Need Advice: Scanner/Webcomic

[Squinky]

I've been really fooling around with my sketch art lately, and I have a cool idea for a webcomic I've been messing with....I guess I need advice on buying a scanner (what type do I need?) and any tips into the whole webcomic thing cause I know there are those around here who know these things.....

I took some pictures to show what I've got going. I realize they are pretty rough, but thats one major reason I want to do a comic, so I can improve through constant work....





The comic is kind of a cyber-punk (shadowrun) influenced world. I'm still bouncing around
on the plot, but I'm pretty sure I have it down.....

Edit----another pic I felt like uploading.....

[Helm]

hello. pretty much any mid-quality a4 scanner will do. This is line art. You will scan it, auto level it, threshold it and all that stuff so it doesn't matter to get a zomg amazing scanner. I suggest you work in real comic art format ( something big, like a3) then scan it in two pieces in your new scanner at 300 dpi or 600, colour it at that res, and when you're done, rescale it for 75 dpi 800x whatever res, and put the words in and arrange the layout if you haven't before. I mean, don't work at small res from the go. like most webcomic artists.

[Squinky]

Thanks for the tips. I thought any scanner would do, but I had concerns about size. they all seem to be at standard printer paper size and I had thought you needed a bigger size for comics....But quick question, what is this a3/a4 format?

[Miez]

But quick question, what is this a3/a4 format?

These are standard (European?) paper sizes. A4 is 210 mm wide, 297 mm high. A3 is bigger: 297 mm wide, 420 mm high. The sizes go from A6 (postcard size) to A0 (ridiculously huge wallpaper sized) I think.
And there are A3 flatbed scanners (bigger than normal size) but they are expensive...

[magintz_unplugged]

A4 is just a tad longer than the US letter size. I've been looking into buying a scanner for myself so I have a way of digitally editing my sketches and getting them reviewed on the Critics Lounge. As far as I know any old scanner should do the trick if you only want to scan line art. Am I right, or do I need to look into spending as much as I can.

[MrColossal]

Squinks, first: The art looks awesome

second: Look around at best buy or comp-usa or places like that for rebate offers, I got my first scanner for free because of all the rebates, and my second scanner was 70 dollars but I paid 20

[TheYak]

A standard-sized scanner ought to do it.  Common sense applies here - it only needs to be as large as what you're scanning.  If you use large sketch paper, you might need something more customized or just restrain yourself a bit.

I picked up an Epson Perfection 2480 for about $70 and it's got all the bells and whistles I could conceive of using (as well as photo negative/slides brackets/scanning capabilities).  I've found that the majority of the time I use some basic scanning settings but end up tweaking the hell out of images in photoshop anyway.  My advice would be to avoid generics but go cheap (unless there are specific features you need).  One feature I don't find often on scanners and miss from my old one: an Off button.

[Darth Mandarb]

I like the art work!  I would like to see a webcomic from Mr. Squinks!

The best advice I can give on making a webcomic, if you intend on going all out on it, is to have several 'issues' already in the bag before releasing your first one.  Always be working at least 3 or 4 'issues' ahead of the most recent online one.  This way you avoid having to make people wait and wait while you finish the newest.  Stay ahead of the game if you know what I mean.

As for a good scanner, now-a-days, they're all pretty decent.  I've always been a fan of HP, but I currently use an Epson Stylus CX6400 and I'm very happy with it.

Here's a good scanner:
> HP ScanJet 3600 Scanner @ OfficeDepot.com

After the rebate it'll cost you about $35 USD.  And the best thing about ordering from Office Depot is you can just run on down to the closest one and pick it up.  No shipping costs!

[MrColossal]

I also must agree on not working up to the minute with a comic

maybe it'd be fine for you but for me I like having a buffer so I don't have to start freaking out when it comes time to update.

For instance I have about 2 months worth of a web comic already done and has been done for a while but I won't post it until I have more... MORE!!


and when Time Out is finished...

[stuh505]

I don't have a lot of money to buy a new working scanner, so I just use my digital camera.  It works pretty well if I set it to close up, make sure there is good lighting in the room, and try to make sure that the picture is framed rectagonally in the viewer of my camera.

Then I bring it into photoshop and put down some horizontal and vertical guides, and use Perspective to adjust the image to a square aspect ratio. 

The only real problem with this solution is that there is usually a corner of the page that is darker than the rest, which introduces problems when I try to play with the Levels and Contrast.

Other than that, it's a pretty good poor man's method.

[shbaz]

Might I suggest GP [92 bright] [24 weight] paper or heavier? It's like gold, except cheaper.

[Squinky]

Thank you for all the tips guys, the info did help when I bought my scanner today (An hp printer scanner copier thingy model#1315v, it cost as much as the weird off brands and it was truley about the only option available, $80)

Eric, if your saying you have more comics in the works, get on it dude, I keep checking the comics section of your site to no avail....

I've posted some preliminary learning stuff on the crits lounge:
http://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/yabb/index.php?topic=20400.0

Tips there would rock....