Karmic Debt Comics

Scott Kurtz wrote an interesting piece here, it basically states that he is over his desire to join the National Cartoonist Society. While I don’t think he really has let go of that desire, that is not really the point. I want you to over and take a look at some of the award categories for the Reubens. Go on I’ll wait…

Back?

Good. Now perhaps you noticed a distinct lack of a certain cartooning form is lacking. If you guessed Greeting Cards, then you are wrong because they have a category. Also if you guessed Advertising Illustration, you would also be wrong. If you however guessed Webcomics then you would be correct. Now it’s not exactly like webcomics is this new crazy idea, heck I have been doing them for over 10 years and they were around before then even. So why exactly aren’t webcomics given any respect from the NCS?

The closest they seem to get to honoring someone with any connection to webcomics is Chris Sanders, who is freaking amazing, but they certainly aren’t honoring him for his short lived series Kiskaloo.

Now, one could certainly argue that since webcomics are essentially self published there is no way to determine if someone is a “professional” cartoonist. Since there is no real barrier to entry into this artform, nearly any schmo can do it, than how do you separate the Pros from the Wanna-bes. You could argue that if you wanted, you would be wrong of course, but you could argue it. Want a simple way to determine the Pros? Here you go, who makes a living doing it? See how easy that was?

Now if the NCS wants to never let Scott Kurtz in that is fine. I understand that on more than one occasion he has not been the nicest individual. But to completely ignore the fact that webcomics exist is pretty silly and it makes them look as if they are hopelessly stuck in the past. So come on NCS join us here in the 21st century, it’s really not so bad.

 

Or you can join us in trying to build our own organization!!! Let the NCS that we don’t want to play in their silly reindeer games.