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Underground > Comic Books >

Pitching to Epic

  
  

Page: 123(4)56789... 10

 
 
Ray Fawkes
14:28 / 08.04.03
I'm sorry Runce - naysaying is the exact opposite of what I was hoping for. I'd like to encourage excited creators to realize that self-publishing is not as horrible as some would have you believe, and that focusing your attempt on someone like Marvel is not the only way to go.

But if easy is what you want, why even bother submitting to Marvel? It's much easier to type up a script and never show it to anybody. In fact, it's even easier not to bother typing it up at all.

Blah, indeed.
 
 
Regrettable Juvenilia
14:57 / 08.04.03
Yeah, naysaying seems a bit of a strong term. Shall we have a thread about creating yr own comics from scratch, then? Cos then we can discuss the pros and cons without argument over the pros and cons of Spiderman-farting...
 
 
CameronStewart
15:11 / 08.04.03
Two of my studio partners seld-publish their own comics.

www.kaganmcleod.com/infinitekungfu

www.prisonfunnies.com

Not once have they ever made any indication that it's "really difficult." Just the opposite, in fact.

And they're both reasonably successful. Both go through Diamond, both get very respectable orders, both have recently been approached by producers to develop the books into Other Media.

Really, the only hard part you mention, Runce, is "coming up with your own shit."


You sure you want to be a writer?
 
 
The Natural Way
16:31 / 08.04.03
Just underlining what I meant by "easy".

Of course it's not all I want, but I'm only just starting out. It takes a lot of balls to bare yrself, and I'm not ready for that straight away. Right now I'm not sure I have that much to say - with a bit of practise I may have more..... What is all this "Are you sure you want to be a writer" bollocks? Give me a fucking break, Cameron.
 
 
Spaniel
16:35 / 08.04.03
Good idea to start a thread about self-publishing.

As for pitching to Epic, why the fuck not? It's a piece of piss, knock up a script and throw it in their direction. Doesn't matter one iota if it doesn't come to anything - unless you are a very sensitive soul. On the plus side, as Runce has pointed out, you may just break down a few creative walls.
 
 
Jack Denfeld
16:48 / 08.04.03
Yeah, but I want a big castle in SCotland like Grant Morrison, and beautiful supermodels hanging on my arms like Kurt Busiek, and a fleet of jets like Stan Lee.
 
 
CameronStewart
17:00 / 08.04.03

My apologies Runce, didn't mean to come across as bitchy - it's just that your list of "difficult" elements of self-publishing is, I think, easily dispelled, except for the bit about having to actually write. And if you're going to say "Oooh, this coming up with your own ideas thing is really tough, isn't it," well....

I don't necessarily think that you need to have something heart-wrenchingly personal or sensitive to say in order to create your own stories. It doesn't have to be "art." It just has to be yours. I currently have two self-publishing ventures in the works, neither of which I would consider to be "baring myself." They're just big, dumb, goofy fun - shit that I want to draw.

And they're mine...

The more I think about it, the more I think submitting to Epic is a colossally bad idea. Of course, like everyone, I was initially enthusiastic, and batted around a few ideas, but now I just see that it's not going to help the comics biz, or the creators, one bit. It's not going to expand readership, it's not going to turn previously-unpublished writers and artists into overnight superstars. All that's going to come of all this is a ton of shitty Marvel-owned comics.

There needs to be a concerted effort by EVERYONE who's in comics, or wants to get into comics, to break away from the Big Two and start doing their own shit. That's the only way for this market to progress.
 
 
Jack Fear
17:14 / 08.04.03
For that, Cameron, your name is going on the Other List.
 
 
Char Aina
17:55 / 08.04.03
does anyone here remember a character, from Daredevil i think, who could walk through walls?


he looked a bit like jack the ripper, with a big cloak, and a hat, and he also had white gloves.

i think they glowed.

SORTA

SPOILERS



i also think he may have died when trying to go through stone and becoming distracted by mr murdock...


OKAY, THAT WAS ALL.


anyone?


and what aout annhilus? what happened to his ass lately? is he still kicking it?
 
 
Solitaire Rose as Tom Servo
18:07 / 08.04.03
Cameron, not to disagree to be a pain, but as a bit of a comics historian I have to disgaree.

In the late 80's, there was a concerted effort to move away from the Big Two and get into self-publishing lead by the Eastman/Laird team, Scott McCloud, Dave Sim and a few others. It didn't work. Sim is only able to survive because he has such a huge inventory that his trade paperback sales can keep him going. Most of the others don't even do comics anymore (much to my chagrin). To be a self publisher, you need to have the creativy of a comics creator, the business sense of a comics publisher, the self-promotion skills of a Dave Sim in the late 80's, and the discipline to treat it like you would your own corner grocery store. Most of the people involved in it have SOME of those things, but not all.

Of all the Big self-published books, only Thieves and Kings and Cerebus are still around. You could call Image a break-away for self-publishing except they were financed in the beginning by Malibu, and most of the creators have made their bread off of other people's labor in return for no rights.

I would love if comics were able to support self-publishers...but, to be honest, most fo the financial structure of comics is still based around the fact that every Wednesday, you have to go to the shop and get books you have put aside sight unseen and hope the local shop ordered enough to have one or two on the stands of ones you haven't heard enough about...and if there isn't a new issue in one of two months, the shop may quit ordering it.

My opinion?

The way for the market to progress is to get out of comic shops all together. Weekly sales of Love Hina graphic novels in bookstores almost outstrips cumulitive sales of other comics that are far better known to people on this board. The hardcore fans are a niche market...comics need to go after the general market (like Viz is doing with Shonen Jump) in order for new fans to come in and support self-published ventures.

Side note...in every other field, self publishing limits your success (see: vanity press), but in comics it's the other way. Wonder why that is?
 
 
grant
18:32 / 08.04.03
It's not going to expand readership, it's not going to turn previously-unpublished writers and artists into overnight superstars. All that's going to come of all this is a ton of shitty Marvel-owned comics.

Mmm.

It'd be nice if some of it was mostly disposable goofy kidstuff.

Not likely, but it does poke the dreaming side of the brain.

I have a friend who's edited comics on and off for a long time (he works here at the tabs as an art director, and runs the AdventureStrips.com section of ModernTales.com) who has this dream about the Archie Comics superhero line.

They have one, you know. They just never use it because, well, they try to make them into comic-shop comics, instead of slipping stories into the digest-type things that sell in the supermarket checkout lines. As a company, they've got everything you'd need... except the corporate will.
 
 
PatrickMM
18:51 / 08.04.03
A couple of things I want to respond to.

1. I'm working on a proposal for Epic, and I'm using a Marvel character, but I just took the backstory of someone I found online, and am constructing a new story around him. I haven't even read a comic with him in it. Also, if the proposal is not accepted, it would not be that difficult to takle the story out of the Marvel Universe, and center it around a completely original character. Obviously not everyone writing an Epic proposal will be able to do this, but for me at least, if it doesn't get picked up by Epic, I'm going to work on putting it together as a self-published OGN.

2. While I don't have the connections that Cameron does, I'm hesitant to think that Marvel won't at all consider any submissions. I'd suspect that a lot will be trashed almost instantly (probably anything with Wolverine in it, or an alternate universe X-Men team), but I'd imagine they'd take a look at proposals for some of the more obscure characters, or things that sound particularly interesting. I still don't see why they don't ask for a one page summary of the issue/arc first, and then check for the script, since that would make it much easier to go through the submissions.

3. Self publishing has some merits, but I don't think anything in the current market can beat having a creator owned Vertigo series. As a self-published comic, even if you're in Previews, you're not going to be on the shelf in every comic store. An unproven talent is unlikely to get people to buy his book on a one sentence text description. I know if I could get a book at Vertigo, I'd do that over self publishing.
That said, the bookstore market could make it much easier for someone self publishing a graphic novel to get exposure. Still, I don't think an industry where someone has to be both publisher and creator is for the best.
 
 
The Photographer in Blowup
19:01 / 08.04.03
he looked a bit like jack the ripper, with a big cloak, and a hat, and he also had white gloves.

i think they glowed.

The guy you're talking about, if i'm correct, appeared during Frank Mller's run - i think the bastard died becoming solid as he went through a tombstone - i think i actually have the story somewhere, but i'm too lazy to fecth it.

Anyway, he's called Death-stalker; appeared in Daredevil #158, i think.
 
 
moriarty
19:49 / 08.04.03
Wow. I haven't really posted on these Epic threads because I've been so busy with schoolwork, but I must say that it has provided me with a great deal of excitement and laughter. At the very least it's been a nice break from the usual Invisibles discussions.

My pet theory about Epic is that if they publish them it may be to protect the trademark of some of the more obscure characters, something which Marvel and DC do from time to time (Who's Who, Fred Hembeck and Brother Voodoo, giant crossovers, etc). That's pretty far-fetched though.

Grant : Those Archie/MLJ superheroes were slipped into the digests up through the early 80s, at least. Archie recently tested the waters with a Golden Age reprint volume of The Shield, MLJ's answer to Captain America. These characters were also licenced out to DC at one point as their Impact line (The Fly, The Shield, The Jaguar, etc.) I imagine Archie doesn't publish them in the digests anymore for the same reason that Marvel doesn't really have kids' stuff, they're trying to hang onto their shrinking market and can't afford to expand. The cost of having their digests in the supermarkets is very expensive, which is why other publishers (Disney aside) haven't tried it. If your friend is looking to do something with them, I doubt Archie would be willing to part with the characters, but you never know. Someone in your state snatched up Cracked, so it's possible I guess.

Bobossboy : The reason I asked you to elaborate (and thank you for doing so) was because I didn't see anything wrong with people having a bit of fun with these characters, many of whom are ridiculous, and charming because of it. Take the suggestion in the MODOK thread that MODOK could be changed into something other than a giant floating muderous head. Why? To be honest, I can't tell the serious ideas presented on this board from the ones taking the piss, such is the silliness of the Marvel Universe.

Speaking of MODOK, it is the only script I'm considering, because I think it would be funny if a whole bunch of us were to flood Marvel with submissions. Hell, if there were enough of us with quality stories we might see an EC style Tales of MODOK anthology come out. What a dream that would be.

And no one has brought up te artistic part of the Epic deal. I haven't seen even one person say that they'll be trying for that part of it. Mainly due to the competition, I don't think anyone here has a hope in hell of getting a writing gig, but the odds for art chores must be a hell of a lot better.

I've talked about Epic with some of my friends, many of whom are contributing. Almost everyday I'm bouncing ridiculous yet workable ideas off of them, and they've said that I should contribute. The thing of it is, I like to talk about it because it's all a good laugh, but I can't work up the enthusiasm or the time to get a script done. I have too many real projects in the works.

That said, I just supplied my friend with the greatest possible tagline for Longshot.
 
 
Spaniel
20:41 / 08.04.03
"Coming up with my own shit"

Cam, as the world's leading expert on all things Runce I can guarantee you that he has no problem being creative, just with the will to create. You see, he's a lazy bastard who'd rather delve into the toy-box with his super-action figures and invent a wicked new game than roll up his sleaves and do some manly work - at least for the time being.

The reason Runce and I are going to pitch to epic is the easiness. Might not help the industry in the long run (who knows?), almost certainly won't get either of us published, but by god it will be "a piece of piss".

You need to understand that, to my mind, knocking up an Epic script is first and foremost fun fun fun. I like writing about silly marvel folk. And where, I ask, is the hard in putting the bloody thing in the post?
 
 
Spaniel
20:48 / 08.04.03
Am I naive?

Nah, I just have a couple of hours to kill of the odd evening.

Am I shirking my responsibilities to the industry as a whole?

Don't go in for grand futurological predictions. In fact, what responsibilities?
 
 
CameronStewart
20:49 / 08.04.03
>>>I'm working on a proposal for Epic, and I'm using a Marvel character....if the proposal is not accepted, it would not be that difficult to takle the story out of the Marvel Universe, and center it around a completely original character...if it doesn't get picked up by Epic, I'm going to work on putting it together as a self-published OGN.<<<

Do you think your script is good? I mean really, really good and likely to generate interest? Do you think it could Put You On The Map? If so, why would you want to surrender every shred of creative control over to Marvel? You realize that if you get accepted for Epic, and then, for example, you fail to meet a deadline, that Marvel can remove you from the book and assign a new team to it, right? To YOUR IDEA. Why would you want that to even be a possibility?

>>>>2. While I don't have the connections that Cameron does, I'm hesitant to think that Marvel won't at all consider any submissions.<<<

Oh, I don't really have any real reason to believe my own theory. As I said, I have nothing to back it up. I'm sure they'll look at a lot of the submissions, just as I'm sure they'll throw a lot of them away. I just find it interesting that I've heard of a couple of Epic books that are already in the works, before they've "officially" started accepting proposals.

>>>Self publishing has some merits, but I don't think anything in the current market can beat having a creator owned Vertigo series<<<

Except that creator-owned at Vertigo is not full ownership. What happened when they tried to use new Invisibles artwork for the Anarchy For The Masses book? DC prevented them from using likenesses of the characters. DC still retains some rights to the books.

>>>As a self-published comic, even if you're in Previews, you're not going to be on the shelf in every comic store. An unproven talent is unlikely to get people to buy his book on a one sentence text description.<<<

Sure, you'll get more initial exposure, and likely a guaranteed spot in every comic shop. But so what? I honestly believe that if your shit is GOOD, really good and worthwhile, it will get seen. Word will spread. Maybe not right away, but it will grow. Kagan's orders for Infinite Kung-Fu increase with each issue. He's been reviewed favourably in Wizard, and many other mainstream magazines (including Penthouse! ).

Because his comic fucking rocks, and people are catching on.

And he made it all himself, and he didn't break a sweat doing it. He writes, draws, and letters it on his own, then takes it down to the local printing shop and ponies up the dough for 3000 copies or whatever. And while I don't know the exact figures, he IS making a profit. Enough that he's reduced his day job to one day a week. He'll be able to quit entirely soon enough.

>>>That said, the bookstore market could make it much easier for someone self publishing a graphic novel to get exposure.<<<

Kagan and myself, and Ray Fawkes, and a host of others are working on an anthology book (like the Monkeysuit Press books) that will hopefully be ready in time for convention season. But we're also having a high page count, over 100 pages, which will enable us to get it into bookshops.
 
 
8===>Q: alyn
23:18 / 08.04.03
Marvel used to have a number of books, like Marvel Fanfare or Marvel Comics Presents or whatever, where unknowns or relative unknowns could publish shorts, one-offs, and so on. Isnt' it just possible that they're trying to do that now, with Epic? The idea has been visible in the comics press for, I dunno, 15 years or so, that this kind of sub-market and companies like -- was it IPC that published 2000AD? Anyway, places where there was an organ for unknowns to get their foot in the door -- was a good thing for artists and writers who are now at the top of the field. Joe Q has staked his run on a lot of the creators who "came up" through that market, but he's going to be losing them all soon. Sure, it's a bit of a raw deal, but forewarned is fourarmed, as Todd MacFarlane might say. Obviously you shouldn't be pitching your Swamp Thing or your Wolverine Limited Series or whatever until you have some leverage of your own.

I gotta say, boycotting the Big Two and starving them of good talent seems like a really good way of ensuring that mainstream comics will suck worse and worse, and a terrible way to Make Comics Better. Kind of a Pyrrhic vitory, if you ask me. Why isn't it possible to do it both ways?
 
 
Jack Fear
00:12 / 09.04.03
Must disagree, Qalyn: making comics-as-a-whole better and keeping superhero comics alive are two entirely different goals—and maybe the latter needs to die before the former can move on, as silent film did with the advent of sound, as black-and-white films did with the advent of color.

People still make silent films, on occasion, and black-and-whites: but they are doing so as a stylistic choice, not a fallback position. "Film" no longer equals "silent film" in the way that "comics" still equals "superhero comics." (still does. but shouldn't.)

People who really want to make black-and-white movies can still do so, but they've got the option of color. People who really want to make superhero comics will continue to do so... but right now, even people who'd much rather be doing other kinds of stories find themselves working in the superhero genre, because it's the only game in town.
 
 
Jack Denfeld
05:41 / 09.04.03
And why is that? Because people love superheros? Because they're force fed to us? I mean maybe it's just one of those things. Tons of people see action movies. Once in a while an arty movie will get some buzz and do ok (Sandman), but usually it's the big action blockbuster (X-Men).

And if some creators feel forced to do superheroes because it's the only game in town, maybe they should just stop and do their own comics. I mean if it's really, really good, maybe they'll only have to keep a dayjob for one day a week, right?
 
 
Sax
06:41 / 09.04.03
Cameron, isn't it a little disingenuous to make a state of the union address against working for the Big Two and then go back to drawing Catwoman comics? There are some people on this board who have evidently harboured a dream to write comics for years. This is the first and only chance some of them might get. So they might get screwed... so what? People who have proper jobs get screwed every day of their lives.
 
 
Regrettable Juvenilia
07:27 / 09.04.03
The thing of it is, I like to talk about it because it's all a good laugh, but I can't work up the enthusiasm or the time to get a script done. I have too many real projects in the works.

Yeah, ditto. I admit that when I first saw the Epic guidelines, I thought 'why not?', but the truth is, I think I need to work on finishing stuff that's in progress rather than starting something new...
 
 
Sax
07:46 / 09.04.03
Me too, to be honest. I have been sorely neglecting my Jenny Everywhere script for Kit-Cat Club while daydreaming of a post-modern retooling of Devil Dinosaur. Priorities, priorities!
 
 
CameronStewart
11:40 / 09.04.03
>>>>Cameron, isn't it a little disingenuous to make a state of the union address against working for the Big Two and then go back to drawing Catwoman comics? <<<

Ahhh, I was wondering how long it would be before someone played that card.

First of all: drawing Catwoman is my job, for which I have made a commitment for a certain length of time, and I have a professional obligation to honor that commitment.

Second, don't presume to know my plans for once that commitment expires.

Third, as I have already pointed out, I have not one but TWO comics of my own already begun. Pages drawn, schedules set, printing costs figured out, etc. Obviously they are going more slowly than I'd like due to my day job on Catwoman, but hey, I need the money to finance them.

And I'm not taking them to Epic or Vertigo.

>>>There are some people on this board who have evidently harboured a dream to write comics for years. This is the first and only chance some of them might get.<<<

Oh, balls. "The only chance they'll get?" Making comics isn't hard. It's not like making an independent film where you have to get camera equipment and lights and actors and rehearsals and locations and scrape together a few hundred thousand dollars - all you have to do is go to the shop and buy some paper and some ink, and then you DRAW the motherfuckers. Give you a little tip, boys - that's how I GOT the job at DC. I didn't fuck around waiting until they had an open call for submissions to do one of their books - I spent all of my free time, between the two retail jobs I held, working on a stupid little comic that I wrote and drew.

"Easy for you to say - you're an artist," you say. "But I'm a writer, I can't draw." So what? Our own Ray Fawkes never set out to be an artist, but he decided to draw his own book because he had no other choice - he couldn't find anyone to do it for him, so he did it himself. And so he spent all of HIS free time, after HIS day job, *learning* how to draw. I know the guy, and he's dedicated like you wouldn't believe. And you know what? Spookshow and his other projects look pretty goddamned great for a guy who's never made any claims to be an artist. He just put the time in.

I'm sorry to say it, but if you have a real, honest, burning desire to work in comics, and you haven't yet produced a page of *anything,* then you're lazy. Simple as that. Buy a pen, buy some paper, get to work. I am at my studio until 4 or 5 in the morning, EVERY DAY. I go home when the goddamn sun comes up, sleep until 11, then I'm back at it.

I'm astonished at the number of people on this board - fine, intelligent people all - who've suddenly had the fire beneath them lit because Marvel's offered to look at submissions for shitty revamps. Is that really what it takes to get you going? Why? I'm sorry to single out Runce as the example, but if he really IS bursting with creativity, and really IS lazy enough not to do anything with it as Bossoboy says, then I ask again - are you sure you WANT it enough?

I feel like Alec Baldwin berating the rest of the cast in GlenGarry Glen Ross. "They're sitting out there, waiting to give you their money! Are you going to take it? Are you MAN enough to take it? The money's out there, gentlemen, pick it up it's yours. Not, you're going to be shining my shoes. And you know what you'll be saying, bunch of losers sitting around in a bar...'Oh yeah, I used to be salesman...it's a tough racket...'"

Every single day is "a chance you'll get." Just make sure you do something with it.

Now get to work.
 
 
Sax
12:03 / 09.04.03
Cameron, I wasn't playing any card, I was just pointing out that to people who maybe do want to work in comics you are an example of someone who has "made it" - and I don't doubt for one second how much work you put in to get there - and that talking down them from the lofty heights of professional comic artist-hood and saying "yeah, make comics, but don't sell your arse to Marvel" is all well and good, but if they want to sell their arses to Marvel, then fucking let them!

I actually agree with everything you say - I don't particularly want to make comics myself, but I do want to write. I don't really mind if I never write a comic book in my life, but it would be enjoyable and I'd get a buzz out of it. For that reason, I would prefer to flog any comic script I write to a company with the contacts and resources to just get the thing out on the streets with minimum effort from myself. I realise the Epic project isn't really the answer, as writers have to assemble their own creative teams, but it's a start when previously the big companies have been resolutely not accepting submissions.

I think there is actually a difference between wanting to write and wanting to produce comic books. For some of us, the writing is the important, satisfying bit, and let some other chump put it together and bang it out.

And if that's hackery, fine. Hackery's made me a living for 15 years.
 
 
Regrettable Juvenilia
12:26 / 09.04.03
But Sax, how do you feel about the prospect of editors completely fucking with something you've written?
 
 
CameronStewart
12:28 / 09.04.03
Thing is, Sax, I'm not sure the current comics market can support dilettantes. Either you're In or you're Out.

And yeah, I can fucking well let them sell their arses to Marvel, but for every arse that Marvel is allowed to buy, it makes the hill that much steeper for those who are trying to climb towards something better.

That was a clumsy metaphor, wasn't it?
 
 
CameronStewart
12:36 / 09.04.03
How about this, guys:

Everyone who's doing a proposal for Epic - drop out Speedball or Ghost Rider or MODOK or whoever it's about, and substitute Jenny Everywhere instead. Then actually, you know, DO the story. Set a deadline for yourself and by god, stick to it. Then all of you can pool your cash - like when Barbelith was in danger of closing - and go to a printer and collect them all into a big book, and try to get it into Diamond, or into regular bookshops (anything over 100 pages is eligible).

Et voila.
 
 
Sax
12:40 / 09.04.03
Flyboy - I suppose as I've always worked in journalism I'm completely inured to having editors fuck about with what I've written. It ain't right and it ain't the only way, but I suppose I'm just so used to working within the parameters of professional journalism and writing that handing over work to someone else with editorial control is "just the way it is" for me. To be honest, I think a policy of editorial control is A Good Thing. You might think what you write is fantastic, and although it's always difficult to give what you write to someone else to cast their eyes over and decide yea or nay whether it's worth publishing, it can be a liberating process because your editor is your first reader who hopefully has some good market nous. If it needs tweaks here and there to make it better, then any writer should be willing to accept that.

Cameron - Yeah, I don't really know why I'm arguing this point particularly. You are right - the more Marvel wage slaves, the harder it is for people to take chances outside of the confines of the mainstream. I accept that. But I can also see why some people are getting excited at having someone at Marvel! Read their script! You know, at Marvel! In America! Where they publish the comics they read since they were kids!

I'm sure it's all a hoary old publicity exercise (and your theory is the most believable one I've read in this whole thread) but... I don't really have the heart to beat people up for wanting to write a Spider-Man comic, to be honest.
 
 
Sax
12:43 / 09.04.03
And I would be more than willing to invest in a Jenny Everywhere comic book. I've been suggesting that since the project first got off the ground.

Fancy doing a story, Cameron? We don't pay much, mind...
 
 
CameronStewart
13:01 / 09.04.03
Tell you what, if all of you can seriously commit to doing the book - SERIOUSLY commit to doing it, mind, meaning that come hell or high water there will be a tangible product to sell - I'll do a cover for you for free.
 
 
Sax
13:08 / 09.04.03
That would be fantastic. I'll get the Jenny Everywhere thread re-booted.
 
 
grant
14:58 / 09.04.03
This thread totally rocks.

I don't want to add anything to the Marvel-sell-out debate, because I think it's pretty much been covered, but I will because I can't resist: I wouldn't have any trouble coming up with an idea and then handing it over to a bunch of hacks. It's what I do now, anyway. If I can get a couple bucks out of it, all the better. That said, I'm not that likely to actually write anything for Epic, just because the other writing is burning me out - I have little desire to go home and write. (Although I have a Jenny Everywhere script that's currently on its second artist, who I haven't heard from in weeks. I think I may have written it wrong for the page count - used large-format "Love & Rockets" as a model for small-format pages.)

--

moriarty: Someone in your state snatched up Cracked, so it's possible I guess.

Heheheh. Someone in my *office* snatched up Cracked. He's currently sitting less than 50 feet from me, although I can't see the top of his skinny head right now. Dick Kulpa edits the Weekly World News. He bought the magazine from Globe Publications when AMI (who bought up Globe) decided it wasn't worth it anymore. Kulpa is everything you'd want in a cranky old cartoonist. He cultivates "gruff," I think. Anyway, Sun and Cracked are old siblings. A few of my coworkers contribute gag writing every now and again.

I'm pretty sure my friend knows the Archie history, but I didn't. I may grill him more about it later, when I'm not supposedly writing the center spread everyone's waiting for. His plan involved expanding the digests to all-hero digests, I remember. He does his own self-publishing on the web, too (the pulpy goodness of SupernaturalCrime.com). Which he's currently parlaying into paper publishing deals, I think, so he's not that interested in Archie for now.
 
 
Spaniel
19:49 / 09.04.03
At the risk of sounding boring, it looks like I still haven't explained my motivations well enough.

So then, why am I pitching to Epic?

1) Because I WANT to play with superheroes - established, ridiculous, wonderful superheroes.

2) Because writing about established, ridiculous, wonderful superheroes is fun and engaging in it's own special way.

3) Because I don't want to write my MODOK epic and then substitute the wonderful, established, ridiculous character that he is for a character who isn't mental, isn't designed only for killing, and doesn't have an enormous head. Jenny Everywhere, anyone?

4) The escapist argument. Because I get to wallow in hot juvenile muck after a long, alienating, piss boring day at work.

5) Because it won't take long.

6) Because it will cost me next to nothing (in time and money) to submit the work that I so enjoyed creating.

This has nothing to do with wanting anything enough. This isn't some great creative challenge and if it were I probably wouldn't get involved. This isn't about getting published (although that would be a bonus, even if an incredibly unlikely one). This isn't about a career (as much as I would like it to be). This is about writing SPIDERMAN stories. This is about having fun. That isn't to say that I couldn't have fun with other kinds of creative ventures, just that the whole Epic announcement has encouraged me to enjoy myself in a particular way.
 
 
Spaniel
19:54 / 09.04.03
To sum up. Writing for and pitching to Epic is, at least for me, recreational. A bloody good time.
 
  

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