What makes a good comic good?

I was poking around over at the forums on The Webcomic List, and there was a thread asking just that.  I have to laugh, because I know that most of the people posting over there are kids (and I use that term relatively, since I know that 20-something is an adult, but when your nearing 40, 20 is a kid to you).  A lot of the posters there are just starting out, and asking a question like this is very sincere.  Though, of course, it's been debated to death on a lot of forums.  Still, reading the responses, many of what I have heard before, I got to thinking.  What does make a comic good?  Of course, good is relative.  Honestly, I know there have been several comics I would classify as bad--meaning the writing and/or art sucked--and yet I found myself going back again and again to follow it.  Then I realized that the key word is not "good" but "interesting".  If it can grab you, and get you interested...and make you think about it when you're not actually in front of the screen looking at it...make you  sit and wonder what is going to happen next enough to make an effort to check out the next strip...then I think you're on the right track.  Interesting won't guarantee readers, but I do think it will help you keep the readers you get.  

So, is it good art and good writing?  Yes and no.  I think those elements are important.  And I am also one to throw in "good characters" into that mix.  But, I think there needs to be that key element of creativity.  Not so much in doing something totally different, but taking the time to create a comic, not just copy something else or throw something up on the page.  

Okay, I think I've rambled enough!  I'm reprinting my response from that thread below.  If you have any thoughts on the matter, comment away.  I had the comments moderated before because of some tech issues I was having, but they're free and open now!

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I think the key word is not good but interesting. As others have said, good is subjective. What one person thinks is good art, another may think is terrible. The key is making it interesting. If you have good storylines, that pique someone's interest, there's a good chance they are going to come back day-after-day, or week-after-week to follow it. Interesting characters. There are some comics that don't have much of a storyline at all, but their characters are colorful and interesting, and people can relate to them, so they keep coming back. Sometimes it's purely the art. How many times do you hear, "the writing sucks, but the art is so unusual, I have to keep coming back."

One other thing that I think is important is remembering who your core audience is. I'm not suggesting to tailor your work to a certain group, but keep them in mind. If your core audience is 20-something gamers, you don't want to go and do a storyline about menopause. Okay, maybe you DO, and you could make it hysterical, and it would be great. But you don't want to do it too often. Remember why your readers are there and keep that at the core of your work. You'll often hear comments like "get back to your roots" meaning return to what made you popular in the first place. It's a good idea not to stray that far in the first place.

In general, I think writing is the key. If people cannot get into the story emotionally, the odds of them caring enough to come back narrow. Characters are another. You need to have good characters your readers can relate to. Of course, there is the art. Again, doesn't have to be fancy or beautiful, but care enough about it to make it the best you can--even if your talents are not the best. Even in a simplistic work, if you take the time to care and polish it, people will notice. Sloppy is never good.