What should we be called?
Added 2019-03-31 18:37:16 +0000 UTCHowdy y'all!
After the livestream, I've been thinking a lot about how lucky I am to be able to connect with you.
I have some big goals for The Young Protectors in 2019. I Iook forward to telling you more about them over the coming weeks. And, in particular, getting your feedback on them.
But something that I'm working on right now are ways to support the community we've built. It's no secret that we have one of the most thoughtful communities in comics. And I want to do everything I can to support our little tribe of awesome folks.
And as I've been working on this, a question has come up: if you had your choice, what would you like me to call y'all? I mean, what's the best way to describe folks like you who are so committed to this work that you've chosen to support it, month after month?
"Dedicated readers"? "True fans"? "Superfans"? "Young Protectors"? "Heroes"? Just "Patrons"? "The Woolfpack"?
(I saw that last one in the comments under some of our pages a couple years back. Wouldn't be my first choice, but it does get a chuckle out of me.)
You're my people. The ones who really get what I'm trying to do. It's your support that makes The Young Protectors possible. Financial support is definitely part of that, but it's a lot more than that. Chatting with you, either in the comments here and in the livestream, recharges my batteries and fills me with inspiration. Just knowing that you believe in what I'm doing is huge. Especially on the dark days every creator faces.
When I address you directly, "y'all" is fine. But when I talk about you as a group, I've basically just been using "patrons," and that feels a little dry.
Right now, I'm leaning towards calling y'all the "Protectors," since it connects to the comic and, in a real way, that's who you are: the dedicated readers who are protecting this work.
What do you think I should use? And if you could choose anything, what would you want to call each other?
This may seem like a small point, but this community is special. A little tribe we should be proud of.
I'd like to use a name that reflects that.
Comments
The backside of us being called Champions, is the people who can't afford to support the comic. Especially with the 'Become a Champion...' comments. It implies that non-Patreons aren't. Even if unintended, I can almost guarantee that some will feel like that. It's extremely easy to offend online. If we're to have an official name, it has to be something for ALL, not an implied exclusive part of readers. Of the options, Woolfies or Woolfpack has my votes.
DanishWolf
2019-04-06 19:24:42 +0000 UTChummm. "Champions of self expression and alternate views". One posit if I use the word correctly. Have to think about that. However. Your site, your choice Alpha!
william clapie
2019-04-03 20:37:18 +0000 UTCOK. So, we seem to have some leading contenders here: "Protectors" (which is what I was originally drawn to), "The Pack," "Typpers" and "Woolfies" (ha!). "Woolfpack" is still in the mix too. Also, it hasn't yet caught on in these comments, but I like the suggestion from one reader for using "Champions." I like the association with being an evangelist of an artistic work, and I do think of y'all as able to conquer the world. And I could see using it like "Become a Champion of The Young Protectors!" and "Join your fellow readers as a Champion of these comics over at Patreon!" It might be less redundant than using Protectors and more able to encompass more than just The Young Protectors (if we are thinking in the long-term). Very good thoughts here, and very good suggestions. I do think I will have a poll for this. Thank you all for being your awesome selves!
Alex Woolfson
2019-04-03 00:00:35 +0000 UTCGood to know!
Alex Woolfson
2019-04-02 23:55:09 +0000 UTCThat's a good question, Danish. One I think I'll have y'all answer in a poll.
Alex Woolfson
2019-04-02 23:54:48 +0000 UTCInteresting, Nicholas, that "Protectors" would automatically occur to you. Good to know.
Alex Woolfson
2019-04-02 23:54:20 +0000 UTCYou're very welcome, William! Thank you for your good thoughts (and re-thoughts!) on this!
Alex Woolfson
2019-04-02 23:53:49 +0000 UTCIt would be hard for me to think of my sweet, wonderful readers as "rabid" anything, but it's good to hear what works for you and what doesn't!
Alex Woolfson
2019-04-02 23:52:53 +0000 UTCIf I have a poll, I will include both!
Alex Woolfson
2019-04-02 23:52:12 +0000 UTCThank you, Nadin! The more I'm reading these comments, the more I think a poll makes sense.
Alex Woolfson
2019-04-02 23:51:50 +0000 UTCThank you, Antonio! Another vote for Protectors!
Alex Woolfson
2019-04-02 23:51:05 +0000 UTCThank you, Malik! If we go with Protectors, I'll probably keep it age-neutral since we've got quite the spread of ages reading my stuff, but it's good to hear you like the idea of being a Protector. :)
Alex Woolfson
2019-04-02 23:47:59 +0000 UTCWe could be the Woolfpack as a group name, but Protectors as singular or a 'Hey Protectors' kind of thing. A pack stick together and protect each other, especially a Wo(o)lf pak ;) Btw.. I really like the name Woolfies for members too.
DanishWolf
2019-04-01 22:47:03 +0000 UTCWhen it comes to the actual comic site, and not Patreon, people have been welcomed to 'The Woolfpack' for years. It's been a fairly common welcome. I've presented myself as being one of he Woolfpack more than once, and I think Woolfpack might stick on the main site. Question is whether to split the Patreon name from the main site, otherwise Woolfpack will be my vote.
DanishWolf
2019-04-01 22:43:11 +0000 UTCI gotta agree "protectors" just clicks and was the first to come to my mind even before I'd read far enough to see the ones you threw out.
2019-04-01 21:46:10 +0000 UTCHummm. Alex? I am rethinking my thoughts (it hurts). "A wolfpack is supportive of all it's members and the Alpha is the leader". Alex, you are the leader of the group and we are the pack. We bring you the "tidbits", ideas and donations. So, the "wolfpack" sounds much better in context. Related to you as someone stated and not to a specific comic. You are in your own way a driving force for artists and "alternate choices". Anyone would like you as a leader I think. I am quite happy to be in this pack. I choose at this time not to have a life partner but, it will never again be a woman. So, I choose to live in an alternate style as well. Thanks much man for this group and the comics.
william clapie
2019-04-01 20:16:01 +0000 UTCI'd be happy with 'Patrons', even if it's a tad mediaeval... Protectors works... Woolfpack made me giggle. TYPers (pr. 'tippers') makes me feel uncomfortable - even more than Patrons, even if it comes to the same thing aurally. Rabid fans? Hmmm...
Julian White
2019-04-01 17:08:28 +0000 UTCI do think "Woolfpack " is great, but "Protectors" makes a lot of sense.
Passthecass
2019-04-01 15:25:22 +0000 UTCI am too uncreative to come up with my own x'D I really wouldn't mind "protectors" but I'm thinking that it might hint oo much on just this one comic? I already loved Artifice and I'll probably stick around for whatever else you might create once TYP would be finished. I read that you commented it might fit your other works just as well but somehow I actually would prefer the "pack" and I loved the idea of the "woolfies" it sounds cute ^^ BUT the "TYPpers" is really a clever one indeed! If it's gonna make it to a poll in case there really happens one, then my vote would prob go here :D
Nadin Brokop
2019-04-01 14:48:07 +0000 UTCI'd say "Protectors", though it is tempting to go for "Woolfpack" :)
2019-04-01 14:43:36 +0000 UTCSomeone said “Old Protectors” and that certainly suits me. 😆 “Protectors” probably works for everybody else, though…
Malik M.L. Williams
2019-04-01 14:00:37 +0000 UTCI tend to be hesitant about using the word "fans" in general, because it feels like I'm putting on airs about being some kind of celebrity, but you make another very good point. There are certainly true fans of the comic who don't have the means to join us on Patreon at this time.
Alex Woolfson
2019-04-01 06:43:11 +0000 UTCGood to know "Protectors" has your vote. Thank you, Adam!
Alex Woolfson
2019-04-01 06:38:15 +0000 UTCY'all ARE Awesome Sauce! :D
Alex Woolfson
2019-04-01 06:37:29 +0000 UTCGood to know, Benoit. Considering the themes of my comics, I could see "Protectors" working for past and future comics. (I think it would work for the themes of Artifice, for example.) But it's good to know that you like "pack" and "woolfies." As I said to you above, if enough folks seem to like it, we can have a run-off.
Alex Woolfson
2019-04-01 06:37:14 +0000 UTCI do like Superfriends. :) But good to know that Protectors has your vote. Thank you, Loyde!
Alex Woolfson
2019-04-01 06:33:19 +0000 UTCLooks like "Protectors" seems to be the most popular. The only one in that list I would personally shy away from using is "true fans". I don't think that not having the financial means/access to the ability to create a Patreon account for whatever reason rules someone out from being a "true fan" of the comic.
Goodyear
2019-04-01 04:38:24 +0000 UTCAh ha ha, that's kind of clever, though :D
Goodyear
2019-04-01 04:35:39 +0000 UTCTYPpers (pronounced "tippers") comes to mind, but even I think it's a little corny.
Curt Clark
2019-04-01 01:31:01 +0000 UTCI did smile at Woolfpack, but I think Protectors is a great label, for all the reasons.
Adam Irving
2019-04-01 00:46:14 +0000 UTCJust call us Awesome Sauce!
Matt McCarthy
2019-03-31 23:56:07 +0000 UTCI certainly like the ring of 'woolfpack' or 'pack' (probably bc most of us were already fans of your works before TyP) And as Luce suggested, 'woolfies' sounds quite fitting too
Benoit Comanne
2019-03-31 23:06:44 +0000 UTCSay, Alex, speaking of votes, do you intend to post a poll of the most popular suggestions in the comments or smthng?
Benoit Comanne
2019-03-31 22:59:01 +0000 UTCHear! Hear!
Benoit Comanne
2019-03-31 22:54:08 +0000 UTCHow about the pack? Members can be called woolfies.
2019-03-31 21:01:29 +0000 UTCIt would seem Alex that some of the votes are in. Would love to see more.
william clapie
2019-03-31 19:56:47 +0000 UTCWell tongue in cheek... we could be The Superfriends. But honestly Protectors is better. 🤣
2019-03-31 19:50:00 +0000 UTCGlad to hear it, Frater! Thank you! :)
Alex Woolfson
2019-03-31 19:33:31 +0000 UTCI love the idea of being an old "Protector"!
2019-03-31 19:23:36 +0000 UTCThank you, Alaric! That's good for me to know! :)
Alex Woolfson
2019-03-31 19:23:15 +0000 UTCLOL! I have no words for "Woolfpacker." Better go with Protector, indeed.
Alex Woolfson
2019-03-31 19:22:51 +0000 UTCThank you, Jason! I like it for those reasons too. So, another vote for "Protectors." :)
Alex Woolfson
2019-03-31 19:22:12 +0000 UTCI like "Champion," too. If it's not the word we choose for the entire group, I could see using it in other contexts. Thank you for the suggestion. :)
Alex Woolfson
2019-03-31 19:21:37 +0000 UTCI feel comfortable ruling out trusses, William. :)
Alex Woolfson
2019-03-31 19:20:52 +0000 UTC"Least cringey" wasn't exactly what I was going for, but thank you for letting me know that Protectors works best for you out of my "off-the-top-of-me-head" suggestions.. :) Is there something else you would suggest?
Alex Woolfson
2019-03-31 19:20:30 +0000 UTCThank you, Kevin. :) Another vote for Protectors!
Alex Woolfson
2019-03-31 19:18:52 +0000 UTCI think of y'all as superheroes, so that's very cool. Thank you for letting me know.
Alex Woolfson
2019-03-31 19:18:25 +0000 UTCHi Chuck! It's good to know that being called a "Protector" would give you a warm, fuzzy feeling. I like that. :) (And thank you!)
Alex Woolfson
2019-03-31 19:17:37 +0000 UTCI'll be proud to be a Protector, Alex!
Alaric Moondragon
2019-03-31 19:15:39 +0000 UTCWoolfpack is good as a group name but the singular, Woolfpacker, has problems. Better go with Protector.
midwestmutt
2019-03-31 19:00:22 +0000 UTCI love the name of "Protectors". It's simple, and easy. Also keeps the starting P as in Patrons. And dropping the young part of it differentiates it from the heroes in the story and the title of the comic itself.
Jason Arilani
2019-03-31 18:59:02 +0000 UTCHumm. Champion is another word for "backer". Would that fit in some form? It would also fit in with the protectors theme.
william clapie
2019-03-31 18:58:44 +0000 UTCWell, "trusses" would be out of the running. Lol. You are not exactly a roof!
william clapie
2019-03-31 18:56:59 +0000 UTCDefinitely protectors cause it's by far the least cringey of the lot
jamieb
2019-03-31 18:54:25 +0000 UTCCall us Mary Sue. We can do everything, right? Have whatever the plot demands. Seriously Protectors sounds great.
Kevin Barnard
2019-03-31 18:53:52 +0000 UTCI like the idea of being called "Protector." It makes me feel like a superhero, plus linking back to the comic.
GlitchyComic
2019-03-31 18:50:50 +0000 UTC
