i don’t reblog things often but holy shit
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there’s been a few folks talking about the state of webcomics in my last post, particularly how the landscape has changed since webcomics became something bigger corporations could make money off of…. and, well, exploit people to get it.
I want to talk a little more broader on the topic at one point, but yeah, it’s been a tough few years seeing ‘new shiny thing’ and uncovering the rot beneath.
Please support your fellow indie creators however you can- tell your friends about your favourite comics, make posts reccomending them, share your fics, fanart, your fave moments, etc etc. Word of mouth is still one of the most powerful and nebulous ways to support folks!
I’ve seen a few additions on my webcomic posts talking about the ‘barriers for entries’ when making webcomics and my stomach just dropped.
It wasn’t always like that. The expectation to feel the need to be perfect before you begin a webcomic, the need to be Super Popular On Social Media to be ‘relevant’, the want to have 1million subs to feel you’ve ‘made it’ even though the payout is scraped from the platform for their benefit (and nice 50% too).
The amazing part of webcomics is the fact that you can and WILL grow as you make them. This is what makes them special.
I will be honest in the fact that, there are Very Few People nowadays that can make a living off of webcomics. Even those who seem most successful still have other avenues to generate income.
I think it’s unfair that theres this corperate greed that drills this expectation in folks to match industry standards, and imho, that is the opposite of what webcomics should be.
They should be wonky sometimes, have some typos, linger too long on things, read imperfect, and most importantly- show that growth of creation over the years.
I have a webcomic podcast (screen tones) and our theme always comes back to anyone can make a webcomic, because its what makes webcomics unqiue and accessible. It’s what makes them what they are.
So please, if you feel like you’re ‘not good enough to start a webcomic’- stop lingering on the Expectations these greedy companies have to make you obsess over subs and likes and contests, and make your comic.
And make it as unhinged and wild and indulgent as possible. Because i guarantee you, even if they are silent readers, SOMEONE needs your story.
I just want to say, (at least in Korea) the corporate-sponsored webtoons/webcomics industry literally shoves people into the meat grinder to fuel their weekly updates of 80+ full-colour illustration-quality panels. There’s separate people for putting down flat colours, shading, and lines. and even then people literally die from overworking. I’m not joking. People have died because of how hard the webtoon industry works them. You get a bit of leeway depending on your style and genre but this is what happens as a result of corporations setting the goalposts to attain.
No single person can compete with that.
Webcomics used to be something you did because you wanted to, because there was a story you wanted to tell, and the line has now blurred between these personal projects and the “comics that are held to a quality standard that also happen to be accessible via web”.
If you have a story that you want to tell via comic, you should go for it. You probably wouldn’t make money off of it, but the discipline of making something consistently (not even of consistent quality, but literally just having something to post weekly) is pretty gratifying! It literally doesn’t matter what the quality is like. If someone is mean about it, it will hurt but also what have they made? what kind of effort have they made into being creative? have they pursued a project with any kind of effort? you’re doing so much more for yourself and for the world by making something and putting it out there.
The social aspect can and might bog you down, because it’s nice to have that quantifiable validation that your work is liked. It might even stop you from posting. But it’s not the core aspect of making a webcomic, and it’s certainly not a Necessity to getting started. And if there’s readership to be gained, you won’t get it by never starting it. Just make your thing. Also your art will improve so fast when you’re literally drawing so many panels every week. Don’t worry about it. Post on a private blog if you’re really afraid to show people. But really, just get started. And don’t worry about it.
These dudes are fucking legit. They don’t just show up one day in court, either, they actually make friends with the kids and let them know they have a support system and that there are people in the world who care about them and will always have their back. And less important, but also cool, is that the few times a couple of them have come into my cafe, they’ve been super friendly and polite and when I told one of the guys that I noticed his Bikers Against Child Abuse patch and wanted him to know how awesome I thought he was because of it, he got kind of shy and blushed and said, “The kids are the awesome ones, we just let them know they’re allowed to be brave.”
The source is long, but so, so good. These men and women are available in 36 states, 24 hours a day to stand guard at home, in court, at school, even if the child has a nightmare. Many of them are survivors of childhood abuse as well, and know what it’s like to feel scared and alone.
In court that day, the judge asked the boy, “Are you afraid?” No, the boy said.
Pipes says the judge seemed surprised, and asked, “Why not?”
The boy glanced at Pipes and the other bikers sitting in the front row, two more standing on each side of the courtroom door, and told the judge, “Because my friends are scarier than he is.”
Actual tears.. hnngh
Show me more of people like this, world. I give up on humans too easily.
where do i sign up for this,i want to be in this gang
This is fucking amazing. It may be out of character for me to say this but rock on
Bikers Against Child Abuse was founded in 1995 by a Native American child psychologist whose ride name is Chief, when he came across a young boy who had been subjected to extreme abuse and was too afraid to leave his house. He called the boy to reach out to him, but the only thing that seemed to interest the child was Chief’s bike. Soon, some 20 bikers went to the boy’s neighborhood and were able to draw him out of his house for the first time in weeks.
Chief’s thesis was that a child who has been abused by an adult can benefit psychologically from the presence of even more intimidating adults that they know are on their side. “When we tell a child they don’t have to be afraid, they believe us,” Arizona biker Pipes told azcentral.com. “When we tell them we will be there for them, they believe us.”( Article)
More about BACA, from their site
My parents are a part of this organization and they are metal af
They go on runs to protect the child if they feel even the slightest threatened no matter where. If the child needs them to go on vacation with them, they do. Bikers come from across the nation to watch over and take shifts for these kids. And the best part is once you’re adopted into this family as a BACA kid, you’re always one. Even when you’re 40 and the perp gets released from jail, they’ll come meet with you and find your best options for avoiding the person and maintaining the life you’ve built for yourself. Once a BACA child, always a BACA child. In Florida, there’s 100% rate for identifying the perp based on the child’s testimony. Why? Because BACA stands with the child and supports the child so they feel comfortable enough to point out their attacker.
What’s better than a badass biker gang being on your side???
NATIVE AMERICAN CHILD PSYCHOLOGIST WHO IS A BIKER AND NAMED HIMSELF CHIEF HELL YES I’M HERE FOR THAT AND BIKERS BEING BAD ASS TO PROTECT KIDS. HELL YEAH.
it’s back! I will always reblog BACA
Damn good people.
I know they wouldn’t consider themselves such, but these people are freaking heroes and the world is a better place because of them.
Hey folks, it talks about this in the article but its not mentioned in this post, BACA is a 501 © (3) charity that depends in part on donations to help pay for stuff like gas for their bikes. If you want to help, consider donating.
@copperbadge You like posting about heroes, Sam. Seems like this would be up your alley.
I love these folks! I’ve reblogged them before but it’s wonderful to see the donation information has been added.
Always reblog. Keep doing what you’re doing y'all.
Guys? This post changed my life. I saw this post. Forever ago. And thought it was only in america… and wished desperately that they could help me. But then I saw it again, during a bad episode, and checked their site. They aren’t just in the USA
They’re in Canada as well and probably other countries. I met and talked with a native guy who runs the place near me. His name is Shaman. I got in, and I’m considered a BACA child now. Despite being 17, turning 18 when I talked to them. They spent time with me when my abuser was over, they gave me therapy resources. They give you something called a ‘level 1′ where they go to your house with as many bikers as they can, i shit you not a solid 20-40 bikers came from even out of province, and met me. I got to choose my biker name and I got a vest with patches on it and my name on it. They all hugged a Teddybear before giving it to me, and told me if I ever felt the BACA bear was running out of love, to give them a call and they’d refill it for me, and then I got a ride on one of their bikes. Just a day or so ago I went to an annual party with them and they we ate food one of them cooked and had a lot of laughs.
I’ve never felt as loved as I did being a part of the BACA family. They also gave me dog tags with the names, and phone numbers of my 2 workers. So I can call them whenever I feel scared.
BACA is an absolutely wonderful group that will do everything in it’s power to help any child whos been abused.
And it doesn’t end when you’re 18 either. As long as you get in contact/get your level 1 before you’re 18? you’re ALWAYS a BACA kid. I’m 18 now and they still invite me to parties, ask me if I’m okay, and are there for me. They’re still trying to find me resources for therapy.
BACA has changed my fucking life.
I hope you all can read this, and reblog it knowing from someone who fucking been with them, that they are absolutely amazing.
If I ever don’t reblog this, it’s because I am physically being restrained against my will.
Supporting your local hero’s.
FUCKEN AMAZING what these Bikers do!!!! This is why I don’t give up on humanity…
💞🖤💞 Carpe Diem 💞🖤💞
Links the International BACA Chapters:
B.A.C.A’s Byline: “Keepers of the Children.”
B.A.C.A.’s Motto: “No child deserves to live in fear.”
Not all heroes wear capes, some wear biker vests.
Had seen this before, but never realised that this is on an international level - there’s even a contact address close to where I live (in Germany), very cool (though hoping the only use I’ll ever have to make of it is for donations) ❤
