A couple of years ago Moderntales set out to publish quality webcomics that required a subscription. This would have been quite a task– webcomics typically have small audiences that are used to getting comics for free. I think Moderntales owed its initial success to its smart initial lineup, which included a few respectable indie print artists. Bringing print artists onboard brought their audiences to the web, and brought Moderntales an expanded paying audience.

Spring’s Interweave has borrowed the strategy (or rather, its converse). I went to their preview page to check out Stefanie Japel‘s sweater, and found it in the company of contributions from Jodi Green, Eunny Jang, and Grumperina. I had no intention of buying a magazine this spring, but… man, do you see how cute those Roza’s Socks are? I wish I was Grumperina’s grandmother.