Re: "comics = creator's fantasy"

[reshelved]

I'm on board with the idea that one's fantasy does not necessarily reflect one's feelings or beliefs. However, if you as a comics creator want to write your unexamined fantasy, then you're going to have to stop pretending that your writing is realistic or progressive, and you're going to have to suck it up when people refuse to call it art. And,

Comments

[reshelved]

Absolutely! In most cases, we're not marketing or selling our blogs. We're not doing it for money, we don't have an air of officiality, and we probably aren't paying anyone to make sure we're not making spelling/factual/social errors. We represent only ourselves. There is (and, I think, should be) an entirely different expectation in place.

People who say that our stated opinions should be held to the same standards as professionally published works totally boggle the mind.

[kkglinka]

As both a fan and professional artist, I agree. When I do my own work, for myself, I can do whatever the hell I want. It can be pretty, insipid, pervy or even dark and unsettling. But, when someone contracts me for an artwork, when they pay me, I must be professional. I must please the client, not only for ethical reasons, but because it's their money and they are not obligated to give it to me. There must be a fair exchange, what I want, for what they want, regardless of how I feel about the subject matter (unless it violates my moral ethics in which case I must do the correct thing and reject the contract

[reshelved]

I totally agree with what you're saying, especially:

As the consumers, we are not obligated to pay them, be patient toward them, give them a chance, suck it up, compromise our preferences, or restrict our criticism when a product ostensibly aimed at us fails to appeal. It is their job to get our money, by pleasing the audience.

No one would cut me a break if my work were two weeks late and significantly different than advertised, and it amazes me that we're asked to do that for comics.

It's good to know there are professionals out there who are actually professional. :) I'm always surprised to see how some comics creators condescend to fans. Obviously not everyone, but enough to deplete my good will towards the industry. Other creators--authors, movie-makers, etc.--might not 'get' fans, but I've never seen them make public statements about how whiny or entitled we are, and how we just don't know what we like or will buy anything they put out. And they tend not to perpetuate negative stereotypes about their customers, either.

Re: Comic Professionals

[kkglinka]

*nods* I find much of their behavior very unprofessional. There are a few who do a good job intermingling with their customers, but many lack the political skill, tact, or willingness to see past their sense of rather illusory power. After all, the only thing that makes a creator "big" is customer support, in the end. You mock or deride your customers one too many times... *shrugs*