10 Question With Michael David Nelsen – Creator of Supernaught

Supernaught issues #1 and #2 are out now, with issue #3 out today. Here are 10 questions with creator Michael David Nelson on digital comics!

Who are you and what are you working on right now? (2 questions in 1, I know!)

Michael David Nelsen – Currently promoting the release of my Digital Comic “SUPERNAUT” from 215 Ink and coming out thru Comixology. I’m also writing and drawing an 8 Page “Future Fantasy” story called “Cryptwalker”, and writing a Science Fiction Epic that I will start working on artwork for next year.
What drew you to digital comics?

I love the immediacy of digital comics. You can create something, and the same day it’s completed it could be online being viewed by readers. It’s a lower-cost, eco-friendly way to distribute comic book stories, and a way to level the playing field for all sizes of publishers and creators.
Webcomics or digital comics?

Both have merits. Personally I tend to digital comics nowadays, but I have dabbled in webcomics in the past.

I’ve read many webcomics, and created couple (ones that no one has heard of I’m sure – BarToons from 10 years ago, and Hulk vs Bizarro, a little parody strip done for fun http://hulkvsbizarro.com/), and I think it’s a great way to reach a wide number of people. It can be a vehicle for many different formats and storytelling techniques.

But Digital Comics to me are more like traditional comics in the amount of story delivered and have more opportunities for reading on various digital devices.

Click for bigger
What do you think works with digital comics?

All the stuff above I mentioned: Immediacy, affordability both in production and distribution, and they have the ability to be the great equalizer between giant publishers and the little guy doing awesome work.
Can digital comics replace print comics?

Digital definitely CAN replace Print, but I’m not sure that it ever will. I could easily picture a Comic’s world where Monthly floppies are fully supplanted by digital installments but still print versions of Trades and Graphic Novels. For many, like books, there will remain that desire for tactile response; that need to hold a thing in your hands to fully immerse in it, experience it, and enjoy it. To own it.
How can print comics work with digital comics?

Each should play to their strengths. Marvel had the great idea of giving away digital copies with a print purchase of a lot of their books. I feel like the best path right now is the one I mentioned above: Follow the customers consumption habits. Give them individual issues, or page-by-page webcomic releases, for that serialized, immediate gratification. And then give them the printed trades to experience the complete story and to hold it in their hands as a real world object, engraining the story just a bit more into their psyche, and into reality.
What don’t you like about digital comics?

Well, I know guys that own Comic Shops and I’d hate to see them replace all print books and put guys out of business, but that probably won’t happen. It seems people have somewhat of a negative view of Digital Comics currently. Like they’re seen as “less than” somehow. I’m hoping that improves. I would like to see more distribution alternatives to Comixology just to expand availability and readership. Some of the user experience of the Apps used to purchase and read comics could use some improvement as well.
What digital comics/webcomics do you read?

I’m old school with webcomics – I started out reading PvP, Penny-Arcade, and Greg Dean’s “Real Life” webcomic. Digital Comics – I support the Indies as much as I can, and support Kickstarter projects constantly. I also re-read old comics from my collection, or pick up runs on classic books that I might have missed. It saves me from digging out the books from storage and dealing with polybags and the hassle.
Where do you see digital comics going from here?

Gathering more support as consumers turn onto the positive aspects they offer. I also think Liam Sharp and the MadeFire guys are doing some amazing stuff by adding sound effects, motion, and unique storytelling elements to comics. They’re even investing in VR. I mean, it seems like everything is betting on VR to be the next big thing in our technological culture. I kind of feel like that’s maybe gimmicky like 3D movies and will go the way of the Nintendo Wii soon enough. The far future is augmented reality and jacking content directly into our cerebral cortexes. But, for now, I think we’ll see more things like MadeFire that expand the abilities of Digital Comics to tell stories. And do it in novel approaches which traditional print comics simply can’t replicate. When we strike a balance between novelty and storytelling, we’ll have something truly new.
Who do you think we should look out for in digital comics?

Supernaut, definitely 🙂
Also look for more and more books to be coming out digitally as the medium increases it’s footing.