Okay, so I've gotten feedback and, from what I understand, in my attempts to create a mystery I've made it too exposition heavy, stalling the smut and TF content beyond reason whilst making it too confusing. It seems to have been a consequence of multiple compounding issues; front-loading the smut and TFs at the beginning while making the plot too enigmatic/complex and then trying to unravel what has been happening afterwards to the reader. Even with the exposition we've had there is more to explain in the story, but this was going to be withheld until character interactions at college.
To be honest with everyone, the feedback has been a bit disheartening, but I needed to hear it to develop further. I'm at a place where I have to make works that people really truly enjoy and wouldn't mind paying for. I have to do this as myself and my Dad are on the poverty line in a big way at the moment, barely keeping the proverbial wolves from the door so I need to create a killer product. Commissions don't really cut it either- too much work for too little pay now that cost of living is increasing. That is why I appreciate how candid people have been in the prior poll, it gets me a step closer to identifying the 'X-factor' that we all are searching for.
So, after rambling (a common theme in my comics it seems, haha) there are a few options to pick from:
- Kill Hivemind(ed), start on a new comic with the pacing of the beginning of Hivemind(ed). A simpler core concept shall be used as a backbone for the narrative to create a faster flowing comic, sans any misguided notions of adding in-depth mystery. Shorts shall fill the interim until the plans for a longer running series are completed.
Once I've decided on a few stories I'll put them to the vote to see what sounds more intriguing to all of you.
- Keep going with Hivemind(ed) to see what I have planned.
- Keep going with Hivemind(ed) but have a literal summary screen instead of more in-depth panel work after the next page or two to summarize what has occurred, reveal more plot and continue at the college.
Thanks again for your feedback, please let me know your thoughts!