As webcomics became a viable way to build an audience and earn a living, things like SEO, social media and a great website were a great way to set yourself apart from other comics.  In fact, SEO was really good to invest in when comics were unique to the web ... Continue Reading

Communication between you and your readers starts the instant they get on your site, long before they've read a single comic or blog post. What messages are you sending to your audience just with your website design? You might not realize it, but your site could be a ... Continue Reading

I think I should start this article off by letting everyone know this really isn’t an article about HOW to hand-letter your strips… that would be akin to writing an article on how to draw – and let’s face it, there isn’t one single article that will be able to ... Continue Reading

As I chug along with my daily comic strip each day, I wonder “What is the best method of gaining readers?”  Is the daily website the best choice anymore? Now with smart phones and tablets taking over the market, that seems to be the way to go. Just recently when I ... Continue Reading

Last week we all fessed up to our mistakes with the 5 things we'd do differently, and the lessons we've learned. So this time we're taking a moment to recognize that reflection isn't just for what went wrong, but for what went well! What are 5 things that ... Continue Reading

They’re out there. Passionate, dedicated, willing to support indie creators, and yet so very elusive: The Typical Webcomic Reader. As we have discussed on this site and on our podcasts, although we can easily find fellow creators quite easily on social media, finding the READERS… you know, the ones who keep up ... Continue Reading

You've been working hard on your webcomic for a while now - weeks, months, years! And all along the way, making mistakes and learning hard lessons from them. Have you ever stopped to wonder what you'd do differently, if you had the chance to go back? Chris and Dawn recently ... Continue Reading

Once in a while it's good for us creators to stop and reflect on how much we have grown, improved or changed. While I can definitely see a difference between the old Zorphbert & Fred comics I drew back in 2007, I think a bigger change has been how I ... Continue Reading

Okay folks, the first drawing with Drezz video has landed. Wanna know how I draw El Cuervo? Check out the secrets behind my "pro"cess in this first video of the series. It's about 30 minutes long, but well worth it. Got any questions? Feel free to give me a shout in ... Continue Reading

Hey kids! Today, I want to talk to you about sketch cards and show you how you can make your own custom cards that will, hopefully, help you stand out from the convention crowd. Sketch cards have recently taken off in popularity the last couple of years - and, as you ... Continue Reading

Stories don't just pop into our heads fully-formed and perfect. In fact, sometimes when we sit down to start a chapter, ideas don't want to form at all. So let's bust those brainstorming blocks with some in-depth tips on where to start: character arc, common ground in the cast, and ... Continue Reading

Crafting a Viewer's Perceptions What is the 180 degree rule? We see it in use the most in film. If a character enters from the right side of the screen, they stay on that side and face the same direction, even when the scene cuts from shot to shot. This helps ... Continue Reading

  They're out there. Passionate, dedicated, willing to support indie creators, and yet so very elusive: The Typical Webcomic Reader. As we have discussed on this site and on our podcasts, although we can easily find fellow creators quite easily on social media, finding the READERS... you know, the ones who keep ... Continue Reading

­­­ by Steve Ogden and Tom Dell’Aringa   In a previous article, Dawn already talked about the broken webcomic "business model" , but there might be something in all this that's even worse than a simple broken model. The web is a double-edged sword. On one hand, it's a direct route to a potential ... Continue Reading

Here at the Alliance, a picture may be worth a thousand words, but a VIDEO.... well, that's just GOLD. So, while we have mastered the art of writing about drawing, how about we actually show you what we do. Once a month, we'll post a VIDEO of our process- drawing, ... Continue Reading

Over the years since I started Capes & Babes and began attending conventions, I’ve been very fortunate to receive many great compliments about my table set-up. I’d like to think part of that is due to my extensive graphic design background. In any case, there’s a lot of thought and ... Continue Reading

This may be the most ridiculous video I've ever made -- but the heart still beats a serious note. Comments are great until they get ugly. And by ugly, I mean when creators turn on what (usually) are well-meaning fans. Nothing can alienate a reader like a ... Continue Reading

(Byron’s note: Bear with me as this story from my childhood leads to a point for us comic creators) 1969.  It was the summer of Woodstock and Man landing on the moon.  It was the first time actors appeared nude on Broadway in a little musical called “Hair”.  It was the ... Continue Reading

Take your seats, class. If you followed directions and did your homework from our last session, you should have gathered all the specifications from your printer as well as set up all your comic files to be easily placed into an InDesign document. You may have even started a new ... Continue Reading

I don't need to remind you that I've been doing webcomics as a side gig - mainly for fun and practice, and also to share my stories with folks who dig my style and subject matter. This article is geared towards the average joe who is trying to get better ... Continue Reading