Commentary by the Ninth Doctor, Pencils and Inks by Illinest from layouts by Rob Berry, Colors by mpd57
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Zuda Team-Up
Check this out! Four vocal Zuda Communiteers (it's a word; I looked it up) come together to provide comic strip commentary on the online comics culture being fostered at Zuda: 
Commentary by the Ninth Doctor, Pencils and Inks by Illinest from layouts by Rob Berry, Colors by mpd57
Commentary by the Ninth Doctor, Pencils and Inks by Illinest from layouts by Rob Berry, Colors by mpd57
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
The Knave Interviews Zuda Editor Kwanza Johnson!
The Knave presents both text and comic based interviews with Kwanza Johnson, known to the Knave's Zudite readers as the first man you have to impress:
(Click for full size, art by Rob Berry)
Knave: But seriously, Kwanza, how did you come to work at Zuda?
Kwanza Johnson: Boring short answer; I saw an advert on the Time Warner job Website and applied. Long boring answer; Basically after my stint at Marvel I'd decided that webcomics were the way to go and despite other non-comic employment, stayed focused on the medium. When I found out the position at DC was to edit webcomics, I made it a priority to get the job.
Knave: Could you describe what your job entails?
Kwanza: Basically, I try to find great talent and original stories that people will enjoy. I also try to help that talent make their stories the best webcomics online.
Knave: What kind of editorial discussions occur between you and the talent? Are they limited to on-going series, or do you make suggestions about changes in the contest material as need be? Do you ever say "change this and you're in the competition?"
Kwanza: Sorta. In the competition we request edits for language, grammar and typos. So it is more like, "Take out all the Eff Bombs, check your spelling, cover the naked people and you are in the competition."
Knave: So are you planning on putting in a mature content filter so that content with "eff bombs" and "uncovered naked people" will be allowed on the site?
Kwanza: That's on the list, but it's a technical issue, so Dave could address that better than I. Websites don't build themselves, so with that in mind, it is something that still as to be coded. I can't put a time-stamp on when, but it is a possible feature. We'll surprise you.
Knave: What about with the talent who've been signed to a contract, either through a contest or in an instant winner scenario? Are you a pretty hands off editor? In a year from now will there need to be another "editor" at Zuda to handle the twelve plus additional series you'd presumably have by then?
Kwanza: No editor is hands off. I can't function hands off. Even if I am only complementing someone's brilliance, there is some interaction . I am at least a sounding board for ideas. I will point out what I think is working and what is not, but I also will not rock the boat if things are going well. As for more editors, well I suppose that depends on whether all of the series continue.
Knave: What do you look for in a submission? Any tips on how people can make their entries stand out (in a good way)?
Kwanza: Good artwork and an engaging story. The subject of the comic hardly matters if you can't entertain the reader. How that is achieved is the real trick. Being able to draw decently and write a coherent sentence help (like, a lot), but overall submitters should look at what is out there and try to create something better than that. Before getting in a Zuda competition, you are competing with every other comic, so make sure your work blows them away.
Knave: Bayou is proving to be a very well-regarded "flagship property" for Zuda. Why do you think it's connecting with people?
Kwanza: Jeremy is telling a story that has not been told before. That is what makes it stand out. The subject matter is interesting territory to navigate and I think that intrigues readers. It also helps that Jeramy is great artist. I've been an admirer of his work long before Zuda.
Knave: What are some of your personal favorite webcomics not on Zuda?
Kwanza: Hands down it is Scary Go Round by John Allison. I want to live in that webcomic. I read everything on Transmission X, Act-I-Vate as well as Perry Ellis Bible Fellowship, Penny Arcade, so many others and that one strip that is about video games (sometimes), with the talking cat and the troll... Man! I can't remember the name of it, but it is awesome. ;-)
Knave: Do you think there's much reason for creators of other successful webcomics to move their properties over or create new properties for Zuda? Does the catalog of work here hope to eventually include existing properties with the Zuda licensing agreement?
Kwanza: You'd have to pose that question to a webcomic creator. I would love to work with any of my favorite webcomics, if it were possible. It's really a personal choice. Do you want to manage all aspects of the IP or just draw? That is not an easy decision. Ultimately, that is a business question and my own opinion wouldn't really change anyone's mind if they are set on one way or the other.
Knave: Do you read print comics?
Kwanza: Oh yeah. I am a HUGE Naruto fan. All-Star Superman is the best superhero comic being written right now - THE. BEST. I will fight anyone who says different. Scott Pilgrim is comic book rockness.
Knave: Do you think the web will ever replace print as the primary distribution method for the comics media?
Kwanza: Not it the next few years, but ultimately it will replace it. Paper is heavy and takes up space in your home. It is the reason iPods are so prevalent - no endless shelves of stuff, just handsome, wee devices that carry loads of entertainment. A svelte, color, touch-screen eReader will hail the end of periodicals. Did you read that, Steve Jobs? A svelte, color, touch-screen eReader. I want it now!
Knave: I assume you mean something with a bigger screen than the iPhone. Will the format of such a cool new reader be 4X3? Is the "portrait" aspect of text finally turning over to a "landscape" aspect, like the one Zuda employs, that is closer to film?
Kwanza: Way bigger than iPhone. Honestly it could just be another function on a tablet notebook. The natural screen size would mimic a standard graphic novel or manga, something familiar. At that point content can be portrait or landscape. The only reason Zuda is "landscape" is because computer screens are wider horizontally.
Knave: Well thanks so much for taking the time to do this interview. One final question: what are some of your goals for Zuda, short term, long term, in general. What would you like to see happen with Zuda; where would you like to see it go?
Kwanza: In the short term, my goal is to produce webcomics that people want to read. Nothing outside of that will ensure success. I would like to see the technology of Zuda grow. Aside from being an imprint, Zuda is a website and therefore it needs to continuously improve at the speed of the Internet.
(Click for full size, art by Rob Berry)
Knave: But seriously, Kwanza, how did you come to work at Zuda?
Kwanza Johnson: Boring short answer; I saw an advert on the Time Warner job Website and applied. Long boring answer; Basically after my stint at Marvel I'd decided that webcomics were the way to go and despite other non-comic employment, stayed focused on the medium. When I found out the position at DC was to edit webcomics, I made it a priority to get the job.
Knave: Could you describe what your job entails?
Kwanza: Basically, I try to find great talent and original stories that people will enjoy. I also try to help that talent make their stories the best webcomics online.
Knave: What kind of editorial discussions occur between you and the talent? Are they limited to on-going series, or do you make suggestions about changes in the contest material as need be? Do you ever say "change this and you're in the competition?"
Kwanza: Sorta. In the competition we request edits for language, grammar and typos. So it is more like, "Take out all the Eff Bombs, check your spelling, cover the naked people and you are in the competition."
Knave: So are you planning on putting in a mature content filter so that content with "eff bombs" and "uncovered naked people" will be allowed on the site?
Kwanza: That's on the list, but it's a technical issue, so Dave could address that better than I. Websites don't build themselves, so with that in mind, it is something that still as to be coded. I can't put a time-stamp on when, but it is a possible feature. We'll surprise you.
Knave: What about with the talent who've been signed to a contract, either through a contest or in an instant winner scenario? Are you a pretty hands off editor? In a year from now will there need to be another "editor" at Zuda to handle the twelve plus additional series you'd presumably have by then?
Kwanza: No editor is hands off. I can't function hands off. Even if I am only complementing someone's brilliance, there is some interaction . I am at least a sounding board for ideas. I will point out what I think is working and what is not, but I also will not rock the boat if things are going well. As for more editors, well I suppose that depends on whether all of the series continue.
Knave: What do you look for in a submission? Any tips on how people can make their entries stand out (in a good way)?
Kwanza: Good artwork and an engaging story. The subject of the comic hardly matters if you can't entertain the reader. How that is achieved is the real trick. Being able to draw decently and write a coherent sentence help (like, a lot), but overall submitters should look at what is out there and try to create something better than that. Before getting in a Zuda competition, you are competing with every other comic, so make sure your work blows them away.
Knave: Bayou is proving to be a very well-regarded "flagship property" for Zuda. Why do you think it's connecting with people?
Kwanza: Jeremy is telling a story that has not been told before. That is what makes it stand out. The subject matter is interesting territory to navigate and I think that intrigues readers. It also helps that Jeramy is great artist. I've been an admirer of his work long before Zuda.
Knave: What are some of your personal favorite webcomics not on Zuda?
Kwanza: Hands down it is Scary Go Round by John Allison. I want to live in that webcomic. I read everything on Transmission X, Act-I-Vate as well as Perry Ellis Bible Fellowship, Penny Arcade, so many others and that one strip that is about video games (sometimes), with the talking cat and the troll... Man! I can't remember the name of it, but it is awesome. ;-)
Knave: Do you think there's much reason for creators of other successful webcomics to move their properties over or create new properties for Zuda? Does the catalog of work here hope to eventually include existing properties with the Zuda licensing agreement?
Kwanza: You'd have to pose that question to a webcomic creator. I would love to work with any of my favorite webcomics, if it were possible. It's really a personal choice. Do you want to manage all aspects of the IP or just draw? That is not an easy decision. Ultimately, that is a business question and my own opinion wouldn't really change anyone's mind if they are set on one way or the other.
Knave: Do you read print comics?
Kwanza: Oh yeah. I am a HUGE Naruto fan. All-Star Superman is the best superhero comic being written right now - THE. BEST. I will fight anyone who says different. Scott Pilgrim is comic book rockness.
Knave: Do you think the web will ever replace print as the primary distribution method for the comics media?
Kwanza: Not it the next few years, but ultimately it will replace it. Paper is heavy and takes up space in your home. It is the reason iPods are so prevalent - no endless shelves of stuff, just handsome, wee devices that carry loads of entertainment. A svelte, color, touch-screen eReader will hail the end of periodicals. Did you read that, Steve Jobs? A svelte, color, touch-screen eReader. I want it now!
Knave: I assume you mean something with a bigger screen than the iPhone. Will the format of such a cool new reader be 4X3? Is the "portrait" aspect of text finally turning over to a "landscape" aspect, like the one Zuda employs, that is closer to film?
Kwanza: Way bigger than iPhone. Honestly it could just be another function on a tablet notebook. The natural screen size would mimic a standard graphic novel or manga, something familiar. At that point content can be portrait or landscape. The only reason Zuda is "landscape" is because computer screens are wider horizontally.
Knave: Well thanks so much for taking the time to do this interview. One final question: what are some of your goals for Zuda, short term, long term, in general. What would you like to see happen with Zuda; where would you like to see it go?
Kwanza: In the short term, my goal is to produce webcomics that people want to read. Nothing outside of that will ensure success. I would like to see the technology of Zuda grow. Aside from being an imprint, Zuda is a website and therefore it needs to continuously improve at the speed of the Internet.
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