Interview With... Steven L. Cloud

Steven L. Cloud is another in a long line of webcomic artists who's got his webcomic Boy on a Stick and Slither syndicated. We took time out with the Dumbrella guy to talk to him about syndication and the future of his work.

First of all, congratulations on the syndication deal. What interested you in going that way?
Because it's an opportunity with very little risk. I get to keep my site, archive and merchandise. Sure, they get the comics first, but other than the initial delay, nothing really changes. I think it's well worth the investment for a shot at syndication.

There's been some syndications of late, first of all Diesel Sweeties going into a newspaper and Joe and Monkey, why do you think its popular for webcomic artists to go in this direction?
If a cartoonist can negotiate a fair contract, I can't think of a reason why he or she wouldn't give syndication a try. It's an unpredictable venture, but if it happens to work out, you could get paid to draw comics for a very long time. I would love to get paid to draw comics. I'm curious what that feels like.

Although, getting rich isn't my goal. I just want to be able to pay the bills.

Do you think more webcomic artists will get grabbed for syndication deals in the future?
Definitely. I predict we're going to see a lot more of these deals in the future. There are several other Cartoonists in Dumbrella alone who would be perfect for syndication.

Almost everyone agrees the comics page needs some new blood. So, it's good for the industry. It will be good for cartoonists and syndicate alike. A Cartoonist who's already successful online is in a much better position to negotiate a contract than a Cartoonist who draws a few months of samples and blindly submits to to a syndicate. On the other hand, the syndicate is able to sign comics with large archives and a dependable fan-base. It's less risk for them too.

Do you think syndication is a positive thing for BOASAS?
I'm optimistic. I'm happy with the contract I signed. I hope it leads to bigger things, but I won't be crushed if I'm not eventually offered a print syndication deal. At the very least, BOASAS will be read by a few people who wouldn't have discovered it otherwise.

What is gonna happen to Boy on a Stick and Slither now?
Other than the new size and URL, absolutely nothing. I plan to keep doing exactly what I've been doing. I have no plans to alter the writing or art beyond the natural evolution of both. I didn't have to change a single pixel of the first 6 weeks of strips I submitted and I have confidence that any editorial feedback I do receive will be constructive.

Do you think this might take Boy on a Stick and Slither to a whole new audience?
Dang, I hope so.

Are there any future books coming out, now with your syndication?
I have no immediate plans, but I think it'd be fun, in a year's time, to compile all the newspaper friendly strips into a book.

What projects have you got in store for the future?
My focus for the next year and the foreseeable future will be BOASAS. I'm a one trick pony.

Boy on a Stick and Slither debuts today on comics.com. Go have a read!