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Zuda and the Future of Web Comics
By: Kurt AmackerDate: Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Greetings, Maniacs, and welcome to another week of Comicscape calamity! All you aspiring creators raise your hopes and put the coffee on, because DC Comics will open the golden gates to comic book professionalism in October. On Monday, The New York Times announced DC's new imprint, Zuda Comics. Zuda will serve as an online imprint that will publish web comics submitted by new creative teams – namely us, the fans. The editors at DC will review the submissions each month, select ten, and post them for review by users registered at Zudacomics.com. Users can maintain profiles similar to Myspace, which allows them to read the ten monthly submissions and vote on them. DC will offer a one-year contract to the winner, meaning 12 new online series per year. The editors will also select up to six submissions per year for instant acceptance, for those projects with overwhelming potential. Obviously, DC hasn’t disclosed how much they’ll pay yet. I mean no conspiratorial insinuation by that, as I wouldn’t expect the publisher to explain contract particulars just yet. As I understand it, creators will receive a flat rate, given the formatting issues that make it difficult to establish a “page rate” equivalent. Over at Newsarama, Ron Perazza, DC’s Director of Creator Services, explained that the publisher will even issue fairly uniform contracts to Zuda creators, all of which it will release online for advance and public consideration.
This easily stands as one of the best moves to diversify comics. Paul Levitz, DC’s President and Publisher, has stated outright that Zuda will serve as an outlet for a wide range of genres, including superheroes. With production costs comparably lower than that of printed comics, DC could easily introduce an array of interesting, yet undiscovered talent to the industry. I’ve explained my disinterest in web comics in the past. But, I support the idea of opening the door to new creators. In that regard, I think DC has concocted an innovative, economical approach that offers unprecedented access to those interested in trying their hand with a major publisher instead of a small press. I don’t even really like web comics, and I like the idea of Zuda a lot. But, the potential for complications looms large.
Everyone should remember Marvel’s much-heralded second coming of the Epic imprint from 2003. Marvel asked for submissions for an imprint dedicated to creator-owned and fan-produced comics. Eventually, the publisher stated it would claim ownership of any properties they agreed to publish, though if offered fairly reasonable terms. Regardless, Epic crashed and burned. At the time, Bill Jemas served as Chief Operating Officer at Marvel. However, after a series of minor public relations controversies, Marvel moved Jemas to a new position in the company and took away his executive status. Epic happened under Jemas and effectively folded shortly thereafter. Do the math. Regardless, Marvel experienced an overwhelming flood of submissions and learned very quickly that a lot of people want to work in comics. A nice idea went down in flames and left a lot of creators with nothing to show for their efforts. Granted, Zuda will likely require far less time and capitol to implement than Epic, but the potential for great disappointment remains.
As a – I hope – future writer of graphic fiction, I understand the time and work involved in creating a comic. Thankfully, I never submitted to Epic, but several creators found themselves out of luck after Marvel axed their accepted projects. The publisher crammed several potential ongoing series into a quarterly anthology it cancelled after a single issue. While DC seems to have great intentions with Zuda, a host of issues could kill the project. I applaud the publisher for offering to pay the monthly winner of the contest. Back over at Newsarama, Ron Perazza stated that the imprint had its own budget to pay creators, but he remained unclear over whether the site would rely on advertisement revenue or how it would otherwise turn a profit. As I understand, Zuda will not charge a membership fee for anyone that wants to create a profile and vote on the monthly winners. Let me state outright that I don’t know DC’s plan for paying for Zuda. The publisher may have a perfectly reasonable strategy to make money. I won’t cry foul, because I don’t know the entire situation. But, if Zuda offers nothing but free content, it will probably have to rely on advertising revenue and the licensing of new properties. If none of the new projects catch on, that could mean little in the way of either. Publishers cancel comics regularly, so this shouldn’t horrify anyone. But, if Zuda fails, it will garner a lot of ill will from fans and new creators hoping to break in with their submission, just as Epic did. We’ve seen enough imprints fail to accept it as part of the reality of the business, but offering fans a walk through the garden and then shutting the gate only pisses off everyone involved.
I should also note that DC intends to use Zuda to purchase intellectual properties. Those creators selected as one of the ten in a given month will receive a no-strings-attached, one-time payment. And, the publisher will pay any creator that submits and wins for the first year. But, once you sign the contract, DC owns the property. After that, any royalties from reprints or licensing depend on the terms outlined in the contract. I don’t see anything insidious about that, unless DC includes a clause that gives them the rights to any property submitted. While this sounds almost malicious, it’s all too common. Myspace tried it with music uploads before musician Billy Bragg called attention to it in the media in June of 2006. Myspace wisely changed their licensing agreement with musicians, but that same kind of clause shows up often enough in contests and other open calls for submissions. But, DC has explained its intentions clearly – Zuda won’t serve as a showcase for creator-owned properties. If you don’t like their terms, don’t sign the contract.
I applaud DC for initiating Zuda. However, I worry about its long-term sustainability, given the publisher’s vagueness about revenue sources and the colossal failure of a similar initiative. Epic might have remained at Marvel had Jemas retained his executive position, but we can’t know that for sure. However, we know that creators deluged the publisher with submission packages at a rate far beyond its expectations. If fans respond the same way to Zuda, DC may find itself mired in the submission process with applications grossly disproportionate to the revenue the project generates. Fans will grow impatient and DC may grow tired of throwing time and money at a free service. But, as I said, I don’t know all the details. I wish DC the best on this one, because I think it’s a fantastic idea. And, if anyone from the publisher wants to clear up the questions I’ve raised, I’ll happily print their answers. Anyone interested in submitting to Zuda should look for it online in October at www.zudacomics.com. Good luck.
Before I go: it’s that time of the month again! My friends and I are DJ’ing Goth, death rock, and ethereal at the Dragon’s Den this Friday the 13th! Anyone that lives in New Orleans and has some twisted desire to meet me in person should come to 435 Esplanade Avenue at 11:00 p.m. for Black Friday II! We did one in April on the last Friday the 13th and it did frighteningly well, so this is like the sequel, except without the whole Jason-coming-back thing.
The Spinner Rack
By Kurt Amacker
Kurt: Ben’s still on the run from the feds, so, God help us all, I’m doing the listings again this week.
DARK HORSE COMICS
Blade Of The Immortal #127 (MR) $2.99
BPRD Garden Of Souls #5 (of 5) $2.99
Martha Washington Dies (one Shot) $3.50
The final chapter of Frank Miller’s series.
Star Wars Legacy #14 $2.99
Star Wars Rebellion #8 $2.99
DC COMICS
100 Bullets #84 (RES) (MR) $2.99
I have most of the trades of this, and I have yet to actually read any of them. I just keep getting them whenever I have extra cash at the comic shop. I hope it’s really good.
Batman Confidential #7 $2.99
Batman Strikes #35 $2.25
Cartoon Network Action Pack #15 $2.25
Clubbing $9.99
Bright white clubbing?
Countdown 42 $2.99
DMZ #21 (MR) $2.99
Elric Making Of A Sorcerer TP $19.99
Fables #63 (MR) $2.99
Friday The 13th Pamelas Tale #1 (of 2) (MR) $2.99
How the hell am I supposed to make fun of the title now?
Gen 13 #10 $2.99
Green Arrow Year One #1 (of 6) $2.99
Green Lantern #21 $2.99
Green Lantern Var ED #21 $2.99
Grifter Midnighter #5 (of 6) $2.99
Hellblazer The Red Right Hand TP (MR) $14.99
Designed and directed by his red right hand? Cool.
JLA Classified #40 $2.99
Justice Society Of America #7 $2.99
Justice Society Of America Var ED #7 $2.99
Mad Magazine #480 $3.99
Samurai Commando Mission 1549 Vol 1 $9.99
Shadowpact #15 $2.99
Showcase Presents Batgirl Vol 1 TP $16.99
I haven’t picked up any of the Showcase volumes yet, but I love Marvel Essentials. Does anyone have a take on these? Are they worth my hard-earned cash?
Stormwatch Phd #9 $2.99
All right, I’m not making the joke about getting a doctorate in Stormwatch this week. It would be the third time, I think.
Superman #664 $2.99
I think I’m going to start reading this. I’ve dodged Kurt Busiek for far too long, not wanting to add another must-read writer to my list. Oh well, hear goes.
Superman Confidential #5 $2.99
Uncle Sam And The Freedom Fighters TP $14.99
IMAGE COMICS
Alien Pig Farm #4 (of 4) (MR) $2.99
It’s like the Dukes of Hazzard fighting aliens.
Amory Wars #2 (of 5) $2.99
I thought this was a misspelling last month, but it’s not. Gah.
Consumed #1 (of 4) $2.99
Something about demonic love or something. It’s really late.
Freshmen Vol 2 Eric Basaldua CVR A #6 (note Price) $3.99
Freshmen Vol 2 Rodolfo Migliari CVR B #6 (note Price) $3.99
Jack Kirbys Silver Star HC $34.99
Damn you, Image. I’m trying to save money this week.
Madman Atomic Comics #3 $2.99
Nightfall GN $12.99
Spawn #169 $2.95
Top Cow Rockin Moo Year Pack $10.00
True Story Swear To God Vol 1 TP $14.99
Witchblade #108 $2.99
MARVEL COMICS
Amazing Spider-Girl #10 $2.99
Anita Blake Vh First Death #1 (of 2) $3.99
Annihilation Conquest Wraith #1 (of 4) $2.99
Blade #11 $2.99
Civil War Chronicles #1 $4.99
Did you love Civil War? Would you like to buy it all over again? Now you can! Seriously, this is kind of a neat idea, but I’m not shelling out another $60 for this event.
Dark Tower Gunslinger Born Campbell Var #6 (of 7) $3.99
Deadpool Gli Summer Fun Spectacular $3.99
Devil Dinosaur By Jack Kirby Omnibus HC $29.99
All right, Marvel and Image have agreed to destroy my marriage this week. I’ve had this great Kirby revelation after getting through most of the first volume of The Fourth World Omnibus.
Exiles #96 $2.99
Fantastic Five #1 (of 5) $2.99
Hedge Knight 2 Sworn Sword #2 (of 6) $2.99
Hulk Visionaries Peter David Vol 4 TP $19.99
One day, I will actually read Peter David’s run on The Incredible Hulk. I love trade paperbacks for this very reason – procrastination.
Marvel Illustrated Man In The Iron Mask #1 (of 6) $2.99
New Avengers #32 $2.99
New Excalibur #21 $2.99
Nextwave Agents Of Hate Vol 2 I Kick Your Face Premiere HC $19.99
I liked Nextwave, but I can’t see reading it more than once. Maybe you can. This book’s for you.
Nova #4 $2.99
Omega Flight #4 Cwi (of 5) $2.99
Punisher War Journal #9 Cwi $2.99
And this book’s for me.
Red Prophet Tales Of Alvin Maker #9 (of 12) $2.99
Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane #20 $2.99
Squadron Supreme Hyperion Vs Nighthawk TP $10.99
I’m finished with Squadron Supreme. I sold everything except the old Mark Gruenwald series, which I have in trade.
Sub-mariner #2 Cwi (of 6) $2.99
Ultimate X-Men #84 $2.99
Wonder Man My Fair Super Hero TP $13.99
World War Hulk Gamma Corps #1 (of 4) Wwh $2.99
Ben, wherever you are, you better be reading all of this World War Hulk stuff, because I’m not writing a column about it!
X-Factor #21 $2.99
X-Men Phoenix Warsong Premiere HC $19.99
All right, it’s 2:30 in the morning and I’m out of jokes. Fill in your own too-many-X-books joke in the comments section.
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How the hell am I supposed to make fun of the title now?
Seriously? That was the best sub-title they could come up with? Who the hell is Pamela? Is anyone actually reading these?
I used to think that the x-books were getting a little unwieldy, but seeing the crap DC is doing lately, the X-Books are starting to look like Shakespeare at his finest.