Posted by Donald Ensign on September 15, 2007 at 5:27pm
Several years ago I was talking with Ralph Miley about the subject of Christian Comics books. He made a simple but profound statement that has stuck with me. He mentioned a reason that Christian comics has not developed into a continuing publishing industry (similar to the secular industry) is that Christian comics do not have a fan base.The fan base has sustained the secular comics industry for several decades. That doesn't mean that there aren't people dropping out of collecting comics or that new people aren't becoming comic fans and collectors. That is true on both counts. However it seems as if there has been a fairly stable fan base to perpetuate the comics industry. From the late 1930s to say 1970 comic books were a general audience form of popular culture. After that with the raise of the direct sales/comic shop movement and the decline in distribution in grocery stories, drug stores and other general outlets comic book companies began catering to their perceived fan base. In more recent years we have seen the raise of graphic novels, collections, and manga, with sections dedicated to these forms in chain book stores and public libraries. The secular comics industry has a devoted readership—a core fan base.My admonition is that we who are Christian comics writers and artists should also be readers and fans of the comics produced others in our own movement. This should give us special joy to see and read and support the efforts of others in our movement. We need to be the nucleus of a growing Christian Comics readership and fan base. We need to support the efforts of others who believe they are called by God to produce comics that will glory Him.Some may have have reasons why they can't. One, lack of interest in other people's work. Answer: Pray that God will give you an interest. Two, don't have the money. Answer: Consider allocating part of your comics buying budget for Christian Comics. Consider dropping some secular comics from your buying list. Three: I don't have the time—Answer: Make time. Fourth: I don't know where to get Christian Comics. Answer: Over the next several months Steve MacDonald and I will be reviewing a number of recent Christian Comics and we will give contact information on how to get them (this will be networks on the CCAS portals in ComicSpace, MySpace and Shout Life. Our goal for doing this is threefold. One is to create a "buzz" or general interest in Christian comics. Two, to promote CCAS. Three, to publicize the Guide for Christian Comics.True in Advertising: DinoDon, do you buy and read Christian comics? Yes, I have purchased and read many comics that have been produced by professing Christians with Biblical based themes. Some of them are of high professional quality. Please give what i written serious consideration and prayer.
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