The webcomics blog about webcomics

Rotten Egg Jokes

Spoilers are details of plot that may “spoil� your enjoyment of a movie, book, or other media. Those who hate spoilers say that dramatic tension or humor depends on certain things not being revealed – those who love spoilers say that if you can’t still enjoy the work after it’s been “spoiled,� it’s not a good work to begin with.

Where does this fit in with webcomics? A general rule of spoiling is that if sufficient time has passed between the publication of the work and the posting of a spoiler, it’s not a spoiler anymore. Rosebud is a sled. Soylent Green is people. But often spoilers for webcomics appear in the commentary that is posted simultaneously with the update – as with Questionable Content or Friendly Hostility. (Many more comics have commentary. I picked two in which I, personally, read the commentary.)

Does the quick turn around mean that everything is a spoiler? Or does it mean that nothing is a spoiler? Within hours, everyone who read QC knew that Faye’s father had killed himself. I know I got the link instant messaged to me by no less than three people who were spreading the word – but then again, they only sent the link, they let me read the comic myself.

I suppose this is a philosophical question. I like spoilers, to a certain extent. If I end up knowing the ending – as to a movie, or the end of a television episode, or even a book – I’m okay with that. I like to see how things are put together; I am a story teller at heart. However, spoilers for LOST are inexcusable. I’d rather squeal and hyperventilate at the latest reveal than know it was coming.

Would I want my webcomics spoiled? Let’s say I always make sure to read the comic first and the commentary second. But at the same time, if it’s something important enough for the creator to talk about twice, then does it matter what order the information comes in?

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