From Writer to Reader: An Examination of the History of New Zealand Comics Online and How Web-Based Tools Facilitate the Interaction of Communities

Abstract

Purpose: This research project has focused on examining the developments of web-based texts and the ways people use these tools to socialise and communicate. It is hoped to provide valuable information on the impact of digital technologies on communication history. Design/methodology/approach: This project involved a micro analysis on New Zealand comics websites. Qualitative content analysis was used to examine a sample of seven topics and 31 websites. Data was collected at various points over an 11 year time span, with the majority of data collected from historical websites archived in Internet Archive’s Wayback Machine. Findings: Web-based communication follows a similar cycle to that proposed by Darnton (1993); however there have been significant changes in how New Zealand comics websites are produced, disseminated and received. These changes have altered the way writers and readers communicate, allowing readers greater power to influence creators’ work, reorganise and even alter online texts. Research limitations/implications: Despite the small sample size and impact of researcher interpretations, this project has provided valuable information on the communication processes which take place in both print and digital forums, and will interest scholars and practitioners in the library and information studies fields, along with others interested in the dynamics of human communication. Originality/value: Very little research has been conducted on this topic. The findings of this project reinforce the conclusions made by previous theorists, as well as contributing findings which may be explored in future research.