The Disagreement

[i_am_aquaman]

My friend Nic and I were talked for quite a few hours tonight about creativity and its purpose.  We both have aspirations of creating original comic books, and in while fleshing out my story tonight, and bouncing ideas off of him, we got into an argument about the creative process.  I'll delve into the argument in a second, but first some

Comments

[perfect_drug]

Sounds to me like Nic wants it to be a career for him and want to do it as (please don't take this the wrong way) a hobby or something enjoyable for you in your spare time perhaps? that would be the difference for me - if i'm going to try and make a living off a project then yes need to do some catering to the huddled masses if it's art for art's ( and my) sake who cares if any one else likes it.

That being said when you get it going ..... i'd like to see it =)

[i_am_aquaman]

Nic does want a career out of his stuff, I would like one, but I'm too focused on current job(more realistic) to see that be an eventuality. It'd be nice, but definitely not my goal, I'm just trying to actually create something, and say, hey, I created that. If it takes me places, I'll go there. And I think the not expecting/hoping for a career from this is more freeing creatively, because it gives me the opportunity to do it my way, rather then my way but conformed to some standard of public acceptance.

[perfect_drug]

=) that's kinda what i thought art for art and artist pleasure is great in omho

[theoldone]

An artist creates because he must,

Comic books are successful or not because of marketing, and story/art. The target audience must be engaged quickly, and the story must hold their interest (Terry Moore does this very well). The quality if the art needs to support the work and match the story-line (You could point to almost any of the Arctic Comics line here to see what succeeds and what fails).

Finally, as your readers age and become more sophisticated, the themes need to evolve to keep them engaged (while still drawing in new ones).

Good luck!

[i_am_aquaman]

And that's the thing I've come to realize, is that I have an audience for this book. It's not an audience that is unspoken for, but if I pull this off right, I think the normal super hero group will gravitate towards the book.

The art thing....that's another story. I have a tentative artist, but since we're at the beginning of the process it's too early to tell.

I just got to try to hold up my end, and hope that I'll find the right person to hold up theirs.

[randomdream]

I think usually the creative impulse is pure. The act of creation, however, tends to get bogged down in the artist/author's insecurities and perception of what they think the audience might want or dislike

[i_am_aquaman]

Much of what I would reply here I replied to perfect_drug. I understand that I need to find the audience, but I think the I will let the audience find me (not in marketing terms, more metaphorical). I'm trying to write something I would enjoy, and I think something in this vein, that I would enjoy, would be enjoyed by like-minded readers. Or at least that's the plan.

[opheliasavalon]

I think you should punch Nic in the face and write your damn comic book.

[i_am_aquaman]

I think you have quite a mouth on you.