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Sep

23

Calling All Independent Comic Book Creators

Filed Under Filipino Artists, Philippine Comics | 9 Comments

Reno Maniquis mentioned this in the comments section, and I think it’s worthwhile to write a whole post about it here. Sterling Publishing is calling for a meeting of all you young comic book creators tomorrow (September 24, Monday) afternoon at 3:00pm at the Sterling office in Ortigas. I’m not sure where this is, so ask around.

Additionally, Reno says that the comic books will be under a different editorial group than the one set up for the Caparas Komiks titles. Well, I can pretty much confirm that because one of my best buddies will be involved editorially.

I am not sure why the decision was reached to create a second line of comics created by younger guys, but I think this is great! I had assumed that the younger creators would be integrated into the 5 existing Caparas Komiks titles, but to give them a line of their own is, I think, TERRIFIC.

I have spoken a lot to Sterling business manager Martin Cadlum, and I know that he’s very much into comics, and he is very enthusiastic and driven. And with him backing these comics, like the ones under Carlo J, I’m certain these will find success as well.

I do have some advice, albeit unsolicited, to everyone who would be attending and to all who would eventually join. This is just advice, I hope you give an ear, but feel free to do what you decide.

This is a new and different time for the industry. Many of the things that were not available to creators of yesterday are now available to you. You are now in possession of many rights to your work, including rights to your original art, rights to own your creations, rights to co-credit with writers who will be creating characters and stories with you. If these are not present, you can insist on them. This is the time to do it because if you don’t ask for them now, it will be much harder to get later on.

Please watch the one hour documentary “In Search of Steve Ditko” in the earlier post below because it’s very important, specially now. I hope it can further enlighten you in your respective positions as comic book creators and the responsibility you have towards your collaborators.

Think with your head and not with your heart. It’s easy to be swayed to accept things you would not normally accept if you’re in the thick of things. Think very hard about what you are getting yourself into. Know what you are worth as an artist and don’t sell yourself short. Read a further article about protecting yourself here.

Know about the significance of the Intellectual Property Law or the RA 8293 with regards to comic book creators here.

This a great opportunity for everybody, specially you younger guys to finally show everyone what you’ve got. These aren’t going to be read by 50,100, or 500 people. They will be read all across the Philippines, and even abroad by hundreds of thousands of people. Just think about that. These people will be looking at YOUR WORK. Make sure this is work that you will be proud to show off as YOUR accomplishment.

I’ve written a lot about the search for your own art style as an artist, so I won’t repeat it here. But it’s something worth thinking about.

Do your best, do your damndest, and do that story and that art like it’s the last thing you will ever do. Think of every piece of art as a legacy of YOU as an artist. What would you want that piece of art to tell readers of history about you?

Let’s show the older generation that komiks is in good hands and they have nothing to either worry about, or be threatened about.

That said, good luck to everyone!

Comments

9 Responses to “Calling All Independent Comic Book Creators”

  1. Reno on September 23rd, 2007 7:02 pm

    Thanks for spinning this off into it’s own post, Gerry. :)

  2. Jonathan on September 24th, 2007 7:42 am

    I just read this. I hope I can be there. I’m already at the office. bigla kasing nag-strict sa lates and undertime.

  3. Reno on September 24th, 2007 11:19 am

    Oftentimes here in the Philippines it’s the writer who gets sole credit, leaving the artist as just a “hired hand.” But in the case of Batman, the shoe was on the other foot. Interesting read below…

    http://www.dialbforblog.com/archives/389/

  4. Nerp on September 24th, 2007 11:28 am

    ok sana ito, kaso laging hassle na lang ang pag set ng time. di tuloy makapunta yung mga may day job. sana kahit mga 5 oclock para undertime lang ng 1 hr(pero malaki pa rin kaltas) or habol ng 6.

  5. Gio Paredes on September 24th, 2007 12:14 pm

    I have just this today. Nasa office na ako. The good thing is our office are at along emerald ave. ortigas. The bad news is, I don’t know the exact address. Could anyone pls. post the exact address here?

  6. Reno on September 24th, 2007 12:55 pm

    Heto ang address…

    Sterling Publications
    5th floor, Raffles Bldg.
    Emerald St., Ortigas Center

  7. Gio Paredes on September 24th, 2007 1:12 pm

    Nag punta ako sa PKMB.

    5th floor. Raffles blgd.
    Emerald ave.

    I agree with Nerp. Maraming major indie players ang hindi makakapunta dahil sa schedule. It was only pure luck na walking distance lang ang office namin papunta sa sterling. Pero kakapalan ko pa rin ang mukha ko sa boss ko. Tatakas kasi ako dito eh.. :-)

  8. Ed on September 24th, 2007 7:08 pm

    I live in Ortigas Center…pero di ako pupunta, coz I have tons of work. Makiki-uzi lang sana sa usapan, but I’m not going to join kung anuman ang pag-uusapan.

    Sana naman kung anuman ang maging plano at kung matuloy, sana well-treated ang mga new writers and artists. Sana ganun na rin sa mga nauna ng nai-publish ang trabaho.

    :)

    -ed

  9. mojacko on September 25th, 2007 2:44 pm

    hi gerry,
    check out my re-imagination of zuma on my blog
    http://mojackosworld.blogspot.com
    wala lang for fun lang.