# Why does Keenspace suck so very badly? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [March 1, 2005, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-keenspace-suck-so-very-badly/292376 "2005-03-01T02:03:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![andros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@andros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andros)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2005, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-keenspace-suck-so-very-badly/292376/1 "2005-03-01T02:03:27Z")
I swear, I’ve looked at maybe three dozen Keenspace comics, and not a single one of them has struck me in the least funny, entertaining, or well-drawn. What the hell? Is Keenspace just a dumping ground for would-be strip hacks to cater to their six transgendered furry friends whom they feature prominently (if poorly rendered) in their strips? Is there actually anything good there at all? I’m only talking Sluggy/QoW/SomPos good here; I don’t expect da Vinci. Or am I too old, jaded, and elitist? Can anyone make a reasonable argument against my plan of finding Keenspace’s servers and writing a hammer to their boot sectors? ---
**Author:** ![The\_Tim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@The\_Tim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Tim)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2005, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-keenspace-suck-so-very-badly/292376/2 "2005-03-01T02:08:12Z")
[Wapsisquare](http://www.wapsisquare.com) doesn’t suck. ---
**Author:** ![Scott\_Plaid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Scott\_Plaid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scott_Plaid)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2005, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-keenspace-suck-so-very-badly/292376/3 "2005-03-01T02:18:31Z")
Why I aught ta… No, wait, he is taking about keenspace, not keen spot. I can calm down. keenspace comics, at least produces good comics, and it is an offshoot. [http://crfh.net/](http://crfh.net/) [http://elgoonishshive.com/](http://elgoonishshive.com/) [http://www.filthylies.net/](http://www.filthylies.net/) [http://www.greystoneinn.net/](http://www.greystoneinn.net/) [http://www.elflife.com/](http://www.elflife.com/) Roomies [http://www.itswalky.com/faq/marksnotes1.html](http://www.itswalky.com/faq/marksnotes1.html) Many of these require you to rad the back story. So what if people think that’s complicated, it’s free entertainment! ---
**Author:** ![Scott\_Plaid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Scott\_Plaid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scott_Plaid)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2005, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-keenspace-suck-so-very-badly/292376/4 "2005-03-01T02:20:44Z")
Oh, and [http://zebragirl.keenspot.com/](http://zebragirl.keenspot.com/) ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2005, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-keenspace-suck-so-very-badly/292376/5 "2005-03-01T02:22:35Z")
I’m rather a fan of [Venus Envy](http://venusenvy.keenspace.com/). It does feature a couple transsexuals, but all of them are human. Okay, and the physics teacher is a chicken. But at least it’s not an anthropomorphized chicken. ---
**Author:** ![Scott\_Plaid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Scott\_Plaid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scott_Plaid)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2005, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-keenspace-suck-so-very-badly/292376/6 "2005-03-01T02:40:10Z")
Miller, if you are looking for a couple of good traansexuals then check these babies out. The very newest models! fresh from post 33 [Did You Know Shrek 2 Is a Vehicle for the Evil Transgendered Agenda?](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=304267&page=1&pp=50) > [@Scott\_plaid](#): > > I got your transgender propaganda right her! I mean, here: > > [http://venusenvy.keenspace.com/](http://venusenvy.keenspace.com/) > > [http://catgirldo.keenspace.com](http://catgirldo.keenspace.com) > > [Choose A Safe Rental Property](http://www.transe-generation.com/default.asp) > > [http://jadaze.keenspace.com/](http://jadaze.keenspace.com/) > > [http://secondstage.keenspace.com/](http://secondstage.keenspace.com/) > > [http://www.drunkduck.com/Triquetra\_Cats/](http://www.drunkduck.com/Triquetra_Cats/) > > Wicjed cool funny comic strips > > There are more, but I can’t remember them right now. ---
**Author:** ![andros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@andros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andros)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2005, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-keenspace-suck-so-very-badly/292376/7 "2005-03-01T02:50:54Z")
Oh, Keenspot has more than its share of suck as well. Nukees? Bruno? GPF? Goonish? My ghod, those strips eat it. Again, I thought QoW was acceptable most of the time, and there are some there I haven’t read. But Keenspace is to comics what LJ is to blogs. It’s diarhhea in ballpoint. **The Tim** , help me out. What about Wapsi is enjoyable? 'Cos I just ain’t seein it. ---
**Author:** ![Scott\_Plaid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Scott\_Plaid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scott_Plaid)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2005, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-keenspace-suck-so-very-badly/292376/8 "2005-03-01T02:57:46Z")
That’s **it!** Danny, bring out the Giant Metal Ant, and give it a new target. Someone who doesn’t like Nukees. But really, why are you pitting free entertainment, which has attracted large groups of people who do like it. Why do you not seek out what you do like? What do you like in entertaiment? ---
**Author:** ![andros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@andros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andros)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2005, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-keenspace-suck-so-very-badly/292376/9 "2005-03-01T03:03:02Z")
> [@Scott\_plaid](#): > > But really, why are you pitting free entertainment, Because a free shit sandwich is still a shit sandwich. Duh. > [@](#): > > which has attracted large groups of people who do like it. Whoop. > [@](#): > > Why do you not seek out what you do like? Why do you assume I don’t? Why do you think I’ve actually read so damn many Keenspace strips? > [@](#): > > What do you like in entertaiment? Some bare modicum of artistic ability for one. The ability to write coherently for another. Some skill at plotting would help, too. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2005, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-keenspace-suck-so-very-badly/292376/10 "2005-03-01T03:52:24Z")
Well, first of all, Keenspace is free. It hosts for free. That means that anyone with a title and a concept can get a Keenspace account. That means that, according to Sturgeon’s Law, 99% of Keenspace will be shit. Also, Keen repeatedly skims that 1% of good stuff out of the Space, and moves it to the Spot, where it can attract the premium banner ads. So the percentages keep going down…it’s 99% shit today, but tomorrow, when they give the 2 good comics their own KeenSpot sites, it goes to 100% shit. Until someone new comes in who can actually write, draw and tell a story and starts a good comic, which will then be moved to the Spot again, thus leaving the Space with the 100% shit once again. If you think of Keenspace as the Great Webcomic Slush Pile, you might be able to relate better… ---
**Author:** ![andros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@andros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andros)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2005, 5:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-keenspace-suck-so-very-badly/292376/11 "2005-03-01T05:30:30Z")
> [@jayjay](#): > > If you think of Keenspace as the Great Webcomic Slush Pile, you might be able to relate better… Ok, that makes sense. So my analogy to LJ was pretty much spot-on, then? I can live with that. Now, I don’t know if I should additionally comment on the Spot. I’m sorry, but yes, most of them really do blow. Pacing, plotting, art, story, characterizations, jokes . . . fuck. I mean QoW is the most readable of the ones I’ve looked at, and it was spotty at best. Yeah, I know, I know. At least it ain’t Garfield. Like that’s saying anything. ---
**Author:** ![andros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@andros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andros)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2005, 5:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-keenspace-suck-so-very-badly/292376/12 "2005-03-01T05:32:30Z")
Excuse me. I mean to say most of the ones _I’ve read_ blow. I’ve not yet read Wapsi Square, so can’t comment on that. But for the record, I’m familiar with Bruno, GPF, Nukees, and the especially horrid Goonish. ---
**Author:** ![Derleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2005, 8:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-keenspace-suck-so-very-badly/292376/13 "2005-03-01T08:24:40Z")
I love Keenspot because of Men In Hats. In fact, I opened this thread because I thought Keen_space_ hosted that comic, as opposed to Keen_spot_. (No, I’m not very web-comic savvy.) [A Men In Hats Valentine’s Day strip.](http://www.meninhats.com/d/20050214.html) [This is more typical of the series.](http://www.meninhats.com/d/20050211.html) It also made me laugh out loud. [Also chuckleworthy, I think.](http://www.meninhats.com/d/20041015.html) [Two](http://www.meninhats.com/d/20041006.html) [more](http://www.meninhats.com/d/20040206.html). The biggest problem is that the updates are irregular and often trickle down to nothing for a good while. But I enjoy the new ones when they do come out. ---
**Author:** ![kimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f0a364/32.png) [@kimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kimera)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2005, 8:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-keenspace-suck-so-very-badly/292376/14 "2005-03-01T08:48:23Z")
My favorite webcomic ever was hosted at Keenspace. It both scared and aroused me at the same time. The plot of it can best be summed up as : Gay chibi furry bondage sex. Didn’t SexyLosers start on Keenspace? [Here’s](http://greaterevil.com/AT/66.shtml) one I think most dopers will enjoy. ---
**Author:** ![slortar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6bbea6/32.png) [@slortar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slortar)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2005, 1:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-keenspace-suck-so-very-badly/292376/15 "2005-03-01T13:01:58Z")
> [@kimera](#): > > My favorite webcomic ever was hosted at Keenspace. It both scared and aroused me at the same time. The plot of it can best be summed up as : Gay chibi furry bondage sex. > Didn’t SexyLosers start on Keenspace? > > [Here’s](http://greaterevil.com/AT/66.shtml) one I think most dopers will enjoy. Okay, while I agree with the majority of the posters about Keenspace, I have to admit that last one almost made me blow my nose all over my monitor. Dang, that was funny stuff. ---
**Author:** ![ultrafilter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/3d9bf3/32.png) [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2005, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-keenspace-suck-so-very-badly/292376/16 "2005-03-01T17:10:01Z")
Most of the comics off Keenspace suck too. The only difference is, they’re not conveniently gathered in one place. I’d put [Dominic Deegan](http://www.dominic-deegan.com/) over Sluggy or S\*P on my list any day of the week right now. But that’s Keenspot, so maybe it doesn’t count. ---
**Author:** ![andros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@andros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andros)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2005, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-keenspace-suck-so-very-badly/292376/17 "2005-03-01T17:23:37Z")
Thanks, guys. I’m getting deeper into Wapsi today, per **The Tim** ’s recommendation, and I’ll see if I can delve in to Dominic Deegan and Venus Envy and Men In Hats this PM and tomorrow. I think you’re right, **ultrafilter**. All web comics are largely crap, it’s just the sheer volume of them at a clearinghouse like the Space that blows my mind. ---
**Author:** ![andros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@andros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andros)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2005, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-keenspace-suck-so-very-badly/292376/18 "2005-03-01T17:25:00Z")
And in retrospect, I could have opened this thread in CS with no loss of signal. Probably should have. Ah well. ---
**Author:** ![audreyayn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c67d28/32.png) [@audreyayn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/audreyayn)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2005, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-keenspace-suck-so-very-badly/292376/19 "2005-03-01T17:32:44Z")
And here I thought this was gonna be a thread from a user. The first time I tried to sign up for Keenspace it took ~9 months? A year? Just for them to get sign-ups back on. And then they didn’t even add me. Not to mention updates are down right now, so I can’t tell my site I’ve updated more recently than a year ago. (Why is a previous update on the main page anyway? Argh. Love the auto-scripting, tho. Saves me tons of time.) Another reason there’s so many bad webcomics out there is that making webcomics is hip right now. It’s exploded. Of course there’s icky bits of flesh everywhere. And Keenspace only cleans up comics that have had less than 5 comics posted within the first 90 days. I have a list of good webcomics with descriptions on my site (below). Tho I’m not up to date on most of them. It’s a decently long list. Assuming that’s not down too. ---
**Author:** ![butter\_pie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/aca169/32.png) [@butter\_pie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/butter_pie)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2005, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-keenspace-suck-so-very-badly/292376/20 "2005-03-01T17:35:26Z")
One of my favourite webcomics other than the already mentioned S\*P is Girly. The website is [http://go-girly.com/](http://go-girly.com/) It used to be a Keenspot comic, but the artist pulled his comic from there and is doing it on his own. Keenspace is like Geocities for webcomics – anybody can upload. And like someone said, periodically 'space people get invites to move over to Keenspot, where they actually get paid (some) to do their comic through the ads Keenspot runs on the pages. And Keenspot also prints comic books and does some merchandising for its content providers as well. You also have to consider target audience. Gaming webcomics are very popular (Penny Arcade and 8-bit Theatre for example) and they can be very funny, but if you’re not into gaming (or whatever) it isn’t going to make much sense. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-keenspace-suck-so-very-badly/292376.md?page=2)