HavenComic.com

Looks like an interesting comic, TIm. DId you do the drawings yourself?

I think that with such a creative topic you should try to be creative with the design. It is very boxy looking, and the navigation totally lacks character. You could do some really neat stuff with navigation and layout here, and yet you've chosen to stick to the same old formula It isn't too often that designers get a chance to be truly creative. Why not break the bounderies when you have the chance?

What you need to do here (IMO) is bust out of that boxy layout. Take a sledgehammer to it and break all those lines. Pretend that HTML isn't focing you into boxes. Browse the CSS Zen Garden for ideas. Unfrotunately I don't have a lot of brilliant ideas to share right now but I'll try to think of some. You might be albe to do the front page as mroe of a splash screen, with basic navigation, logo, explanation text, and one really good image. I think there are two many images on the front page now, it's making it look incoherent.

(I also fail to understand why it's necessary to label the navigation bar).

You're right on all accounts, Megan. I was trying to mimic some of the big comic book company's designs, but they stink.

No more reviews yet, people, I'm going to redo this one from scratch.

Oh, and it's not my artwork or story, I'm just the webmaster.

Fine, but how do I get some of these comics?
The web design seems a bit basic, and a bit dark. However, the navigation is simple enough, but I don't think the site is pulling people in .

Excuse me for saying so, but I think this type of website suits Flash more. I can just imagine the intro:

How experienced are you with Flash? If you aren't have you considered hiring a 'Flash Expert' to your company so you can build static and animated pages?

Have a think about it.

I think you're right about the Flash intro. I will be adding one.

Nooooooo! Not a Flash intro, please!!

I agree... don't do flash, flash is bad.

Oh... and you might want to get some one to proof read the text as there are mistakes that won't be picked up by a spell checker, for instance on the history page "due" is written as "do".

Have these comics been released yet? I wouldn't mind having a read!

My plan now is to redesign the site and also add a flash intro that is optional. Not even an intro in the traditional sense. In other words, I'm not calling it an intro because you will have to view it first (which you won't), but because that will be available on the site to "introduce" the comic's premise.

Comic availability - It went to the printer this past Monday. I will let you guys know.

No, come on! Flash is the future of the web! It is a comic site! Wouldn't it just be great to add animated interactivity?

Quote: Flash is the future of the web!

Hmmm, not everyone would agree with you there, and for many very good reasons. Flash is good, in it's place and having a Flash "presentation" linked from the main page is something I will wholeheartedly support. Opt-in is the buzz-word for this post...

Flash is definitely not the future of the web, it is simply a "trend." It it really is the future, I think I'm gonna simply refuse to use the internet and find another profession :S

Yes, I hate flash with a passion.

In principle I agree with you Renegade, and because such a majority feel - to a greater or lesser degree - the same as you Flash will never be the future.

***Edit***
How rude of me, this is meant to be a review and I'm going off-topic and ranting about Flash - my apologies!

The site is indeed very boxy, although I can see what you've tried to do the end result unfortunately appears somewhat design-less, just some images with text and navigation hidden in-between. Your original idea would work though, and I'm sure actual comics are slightly more creative with their boxes, perhaps you should try buying a few to see how they do it (or just look closer at Haven).

In addition they grey is somewhat boring and contributes to the boxy effect IMO.

I like the comics, they're awesome. The site itself is rather boxy. Flash is awesome. I don't like the fact that the visited links are a different color than unvisited or active links. Flash is the future of the internet. I would recomend a mouse over effect, it's an industry standard all of a sudden. Flash will rule the world. I would move everything just a little bit to the left. Some images (especially in the staff page) are getting cut off.

Assassin are you taking the micky? Showing which pages you have visited is a useful usability function of the browser. It's clear you know nothing about the way the internet is heading as any good web designer will tell you its moving towards semantic markup with design and structure being seperated.

Mouse overs are an industry standard nowadays? I've never heard such tosh.

You're a fun person. You get really worked up over things like those light comments. Anyway, how many pages do you see "nowadays" that don't have hover effects on links? These pages are few and far between. It's a very helpful component to have a hover effect on your links as it helps to distinguish which link you are pointing at on tight navigation bars besides the fact that it looks profesional. Flash is one of the most optically friendly formats available on the internet. Yes, people are falling in love with CSS/XHTML and I personally love using my XML/XSL compontents, but let's face it, I'm no artist. Anyone who is truly tallented in art and animation should seriously consider flash. Closing out your options by saying "I hate flash there is no good use for it" is a limmitation on yourself and it takes away from your tools as a webmaster. FACT: the owners of http://www.homestarrunner.com are making a comfortable living off of ONE website. How is that website handled? FLASH. I admit that what I said was an exaguration, but it was a light comment and didn't really require a response. Anyway, this thread has been completely hi-jacked by the flash debate and I think that you and I and a few other people owe timjpriebe a huge appology.

Good website, but I think the history section could be more consise, perhaps a timeline would chronologise the section better?

Hmm... Looks like you guys kept reviewing it even though I said I was redesigning it. Ah, well.

I've now completed the redesign. I have only slight control over the actual content. That being said, let me know any suggestions you have, even if it is about content, and I'll pass it on the the rest of the staff.

Again, it's http://www.havencomic.com

And actual suggestions versus general comments on the future of the web would be helpful.

The one thing I would say is that your rounded corners are looking a bit jaggedy. Perhaps you should consider aliasing them (would look much nicer). Also, since it's not the first page of the site perhaps you should rename the link to the flash intro to something like "view our flash trailer" or "view our flash presentation".

The guy on the left has some white halo's where he's been cut off his background. I think if you can't remove them it might be wise to perhaps consider adding a white glow to the figure to help hide them.

Finally, I would perhaps pad out the left and right sides of the text a bit more as it gets a bit close to the guys arm on the left hand side.

Thanks for pointing out the jaggedy corners. They've been aliased. I've also renamed the Flash Intro to Flash Trailer. Finally, I've padded the sides a bit more.

I must be blind, but I don't see the white halo at all. Where do you see it?

Mouseovers are not industry standerd but They are used so much now people expect it, I would put them in.
Also I think you should change the color of the table border to a slightly darker blue.

Your web site looks good. The comic characters are very professionally done. The best part of you web site? The fact you don't force flash intros on all your visitors. I like the fact that you have just a link for those wanting to see a flash intro.

Good Luck

i like the layout of the site is easy to use but im not liking the links box the likns are to big and they look out of place, with every thing else on your site looking good then you see the links and no flash please ....

matt