Summary: Comic-Con 2014 was a blast! (If you were unable to attend, my sympathies. That’s why we do these wrap-up posts.) Make sure to check out the audio link below.<br> <br> <a href="http://www.makingcomics.com/rd/wp/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/sdcc2014banner.jpg?x32107"></a><br> The local Making Comics crew—Patrick, Adam, Kevin, Devin, Evan—were there to rep the “revolution” and generally brag about our community and future plans. We’re really excited by the enthusiasm readers have shown in response to our “Get A Grasp” MOOC and daily challenges, not to mention my own (hi!) #FAQDevin column and Adam’s (in)famous Gutter Talk podcast. You guys have been awesome, and your creativity sustains us.<br> We hosted a panel on Saturday called Uniting the Worldwide #makecomics Community. It was, without exaggeration, one of the best panels at the convention (at least amongst those discussing actual comics). The lineup was crazy: we had Rachel Beck representing our friends over at <a href="http://storyforgeproductions.com/">Storyforge</a>, <a href="http://markwaid.com/">Mark Waid</a> (of Daredevil fame) and Christina Blanch (writer of Damnation of Charlie Wormwood) from <a href="http://thrillbent.com/">Thrillbent</a>, Andy Schmidt from <a href="http://www.comicsexperience.com/">Comics Experience</a>, <a href="http://www.jimzub.com/">Jim Zub</a> (writes Skullkickers, Wayward), and <a href="http://www.palleschmidt.com/">Palle Schmidt</a> (artist on Thomas Alsop) from Comics For Beginners. Patrick ran the panel while the rest of us listened intensely.<br> <a href="http://www.makingcomics.com/rd/wp/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/sdcc2014surprisepatrick1.jpg?x32107"></a><br> After a brief rundown of Making Comics (dotCom) participation stats (number of MOOC students, worldwide readership breakdown), Patrick previewed some of the things we’ve been working on for the future. I’ll let him determine what announcements are made public, but suffice it to say some neat stuff is coming. Then the discussion kicked off, and boy, was it glorious.<br> <a href="http://www.makingcomics.com/rd/wp/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/sdcc2014markchristyandy.jpg?x32107"></a><br> The Web has enabled one of the biggest paradigm shifts [for] breaking into the industry. Webcomics let me see your work ethic. @MarkWaid<br> Webcomics are no longer a vanity project for artists. They’ve become a legitimate option for breaking in. @JimZub<br> Showing you already have an audience lends a kind of gravitas to your work for publishers. @Palle_Schmidt<br> <a href="http://www.makingcomics.com/rd/wp/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/sdcc2014jimpalle.jpg?x32107"></a><br> Much of the discussion concerned the changing landscape for comics in the last decade. Many on the panel have been working in/around comics for a while, and have observed this change firsthand. There used to only be one real way to “break in” to comics, as Andy points out:<br> The question used to be “How do I write for Marvel or DC?” and now the majority of people want to know how to make their own stuff. – Andy Schmidt @ComicExperience<br> The internet has democratized this process. Webcomics are a perfectly commercial form of comic that anyone can create and consume. People without access to a physical comic shop can still read comics online, which removes barriers and brings in more readers.<br> Comic books are now available to everyone regardless of age or race or location. And that for me is the most exciting thing! @JimZub<br> <a href="http://www.makingcomics.com/rd/wp/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/sdcc2014longview.jpg?x32107"></a><br> Many echoed this sentiment. Christy (@christyblanch) talked about the promising increase in the number of women who make comics, as well as the success she’s had in reaching aspiring creators through her (juggernaut) SuperMOOC 2. Rachel discussed the ways in which creators of webcomics can bypass traditiona...
