Mind Control Comics Forum

I couldn't figure out how to create a poll (I don't know if regular users can even post polls), but I wanted to check with the people on the board if they have any preferences for the orientation of the comics pages on here.
Since all new computer screens these days have a widescreen aspect ratio, and print editions of these comics aren't being published, there doesn't seem to be any reason for the comics pages on here to be done in the standard vertical page orientation. The horizontal layouts of Beyond Rubies, The Hidden Knowledge and Found Objects make it easier to read the pages on a modern computer screen without having to zoom and scroll (of course, with an iPad, it's easier to flip and read regardless of page orientation, so it doesn't really matter).

tl;dr: do you forum people have any preferences for MCC page orientations/layouts? Landscape or standard vertically oriented comics page?

Horizontal is much easier for sure. Vertical is more like reading the page like a story and then going up and looking at the pic again and sometimes back and forth like that.

But it doesn't bother me all that much so I'm fine with what they feel more comfortable making. That said, if it doesn't matter I definitely prefer Horizontal.

While I would never presume to tell an artist how to draw, I will simply point out that horizontal would be easier to read. I do not know if its easier to draw though.

For fairness sake, here's a PM I got from a user by the name of "dzeiger":

It's interesting that this has come up...PK and I have discussed it a few times - in terms of why some comics are Landscaped and others aren't. One of the things to consider is that comic art is more than just drawing pretty pictures in panels...it's also the artists' job to direct the ebb and flow and pacing of the story, via the visual medium and the use of the panels (sizes, contents etc)...

(http://www.paperwingspodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/dreamer_page1.jpg) from here 
http://www.paperwingspodcast.com/2012/06/comic-balloons-comic-layout/ (http://www.paperwingspodcast.com/2012/06/comic-balloons-comic-layout/)

You read a comic like you read a book...and the page/panel layout should be something the leads your eye (and your mind) in the direction of that left to right and down story telling. As a reader you don't always 'see' all of that but your mind is likely to take it all in. Tall thin panels in a row will give you the impression of time passing quickly and a long, short (horizontally oriented) panel will give the impression of time passing slowing...it gives the story a completely different pace - not saying it's not warranted for some comics but it does have to be considered...

It may also be the biggest consideration that, if you produce a webcomic, you might always be in the hopes that you can one day produce a printed version and making it landscaped might preclude that ever happening :)

I'll say that I tend to find it more natural to write a portrait comic than a landscape one. That might be just due to more familiarity with things laid out in portrait format.

The distinction on the site between portrait and landscape titles is sort of lost in the mists of time. As you can see in the format change we just put HK through, we're moving towards portrait for all of our titles, even the ones that are currently landscape.

Squares and rectangles are easy. Hexagons you can kind of work with, but have you ever tried to line up stars? This is why you never want to illustrate 2001: A Space Odyssey. Oh my god. It's full of stars.