Topic: Alpha-Shade Flash-Photoshop Webcomic

We've worked on our Site for about a month now and we've reached the end of our first scene. So I'd thought I'd ask you what you think.
http://www.alpha-shade.com

We have...

12 finished pages + story boards for each page on a toggle button.

The script up to this point is posted in the forums, but we'll add a script section as we get more done.

There's also an Audio Rant section, updated weekly (5-8 sections about 4-30 minutes long, DL in realplayer. We talk about AS production-tips and tricks-how we use the art programs-webcomic reviews-emails-movie reviews)

We have a 26 page Black and white comic up - with story boards and audio comments for each one.

Our over all goal is to give the reader at least 4 different things to to with each page.

1. Finished page
2. Story boards
3. Audio commentary
4. Scripts

We've an art gallery up now, but we' ll be adding a Tech readout section with -cars-planes-ships-weapons- and set and scene designs.

I guess it's sort of like a DVD extras in a way. People that are not interested in your comic wont like the extra, but people that are, always want more.

CB

I must admit that the title of this topic almost scared me off...

But, ok, here I go again:

1. You don't need a splash page. You DO NOT need a splash page. Splash pages are nothing more than one more wasted click of the mouse. I don't read your page requirements. I don't read the copyright notice. I don't even look at your fancy cover art. I just click. I'm sorry, but that's just the way I am.

2. Why is the whole thing in Flash? Why does the whole thing need to be in Flash? There's a scrollbar that can be done with an iframe or scrolling div. Very simple rollovers that can be achieved with Javascript and animated GIFs if necessary. The actual comic is nothing more that a simple slideshow (although I must admit, I like how it fills my high resolutions screen like that... but that can't be your only reason for using Flash, can it?)


Sorry if I sounded a bit harsh. Remember not to take me too seriously.

It's just that I can't find a lot to review when the whole thing is done in Flash. Know what I mean?



[This message has been edited by ozphactor (edited 08-01-2003).]

I like the site design. Very simple, and very appropriate for a comic book site.

Critiques: It's good that the site resizes, but when you view it smaller than full screen, the buttons at the bottom are tiny and unreadable.

I don't agree that splash pages are unnecessary. However, they generally exist to let you choose between Flash and HTML. Because this choice doesn't exist here, the splash page is unnecessary here. If you want to give people a chance to download Flash Player, just code it to begin loading automatically.