Discussing Controversial Issues via Webcomics

[Jackhass]

I don't do it.

I actually contemplated having a couple characters who would mainly be in the comic to discuss politics early on...but I never actually debuted them (despite writing up some strips staring them) and I'm glad I didn't.

[Kisai]

My opinion, is never use a comic as a soap box.

comics make for great soap boxes. Its a great medium, look at political cartoons for example. It really depends on what the comic is about. There's tons of really popular comics that do it all the time. Kinda like music, even if they aren't preaching to my sensabilities, if its got a nice bassline, I'm gonna listen.. four on the floor even better. same with a comic, it makes me laugh or get into a story.. then by all means say what ever ya want.

However in this global warming I believe that the comic should educate, and say what it is. not discuss an opinion on it. give them away to get more information, would be a great avenue if you mention it in a comic.

I only wound of writing part of what I wanted because I was going to be late for work.

A webcomic, should not be used as a soapbox, where it's intention was not to be a soapbox. For example, a political cartoon, or an alarmist cartoon, is just that, a soap box. When it goes from expressing an opinion to preaching (and then turns into beating a dead horse) an opinion trying to present it as fact, then it's only interesting to you. Nobody likes being preached to.

Hence, if you were to write a comic about global warming, you could get away with it untill you make a mistake, and then the credability is broken. If a comic is a fictional comic, but has events that are similiar to actual events, then you can get away with stretching the truth to fit the comic world. A non-fictional comic however, based on real events, is journalism, and has to present information as accurately as can be verified.

If you are doing satire though, people will figure out it's satire from the absurdity.

I've known about global warming since 1991 when I watched something on TV, and haven't been able to remember what's it's called, but kept referencing "time machine" (as in predicting what will happen.) I even used it as a grade 8 science topic(1993), despite not being able to find any of the information in the library, and the internet not being commercially available.

Anyway, back then, climate change was blamed almost exclusively on ozone depeletion and increase of greenhouse gasses (CO2) from what I remember. Back when fast food still used foam containers.

[Princess]

"Tiddley" has gotta be euphemism for something...

Hmmm does it turn up in any lil' kim songs? that's the acid test

[Warbaby1]

I was going to add fridges to that list, but then I just downloaded fridge hentai, so scratch that one out.

.....was it drawn by Waita Uziga?

Oh, thanks for that. Really.

Just when you think you've already seen the most brutally horrific hentai the internet has to offer, somebody throws another name at you. And helplessly, you google...

[Linkara]

"Curiosity is the undoing of your soul. Tread not to places that you want to know more about."

-Sage advice from a loser who sits at home doing webcomics and fantasy novels

[Mercury Hat]

I think when you can identify exactly which character is a mouthpiece for the author, you've screwed up.

[Sortelli]

To be fair, the guy in the dunce cap had some excellent points. As a raving lunatic, I identified with him.

[RPin]

SAFE NON OFFENSIVE TOPICS FOR WEBCOMICS

by Mimo

Kittens
Puppies
Bread (plain sliced white)
Paper
Lawn mowing
Sewing
Baking
Folk Dancing
Egg and spoon races
Tiddley winks
French Cricket

I was going to add fridges to that list, but then I just downloaded fridge hentai, so scratch that one out.

.....was it drawn by Waita Uziga?

Nope... it's actually a pretty sweet story. There is some farting in it, though...

[TheSuburbanLetdown]

...fridge hentai?

[Corgan_dane]

...fridge hentai?

Better than that freezer hentai I saw.

[Linkara]

...fridge hentai?

Better than that freezer hentai I saw.

Or that pantry hentai.

*Shivers in horror.* Brrrr...

[TellTaleHeart]

...fridge hentai?

Better than that freezer hentai I saw.

Or that pantry hentai.

*Shivers in horror.* Brrrr...

Don't get your pantries in a knot.

[Tenma]

One piece of advice I can offer if you do decide to tackle a controversial topic, or even worse, 'teach a lesson'... Make sure there's no chance of you going on hiatus in the middle of your story arc.

When I stopped without fully resolving my yaoi stoyline, I had a few people wondering if I myself was homophobic. Personally I'm very glad I didn't go the 'educational' route with that storyline, and rather just chalked it up to Steve being an asshole. The only problem was that the denouement didn't come until after nearly two years of inactivity.

In some ways my comic is nothing but controversial topics. A major part of the comic is about the main character's relationship with an underage girl and a central theme is whether or not it's okay to be a slut. And one of my characters is retarded, which opens up a whole different can of worms. But there's a difference between exploring a subject with the entirety of your comic and just using it as a soapbox to spout off your opinions about controversial stuff.

I normally steer clear of the latter camp, but I'm not going to fault anyone who doesn't. It's your work and you should do with it what you see fit. You will alienate some people, but there are others who will agree with you and support you for it.

[Kisai]

A major part of the comic is about the main character's relationship with an underage girl and a central theme is whether or not it's okay to be a slut.

The thing is, where do you draw the line?

Based on reality, things always go wrong when the person you are interested is more than a few years older/younger. Sometimes someone is a flirt or tease, which confuses the other person when they make advances on the person and react like they weren't suggesting anything. (This is the argument made by rapists, and pedophiles "she was flirting with me, she wanted it".) But sometimes the jailbait argument is used instead, where the person is knowingly flirting with someone that could get only the other person in trouble, and they just want to be the forbidden fruit to them. na na na na "can't touch this!"

As for the "okay to be a slut" comment. I think it depends if they are intelligent or not. Someone who actively engages in sex with "anyone" without any protection, is stupid and must be avoided at all costs (Ugh... what was the stupid show with the pregnant 12 year olds... X_x. "Look at me, I'm a stupid whore who prances around on TV to show how much of a stupid whore I am, I'm so happy I have tv time, omg I'm pregnant, it gets me on TV! Yay!". ) On the other hand, if someone is intelligent enough to actively not contract diseases or unwanted pregnancies, etc, then they are enjoying their life and shouldn't be punished for it. Gay/Lesbian couples can be equally as stupid. Monogamy and heterosexuality are only guidelines to ensure the human species continues. If some part of the race dies off from lack of procreation or disease spread, some other part will continue to survive somewhere.

If humans didn't have the ability to think about their actions, we'd be no better than the rabbits.

[Tenma]

A major part of the comic is about the main character's relationship with an underage girl and a central theme is whether or not it's okay to be a slut.

The thing is, where do you draw the line?

Based on reality, things always go wrong when the person you are interested is more than a few years older/younger. Sometimes someone is a flirt or tease, which confuses the other person when they make advances on the person and react like they weren't suggesting anything. (This is the argument made by rapists, and pedophiles "she was flirting with me, she wanted it".) But sometimes the jailbait argument is used instead, where the person is knowingly flirting with someone that could get only the other person in trouble, and they just want to be the forbidden fruit to them. na na na na "can't touch this!"

Nate is 21 and Rose is 16, so it's not a huge difference. Certainly not enough to make them incompatible, but it is enough to make Nate think twice about the situation (and the dubious legality of it,) and therein lies his dilemma. Rose also hasn't shown any signs that she's doing this for any reason other than genuinely wanting to be with Nate.

Those of us who grew up on anime and manga are used to seeing 16-year-olds doing all kinds of things. Hell, try rounding up everyone who's ever fantasized about Asuka Langley Soryu or Rei Ayanami (both 14,) and you'd have a hell of a lot of people to look down upon. It's only with these particular characters in this setting that it really even becomes an issue.

I haven't publicly established an opinion on the "okay to be a slut,' question, specifically because I intend to work that out in the comic. :-) I do appreciate your view on the matter though.

[Sortelli]

Better than that freezer hentai I saw.

Or that pantry hentai.

*Shivers in horror.* Brrrr...

Don't get your pantries in a knot.

I hear businessmen buy used pantries online.

[TheSuburbanLetdown]

It seems I found a new way to make money.

[Rcmonroe]

If humans didn't have the ability to think about their actions, we'd be no better than the rabbits.

I feel I'd be remiss if I didn't publicly take issue with the specist assertion that humans are better than rabbits.