Posted in: Comics | Tagged: comixology, digital comics, Fred Boulos, Order & Chaos

Opinions and Aspirations

Fred Boulos writes for Bleeding Cool:

"Get out of the business!"

"Who wrote this, a four year old with ADD?"

"You couldn't do any better than tracing over scribbles on a McDonald's kid's place mat?"

"If you're only going to use crayons, why even bother trying?"

Ah, the daggers and roses of your (un)admirers. Everybody's got an opinion, and everyone has a voice they feel should be heard. Justified or not, communication is a good thing. Sometimes you do need to dig deep to find the actual benefit to a comment, and sometimes there just isn't one but for the ultimate hate-on. But then again, maybe that's the comment as well: time to move on to another line of work. No point crying over the past, or 'should ofs' and 'could ofs.' If you're going to put yourself out there, you need to level-set on what feedback you will get: both good and bad. There is always something you can learn and always something you can use to better yourself. You just have to move on from making it personal.

Sure, personal attacks may happen. But that is the easiest to simply ignore as being someone with their own issues. No point in getting upset about it. Comics, like any other art form, is a public endeavor: presented for all to consume (and hate or enjoy). Any feedback means that there is at least an audience.

From an independent's perspective, sometimes the hardest thing is to actually get noticed. In a wide field of options of varying quality, a creator-owned project done under an unknown publishing entity doesn't hit the radar for most to want to comment on, let alone read. Publicity (thank you BC) and marketing help, but it is still an uphill battle, given the preference to go after and review the latest big name cape and tights story.

My comiXology Submit series, Order & Chaos, just released the final issue of its three issue series on October 23. Reaching out to review sites for comments hasn't been easy. I was lucky to receive a few reviews for Issue 1: good, average, and meh. But I valued the opinions and comments they provided. You don't always agree with the feedback; as the creator you will always have a personal bias and can maybe see a bigger picture the reviewer isn't privy to. But the feedback and time taken is definitely appreciated. Any reasonable feedback and comments should be respected: whether it is positive or negative, someone took the time to give you an opportunity to win them over.

But in the absence of official reviews, perhaps something from the perspectives of the main characters:

A Chaotic review:

This team did a kickass job! I mean Issue 1 hit it out of the park! The massiveness of the explosions. The total destruction that was wrought by this one masterful individual – the star, shall we say – that managed to demonstrate the awesomeness of his abilities. When you look at the work this mercenary was capable of, you know he is THE man. The amount of chaos at his disposal, makes every man want to be this man.

Issue 2 got kind of slow with some flowery crap. You know what I mean: "the way" this, "the path" that, "the universe provides" whatever. Give me a break! But Issue 3 upped the levels again with some masterful adrenaline, showing the true face of action. So the whole two thirds of the series was pretty good, and that one issue can give the women what they want.

An Orderly Review:

There must always be a level established between story and art. Something well displayed within this three issue series. From high peaks to somber lows, and to the tantalizing bridges that allowed the reader to soak the immensity of the battle in. The story provided a short, brisk view into another world not experienced by the common individual; from the comedic behavior of a buffoon to the skill of a specialist.

There could be perceived low points due to the loudness of the beginning and ending of the series, due to the brashness and wanton display of destruction of what could be termed a protagonist of the story. But the presence of a neutralizing force with which to return balance was extremely appreciated. Adding a sensible flavor to the madness of such events.

A collaborative review:

Chaos: You told me there would be booze.

Order: I certainly did not. I stated the experience would be intoxicating.

Chaos: There you go again!?! You're lucky I like this sh–

Order: You can't say that. You have to be careful of your language.

Chaos: What the f–

Order: Language!

Chaos: Such a pansy.

Order: Anyway, to the book review. I thought it was an entertaining, if not short, trip to an otherworldly experience. Highlighted by the requisite number of interconnects and surprises. It allowed a greater view into the duality of the universe, while presenting the opportune avenue for introductions and melding of counter ideals. A mix of cacophony and symphony that allowed the reader to experience the balances that nature abides.

Chaos: …

Order: What?

Chaos: Such a fu–

Sorry! Sorry! That wasn't going to work.

Back to the heart of the article.

Thick skin. Thin Skin. A Teflon suit of the highest quality. Not all roses and sunshine are the result of an independent work in the public eye. But for aspiring creators,  the value in hearing varying opinions and sharing ideas should be the main concern for growth. Bettering the craft and the stories..

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