Oct 08 2008
Why don’t you write for Marvel?
Nothing like your kids to humble you a bit.
The fourth issue of GEARZ, the four-issue mini-series I wrote for independent comics company Bluewater Productions, arrived in the mail yesterday. My 9-year-old son has been reading the series, and went to bed with the fourth issue in his hand.
When I went upstairs an hour later to turn off his reading light, I asked him what he thought of the issue. He liked it, but he also had a question for me: “Why don’t you write for Marvel? They have the really good comics.”
I explained to him that writing for Marvel was one daunting task. That you have to start with the smaller companies and work your way up. He listened and then added, “The companies that you don’t hear about don’t have the really good comics. The ones at Marvel are classics.”
Ah, yes. Even my son, just 9 years old, is brainwashed into believing that the mainstream comics publishers are the best. To be fair, he’s been reading Ultimate Spider-Man, which is a great comic. He hasn’t plowed through any of the less-inspired Marvel and DC fare out there.
His thoughts, though, made me think over my own career goals. Do I want to write for Marvel or DC? Sure the paychecks would be nice. And it’d be a blast to work on some of the same characters I loved as a child. But …
I think I got into comics writing because I wanted to create my own characters, my own worlds. I didn’t want to have to follow decades of backstory. I didn’t want editors leaning over my shoulder and saying, “Green Lantern would never do that!”
When you create your own universes, and populate them with your own characters, you can let your imagination run freely, without any restraints imposed by continuity concerns, merchandising rights or editors.
On the other hand, creating your own comics is no easy task. Sure, the creation process is a blast. But finding artists, searching for a publisher, digging into your own pocket to bring your work to the market? That’s one long series of challenges.
I kissed my son good night and told him that maybe one day I would write for Marvel. But then again, maybe I won’t.
5 Responses to “Why don’t you write for Marvel?”
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It’s certainly a tough question: writing for Marvel or DC was always seen as the goal. But can you imagine being stuck writing for Marvel this year, having to put skrulls in your title no matter what your original story arc was supposed to run like? Or being told by a DC editor that your hero was going to die in the next big cross-over, and be replaced by a rookie with the same costume?
It’d be nice to do a story or two, but on your own terms.
I’m sure your son will learn this too, when he’s a little older.
http://retroreview.today.com/
Thanks, Blackbird. Yeah, writing for Marvel this year, with Skrulls — characters that I always thought were a little dumb — would be quite a challenge. Writers had to do the same thing with Civil War and World War Hulk. Talk about ruining a series’ flow!
Dan
http://indycomics.today.com
http://workfromhomecouple.today.com
Wow, That’s tough to hear from your own son - I had similar experiences with mine
Just wait a few years when your son looks down on Marvel and DC (or at least learns to appreciate the indie comics), then you’ll be a GOD!
I wish I was good enough with art to draw - I’ve tried my hand a few times, but I get lazy and frustrated so I give up. I’ve always loved comics (and it kills me my son won’t get into them!!!) so I’d love to see your work.
Thanks for the blog!
~Michael
http://fearlesshistory.today.com
http://fearlesstravel.today.com
Follow up comment:
Your comic ROCKS!
Thanks, Vetmichael:
Appreciate your comments, and your kind words regarding my comic. I look at the comic now that it’s published, and there are several things I’d do differently. But I suppose it’s that way with everything we write, isn’t it?
And, yes, I wish I could draw, too. It’d make life so much easier.
Dan
http://indycomics.today.com
http://workfromhomecouple.today.com