Welcome to the Comics Forum!
Whether they be hand-drawn, computer-assisted, or taken from our neighbors' sprite kits, this is the place for all LEGO-related comics. That's right, the Comics forum is now open to all LEGO-related comics, not just BIONICLE-related ones! Please note that "LEGO-related" means that LEGO characters must be the focus of the comic. Scenario, plot, and dialogue do not necessarily need to adhere to any LEGO canon, as long as the characters can be linked to any of the company's lines. Please also note that before the upgrade, movies were posted here, but no more - music and movies now have their very own forum.
This topic will serve to present the new, updated Comics forum rules. It will also be kept open so that you can post any questions regarding policy here. Please take the time to read these thoroughly as some rules have been changed.
-- This topic's tag will always reflect the date of the latest update. Information on what was updated will always be found in the "Edited by" line at the bottom of the post. --
The Comics Forum Rules and Guidelines:
General Rules:
All BZPower rules do apply. This includes, but is not limited to:
Do not flame. People and their creative works are to be respected. If you have criticism, offer it constructively.
Do not spam. Spam includes off-topic messages, casual chatting (including conversations between co-authors), "first-to-post" and related statements, "can't wait!" posts and their variants, and generic posts. More on this later.
Do not post inappropriate content. BZPower prides itself on being kid-friendly. You are not to post -anything- inappropriate, including foul language, excessive violence, and sexual content.
Use the report button! If you see any post violating the above or any rules in this topic, please use the report button, located at the bottom of a post, to make the moderators aware of it. Please do not post about it, and do not quote the objectionable material. It's as bad as posting it yourself.
Regarding revival: Like in the Library forums, there is no revival limit in the Comics forum. This applies to both authors and reviewers. The logic behind this is that comics are usually ongoing stories in their own right, just like any literature found in the Library forums. Enjoy!
Now, this is not a rule, but simply a thought: if you are done with a topic or project, and would like to let it rest in peace, you may request to have it closed. I've had my own topics in the Library forums pop up years later, much to my own chagrin. Requesting for a completed topic to be closed might be a good way to avoid this; that is, if you wish simply to forget about the topic.
Please also keep in mind that filtered words, acronyms known to contain filtered words, and any violations of the Advertising Policy are not allowed in comics, just as they are not allowed on BZPower.
Rules for Authors:
Post your own, complete work only. This means you cannot post something you happened to find on Brickshelf! This also means you cannot post planning topics or preview topics. Posting a preview of an upcoming comic or series in your existing topic is fine, however.
Do not beg for posts or set post quotas. A statement in your first post saying, "Tell me what you think!" or something similar is fine, but making a separate post saying, "Please post!" counts as spam. Setting a post quota is the equivalent of saying, "I'll post this if I get [insert number here] replies. Not only does this invite spam, but you'll find that you'll get more, higher quality posts by just showing your work.
Do not double-post if you have no new material. Double posting serves no purpose but bumping the topic and counts as spam. However, you may double post if you are announcing a major update such as a new comic, or a significant preview. This is the only exception! Note, by "double-post" I basically mean "n-tuple-post," so you can indeed triple-, quadruple-, etc.-tuple-post as long as you keep in mind the above!
Do not make generic gratitude posts. It is perfectly fine to thank those who have posted in your topic, but posting only "Thanks!" or "Glad you liked it!" counts as spam. To avoid this, when posting to show your gratitude, try to address specific points your reviewers have made.
Do not start contests or games. Sorry, that's the staff's burden here.
Do not post images larger than 500 kB (kilobytes) in size. This is part of the BZPower rules, stated in the middle of this post. If you want to post an image larger than 500 kB, please link to it.
Regarding guest stars: Please keep guest star requests and conversations confined to PM only. This is to help keep unnecessary clutter out of comic topics, and in general, should be easier for you to keep things organized. Please make a note of this in your first post. You may provide a template or form for members to fill out, but please make sure you ask that these requests be PMed to you. Thank you!
Rules for Posters/Reviewers:
Do not flame. Make sure any criticism you offer is constructive! Respect the author and his or her work! Instead of being harsh, politely offer suggestions on how the author can improve his or her work. Praise is always welcome!
Do not make generic posts. This is an explication of the "do not spam" rule. Contrary to popular belief, there is no ten-word rule. A post longer than ten words can still be generic and therefore spam. Here's an example:
"This is so funny! I'm laughing so hard right now! Keep up the good work!!"
Do you see the problem with this post? It could have been made without the poster's having ever seen the comic! Your posts must be specific to the comic on which you are commenting. A corollary to this is that chatting, off-topic discussion and "can't wait!" types of posts are not allowed. Any post that is generic or off-topic will be deleted; if not, it will be requested that you please edit it.
Do not double-post. This is a rule common across all of BZPower.
Do not hijack topics. This is common courtesy. Do not use a topic dedicated to another member's work to advertise your own. If you wish to bring attention to your own comics, you may use your signature, or if you are a Premier Member, your blog.
Regarding guest starring: Please keep guest star requests and conversations confined to PM only. This is to help keep unnecessary clutter out of comic topics, and in general, should be easier for authors to keep things organized. Authors may provide a template or form for you to fill out in the first post of their topic, but please be sure to PM these when you have filled them out, and be sure not to post them.
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As stated earlier, this topic will be left open so that you may ask any questions you have regarding these policies. This topic may also be used for any suggestions you have. Otherwise, you are always free to PM me.
On behalf of all of the BZPower staff, we hope you enjoy this forum!
Sincerely,
The Comics staff:
-Windrider-
Sisen
Sumiki
Zeddy
The Forum Mentor Team
Edited by -Windrider-, Aug 30 2012 - 07:12 PM.
Added information on filtered words and the Ad. Policy in comics under "General Rules."
