STEP: Naming
If you already have a plot, then perhaps your next move is to name your comic. Although it may seem a simple thing, a name can be the cherry on top of the webcomic sundae. It’s important to put a lot of thought into naming your webcomic, because it’s generally those with unique, yet perfectly placed names that are often remembered or sought after for reading.
If you’re like me and terrible at naming anything and everything, you’re probably like ‘well, dang. I’ve already failed’. Never fear! I’ve got some awesome tips to help you find that perfect name for your beloved story.
More brainstorming!
I know, I know. That was the last step! But brainstorming is so vital to creating/thinking up all kinds of things, and names are no exception. The name of your webcomic could be a form of advertisement in and of itself, so it’s important to choose one carefully. (It’s okay if you have to go back and rename your comic, but the name should be tied to the plot, so you never end up having to do so).
Your comic name should:
Be original: If you type your potential comic name into Google and others pop up, that’s not really so great of a sign. How many pop up is important; if there are only two or three others, maybe it won’t be that bad to share the name, but if it’s hosted on the same website you’re trying to host your comic on, it’s best to try and think up a different name. And if there are pages upon pages of other comics with that name, it’s over. Don’t bother trying to justify it; the name is likely GOOD, but too common. You want to be unique!
Incite interest and suspense: In a bit of completely purposeful promotion, I’d like to point out @idoloncomic as a great example of this one. When the comic starts out (and even to date), you still don’t quite 100% understand the name or what it means, but throughout the story, you get little snippets and hints at what it’s about. This is the kind of thing you want: something that draws your reader in and entices them to want to know more. What does your title mean? Is it connected to the characters? (Just a note, as the author of this comic clearly already does, please make sure to actually have a purpose behind this mysterious name. Don’t just give your comic a random name and never explain what it means!).
Make you excited!: If you don’t like saying/reading the name, chances are your readers don’t either. And you don’t want that. Think up a name that you are proud to say, and know your readers will enjoy as well. This means making sure it’s not too long, but not so short that it leaves too many questions. Be like Goldilocks and don’t stop until you find the title that is juuuuuust right.
How to find that perfect name:
Now that you know what your webcomic’s name should do, let’s work on actually finding one. With, you guessed it, brainstorming!
For this, review your plot to make sure you have it down, and then try and think up some possible names that are fitting for your plot (or that pertain to the main character, if applicable).
As an example, l’ll share how I found the name of my comic, Chocolate Teapot (unique, isn’t it?)
Basically, I started by reviewing my plot. In a very, very brief summary, it’s basically about a plan made in a fictional society to deal with their delinquents and bad guys, that sounds good as a concept, but is corrupt in practice. The names I first brainstormed were: “Welcome to the Farm”, “Cattle/Grazed like Cattle”, “Branded”, “Delinquents and Debauchery/Decadence,” “Decadence”, and “Fool’s Gold”. I brought that down to three: “Branded”, “Decadence”, and “Fool’s Gold”. I then wrote out my feelings for each, ultimately deciding that “Fool’s Gold” was the best of these.
I then went immediately to Google “Fool’s Gold comic” to see if the name was taken, and boy was it ever! There had to be at least 5 pages of comics by that name; it was a bust.
I went back to the drawing board, and decided to search phrases instead that matched the concept of my story: ‘an idea that seems good, but actually is very bad’. I typed this into Google and reviewed my results.
My next list then was: “Brave New World” (a term created from the book itself), “False Dawn”, “Specious”, “Poisoned Apple”, “Chocolate Teapot”, and “Cheese in the Mouse Trap”. I then broke it down again.
I immediately crossed out “False Dawn”, “Specious”, and “Brave New World” because I just didn’t like them. That left me with “Poisoned Apple”, “Chocolate Teapot”, and “Cheese in the Mouse Trap”. “Cheese in the Mouse Trap” was unique, but a little too long for my liking; it was cut. I really liked both “Poisoned Apple” and “Chocolate Teapot”, but “Poisoned Apple” seemed very cliche, and a quick Google search found multiple comics by that name. I was left with “Chocolate Teapot”, which I fell in love with the more I said it to myself, and eventually it was the one! A chocolate teapot is something that might seem good at first thought, but in hindsight is really a disaster of an idea; perfect for the plot of my story. Plus it had that wonderful unique sound to it that I was looking for.
THIS is the target for finding your comic’s name! The one that sticks and never lets go!