Broken Frontier

From horror stories of fans encounters at conventions, to little bickering shows, to the woes of the comics industry not being taken seriously, there is an element of challenge to comics these days, and sometimes it’s us folk that make them. (Betcha I get hate mail on this one!)

Last week I talked about how comics themselves can make an impact on the world and their fans. I reflected on some examples from the past, talked about some potential points for the future, and finally laid out a challenge to publishers everywhere to give some consideration to. This week, I want to spin out from that theme and focus my comments towards comic creators, with a challenge that has a two fold element, but both deal with how we impact fans.

First let me say this...
I often wonder whether I should be doing this column or not. After all, I'm very well aware in the scheme of things, I'm like two minutes into the comic industry. Really, who am I to wax philosophically on the ways to improve the industry? What clout do I bring? Well, I tread on gentle steps here.

Yes, I've been a professional comics writer a short time, my first books have only been solicited, not actually on the stands yet. My work behind the scenes in comics is not the stuff of legends, and on reflection, I've already made some choices I now wish I had gone another way on, specifically in being involved in certain ventures.

But, I am a student of life of quite some number of years. Having been a pastor, counsellor, educator, teacher, program director, executive director, and so on, I've had a good dip in the pool of human experience and the culture in which we live. So, bear with me.

Role Models? ... NEVER ... Weeellll...
"I'm not a role model. I don't want to be, and so I'm not." Yes, some people would stand adamantly on this issue, but they miss a very fundamental point. A role model is not a role we choose, but one that is ascribed to us. We become a role model when someone looks up to, respects, emulates, and uses our life, philosophy, or manner as an example for shaping their own life, whether we like it or not.

Thus, anyone who lives in something of a public eye, who hangs out their creative wares, athletic skills or acting talent is going to be someone's role model. Likewise, anyone who works in a public capacity as a coach, teacher, pastor, etc. are going to be ascribed role model status by the nature of what they do. A parent, older sibling, grandparent, extended relative, is going to be someone's role model. This is the very nature of the beast.

So, if you want to enjoy status of being a public figure, well, get over it. Part of that means someone, someday is going to look up to you.

When I was young, not real young, but fairly young, I remember meeting Tom Grindberg at a local convention and showing him some of my artwork. It was lousy work, it really was. But Mr. Grindberg looked patiently through each piece, gave me some pointers and worked REALLY hard and found some points to encourage me on. He understood something fundamentally important. As a young person, I wasn't really looking for a detailed critique on my art; I didn’t really want a point by point breakdown of my shortcomings as an artist, or a brush-off dismissal. I was really simply excited that someone whose work I admired was taking the time to look at my work! Yes, he was critical, offered some insight, but more importantly, he offered encouragement.

Comics, for all its niche, small market reality, generates fans who are extremely excited to talk to a creator, or meet someone who has worked on a favorite book. Heck, with even my little exposure as a comics writer, its amazing to me how some folks have already become 'fans' if you will. I am humbled by their support and feel I never want to let them down. I've had young artists show me their stuff, young writers run story concepts past me. It triggers something in someone.

When I was an active Pastor, its funny, I used to always comment on the 'confession' effect. I could be sitting next to a total stranger and when they learned I was a pastor, or priest as some called me, despite my clarification, they would suddenly feel the need to confess their faults in faith. "I've been meaning to get back to Church / Pray more / Support Charity." Either that, or I was totally dismissed because I was a Christian.

Its similar in comics. People find out I've connected to folks in LA, I know comic creators, I have a book or three in the works, and suddenly they're showing me artwork, telling me story ideas, asking for help 'breaking in'. Either that or they look at me funny and say..."Comics? Aren't you a little old for those?" (Sigh)

Still, whatever the effect, its sad when I read about or see folks who dismiss those fans, brush off someone really just hungering for a moment of their time and an ounce of their encouragement.
At cons, I've seen people like George Perez, who though visibly tired and worn out will still shake every hand and do a quick sketch, to folks like Val Semeiks, David Mack, Ron Frenz and Brian Augustyn who will quickly and genuinely engage anyone approaching them in friendly, open conversation and actually be interested when you tell them of your hopes in the field.

It’s easy to tell who respects their fans and who doesn't. Its also easy to tell those who understand they ARE role models, to those so self-centered they miss the point of the concept.

Professionalism...
Along these same lines there is the whole matter of professionalism. Entertainment is the one industry in the world (that I know of) where the usual trappings of professionalism (suits, ties, briefcases, clean cut, etc. etc.) not only are not required as a matter of peer understanding and pressure, but seem outrightly shunned. Maybe that's one reason I love it.

One of the things I love about working in a Youth Center, is sweat pants and t-shirts are the normal uniform! I wouldn't fit in in the same way if I showed up in a suit. However, there are certain aspects of professionalism in terms of manner, speaking, writing, etc. that I would never simply ignore.

That seems lost on a good number of folks in the comics industry which just stuns me. Even in other entertainment media (with the possible exception of hockey fans) comics fans have grown a sub-culture of fascination with the little drama fits thrown sometimes very publicly in the comics arena. Whether it be studios breaking from publishers and bad-mouthing them, creators making demeaning comments about other professionals, creators making public comments that should never have been said...etc. etc.

I've heard supposedly professional creators delve into name calling, ranting, and whining with more enthusiasm, zeal and expertise than most of the MOST challenged kids I have ever worked with. I've seen and heard about more little backstabbing, manipulation and exploitation games played to take advantage of others then the best season of Survivor ever offered up.

The real surprise for me then comes when some of those same folks, with all seriousness complain of how no one takes them (or comics in general) seriously.

um...okay.

If you want to be a total rebel, go for it, but understand part of the perception that comes with that is a feeling rebels don't usually fit well into a socially functional model. Part of their rebel status is doing their own thing, their own way, on their own.

If we want to be taken seriously though, we may at times have to understand principles of business, decorum, tact, professionalism.

Last year at San Diego’s Comicon International, I walked into the main floor with a couple guys from a very high powered studio in LA. It was their first convention. They came, ties, khakis, etc. walked into the display area, gandered at some of the pros, looked at me and each other and laughed a little. The one in charge then chuckled "I feel overdressed." It is one of the smaller points, but something to think about.

I enjoy the t-shirt dress code, but, if I'm looking for funding from an agency, or attempting to impress on a job interview, yes, I am going to take steps to put forth a professional, mature, and 'wanting-to-impress' image. It is the way things often work.

Again, things to think about, from some schmoe who's looking to start minute number three in the comics industry!

Next Week: With Cons coming up, I'm going to flip this week's column and offer up some thoughts on Convention Etiquette for fans in approaching professionals. It’s the closest thing to Ms. Manners for Comics you might ever get! Okay, yeah, scary. Tune in anyway!

PS: Do me a huge favor people, if you've been reading and enjoying this little weekly diatribe, stop by the OTB Forums and at least post a YO! somewhere, or drop me an email at chucksellner@brokenfrontier.com. I'd like to know just how many seriously read this thing. I mean besides the usual three obviously weird people. [Laughs]