What makes a comic addictive?

[Lilly Whitehead]

I used to think that comics had to be long with a complex and gripping story arc in order to be addictive. I'm thinking Tintin and Asterix.

But recently I've found that the two-panel format is fiercely addictive. It's just the rate at which you can just get through one, then another, and another!

Here's an example of what I'm talking about:
http://ladfish.staticloud.com/ (Ladfish comic)

It got me thinking what is it fundamentally that makes an addictive comic? Is it more to do with the mindset of the viewer or is it something inherent within the comic or the artist's style? :confused:

[Chris N]

My wishywashy answer is it depends. Of your choices, my cynical mind would only say the answer is not marketing. I think marketing's only contribution in mainstream comics is to milk those ideas to which people are already addicted.

Looking at Marvel/DC superhero addicts, among which I have counted (and perhaps still count) myself, character seems to win out. There's a soap opera obsession to a character that makes you want to know what happens next, and it seems independent of the writer/artist/quality of the next issue. Because of that, I'm voting "character".

Beyond that, I think the cause you left off is the personality of the addictee. An obsessive compulsive mentality leads to an obsession with completism. At which point it can become about character, artist or writer. I know I have these urges to own everything in which Spider-Man appears, or which Alan Moore writes, or which John Buscema drew, or... And these urges can be seen as rooted in the quality of the character/story/art, but really they're rooted in me. And I make it sound negative, but it's also the academic in me, desiring some form of intellectual expertise/authority. I like to be able to speak intelligently about Alan Moore's portfolio, so it helps to read it all.

But I suspect different people have different perceptions and experiences. So I'd be curious what other's opinions are.

p.s. Welcome to the forums.

[Lilly Whitehead]

It's a good point that you make Chris that two "characters" are involved in making a comic addictive - the reader of the comic or the fictional subjects of the comic's story. Hadn't even thought of that...

[adam_warlock_2099]

I would agree with Chris about character, though writers and artists contribute to said character. As u can see I am quite the fan of Adam Warlock. But Jim Starlin's writing of the character is the cream of the crop. I also agree with Chris about the "soap opera" element (though I can't stand TV soaps lol) of comics. Especiall the cosmic operas that Starlin and other great artists like Abnett and Lanning are excellent at too.

The OCD element is there too. But also financial means as well. I had to curb the addiction when I started a famil and such. I still long for the stories and purchase them when I can, the addiction is there, it's just a bit under control. 8-)

I also add genre. As I mentioned I am a huge fan of cosmic stories. None entertainment more than the far out and fantastical. Cause that's what comics are, an escape from life. "Real life" stories, as are so common in modern times, have never appealed to me because I see horrendous things happen to people in life and on the news. So genre is important to me to be addicted to someone's stor or character.

Starlin's Warlock, Age of Apocalpse, Dreadstar, Epic Illustrated as a whole series, Annihilation and Conquest, Guardians of the Galax, and the such are what feed this man's addiction. 8-)

[shaxper]

Marketing can get you to pick up that first issue, but it doesn't make you stick around and crave more.

Plot can be addictive, but it's a difficult thing to sustain. You could take the Lost/X-Files approach and have an ongoing plot that provides just enough to keep you craving more developments, but this is a difficult balance to execute.

Artwork can be addictive, but it's not likely to make a specific comic addictive unless the artist is only on one book or is doing something in that one book that is somehow different from they are doing everywhere else.

So I think characterization is the most likely candidate. It's easy for a good character under the right writer to continue to be a good character from issue to issue, to make you want to keep returning to the book, and to create an experience you're not likely to encounter with that characterization anywhere else.

[Jezebel Bond]

edited.....................

[berk]

To me, it's the overall package...however, one integral change in that combined set of factors could mean dropping a title for me.

For example, as much as I like Spider-Man, I do not like McFarlane's Spidey and don't care to own those issues...or anything with a Rob Liefeld cover. I do own everything from ish #500 straight up to Spider-Island....Yeah, I think that's the only possible answer for me - the complete package. I couldn't narrow it down to anything as specific as a particular character. And even though I've bought comics mainly for the artwork, I don't think I've ever been addicted to a comic just for the artwork alone - there has to be some level of engagement with the story to feel that kind of involvement with a comic. Addiction in this sense implies to me some feeling of "can't wait to see what happens next", and that means that the writing is at least as important a factor as the art, and perhaps even more so. But it all works together.

[MRP]

For me it's about story-which is more than just plot, it involves character, plot and artwork in combination. Is it a story I want to be a part of, either in the short or long term. I have to like the characters the story is about, I have to like the elements of the story-the plot and conflict, and I have to enjoy the way the story is told visually-the artwork and the writer's input if in full script of how to tell the story visually.

There are artists I like, but I am not interested in buying their work if they are not telling stories I am interested in.

There are writers I like but ditto above.

There are plots I like but involve unlikable characters or told with art I don't like and therefore not interested in buying/following.

There are characters I like, but if interesting stories are not being told with them I am not interested again.

It takes a combination of elements for me to be on board long term. It can be a long story arc or a series of one and done stories- using the same characters or by the same creative teams- that does it for me.

For me what addicts me is good stories well told, and that's the bottom line. I voted for plot and characters as these are the most important pieces for me, but it doesn't reflect the full puzzle.

-M

[rasx]

For me its interesting characters, I can still digest bad art sometimes but not boring characters.

Example: I dropped Spawn after they replaced Al with Jim Downhill. But I will follow titles like Tarzan, G.I.joe no matter who's doing them.

[Cei-U!]

I voted for everything except marketing but I've never been "addicted" to any comic. I've known too many real addicts to compare them to some obsessive geek's need to own every issue of Captain Goodguy and His Howling Aardvarks. Show me a comic fan who'll offer you a blow job for the latest issue of Batman and then we'll talk.

Cei-U!
I summon the knee pads!

[Jezebel Bond]

Show me a comic fan who'll offer you a blow job for the latest issue of Batman and then we'll talk.

Cei-U!

edited.......

[Lilly Whitehead]

I wish to distance myself from Jezebel's comments. I don't think it's right to be judgemental about people based on their sexual orientation. I know it might just be a joke, but I don't want to offend anyone. Can we return to the topic of addictive comics?

[Jezebel Bond]

I wish to distance myself from Jezebel's comments. I don't think it's right to be judgemental about people based on their sexual orientation. I know it might just be a joke, but I don't want to offend anyone. Can we return to the topic of addictive comics?

sigh...it wasn't judgemental, it was a freaking joke...you have zero sense of humour....moonwalks out of thread....

[dupont2005]

For me it's a gripping story.

[TAG]

Looking at Marvel/DC superhero addicts, among which I have counted (and perhaps still count) myself, character seems to win out. There's a soap opera obsession to a character that makes you want to know what happens next, and it seems independent of the writer/artist/quality of the next issue. Because of that, I'm voting "character".

Beyond that, I think the cause you left off is the personality of the addictee. An obsessive compulsive mentality leads to an obsession with completism. At which point it can become about character, artist or writer. I know I have these urges to own everything in which Spider-Man appears, or which Alan Moore writes, or which John Buscema drew, or... And these urges can be seen as rooted in the quality of the character/story/art, but really they're rooted in me. And I make it sound negative, but it's also the academic in me, desiring some form of intellectual expertise/authority. I like to be able to speak intelligently about Alan Moore's portfolio, so it helps to read it all.

But I suspect different people have different perceptions and experiences. So I'd be curious what other's opinions are.

p.s. Welcome to the forums.

Chris, I found your post insightful on two points; the attraction to the soap opera element in comics and reference/link to additions and obsessive compulsions.
I agree with you wholeheartedly on how soap opera obsession to a character make you want to follow a comic. I’ve been saying that for years and until your post, have never really got anyone else to admit or agree with me on this aspect of reading comics.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder however is a bit more complicated, as it’s an anxiety disorder characterized by two distinct, yet uncontrollable factors: unwanted thoughts and repetitive, ritualized behaviors we feel compelled to perform. One is an involuntary obsessive thought, while the other is a compulsive behavior that you feel driven to act out.
Your “urge” is an unconscious unrelenting standard to strive for perfection in a certain area, “intellectual expertise/authority”.

But along with that “magic” feeling I get when something is so good to read, that I can’t wait for the next issue, is what MRP so perfectly stated in his post…



For me it's about story-which is more than just plot, it involves character, plot and artwork in combination. Is it a story I want to be a part of, either in the short or long term. I have to like the characters the story is about, I have to like the elements of the story-the plot and conflict, and I have to enjoy the way the story is told visually-the artwork and the writer's input if in full script of how to tell the story visually...

-M

[Cei-U!]

sigh...it wasn't judgemental, it was a freaking joke...you have zero sense of humour....moonwalks out of thread....

Jez, I don't know what your original post said but since my post was supposed to be humorous* in the first place, I'm pretty sure nothing you might've said would offend me.

Cei-U!
I summon the duck's back!

*It might've helped if what I wrote was actually funny...

[CromagnonMan]

bah, edited

[CromagnonMan]

well for me its a combination of the different elements of story, characters, writing, artwork. i dont think there is really a formula, it is something quite intangible, some secret chemistry between the interplay of these elements. also, something noone else has mentioned, i find them more addictive if they are actually FUN :smile: