Introduction

The medium of comics is a much maligned and misunderstood art. In this dissertation I will seek to draw an outline of what I believe to be the unique beauty of the comic as a medium. Once an understanding of comics as a medium (as opposed to the often used misnomer of comics as a genre) has been established, I will seek to examine and define the ways in which the individual virtues of the comic medium can best be preserved and enhanced in a digital context.

The online comic is a medium in its infancy, still in the process of finding its feet. I will attempt to identify the major issues that producers of online comics face, and attempt to draw conclusions as to the best way forward for the medium. In attempting to map out the potential of online comics as a medium, there are two main areas to be considered. The translation from a printed form to a digital form offers many possibilities and raises many issues. The matter of distribution and reception of a comic online is also multifaceted. The implications for creators, readers and the industry of online delivery are not yet fully known, but are liable to be far-reaching in the long term. Rather than make a perfunctory examination of two such vast areas, I have chosen to concentrate on the translation of comics from a printed to a digital form. My examination of this area will cover three main issues.

Firstly, I will endeavour to outline what constitutes a comic. I will identify the primary factors in what defines a comic, and examine the boundaries of the resulting definition.

Following on from this, there will be an examination of how digitisation and production and presentation can augment a comic, and how this affects the definition and range of what can be called a comic.

Another major issue facing online comics is that of interaction. There will be an examination of the implications of introducing interaction into any narrative medium, with particular reference to online comics.

Based on my conclusions regarding the nature of comics and the opportunities that online comics present, I intend to conclude by proposing a way in which online comics can move forward to best realise the potential which exists.