Is there any plan for Sluggy Freelance to make an official Bluesky account, seeing it's finally shaping to be the next big thing?

I know the people in charge of the website didn't made much use of the X/Twitter one, but if the intent is to increase the number of readers, maybe using that kind of platform to promote the webcomic would be a good idea?

There is even a list for artists who have been making webcomics since the 2000's or even earlier:
https://bsky.app/starter-pack-short/U8Ab6eo

How can Sluggy Freelance not be part of it?

I agree with this and would be happy to help promote the comic in any way. Even an account that posts a daily comic would be fun, just a random comic from the strip's history each day.

Definitely think an active account on Bluesky could only help the comic get more eyes on it.

From what I get, it wouldn't be an account managed by Pete himself (which I understand, not everyone want to spend their time at things like that) and the main interest of a social media like this is for the visitors to be able to interact with the artist.

Still, I don't think an account managed by one of the mods here, just signalling the comic has updated, wouldn't hurt either.

Time, effort, and sustainability over long period of time, by volunteers, for no money ;)

If anyone wants to do this, raise their hand! (:

I mean *raises hand* but i am just a rando who mostly lurks here and reads the comics but no one really knows me lol.

seriously tho, been a fan since 2004 or so

I mean, unless someone is a secret relative or IRL friend of Pete, we're all just rando internetters to him. The randos run the internet, lol.

Sounds like you're old enough to know what kind of work you're getting yourself into, at least. From one random 'netter to the next, I'd say go for it! Just be sure to send Pete a courtesy message saying that you're gonna start doing that. As long as you keep the posts on theme, I bet he'd be happy. He's always been a good fellow that doesn't stick his nose into internet drama, politics, etc.

The one I see the closest already to be in a position to manage such thing would be Zillatain, who could do it at the same time they start a new thread in the reaction board, though it would be extra work for them. And like I said, it wouldn't be a very responsive account, that with Zillatain not being Pete.

So, yeah...

It'd be a lot more effective than voting in that top webcomics thing everyday, lol. I've heavily critiqued that as a relic of the past. Takes hundreds of votes a day just for the slim chance of someone new actually looking at that website, then scrolling down far enough to see it AND click on it. Meanwhile, social media is a single post/interaction that reaches people....assuming you've got followers or post it on a place that gets views... and then relying on others to like and share. How to build that viewership on those platforms though? Beats me.

Also, Pete's reliance on storylines along with having longer strips doesn't make it exactly social media friendly. If you look at https://www.reddit.com/r/comics/ , for example, you can see they're all pretty short. I don't have any other social media to compare it to since I don't use them and you need an account to browse a lot of them.

Anyway. If the goal is to actually increase readership of sluggy, that's quite a challenge. If you're just posting it for fun and regularly have a bit of extra time....have fun :)

edit: Would probably be more workable with posting his earlier work. They're shorter and social media friendly. Also, if you just post the new comics there, that would subtract from his advertisement money from the website. Gotta feed them a taste of old stuff and draw them here for more :)

I have enough things to keep track of. Be happy I (usually) remember to post the reaction thread.

You'll need to find another victim volunteer.

I'll see what i can do. I think there's a pretty good idea there Spirantz had about sharing his older comic strips where you don't have to know a whole storyline to get a joke..and introducing people to the strip might get them interested in taking the long and wondrous journey that is reading these comics from the beginning to now...or even just buying the books and reading em on their own time.

I'm happy to give a few tips and brainstorm where I can, as long as I don't have to actively participate in the social media stuff ;) Mostly though, I know what NOT to do, lol. Like, don't name it 'Sluggy Freelance', suggesting that you're the actual strip. Unless Pete gives you the go-ahead. You'd need a slightly more unofficial sounding name, as to not suggest impersonation.


Honestly, I'm still shocked and amazed by your consistency. Thank you again for your service! If anyone asks you to do more work, send them my way and I will give them a textual tongue lashing of a lifetime!