If you've heard the recent news about Webtoon and their AI ventures, then you probably aren't feeling good about it. If you have a comic or like reading them, what are your options? Where do you go to read new comics and how do you find them?
WEBCOMIC WEBSITES
1: Make your own!
You'll have to do the web hosting and you won't be on a platform, however, you can connect to other platforms like Patreon so that people can see some content early if they are on your Patreon. I think Square Space has a means to do the integration.
Pros: Your own website, customization options, statistics, your own extra webpages, other website integrations, add anything you want if you can code it
Cons: Less visibility, you have to pay for it, you might have to do some maintenance and coding on your own
2: Comic Fury
If you want to be on a platform, then Comic Fury has always been a good one. It does look outdated, but most of the comics themselves have newer and customized layouts. There's no Patreon integration, but there's still good statistics, and customized pages. You can even upload other images to be used on your web pages. There's also forums and a comment section with moderation tools! Ever feel like you want your own website? You can take what you've made on Comicfury with you.
Pros: Some visibility, customization options, statistics, your own extra webpages, community forums, a comment section, transcript boxes, take the code with you when you leave, has your own age rating content
Cons: Not the most popular website, you are trusting an independent group to take care of your work and they need donations to run the servers, no additional integrations
2: Fables
Fables is a new and up-coming website. It's made by the people behind Top Webcomics, which is a site people go to to find comics. A lot of webcomics are already up, and the Newletters the site makes help people find new comics they will love. Your comic is also advertised by the site itself to increase visibility. You can even get ad-revenue off of the comics being advertised. Most of these, with no surprise, are from Top Webcomics which does do advertising as well!
Pros: Can get you some ad revenue, tons of visibility on the site itself, minor customization options, has an 18+ counterpart, you can mark certain pages as mature, has its own social media system
Cons: The ad revenue isn't going to be a lot if you're not popular, the site is new and glitchy, it is still lacking on proper statistics, you only get character pages and don't get to make extra webpages besides those
3: Patreon
This is not my first choice, but it's an option! A lot of people are on Patreon and you can give people exclusive content. That's a big draw as you can make money by releasing pages early as well. Mileage may vary.
People do have issues with this site and how it's run. I agree, but it's still useful to me.
Pros: Money making opportunities, you get to make your own community, statistics
Cons: No customization, not made for comics, you're competing with a bunch of different stuff for attention, doesn't listen to its user base
The next couple things are places I know about but haven't used. I don't know anything about the back end, but I'll tell you want I do know.
4: Hiveworks
Hiveworks isn't as popular as it once was but it's still an option. It allows for you to customize your webcomic's site with its layout, extra pages, and a news feed. The real draw to them back in the day is they'd make physical versions of books and create merch. They've since pulled away from that as upkeep and competition became an issue. This helped out weight the huge draw with them: they are exclusive. If you WANT your webcomic here, it can ONLY be here. That was never really a good draw for someone like me. They may have let up, but read up on them before you join.
Pros: Money making opportunities, customization options, moderate visibility
Cons: Exclusive, you don't get a comment section
5: Keenspot
I know nothing about this place, but it does host web comics of all stripes. I don't know if you pay for anything or not, I just know it's there. It has a bit more of a lesser Hive feel, but I really don't know anything about this place.
I don't think this is the most comprehensive list, but if it helps ANYONE find webcomics, then so be it!
As one last tip, do not, and I mean DO NOT only host your comic on social media. Tumblr's pretty good for comics, but anything else should only be used to ADVERTISE your comics, not host it. You'll make it hard to find pages that link from one to the next. If you want post anything else, it's going to be a mess as someone tries to find your pages.
You CAN post pages there, but they should link back to the main hosting site to get views there and encourage people to read the rest of it, not just the one page you posted.
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