fellow Hexbear user ennemi just posted about Chuck Norris jokes, and it got me thinking about excavating the early Web 2.0 days. Remember in the mid 2000s, early 2010s, when mustaches and bacon were like the peak of online humor? I also seem to remember epic saxophone solos and Chuck Norris in the mix. Did that whole ethos go on to inform reddit culture? It'd be interesting to see an infographic showing what memes/jokes contributed to the discourses of online platforms today (though also very cringe, lol)
It's funny you mention that because by the middle of its run 8-bit theater was one of the most well produced comics around and one of the few of its era that's decent on a reread, the author even made the jump to professional comics writing which almost nobody else who made a sprite comic can say. Compare it to, say, Bob and George (which might have been the first one? or at least the first popular one) and the difference is massive.
I know he started Atomic Robo after 8-bit finished and I think I've got the first volume somewhere.
But there are plenty of '00s era web comic artists that have gone big. PA, SMBC, XKCD, Menage A 3, Goats, It's Walky...
I guess sprite comics had a harder time of it. But nobody can fault Clevenger for a lack of writing talent. It doesn't hurt that he hooked up with a talented artist either.
I guess I overstated it a bit, my main thing was just objecting to calling 8 bit theater "low quality" lmao
I apologize for defaming the excellent web comic.