It’s been a few weeks since San Diego Comic-Con, my first convention as a comic book writer, not as a professional, but as someone who is decided to write comics for the rest of his life.
For the past year and a half, I’ve attended conventions with two intentions. One is to enjoy myself like a child, soaking in every nerd thing I can find. Connect with my passion, discover a new love, and confirm again that I love comics, movies, series, toys, action figures, cosplay, and a long list of etcetera.
The second is to learn and essentially build my career. Conventions, particularly huge ones such as San Diego, are a place to connect with other creators, learn from them in person or through panels, and spark the creative side by seeing all the people making big moves in the industry. Getting inspired by them and hopefully getting some of their magic in your clothes.
So, here are five lessons I learned during the convention that helped me grow as a creator and professional.
A Public Relations and Marketing Lesson by Todd McFarlane
Anyone that knows Todd knows he is a master of marketing, a skill so important when selling your comics and yourself as a creator, especially right now when self-publishing is on the rise, where you need to market yourself, or nobody will notice you.
At SDCC, the whole Spawn universe had its own booth on the show floor, adjacent to Image Comics, and on Preview Night, we lined up there to buy some cool Spawn exclusives. While waiting in line, the ToddFather appears to say hello to everyone waiting, showing how much he cares for his fans. Everyone is surprised and happy to meet the man responsible for the creations they are lining up to purchase.
Todd stuck around, and I found him later and got a chance to talk to him, one on one. He has a charm and is so passionate; he told me stuff I would treasure forever, such as saying that in 5 years, I will be kicking him out off the stage on a panel at SDCC, which I answered by saying it would be an honor to share a panel with him. He then says he is excited for younger creators to take on comics, and he is excited for me and my work. I’ve met Todd a couple of times in the past, and he has always treated me excellently.
Showing your authentic self, talking to people, whether industry pros, newcomers, or fans, and engaging in the conversations is a great well for people to know and trust you and your work. And Todd is a master at doing it.
An International Feeling by Pepe Larraz
I was at the Spanish Artists panel, and at some point, Pepe Larraz, along with Belen Ortega and Alvaro Martinez Bueno, talked about feeling to need to prove themselves, time and time again, as they are coming from a different country to work in the United States. People who have worked in the Big Two still need to prove themselves. They also discussed the struggles of working for a different culture and language and how that contributes to the need to show your value, even when you have proven it before. With each delivery you make, you worry about if this is the time they fire you.
Although not the happiest, this reflection resonated and showed me that this feeling needs to change in the industry as more and more people from outside North America come to create comic books. I will actively fight for it when making my books and encouraging other creators to join the industry.
How to Stop a Writer’s Block by Scott Snyder
In the Horror Comics panel, Scott answered an audience question on how to exit writer's block with great thought. He said that writer's block, in simple, is feeling that what you write next will suck, so you stop doing it.
And his advice was to do it! Write lousy stuff because if you put what you want to find on the shelves and put yourself on the page, that bad stuff will become good, and you will find your audience. Although idealistic, it's the advice I received when becoming a writer. "Just do it" goes a long way, as we tend to limit ourselves and condition our stories, but the truth is that everyone has different stories to tell, so putting them out there is the first step to becoming a pro. Other strategies for writer's block, such as taking time off, or going for a walk, are good, but not if they stop you from writing for many days because the idea is that you continue.
So don't be afraid to write because everyone who writes is a writer. The only way you are not a writer is if you stop writing.
The Importance of Communication by Liana Kangas and Sarah Gailey
I attended the panel on creator's collaboration, where Liana and Gailey told the story of their partnership in Know Your Station and how they became great friends after working together.
Elizabeth Brei, the editor and the one who united this duo, told how she pitched Liana as the artist without Gailey knowing, even organizing a three-people call before Liana was chosen for Know Your Station. It was enjoyable; both learned about each other and started admiring each other.
I found this wholesome because working with people you admire is fantastic. Admiring not only each other as people but their work. Each of them said that they thought the other one was so cool, and they were worried they would say something to make the other stop being friends with them. This match made in heaven (Thanks, editor) is something every creator should aspire to.
The panel featured tips for writers, such as asking your artist how they like their scripts, having calls with them and the editor to coordinate the work, and constantly communicating, which were vital for their workflow. With coordination and good communication, writers can make artists' jobs easier and vice versa.
Jimmy Stamp’s Epic Run
Eisner Award-nominated writer Jimmy Stamp is a student of Scott Snyder’s comic-creating class. His first comic was published last year, a fantastic 4-page story in the Tales from the Cloakroom anthology that earned him an Eisner nomination and his first SDCC panel appearance next to creators such as Scott Snyder and Rodney Barnes. Jimmy handled it like a pro. Also, I had the pleasure of speaking to him, and he’s a standout guy. Despite everything he has achieved, he remains one of Scott’s students, is easily approachable, and is open to collaborating with friends.
Jimmy’s incursion into the comic book industry is a dream for aspiring creators, and seeing him maintain his humility and stay as “one of us” is a lesson in handling success. It makes me glad that Jimmy’s work is getting this recognition.
There’s much more to this, and I’ll continue to share them when I think of them and use them in my work.
Finally, I’m glad about this convention because I feel part of the industry. I get to talk to people I once would have called colleagues, but I now get to call friends, and I’m slowly finding my place in comics. I’ve always struggled to get into new friend groups and new environments, but comic books are different. One of the reasons this is my passion is because of the people that build this industry. The vast majority are well-intentioned, welcoming people who want to see everyone succeed in making their little stories. And that’s precisely where I want to be.
Thanks for sharing these insights from San Diego! It sounds like such an amazing weekend, I’m hoping to go there next year. I got to talk to Liana Kangas at C2E2 for a bit, they’re very friendly. Looking forward to your panel with Todd McFarlane someday! 😄
Great tips! Glad you had a great time.