''What the Duck'' is a comic strip by Aaron Johnson that was produced from 2006 to 2016. It started as a

webcomic Webcomics (also known as online comics or Internet comics) are comics published on a website or mobile app. While many are published exclusively on the web, others are also published in magazines, newspapers, or comic books. Webcomics can be c ...

, with the first strip posted in July 2006. The strip Is popular with photographers due to its accurate but humorously twisted take on the world of photography, and has been published in numerous photography magazines including ''

Amateur Photographer ''Amateur Photographer'' is a British photography magazine, published weekly by Kelsey Media. The magazine provides articles on equipment reviews, photographic technique, and profiles of professional photographers. About the magazine ''Am ...

''. It was picked up for syndication in 2008 by

Universal Press Syndicate Universal Press Syndicate (UPS), a subsidiary of Andrews McMeel Universal, was an independent press syndicate. It distributed lifestyle and opinion columns, comic strips and other content. Popular columns include Dear Abby, Ann Coulter, Roger Ebe ...

under the name ''W. T. Duck''.

Background

The

main character A protagonist () is the main character of a story. The protagonist makes key decisions that affect the plot, primarily influencing the story and propelling it forward, and is often the character who faces the most significant obstacles. If a st ...

of the comic strip is a professional

photographer A photographer (the Greek φῶς (''phos''), meaning "light", and γραφή (''graphê''), meaning "drawing, writing", together meaning "drawing with light") is a person who makes photographs. Duties and types of photographers As in other ...

who is a

duck Duck is the common name for numerous species of waterfowl in the family Anatidae. Ducks are generally smaller and shorter-necked than swans and geese, which are members of the same family. Divided among several subfamilies, they are a form ...

. The strip was launched in July 2006, and was originally intended as content filler for the website of Johnson's band, Sweet Jelly, rather than as a serious endeavor. Johnson originally published a series of only five strips; shortly thereafter, word of the new strip spread across the internet via photography-related message boards. ''What the Duck'' continued to grow in popularity, eventually spawning its own website as well as a line of WTD-themed merchandise.

Overview

The comic strip's witty humor and smart observations about photography have made it a favorite among many amateur and professional photographers. However, Johnson said that ''What the Duck'' is not just about photographers, but about creative professionals in general: the strip provides a sometimes-unique perspective about their lives and experiences, and represents a "voice that isn’t always heard". The name of each strip is chosen by the author from those suggested by the readers in the comment section of the comic. The author approves of and even encourages people spreading the strips on the web. ''What the Duck'' has been described as having a "minimalist" style, utilizing "clean lines, crisp colors, and witty, wry dialogue". Because the characters are presented "as is", with little back story or character development, the humor in each strip is relatively easy to understand.

Syndication

Johnson submitted ''What The Duck'' to six major

comic strip syndicates a medium used to express ideas with images, often combined with text or other visual information. It typically the form of a sequence of panels of images. Textual devices such as speech balloons, captions, and onomatopoeia can indicate ...

in December 2006. Initially, he was turned down by Universal Press Syndicate (UPS). However, Johnson attracted their attention with "Syndicate Bingo", in which he placed the responses of the comic syndicates on a

bingo Bingo or B-I-N-G-O may refer to: Arts and entertainment Gaming * Bingo, a game using a printed card of numbers ** Bingo (British version), a game using a printed card of 15 numbers on three lines; most commonly played in the UK and Ireland ** Bi ...

board posted on his website. UPS ultimately picked up ''What The Duck'' for

syndication Syndication may refer to: * Broadcast syndication, where individual stations buy programs outside the network system * Print syndication, where individual newspapers or magazines license news articles, columns, or comic strips * Web syndication, ...

in 2008, but with the modified name, ''W.T. Duck''. John Glynn, Vice President of Rights and Acquisitions for UPS, referred to Johnson as "the first real 21st century cartoonist". The comic strip has been published in newspapers and magazines in the US, UK, Canada, South Africa, and Malaysia.

Books

The comic strips have also been published in two books: ''What the Duck, Rule of Nerds'', published by Lulu.com in 2007; and ''What the Duck: A W.T. Duck Collection'', published by

Andrews McMeel Publishing Andrews McMeel Publishing, LLC (formerly Andrews, McMeel and Parker (1975–1986) and Andrews and McMeel (1986–1997)) is a company that publishes books, calendars, and related toys. It is a part of Andrews McMeel Universal (which comprises AM ...

in 2009. ''What the Duck'' merchandise is available through the official website.

References

External links

*
What the Duck official Russian translations''What the Duck'' comic strips explained for English learners
{{UniversalPressSyndicate 2000s webcomics 2010s webcomics 2006 webcomic debuts American comedy webcomics