Believe in YOUR Passion - the Comic Life

Is it just me or does it seem like 2014 has taken wings and flew on by!  Looking at a calendar is almost scary now.  I remember a time when hours seemed like decades and now it is the opposite.  We hear all the time that we live in a fast paced world.  What is crazier - is when you live in a fast paced industry.  Would we want it any different? 

 The comic book industry has sprouted its wings and has taken flight as well.  It is "cool" to like comics.  "GEEK" is a household AND acceptable word.  Sister industries are jumping on the comic band wagon, and pop culture is as fruitful as it has ever been.  

It is a good time to love art.  To love great story telling.  It is a good time to WANT to be apart of something bigger.  I can not say anything that has not already been said, but it is a good time to have a passion.  To believe in a cause -or rather YOUR cause.  

Take a moment and think why you are involved in this industry.  Whether you are a creator, a provider, or someone who just love the fruits of comic labors.  Translate this into your daily life.  Live for something.

Stories have been told, however the best stories are yet to come.  Why? Because we live in a daily life that allows us to believe that passion for what we love is "OK"...and that my friends - is a beautiful thing.

So take a bit of advice from those characters we have come to love and allow to be a part of our life:

"It's not who I am underneath, but what I do that defines me."

—Batman (Batman Begins)

"The future is worth it. All the pain. All the tears. The future is worth the fight." 

—Martian Manhunter (Martian Manhunter #1,000,000)

"The real crime would be not to finish what we started."

—Doctor Octopus (Spider-Man 2)

"The greatest power on Earth is the magnificent power we all of us possess... the power of the human brain!"

—Professor X (Uncanny X-Men #2)

"But everyone's story begins once upon a time, and it's up to us to cherish the time we're given to ensure we live happily ever after."

—Scarlet Witch (Avengers Fairy Tales)

Marvel Phase 3 Reading

Marvel Phase 3 has just been announced - and that is already old news.  It is curious, that in the comic industry we are constantly bombarded with announcements and "New" that we hardly have time to digest any information we get.   It all flies by so fast.  What is really freaky is that Marvel Phase 3 will be here before we know it.

As I was looking at all the movies that were announced, I noticed a social media question that was posed  - "What is the reading order for Marvel Phase 3?"

I am a huge literacy - lets get those kids reading comics - buff, so I immediately posed the question on my social media.  Not much response. All in all, it is hard to know what angle the movie industry will take with the iconic story lines, however - a story arc is a story arc.  

I believe this is a fantastic opportunity to get some awareness out there.  Get the reading lists in libraries and schools.  Market a movie by marketing the story and the fundamental need to read the story first.

With this being said, I am going to dive into my research.  Alas, I would love some input in this endeavor.  If you have suggestions, please post here or email me at geekselixir@gmail.com

Lets make a list!  Lets get some comics in some kids hands!

Bittersweet Comic Book Love

Bittersweet: sweet with a bitter aftertaste.

This is actually the best word I can think of when I read comic books. I thoroughly love the feeling of getting my hands on a comic that is rich in visual images, flawless in storytelling, and the gutters that pull me even deeper into the story.  

Then - it happens.  The last panel, the last image, the last word balloon...and then the three words I hate: TO BE CONTINUED!

I am suddenly jerked back into reality- and if I am reading a current issue - I momentarily spasm with anticipation for the story to continue.  Being a research fanatic, I immediately scour for updates and issue news all the while mentally willing the next issue to be available.  The feeling of sorrow usually sets in when I realize I have to wait a week, a couple of weeks, or god forbid a MONTH! 

The question I want to pose is WHY?  Why do we do this to ourself?  What is this magical allurement that comic books can have over us?  

For a while I decided to wait for story arcs to play out and then buy the trades as soon as they were available.  Then I would binge read until my eyes were bleary and panels and gutters turned into one full page.

Although this was satisfying my "everything or nothing", "fight or flight" emotions - I still had the same aftertaste of  - really, no more?  

I have come to finally accept that comic books just do it for me.  I love the stories.  Especially the background tales of how subjects came into fruition, the interactions between characters, and how the hero may or may not save the day.  I love the art and how colors can play an impact on an emotion in the story.  I love the idea of lettering and placement of word balloons and how they subtly make or break a comic books flow.  In general, I love the world I get pulled into through a comic book.

We have all experienced that magical feeling as a child when we knew Christmas or a birthday was just around the corner.  The anticipation was relentless.  As an adult, I have like many others, lost that humble innocence of excitement and anticipation during these events.  That feeling of waking up everyday and thinking, "YES only X amount of days left."  I guess in a way, when I read comic books it taps into these long lost emotions.  Because of this, I actually really enjoy the bittersweet words - "to be continued". 

Ludicrous Speed Is How I Roll

It has officially been (1) year since I posted on this blog.  "Holy air tight alibi" - the time has flown by faster than the Flash on coffee.  A lot has happened and I have succeeded at incorporating the comic industry into every nook and cranny of my life! Do not get me wrong, I love this, however when I dream of super hero battles (who would win scenarios) and in a fevered sweat think I see the Green Goblin hovering above me...I may need to re-evaluate my saturation level.

Seriously, the comic industry has made me very happy.  I do travel at times at "ludicrous speed" (thank you Spaceballs for amazing quotable phrases) at many cons however, I would feel as if a part of me was ripped away if I could not be in the thralls of the excitement.

I get asked a lot of questions while I am at cons regarding "comic conventions" and how to market and advertise.  After addressing several questions on a personal level I came to a couple conclusions:

1. I am no expert, however I have seen first hand what works and does not work.

2. What seems obvious to me in marketing and production of comic conventions is NOT obvious to everyone.

3. I have a blog I am not using correctly! 

4. I need a doppelganger.

With these thoughts in mind, I have decided to start adding some tips and tricks that I have found really seem to kick the tires and light the fires in the comic industry.

My hope is to eventually bring world peace, alas I will be happy with a smile and a thank you if my meager knowledge seems to help anyone. 

Look for upcoming regular updates.
Until then know that I am She-Ra in training.

Reflections on NYCC 2012: The Fix YOU Need!

New York Comic Con 2012 - Is absolutely more than an event, it is an affair.  It is a time where everyone that everyone buys their tickets (and in advance I might add since it sold out this year months before) and puts on their best straight jackets for one heckuva crazy and wild time!

It just does not get better than this! 

While scanning the net for stats and numbers of the final count of attendees it looks as if NYCC is going to explode out at estimations around 115,000 in attendance.  And let me just say with a few times of having to travel and wait in line for broken escalators it felt that way.  However, I do live in denial, a happy place full of sunshine and rainbows so I decided that it was all good! 

When looking back - NYCC started in 2006 and boasted of an attendance of 33,000 the numbers this year choose to stand out at best.  In 2011, NYCC completed a successful year with 105,000 and many pats on the back.  This year as the booths were closing and fans were exiting there were rumors that NYCC might, just might, begin to rival its west coast foe SDCC! A style statement of the comic book world if there ever was one! 

The layout of the show was phenomenal in my opinion. However, I am a bit OCD and I like organization to a "T". Hence my intense love of reading within the gutter! (sorry taking a moment to laugh at my own jokes.) 
First and foremost, I want to address the placement of "Artist Alley".  The alley was a few 1000 square feet shy of an alley at best and was at the opposite end of the first floor of the of the convention center.  Professionally speaking, I believe this was a great decision. There was some hesitation in the air at first, however after the first full day (Friday) when the show floor was so packed that FLASH himself would just give up on speed, the separation was welcomed. 

Artist Alley was a breathe of fresh air - literally! The crowds still thronged however, and when they did, it was with purpose. It was nice to also have all artists and creators in one area. Because lets face it, less is better in what universe?

The show floor...The wonder of wonders. The area where crazy and "can it get any better than this" fall into the same category!  Booths from new literature, showcases for new games from Nintendo, Wii U, Saga, Playstation, Zombie U, New Super Mario Bros., and many more were available. Tomb Raider provided an amazing demo as well as Hitman and Sony provided demos for God of War.  Great comic book icons represented such as Marvel, DC, Vertigo, Image, Dark Horse, IDW and several up and coming.

Cosplay, professional and homemade were all welcome and enjoyed. This is a place were everyone celebrates and enjoys that everyone is insane and we love it!  From Sci-Fi, to gaming, to superheroes, to noir, to horror, to the LEGO's fanatics, to collectors, to action figures galore, there is just something for everyone and we celebrate our love of it.

Unfortunately, I did not get to as many panels as I wanted to, however the panels I did get to go to were fantastic well organized very informative.

All in all, I walked away knowing that cultivating and keeping my inner child alive for so many years has been a good thing.  Comic Cons are good for that.  There are too many serious topics that need immediate addressing on a day to day basis.  It is easy to forget that once in a while to set in the motion the FIX you NEED. To feed your inner child.

Up next...Marketing Tips in the Comic Book Industry - its multidimensional!

And Off We Go...

and off we go...
to begin with this is me:

ok, haha, behind the mask this is me:

and me with what I LOVE:

I am a geek through and through. 
Have been my whole life. 
From cartoons, comics, computers, code, sci-fi, action figures, gaming, to even having a fetish with words! 

The comic industry has always been a home away from home for me. Always beckoning me to come back whenever I have swayed in another direction or galaxy far away.

I recognize, appreciate, and am enamored by talent.  Especially the talent of artists who draw, ink, color, letter, and write story lines and arcs. These artists who work together, create visually stimulating worlds for all genres because they love what they do - and it shows. 

I truly love working within this industry. 
It is gritty.  
It is real. 
The art is raw
The writing is fresh.
The creations are never ending. 
The fans are forever loyal. 
There is opportunity and acceptance for anyone who wishes to just belong.

What I hope to accomplish with this blog is to share some of my knowledge that I have accumulated over 13 years regarding Marketing and Research, as well as spotlight some great artists and writers, be an ongoing source of information and commentary for the industry, review and keep updates handy, of course highlight funny incidentals, and finally keep comics the essential focus of all that is entailed.  

After all, "The whole world is watching us now.  We must be nothing less than fabulous." -Emma Frost, New X-Men