Starting a small webcomic is a big task for any aspiring author. The hardest part isn’t even coming up with the story; it’s deciding where to publish it. There are several routes: hosting an independent site or finding a webcomic site to host your comic. If an author gets popular on a webcomic site, they might have a chance at earning revenue. I think that’s every author’s dream. What happens if you build a fanbase, earn money, and suddenly your comic is stripped from its place on the internet? Tapas has announced its plans to close their digital doors.
Tapas has been a popular home for webcomics since 2012. Some of these webcomics have been published in print by Yen Press. It was jarring for users to see the end-of-service announcement suddenly appear on the front page next to popular titles. Tapas will officially shut down on March 31st 2027. Users can still use their current currency to unlock content and read comics until the March 31st closure. Users can no longer purchase ink -Tapas’s digital currency.
Readers aren’t just upset that their favorite stories will stop updating, but that they won’t be able to re-read their favorite comics either. When Tapas ends their service, readers’ previously unlocked stories will no longer be available. People paid for these webcomics, and now there is no way to save what they paid for. I think this is another argument for why physical media is becoming popular and important again. Some readers have extensive collections they will never see again. Unless the author posts elsewhere. It’s a frustrating situation. I wouldn’t be surprised if some readers stop paying for online webcomics. If I knew all the content I paid for would disappear in one click, I’d be hesitant to start another online library.
Authors are losing a reliable place for their work as well as revenue. This may set authors back as they attempt to find new homes for their comics. It’s heartbreaking seeing posts from authors discussing how their accomplishments will just disappear next year. There are other options for authors to consider, like Webtoons. It’s another popular webcomic site, but it’s stricter with the content allowed on the site. Explicit scenes would need to be cut. This restriction will hinder some of the comics looking to move. There are other webcomic sites, but Webtoon is the most well-known. If a creator is looking to re-monetize, they need eyes on their story. Creating a stand-alone site is another option for authors, but it comes with its own unique challenges. It can be difficult and possibly costly to set up a stand-alone website. The author has full control over their work, but they have to find their own way to generate revenue without a creator program. It can also be difficult to get new readers to a small stand-alone website. Most people like to stick to big websites they feel they can trust. Especially when using sensitive information to pay for a product.
The upcoming shutdown of Tapas has stressed users out for many reasons. It felt sudden; authors and readers all learned at the same time. Tapas has added a shutdown section to their FAQ page. It seems like they’re just going to end service, and everyone is on their own after. I think creators should go back to Tumblr. I remember following a few comic-centric blogs. If the blog was well organized, it wasn’t hard to find chapter updates. It was also fun to see character extras. What’s your favorite platform for reading webcomics?
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