Pixels vs. Paper: Understanding the Future of Comics

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The above image was the utopian vision Scott McCloud had for comics when he published “Reinventing Comics” in the year 2000. Scott imagined a world of boundless potential where artists experiment with the form and reveal bold new futures for the medium.

Instead, webcomics would follow the scroll down model set by mobile phone technology. Webcomics, instead of becoming the playground of innovation Scott earnestly yearned for, became arguably more restricted by format than standard printed comics.

I want to be clear that Scott’s “______ing Comics” trilogy (“Understanding Comics”, “Reinventing Comics” and “Making Comics”) stand proud as the best works on the medium of comics ever written. I hold these books in high esteem and refer to “Understanding” and “Making” frequently to inform my own growth as a comics artist.

I point out Scott’s misfire to underline the volatile nature of the internet and related technology. This volatility, juxtaposed with my deep love of tradition prods me to wonder about what are the best next steps for getting comics to readers. Here are some of those thoughts. You’ll be able to vote in an opinion poll at the bottom of this article.