COMICS CULTURE SHRAPNEL from CBEM 339
The purpose of this line of inquiry is not because I wish to publish something. Which is sad, really, considering I vowed to put out something by the end of the summer and didn't. I'm writing an article for Tsunami, which is the fanzine my friends down in Maryland put out. I've mentioned it before, I highly recommend it, and this was all before I was on staff. I just figured it might be a nice change of pace, and good experience for the future.
Ranting about some other article for another publication is not the stuff interesting columns are made, so I won't bore you with the details. But I will share what I learn.
Before one publishes anything there is so much to know and do. There is simply so much involved. There was hundreds, if not thousands of books on how to draw, how to write, even a few on how to ink and color. Probably letter too. I've also seen a book on digital comics art. Honestly, those are the most intuitive parts of the process. You've got the talent, it just needs to be honed. Eventually you'll get it right.
But pre-press? Publishing? Selling? These are really complicated, somewhat esoteric things which you only get to do once. Oh, there'll be other comics and hopefully you'll learn from the experience. But that first try? It goes by, gets printed and then you have to live with the results. And the cost. Mistakes can't simply be erased away.
This issue has been bugging me all summer. If I had finished art, what the hell was I going to do next? Now I get to find out.
If anyone knows anything that could be useful, feel free to e-mail me. If there are any questions you have, mail me. if you think I'm nuts or stupid, mail me and explain why. I think this is a topic that would benefit from some good, meaty discussion. We all might learn something.