This is a segment from email I typed in correspondence with another comic artist, but after rereading it, I felt it bore repeating more generally:

“I am going to say this — if I have learned anything from mingling with other (web)comic artists, it is to avoid trying to create or be involved in a “webcomics community.” There is no webcomics community, and it’s too easy for things to get clique-y, when this is a huge expansive medium with many groups and people who move in an out of circles easily. Do not be upset if you don’t click with a SPECIFIC group of artists, because there are so many people in it that you don’t have to please or appeal to anyone to make it as a comic artist or to make good friends.

It is way too easy to get fixated on being accepted and validated by “Webcomics” that you forget there are so many ways to find success and comradeship and you might miss it if you’re too single-minded.

Just don’t get suckered into this mentality of “webcomics” as anything more than a medium or business model. Work on making your comic a success by your own definitions and standards, don’t let another person’s gameplan and landmarks define your own, and just let yourself enjoy the company of others. Don’t get too business minded when it comes to making connections and networking. You never know when a friendship will blossom into an invaluable resource.”