The Truth
The truth is that most creators dabble in both arenas. You will find webcomic creators at comic book conventions with books that are collections of their work. Print comic creators use the internet to promote their wares and sometimes create content just for the digital medium. Whether or not digital is the true future of the comic book is a heated debate right now, but it is one we need to have. This format isn’t going away and isn’t necessarily a lesser format, but one that needs to looked into for the future of a healthy comics market.Just Starting Out?
In my opinion, if you are just starting out and want to get into comics, go digital. The benefits are huge for a young and hungry creator. Cost, speed, and the ability to slowly grow your reputation is a great resource. You don’t have to give up your ideas for print fandom, because as soon as people start asking, “When is there going to be a book?” You know it’s time to go to print.The digital format will give you time to grow in your skills are a creator and will certainly open doors for you down the road. This isn’t to say that you should just do digital, but certainly use it! It has been said that you shouldn’t aspire to be a comic book writer or comic book artist, but a just a “writer” and just an “artist.” Trapping yourself in the box of that label will only keep you from other avenues of success.
However, if you are going to conventions with a portfolio, you can’t take your website with you. Make a mini-comic or zine, and print out your best pages because an editor can quickly ascertain if your work is up to snuff. They can also be handy things to pass out or sell at conventions.
