The Great divide

Inclusive Notions of Community

Web comic author Kevin Brown expressed the notion that the online comic realm has it's firm divisions between "...immensely popular comics and more indie comics". Unlike the music industry, which follows a formula of 'independent band plus popularity equals automatic sellout', the web comic community is particularly silent in regards to popular web comics achieving print success.
This disinterest in drawing lines of acceptance has something to do with the inclusive notion of culture that applies to the community of online comic fans and authors.
In the realm of music, bands and solo artists are often accused of "selling out" when fans perceive that their group or artist has changed the style of their music to suit the demands ofÊ 'the Industry' instead of remaining the voice of their generation.
On the internet, genera and identity are akin to nationality and regional belonging: they don't have near as much impact as they do in conventional society. I can't recall any particular comic author, print or web, that has been accused of 'selling out' - to "the man" or anyone else for that matter.

Randall McIlwaine in discussing his opinions of the online comic community stated that his experience with other online artists were very positive, believing that for the most part they're "a friendly bunch of people". I agree with this wholeheartedly. In browsing many web comic message boards, it's rare to find 'flames' accusing web comics that their own .com and online stores are becoming sellouts or 'consumer whores'.

The great division in the comic strip universe that does have a tangible contrast is that between the online and print, or 'syndicated' strips. I asked editorial cartoonist and prior web artist Graeme MacKay if he felt removed from mainstream print comics because of his Canadian nationality, He responded:
"I would think if there was any sort of "removal" felt by online cartoonists it would be in terms of money. I would hope most online cartoonists would agree that online cartoons and print cartoons are comparing apples to oranges."
Further, in a discussion on this matter with Fortune Street author, Randall McIlwaine, he noted that;
"the Internet is probably the best way for anyone interested in Canadian cartooning to see what's being produced because way too little of it ever makes it into the papers."
This is a common response to the Canadian Print industry. While many Canadian online artists aspire to find a print home for their strips in Canadian papers, this countries' press is viewed as a "closed venue". Canadian web comic authors utilize the internet to showcase their talent in a venue without restrictions. They hope to broaden their appeal so that one day, they may beÊ invited to create for the Funny Pages in major Canadian and US papers.

Unfortunately, the 'great divide' for popularizing web comics depends largely upon their success in print, and not as a result of a lack of talent in the field. Therefore one might assume that, there are no Canadian web-cartoon strips good enough to be syndicated/ published, or ..that the Canadian Newspaper Industry, according to Randall McIlwaine, simply has no interest in promoting Canadian talent unless it is syndicated in the United States.

What's Nationality got to do, got to with it?

It's the heartfelt belief of many artists interviewed that their nationality doesn't define them as artists, but their work and talent does. Another widespread notion among those interviewed, was that while their work is shaped by their Canadian environment, it's on a very innocuous level. As such, it doesn't determine absolute success or failure in their chosen craft.

In speaking with Frank Cormier, he typified my thoughts on the matter.
"There are a great deal of comic artists from all over the world publishing on the web, and most readers have no idea where they're from -- all they care about is reading the funny."
However, one wonders about the amount of 'funny' being recognized above the internet's dull roar that originates in Canada.
In discussing if "being Canadian" factors into being a successful cartoonist, Frank Cormier related that he didn't "see it personally as having much of an effect at all."
The only "major difference" that being Canadian has over any other regional group in Graem MacKay's judgment is the influence of the regions environment. Canadians and Americans are "virtually the same when it comes to print comics because our societies are so similar and integrated".
While culture in effect orchestrates what kind of artist and authors we are in both web and print, comics succeed not on where they come from; but on talent alone.
The question has then changed from "Does Canada have any good web comics worth printing?" to, "is the Canadian Press biased in favor of US Syndicated strips?".
What we should be asking ourselves is "How many online comic strips, both in the USA, Canada and abroad actually make it into the mainstream press?" Therein lies the answer to the query - Are online artists the world over just two immersed in their own subculture to be accepted by the mainstream press?
To quote Frank Cormier, "Give it a decade or so and ask me that question again".

Posted by B.Scott
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