Anyone currently working in comics?

[Niesta]

Hey, wow! A comics forum! Is there anyone on these boards who works in comics? I used to, before I had my son, but my series (Amy Unbounded) has been on hiatus for a while. I have found it seriously difficult to draw with a baby/toddler in the house. It's much easier to write, so that's what I've mostly done.

However, I recently started doing a webcomic called Return of the Mad Bun. It's only a once-per-week obligation, which is all I can manage right now, but I think it's pretty glacially slow for the readers! I hope to be able to update more often eventually, but something is better than nothing, I guess.

Anybody else?

[Anatole Ghio]

I always wanted to write for comic books, but was never able to find an artist to draw my stories... damn the luck.

Now I am trying to be a published author first, before attempting to get anything published in a comic book format.

Glad to see this forum here.

[Niesta]

Yeah, the artist to writer ratio is always really bad. There are way more writers than artists, for some reason.

I draw my own stuff, and like all folks who can draw, I maintain that anybody can do it. :) Which is probably not true. It's hard enough perfecting one craft, let alone two, although for me, the two are so inextricably bound that I don't think of them as separate (at least, not when I'm making comics). Writing prose fiction is a very different craft, as different as prose from poetry, IMO.

[Richard]

I draw my own stuff, and like all folks who can draw, I maintain that anybody can do it.

I'll dig out my report card for Art. It was meant to be an F, but for some reason the teacher drew a charcoal rendition of the Hiroshima bombings, with an arrow pointing to the middle that read 'You Are Here'.

Comic scripts are fun to write, although I'm sure a lot of that comes down to the difference between drawing scenes of destruction and just typing the words 'PANEL ONE: Ext: New York. A billion locusts suddenly attack, each with a unique Rorscharch pattern painted on their wings. The entire population of the city flees in terror '.

Artists tend to take such opportunities to prove that while the pen may be mightier than the sword, a Wacom stylus up the arse is a really bad day.

[Richard White]

Amy Unbounded?

Holy kraut! I remember that one. . . :banana:

Good to see another independent comic person around here!

I was doing Troubleshooters Inc, back in 1994-95 (right before the b&w implosion), but still did the comic cons for years afterwards hoping to hook up with some other artists or find a small company that needed a writer. Still a lot of fun to hang out with Pam Bliss, Matt Feazell, Troy Hickman, and the other small-pressers at SPX and other shows.

Just finished a new book (1-shot) that I hope to get out next spring and then find a regular publisher for. I've found, I like making comics, I hate running a comics company.

Glad to see you here!

[fedorable1]

For those of you looking for artists, the following is a good forums to look in:

http://www.conceptart.org/forums/

It's a very popular forum, and you're bound to find somebody - even if they're not "professional quality."

[Niesta]

Oh my god! Richard! I remember you! How funny! I was frequently seated right next to Pam Bliss at those conventions, but yeah, it's been three years or so. I had a baby and moved to Canada, so that was a bit of a disruption in the old comics career. :)

[AceTachyon]

For those of you looking for artists, the following is a good forums to look in:

http://www.conceptart.org/forums/

It's a very popular forum, and you're bound to find somebody - even if they're not "professional quality."
Don't forget the fine folks over at Digital Webbing: http://www.digitalwebbing.com/

Check out their Talent Search area. The Forums also have many artists displaying their stuff for critique. Chances are good you can find someone who has just the right art style you might be looking for.

[Atomic Bear]

Another good site might be: http://www.cartoonistconspiracy.com/

You can find many talented folks there. They have also "cells" in some citys, where you could meet some artists off-line at a Cartoon Jam session.

Another thing to do is to just head down to your local comic book store and ask around. It's easy to find Comic book artist there since they love comics. Plus it will give you some ideas on how to market your book.

Visit a local art school is a good idea. Here in the Bay Area we have at least 3. Lots of students to make some extra money.

Of course you might be able to find talented artist hanging out on these very board. Who knows.

[Atomic Bear]

oops, after my last post I realized that I did not answer your question. I am working in comics. I self-publish a fantasy adventure called "Beyond the Great Chimney," in which I write and illustrate. I also do freelance illustrations, graphic design and digital production (scan, color, DTP).

Examples can be found at www.atomicbearpress.com. (http://www.atomicbearpress.com) There I have a blog (http://www.atomicbearpress.com/blog/) and production log (http://www.atomicbearpress.com/comics/log/) that I update weekly with art and notes.

I am happy to ask any questions that you might have.

[PeeDee]

I have a really good comic idea that is, unfortunately, just sitting on the back burner for now. I lack an artist (although I'm happily drooling over ConceptArt.com) and it's the sort of story that will work beautifully with an audience, but does in fact need that audience.

(Well, to be fair, I could do it without audience participation, but it wouldn't have the same effect.)

[Vuligora]

I did a cartoon once! I plan on doing more. I also had an idea for anime, and I thought it was pretty good. Now I think it wasn't so great but could be if I re-worked it a little. The thing is, I sucked at drawing. I still suck at side-views and because I'm obsessed with do it yourself, I want to get better and draw my own graphic novels. I just lack the patience. I was never very patient, I don't even take the time to read the microwave instructions on frozen food packages. I estimate, throw away the still frozen and burnt sections, then eat whats left. Okay, aside from that, I do design and draw my own pictures for my novels. Ever since I started to take this art class it's really improved, so I'm happy.

[PeeDee]

I also guestimate my frozen meals, but they come out quite well. Sometimes, the potatos are still cold, though, and those are sad, bad days. Otherwise, I manage it rather well.

[wordmonkey]

I'm writing comics.

I have an on-going book due out (likely in December) with Arcana.

A big one-shot (main story, back-up story and possibly a prose story all written be me, drawn by some super talented artists) looking like it will come out next September (I wrote the first script, main story, last year so it's gonna be two years from first writing to release!!!!) via Viper.

I'm working on two projects for Hard Way Studios (like the little engine that could in studio form).

I have two projects that I found the art teams for in various stages of evolution.

I'm writing a script for David Newbold and another for Erik Roman.

I also have a couple of other projects that I am in talks to do.

And yeah, finding good artist talent is a problem, but not impossible. Lots of talent out there. It's just well hidden.

[CBeasy]

Writing a comic has always been a dream of mine, but I as well as everyone else, could never find an artist. I've been thinking of writing it as a short story, then finding an artist later.

[dale]

I've been doing some single-page comics in color for Cracked magazine, I have a couple of pages in the issue currently out. I've also done some Web animation for National Lampoon. My wife's been getting into graphic novels for the first time, which has revived my interest in the form, and I'd really like to find some humor comics anthologies to submit to.

But I'm a writer first and foremost. I certainly can't draw everything I would like to be able to, and never as well as I wish. Still, I can render a cartoonish gag acceptably enough for my purposes.

[uina]

I am a comic book writer. Me and my friend have been working on it for 5 months now and, to us, our story-lines, our characters, our plots, are way cooler than anything Marvel or DC or Image or Dark Horse can come up with.

We just can't find a publisher :)

[PeeDee]

I don't know. DC-and-imprints gave me "Kingdom Come" and "The Sandman" and is currently giving me "Fables."

Marvel is giving me Astonishing X-Men.

I would be more than happy for you to blow their socks off, though. :)

[PeeDee]

As for finding a publisher, if you don't wnat to go with the big companies, then might I suggest Digital Webbing? I've always thought very highly of them, and they're a solid publisher all by themselves.

[uina]

Hey Alan Moore (that's your avatar right?). Alright. we'll trydigital webbing. but do they print the stuff out and put it at bookstores? or is it all online?

[PeeDee]

Hey Alan Moore (that's your avatar right?). Alright. we'll trydigital webbing. but do they print the stuff out and put it at bookstores? or is it all online?

That's not Alan Moore. That's me on my 14th birthday, eighteen years ago. Why? Do I like old, or something?

;)

(incidentally, I wasn't trying to take a jab at the quality of your work. It was just a gentle poke in general. I hope I didn't offend. I wasn't trying to at all.)

I don't know about their distribution methods. I have seen some of their BloodRayne comics in my local comic shop, but those are commercial tie-ins, so that might be different.

I seem to recall reading that Digital Webbing comics wind up in the Diamond Catalog like most other publishers. What they do beyond that to get stocked in stores is beyond me. The problem is, comic stores tend to have very limited space once you get past Marvel/DC/And-Imprints. I mean, Dark Horse is a major label in its own right, and even it gets wedged to the side.

[uina]

Oh i'm not offended. I am bragging about my comics and they're not even out yet. :)

[dreamsofnever]

Wow, I feel really blessed now. I have a friend who is an artist over at <a href=http://www.803studios.net/>803 Studios</a> and he approached me to ask for help with a project that should be produced by them. That said, we're gearing up for the possibility of having to split the production costs with the studio, as they are a very small independent studio and money is an issue. Of course, once we get it published, it's finding buyers and making a profit that's the trick.

Anyways, that's my inexperienced 2 cents. No idea if this is typical or what! I'll check back and let you know once we get the book finished :)

[wordmonkey]

Try Comixpress. They will print the book and ship you as many copies as you want to buy. They will also sell the book via their website.

If you wanna get in stores, you need a deal with Diamond. And I can tell ya now, you won't get one unless you print 1000's of copies and agree to take returns.

Lulu is another option.

You have to foot the bill for your copies, but you can sell them at Cons. And subbing a finished comic to a bigger publisher is a much more impressive way to show your wears.

Finally, if you present a finished book to a decent sized indie, and the quality is there, you actually do stand a chance. I know. I've done it.

[jnesvold]

I don't work in comics, but have a gob of ideas that I, of course, think are brilliant. I also feel (and who doesn't, really?) that the novel I'm working on now would be great to be adapted into the ocmic book form, or cartoons, or video games.

I have searched before for someone to partner with in crafting a comic (or online toon), wherein we would share ideas and somebody else would do the bulk of actual writing, and find a good artist, but am unsuccessful so far.

[wordmonkey]

I have searched before for someone to partner with in crafting a comic (or online toon), wherein we would share ideas and somebody else would do the bulk of actual writing, and find a good artist, but am unsuccessful so far.

Please don't take this the wrong way.

Yeah, I know, that's usually followed by something that doesn't entirely have a right way to be taken, but what the hell!

I would be amazed if you did find someone like your dream collaborator. What are you bringing to the table?

Some awesome ideas, right?

Here comes the "wrong way" part. So what?

I have ideas coming out my whazoo. I have ideas that I am sure I will never get around to writing. Even if I write professionally and then write some more in my retirement. And guess what? I watch something on the TLC and I have two more ideas. Mythbusters is about three ideas an episode. Online news, at least one a week. National Geographic, three an issue. Time magazine, two to four an issue. And on, and on, and on.

In light of that, why do I need your ideas?

And then you want me to do the heavy-lifting? The majority of the writing?

And then we get an artist and they work their magic, because your idea, embellished by my own idea and then executed skillfully by me makes for a dream penciling gig. How do we split the money? Forget money, how do we split the credit?

The truth is, I don't need you. Even more so, a decent artist doesn't need you (because they all have the same ideas floating around and they all think they can write a great comic too).

Carpe deum, dude! Sit down, take one of your ideas and work on it. Don't get disheartened that when you send it out to get feedback people tell you it sucks.* Just take out that idea file and start crafting the next one. Sooner or later you'll get a bite. But you gotta work it. And I do mean WORK it. It might not be digging a ditch, but it is a job. Treat it with the same respect.

* There are two possible reasons for people to tell you your early work sucks.

a) They are morons who wouldn't know great work if it jumped up and bit them in the face. If this is the case, then you probably took this the wrong way and stopped reading several paragraphs ago.

or

b) You realize that your early work DOES indeed suck. You find someone kind enough to tell you why, and you go away and practice a whole lot more. After doing this in a "lather, rinse, repeat" manner you will likely as not find a really great artist to draw your work and hey-presto, you are on your way. (BTW, if you really work at it, I predict that you can probably make it from SUCKS to sale in about 4 years.)

[Axler]

I used to work pretty much full-time as a comics creator/writer, but like so many other creators (artists and writers alike) I was shut out after the crash of 93-94.

By the time the so-called "industry" had recovered somewhat (and it still hasn't recovered to pre-1992 levels, regardless of the press releases), I had moved on to other things.

However, I'm returning to the field in a controlled way, with the release of TPB/graphic novels of various comics properties of mine...not to mention a book I'm writing with my wife, The Everything Guide To Writing Graphic Novels for Adams Media...the company that owns Krause Publications which of course publishes the Comic Buyers Guide.

And if somebody wants to make some snarky, bitter comments about this post, go ahead. I know how frustrating it is to try to break into a field you love and how insurmountable a task it seems sometimes.

I always remember something Jim Mooney said to me years ago...trying to break into the comics field is like embarking on a quest for the Holy Grail...after torments and turbulations, when you finally grasp the chalice, you find that somebody has peed in it.

http://www.comicspace.com/markaxlerellis

[PeeDee]

Bitter much?

Sheesh. Chill, friend, we're all jes' folk here.

[Axler]

Chill thyself, first.

I'm not the one who has made posts about the field sucking, collaborations wtih artists being hellish, how nigh-impossible it is to break into the field as a writer so forth and so on.

You need to take a step back and read the general tenor of a lot of these posts...the bitterness and frustration was laid on pretty durn thick long before I got here.

I was just tellin the jes' folks here that I understand why they might feel that way in regards to the comics field.

Okay?

[PeeDee]

Exhibit A:

And if somebody wants to make some snarky, bitter comments about this post, go ahead. I know how frustrating it is to try to break into a field you love and how insurmountable a task it seems sometimes.

Exhibit B:

I always remember something Jim Mooney said to me years ago...trying to break into the comics field is like embarking on a quest for the Holy Grail...after torments and turbulations, when you finally grasp the chalice, you find that somebody has peed in it.

How are these bits not a chip on your shoulder?

Anyway, if you're offering condolences and rays of sunshine, feel free to go ahead. But thus far, you have offered negativity and advertisements for your upcoming book, in a passive way.

And you're picking and choosing what comments you declare me bitter in, aren't you? We've also pointed out what fun comics are, how cool it is to have your script and ideas come back as artwork that's along the lines you intended, how the artist can sometimes make you look better than you would have otherwise made yourself, and so on. Seems pretty chipper to me.

[veinglory]

There is sme real bitterness around, but not without reason. I have entered several collaborations only to find the other person wanted me to do all the art and most of the writing and then put their name on it and cash a chunk of the money. Collaboration is one of the biggest issues, and the basis on which many people has lost one of the few big chances they had to break through. Even with a good writer, they often don't understand just how darned long it takes to pencila nd ink a comic page.

I had a similar collaboration problem on my first novel too--but the difference is that an writer can produce a novel on their own if they need to. I don't think it is a coincidence that some of the most enduring indy comics are by people who can do both the art and the writing--not always to the same level, but well enough. I have on my shelf the first 20 pages of a comic that I finally rewrote and sold (within weeks) as prose. Now it is out earning me money without any greif about depending on other people or splitting the royalties. But I am still sad about the comicbook it will never be.

Can I have some cheese with my whine?

[Axler]

A chip?

You're the one making this personal, not me.

If I actually had a chip on my shoulder, I'd most likely opine that you've set yourself up as the resident expert on comics and resent somebody who might have some solid real-world experience strolling into the territory you've staked out for yourself.

If I actually had a chip, that is.

Quoting Jim Mooney hardly qualifies me as having a chip on my shoulder. I could quote some stuff Will Eisner said to me about the comics industry, too.

Quoting them translates to a chip how?

Also If I wanted to advertise my book, in a passive way or otherwise, so what?

What difference does that make to you?

[PeeDee]

I'm hardly trying to make this personal, nor have I set myself up as an expert. I've just talked about what I know. I'd be content with you doing that too. But the purpose of the longer thread, and to my mind most of this forum, is to encourage people who aren't quite ready to touch the comic industry with a ten foot pole to slowly come around. This means pointing out that it's not easy, it's not hugely profitable, but it's buckets of fun.

I bet we could both manage that.

[wordmonkey]

I'm away for two minutes and everbody gets delusions of grandeur!

A chip?

You're the one making this personal, not me.

Well PeeDee might be irked that you blamed him for my comments.

And for the record, if you have no track record and no experience, it IS bloody hard, and the industry wisdom concedes it IS nigh impossible to break in. However, if you read the thread through, and cherry pick the good stuff in the same way you cherry picked the negative, you'd see there is a lot of advice to get you rolling and even the parts where it does get negative are usually followed by, "Just do it!"

If I actually had a chip on my shoulder, I'd most likely opine that you've set yourself up as the resident expert on comics and resent somebody who might have some solid real-world experience strolling into the territory you've staked out for yourself.

PeeDee knows nothing! He's just a hack!

I'm the big cheese here! It's my massive ego you're feeling!

And again, seriously, PeeDee has said on several occasions he does NOT know this part or that part. And for myself, ALL my comments and advice are based on my experience. Nothing more or less.

If I actually had a chip, that is.

You'd still be a plate of chips, a piece of battered cod, a pot of mushy peas and a couple of slices of bread & butter short of dinner.

Quoting Jim Mooney hardly qualifies me as having a chip on my shoulder. I could quote some stuff Will Eisner said to me about the comics industry, too.

OOOW! I wanna quote!

"Excelsior!" (Stan Lee)

Quoting them translates to a chip how?

Nope. I just check. Still no dinner.

Also If I wanted to advertise my book, in a passive way or otherwise, so what?

Most folks just link in a sig, dude. There's a vibe, rightly or wrongly, that you work it in to a lot of comments. "Here's my take - and you can read more in... available thru... ISBN number is..."

What difference does that make to you?

Well, for a start, you are making it hard for me to launch my new book, "All you need to know about writing comics you can learn from Wordmonkey, cos he's really smart and resident, ego-inflated, self-proclaimed expert in all things comic." (We're still working on the title.)

It also comes off as a little crass. Here's my take, but then you only hint, then plug your book. The threads here are like a club. We get together, share leads, share experiences, share advice, and offer help for free, not as a loss-leader for something available in the reference section for $24.99 plus tax.

If you wanna sell your knowledge, good luck to you. Hope it goes like hot-cakes. But in here, it's all free, baby! It's just one big 60's-style commune, man. Except sometimes theres a slight shortage of love.

[PeeDee]

And again, seriously, PeeDee has said on several occasions he does NOT know this part or that part. And for myself, ALL my comments and advice are based on my experience. Nothing more or less.


I think you forgot to include the word "NOT," thus sabotaging your own defense. I pay you a retainer for this!?

[Stacia Kane]

Boys...it's lovely to see you all being so forceful...

But you've all impressed me in your own little ways already.

I'm married. I'm taken. There's no point fighting over me because it just won't ever happen. As much as the impressive sizes of your respective comics knowledge fascinate me, this can only ever be infatuation from afar.

So please, let's agree that everyone's experiences are different, and move on?

[PeeDee]

I'm married. I'm taken. There's no point fighting over me because it just won't ever happen. As much as the impressive sizes of your respective comics knowledge fascinate me, this can only ever be infatuation from afar.

What? You're married?

Oh.

Well.

I'm going back to my Short Story forum then....

*stomp stomp stomp stomp SLAM*

[wordmonkey]

Boys...it's lovely to see you all being so forceful...

But you've all impressed me in your own little ways already.

It was my monkey's shiny red ass, wasn't it?

You can admit it. I won't tell.

Monkey-love! Oh yeah!

FREAKY!!!

[wordmonkey]

What difference does that make to you?

I should also point out that where I'm from, that's how fights start.

Perhaps only surpassed by the challenge, "Did you say my pint throws like a girl?"

[PeeDee]

Except where you're from, the fight is along the lines of "Oh, gosh, I say, terribly sorry, no good that, eh, Guv? Here's a pint on me, jolly good."

And then the fight is over.

:D

[wordmonkey]

Except where you're from, the fight is along the lines of "Oh, gosh, I say, terribly sorry, no good that, eh, Guv? Here's a pint on me, jolly good."

And then the fight is over.

:D

You and me need to go on a night-out in my old stomping ground. See how long you last with that "tally-ho" idea.

[PeeDee]

Sheeit. I'm Cajun. I'll bite somebody.

[wordmonkey]

Sheeit. I'm Cajun. I'll bite somebody.

If we're in the nicer part of town, you may be asked to, "Pick a window. You're leaving."

[veinglory]

I'll just say under this table then. Please pass down my pint... still in the glass if possible.

[wordmonkey]

There seems to be an awful lot of chest thumping going on in here for late.

I can only assume it's because we got some girls in here and everyone went do-lally.

Again, I can only assume the girls are here for my monkey's shine red...

huh?

Oh.

I'm informed no one like the monkey's red ass.

[Axler]

Well PeeDee might be irked that you blamed him for my comments.

Actually, I wasn't blaming anybody for anything...I made a general reference to some comments I read in various posts. I don't recall the authors of them, only the general tone of frustration.

And for the record, if you have no track record and no experience, it IS bloody hard, and the industry wisdom concedes it IS nigh impossible to break in.

Yeah, I know it is. Harder now probably than it's ever been. Is that one those Lovecraftian "secrets that hath no name" or is it just viewed as general downer among people aspiring to break into comics as writers?

However, if you read the thread through, and cherry pick the good stuff in the same way you cherry picked the negative, you'd see there is a lot of advice to get you rolling and even the parts where it does get negative are usually followed by, "Just do it!"

I guess I'm one of those folks who don't necessarily view a fact as a negative. Being aware of the facts, whether you choose to interpret them as positives or negatives can only be of value when assessing a situation.

And for myself, ALL my comments and advice are based on my experience. Nothing more or less.

As are mine, of course. But if my experience differs from yours or Pee-Dee's, that doesn't invalidate it, do it?

OOOW! I wanna quote!

"What are you--an idiot?" (Will Eisner, upon me telling him I intended to write comics full-time.)

There's a vibe, rightly or wrongly, that you work it in to a lot of comments. "Here's my take - and you can read more in... available thru... ISBN number is..."

I don't know what the ISBN number is yet, or I definitely would've posted it. And my take is... just my take based on my experience as a professional comics creator and writer.

Like I said, if a professional comic book writer citing a book he's written about writing graphic novels in the "Comic Books and Graphic Novels" section is considered crass, then "my take" is that there are serious perceptual/ego issues at work here.

I guess that's why nobody over in the AW Science-Fiction or Mystery topic sections never EVER mention any books they've written in those categories, past, present or future. Because they--oh, wait.

They do mention them. Imagine that.

Here's my take, but then you only hint, then plug your book. The threads here are like a club. We get together, share leads, share experiences, share advice, and offer help for free, not as a loss-leader for something available in the reference section for $24.99 plus tax.

Inasmuch as I have not done such a thing, and I challenge you to prove that I have, then you've basically signed off on my earlier point about perceptual/ego issues at work here.

I'm more than happy to answer questions about the field, the medium and the industry, gratis.

Which I stated earlier...remember?

However, if it's like PeeDee says, and that there's nothing serious here in regards to comics and you're seperating the artistic/"buckets of fun" from the livelihood/"not-so-much-buckets-no-more", then by all means go for it.

[wordmonkey]

Sheeit. I'm Cajun. I'll bite somebody.

Er... if you're a REAL cajun, shouldn't that read...

"Sheeit. I'm Cajun. I'll gum somebody."

[PeeDee]

Says somebody living in North Carolina. Sheesh.

[wordmonkey]

However, if it's like PeeDee says, and that there's nothing serious here in regards to comics and you're seperating the artistic/"buckets of fun" from the livelihood/"not-so-much-buckets-no-more", then by all means go for it.

Dude.

The thing about a pissing contest is, even if you win, you still end up with a wet leg.

I wanna keep my feet dry. Good luck with your book. I know I've learned a lot from you recently.

[Axler]

Dude.

Since all I did was address issues that you and PeeDee brought to me, I'm bone-dry.

I learned some stuff from you guys, too.

Good luck with everything.