TLDR;
This episode of The Webtoon Wave podcast features an interview with Punko, the creator of Cinderella Boy and Stag Town. They discuss Punko's journey into comics, the upcoming movie adaptation of Stag Town by Lucky Chap Studios, and strategies for comic creators to improve efficiency. Key takeaways include the importance of consistency over raw talent, prioritising health to avoid burnout, and practical tips for streamlining the comic creation process.
- Consistency and reliability are more important than exceptional talent in maintaining a successful comic career.
- Burnout can lead to serious health issues; prioritising work-life balance and personal well-being is crucial.
- Efficiency in comic creation can be achieved through various methods, including using 3D models, setting strict work schedules, and streamlining the artistic process.
Introduction [0:00]
Audrey introduces Marty, also known as Punko, the creator of Cinderella Boy and Stag Town on Webtoon. Cinderella Boy is about Chase, who can enter fairy tales and make wishes, but at a cost, often finding himself as the heroine. The episode will cover Punko's start in comics and the movie deal for Stag Town, produced by Lucky Chap Studios. Audrey highlights that they will discuss efficiency for comic creators, which she learned a lot about from Punko.
Getting Started in Comics [0:58]
Punko introduces herself, mentioning her degree in comic books and sequential art from Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD). She was recognised as a notable alumni by Edgue Rank, though she humorously notes they used an unflattering picture. After graduating in 2003, she worked for Tokyo Pop, writing an eight-volume graphic novel series called Biz & for them. She then worked for Action Lab Entertainment on Toyotica, followed by self-published graphic novels before moving to Webtoon with Stag Town on Canvas, which led to an original series and then Cinderella Boy. Punko has held various jobs to support her comic career, including toy designer, dairy farm worker, Disney princess entertainer, and assembly line worker.
The Story Behind Stag Town's Adaptation [3:32]
Punko recounts how Stag Town began around 2017 or 2018 while she was working for Action Lab. She vaguely heard of Webtoon at New York Comic-Con and was intrigued by the scrolling format. When she saw Webtoon was holding a short story contest in 2018 with a horror category, she decided to enter, thinking there would be less competition. Despite having only 10 days left, she took leave from Action Lab, stocked up on easy-to-eat food and Red Bull, and worked almost non-stop to create five episodes. She finished 15 minutes before the deadline, suffering from severe carpal tunnel and exhaustion. Although she didn't win, she received an honorable mention, which increased viewership. After moving to toy design, she continued Stag Town on Canvas during lunch breaks. The pandemic led to her focusing on it further. She entered another Webtoon contest with Red Dart and won second place. While discussing file arrangements with an editor, she mentioned Stag Town, leading to a contract offer.
The Importance of Taking Opportunities [9:59]
Punko emphasises the importance of taking opportunities, even if success seems unlikely. She shares that she often gets jobs by entering contests she doesn't win, using them as a chance to pitch her work to editors. She recounts a similar experience with Tokyo Pop, where she won a runner-up prize and then pitched Biz and Gast. Punko advises creators to be consistent and reliable, turning in work on time and sticking to a schedule. She notes that editors value reliability more than exceptional talent, as missed deadlines can be costly. She encourages creators not to be discouraged if their work isn't perfect, as consistent posting is key to growing an audience.
Dealing with Burnout and Injuries [16:05]
Punko discusses her experience with burnout, revealing that she developed an autoimmune disease (celiac disease) due to overworking on Stag Town. She stresses the toxicity of hustle culture and the importance of prioritising health. She recounts losing a third of her hair and a quarter of her body weight due to stress. Between seasons one and two of Stag Town, she focused on cutting down her work hours and becoming more efficient. She learned to use Clip Studio Paint instead of Procreate, prioritised her health, and made time for social activities. She now maintains a better schedule, sees a personal trainer, and works in pleasant environments like her balcony or the pool.
Finding Efficiencies and Balance [21:39]
Punko highlights the importance of balancing work and health, noting that she couldn't maintain her schedule without her colorist, Rayaki. She acknowledges that creators with full-time jobs may need to scale back their posting schedule and that it's okay to admit when a project isn't sustainable. She used to do an all-nighter every week for two years but realised it wasn't worth the exhaustion. Punko advises creators not to overthink their work or strive for perfection at the expense of their well-being, as readers primarily care about getting the story. She compares Webtoon comics to fast food, where readers value consistency over unparalleled quality.
Streamlining the Creative Process [28:02]
Punko shares that during her hiatus, she developed the idea for Cinderella Boy and decided to create it on Canvas to prove she could do comedy, despite Webtoon's doubts. She worked on both Stag Town and Cinderella Boy simultaneously, which led to a 90-hour work week. To manage her workload, she heavily used 3D models for backgrounds, which she edited to fit her style. She recommends Acon 3D for models and Abler for rendering, despite the challenges of using Korean or Japanese versions. Punko also uses a colorist to save time. She advises creators to invest in tools and assistance to reclaim their time and to focus on a few key locations to minimise background work.
Practical Tips for Efficiency [38:56]
Punko shares practical tips for efficiency, drawing from her 20 years of experience in comics. She emphasises the importance of practice to streamline the drawing process, advocating for going straight from concept to line art without excessive sketching. She also recommends setting a panel budget for each episode to avoid filler and maintain a consistent pace. Punko stresses the importance of a strict 9-to-5 schedule, minimising distractions like TV and social media, and creating a dedicated workspace. She advises creators to monitor their progress and adjust their workflow to stay on track.
Creating a Healthy Work Environment [57:20]
Punko discusses the impact of the work environment on efficiency, noting that visual clutter can stress the brain and hinder productivity. She recommends tidying up the workspace and creating an inspirational environment. She also highlights the importance of working in a location that feels productive and relaxing, such as outdoors. Punko advises creators to tailor their workload to their schedule, prioritising sleep and avoiding overcommitment. She suggests assigning point values to panels based on difficulty to manage time effectively.
Final Advice for Webtoon Creators [1:00:45]
Punko advises aspiring Webtoon creators to start slow, avoid comparing themselves to others, and tailor their workload to their schedule. She stresses the importance of sleep and prioritising health. She encourages creators to find efficient techniques and not to pressure themselves to be perfect. Punko shares examples of how she has simplified her work, such as using colour boxes for text and background art. She reiterates that the schedule should be the most important part of the process, not the level of art.
The Future of Cinderella Boy and Stag Town [1:21:40]
Punko shares exciting updates about her projects. The movie adaptation of Stag Town has been picked up by Lucky Chap Entertainment, with Ben Brewer as the director. The production team plans to build an exact replica of Punko's apartment for the film set. Punko hopes to have a cameo in the movie. Additionally, Penguin Random House is working on a book version of Stag Town. Punko is also focused on the second season of Cinderella Boy and expresses gratitude for the support from her readers.
The Cinderella Boy Community [1:26:01]
Punko praises the Cinderella Boy community for its positivity and support. Webtoon has noted that the comment section is exceptionally clean, with no negative comments. Fans support each other, share gluten-free recipes, and promote each other's fanfiction. Punko highlights the community's efforts to prevent spoilers for free readers. She believes that engaging with the community and reading every comment contributes to its positive vibe.
Where to Find Punko Online [1:36:57]
Punko shares her online presence, noting that she limits her social media use to maintain work-life balance. Listeners can find her on Instagram (funwithpunko), Patreon (Fun with Punko), YouTube (Fun with Punko), and Twitch (Fun with Punko). Audrey thanks Punko for her insights and encourages listeners to read Stag Town and Cinderella Boy.