defrog: (emo pig)
defrog ([personal profile] defrog) wrote2009-03-11 06:52 pm

STRIPPING FOR THE FUTURE

ITEM: In an interview with CNN, Matt Groening reveals that his Life In Hell comic strip is being dropped by its flagship newspaper, LA Weekly, after 22 years.

“I and all the other cartoonists are being dismissed because they can't afford to pay,” he says.

Tellingly, CNN spends very little time on this, focusing more on Groening’s better-known works like The Simpsons and Futurama – which probably shows just how little people care about comic strips, compared to TV shows.

Of course, that’s not news for comic strip fans – ever since the 80s, newspapers have been shrinking comic sizes and treating them like meaningless filler (and sure, you could make a case for things like Howard Huge, but that’s not the point).

It doesn’t mean Life In Hell is finished just yet, since other alt-papers are still running it, but Groening isn’t optimistic, and isn’t sure if he wants to do it online, which usually demands more than a weekly installment.

Which in turn raises the question of whether Web comics have a future. People do read them online, and not just established comics like Doonesbury. Sinfest (which many of you know) is not only successful, but also illustrates one of the greatest advantages of online vs newspaper comics: the ability to do comics on controversial subjects. No family newspaper in their right mind would have the guts to run something like Sinfest.

In theory – according to this op-ed piece – the next logical step could be mobile devices, which are perfect for quick-read content like comic strips, and now have the functionality to download and read them easily. I don’t have an iPhone or a Kindle, but I wouldn’t mind having a RSS feed of my favorite comics (new or archived classics) for my Nokia N95 bundled into my monthly bill.

The question, as always, is whether there’s any money in it. I’m not sure how Tatsuya Ishida makes money from Sinfest, apart from web ad revenue or sales of the collected volumes. I assume he pays the rent with his work at Dark Horse Comics (which is going to run Sinfest now, apparently). Those of you with connections in the business probably have better insight into the economics.

Anyway, it’s a shame about Life In Hell. One could argue it’s past its prime, but I loved reading it in university. It’s also the source of one of my all-time favorite lines ever written in a newspaper:

“Mastubation is nothing to be ashamed of. (It’s nothing to be particularly proud of, either.)”

Not that I agree with that second bit, mind. But it’s a great line.

Hell is for heroes,

This is dF

[identity profile] figmentj.livejournal.com 2009-03-11 12:24 pm (UTC)(link)
Why is it something to be proud of? I mean, I can see it if you accomplish something special (my former boyfriend once hit the roof of a bus from a seated position) but just for doing it in general? I demand higher standards.

[identity profile] def-fr0g-42.livejournal.com 2009-03-11 01:05 pm (UTC)(link)
[my former boyfriend once hit the roof of a bus from a seated position]

I believe you just answered yr own question. :)

[identity profile] figmentj.livejournal.com 2009-03-11 02:02 pm (UTC)(link)
Well then you're proud of a specific trick, not masturbation in general.

(Anonymous) 2009-03-11 02:00 pm (UTC)(link)
I will get sponsorship fund from myseterious moslem man?
Tomorrow?

(Anonymous) 2009-03-11 02:04 pm (UTC)(link)
I will get detailed information from RuiRui tomorrow!

(Anonymous) 2009-03-11 02:05 pm (UTC)(link)
Good. Otherwise, I'm afraid if he fail to come out from cave as he did last time.

(Anonymous) 2009-03-11 02:07 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh my god! I have to hurry up to prepare and train myself to be a lovely wife? of RuiRui.

(Anonymous) 2009-03-11 02:09 pm (UTC)(link)
So called LOVELY wife,or occasionally Republican wife, when it's more appropriate to let them have this impression.

Basically, I'm teasing the world.

(Anonymous) 2009-03-11 02:10 pm (UTC)(link)
I'll take bath and go to sleep, honey.

Please get to used to take bath, honey.
OK?

Good Night!

(Anonymous) 2009-03-11 02:12 pm (UTC)(link)
3年に1度くらいは、素敵なドレス着て、NYあたりのパーティに連れて行ってほしいな~
なんて。独り言です。

(Anonymous) 2009-03-11 02:13 pm (UTC)(link)

Hey. Good night!


Sleep well and stay pretty groom, darling.

(Anonymous) 2009-03-11 02:14 pm (UTC)(link)

I mean, no eye bags, please...
私もお肌のお手入れしないと。

See you tomorrow, my big baby.

(Anonymous) 2009-03-11 02:15 pm (UTC)(link)

OKie.

I will bear your child, Lewis.

Ilove you~~~~~

Good night and Sleep well, honey.
I can't wait to come back here tomorrow.

(Anonymous) 2009-03-11 02:16 pm (UTC)(link)

ね。お嫁さんにしてね、るいるい。

(Anonymous) 2009-03-11 02:17 pm (UTC)(link)


るいるいの奥さんになる。
お揃いの指輪したい。

(Anonymous) 2009-03-11 02:17 pm (UTC)(link)


The Ballerina ring of Cartier is an nice option, too!

(Anonymous) 2009-03-11 02:19 pm (UTC)(link)


でもね、パーティーとか、るいるいのお仕事関係の集まりに、
この指輪をして出かけないと~