wanted to share these thoughts with this community for discussion.
I find that as a fan of christian comics (using the term as an umbrella to the genre, including graphic novels, bible based works, faith based works which may or may not be explicitly Christian, and even mainstream projects done by Christian creators).
The comic book industry is a relatively small market, and christian comics is one of the smallest of the small in that market.
Yet as creators we can spend so much of our time searching for this small market. We search and find out what we already know, there isn't a large market.
The reality is that we are the audience, and we need to grow ourselves.
So let us consider how how to build our audience.
I can think of several people that I know who might enjoy comics, but don't currently read comics. So what is keeping them from becoming fans of comics?
A few obstacles that I've observed.
Foremost seems to be that no one is introducing and inviting them try comics. I think that getting into, or getting back into, comics is intimidating.
We need to be the ones inviting those we know to read comics.
Having someone listen and recommend titles to a newcomer based on their interest would do wonders.
Another obstacle is that money. There can be a hesitancy to go out and spend money to find out if they like comics.
Lend out books, give books as gifts.
The public library often has many great graphic novels available and can be a free way of introducing others.
Start a graphic novel/comic book club.
A once a month meeting where we read and discuss graphic novels sounds awesome to me. This can also be done online (chat, google + hang out, etc).
Support & Promote other creators.
There are several reasons to celebrate other creators success, but the success of any christian creators builds our genre as a whole and thus benefits us all.
Thoughts?
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Comments
1) Awesome thread! The distilled thoughts here are both edifying and enriching.
2) I pay attention to the fan-base stats of a lot of Anthro online comics and have noticed that an artist-storyteller has to pass a certain threshold of quality before getting serious attention. The trickle of attention for anyone in-development can be pretty depressing, which is why any encouragement/guidance for developing artists is so important. Sometimes the blooming of a fan-base can happen in a matter of months when the artist starts a new story-arc or introduces a new character that really resonates with readers. The walk-away advice is pretty much what everyone else has been saying on this thread: Keep checking in with Jesus for directional adjustment, keep learning and growing in the craft, guard your home life.
3) Speaking as a reluctant customer of FanCons and Comic shops, I believe Online Comics and online publishers will be the best way for the world public to discover the rich field of Christians with a story to tell. The kids I teach in high school are not developed by the internet, rather the internet was developed and is fed for a public like them. They are visual, emotive information-skimmers; my fellow teachers and I agree that our average student is maturing more slowly in their emotional make-up and desire for independence; they value their interconnections with friends over leadership or striving as a loner. The walk-away advice is that there is an ever-growing market for stories that value interpersonal relationships and moral dilemmas over Lone-hero or heroine tales.
The potential of the web to create wide-ranging yet heart-supporting communities meets a crying need for isolated people all over the world, to join the everlasting family!
1. Create the absolute best comic you are capable of (as one working for the Lord, and not falling into the same traps as the mainstream comic industry)
2. Make it visible and easy to buy (and support others' efforts as well)
And I would add:
3. Go to people who love good stories but don't like comics because of issues that do not appear in your books (like the crass/semi-porn) and encourage them to give your work a try. If they don't like the format itself, that's one thing - but if they cite other reasons that have to do with story, characters, or art, that's something that can be overcome with the right book.
"Culture changes all the time, usually for the worse - why not for the better?"
But why does it usually change towards the worst?
Because sin is easy. You don't have to try. And so we have come to a place where we are saturated with sex, profanity, and violence. What's easier than that.
Morality takes restraint, and maturity. Yes... in terms of markets, there will always be a market for that within culture, but the masses are going to go with what's "hip". (i.e., easy)
That's why I say pinpoint your market. Focus on those who love comics, or even more so, focus on Christians who love comics.
Then make the best comics you can ever dream of. Blow the roof off of people's expectations. If your work is that good, it will bleed into the non-Christian comic market.
If the buzz continues, and some studio bigwig smells a chance to make money, it'll bleed onto the big screen.
An at this point it'll bleed into the culture at large.
That's a HUGE goal to hit. HUGE. The chances of that happening are miniscule in the extreme.
So, why try to hit it? This is why I say you can't change culture. The odds are against you... BUT! What you can do is make the best stinkin' comic you can for those who you know will love it.
Then, leave the rest to the Lord.
But, the crass/semi-porn aspect is something that a large portion of the rest of secular culture finds off-putting. While the big companies are still pursuing this dwindling market, we could emerge with truly thoughtful stories and inclusive characterizations.
I also believe the culture's perceptions can change, and are constantly changing. The entire concept of marketing lies in presenting something in an appealing way so many times that it becomes desired. People who don't read romance novels bought 50 Shades (not me - I read reviews and, well, squick.). Five years ago, erotica was trashy and fan fiction was something hacks wrote, and no one could've guessed that a combination of the two would take off like that. But they changed the packaging and publicized it everywhere, and suddenly it's huge.
Culture changes all the time, usually for the worse - why not for the better?
Thanks for the link - I'll be checking it out.
...Although it is true that their standard is low, we need to accept the fact that they are only selling what the culture is buying. Supply and demand. The secular comic industry is what it is because the culture buys what it sells.
We cannot be ignorant to the fact that the culture has a taste for the crass, and the semi-pornographic.
The question is: what is the Christian response to that?
...Extremely true.
I have noticed, however, that people LOVE the portrayal of women in the Lord Of The Rings films. That could be a hint as how best to portray female heroes. Galadriel, Arwen, and Eowyn are both beautiful and powerful, and that resonates with folks. They are completely feminine, and in no way seek to out-masculine the men. But within their nature as women, they draw their strengths.
Something to think about.
...Distribution catalogs are an outdated way of getting your product out. (Check out THIS resource. It might help.)
...You'll never change the culture's perceptions. It is a waste of time to try. Your best bet is to focus on those people who DO love comics, and let the rest think what they will think.
If the comic is good enough it will speak for itself.
Them's my two cents.
There is no reason to aspire to the standard set by mainstream comics, because their standard is too low.
What are mainstream comics doing badly? What stupid habits are they entrenched in that we aren't obligated to uphold? What are we in a position to do far better than they will?
1. Treatment of women. Buxom, cardboard victims or sexpots. Very few write women well, and even fewer draw them well. As Christians, we don't pander to lust or have an agenda which depends upon devaluing or objectifying 50% of the population. This is the biggest recurring complaint I've ever heard about mainstream comics - the portrayal of women.
2. Distribution. Either you're Marvel or DC at the front of the Diamond distribution catalog, or you're in tiny print at the back. And the Diamond catalog goes to what, 1500 comic shops across the US. And... That's it. Surely we can promote our work in more places, more creatively, to more people. And surely we can offer our work for sale in more places - more welcoming places where women and kids already are.
3. Social stigma and perceptions. Why wouldn't your average adult pick up a comic and be seen reading it in public? Is the cover art silly or garish (like romance novels - 50 Shades is a best seller partly because of the subtle cover design, I think)? Are they too floppy and lightweight to spend 4.99 on? You could get a solid hunk of paperback for that! Is everyone certain they'll be mistaken for the middle-aged career-less guy who lives with his parents and eats Cheetos all day? What's wrong and how do we fix it?
"But how do you help that person without offending, which can happen anyway. Because some people don't want advice."
As artists, writers, and illustrators I believe we are to live our lives in a constant state of learning. (Actually, we should live that way no matter what we are.)
Musicians often do this. "Steal" each other's licks, tweak each other's lyrics... I've heard stories of Johnny Cash and Bob Dylan doing this very thing. Also, BB King and Eric Clapton. Now, if these mega-superstars can critique and improve each other's work, why can we?
It starts with our attitude.
I have sat with people who tore my drawings to pieces with criticism. Now, surely it could have been done with more tact, but I had to ask myself: were they right?
Yeah, sometimes they were, sometimes they weren't, in my opinion. So... I take what I like, and I reject what I don't.
Ego is a hard thing to swallow for all of us, but if we want to progress, and improve in our craft we had better learn to adjust to the taste.
It's part of growing creatively.
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"PROVERBS & PARABLES"
Wow... that was a lonnggg time ago, huh?
One way Luis is to promote other's work on our Facebooks and other social sites.
By the way, if any of you own PROVERBS & PARABLES, Steve Crespo drew the closing story which is one of the handsomest pieces in the whole volume.
Brothers,
Thank you for your wisdom and counsel. There seems to be a good consensus on the issues we face. Through my interactions with other creators and fans I get a sense that Christian comics is beginning, and has begun, raising our standards. We're all fans of the medium and this excites us. I was so excited for the Revelation Graphic Novel, first because I wanted it, but because it's another step in the right direction. While we may be different parts of the body and having different functions (different audience we reach), our Father will use our works to glorify Him.
In terms of moving forward, I think that whoever is interested in an idea that they move forward with it. For example we could have a google + hangout to talk comics, the industry, etc.
We could put together a group where artist can show their work and it would be an 'anonymous' place to post constructive criticism. I don't draw so this wouldn't apply to me as much, but in the end I want to do my part to increase the exposure of our works to others.
I would be willing to be part of a lending comic library, and online book club. Anyone who's interested let me know and we can just do it. Not complicate it, just do it.
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