CARGO!: Seeking brutally honest feedback on my first release - GC Forums
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CARGO!: Seeking brutally honest feedback on my first release
READ CARGO EPISODE 1+2
Hey everyone, my name is Andrew Rodriguez, but Andy is fine. After many years of writing, and a couple years of drawing, I’ve put out the first two chapters of my series about a trucker with a dark past, and a bodacious hitchhiker traveling across the desert to deliver a box of top-secret cargo, The first chapter is free. As of now, there are going to be 15 chapters, which I hope to release issue by issue, and then compile into three trade paperbacks.
The only problem is, it’s been extremely difficult to get anyone interested. I’ve been posting pretty consistently on social media for almost 5 years straight and don’t have more than 500 followers across all the various platforms. It’s mostly in the same core group of maybe 8 to 12 people that dig my work, which I am super grateful for.
I’ve been trying to drum up press, get interviews and reviews, but most people just leave me on read. I understand we are all so busy in this day and age, but I’ve gotten to the point where folks seem so indifferent to the work that I show them that I am seriously having doubts about the quality and how engaging the story is.
So, I wanted to say hello to the community and also open the gates to anyone willing to read the comic and give it a serious critical eye, and tell me the things that I can improve about the writing and the art. I love this series, it’s my baby I do everything even the coloring and lettering, so I want to really make it something special by the time I get to the ending. Thank you for anyone reading this and taking time at their day to see what I’ve created.
Hi, thanks for putting up your work. I'm liking it straight up for the style of art. It looks quite professional. Both interesting and easy on the eye. Good quality inking which appeals to me. The trucking theme appeals to me and the characters, especially the babe all fit and compliment the overall feel. I think it's pretty good.
One problem, may not be your doing, the images for me were taking ages to load. I only got to about page 8 so I don't know how the story goes. This could be my issue with a bad connection. I'll come back later and try again. Maybe your graphics are too big in file size. Each graphic in the comic is loaded when called, so small file size is important for fast loading. I can discuss more later and suggest ways to reduce file size without quality loss. Thanks for sharing. Cargo's looking pretty good I reckon.
Hi Zmax, thanks for the response. That issue with the loading is unusual, however, I did save each file as a PNG, so they are larger files as I did not want compression loss. I hope you are able to return to it and read the rest. Thank you so much and I’m glad you enjoy the artwork.
Hi, checking back. The slow load issue was definitely my problem. Second time testing, it all loaded fine. No problems. Cheers.
Great! Thanks for letting me know! Hope you enjoy the story!
Checked out your comic previously and it's rad as hell man. I honestly don't even have much I can critique so far as it's aesthetic goes. It's possible if something unexpected happens in the first few pages, you might be able to get some readers over the initial hump. I have a tough time if I'm hit with a lot of talking and general exposition from the start. Another thing you might consider is just making it free in its entirety for now. I know it seems counter productive, but I can almost guarantee you'll get more eyes on it.
Regardless, it seems to be a tough thing to break into and it's easy to get discouraged. I worked on mine for 2 years straight once I went on disability, and pretty much just kept it to myself during the entire process. I've been reading stuff off and on for years, but this is my first go at it. You're passionate about it, and I think that's the most important thing. I'm trying to stay on it so long as the motivation to create is there.
Hey there! I noticed your reply was one of the first positive ones I got and I believed you followed as well so big thank you for that. Yes it is a difficult Thing to break into for sure, but I'll just be patient and keep at it.
You make a great point with opening with less exposition. Perhaps I could add a quick scene in the beginning with action that could catch some interest.
Thank you for your time and advice.
Hi, I also checked out your comic and I agree with the others, the art is really cool. I'm trying to get some loose art style in me as well so it's work that I would read. I am also new to making comics but what I have learnt, find the core audience and constantly try to expand it. Try people who are into the genre you are going for and aim for them directly. Maybe aim for readers who like anything to do with trucks or something close to ??
Or maybe mention what type of cargo he transports. Maybe that can help.
Thank you J.O.K for the feedback and for taking the time to read! In the comic, Max and Isaac discuss their usual cargo (Guns, drugs, stolen goods), Max is basically a smuggler. But the cargo for this story is a twist and so I wouldn’t spoil it. I’m glad the style was interesting to you.