The Newsbox We Almost Used

T Campbell · Post by **T Campbell** » Sun Mar 10, 2002 9:39 am

<CENTER><IMG SRC="http://faans.com/images/fans-newsbox1.gif"></CENTER>

[ This Message was edited by: T Campbell on 2002-03-10 09:40 ]

KingLeon · Post by **KingLeon** » Sun Mar 10, 2002 10:45 am

Ah... either the current SL or the general plot of the comic... And the general plot won...

Ohamsie · Post by **Ohamsie** » Sun Mar 10, 2002 11:13 am

Can't you use both?

Aris Katsaris · Post by **Aris Katsaris** » Sun Mar 10, 2002 12:07 pm

I think I'd have preferred this one instead, judging from what would have attracted my attention.

This one indicates there's a evolving plot and drama - things that generally draw me in more than simple humour. From the other newsbox you can't really tell whether it's even a gag-a-day kind of strip or not...

Michael · Post by **Michael** » Sun Mar 10, 2002 1:16 pm

Speaking for myself, having never read Fans before (except for the CRFH!! crossover, during which I was pretty much thinking, what the hell is this anyway), and having followed the newsbox to my certain demise, and now having read the entire archives ... (breathe) I don't think I would have liked this newsbox. But then, I don't like overt drama in my cartoons, I like it mixed in as a leavening for the humor.

My two bits.

Oh -- damn good strip. I'm happy I haven't looked earlier, because I really try to keep my toon addiction under control, and Fans is too good to pass up. Sigh.

Vitriol · Post by **Vitriol** » Sun Mar 10, 2002 3:37 pm

I think that, while I prefer this box, the one that good use, the others will hook more newbies on the sweet, sweet addiction that is Fans...

After all, while this one does suggest extra plot-based goodness, the other's general darkness (except Meagean) should still intrigue a fair number.

Still no Tim, though *sighs*.

FlyingFish · Post by **FlyingFish** » Sun Mar 10, 2002 3:44 pm

It's nicely put together (even with the typo), but I think when you're introducing a comic to an audience for the first time, an overview is much more effective. Tell them what the comic is about in general, and you'll interest the people who will stay for good. Tell them about what's going on currently, and you'll drag in a few people for the specific storyline only to lose them when the plot/tone shifts.

Later, after you've got an established foothold, "current events" ads can be effective for those who checked the comic out but haven't read it in a while ("Hmm, what's been going on over there since I last visited?")

ZOMBIE USER 1252 · Post by **ZOMBIE USER 1252** » Sun Mar 10, 2002 6:51 pm

T ... I'm surprised you didn't just hyperlink to it.

Webcomics are a tough audience. Yeah, there are those of us who can sit down and read "Clan of the Cats," "Unicorn Jelly," or the "Fire and Rain" Sluggy SL and ENJOY the drama.

But look at the Keenspots. At first glance, I would say about 44 of the 53 Spots (granted, I read more backwater strips than I do Keenspot strips, so I wouldn't know on most) look to be, at first glance, whimsical or funny.

Comic book and manga fans in general will have more of a tolerance for serious storylines, but it seems like the webcomic audience at large goes for the funny and/or fannish at first glance. You ask "the average surfer" what they read? PVP, Penny Arcade, Sluggy, MegaTokyo, maybe some similar ones.

So, for the unwashed masses, the first newsbox is better than the second. Sad, ne?

ZOMBIE USER 1252 · Post by **ZOMBIE USER 1252** » Sun Mar 10, 2002 6:54 pm

Another note ... "Till Death do them part" isn't a typo. The original text is "'Til Death do us part." As in "Until Death parts us," not "We won't part until death."

"Till Death does part them." Ne?

If that's not what you meant, ignore that. But that's the only thing I noticed that could really be a typo. LOL

Maccabee · Post by **Maccabee** » Sun Mar 10, 2002 7:31 pm

I think it was the use of "do" instead of "does." The poor misunderstood subjunctive. It has a special place in my heart, and I advocate its use whenever possible. Maybe it's all those years of Latin.

Save the subjunctive!

Maccabee

"If this be pretentiousness, make the most of it!"

Alisin · Post by **Alisin** » Mon Mar 11, 2002 5:00 am

This one looks so good, but I think I prefer the one that shows most of the cast...

Khavren · Post by **Khavren** » Tue Mar 12, 2002 6:46 am

This one is ok, but the other has a better feel to it, it is more appealing for the general comic. And the angry or pensive expressions on the cast rotation indicate a certain serious trend in the comic too.

Tom the Fanboy · Post by **Tom the Fanboy** » Tue Mar 12, 2002 11:24 am

Just to be on topic I think the one you used was the right choice since it is an INTRODUCTORY Newsbox. I can see this one being good if Fans! had been on the Spot for awhile.

Meanwhile, I'm sitting here staring at Commander Michaels post count and wishing that I hadn't taken a hiatus from the boards during the CRFH crossover.
*eyes narrow as he gets a close up of sigNIFICANCE*

Joshlamont · Post by **Joshlamont** » Tue Mar 12, 2002 12:01 pm

i'm thinking it should be "till death do they part". "death does them part" doesn't work.

Amorph · Post by **Amorph** » Tue Mar 12, 2002 2:19 pm

No, because "till death do them part" is just another way of writing "till death parts them."

It's correct, it's just anachronistic.

Maccabee · Post by **Maccabee** » Tue Mar 12, 2002 2:49 pm

As I said, " 'Til death do them part" is a subjunctive construction. It is not anachronistic. The subjunctive lives!!

MacCabee
*paints face blue*
"They may take our lives... but they will never take our inflections!"

*crowd of Scottish warriors stands around looking rather apathetic. Who's gonna follow a Jew-boy in a hentai fetish skirt and makeup that's garish even by drag-queen standards into battle over grammar, ferchrissake?*

[ This Message was edited by: Maccabee on 2002-03-12 14:49 ]

T Campbell · Post by **T Campbell** » Tue Mar 12, 2002 7:55 pm

And even if it WERE anachronistic, it would still be beautiful, like "Hallowed be thy name."

"Until death do us part" means "until we be parted by death." It's still the traditional close of wedding vows, although "as long as we both shall live" seems to be gaining ground.