Exiern

A lesson in how to make some money out of indie comics…

Most of the indie writers I’ve known or associated with have been particularly cash strapped. Very few have been able to give up the day job on the back of their comics creations. Most keep working at the day job while they continue with the comics as a labour of love.

Well, the comic Exiern, has a novel way of encouraging readers to help recoup the costs, they (amongst other benefits) release 18+ sexier versions of the strips which only paying members can get their mitts on, and what’s more, this approach seems to be paying off.

Admittedly, a great deal of the income earned is going to just recoup costs and pay the artist, but still it doesn’t look like it would take a lot more member s for the comic to start generating a healthy profit for the writer.

This approach may seem a tad tacky to some, and, well, I’m no prude, but I admit that is probably is. However, I find it hard to criticize the comic for it…you do what you can to get by, and a lot is forgiven by the simple fact that the comic is actually really good.

Set in a random fantasy-esque setting, the story follows the story of huge rugged barbarian type fella, who’s been accidentally transformed into a beautiful woman. Mirth and adventure ensue.

The dialogue is slick and very witty, with a great line in satirizing the differences between men and women and poking fun at genre clichés so prevalent in the world (or should that be worlde) of fantasy writing. The writer makes a big thing out of his own dyslexia, but, to be honest, it’s not at all noticeable, all you see as a reader is finely tuned, humorous and captivating writing.

Additionally, the art is really nice to look at (except for the short period that the writer had no artist), a little cartoonish, but accessible and easy to follow and quite beautiful in its way.

Ultimately, it is in my opinion, a web comic worth supporting, regardless of nudie benefits. It’s a lovely package of humour, adventure and gender controversy that works well and I recommend it.