Ok, as a preface, let me state that this is a post based solely in opinion and in my perspective. Totally open for, and encouraging discussion.
Through Weds, I found this discussion going on over on Meaghan Quinn’s LiveJorunal. After perspectives were exchanged between she and William G., the general consensus is that more webcomic criticism blogs need to be done by readers, and not by creators. And that the principal idea is that creators can’t be critics.
This is a hot issue right now, what with the recent upsurge up snarkblogs (I don’t like to count myself as one of them out of sheer vanity… Sorry, it’s the truth). Can creators be efficient critics?
Most say no. Mainly because a creator has their set style, and their set method, and a firm perspective on how webcomicking should be done. They would have an unfair advantage/disadvantage on their critical influence based on their popularity and readership. There may be rivalries, jealousies, private hatreds and general pettiness, I suppose. I of course can’t truly tell the concerns of that position being that I’m a creator and a critic. This, in turn, shows me the merit of having a critic that’s a reader, because they’re apart from all of that. They know only the reading and consumption, and can give a totally objective opinion (which still isn’t possible, because of the fact of preference, more on that later).
To me, it doesn’t matter whether you’re a creator who critiques, a critic who creates, a critic who is just a reader, or a creator who doesn’t criticize. Because they’re all essential to the process.
In order to have a good criticism community, or just a good discussion period, you have to have different perspectives entering into the equation. Take me for example. I’m a film student, 19 years of age, been making a less than lesser known webcomic sporadically for maybe a year and a half. I run a webcomic small scale community/production studio. I love Kevin Smith, David Cronenberg, Quentin Tarantino, Robert Rodriquez, Bryan Singer, Terry Gilliam, Sam Raimi, etc. I love Queens of the Stone Age, Foo Fighters, Mark Lanegan Band, Pink Floyd, Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, Franz Ferdinand, Les Claypool, The Rolling Stones, etc. If you look at The Plate, you’ll see which comics I read.
My likes and dislikes are essentially a template for what I feel is good and bad, just like everybody else. And because everyone’s palette of preferences is different, it really doesn’t matter whether you’re a creator or not, when it comes to critique.
Let’s take Eric Burns as another case. He ran a webcomic at one point known as Unfettered by Talent. He began Snarking later afterwards, and now he is a creator once again with Gossamer Commons. He wrote/writes for RPGs. He wrote extensively with a group project known as Superguy (sorry, can’t find the link at the moment). Now with all that said, he brings a pretty unique experience to the criticism table. He’s shown us through Websnark that he is an excellent critic. But does that mean his critiques are more valid?
No offense to Eric, but the answer is no. It makes no difference to me what you’ve done or have done in your life when you make your criticisms. Because they’re (hopefully) still the best and most well thought out criticism you can muster. And that criticism is you. Which I say, is what we need and currently have in the newly forming Criticism community.
Correct me if I’m wrong, but William G. is in a different place than most the rest of us. His blog is not primarily a criticism blog. It is first and foremost a blog on his life. And at times, he gives us his review of a popular webcomic. Again, not a question of his validity. He’s just in a different critical perspective, and I think that’s what I’m getting at.
The thing we need is more variation in critical perspective. And that means a great big mix of creators, readers, fanboys and girls, art snobs, average joes, teachers, students, etc, etc, etc. Then we’ll have the best mix. And then particular readers can find their like-minded, or unlike-minded critics that they want.
I’m just sayin’ is all…