From Spider-Verse to Webcomics: Building Creative Freedom with Violaine Briat

Introduction

Violaine Briat, affectionately known as V, is a French storyboard artist, comic creator, and creative thought leader whose career spans over a decade in both European and American animation. A graduate of the prestigious Gobelins animation school in Paris, V has worked on celebrated titles like The Loud House, Craig of the Creek, Spider-Verse 2, and Captain Fall. In a time when projects rise and fall with alarming speed, V has not only weathered the volatility of the industry—but found purpose and personal expression through their own webcomic, Rodney R. With their hands in professional animation by day and self-published storytelling by night, V is redefining what sustainability in art looks like.

 

What You'll Learn

• How canceled animation projects shaped V's shift toward independent storytelling

• Why personal projects like webcomics can create industry opportunities (hint: Spider-Verse 2)

• V's candid insights into the pitfalls of chasing perfection in serialized art

• Why consistent daily posting and character-focused content drive audience growth

• Lessons from Homestuck and how non-linear storytelling unlocks creative freedom

• How to strategically embed "audience hooks" into content without relying on rage bait

• The emerging importance of social followings in hiring decisions within animation

• Building community through creative authenticity—even with anti-fans

 

Quote of the Episode

"Companies can take my work and throw it away, but my webcomic will exist forever." — Violaine Briat

This quote encapsulates the emotional core of V's creative journey. In an industry that's become unpredictable—where even the most beautifully crafted animations can be axed for tax write-offs—V finds solace and empowerment in the permanence of personal work. It's a powerful reminder to creators: even when commercial projects disappear, your voice and vision don't have to. Owning your narrative is not only healing—it's legacy-building.

 

Overview

Hey friends, Carl here! This was one of those rare episodes that really stirred something in me as both a creator and a business owner. Talking with V felt like a masterclass in creative independence and resilience. We dove deep into what it means to stay motivated through canceled projects, how to thrive on platforms like Webtoon and Instagram, and the art of growing an authentic audience without losing yourself in the algorithm. V's perspective on character-first storytelling, nonlinear structure, and daily posting completely shifted how I think about content strategy—not just for our clients, but for Epic Made's own storytelling projects. Seriously, if you're a creative professional or even just starting out, this episode is gold.

 

Thanks again to V for sharing your story, and a special shoutout to Alex Krokus for connecting us. If you enjoyed this episode, consider subscribing or dropping us a line. And hey—don't be afraid to make something just because you want to.

Until next time,
— Carl ✌️