Annnnnd we’re back! Let’s get into the nitty gritty now shall we?   In case you haven’t noticed yet this blog will be from the writer’s perspective so you wannabe writer’s have a ready resource.

Today we’re going to talk about artists.  Every now and then a pissing contest erupts on forums and elsewhere about who’s more important, who works harder, etc, etc.  I am here to say, NEITHER works harder.  This is a thought which, the sooner it’s accepted the better for everyone. There is no doubt that comics are a visual medium and artists create a product which is absorbed by the audience.  The STORY though is loving crafted and presented to the artist by the writer.

Many writers would then claim that since their stories guide the artist the hierarchy in the relationship is: God> writer> artist. Artists presume that since the final product is visual in nature that the reverse applies. Those foolish enough to believe either will soon find their book crumbling into dust, or worse yet, stillborn for all the world to see. The creative duo is a symbiotic organism whose purpose is spewing out four color fantasies for the audience to absorb and enjoy. In many ways the artist/writer relationship is like a marriage.  Both people should have their child’s best interests at heart and be willing to put everything aside, even ego, to ensure the success of their darling baby.  That is how you get quality and efficiency in your product.

Therefore fledgling creator, let’s test your dedication to producing comics. Raise your right hand and say after me:

“I __________ do hereby solemly sware that under penalty of project death I will be: open to criticism, gracious in response, even of temperment, and cognisant of the need for compromise in this creative relationship. I will always communicate in a timely fashion.  I will know my weaknesses as a creator, and endeavor to eliminate them. Regardless of where I go the student mentality will be how I conduct myself.”

Did you make it? Did you choke on a word? Get it to where you can say and believe it.

Now as a writer how do you talk to an artist, and get an artist onboard? Prepare to get your mind blown. HONESTLY! If you can’t afford a page rate say so.  Get to know them. Tell them what you like about their style. Why do you want THEM? It better not be because they can draw a circle and know what perspective is. Nothing will make an artist walk away faster than thinking you simply view them as a piece of pencil pushing meat. Only contact artists you’re truly a fan of.

Like Jim Lee?

No, not like Jim lee.  Like the guy on Digital Webbing you think is great.  Go to their deviant art portfolio and any other resources  they have online.  See if you like their sequentials, their concept art, really absorb what they can do and then talk to them.  Tell them in depth what you love about their work.  When they know you actually care about their work, you care about them by proxy and they’ll be more willing to consider a partnership in lieu of a rate.   Now, this is not a guide on how to get an artist cheap. If you can afford a rate PAY A RATE! Many artists complain (and rightly so) that writers do not have a proper respect for the time/materials required to produce a page of comic art. Recognize the investment they are making and if you can, repay them for that investment.  I look at it not as a, “you’re my employee since I paid you” mentality.  It’s a “Hey partner/friend thanks for doing this. Here, allow me to help you help me.”

Well you promised to share a look into your site.  How’d you handle this with the talented people working here with you?

If you’re talking about money I am not making any off this site.  All the money raised from advertising, etc is divided among the artists. The artists are also available for commission work, so if you like them commission a piece from these talented folks. Pay what you can afford and be honest about it.  I can pay my bills with my day job, but not much is left at the end of the month.  I don’t need any cash from this site.  Therefore, it’s going to the talented folks willing to contribute their considerable time and talents to this project. Speaking of paying bills, be a dear and click on an ad or buy something from Amazon through our ads. You can even hit our cafe press store and buy something. We do a profit share from it as well. These artists work hard and any support you can lend them is greatly appreciated.

You’re talking alot about art, when are you going to talk about writing?

Next week. I promise.  Before you pick up a pencil or touch a keyboard I wanted to make sure that we all had the same mindset for creating our stories.  If you write your new opus and rush into the cold hard world to find an artist and make an ass out of yourself you’ve wasted your time. By having this post first I hope what’s been said in it can sink in over the next few weeks while we learn about writing.  Then you can refresh yourself by rereading this post and then go talk to your artists.

See ya in seven.

Hey everyone and welcome to the inaugural edition of “Pushing Lead.” Rather than jump in and start rambling I thought I’d take this opportunity to talk about my new love; this website.

After awhile of trying to go the “Standard Route” of breaking into comics I realized the standard model (stalk editors, buy them beer, stalk them online, and attempt to solicit work from them) is based off a couple of catch 22s.  Most notably, is when you ask for work they ask, “what have you done?” As you might have realized you can’t work in comics (especially as a writer) until you’ve done something or known someone.  Fortunately for comics the later is extremely rare and most times people who’ve gained work solely on the merit of their connections never work again because their product is so bad it hurts sales. Which leads into my next point.

The editor wants to know what you’ve done because they need to sell books, and attention to the creative teams on books is at an all time high. It’s not enough to have a new Wolverine book, it needs the excellent writing of Jason Aaron and the exquisite pencils of Ron Garney to survive. They need to know you have a following which will sell books.  You need a name, a brand.

So what’ve you done?

I’ve been published in the “Negative Burn” anthology (and?) that’s it really.  I hope editors will take a look at that story and take a chance on me, but that’s unlikely. Why? Because it’s a five pager and it’s easier to assess the incredible talent of my partner on that project Anthony Perruzzo (Bob Sly, PI/Tales From the Looking Glass) than my writing ability.  To asess my ability, what an editor needs is a volume of work .

But ability isn’t all I’ll need to write for the funny pages. Better men than I have said you need two of three traits to work in comics.  You need 1) talent 2) speed 3) an amicable personality.  I’d like to think I have all three, but until I can get an editor to recognize that I’m screwed.

You promised you wouldn’t ramble.

I won’t. Stick with me. This is all leading to a point and I think you know where I am going.  I thought to myself, “Self, you can go about for years pitching indie stories hoping for a break, get your break and then bet the farm paying for the massive promotional costs, printing fees and distribution either through Diamond or frequent flier miles to conventions OR you can do this yourself.”  If I decide to take my chances getting published I’d only be able to share one concept, one idea with the public.  There has to be a better way.

You’re looking at it.  This site is for all intents and purposes my portfolio.  Think about it, here we have four stories updated weekly at the rate of a page a week. That’s sixteen pages of copy per month. (just six shy of your standard floppy) I also have to keep track of four different storylines across four distinct genres.  Here I can show my 1) talent 2) speed and, hopefully in this blog, 3) an amicable personality.  I also get to do it immediately. No waiting for months in the hopes a pitch will be approved.  Here, I can build a following, a brand and show editors I have the intangibles to be a comic writer.

Say this is a good idea, I want to get into comics too.

EXCELLENT! Go start your own webcomic.  We’ll share links, it’ll be great.

But how?

Ah now you’ve come to the real power of this site.  These blogs (”Pushing Lead” and “Artists Alley”) will serve as experiential guides along the way.  Not only are we going to entertain you, but through what I am calling our “back matter blogs” we’ll be giving you a look at how to do it yourself. This site will become a resource in addition to a source of entertainment. We’ll even share our mistakes so when you take your shot at it yours can be better.  Pretty sweet eh?

You’re not a bad guy Jamie.

Great now go tell an editor that for me will ya?