Thursday, November 24, 2011

Thanksgiving

     Been tied up this week getting ready for a wedding (not mine) and a comic book auction via phone which was very exciting and I'll cue you all in soon about the behind the scene stuff (as well as more tips on self publishing) about these two fun things.

     But for now I am thankful for health, family, career and...COMICS!  What else did you expect, this is after all a blog about comics.  Well, gotta go, the bird is cooking and I've got more household things to do to get ready for the big day.

     Take care and adopt a comic today!

Monday, November 14, 2011

Publishing Comics

     Yes, besides this blog about comics and the website about comics (not to mention the dozen years or so I wrote a column about comics in the News Herald, I actually do write comics.  No, not for DC or Marvel, but for small press independant companies.  Which is probably how most fans do their writing and publishing now.  But here's a breakdown on things you'll need if you're going to do any publishing on your own.

     Money- Oh yea, it takes it to make it, but nobody wants to do anything for free.  No spec scripts, no spec art and no cut of the pie after sales, so save lots of dough to get this thing off the ground.

     Artists- Somebody to draw them, it is a visual medium after all.  And then there's money because as we just got done stating on the lines above...

     Writers- You do need some even though everyone thinks they are one.  Someone to create scenarios and conversation between characters.  And don't forget the money

     Computer Guy- Someone to scan, fit and make camera ready everything you've written and drawn and make it all go right at the...

     Printer- A compamy or technology to print off 50 or 100 or thousands, whatever the case may be.

     Distribution- I guess the internet is good enough for right now, many creators even produce their wares to go strictly straight to the web (which I've done in the past, check out E-comics gazette) and don't forget the money.

     That's all for now, since I'm getting ready for a comic art auction from Texas.  More in a few days on how a heart operation should NOT have disrupted progress on my newest comics for sale and how two artists DID send me to the hospital.  For right now though...comics: don't get me started!

     Take care and adopt a comic today. 

Monday, November 7, 2011

A Nice Show

     I attended the Geek fest out in Jefferson the other day and had loads of fun.  My friend and artist David Russell was with me as we debuted our two new comic magazines, Bystander Presents #1 as well as The Vampire Gazette #2.

     Our sales were decent but I mostly enjoyed talking to the fans and seeing a lot of the costume contestants.  There was a cool looking Catwoman taking tickets at the door and a female Aquaman that had to be seen to be believed.

     The show overall was nice, but there were not enough comic book dealers for my taste, but as I saw firsthand, there are plenty of geeks to go (many at the show, and I mean this in all sincerity since I suppose I'm one as well) around.  Who knows, maybe next year I'll go in costume myself as either one of my own characters, Batman, (although I'd have to shave my beard and suck in my gut) or as exactly what I am, a smiling, glued together by the medical profession writer.

     Take care and adopt a comic today.

Friday, November 4, 2011

Covention Appearance

     I've got a few new comic books that I created making their debut this weekend.  Come on out to the Jefferson Fairgrounds where I'll be a guest at the Northeast Geek Fest.  You can check out my new releases, pick up an autograph and chat awhile.  I'll be there signing and chatting from 2-5 pm, November 5th.  See you there and don't forget to adopt a comic today.

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

More Sorting Part 2

     Now that Halloween is over I can get back to tips on sorting your comic collection.  We've already been over types of books and sorting by company as well as type of boxes, but let's not forget shelving.  I have both metal shelving (that works pretty well) and wooden.
  
     If you go with wood, remember to get wide enough planks so that the comic boxes don't tip over and onto the floor.  That's already happened to me on more than one occasion with damage to only one comic thank goodness.  With either wood or metal shelves, if they are stacked so many high, make sure there is enough clearance between the top of the box lid and the shelf directly above, after all, you may want to remove a lid and peek into the box without removing the entire box from the shelf.

     Bags are also very important.  The good news about the current type of bags used are that they don't need to be replaced very often if at all.  In the old days every two to four years bags needed to be replaced so as not to turn yellow and gummy, thereby actually damaging the comic it was suppossed to help.  If you collect silver or golden age comics, give every book its own bag.  But newer ones can be stored two or three to a bag.  Remember, Robert Bell, one of the first dealers to sell comic bags back in the late 60's said it best, "If it's worth collecting, it's worth protecting."

     That's it for sorting and storing tips for now.  Maybe later in the month we'll approach this subject again.  Next up I'd like to talk about buying, selling and producing comics.  Of course these subjects I'll save for my next blog in a few days.

     Take care and adopt a comic today.