2-143 Change of heart
A change of heart? Does Kemi even have a heart?
The demise of Lego brick comics?
This week I spoke Louise via e-mail. Louise is the creator of the tranquility base comic that ended in 2015. I met him trough the Brick Comic Network. The Brick Comic Network was a website with as the most important element a comic forum. It used to be very busy. Louise hypothesised that life is probably too busy for most authors (tell me about it 😉 ) or maybe the interest in brick comics is dwindling. At first I didn’t think that was the case.
However, looking at the brick comics I knew (the ones with their own website, I am not talking about the ones on instagram/FB) there used to be about 37… now there are only 5-6 of them left that are regularly updating (including Foolish Lego). I guess interest in keeping a comic really has dwindled. Of the comics that are still going only a few seem to have a steady fanbase. At least Foolish Lego is here to stay, already for five years and still going strong.
To me, there were very few serious attempts at Lego comics out there, although there were a lot of Lego comic projects. As with anything like this, there’s always a learning curve. My own learning curve has taught me a lot about photography, Photoshop, comic design, shot composition, and story pacing — AND after four years, I still have A LOT to learn.
It is difficult to get a good Lego comic going, and, if it isn’t good, it won’t generate much of a fan base. Without a following, the author soon asks whether it is worth the time and energy (and expense) to keep putting it out. A good Lego comic needs a good writer, a good photographer, and someone with a ton of Legos and a creative mind to use them in visually striking ways. Finding all three of those qualities embodied in a single person who also has the time and inclination to start a comic is pretty rare.
I do consider Foolish Lego and Bricks of the Dead to be the two highest quality Lego comics by a country mile. I put my own in a class with The Guard and the old Glomshire Knights (which has since ended). While I was saddened to see Dave’s intention to end BotD, I was happy to hear he has something else planned for afterward, and I’m excited to see what it is.
One of the things that really kills a comic — aside from bad production value — is inconsistent updates. The most solid piece of advice I can give to an aspiring Lego comic author (aside from “strive for excellence” and “always be improving” — both of which should go without saying) is “release on a schedule and stick to it!” It’s better to update once a week without missing a day, than multiple times a week with months off in between.
That’s the bonus on making (brick) comics, you can learn so much on so many different terrains! I almost feel humbled by your kind words on my comic! I have to say that Ballinabricky is currently the only brick comic I follow, your storylines are the strongest I know. I look into Bricks of the dead from time to time. I love the write-ups, but the comic itself is sometimes a bit slow in pacing. I like it better if I can read a few episodes at the time.
You are right on the importance of consistency on updates. And if you are not able to update, at least let people know if and when you’re coming back.
Glad to ear Foolish Lego is still broadcasting LOL.
I honestly have a hard time focusing on too much web comics. And I’m not really into something that I don’t know when the end is coming… I use to read BotD, Legostar Galactica, Brickhouse… All of them are great, with authors going for the long run with a tone of content and quality… But what I liked about some of them is that they actually… Ended.
What I like about your Foolish Lego or Ballinabricky, one the other hand, is that you have shorter stories and other content. IMO that’s the best way to run it, that’s why I’m having no difficulties to sticking with Foolish Lego, and it became the only site I’m really following.
Oh my… again such flattering words! Thank you 😀
You are one of my most loyal commenters; one of the things that provides some external motivation in the periodes that my internal motivation is down. So thank you for that in return!
Though I wonder if my comic stories can be considered short, with a run-time of a few years a comic.