Clearly, I’m just pulling titles out of my ass now
This is officially the most I’ve ever blogged before, so bear with me. The response to the others has been amazing, so I thought I’d update you before I disappear for a week.
Hopefully when I return I’ll have some news on both creator owned front and some new projects of mine.
I really wish I could post all of the emails, Tweets and Facebook messages I’ve been receiving so you could see how creators and fans alike are responding to a simple attitude adjustment, and some simple tips.
Based on what I’m seeing, people want change. They want comics to survive.
I got some shit from a couple cynical creators, but I just wished them luck and moved on. I’m dead serious about this no negativity thing. If all you want to do is bitch and complain I’m sure you can find an ear other than mine.
It’s been fascinating watching new ways to be negative being invented as I refuse to fight. My favorite was are the folks saying guys like Powell and I aren’t “Indie” enough. People should do their research. I was stapling Xeroxes and selling them door-to-door before, well, a long-ass time ago. So were guys like Ed Brubaker and Mark Millar.
Hell, I remember standing with Brubaker at SDCC back in 1989-1990. We were both kids peddling our creator-owned books. Now look at him, all killin’ Captain America and shit.
It takes a long time to get anywhere in any business. Please, don’t fault creators for their success.
So yeah, think before you Tweet, Junior.
I’m still allowed to be sarcastic, right?
Did anyone listen to the Meltcast I did? It was fun and we really got into some of these issues. One of the things we talked about is the “bubble” that comics live under.
In the Meltcast I used the Scott Pilgrim film as an example. When the film was released, the excitement, Tweeting and hype within comics was huge. I, like many people, thought it was going to do really well, but instead in tanked. If I recall it came in 5th. Eep!
I think we have to remember, despite all these huge films based on comic books, the mainstream (or THE OTHERS as I like to say) do not know we exist.
Along with all of the things I’ve mentioned, I’m now going to make an effort to reach out to possible fans OUTSIDE the bubble. I know a lot of Horror fans and Science Fiction fans who don’t read comics.
How can we get those folks?
Some good Sci-Fi comics would be a start. I am always astounded how Sci-Fi isn’t more prominent in comics.
Anyway, this bubble we live in. Let’s break it, or at least make it bigger.
I had one REALLY stupid idea, but if it worked it would be fun. I thought about creating a Comic Book Message in a Bottle by taking one of my favorite OGN’s and writing a mailing address inside the back cover, then handing it to a new reader. Ask them to read it, sign it and pass it on. If just one book made itself back with the inside front and back cover scribbled like a high school yearbook it would be pretty fucking cool.
Not a solution by any stretch, but could be fun.
This Wednesday will be my first column spotlighting creator-owned books. I’m leaving all the announcements to the website, and I’ve already talked about it here.
Eric Powell took down his video and posted this message: http://www.facebook.com/notes/eric-powell/my-video/178754798833147
I can’t speak for Eric, but I took a beating over my blog. I imagine he did too. It is really exhausting dealing with all that misdirected hatred.
That reminds me...
Can I give another been-bugging-me-a-long-time suggestion? This is something that I see a lot now that we have Facebook and Twitter where creators and fans interact together.
If a creator posts about having a rough day; they’re having trouble meeting deadlines, too much work, not enough work, their computer crashed, ink spilled, tablet blew up…whatever...Please, please, please don’t comment or reply “Trade ya!”
It happens every. single. time. I post anything that isn’t backflip happy.
We know we are lucky to be doing what we do. Many of us are struggling. Some of us are juggling day jobs with being comics creators. Let them have bad days too.
It’s one of the most perplexing things about the Internet. Now creators and fans can interact, as we never have before, and so many seem to squander the opportunity. I don’t understand why so many use it to rail against the same people they claim to love. Make no sense.
Just try to remember, before you blast a comment at a creator, most of them are working-class mugs like you.
I’m tired today. Can you tell? Just trying to answer the mail of a small fraction of creators takes time. But I am looking at everything you guys send me. Keep it coming.
Lots of good going on out there; Every time I Tweet asking for updates of creator projects I get an explosion of responses from creators working on their first book and others who are working on their 100th book with the same enthusiasm.
I don’t want to cover the same ground over and over, but I’m going to stick to simple ideas until larger solutions present themselves.
Retailers- Just a quick note to say I am not forgetting about you. I know you are all in as tough a spot as the rest of the industry. I’d really like to hear from you about what creators can do to make your job easier.
Publishers – I’ve had a couple pubs call me about this creator-owned push. Some were a little irked because they thought I was preaching self-publishing. I assured them, that while I am suggesting a more DIY attitude, I am not saying avoid publishers.
There are many publishers who have always backed creator-owned books – IDW, Dark Horse, Image, Slave Labor- to name a few, but everybody, across the board is having trouble selling creator-owned books and the doors are closing for the moment. SO, what I’m actually suggesting is talking the burden off of publishers a little, while we ride out this current wave of declining sales.
Many publishers clearly want to do more creator-owned, but they are being forced to focus on licensing and books with built-in audiences. They are trying to survive too. I get that, and that’s why I’m actively looking for new ways to publish material.
Creators – All the dialogues going on now are leading to good things. I’m hearing about grassroots ideas like ad-swapping and creating ways to cross-promote each other's projects. Support each other. Creators like Warren Ellis have been doing it for years. Mentioning a book you like by someone else can help a lot.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned the past couple weeks, NOBODY got into, or stays in comics for the money. Across the board, creators –at ALL companies, at all levels- have made it very clear they do it because they love comics.
Fans- You really are the most important link, and I’m saying this knowing that most creators, publishers and retailers are fans as well. We all love comics and we all want them to thrive.
Everybody can help by doing two simple things this week.
First, try something new. Doesn’t matter what, just try something new.
Second, reach outside the bubble. See if your friend who loved the Iron Man movie has ever read the Demon in a Bottle trade. Maybe you know a Hellboy fan who isn’t aware that Mike has published enough material for 20 more movies.
One new reader can really make a difference now.
As always, thank you so much for all the support.
Create and help instead of destroy and hate.
-Steve
PS: Check out other creator’s sites for news and updates on new projects.
Here are some I stop by all the time…
Mark Millar: http://www.millarworld.tv/
Joshua Fialkov: http://www.thefialkov.com/
Eric Powell: http://www.thegoon.com/index.php
Jimmy Palmiotti: http://jimmypalmiotti.blogspot.com
Skottie Young: http://www.skottieyoung.com/
And many creators you can follow on Twitter…
@thejillthompson
@ StephBuscema
@ ronmarz
@ KurtBusiek
@ kmellon
@philhester
Okay, I gotta run now but here's new image I found of Spock and his badass car!
Other Creator-Owned Posts
Creator-Owned: The Revolution will be Tweeted
Creator-Owned Update & Bloody Pulp Announcements!
Origins of this Creator-Owned Support Thing and Updates
What’s all this Creator-Owned Talk?
Creator-Owned Comics: Not Whining Yields Results