Okay, there's an ulterior motive to starting this discussion. I just wanted to know what everyone thought about 'RPG' comics, i.e. comics that are about Dungeons and Dragons or other RPG adventuring. Specifically the funny ones.
It appears to me that there is quite a large body of them floating around the net, and more than a few on CG. Is it bad to start a new one? Is more of the same good enough? Would it be better to twist it (like Goblins did)?
Specifically, do you think this (basic) synopsis is original enough to warrant a decent fanbase?
I plan on making a webcomic based on the exploits of my friends and I in D&D. The twist comes because they rarely really got into character - so all of the characters will be half PCs and half-real-life. If you get me... So their clothing is normal, but they carry weapons. And they like cheetos and mountain dew...
I'll stop ranting, but what is your opinion on RPG comics? Would you read another one?
RPG Comics
I think the Idea of them being out of character could be pretty funny, and I for one would read another RPG comic as long as it was good. I wouldn't atoumatically denounce a comic based on genre, if I don't like a comic its becuause it has a combination of bad art and writing or because its simply not funny.
Re: RPG Comics
So long as you make a good one, it'll stand out.Malaika wrote:I'll stop ranting, but what is your opinion on RPG comics? Would you read another one?
That's the problem with all the RPG comics out there... 95% of them are of poor quality. The issue isn't WHAT they are about, but HOW they are made.
So yeah, go ahead, but just make sure you realize that by making an RPG comic you are essentially asking us "what if I made a movie about superheros? Would people watch it?"
Of course we'll read it, just keep us coming back for more
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Guildmaster Van
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I'm not big into RPGs (Don't have the patience to play), but I have many RPG influences in my work.
When making an RPG or fantasy themed comic you must consider that everything has been done before. At this point it is important to think about what you want to do, and how you want to present it as being fresh and original.
It is obvious you will never be completely original, but you can always hope to present your work in an original way.
Take Goblins, for example. It's a D&D based comic where the main party is composed of goblins, and the principle "villains" are two other adventurers. All the characters are aware they are RPG characters even though they don't admit it. In fact; one goblin suggests things that makes him sound like a GM. Behind all of this is an actual story, and it is presented in an original way.
Similarly Darken takes the concept of adventuring heroes and turns it on its head - the story is about adventuring villains.
And finally there's Atland. Oh god, Atland makes me geekgasm somewhere deep down in the cockles of my heart. The hero dies on page two. THE HERO DIES ON PAGE 2. Nate Peikos is truly masterful with this comic, turning everything about the fantasy genre on its head creating a unique niche for itself that no one could ever imitate. Read it for yourself and see.
Like I said - do what makes you happy, and present in a way that makes you happy. If that way is "unoriginal" then so be it - like I said; no one is completely original anymore. The best you can hope for is a comic that makes you and your readers happy, and that after all is the most important thing above all.
When making an RPG or fantasy themed comic you must consider that everything has been done before. At this point it is important to think about what you want to do, and how you want to present it as being fresh and original.
It is obvious you will never be completely original, but you can always hope to present your work in an original way.
Take Goblins, for example. It's a D&D based comic where the main party is composed of goblins, and the principle "villains" are two other adventurers. All the characters are aware they are RPG characters even though they don't admit it. In fact; one goblin suggests things that makes him sound like a GM. Behind all of this is an actual story, and it is presented in an original way.
Similarly Darken takes the concept of adventuring heroes and turns it on its head - the story is about adventuring villains.
And finally there's Atland. Oh god, Atland makes me geekgasm somewhere deep down in the cockles of my heart. The hero dies on page two. THE HERO DIES ON PAGE 2. Nate Peikos is truly masterful with this comic, turning everything about the fantasy genre on its head creating a unique niche for itself that no one could ever imitate. Read it for yourself and see.
Like I said - do what makes you happy, and present in a way that makes you happy. If that way is "unoriginal" then so be it - like I said; no one is completely original anymore. The best you can hope for is a comic that makes you and your readers happy, and that after all is the most important thing above all.
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The Neko
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Precisely! You may think it's funny to you and your friends, but to the rest of the world you're a total tool.Kris X wrote: 2. Comics about "groups of friends" leads to inside jokes that no one but those involved understand. Be careful.
The big thing about this kind of thing is overdoing the "we are all a big group of wacky funsters who solve all the conflicts in wacky ways!" stuff. It gets old, fast.
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Vorticus
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I think the real reason Darken suceeds is not the adventuring villains twist, but the fact that the focus is on the story and not on gaming humor. Plenty of RPG sessions have good stories, but usually comics they inspire devolve into gaming and 'in' jokes instead of concentrating on the rich story they have in the fantasy world.
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Black Sparrow
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The benefit to RPG comics is that the fanbase is pretty big. Many people who are into webcomics are into other geeky stuff too. But that also means that you'll have to be creative with the jokes. Or else you'll be "just another D&D comic."
I suggest checking out Role of the Die and Darken to get you started.
I suggest checking out Role of the Die and Darken to get you started.
This is going in my notebook titled "Things I Didn't Know about Surface Dwellers."
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Coffee_Ninja
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I get really sick of most RPG comics because it really has all been done before. I suggest making sure your characters are interesting and give your readers a good story to follow.
A good RPG comic I found was Sentimental Horde.
A good RPG comic I found was Sentimental Horde.
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McDuffies
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What do I think about comics based on RPG characters?
I think that it's been done to death. And then it's been done some more.
Also, that characters in question are usually dear to their creators, and because they're attached to them a lot, these characters seem interesting to them. They often forget that the reader has totally different perspective.
To me, creating characters from scratch is a better option because then it's easier to present them from the scratch to reader too. In such case, the perspective a reader has is more similar to yours.
Of course, this doesn't stop some people to create quite nice comics from RPG. I guess you have to measure your desire to make such comic with risk of failing into a sea of anonimous RPG webcomics and see which one prevails.
I think that it's been done to death. And then it's been done some more.
Also, that characters in question are usually dear to their creators, and because they're attached to them a lot, these characters seem interesting to them. They often forget that the reader has totally different perspective.
To me, creating characters from scratch is a better option because then it's easier to present them from the scratch to reader too. In such case, the perspective a reader has is more similar to yours.
Of course, this doesn't stop some people to create quite nice comics from RPG. I guess you have to measure your desire to make such comic with risk of failing into a sea of anonimous RPG webcomics and see which one prevails.
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TheSuburbanLetdown
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