You might of noticed that this issue is a little early, that is because this newsletter, getting posted every two weeks was being posted at the same time as the AR updates which is a little much to try and divide content and come up with content for each. I've switched the schedule so they appear on alternating weekends.

Whats New

*rocketboyanddog is new! If you are interested in seeing some comic strips done by Canadian comic artists, go watch that!

Edjumikation

Previous Lessons: Strips vs pages, comics vs cartoons
If you have ideas for future lessons please comment below with your suggestions.

This issues learning will be about the difference between Independent ("indy") and Mainstream comics.
Many of you aren't even aware there is a difference between Independent comics and Mainstream. Most people tend to pass off Indy comics as just amateur work by nobodies because they aren't a big name title and aren't even aware that they fall under any kind of industry title. Well that cant be farther from the truth.
Professional comic artists are common in both sides of the comic industry.

Mainstream or Commercial comics are comics created by artists working on commercially produced and published comics books/strips works within a team. Artists working on titles under DC or Marvel like Spiderman and Batman for example, are working on Mainstream comics. A common misconception is that mainstream comics are all superhero orientated with men and women running around in tights knocking bad guys on their ass, but this is not so.

The Wikipedia Definition of Mainstream comics is...

"..."mainstream" comics which dominate the US comic book industry (such as the superhero-themed products of Marvel and DC comic companies). DC and Marvel comics are typically produced by a team of workers operating on tight deadlines: a writer, a penciler, an inker, a letterer, a colorist, and an editor. The subject matter and style of "mainstream" comics is in large part dictated by their publisher, who hires the personnel to produce the comics according to well established conventions of a genre."

Here are some Mainstream features:


Independant comics are comics generally authored independently by a single creator (although sometimes in partners or very small teams) and are often self-published, published through an alternative publishing company or on the web. It is a common misconception that indy comics are usually poorly done and you cant find very many good titles, but the same can be argued for Mainstream comics.
Other terms for Independant comics are "comix", "post-underground,", "alternative", "indy," "small press," "new wave," or "art comics."

The Wikipedia definition for Independent comics is...

"... alternative comics are often independently authored and drawn by a few (or even just one) creator and they are published when deemed complete, with little regard for regular distribution schedules. Where the content of "mainstream" comics is influenced by corporate managers attempting to maximize sales, "alternative" comics are often published in small numbers in any way the author(s) deem fit. By being focused on the more specialized audiences, it often allows the production of material which may at times be found obscure or offensive by a general audience.

The term alternative comics has also been used to refer to comic books not published by one of the major companies. The content of some of these comic books, such as those published by Dark Horse Comics, Image Comics and others is not fundamentally different from mainstream comic books. The term alternative mainstream may be used to differentiate these types of comics from 'true' alternative comics."

There are many INdy comics that are available to read in their entirety online. Here are a few comics on DA that would be considered Indy:
...2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

Gallery News

None of the stuff the AR team has been working on is ready to launch yet, but keep a weather eye open.

Features

Holy small selection of features Batman!
Thats right, Robin!
Golly, why would that be Batman?!
Well Robin, The author of this newsletter has lots of things to do and doesnt always have time to seek out features for the newsletter.
Gee willikars Batman, what can we do to help?
I'm glad you asked Robin, we can help but sending ^misskittyoooo a note with links to art we think are awesome! Especially comics with pages that readers can read online.
Gee wiz Batman, thats so simple!
Thats right Robin , it's that simple

Previous Issues

Issue #1
Issue #2
Issue #3
Issue #4
Issue #5
Issue #6
Issue #7