Excuse me Ms., would you prefer Paper or Pixel?

A recent conversation with my friend David Goldstone (writer, director, cartoonist and incredible guy. Check out his portfolio at http://www.bubblefant.com/ ) really made me think about my feelings on the topic of digital comics (web) vs. printed media and how those feelings will affect the approach I take in pulling together this project. Until recently, comics have found their audience solely in the printed medium. With the world well into the digital age, however, a growing number of comic book creators are going online to post content and readers likewise to consume. During the course of our conversation he gave voice to a mental itch that I could never quite find/scratch/identify in regards to this phenomenon. With digital media, ease of use and accessibility are two very strong factors that make it ideal. With that though comes the problem of feeding the "fast food culture" mentality of "get it quick, eat it fast, next!" Readers will have more of a tendency to casually read the book online and loose touch with the craft, care and skill that went into creating the art. With the printed format, the reader can certainly just flip through the pages, but due to its portable nature and the tactile interface between reader and medium, they have the opportunity to really study and appreciate the detail and artisan ship infused in each issue. Its this aspect that I identify with so strongly as I recall childhood days spent sprawled on the living room floor with stacks of new comics...immersed in worlds and wonders well beyond ours. For some reason, I find it hard to imagine recreating that same experience with a portable pod device with downloaded content, my face awash in the glow of its LCD screen. It feels about as personal as a doctors unwarmed stethoscope.

I know, I sound like a dusty old fart (partially because I am), but truth be told, I think it is about striking a healthy balance between using both tools efficiently and effectively. The need to generate connection with the reader as an artist and the desire to reach as wide of an audience as possible as a business man both play into the whole ying/yang of my grand scheme. As I move forward, I hope to develop a site where digital content will be available (some my own, some from other contributors) as well as having certain projects done exclusively in print.
So, as I sit here interfacing with this computer (which I insinuated not so long ago was cold and impersonal) I can't help but smile at the thought that it will help serve in the overall plan to make a connection that is very much human in the end.