Wednesday, November 7, 2012

The Indy Commitment





I find myself often wondering why more fans of comics don't read more creator owned titles over series from the Big Two. I know there are some obvious answers like:
 they know the characters, they want to read Spider-Man or Superman or Batman etc. I've heard the argument that people don't want to commit to an indy book if it’s going to just end in the middle of the story. But all the arguments I've heard make me feel that the people who actively shun creator owned titles are just lazy or willfully ignorant comics fans. I don't say this to be combative or derisive, well, maybe I do a little, but committing to independent books is the best thing you can do as a fan of comic books and here's why.  
If you read comic books; you love the infinite possibilities the medium can explore. Literally anything can happen, the limitation being only that of what the creator can imagine. Unless it’s a corporate owned property, then the limit is what Editorial, Legal and Management impose. Independent books allow a creator to fully express their vision, and often time, make a better experience for you as the reader. Still, these books often don't get the recognition, publicity or attention they deserve, and can end prematurely because of it. Readers don't want to commit to a book that will end without notice or resolution. I understand that argument, it’s also the argument for waiting for trade collections, but it’s an argument that feels false to me. A book you enjoy you should buy because you like it. We can’t live in fear of what will come tomorrow and not live for the day.
Another argument I hear is that creator owned books don't have familiar characters or worlds that they know like the super hero universes of the Big Two. To me, this is an argument for creator owned books, not against.  Sure it’s more work getting to know new characters and new worlds but at the same time it’s a brand new place to explore and learn about.  Isn't discovery core to the enjoyment of visual and written media?
I don't want to make this a post about how mainstream books are bad and independent books are good. There is good to be found in both places. I think independent books often require more commitment than mainstream books, but it’s a commitment that often comes with bigger and better rewards too. Do yourself a favor and do the work to find these books. Your imagination will thank you for it!




11 comments:

  1. Refusing to buy a comic because you're worried it might end is like refusing to date because you're afraid of getting dumped. Sure, you might be avoiding some heartache, but you will also miss out on a lot of good sex.

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    1. I know! Yet i see that argument all the time. Boggles my mind.

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  2. You write about giving indie comics a chance as Galactus looms over your words. Real independent spirit there. You even spelled "independent" wrong in your tweet about this post.

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    1. Thanks for catching the misspelling, serves me right for not double checking! Maybe I didn't make it clear that my point isn't that one should give up mainstream books for creator owned ones, but that more people should give non-mainstream titles more of a chance. I personally have a lot of love for Marvel & DC books, especially of the past, but for myself, always find the creator owned stuff to be the most rewarding. In any case, thanks for reading.

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  3. That was a pretty douchey comment. I am aware, by the way, that douchey isn't a word. At the end of the day Aaron puts his money where his mouth is, ask for a copy of his pull-list, it is dominated by creator-owned titles with only a handful from Marvel and DC.

    Now that the troll has been slain, we can actually talk about what we're supposed to be talking about, independent comics. With new readers I know it can be difficult at times to make the jump to creator-owned titles because it's so different than the superhero fare we're fed by DC and Marvel that it's paralyzing. It wasn't until I got on Twitter and starting reading conversations about indie books that I began to have any real interest in them, and then I finally decided to see if I could stomach a comic that didn't have a superhero in it. As it turns out they are much better than anything produced by the Big 2.
    But then again, I could just be on the road to becoming a jaded and picky old man like Aaron...

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    1. If i didn't have social media, mainly Twitter id have a very hard time finding out about the books I enjoy the most now. But for the younger generation its probably easier and more accessible than ever to find out about books outside of Marvel or DC. Its really a great day and age to be a comic book reader.

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  4. Aaron and Cody,

    O.K., fine, I'll be the indie lover and mainstream curmudgeon. I wrote this a few months back

    http://interestedinsophisticatedfun.blogspot.com/2012/04/column-weve-established-that_30.html

    and I haven't looked back yet! I think what Aaron is doing here is stating an opinion, it's a blog and everyone's got one, opinions that is. I think when it comes to any genre niche there is going to be a lot A LOT of passion. Comics are almost (almost) a non-mainstream entertainment, not quite as mainstream as movies or television, but not ... I don't know, pick one, stamp collecting(?), blind archery (?), 1800's British pornography (?). The more you get into reading comics, I think one's natural inclination is to try something besides superheroes, it's natural ... especially if you like action/adventure kinds of stories. You may leave, you may come back, either way it's comics. Also, because comic books are often connected to one's youth there is an overwhelming indolence of nostalgia. That's good and bad and yet, comics are still there. It's funny to me that one the one hand, comics are so disposable and on the other so memorable and so ... collectible. There's a lot of chaff out there, lotta' wheat too it's up to the individual to decide. FWIW, if you asked me, indie is the way to go ... then again if you want to hug a corporation. Whoops! What am I saying! ;-) (this comment was NOT spellchecked) which IMHO Aaron, you probably should have done that ... they have computers for those sorts of things.

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  5. I wonder how many indie comics dear Thoom reads...just saying.

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  6. I have to admit, even though I'm indie comic creator, I don't immerse myself in indie books. It is much more difficult to find them, but I really liked your thoughts on it. I love picking up books that are really fun, and as a fan of Silver Age, I do enjoy the one-story issue, so I have no qualms in picking up a comic just for an issue and have fun reading it. Fun is probably the number 1 quality I look for when I just want to pick up a book. I think I'll make more of an effort seeking out indie books. Nice article. It game me something to chew on.

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  7. So I was thinking. If I'm getting into comics and I start with Big 2, or even Big 3 as I see just as many Image comics on the racks...so I pick up some Brubaker Captain America and it's great! So then Brubaker puts out his own creator owned titles. This guy isn't an unknown, he's well established in his skill, I know, or the new book will probably be well done - to amazing. \


    I use Brubaker but the same goes for the BIG names in comics.

    So I pick up his indie book. That's great, he's a well paid comics writer. But what about small Truly Independent books? Like the Walking Dead, I'm pretty sure is considered indie...although I don't agree. It's a massive franchise.

    Unless that doesn't matter. So the question is - should there be a distinction in Indie titles/series, or is it all under the same banner? I can be hip and say I buy Image, I support Indies - and to a degree that's true, but BKV's Saga, although technically Indie, is going to sell well...it's BKV!

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    1. well because a creator owned book is successful doesn't make it lose its cred. Its the same with music. Im happy when a book like The Walking dead, which started out with a tiny print run and almost didnt get published is now hugely successful. Still even on its biggest selling issue it sells half the issues that Batman does. The "Big Two" are still hugely important to comics, creators often love to write for them and do their indy books. It gets them a name in both worlds. Good comics are good comics and whatever gets creators money, recognition and fame is good in my opinion.

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