Comics Experience Blog: 2013

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

The Comics Experience Blog has moved!

The Comics Experience Blog has a new home!

Check out all the latest postings right here:

http://www.comicsexperience.com/blog/

Sunday, March 10, 2013

Faith Erin Hicks joins Creators Workshop 3/12/13

On Tuesday March 12, 2013 at 8pm Eastern Time, we'll be discussing Friends with Boys with writer/artist Faith Erin Hicks during a Creators Workshop live, online Book Club session.

Friends with Boys is a coming-of-age tale with a spooky twist, about Maggie McKay, who, after an idyllic childhood of homeschooling with her mother and rough-housing with her older brothers, must face the outside world all on her own.

But that means facing high school first. And it also means solving the mystery of the melancholy ghost who has silently followed Maggie throughout her entire life.

Friends With Boys is a 211-page graphic novel published by First Second Books.

A free 20-page preview is available right here.

Faith Erin Hicks is a writer and artist in Halifax, Canada. Her first two graphic novels, Zombies Calling and The War at Ellsmere, were published by SLG Publishing. Most recently, she illustrated First Second’s Brain Camp. Hicks has three brothers and was homeschooled until high school, but has never seen a ghost.

Hicks began drawing comics and putting them on the internet in 1999. Since that time, she's drawn more than 1600 pages of comics including her first online comic, Demonology 101, The Adventures of Superhero Girl, and Nothing Can Possibly Go Wrong.

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We're looking forward to a great discussion!

There's still time to join us at the Creators Workshop before these live sessions. We hope to see you there.

If you want to make comics, write or draw comics, or improve as a comics creator, you'll find like-minded friends and colleagues in our online workshops and courses. We hope to see you there!

Posted by Rob Anderson
rob@ComicsExperience.com
Twitter / Facebook

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

WORKSHOP GUEST: Karl Kerschl discusses design, self-publishing, and the role of music in his work

Recently, comics writer and artist Karl Kerschl joined the Creators Workshop for a Book Club discussion of his work on the web-comic The Abominable Charles Christopher.

The Abominable Charles Christopher tells the path of a shaggy man-beast, Charles Christopher, and the forest creatures and gods with whom he comes in contact.

Neil Gaiman has said of the story:

"To say it's like an unholy mash-up of Walt Kelly, Jeff Smith and Sumerian Mythology is true, but it misses the point completely. It is its own thing, and it does what comics do best: make a world and draw you into it."

Topics discussed during the session included...

Designing the Characters in Charles Christopher

"The look of Charles Christopher came very quickly," Kerschl said. "I think it's really a direct result of my influences. There's a big Miyazaki influence in the story, which I don't do on purpose, but I can't really help because I'm such a big fan of his storytelling."

For the rest of the characters, Kerschl said, "I don't do a lot of design. I set out to tell a funny story about a particular animal, and my process is to do a little bit of research about what that animal looks like, and then go for it."

He also noted that he does not set out to anthropomorphize his characters, but instead lets it come naturally.

"Any time you put an animal in a human setting, you can't help but anthropomorphize them a little, and give them human expressions to communicate their emotions to the reader."

The Advantages of Self-Publishing

Kerschl has self-published the print edition of Charles Christopher. During the session, a workshop member asked if he had considered going through a publisher. Kerschl noted that he was approached by several publishers, and has left the lines of communication open, but that he feels self-publishing holds several distinct advantages.

"Granted, I don't know too much about the publishing industry, but I have a lot of friends and peers who have published their creator-owned work through publishing companies, and they make almost nothing off of it," he said.

The advantage of publishers, for work that is already completed, is that they handle the printing and distribution costs, and work to get the material out to a wider audience. In Kerschl's case, he was able to handle the costs through pre-orders and early sales. And in turn, he keeps 100 percent of the book's profits.

"I'm the furthest thing from a business guy, but this is what made sense to me at the time, and it's still what makes sense to me."

Self-publishing also gives Kerschl a greater degree of control over the final product.

"I had a very specific idea of how I wanted that book to be treated, the presentation of it," he said. "I think I would have had a fight on my hand if I'd argued for a suede cover, and a gatefold, and all of that. It's a really expensive book to make."

The Role of Music in his Work

While discussing his influences, Kerschl brought up the topic of music, and the role it plays in his work. He noted that music helps him create the mood he's looking for, points him in a certain direction, and gives him new ideas for his work.

"More often than not, music will evoke certain scenes or ideas that I would not have thought of otherwise," Kerschl said. He noted that the first section of Charles Christopher was heavily influenced by Sigur Ros. Other influences he noted include Aimee Mann, Miyazaki film soundtracks and the Lord of the Rings soundtracks.

"Usually I'll have some kind of mood in mind, so I'll put together a playlist of mood-appropriate music and shuffle it," he added.

"And when something clicks with me I'll play the same few tracks over and over and over again. It's like I'm playing out a movie trailer in my head.

"This is how I work on everything, by the way; by putting on music that's appropriate, and letting the images kind of go through my head. They don't always make sense at first, but certain ones kind of click. I make a note of it and go from there. I don't know how it will fit, usually. I just think, okay, that's something I like, and maybe I can steer the ship in that direction."

Other topics discussed:

   * The genesis of Charles Christopher
   * The planning process for the web-comic
   * Switching between longer arcs and one-off strips
   * Servicing such a large and beloved cast
   * The different reading experiences of web-comics vs. printed books
   * His script process, and how it's changed over the years
   * Marketing and promoting a web-comic
   * How much of the end Kerschl already has in mind
   * Advice for other creators, and things he wished he had known
   * And many more

Creators Workshop Book Club sessions are held throughout the year, featuring guest writers and artists discussing the craft and art of comics, as well as the business side of things. Additional live Workshop sessions take place every month, giving members real-world knowledge that will help them succeed in their comics career.

There's still plenty of time to sign up before the next session. We hope to see you there.

-- Posted by Paul Allor

Monday, March 4, 2013

In March - Faith Erin Hicks joins Creators Workshop; Andy Schmidt discusses comic art storytelling & dynamics!

In March, we'll have two great live, online sessions at the Creators Workshop: a Book Club discussion of Friends with Boys with writer/artist Faith Erin Hicks...

AND a Workshop session with former Marvel and IDW Editor Andy Schmidt discussing "Comic Art: Storytelling & Dynamics."

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On Tuesday March 12, 2013 at 8pm Eastern Time, we'll be discussing Friends with Boys with writer/artist Faith Erin Hicks .

Friends with Boys is a coming-of-age tale with a spooky twist, about Maggie McKay, who, after an idyllic childhood of homeschooling with her mother and rough-housing with her older brothers, must face the outside world all on her own.

But that means facing high school first. And it also means solving the mystery of the melancholy ghost who has silently followed Maggie throughout her entire life.

Then, on Tuesday, March 26, 2013 at 9pm Eastern Time, we'll have a nuts and bolts comic craft discussion with Andy Schmidt!

Andy will be reviewing artwork -- both classic and more recent -- and discussing what works and what doesn't for comics storytelling.

This will be a session of great value to BOTH artists and writers!

Andy is a former Senior Editor at IDW Publishing, a former Editor at Marvel Comics, and writer of such comics as 5 Days to Die and Challenger Deep.

Andy worked with nearly every major character in the Marvel pantheon during his time there, and edited titles such as X-Men, X-Factor, Alias, Secret War, and the Annihilation saga. At IDW, Andy oversaw both the Transformers and GI Joe franchises.

Andy is also the founder of Comics Experience, which he launched to help educate people who want to make comics, work in the comics industry, or just want to know more about the fantastic medium of comics.

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We're looking forward to two great discussions!

There's still time to join us at the Creators Workshop before these live sessions. We hope to see you there.

If you want to make comics, write or draw comics, or improve as a comics creator, you'll find like-minded friends and colleagues in our online workshops and courses. We hope to see you there!

Posted by Rob Anderson
rob@ComicsExperience.com
Twitter / Facebook

Sunday, March 3, 2013

iFanboy's "Make Comics" Podcast, Episode #45 on "Studios and Artist Collectives"

If you want to make comics, write, draw, letter, and color comics, or improve as a comics creator, you'll find like-minded friends and colleagues in our online workshops and courses. We hope to see you there!

Posted by Rob Anderson
rob@ComicsExperience.com
Twitter / Facebook

Thursday, February 28, 2013

Pro artist Khoi Pham joins as visiting faculty & offers critiques on Creators Workshop!

We're pleased to announce that comic book artist Khoi Pham has joined Comics Experience, where he will be acting as visiting faculty for the next few months, providing art critiques to members of our Creators Workshop community!

Before becoming a comic book artist, Khoi Pham was a criminal defense lawyer, and, for a time, simultaneously worked as both a lawyer and an artist. During his acclaimed run on The Incredible Hercules, he left his job as a lawyer, and he is now a full-time comic book artist.

Khoi currently works on books like Scarlet Spider for Marvel and Cyber Force for Image Top Cow.

He is perhaps best known for his work on Hercules, as well as his work on Mighty Avengers with writer Dan Slott. Khoi is also a member of Ten Ton Studios.

The Creators Workshop is an on-going community of writers, artists, colorists, and letterers all dedicated to getting published and improving their craft. It's a community focused on making comics!

Our members post their work, critique each other, and discuss all aspects of creating comics in our members-only forums. But in addition to all that, members are eligible for critique by our instructors and pro members!

Khoi has now joined our regular line-up that includes working comic book editors, writers, artists, colorists and more.

Welcome to the Workshop, Khoi!

If you want to make comics, write or draw comics, or improve as a comics creator, you'll find like-minded friends and colleagues in our online workshops and courses. We hope to see you there!

Posted by Rob Anderson
rob@ComicsExperience.com
Twitter / Facebook

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

CE alum Paul Allor's "Strange Nation" to be published by Action Lab Entertainment!

Comics Experience alum and staff member Paul Allor recently announced his first creator-owned mini-series, with artist Juan Romera.

Strange Nation, a four-issue mini-series, will launch later this year through Action Lab Entertainment.

But before that, an advance copy of issue #1 will be available from Paul at Emerald City Comic Con and Fabletown and Beyond.

According to Action Lab, Strange Nation is a madcap tale of tabloid myths. The story stars Norma Park, a reporter who discovers a bizarre conspiracy, tying together aliens, Sasquatch and mad scientists.

The book is already receiving great advance reviews, including this one from Multiversity Comics! You can also read an interview with Paul and see more pages over on CBR's Robot 6.

Paul is a graduate of the Comics Experience writing, lettering and editing classes, and is a longtime member of the Creators Workshop.

His previous works include Clockwork, Vol. 1, a collection of five-page comics, many of them workshopped through Comics Experience; Orc Girl, a one-shot with artist Thomas Boatwright; and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Fugitoid, a one-shot for IDW Publishing.

Congrats to Paul and Juan on this upcoming mini-series!

If you want to make comics, write or draw comics, or improve as a comics creator, you'll find like-minded friends and colleagues in our online workshops and courses. We hope to see you there!

Posted by Rob Anderson
rob@ComicsExperience.com
Twitter / Facebook

Saturday, February 23, 2013

Ed Brisson, writer & letterer, joins the Creators Workshop 2/26/13!

On Tuesday, February 26, 2013 at 9pm Eastern Time, our special live, online guest on the Creators Workshop will be writer/letterer Ed Brisson!

By day, Ed is a professional comic book letterer. He has lettered numerous comic books, including recent titles from Image such as Debris, Hell Yeah, Peter Panzerfaust, Prophet and The Secret History of D.B. Cooper.

By night, he hones his craft as a writer, on projects like his online crime comic series, Murder Book, which was nominated for a 2011 Joe Shuster Award, and his new miniseries from Image/Shadowline, Comeback.

Comeback is a 5 issue mini-series which debuted in November 2012. It tells a tale about a company called Reconnect that can bring back a lost loved by going back into the past. But since time travel is illegal, it comes with a high cost. And when one team member finds himself on the run, he could end up trapped in the past or potentially, dead.

Ed has been creating comics in one form or another since the early 90's and currently lives just outside of Vancouver, BC with his wife and daughter.

We'll be discussing the crafts of writing and lettering with Ed, as well as his experiences working with Image and on his new mini-series!

We're looking forward to a discussion!

There's still time to join us at the Creators Workshop before this live session. We hope to see you there.

If you want to make comics, write or draw comics, or improve as a comics creator, you'll find like-minded friends and colleagues in our online workshops and courses. We hope to see you there!

Posted by Rob Anderson
rob@ComicsExperience.com
Twitter / Facebook

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Pro writer Chuck Dixon joins faculty & offers critiques on Creators Workshop!

We're pleased to announce that comic book writer Chuck Dixon has joined the Comics Experience faculty, where he will be providing script critiques to members of our Creators Workshop community and answering questions about all aspects of the craft and the industry!

Chuck Dixon is recognized across the industry as the most prolific writer working in comics today. His resume includes thousands of scripts for iconic characters like Batman, Superman, Green Lantern, Iron Man, the Punisher, The Simpsons, Spongebob Squarepants, GI Joe and many others.

Chuck currently writes two monthly titles featuring GI Joe for IDW and The Simpsons for Bongo Comics as well as various other projects fro comics and motion pictures. He is also a partner with Gary Kwapisz at History Graphics Press where they are publishing an ambitious series of graphic novels about the American Civil War.

He is (along with artist Graham Nolan) the creator of the Batman villain Bane, the first permanent addition to the Dark Knight’s rogues gallery in forty years and for which he won 1993's Wizard Fan Award for best new character. His unprecedented 100 issue run on DC Comics Robin is considered to be a classic in the comics medium. Chuck’s contributions to Marvel Comics’ The Punisher are widely acknowledged as integral to that character’s development.

Chuck was nominated for an Eisner for El Cazador, a pirate epic created for CrossGen comics with Steve Epting. Along with Jordan Gorfinkel, Chuck created the successful comics series Birds of Prey for DC Comics which was developed for television by Warners.

The Creators Workshop is an on-going community of writers, artists, colorists, and letterers all dedicated to getting published and improving their craft. It's a community focused on making comics!

Our members post their work, critique each other, and discuss all aspects of creating comics in our members-only forums. But in addition to all that, members are eligible for critique by our instructors and pro members!

Chuck has now joined our regular line-up that includes working comic book editors, writers, artists, colorists and more.

Welcome to the Workshop, Chuck!

If you want to make comics, write or draw comics, or improve as a comics creator, you'll find like-minded friends and colleagues in our online workshops and courses. We hope to see you there!

Posted by Rob Anderson
rob@ComicsExperience.com
Twitter / Facebook

Saturday, February 16, 2013

All February comic book courses SOLD OUT! New sections open for enrollment!

Our entire slate of February comic book courses -- on writing, art, coloring and lettering -- have SOLD OUT!

We want to thank everyone who signed up!

And we're sorry for those we had to turn away...but we have to hold our class sizes down to make sure everyone gets the attention they deserve.

We'd love to have you join us in the future! If you'd like to avoid being shut out next time, you can sign up right now for the next round of courses. They are all available for enrollment!

Here's the details...
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INTRODUCTION TO COMIC BOOK ART

Introduction to Comic Book Art will be taught by Robert Atkins, a professional comic book artist who has worked on G.I. Joe, Snake Eyes, Amazing Spider-Man, Heroes for Hire, Ultimatum Fantastic Four: Requiem and many others.

In this online course, you’ll learn how to improve your storytelling, what the professional standards are, how to avoid common pitfalls, how to build a great cover, and strategies to break into the business.

You’ll be asked to complete five pages of sequential comics pages under the guidance of your instructor and you’ll get all the behind the scenes tips Robert can pack into six weeks.

You can read what one of Robert's former students had to say about his teaching skills right here. Or check out Robert's art and get a sense of his teaching philosophy in this Guest Blog about the Intro class from August of last year.

Introduction to Comic Book Art with Robert Atkins
Begins August 1, 2013!

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INTRODUCTION TO COMIC BOOK WRITING

Intro to Comic Book Writing will be taught by former Marvel and IDW Editor and writer, Andy Schmidt.

During his time at Marvel, Andy worked on nearly every major character in the Marvel canon, and edited hit titles such as X-Factor, the Annihilation saga, Alias, and more.

At IDW, he managed major franchises like GI Joe and Transformers. He is also the author of the Eagle Award-winning book, The Insider's Guide to Creating Comics and Graphic Novels, published by Impact Books.

In this six-week course, not only will you learn comic book writing from a pro, but the course will be packed with practical, real-world advice on the industry and "breaking in" to help you pursue your career in comics!

That's why Comics Experience alum, Nick Spencer, tweeted:

"For all aspiring comic pros asking for advice on craft/breaking in, I once again highly recommend Andy Schmidt's @ComicExperience courses."

Intro to Comic Book Coloring will be taught by Chris Sotomayor (aka Soto), professional colorist on countless Marvel titles (Spider-Man, X-Men, The Avengers, etc.).

In this six-week intensive class for colorists, you'll learn all the necessary tools and tricks for not only coloring with Photoshop, but also how to tell great stories through color. You’ll get access to all the tools of the trade, tips on how to break in, and you’ll be working with Chris on the pages you color for the class.

You can read Soto's own thoughts on the class right here...OR read why the class is even better than marriage right here!

Intro to Comic Book Coloring with Soto
Begins September 2, 2013!

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COMIC BOOK LETTERING AND PRODUCTION

Comic Book Lettering and Production will be taught by professional letterer Dave Sharpe, who has been in the business for twenty years.

In this seven-week course, Dave will take you through the programs, the thought-process, and the decision-making skills to create comics with slick, professional lettering. As if that wasn’t enough, you’ll also learn the production work associated with publishing comics! Setting up covers with logos, cover elements, integrating the digital lettering files with the digital color files properly, and page set-up along with a healthy dose of trouble-shooting the most common problems.

Dave started out hand lettering in the Marvel Bullpen before moving to digital lettering, taught lettering at the Joe Kubert School in the mid-90s, and developed and led the Marvel in-house lettering department for two years.

Since then, Dave is now lettering regularly for DC, in addition to working with many small publishers as well. He is, without a doubt, one of the most well respected, talented, and professional letterers in the comics business.

To quote Comics Experience founder (and ex-Marvel and IDW Editor) Andy Schmidt, "Dave can teach. I've seen him do it and he taught me much while I worked at Marvel. In the first ten minutes, he taught me enough about lettering that I could talk reasonably intelligently about it with the seasoned Marvel staff. Thank you for that, Dave."

Learning how to letter can save you money on your projects and improve your storytelling. Plus, bad lettering can kill the impression your book makes! Read more about all of that right here.

Comic Book Lettering and Production with Dave Sharpe
Begins February 10, 2014!----------------------------------------------Our courses are offered LIVE, online, and you can attend from wherever you live. You'll be able to see your instructor and his desktop, interact with your classmates, and discuss your classwork in real time. And you'll be able to communicate with your classmates all week long in a special, dedicated online forum for just you and your class.

We hope to see you in our courses or as part of our Creators Workshop community. Sign up now!

If you want to make comics, write or draw comics, or improve as a comics creator, you'll find like-minded friends and colleagues in our online workshops and courses. We hope to see you there!

Posted by Rob Anderson
rob@ComicsExperience.com
Twitter / Facebook

Thursday, February 14, 2013

Bill Willingham on Navigating the Business Side of Comics

Legendary comics creator Bill Willingham joined the Comics Experience Creators Workshop recently, to talk about his nearly-thirty-year career in the comics industry.

In addition to discussing the craft and art of comics, Willingham also offered advice on navigating the business side of the comics industry, including dealing with publishers.

"It's a tough business, being in business with publishers," Willingham said, "because they want something, and it's probably different than you want."

Understand the nature of contracts

Willingham noted that most contracts are designed to protect the publisher, rather than the creator. Anytime one party is paying another, they will feel the right to set the rules and control the terms.

As a result, he said "your obligations to them are carved in stone, and you'd better adhere. Whereas their contributions to you in that same document are kind of treated as helpful suggestions that they should probably get around to someday if they have a little extra time and some loose change in their pockets."

Understand your role

Willingham said it's important to remember, when working as a freelance comics creator, that you are not a full-time employee of the publisher.

"I have to sometimes remind publishers that I'm a freelance writer," he said. "I'm not working for them, we're working together, and what I bring to the table is valuable."

At the same time, he said, you should conduct yourself in a professional manner, and remember why you entered into this business relationship.

"Be a businessman," he said. "Be a polite businessman. Be firm. Learn how to count your money. Learn how to husband your resources, and know that you're the one that needs to get the book out there. Treat your publisher as a method of doing that.

"If your publisher is a black-hearted pirate – and there's been a few – find a way to disengage and go somewhere else."

Understand the consequences of your actions

In conclusion, Willingham noted that if you do have problems with your publisher, and find yourself going head-to-head with them over a business dispute, "you'd better be creative in the way that you enforce it."

The reason, he said, is that conflicts often lead to delayed or cancelled books. And if that happens, the blame is likely to fall on you.

"Readership and comic shops and all the people waiting on your comic book to come out, they will never assume, 'well the publisher must be doing some shady stuff that's causing this book to not come out,'" Willingham said. "'No, it's 'the artist is lazy, the problem must be with him.'

"You always, always lose that argument with the public. So don't make your ongoing fight with the publisher the battleground on which your readers lose."

Other topics discussed by Willingham include:

* How he got started in the comics industry
* His origins as a comics artist, and how he transitioned to writing
* The grueling pace of a professional comics artist, and how to prepare for it
* How Willingham's work habits have changed over the years
* Collaborating with artists, and how it changes from artist to artist
* The importance of working on projects you love
* How technology has made it easier to break in if you don't live in New York
* Why there are so many gritty and decadent super-hero comic books
* Writing Big Two comics, and working with the continuity of other titles
* Working at Vertigo, and what he feels the publisher looks for in new creators
* How Fables developed over the years, and the amount of plot that was planned out from the beginning
* The development of Fables' prose spin-offs
* The creative process for Fables' covers
* Working with public domain characters, and how closely he hews to the origins of Fables characters
* The upcoming Fabletown and Beyond, and how it came about
* The importance of Mythic Fiction, and where Willingham thinks the genre is headed
* And many more

Creators Workshop Book Club sessions take place every few months, featuring guest writers and artists discussing the craft and art of comics, as well as the business side of things. Additional live Workshop sessions take place every month, giving members real-world knowledge that will help them succeed in their comics career.

There's still plenty of time to sign up before the next session. We hope to see you there.

-- Posted by Paul Allor

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

iFanboy's "Make Comics" Podcast, Episode #44 on "Ending the Partnership"

Posted by Rob Anderson
rob@ComicsExperience.com
Twitter / Facebook

Saturday, February 9, 2013

Special Guests DeConnick & Amanat join the Creators Workshop on 2/19/13!

On next Tuesday February 19, 2013 at 9pm Eastern Time, we'll be discussing Captain Marvel with writer Kelly Sue Deconnick and Marvel editor Sana Amanat during a Comics Experience Book Club live, online session. [Please note rescheduled date.]

In Captain Marvel, the "mightiest" of Earth's Mightiest Heroes is back! Ace pilot. Legendary Avenger. One hundred percent pure bad-^&*. Carol Danvers has a new name, a new mission - and all the power she needs to make her own life a living hell. Witness Captain Marvel in blazing battlefield action that just may change the course of history!

Kelly Sue has worked in the comic book industry for the last decade, writing comics for Marvel such as Osborn: Evil Incarcerated, Rescue, and Sif, as well as Richard Castle's Deadly Storm, with co-writer Brian M. Bendis, for Marvel & ABC.

She also has adapted many manga titles into English, including the English scripts for Kare First Love, Black Cat, Sexy Voice and Robo, and Blue Spring. She lives in Portland with her husband, writer Matt Fraction, and their kids.

Sana was an editor at Virgin Comics, before joining Marvel Comics to edit their "Ultimates" line in 2009.

Recently, she has edited Marvel titles such as Hawkeye, Castle, Dark Tower, Ultimate Comics Spider-Man, Ultimate Comics Iron Man, and Ultimate Comics Ultimates as well as Captain Marvel. She was educated at Columbia University and resides in New York City.

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We're looking forward to a great discussion with our guests!

There's still time to join us at the Creators Workshop before these live sessions. We hope to see you there.

If you want to make comics, write or draw comics, or improve as a comics creator, you'll find like-minded friends and colleagues in our online workshops and courses. We hope to see you there!

Posted by Rob Anderson
rob@ComicsExperience.com
Twitter / Facebook

Thursday, February 7, 2013

2 Slots Left for Intro Writing; All other courses SOLD OUT!

Andy Schmidt's Introduction to Comic Book Writing only has 2 slots left as of this writing. If you want in, you might want to sign up soon.

As of this week, ALL other courses in this round -- Intro to Coloring, Intro to Art, and Lettering & Production are officially sold out!

But we DO have the next round of courses posted for those interested. Sign up for them, OR the upcoming Intro to Comic Book Writing course right here.

PLEASE NOTE: The Intro to Writing class is a required prerequisite for our once-a-year Advanced Class in writing. This will be your last chance to take the Intro course before the Advanced Class is offered this Summer, and we have BIG plans for the Advanced Courses this year. Don't get caught waiting another whole year!

----------------------------------------------INTRODUCTION TO COMIC BOOK WRITING

"For all aspiring comic pros asking for advice on craft/breaking in, I once again highly recommend Andy Schmidt's @ComicExperience courses."

A few years ago, Nick had to move to New York City to take Comics Experience classes (check out his guest blog here to read that tale). But you don't have to move, now that the courses are online. This one will sell out fast!

Introduction to Comic Book Writing with Andy Schmidt
Begins February 13, 2013!

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Our courses are offered LIVE, online, and you can attend from wherever you live. You'll be able to see your instructor and his desktop, interact with your classmates, and discuss your classwork in real time. And you'll be able to communicate with your classmates all week long in a special, dedicated online forum for just you and your class.

We hope to see you in our courses or as part of our Creators Workshop community. Sign up now!

If you want to make comics, write or draw comics, or improve as a comics creator, you'll find like-minded friends and colleagues in our online workshops and courses. We hope to see you there!

Posted by Rob Anderson
rob@ComicsExperience.com
Twitter / Facebook

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Gelatt, Crook, Beaton discuss pacing in Oni's PETROGRAD

The creators of the Oni Press graphic novel Petrograd joined the Comics Experience Creators Workshop recently, for a wide-ranging Book Club discussion covering every aspect of the book's creation.

Petrograd tells the tale of a reluctant British spy stationed in the heart of the Russian empire during the first World War who is handed the assignment of orchestrating the death of the mad monk Grigori Rasputin -- the Tsarina's most trusted adviser and the surrogate ruler of the nation.

During the session, writer Phil Gelatt, artist Tyler Crook, and editor Jill Beaton discussed the deliberate pace and intricate plotting of Petrograd. The story unfolds slowly, and has less overt action than many comics. Gelatt acknowledged that early in the process, he was unsure how readers would react.

"I definitely remember saying to Tyler many, many times, I worry that we're being boring," Gelatt said. "Not because of his artwork, but because of that deliberate pacing. My huge fear for the book was that I hadn't made it gripping enough; that there weren't enough punches, that there wasn't enough violence, before we get to the actual murder (of Rasputin). So I'm glad that the pacing has hit a chord with some readers."

Beaton noted that this pacing was one of the things she appreciated about the project.

"It had that feel of Russian literature to me, and I adored that about this book," she said. "Those silent patches, and it had those periods where the characters are just so quiet, and it was beautiful.

If (Gelatt) had tried to throw more punches in, I would have been very mad."

Crook described Petrograd as being "a large story, with a clear and simple story arc." The story centers around the assassination of Rasputin, and most of the book is a slow build up to that point.

But "simple" does not mean "simplistic." Petrograd drops readers into a dense thicket of characters, each with their own factions and motivations. The slower pace gave Gelatt and Crook time to develop each of these characters, and delve into the complexities of the story.

"I tried to let it be complicated in the way that I thought it should be complicated," Gelatt said.

Crook said he wishes more comics would unfold at a more deliberate pace, and give their stories the space they need.

"That's one of my big criticisms of contemporary storytelling," he said. "They always feel like the reader has to be punched in the face in the first two seconds or they won't keep reading it. I'm sick of getting punched in the face in the first two seconds. I'd rather see a variety of stories being told, and let things develop naturally once in a while."

Other topics discussed included, among others:

* The pitch process for the book
* How the design of the book developed
* Script mechanics, and whether the script was finished before the art began
* Research, for both Gelatt's script and Crook's art
* Marketing the book
* The length of time from receiving a greenlight to being published
* How Gelatt and Crook resolved disagreements

Creators Workshop Book Club sessions take place regularly, featuring guest writers and artists discussing the craft and art of comics, as well as the business side of things. Additional live Workshop sessions take place every month, giving members real-world knowledge that will help them succeed in their comics career.

There's still plenty of time to sign up before the next session. We hope to see you there.

-- Posted by Paul Allor

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

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Wednesday, February 13, 2013

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