On Saturday October 19th, 2024, WEBTOON had the Build your own Franchise and Fandom in Webcomics panel during New York Comic Con. The panel would be a powerhouse of creators from the WEBTOON Original scene and even including the
The panel is hosted by Jenna Wrenn (Executive producer/Host, Temple of Geek) as she allows the panelists to introduce themselves from right to left starting with Brandon Chen (Just A Goblin), Red (Schoolbus Graveyard), Rachel Smythe (Lore Olympus), Aron Levitz (), and Aiden Arroyal/Snailords (Freaking Romance).
The panel was very inviting and friendly as I was surrounded by many WEBTOON fans but also fellow creators in a variety of mediums. Many were there to get to listen and learn from our panelists, while others, such as myself, were curious to get any more insight into the creation of Webtoons and get ideas and learn from these more experienced creators who have not only been making webtoons for years at this point, but whose stories have become a huge success on the platform with book deals and even film/TV adaptations in the works.
We would get these insights as Jesse would ask about what steps were taken to start your webtoon, with many of the panelists telling interesting stories about their past leading up to their discovery of WEBTOON or what started them on their journey as a creator on the platform. Aiden detailing how he began from making slice-of-life comics on DeviantArt first, Rachel working through the recession and finding solace through making 3 panel comics on WEBTOON, Red always wanting to be an artist and tracing her sketches with her very first tablet, a Wacom Intuos (like me!), Brandon wanting to be a writer for manga. One unifying thread through most of their narratives, is how they discovered WEBTOON through a contest either hosted on the site or a contest putting them on the company’s sights.
Another useful detail comes from the responses to Jesse’s following question regarding if any of the panelists have put the vertical format to their advantage when creating their stories?
Many of the responses align with how the vertical format allows readers to control the pacing depending on the spacing between panels, How some can be elaborate as they flow into each other as needed, keep readers on the edge as there is a sense of suspense thanks to the spacing and pacing. Another interesting response is by Red, who mentions how you can add music and animations. This is notable as it’s a feature that as of writing, is only allowed if you’re a WEBTOON Originals creator, as canvas creators do not have access to those features.
One of the most interesting responses come from Aiden and Rachel as Jesse would ask then what it was like to have their works to have a production in TV and Film.
Aiden would say how it’s like heaven and that he is looking forward to see his own story be told through the eyes of another creator who will reinterpret the art and writing to a new audience. Rachel agrees, with how she gets choked up by how others in the production team see her ideas and how it is an overwhelming and emotional process to experience, yet she is excited for the fans of Lore Olympus. If she is excited, the fans will be too.
Next we got advice and tips from our fellow Originals creators to any aspiring webtoon creator and artist in the crowd.
Aiden shared her advice by simply stating that there’s only 3 routes to writing a successful story and no one knows what they are, so just o it anyways. Just start your story and you’ll learn on the Job. This advice is also said by Aron Levitz, who adds that it’s best to just write the thing that makes you excited. The love for what you’re doing will come through. Rachel brings out a good point, in that it is also good to consider what your visual identity is through your art to stop and grab the reader’s attention.
Red’s response is the most interesting:
The best thing of all is nobody knows who you are. Nobody will know your mistakes. Comics is the best way to practice. I practiced with my first comic, then did something new even if I didn’t know what the story was.
The major consensus is to just get into it. Which is a good bit of advice as many aspiring creators tend to overthink or hesitate before starting their series, when for the most part, it is best to just start your story. Don’t expect a masterpiece right away, you will be learning and continue to learn which will apply to later stories you will create from there.
After that is some Q&A from attendees asking how to get through the hard parts of a plat while keeping to schedule. The panelists would answer simply that it is best to plan out the story ahead of time even if elements of the story will change, that way there is a rough roadmap in place to help guide you as you write the story. Another idea brought up is you can change which character’s point of view the story is being told to create a different perspective of events, another is to get friends or a writers group to bounce ideas off, or do a quick draft to release the pressure and get some ideas down.
The rest of the Q&A went to asking creators if they will create specific characters to be more inclusive which the answer is simple o leave it to a creator who has the experience, knowledge, or has done the research to create inclusive characters as doing otherwise will not be for the best.
Other questions include if there is any lines drawn to letting reader comments dictate your series. Our panelists would mention how it is good to be selective of which comments to focus on. If you’re searching for critique, it’s best to get it from a group of editors. It is also wise to not let comments good or bad get into your head, only whichever is constructive. It is also best not to take hate comments personally either, especially since for the most part, those leaving the comments do not know you.
As the panel wraps up Rachel Smythe would briefly promote her other project Rachel Smythe presents, and Brandon would promote his upcoming WEBTOON original that would launch the following day called Angel Wings.
That concludes the Build your own Franchise and Fandom in Webcomics panel during New York Comic Con.
So what do you think about this WEBTOON panel during NYCC? Have you been there at the panel? Did you get any useful insights from this? Let us know down below!
Down below is the links to each creator’s socials along with their WEBTOON creator profile. Feel free to give them a follow and check out their series!
Aiden/Snailords – X/Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, WEBTOON Creator profile
Rachel Smythe – X/twitter, Website, WEBTOON Creator profile
Red – Instagram, WEBTOON Creator profile
Brandon Chen – X/twitter, Instagram, YouTube, WEBTOON Creator profile
Stay tuned for more NYCC ’24 coverage from The Beat!
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