Comic Genesis Forums

About a webcomic going through a fairly big style change. Whilst I am pretty happy with how Digital War looks at the moment, I'm beginning to think that maybe I should do something different for the next storyline.
This is what Digital War currently looks like:


I'm growing increasingly attached to a different style, which I think would go quite well with the next major storyline of DW.

In case anyone goes "they aren't that different", this one has more realistic proportions (broader shoulders etc), the facial shapes are different, everyone gets eye balls, and the hair is wackier.

So what do people think? Is change a good or bad thing? D'you think the readers would mind a change like this? Do you actually like the new style?


A rare one in a million shot of War being happy.

If you're starting a new chapter/season/episode in your story, I think that would be the perfect time to change your art style drasticly if you wanted to. I think it's a good idea to upgrade your art if you feel like you can do better, but also leave it similar enough for your readers to still recognize it. I think it should be fine, since you're not just suddenly changing it in the middle of the story. I personally found a style of shading I like better since I started my comic (Even though it's not that long) but I haven't used it in the comic itself because I don't want to change it suddenly.

I like your newer style, so I say go with it. But, ultimately if you want to do that style just do it man. Who cares what the readers think, it's still the same story just more detailed drawings.

I say go for it.

But I change my style every couple of weeks, so you should probably ignore me.

Changing styles at the story break is a bit easier on the reader. Comic books sometimes do a storyline with one artist and then move to another artist for the next one. It's not uncommon at all (Hellblazer does this all the time). You could even write yourself in as a different alias. 8)

If you like the new style, definitely go for it. I get better vibes off the new one than I do off the old, though I can't say I've read that much of your comic. Previous comments about changing at start of a new chapter apply.

So long as you can do the new style in a reasonable amount of time, go for it.

Ehh ... I change my style all the time, and no one's said anything so far. Aside from altering my actual drawings once in a while, I like experimenting with colouring them - I've done a couple pages in straight pen-and-ink, two comics and some filler in semi-cel-shading (all done badly...), a bunch of really old stuff in colour with no shading at all, and the rest in hand-shading.

Drawing a webcomic should be about enjoying yourself and experimenting. As long as you make sure that people can still identify your characters, I wouldn't worry about it.

OK, sorry it took awhile to respond. I wanted to read all the way through your archives first.

Overall, I think the new style is a good fit for the types of stories that you're doing right now. Since your style has already evolved a fair bit from where the comic started, I doubt people will mind once they get used to it.

The only thing I don't like is the hair thing on the back of War's head. Now that the head is more rounded looking and detailed, that thing stands out too much. It's like a 2D cheat on a 3D head. I think I'd like it better if it was smaller and turned with the character. Right now it looks like a flat piece of metal that's been glued onto his head in such a way as to face the camera.

Other than that, I say go for it.

I haven't been following your comic, but I think the guy with the red cape should shoot the woman taped to his wall in the head.

Yeah this new style looks neat! However,would it take longer to do? And might that effect your schedule?

As it has always been, once I get used to something it's quicker to do. I'm still fairly new to the style, but I think I knocked out that bottom sketch in 15 minutes, so whilst my speed does need improving, it's not too bad.

My schedule is already wonky as it is .

I'll have to say what ever is easier and more fun for you is what you should go for. I would wait for a good stopping point though.

I like the second style better... although the first is a little more distinctive.