Over here at the Designated Sidekick, we don’t get a lot of mail. In fact, apart from drunken text messages from semi balding creators who were in their prime around 1986, we don’t get a lot of human contact.
So when Karen was throwing a pile of discarded fan mail at me for comparing 300 with Rocky Horror Picture Show, I took that as the opportunity to take one of the many “Hey Karen, you’re like, female, and dig comics, how do I get my girlfriend into comics?” letters and run with it. Well, by run, I mean flee from Karen throwing letters at me (those paper cuts can bleed a lot).
So, random writer to someone else’s blog, let me tell you “How to Get Your Girlfriend into Comics”
Well, first of all, the obvious question I have to ask is – what does your girlfriend like? Scripting? Editing? Ink work, colouring or original art? (Nobody works in continuity at the Big Two).
If she’s into original art, then you’ll need to get her copies of the key texts in the field of original comics art work. Those how to draw superhero guides? She’s probably got a bookshelf and long box full of them. Try talking to her about stock photo reference collections, particularly subscriptions to stock photo archives. Sure, the art classes cover the dynamic figures, but where can you get a life model of a late model 67 chevy at 3am when you need that car to make the action sequence work? Talk to her about her needs, don’t just assume a random search at Amazon.com will help out.
If she’s into story, then there’s definitely a need for the Scott McCloud series as the reference library of choice (y’know, get the ones she doesn’t have already. This means…scoping her bookshelves, in the totally non metaphorical sense.) However, do consider getting her a second copy of “Understanding Comics” or “Reinventing Comics”. In fact, check her reference collection for any of the books that are so well thumbed they’re capable of hitchhiking by themselves, and pick up a back up copy for her.
If she’s got an eye for detail, there’s the editorial roles at the various comics houses. Marvel’s not so big on continuity these days, although DC’s efforts are a little more towards making sure that certain characters chests never decrease below the mass of a small planet. Some of the other players in the industry might be looking for continuity. Otherwise, good research skills (Google-fu FTW), and a review of what editors actually do (courtesy of Rachel Edidin) will go a long way.
Generally, your girlfriend’s going to need a good dose of the following
- willingness to tolerate inordinate amounts of crap in the office, and worse at the comic conventions.
- willingness to listen to the advice given when it’s asked for, especially when it comes from people in the game
- bulletproof egotism, and the ability to remember that anyone posting OMGCHIXSUXASCOMIXRWTIERS is down the evolutionary scale from the average monkey, and will probably meet an unfortunate end involving liquids and computer power supplies.
- a grudging acceptance that her work will need to be twice as good as the male artists to be accepted as half as financially viable
- constant comparisons with Gail Simone
- a fatalistic acceptance that currently, drawing deformed people who bear little passing resemblance to humans combined with talentless tracing constitutes the “in” thing at a certain major trade house. Combine this with the current sense of doom facing an industry with flagging sales and declining market share and even less contemporary relevance, and that sort of depressive state is a good optimistic starting point for her. From there, it’ll get worse.
If she’s got the talent, or part of a crew of talent (colours, ink, digital art, story etc), she could always bypass the mainstream and cut straight into self production with webcomics (monthly digested or syndicate three panel daily strips). Just if she’s going that path, remember that delayed shipping and failing to meet deadlines for content only works for male artists with the majors. Everyone else is expected to ship on time.
Other things to do
- Be the support crew during her 24 Hour Comic Books day. This means being ready to replace pens, paper, pencils, ammunition clips, coffee, food and anything else she’ll need to make the comic happen. It’ll be good practice for you.
- Learn to drive. Getting into comics requires leg work, hack work and sometimes it means cross country tours to the ComicCons. You handle the transport, she handles the comic work.
- Book keeping. Not just the taxes, but the little things like maintaining the continuity guide if it’s her solo series, checking the details, being the first line editor on the project and keeping track of art stock and supplies. Learn her creativity patterns, and make sure the ammo clips are full, the right type of paper and the appropriate art supplies are in stock.
- Read every creator blog you can find, and start trying to pare down the sheer volume of free advice into the common themes. It’ll help.
- Above all, be sure it’s her career you’re supporting, and not your career you’re foisting onto her.
So, random reader type, that answer your question on how to get your girlfriend into comics?