Keenspot is a webcomics/webtoons portal founded in March 2000[1][2] by cartoonist Chris Crosby (author of Superosity), Crosby's mother Teri,[3] cartoonist Darren Bleuel (author of Nukees),[1][2] and Nathan Stone.[4]
In December 2016, Keenspot began publishing a new line of print comic book titles distributed to comic book stores by Diamond Comic Distributors, Inc. Their launch titles included monthly ongoings of Hunters of Salamanstra and Marry Me and book collections of Thomas Fischbach's Twokinds.[6] Keenspot books are now distributed by Simon & Schuster.[7]
The formation of Keenspot was triggered by the collapse of an earlier webcomic portal, Big Panda.[8]
Following the portal's creation in March 2000,[9] Keenspot was serving over 23 million page views monthly by February 2001 and had 47 cartoonists.[10] Also in June 2000 they had launched the free comics web hosting service Keenspace[9][11][12][13] (later renamed Comic Genesis[14]). In 2001 Keenspot launched its own printed comic book line and launched graphic novel collections in 2002 both at Comic-Con International. By August in 2002, Keenspot opened a retail store, selling brandname toys and comics; Keenspot had 50 million views monthly and 600 paying members – who can read the comics without ads – and had published 26 titles.[15]
Keenspot gross revenues grew from $103,976 in 2002 to $188,475 in 2003 with the number of pageviews largely unchanged from mid-2001.[16] As of October 2007[update] it claimed to be home to more than 50 comics covering several genres and artistic styles.[17]
In 2008, Bleuel and Stone sold their 50% stake in Keenspot to Crosby Comics, leaving Chris and Teri Crosby as the sole owners. Daniel "Dan" Shive, writer-illustrator of the Keenspot webcomic/webtoon series EGS, was named Chief Technical Officer (CTO).[18]
As of September 2017 the site hosts 57 comics, of which eight are described as "updating with new comics regularly" and the rest of which are "completed or update infrequently".
One of Keenspot's most notable traits is that it has been a starting point and steadfast supporter of many successful webcartoonists over the years. More than a dozen comics originally and currently hosted at Keenspot have branched out to become substantial full-time jobs for their creators.[citation needed]
The company says that it keeps exclusive web publishing rights to its comics, including archives, but that other rights are left with the creators. Side projects, particularly merchandising deals, are covered separately. Keenspot Entertainment is based in Cresbard, South Dakota.
The majority of titles published by Keenspot have been distributed to comic book stores worldwide by Diamond Comic Distributors. Keenspot has also launched 2 podcasts, a cartoon podcast, called Keentoons Video Podcast Network and an audio podcast called Keencast. Until 2006, Keenspot published the Keenspot Comics Page in collaboration with the Turlock Journal and several other small newspapers.[citation needed]
^ abYim, Roger. (April 2, 2001). "DOT-COMICS: Online cartoons skip traditional syndication and draw loyal fans on the Internet". San Francisco Chronicle. Pg. D1
^ abNewman, Heather. (February 2, 2001). "See You In The Funny Pixels Michigan Cartoonists Draw On Web Sites To Find Readers". Detroit Free Press. Pg. 1H
^Keenspot Press box Dave Astor, Editor & Publisher, 2001-02-26, "more than 23 million page views a month. It showcases the work of 47 cartoonists who aren't in traditional print syndication"
^Laporte, Leo (2006-05-25). Leo Laportes 2003 Technology Almanac. Pearson Education, Limited. p. 323. ISBN0789728478.
^Brad, J. Guigar (2004-11-04). The Everything Cartooning Book: Create Unique And Inspired Cartoons For Fun And Profit. Everything Books. p. 263. ISBN1593371454.
^Keenspot: "Keenspot is the largest publisher of exclusive webcomics! Founded in February 2000, we are now the home to over 50 comics, and the list keeps growing."
Keenspot Pressbox (incomplete collection of major newspaper and magazine articles about or featuring Keenspot, includes Daily Variety, Editor & Publisher, Comics Buyers Guide, etc.)
