This could be more constructive, but I've not seen a reference to Achewood in this thread. It's probably one of the five best/funniest/most insightful webcomics out there, and it has a following.
Chris Onstad, its creator, has shown no inclination to use micropayments or even a donation system, although readers can opt to purchase a (fantastically cheap) subscription to Serializer for extra comics. He's fairly shameless about pimping his merch, and it works, because he's applied the same unique creativity (a cookbook written by the characters, various Achewood shirt styles that actually look good, etc.) to merchandising as he does to the strip itself.
Now, as I've said, he has what is often called one of the funniest webcomics going, and if only this business model worked for every artist (or writer, or musician or designer or twine-ball builder) we'd all be swimming in caviar right now rather than discussing micropayments. Still, he's been smart about it, and he apparently does all right.
I think it's interesting to consider the parallels between the evolution of print comics as it relates to the increasingly popular and controversial medium of webstrips - specifically, how people are still faithfully plunking down money for comic books, even when they can read the strips for free in the Sunday funnies. Most webcomic artists I know started theirs because it was fun and they wanted to show off their work. As a strip's popularity increases, someone will pay something for it if they feel it's warranted.
Of course bandwidth isn't free, but if that's your primary complaint, neither are slick-looking t-shirts.
Slashdot Mirror
Makes a fantastic heating pad, though.
Chris Onstad, its creator, has shown no inclination to use micropayments or even a donation system, although readers can opt to purchase a (fantastically cheap) subscription to Serializer for extra comics. He's fairly shameless about pimping his merch, and it works, because he's applied the same unique creativity (a cookbook written by the characters, various Achewood shirt styles that actually look good, etc.) to merchandising as he does to the strip itself.
Now, as I've said, he has what is often called one of the funniest webcomics going, and if only this business model worked for every artist (or writer, or musician or designer or twine-ball builder) we'd all be swimming in caviar right now rather than discussing micropayments. Still, he's been smart about it, and he apparently does all right.
I think it's interesting to consider the parallels between the evolution of print comics as it relates to the increasingly popular and controversial medium of webstrips - specifically, how people are still faithfully plunking down money for comic books, even when they can read the strips for free in the Sunday funnies. Most webcomic artists I know started theirs because it was fun and they wanted to show off their work. As a strip's popularity increases, someone will pay something for it if they feel it's warranted.
Of course bandwidth isn't free, but if that's your primary complaint, neither are slick-looking t-shirts.
...and I'd like to sincerely apologize for momentarily forgetting that use of the P tag is 100% free.