It’s actually pretty simple. You make a bad ass comic that you’ve put 100% of yourself into, you should get in. And if you don’t, so what — if you feel super passionate about it, put it up somewhere else. If you get in and lose, sometimes (believe it or not) that’s even better. You still retain the rights to your work, you meet a whole array of other creative talent whom you can maybe even collab w/ latter (ie: The Hammer).

Any way you look at it, it’s a win/win scenario.

I was a former competitor and came in 10th place, but it was a great experience. Even if I hadn’t gotten in I’d still be doing what I am right now: Self releasing/publishing my comic on my own site.

Zuda isn’t for everyone… but for those that don’t really “get it”, it’s about way more than just winning the contract.

A successful career hinges on a number of things falling into place at the right time: a superior competency of skills, education, successful networking, a popular connection with the clients, and plain ol’ dumb luck.

This seems to be news to some people, but the entire business of comics is a popularity contest and not a competition based on merit. People have built careers in comics based on the fact that they have lots of friends in the business who give them jobs or help spread word of mouth and contribute to the “buzz” behind their books. People win awards because their friends vote for them. People get jobs because they hung out with the right person at the bar after a con. Don’t kid yourself.

Oh, and yes, Celadore is a wonderful read.

54 comments in, and I’d say all Zuda is looking for right now is peace, love and understanding. ;o)

Let me start with that I’m a nobody that draws and I like zudacomics with the features they offer via the internet for free. The opportunities for artist are there, but not without some fine-tuning and lots of hard work and dedication. If I ever get into a competition, I don’t care about winning, just want to be able to say I tried. It’s not about money, oh God no. What money?…after taxes. One should pick up a pen and write/draw/color a submission according to their guidelines( http://www.zudacomics.com/submit_instructions ) and then compete. Read. Create. Vote…as I understand it. Sure, there are doubts of how you actually get picked to be in one (probably a lottery, lucky 10 poingers!) but there’s more to zuda if your willing to be a part of it. It’s a tool and how you use it is up to you. There are lots of great contacts and people there that deserve having their comic seen even if it’s not on zuda.
Also, you want diversity, then how about their fan base doing fan art? Have you checked out the monthly crossover poster action @ http://zudafanart.blogspot.com/ ?
Just doing monthly crossover posters, that probably piss off a lot, maybe, but really should make everyone happy, even the hasty critics out there. They’re a gift of hard work, and time from someone that’s a nobody that likes to draw. Hehe…(gulp!)

But the wording at the Zuda site leads one to think that the competitions are to be determined by factors OTHER than a simple popularity vote. (Which may be why they’re calling it a ‘competition’.) Which leads to entirely different expectations.

And, frankly, the presence of a prize is pretty much irrelevant as to which it is, as a prize can be awarded in either case, which is why I was confused by your mentioning it.

It really doesn’t matter what it is, as either method is valid; what matters is what they call it and how they represent it, and what expectations they evoke.

I don’t see what that has to do with the difference between a popularity contest and a competition, per se, but… okay…

I don’t understand your response.

“Please. This is a cop-out.”

In what way? I see it as a straight-forward definition of terms.

If a series’ worth over other strips is determined by the clamor of it’s fans and supporters, then it’s a popularity contest. If its quality is determined by by a panel of pros who then weigh it against its competitors, then it’s a competition. One is determined subjectively and the other objectively… in theory, anyway.

I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with it being a popularity contest, just that the difference should be recognized and acknowledged for what it is.

Glad to hear I made my point.

If personal emails are what it takes to get you to consider “Comics That Are Worth Reading” I’d imagine your inbox is too full for more objective and thorough criticism.

(see, that was me being a jerk.)

Seriously, though. How can you rate and criticize Zuda like this without a cursory awareness of its material? Being unaware of Caanan and his contributions there discredits your opinion considerably and, frankly, quite a number of your other posts are just way more informed than that. I really don’t understand why each time you blog about this site you always seem to tell us how little research you’ve done or interest you have there. It’s not in keeping with the other material of blog as it seems bias without any backing.

You’re an intelligent reviewer with an interesting slant on the material you present and I’m sure a lot of people would find your insights into Zuda much more useful if you actually seemed to have given the site more than a moments glance. But, jerk though that might make me sound, I just don’t see how you’ve accomplished anything other than a misinformed gripe on this one.
-Rob

The most successful web comics tend to be the one’s done by the creators who market themselves the best. Not every successful web comic is the bee’s knees nor are the unsuccessful ones crap.

But blanket statements are easier to make. They require less thought.