Embed Comic strips!

I was asked recently if there was some way to make a comic strip and then embed it on a blog or webpage. As with almost every web-based application out there, embedding has become the de facto standard for sharing content. Why would you have to save your work as a text or image file, download it to your desktop, and then log on to your target destination, and finally upload the particular content item. Embedding allows me to create once and then re-use, re-use, re-use to my heart's desire.

While there are a number of comic creation sites, only a few have the same appeal as ComicLife, and Pikistrips certainly fits the bill. Creating the strip is quite easy: pick your layout, upload pics or choose from Flickr, add speech bubbles, save and share. So easy. I've pasted the embed code for one of my samples below.


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No Comic Life installed? - try "Comiqs"

So, you love Comic Life, but it's not installed in your lab? You're in luck! There are a number of web-based comic creators out there. (I've mentioned a couple of them in previous posts.)

What's great about these apps is that there is no software to install, and as long as you have internet access, and a browser, you're in business.

Here are some of the sites that seem promising:

• http://pixton.com/ca/
• http://comiqs.com/editor/ 
• http://www.makebeliefscomix.com/
• http://chogger.com/
• http://chogger.com/createfullscreen
• http://stripgenerator.com/strip/create/

Both Pixton and Comiqs have great potential, but teachers are advised to check out the sites first in case there is inappropriate content. (Pixton has an education version that allows more control.) Like most of these apps, Comiqs has a login that allows you to save your work and return to it later, and is most like the "Comic Life" application used in many Elementary schools.( Even without the login, students always have the option of creating and taking a screen shot, or printing to the desktop.)

http://comiqs.com/editor/ <--- this is much like Comic Life

Create Comics on-line

I know that many teachers have begun using comic creation as a way to springboard into composition: students can use the "3 panel" format to sketch out a scene and then flesh out the scenario in prose. For younger students, it can also be a great way to build simple stories....and it's fun too!

Comic Life gives students lots of great options, but if you don't have a Mac, or you don't have it installed, you may feel left out.

There are two web-based comic creators that just might fill the gap. While your options are limited (scenes, props, characters are all preset), you can still have fun building a scene. Stripgenerator has a very "Jetsons" feel and gives extra options if you create an account. My preference would be to create without an account and then print or take a screen shot (SHIFT-APPLE-4) and save to the desktop. The downside of this site is that some of the user created strips might not be appropriate for a younger audience.

A more "realistic" looking strip is easy to create with "Make Beliefs". What I like with this second option is the many story suggestions and idea starters that the site provides. (In addition, there is no requirement to create an account and students aren't distracted by work others have created.)

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Just as a little extra, if you are planning to teach comics as an art form, there is a wealth of info in the gURL site to get you "savvy". (I'd use this more as a teacher resource since some of the referring links might not work with younger students!)