Tuesday, June 20, 2006

Comics Books: Our Own Worst Enemy?

Like most comic publishers I spend quite a bit of time thinking about the state of the industry and how to make it better - well, truthfully, how to make my little corner of it better. After spending a lot of time thinking it over and discussing what everyone perceives to be the main elements leading to the downfall of comics (the distributor monopoly, for example), I realized what the biggest problem and killer really is: the industry.

I believe most of the problems that we encounter "in the industry" come from the industry itself. First off, comic companies tend to publish only for those who are already in the industry. Comic publishers usually target their marketing towards those who are already here and creators tend to create product only for those who are already well-versed in industry. Very rarely does the thought of bringing new readers in really ever pop up, which is insane. That would be like Hollywood only creating films for those who work in film and television. As wacky as it sounds, this seems to be the mentality of the industry at large.

Magazines like Cosmopolitan are fashion magazines, but their audience is the average woman (or girl) interested in fashion and not members of the industry itself. Their advertising stretches beyond fashion industry trade publications and into the mainstream itself, where its buyers reside. Why short sell your books only to the 50,000 or so members of the active comic community and not go for millions of people out there who enjoy action movies?

Comic publishers aren't the only ones to blame, either. Creators themselves are as big a deterrent to new readership as anything else. If you want to know why, take a look at a modern comic versus one from as late as even the mid eighties and you'll see one very big difference. No, I'm not talking about paper or printing processes. The art itself is the main problem with comics. Solid, clear storytelling has become a thing of the past. A new buyer will find most modern comics unreadable because the solid storytelling of days past (along with gutters - remember, full page bleeds on every page get confusing) is gone.

Do you know why a lot of new readers are picking up Manga titles? It's because they are easier to read than US ones. Even with the flipped format, most Manga has straight forward enough storytelling that even the most uninitiated reader can follow what is going on and which panel comes next. This can't be said about most US titles (indy or mainstream). The fact that the current trend in the US is for over rendered, poorly thought out computer coloring, doesn't help readability at all.

Comics and comic art have become so inbred the only ones who can stomach them are their sister-mothers. But it doesn't have to be that way.

The general public will read comics if you can get yourself out of the industry mindset and start creating comics for readers instead of for an industry more interested in John Byrne's latest social blunder than in buying your books.

Some places to consider for your books (depending on its target audience) are non-chain book stores, new age shops, record stores (Tower is starting to have a great selection of indy and small press 'zines), libraries, corner markets, magazines with a similar areas of interest, schools, local area mailer compilations (such as the little coupon books you get in the mail), area events (concerts are a great spot), swap meets, arcades or game stores. There is an endless list of places that might be willing to carry your work if you let them know it's out there. You might have to spend some money to advertise. Get used to it. The old adage, "you have to spend money to make money," is true for any business.

Here are some tips for making your books more accessible to general audiences:

1) Market your books outside of comic-specific areas. Figure out who might be interested in your book and pursue those outlets. There are tons of places out in the world that would be willing to sell your comic...but they have to know it exists first. I've had success at art festivals, flea markets, record stores, sci fi magazines and more. Get as creative with your marketing and sales as you do with actually producing your book. It's worth the extra effort.

2) Get rid of full page bleeds on every page. Don't be afraid of negative space around your pages. It will actually open up your pages and keep them from looking cramped.

3) Don't forget the gutters! Overlap panels are interesting from time to time, but gutters help to keep the art readable and from blending together. They're also great for pacing in your storytelling.

4) If you're going to color your books, don't go for the over-rendered look that most comics use. It's muddy and unclear. Look at animation or places like Disney Adventures for reference on coloring. Most "cartoony" books are well colored because they want to make sure the work is readily accessible to readers of all ages. Not every panel needs to be a fully digitally painted work of "art."

5) Think of storytelling. The most important thing in a comic is that you do not lose your audience. If at any point your readers get confused as to where to read next, then you've failed at your job as a storyteller. And, remember, "style" is no excuse for poor storytelling (or poor artwork in general, but that's a rant for another time)

6) Don't have large blocks of text or dialogue in each panel. There's an old unwritten rule in mainstream comics (and one that has been largely forgotten or ignored): never have more than 26 words in any balloon or caption box. Anything more than that and the words will run together, potentially causing readers to skip over sections of what is on the page.

7) This one is going to cause any comic collector to cringe: get rid of issue numbers. Or, if you just have to have them, place them in the indicia only. Issue numbers are one of the big obstacles for new readers, especially in periodical product like comic books. A reader needs to be able to come in on any issue and not have to worry about having to read 10 back issues to know what's going on. Sure you can let them know there are other stories they can read (and, which will be available in trade paperback), but don't make those stories required reading. Follow Cosmo's lead (or Playboy's) and just have the month and year on each cover. Comics should be entertainment first and foremost. Get out of the collectible mindset.

8) Forget the mantra, "comics aren't just for kids anymore." It's old, played out and is part of the death sentence of the industry. Creators have spent so much time trying to prove that comics can be for adults that they've forgotten to build the next generation of fans by only making comics for older fans who are already in comics. Without young readers there is no future in the industry. As a second part of this thought, just because your comic has adult language, nudity and graphic violence doesn't automatically make the book for adults. Vertigo and "Ultimate" writers take note.

9) Be prepared to get your hands dirty and do some work. Publishing is a business and, at first, you may find yourself putting in as much time marketing as you do creating. That's not a bad thing.

My heresy will end with this statement: the only way to save comics may be to let the comic industry, as it exists right now, shrivel up and die. It's on the road as it is, with everyone racing to tear whatever pieces they can get from its still (barely) living corpse. The industry isn't the heart of comics and didn't make them, so dare to be different. Put down the latest issue of the comic industry death watch, Wizard. Ignore the party line that an indy book will sell less than 250 copies - there is a world outside of the Geppi chokehold.

A bit of inspiration for you: Nifty's main title, the Cadre, sells over 5000 copies per issue and 90% of that is outside of the comic industry. Not bad for a black and white, mainstream style super hero comic.

The world is a big, beautiful place full of potential new readers. You just have to venture out and find them.

Mat Nastos has been a professional comic book creator and publisher since the early 1990s and has worked for Marvel, DC, Elfquest and many others in addition to his own Nifty Comics. During the day he works for the film/television industry and has worked on over 100 films and more than 300 television episodes. Nifty Comics can be found at: http://www.niftycomics.com

Thursday, June 15, 2006

Comic Books - Justice League

The Justice League comic books consist of all the all time great DC comic book super heroes. These super heroes decided that if they use their powers and work together theycan stop more crime. The Justice League has many members, each bringing something unique to the team.

Superman, the man of steel, uses his super strength to smash objects and his flying ability to scout the area. He acts as the leader of the team and tries to keep everyone together.

Batman, acts as the lone wolf, meaning that of all the heroes at the Justice League Tower, he spends the least time there. Batmen spends most of his time in the Batcave, and he finds danger using his Batcomputer. He is the only one of the team that has no super powers, but he still is a valued member. He is a great detective and solves many of the crimes that occur. He is also a great fighter, and has more gadgets and vehicles than any of the other Justice League members. His vehicles are the Batmobile, Batboat, and the Batplane.

The Flash is very fast, in fact he is faster than Superman. The brings his super speed to the team, so when they needs to have someone get someplace very fast, they call on The Flash.

Wonder Woman is strong like Superman, and can fly like him too. She uses her lasso to tie up criminals. She also has an invisible plane, that she can somehow see, but no one else can and she also has some wrist bands that can repel bullets fired at her by criminals' guns.

The Green Lantern gets his power from a ring he wears on his finger. He can fly like Superman, but he fights crime with his ring. It gives off a green beam that can smash though objects. It also can provide a force field to protect people and it also lifts people and allow them to fly with him though space.

Hawkgirl looks just like a hawk, she has hawk wings and can fly. Most of the time she fight with her mace. She smashes walls and vehicles with her mace and leaves nothing but particles.

Every member of the team has different ways to help fight crime. They also fight super villains who are from other planets. Sometime they don't get along and have to settle their differences just to get the job done.

If you like any of the DC comics that are members of the Justice League, then you should see how they use their powers together to fight crime. Sometimes the comic may have other heroes from the DC comics come to help the Justice League. With action and adventure in every comic this should be a great read.

Michael Russell

Saturday, June 03, 2006

The Fantastic Four Comics

The Fantastic Four comics are about four superheroes who got their superhero powers from a space mission.

Reed Richards is a scientist who was researching cosmic rays in space. Reed wanted to go to space and he needed an astronaut to fly the spaceship so he asked one of his friends, Ben Grimm to help him. Sue Storm, one of Reed's scientist friends and former girlfriend, agreed to go too. She asked Johnny Storm, her brother to go too and they all boarded the spaceship and headed off to space.

Reed Richards started his research once in space, and Ben Grimm got in his space suit and left the space ship to collect particles. Suddenly, the cosmic rays caused an explosion and everyone helped pull Ben back into the spaceship so they could head away. They managed to get Ben back into the spaceship, but the effects of the explosion still reached them and changed them all in different ways.

Reed Richard gained the power to move his body like a rubber band, so he uses the name Mr. Fantastic and he was appointed the leader of the group.

Sue Storm acquired the power to make herself disappear, then reappear. She also has the ability to make a force field around herself, her team, and civilians to protect them. She calls herself The Invisible Women but using force fields for a very long time causes her to become weak.

Johnny Storm's new power makes his body turn into flames, so he calls himself The Human Torch and turn himself into flames by yelling out "flame on".

Ben Grimm turned into a walking pebble like creature called The Thing, and he stays this way all the time. He is known for his catch phase "it's clobbering time" which he says when he gets ready to punch an enemy.

The team of superhero heroes do not get along all the time. For example, Johnny Storm likes to make fun of The Thing and plays jokes on him. The Thing does not like this, so he destroys Johnny's car, which in turn, makes Johnny turn into The Torch and throw a fireball at The Thing's head. Since he is made of pebbles it rarely affects him which makes the two of them fight all the more. As a result, Sue Storm has to put a force field between them in an attempt to stop them. Reed Richard does is part by tying himself around The Thing's arm to restrain him from throwing punches.

What also makes this comic different from others is that these superheroes are always superheroes. Unlike Spiderman, who hides the fact that he is Peter Parker, the Fantastic Four do not have another identity to hide behind when they want a rest. This comic contains great adventure stories and you should check it out.

Michael Russell

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