Robert Kirkman is right
Creator, Robert Kirkman just released this video tutorial on Comic Book Resources, encouraging more top creators to leave Marvel and DC and do creator owned work… and how it can save the comic industry. I think he’s dead on. Watch here, or over there.
As I mentioned in my previous blog, I’ve been really dwelling on COMICS and the craft lately. Sometimes I think I might be the only mothercrunker taking things so seriously when I talk about what we’re leaving behind for my grandkids, and how magical comic books are as a medium all on their own. Kirkman is right in another point too, where he mentions now is not the time for the comics industry to rest on it’s laurels when there’s a small upswing. I very well feel that these could be the end days of comic books as we know them unless enough people step up and speak up. I’m glad he’s using his name and voice.
6 Comments so far
Leave a reply
There are 2 main things wrong with comics today, as I see it: Accessibility & Availability.
Accessibility
With soooo many comics crossing over with other comics or events in the comic universe continuity there just isn’t an easy place for a new reader to jump in. The thing that made Clairemont’s X-Men so great was also a weakness, there was so much backstory a new reader had to catch up on that it was hard to just “jump in”. I think comic book writers have forgotten the art of telling a good solid story in only 1 comic. My favorite story ever was “The Boy Who Collected Spiderman” and it was actually only half the comic.
Availability
I know you have talked about this many times DJ. Kids just can’t pick up an issue of Superman at the grocery store or the drug store anymore. You actually have to go looking for them.
There is a third thing but I think if these first two things could be worked out then this 3rd thing would be better. PRICE. Comics are too dog-gone expensive.
You’re not alone, DJ. This is the type of stuff that Steve Bissette, Dave Sim, and I talk about all the time (http://www.YaCantEraseInk.com/). Working on one’s creator-owned comics is the way to go. I don’t have a problem with work-made-for-hire if someone isn’t selling his/her creations to someone else and if he/she is treated fairly.
Image Comics is my favorite publish. They produce creator-owned comics that are intelligent, entertaining, and fun. I am happy that Robert Kirkman is now a member of Image Comics. He is a wise man.
Marvel and DC seem to keep turning out the same old stories over and over again. They flood the market with their latest hyped-up event and endless crossovers. So, support the comics that you enjoy reading, and that don’t treat you like your some sort of moron.
And J. Steen is 100% correct.
“And J. Steen is 100% correct.”
Wow. Now if I can just get my wife to say that!
Sure, just as soon as you get any politician with the last name of “Bush” to say “I was wrong.”
Yes. Accessibility is one of the tough problems with getting younger readers into comics. My kids have tried and sometimes they seem like they might get excited to jump on with a mainstream comic. But then they jump in and they have to come ask me 10,000 questions about what is going on before they can enjoy. Versus much of the Manga stuff out there or some of the Image stuff where there isn’t as much backstory or it isn’t as dependent on the backstory to really get into it.
And availability is really a HUGE problem. My kids never see comics unless they go with me to the comic store. It isn’t like they can just go to the grocery store or 7-Eleven like when we were kids. Which is why webcomics should really be making a bigger push. My kids are on the internet anytime they get a chance. And what are they doing? Looking at art, online manga or gaming stuff. Very little is really available as far as GOOD online comics. And I am not talking about the joke a day or three panel strips that are readily available. I mean good, online versions of comics equivalent to what you could get in a store.
And my only problem with Mr. Kirkman’s video is that he is fortunate that he is in a position already to attract talent to work with him on projects. It isn’t so easy for everyone to be able to just start doing independent work. Most artists/writers want to be paid a Marvel/DC paycheck and don’t really dig the collaboration thing. Some people are lucky that they can do both. But many people can do one or the other or some other skill in there and aren’t fortunate enough to already have a name that people want to work with. So until more creators become willing to take chances on each other we will be left with people chasing the Marvel/DC/Dark Horse dream.
I agree with what everyone here is saying. I’ll add that we as comic fans need to make certain that we support the efforts we see by buying the youth oriented comics and getting them into the hands of the youth they target.