Crossover Wars in print?

[KarabearComics]

Let me preface this by saying how I usually read comics online: I start from the beginning and download each page onto my computer, putting its upload date whenever I can as the file name (because I make lists a lot, and one list I like to keep is when superhero comics came out--the webcomics are listed by the date the final page of each storyline/issue was available to the public; I'm odd), and packing each storyline/issue into a zip or rar file to read later on ComicRack. These stay on my computer until I can get a print copy, at which point I will delete the file as soon as I have the print version in my hands.

With that in mind, I often want the comics I read to be collected in print form, in part to free up disc space, but in general so I don't have to rely on my ability to access my computer to read the comics (if my battery is dead and the power is out, for instance; or like not that long ago when my laptop's power cord died and I had to wait for a new one). Obviously, that makes me think of the Crossover Wars and what it would look like in print.

Obviously, it would be a hard task to coordinate. So many creators means a lot of people to contact, and some (like Ida Kirkegaard of Mechagical Girl Lisa ANT) seem to have dropped off the Internet. But I also think of Heroes Unite (and Heroes Alliance) on Drunk Duck, whose print versions are on sale for printing cost, so no money is made and therefore nobody is profiting off another person's creation. Of course, this probably was still done with all creators' input.

But what do you guys think? Do you think a trade of the Wars would even work? Obviously, it would have to be split up if it were to happen, due to the volume of pages involved, and organization into a cohesive narrative would be rather difficult, but plenty of the pages just seem so ready for print, and it would be a great way to show friends and family who may be wary of wading through the archive due to all the links to so many comics which may have long load times (and, knowing how my Internet hates Drunk Duck and the Too Many Authors stuff, I know some sites are just a bit more touchy). Heck, none of my family will read a webcomic, but will actually read the comics in book form if I show it to them at a family gathering.

[reinder]

I don't think it would be doable at all. Most of this stuff doesn't exist in print resolution (though most of my contributions do - I'm only missing masters for two or three pages as a result of a series of hard drive crashes) and some authors are AWOL. Plus it's a full time job for Hogan to keep the main hub from falling apart again.

[KarabearComics]

I understand. It's fun to think about, though, no matter how impossible it would be.

Of course, the resolutions aren't the only problem. The animations would be difficult, and it would also be hard to find a place to print it, since it does have the adult comics (both Ka-Blam and Lulu forbid you from printing pornographic material). Plus, all the muddy legal waters with comics like Too Many Authors and The Volet using copyrighted characters (Megaman characters mainly, in those two).

[Hogan]

I can only agree, I usually say that "The only thing that can make a good webcomic better, is to have it in print for perusal at ones leisure"

But for many many reasons The Crossover Wars Digest will certainly never come to be... some of the participants have dropped off the grin, no high-res files available, SO many different kinds of page-setups and experiments along the way as well as copyright infringement just to name a few... just trying to get everything together would be a nightmare!!

No, We'll never see the Crossover Wars in print, but perhaps selected parts of it one day depending on what the various artists come up with of ideas? You never know... but the full thing? Never...

Still, one can dream