What’s all this Creator-Owned Talk?

Okay, here's my rant...

Some of you may have noticed my pushing creator-owned comics harder than usual recently, so I thought I’d take a moment to clarify my thoughts.

First off, this is in no way an anti-Marvel or anti-DC thing. Those are great publishers to work for if you can find the work. DC has always been good to me. I’ve done a couple things at Marvel. I just want to set the record straight, for myself at least, that I do not believe we have to tear down the Big Two to find a place in comics.

Mainly, like many creators, I’ve tried to make my living doing books I’ve created myself or with collaborators. Creator-owned comics like Criminal Macabre, 30 Days of Night, Edge of Doom and Mystery Society.

As we are all aware, the comics business isn’t in the best shape. We can speculate and blame a million reasons from changing technology to a lack of interest in the mainstream, but blame to me is a waste of time. There are problems to be addressed of course, but that’s another topic. All I’m saying is, it’s tough out there right now.

I remember when I worked with Eclipse Comics back in the 1800’s. I got a call from the publisher saying we might have to cancel a series because orders came in at only 70 thousand. Today, those kinds of sales are reason for cartwheels. There are some great comics being published but they just aren’t selling the numbers they used to. That’s just a fact.

All I’m doing lately is attempting to call attention to creator-owned books.  I think plain and simple, things are going to get even tougher out there and we have to find our place. Personally I believe there is severe lack of cooperation among creators. There’s a very dog-eat-dog mentality in comics sometimes and I think all we harm in the end is ourselves. 

My simplistic solution right now is to support as many of my fellow creators as possible. We just don’t have access to publicity budgets, so simple grassroots networking can help us all a great deal. 

For example, on Twitter, every time I see a fellow creator who I’m following post a review, preview or sales information, I hit Re-Tweet. This isn’t anything revolutionary, but it is a simple, fast way to show support and maybe get the information in front of somebody who might be interested. At the same time let’s NOT do things like bombard creators Facebook pages with posts about our books or tag them in our art. That's like throwing a brick through somebody's window to meet them. There’s a fine line between shameless self-promotion and being really annoying. 

We can debate the shit out of every last point I’ve written. That’s just what we do these days. God knows I’ve jumped into a few myself online and every time I feel like crap afterwards no matter what the outcome. I’m just tired of all the fighting.

So yeah, that’s really all: support creator-owned comics. It’s that simple. As we bounce between print and digital over the next few years, helping each other when possible will only help solve the problems we’re facing. Comics and Hollywood have had a good relationship over the last decade, but we can’t just rely on the superheroes to save the day. The big 2 movies have been great, but there have also been an amazing amount of quality films made from creator-owned books.

Straight up, we have diversity on our side. Let’s use it. Let’s spread the word.

It’s not going to be easy. We have to figure out new ways to get material out to the public, learn new ways to reach and sell directly to fans. We’re going to have to be creative, supportive and very DIY sometimes, but I think it will be worth it. Things are changing. We can adapt or fade away. I think we can not only adapt but survive and thrive.

And one more thing since I’m being all preachy and shit.

Can I say something I’ve wanted to say for a long time? If you like something, tell your friends. If you love it, tell the world. But if you hate something, just throw it away, don’t buy it again and move on. We spend way too much time tearing shit down. I just want to try the other direction for a while.

There, happy? I sound like a fuckin’ hippie.

-Steve

 

Comments

[Erica]

well said

[Caryn A. Tate]

Thanks for this great post! I couldn't agree more - it's vital that we all support creator owned material by doing what counts most - buying it. This applies to not only comics, but independent music, films, etc.

[Tony Calandra]

Very well said. I agree with you. Everyone should support creator owned comics. I'm not saying stop buying Marvel or DC. But go out on a limb and trying something new. There are tons of great creator owned books. As an inspiring creator/writer I want to say thank you. When I'm at any comic con I go and walk through Artist Alley to see what is out there. There is some great writers and artist out there. I fully support creator owned series.

[Derrick Fish]

Great post. As an indy creator myself struggling to be noticed, I try and take every opportunity I can to talk about the other creator owned books I'm enjoying all the while quietly hoping that some love comes back my way.

But I have to say that your last post in the one that clicked with me the most. I'm so tired of the raw tonnage of hate out there for just about everything. It's exhausting to read online or hear in a shop or at a con. And the tone of this hate is so overblown to the degree that it seems like EVERYTHING is the worst, childhood raping garbage out there. Seriously, how is any comic THAT bad? I think we need a good bit more positive folks out there.

[Olov Redmalm]

Great and inspiring post. As a sci-fi writer in a country where it's looked upon as kindof "dirty" and childish, I can only agree with your post and the people above.

[John]

Nice post, Steve. Succinctly and well put. You almost make me wish I had my own blog.... almost.

[Rick Evans]

Can I reprint this in my magazine I am putting together?
Can you drop me a line at rikman@rogers.com ?
I'd like to use this article if possible.

Thanks!

R.

[rob sacchetto]

Words I've lived by for an awful long time, but it's always great to know that there is someone out there, like yourself, Steve, that reminds us of these often overlooked ideas. Thanks.

[Black Snake Studios]

I definitely agree with you 100%! Creators need to support creators!

[Diego Simone]

Great post, Steve. Agree on a 100%. It's good to hear that from you.

[Black Snake Studios]

ALl you creators out there looking to get your comics reviewed, just hit me up on face book or at my email. BlacksSnakeStudios@gmail.com

www.BlackSnakeStudios.com

[David Bird]

Strange. I thought I'd posted a comment yesterday, but... probably hit 'preview.'

Anyway, I just wanted to say that, while I usually hate it when people re-tweet a lot, you've shamed me into re-thinking my twittering. I wish you every success with this and will follow your example.

[Andy Boyan]

I'm in. There's something happening in indy film, live music, and creator-owned/indy comics that I can't quite put my finger on. It's like we're finally starting to figure out how to reach the people we want to reach.

[Daniel]

Great post.

In our culture, it's cool to hate, and weak to like something.

When you like something, you're putting yourself out there; you're risking something by having an opinion that you might have to support.

But it's far more brave than being a hater.

Support Indie Creators!

[alexis]

my favourite line is
"I remember when I worked with Eclipse Comics back in the 1800’s."

seriously, well composed and thoughtful. thank you.

[Michael Netzer]

Well said, Steve. I feel like you do most of the time. I've started several projects that were difficult to persevere in. Most of the time I don't like throwing blame around. But your discussion with Mike Dubisch led to a discussion on his FB page which led to a note I wrote there that's the absolute opposite of what you say. I had no idea what your point was when I wrote it. I just wrote what I felt after the discussion. It's interesting how similar sentiments can yield directly opposite results. An old commercial said: "Sometimes you feel like a nut. Sometimes you don't." I think that's fine. Maybe both notes together make a whole.

[Pj Perez]

In the spirit of sounding like a hippie as well, "right fucking on."

[Greg Carter]

"We’re going to have to be creative, supportive and very DIY sometimes, but I think it will be worth it."

You should check out webcomics.com - it's a subscription site chock full of creators helping each other do it ALL themselves - creating, publishing, distributing, merchandising, marketing, etc.

[Steve Broome]

Great stuff, I'm one of those creators doing it on my own and I know the market isn't great, and I'm not selling much of anything but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't just happy creating and drawing and designing the apps for my own stuff (Future Kings - plug). Creator-owned titles are where it's at.

[M Kitchen]

I was just preaching the same thing during a discussion over at Steve Bissette's MYRANT blog - http://srbissette.com/?p=10996#comments

Seriously; I envision creator-owned independent art as a reverse borg collective, in that it's an army of independent sovereign free thinkers all working together in unison to support one another against monolithic corporate conglomerate that are trying to assimilate the independent artist and their work.

[Laura]

This cheered me right on up - well said :)

[George S.]

Just found this. As much as I wholeheartedly love everything you said, your comment about liking was what got me commenting. Very well said.

[Steve LeCouilliard]

Well said! We independent creators need to stick together.

[Dean Haspiel]

Bravo!

[Dan Vado]

Not for nothing Steve, but how about at least giving a nod to those companies out there who have supported and published creator-owned works (like SLG Publishing, using my own example).

In the 25 years I have been publishing comics I have seen this rallying cry go up more than once or twice, and it always tends to lump everyone that has a publishing company altogether with Marvel or DC and seems to create too much linkage between "creator-owned" and "self-published".

To my knowledge none of your creator-owned work is self-published and as much as I support the idea of your crusading, not mentioning people who support creator-owned works with their dollars seems like a bit of a slight.