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Wish I Could Draw...Well.

Before you delve too deeply into this piece, I feel I should warn you fine readers. Your friendly neighborhood Geek is in a downright pissy mood and this rant will be little more then an "it’s not fair, nanny-nanny-boo-boo" piece. (Can't believe I just wrote nanny-nanny-boo-boo...twice). Anyway, as you can likely tell by now, I love to write. It is one of the few things I take real pleasure from, regardless of the reason. Hell, I even found joy in drafting an office procedure manual. I love using words to create, and at the risk of sounding cliché as all get out, I love the process... The end result is a close second. However, I would be lying if I said that I only write for fun. It is a sad fact that writing for fun won't allow me to buy a copy of Alex Ross’ "The Seven" off Ebay. A Geek needs to be paid.

This makes me wish I could draw...

Since I could comprehend the written word, I have been reading comics. In fact, much to my grandfather’s chagrin, I learned to read using comics. A tactic I would wholly suggest to folks trying to teach youngsters to read. Comics are the perfect medium for kids just starting out. The pictures help make sense of the words, without being wholly and completely uninteresting like the Dick and Jane books. And, while I wouldn't recommend anything from Vertigo, (and to an extent any current DC or Marvel book), both companies have genuine "all ages" titles that are smartly written and safe for little Timmy or Katie. (The book versions of current cartoons like The Batman Strikes or Justice League Unlimited immediately spring to mind). It was this foundation in comics that led me to want to work in that medium at a very young age. As I mentioned during Geek in the City’s early days, I wrote a letter to Julius Schwartz in crayon at the ripe age of eight. I had an idea for the greatest Batman story of all time. He wrote me back, telling me that he couldn't legally take my idea until I was old enough to vote and to look him up in ten years. I always wonder if he knew the impression those few words left upon me.

I wish I had looked him up.

Far more than ten years have passed me by, and yet, still I write and try to construct that ultimate Batman story. However, like all writers, there is way more then one story sitting in this melon of mine. However, since I seem to be obsessing over comics, I stick to that medium for now. Like all creative based careers, the comic book industry is freakishly hard to break into. Especially for us word folks whom, until recently, were only there to make sure the pictures had some stories to go along with them. There is an urban legend within the comic community that Stan Lee would only start the story and dialogue after he saw the artwork he would be working with. Again, while times are starting to balance out, the perception among most fans and publishers is that the artist is still what sells most books. (Even though the writer is often given first billing on the credits page, an irony that I have yet to figure out). As if to add salt to the creative wound, artists also have an easier time breaking into the business.

Well, maybe not, but let a Geek vent.

Your friendly neighborhood Geek cannot draw. Not at all. Hell, I can't even trace decently. It just isn't in me. I have tried. I have taken lessons. I have spent hours studying and pouring over How to Draw Comics the Marvel Way. (Which seems to start with sticks, circles, and within two short and completely inconceivable steps takes you to Reed Richards exchanging blows with Dr. Doom with artistic perfection). I am Zen with that, I really am. I just wish I had the same life altering opportunities that artists are provided three times a year in New York, Chicago, and San Diego. Did I lose you? Sorry about that. See, each year those three cities host some of the largest and well-attended comic book shows in the world. While most major populations have a ComicCon, (with Portland having two a year) only those three attract the decision makers from the big boys. Moreover, while the odds are painfully slim, each show has a tiny American Idol’esqu window where an artist can show their work to men and women who can hand them the keys to the three-color kingdom. Again, I am not saying it is as simple as handing over some bitch’n pinups and waiting for the cash. Not at all. I have been in the comic world long enough to know that an artist that can't tell a story without my words, on a deadline, under budget, with little supervision, and consistently month after month will never, ever, ever get hired. Ever.

But, at least they get that one chance.

Where does the hopeful writer get their one shot at impressing the powers that be? Well, near as I can tell... nowhere. You can bring some samples of your work with the intention of having other writers give it a once over. However, take care when you do so. First off, professional writers are stunningly busy and are operating under massive deadlines; even those who want to help the starting writer will be hard pressed to find them time. Second, there is the potential for legal issues to get in the way. If a working writer reads your material, the work you have shown them is forever locked into their minds and intentional or not (and often the case is not) some of your concepts may find their way into their work. For this reason, most writers will refuse to look at unsolicited material. (Most are also contractually and legally bound not to read material about copy written and trademarked characters). Thirdly, why would a working writer, who has done their time in the trenches, want to help someone who may someday push them out of a job? This may sound cynical, but it is the truth when you look at the bare numbers. Thankfully, that final reason for a writer not wanting to read your material is a rarity.

Just keep writing.

That really is the only thing us word folks can do. Marvel did tease us for a few short months with their "re-launch" of the Marvel Epic line. The supposed intention was for Marvel to discover a slew of fresh and new talented writers to bring into the fold. Writers were encouraged to submit original characters as well as stories for long lost and even forgotten heroes from the house of ideas. Myself bringing to life a killer Moon Knight story. (Don't you dare laugh... Moon Knight is the closest thing Marvel has to a real badass... Screw all you Wolverine people, Canadian drunkard). Sadly, I was not in the minority when it came to people who wanted to bring him back from the dead. That was fine, I didn't mind the competition. What I did mind was Marvel’s prompt pulling of the Epic line before it ever had a chance to become, well, epic. Shoot, the ink wasn't even dry on the press release before the line was pulled back into a one shot journal style book... Even then, the open submission was yanked as well. While it is likely that 98.9999% of what the editors received was crap, it still isn't right that Jemas and crew dashed hopes before ever giving them a chance to kindle. Hell, they let Smith write crap...and take two years to do it. Maybe someday I will get to play that angle. Maybe I can break in as "that movie guy", or "the book dude", or "that City Geek dude"' or even "think he slept his way in guy"... Well, maybe not that last one, but you get my drift. It seems like everyone needs an angle nowadays. But, until that day comes, I will keep writing.

Just wish I could draw...