a prize rarely bestowed on an animated film.<ref name="Sundance">{{cite news|title=Bay Area films keep it real at Sundance festival|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4176/is_20070116/ai_n17130219/pg_2/|access-date=2007-01-16|author=De Benedetti, Chris |newspaper=Oakland Tribune}} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=RjwilmsiBot}}</ref>

Many traditionally print-comics focused organizations have added award categories for comics published on the web. The [[Eagle Awards]] established a Favorite Web-based Comic category in 2000, and the [[Ignatz Awards]] followed the next year by introducing an Outstanding Online Comic category in 2001. After having nominated webcomics in several of their traditional print-comics categories, the [[Eisner Awards]] began awarding comics in the Best Digital Comic category in 2005. In 2006 the [[Harvey Awards]] established a Best Online Comics Work category, and in 2007 the [[Shuster Awards]] began an Outstanding Canadian Web Comic Creator Award. In 2012 the [[National Cartoonists Society]] gave their first Reuben Award for "On-line comic strips."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.reuben.org/?p=1019|title=National Cartoonists Society|access-date=June 27, 2012|archive-date=June 4, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120604074859/http://www.reuben.org/?p=1019|url-status=live}}</ref>

Other awards focus exclusively on webcomics. The [[Web Cartoonists' Choice Awards]]<ref name="WCCA1">{{cite news|last=Boxer|first=Sarah|date=2005-08-17|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/17/books/17comi.html?ex=1281931200&en=08e3777cc4943486&ei=5090&partner=geartest&emc=rss|title=Comics Escape a Paper Box, and Electronic Questions Pop Out|newspaper=[[New York Times]]|access-date=February 20, 2017|archive-date=July 20, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140720203141/http://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/17/books/17comi.html?ex=1281931200&en=08e3777cc4943486&ei=5090&partner=geartest&emc=rss|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="WCCA2">[http://www.g4tv.com/attackoftheshow/episodes/4335/Web_Toon_Awards_Picture_Podcasts_The_High_Speed_Scene.html "Attack of the Show"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160404203521/http://www.g4tv.com/attackoftheshow/episodes/4335/Web_Toon_Awards_Picture_Podcasts_The_High_Speed_Scene.html |date=April 4, 2016 }}. G4TechTV. Aired August 12, 2005.</ref> consist of a number of awards that were handed out annually from 2001 to 2008. The Dutch [[Clickburg Webcomic Awards]] (also known as the Clickies) has been handed out four times between 2005 and 2010. The awards require the recipient to be active in the [[Benelux]] countries, with the exception of one international award.<ref name="Clickie">{{cite web|title=comicbase.nl's blog|url=http://www.comixpedia.com/blog/comicbase_nl|access-date=2007-01-31|author=Mirk, Jeroen|publisher=Comixpedia |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060615175457/http://comixpedia.com/blog/comicbase_nl |archive-date = June 15, 2006}}</ref>

==Webcomics in print==
{{main|List of webcomics in print}}

Though webcomics are typically published primarily on the World Wide Web, often webcomic creators decide to also print [[self-publishing|self-published]] books of their work. In some cases, web cartoonists may get [[publishing]] deals in which [[comic books]] are created of their work. Sometimes, these books are published by mainstream comics publishers who are traditionally aimed at the [[direct market]] of comic books stores.<ref name=Publishers>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/print/20041101/36779-web-comics-send-readers-looking-for-books.html|magazine=[[Publishers Weekly]]|title=Web Comics Send Readers Looking for Books|last=Wolk|first=Douglas|date=2004-11-01|access-date=November 17, 2017|archive-date=November 16, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171116083158/https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/print/20041101/36779-web-comics-send-readers-looking-for-books.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Some web cartoonists may pursue [[print syndication]] in established [[newspapers]] or [[magazines]].

The traditional audience base for webcomics and print comics are vastly different, and webcomic readers do not necessarily go to bookstores. For some web cartoonists, a print release may be considered the "goal" of a webcomic series, while for others, comic books are "just another way to get the content out."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/print/20051219/35322-web-comics-page-clickers-to-page-turners.html|work=Publishers Weekly|title=Web Comics: Page Clickers to Page Turners|last=McDonald|first=Heidi|author-link=Heidi McDonald|date=2005-12-19|access-date=November 17, 2017|archive-date=November 6, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181106142058/https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/print/20051219/35322-web-comics-page-clickers-to-page-turners.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Webcomics have been seen by some artists as a potential new path towards syndication in [[newspapers]]. According to [[Jeph Jacques]] (''[[Questionable Content]]''), "there's no real money" in syndication for webcomic artists. Some artists are not able to syndicate their work in newspapers because their comics are targeted to a specific [[niche market|niche]] audience and would not be popular with a broader readership.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://archive.boston.com/lifestyle/articles/2011/08/02/the_new_webcomic_entrepreneurs/|work=[[The Boston Globe]]|title=See you in the funny pages|last=Chen|first=Jialu|date=2011-09-02|access-date=November 17, 2017|archive-date=November 17, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171117013020/http://archive.boston.com/lifestyle/articles/2011/08/02/the_new_webcomic_entrepreneurs/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Non-anglophone webcomics==
[[File:Opráski sčeskí historje chřezt.jpg|thumb|''{{Interlanguage link|Opráski sčeskí historje|cs|3=Opráski sčeskí historje}}'' (lit. "''The Pictures of the Czech History''", though misspelled) is among the most popular [[Czech Republic|Czech]] webcomics.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nazory.ihned.cz/c1-60812380-opraski-sceski-historje-na-ihned-cz-jak-cesi-volili-husakovu-ksc|publisher=[[Hospodářské noviny]]|title=Opráski sčeskí historje na IHNED.cz: Jak Češi volili Husákovu KSČ|last=Zlatkovský|first=Michal|date=2013-09-23|access-date=February 2, 2016|archive-date=February 2, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160202210944/http://nazory.ihned.cz/c1-60812380-opraski-sceski-historje-na-ihned-cz-jak-cesi-volili-husakovu-ksc|url-status=live}}</ref>]]

Many webcomics are published primarily in [[English (language)|English]], this being a major language in Australia, Canada, India, the United States, and the United Kingdom. Cultures surrounding non-anglophone webcomics have thrived in countries such as China, France, India, Japan, and South Korea.{{cn|date=March 2024}}

Webcomics have been a popular medium in [[India]] since the early 2000s. [[Indian webcomics]] are successful as they reach a large audience for free<ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/sunday-times/deep-focus/Strip-tease-Indian-webcomics-make-a-mark/articleshow/6494318.cms|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|title=Strip tease: Indian webcomics make a mark|last=Arora|first=Kim|date=2010-09-05|access-date=April 28, 2016|archive-date=September 12, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160912000438/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/sunday-times/deep-focus/Strip-tease-Indian-webcomics-make-a-mark/articleshow/6494318.cms|url-status=live}}</ref> and they are frequently used by the country's younger generation to spread [[social awareness]] on topics such as [[Indian politics|politics]] and [[feminism]]. These webcomics achieve a large amount of exposure by being spread through [[social media]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/books/laughing-through-our-worries-the-indian-web-comics/story-e6RDl58hD3NGVTKiK5IF0K.html|newspaper=[[Hindustan Times]]|title=Laughing through our worries: The Indian web comics|last=Verma|first=Tarishi|date=2015-04-26|access-date=April 28, 2016|archive-date=August 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160803140915/http://www.hindustantimes.com/books/laughing-through-our-worries-the-indian-web-comics/story-e6RDl58hD3NGVTKiK5IF0K.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

In China, [[Chinese webcomics]] have become a popular way to criticize the communist government and politicians in the country. Many webcomics by popular artists get shared around the country thanks to social networks such as [[Sina Weibo]] and [[WeChat]]. Many titles will often be [[Censorship in China|censored]] or taken down by the government.{{cn|date=March 2024}}

==See also==
{{Portal|Comics|Internet}}
* [[Digital comic]]
* [[Digital illustration]]
* [[List of webcomic creators]]
* [[List of webcomics]]
* [[Web fiction]]
* [[Webtoon]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

== Further reading ==
* {{Cite book|last=Kleefeld|first=Sean|title=Webcomics|publisher=[[Bloomsbury Academic]]|year=2020|isbn=9781350028180|series=Bloomsbury Comics Studies}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Webcomics}}
{{wiktionary|webcomic}}
* [http://video.pbs.org/video/2345662967/ The Rise of Web Comics] Video produced by ''[[Off Book (web series)|Off Book]]''

{{Webcomics}}
{{Comics}}
{{Web syndication}}
{{Independent production}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Webcomics| ]]
[[Category:Comics formats]]
[[Category:New media]]
[[Category:New media art]]
[[Category:Multimedia]]
[[Category:Digital art]]
[[Category:Internet art]]
[[Category:Internet-based works]]
[[Category:Internet culture]]