D.J. Coffman – Sequential Artist, Thinker

Hi there. I am busy living life and working quietly on a number of things. Taking stock of priorities is not an easy thing to do when you’re a professional dreamer. Here’s is today’s mind dump.

BREAKING IN: Over the years, even when I was much less “known”, I would get emails from young aspiring creators looking to break in, or that MAGIC formula for doing so. There is none. It’s true what they say, it’s all hard work, determination and a bit of luck. And the real truth is, there is no “breaking in”– I get this email this morning:

Mr. Coffman, I really want to draw comics for a living, where would be the best place for me to start? Any tips on breaking in? How do you draw so well? – M.T.P.

Now, I’m polite and direct people to the books I read, or especially in dealing with comics now I direct noobs to two books, “Comics and Sequential Art” by Will Eisner, and “Making Comics” by Scott McCloud. Both are bibles of the craft, carefully thought out by their masterful creators.  — But the truth is, there is NO BREAKING IN. And ask yourself, what do you think you are breaking INTO? The comics industry is vapor, really.

Is it fame you’re looking for? - Go down to your local barber shop, you know the kind, the ones with the spinny color bar outside, where they talk and know about EVERYTHING. Go in and ask if they know who Brian Bendis is, or Frank Miller for that matter. There’s probably a 1% chance they MIGHT have heard of Frank Miller because of his “weird movies”– the point is, if you’re looking for “fame”, you’ll find that is more like “cottage industry fame” – a fake fame.

Do you want that feeling? – Sure it’s fun to draw all day, but be careful what you wish for.  Comics is something I just always felt I HAD to do. From a very early age. Sometimes it feels like a sickness, or a drug, or an addiction to said drug. There are highs and lows. It is very rewarding to me, but I’ve seen the type of passion and commitment it takes to the craft destroy people’s lives. Be mindful of that and don’t let it.

Is it money you’re searching for? - Please don’t bother with comics if money is your first goal. You’ll either fail miserabley, or you will be one of the many douchebags I run into who tells me I should be doing this book about GIRLS with scanty clothing because it fits a “market” . Or you’ll be so lazy you’ll just come up with “one sheet” pitches trying to make a quick buck, or the lottery mentality of throwing everything at the wall and seeing what sticks. That sucks. There are way too many of these guys stinking up the place. Do it first because you totally love it, and do stories and art that make you happy…. or you will end up miserable. I triple dog guarantee it.

Lastly, I suck. – Never really ask another artist for advice on how ot better yourself or break in. If they are douchey egoists, they will give you bad advice or discourage you, thinking it’s going to help. They don’t want competition in this tiny market! – If they are nice guys like me, I’m going to be honest with you and tell you that when I look at my own artwork I’m rarly happy with it. I know I’m not GREAT. But I try to draw as much as I can, every day, and I get better. Always try to be improving your skills or your process. I believe, from all that I’ve learned so far, this is the best approach to have. Be a bit humble and human. Don’t aspire to be the next “hot” shit. Because, well, hot shit doesn’t stay hot for very long, and it smells forever, even after it’s white and petrified. Ask Rob Liefeld.

I jokingly tell people “DON’T” when they ask for advice on getting into this field, but I don’t mean it. I love comics, I sincerely do. The best place for you to start now is WEBCOMICS. Whether you are awesome already, or just starting out. It’s not HARD. Look, I made a guide for you.

Get used to producing on a deadline consistantly. It makes your art better, it grows your fanbase, and you’ll have people rooting for you on those “bad” days. You’ll also have constructive criticism, and negative ones. This will  help you as well, learning to brush off the overly negative douchebags. It’s VERY hard to do, and something even the most successful webcomic “stars” can’t shake. Somebody recently said, the more you’re loved, the more you’re hated, and that has to be true. This is what happens when egoists clash. When a young egoist sees an older wiser egoist doing well, but thinks he’s WAY better than the older/wiser creator. So instead of focusing on their own work, they knock the big guy on the block. I’ve been there before, with that “why that guy?” feeling. I think every cartoonist has, even back before the internet, they’ll look at newspapers and say “this guy sucks! I can do better” — It’s healthy though. It’s human.

I’d better go practice a little of what I’m preaching.