Velvet Goldmine.

Why is there no Entertainment Weekly of comics? Or People? Or Vanity Fair? Why don't we have magazines that are desperately interested in where Warren Ellis goes for lunch, or the new Vegan attitude adopted by the staff of Dreamwave, or even a startling expose on the cult-like surroundings of the CrossGen comics "compound". Why is our coverage of the comic industry focussed entirely on the product, and not at all on the people producing the product? Why do comics have it ass-backwards again?

I've just watched the movie "Velvet Goldmine". I unfortunately missed it when it was out in theatres, and as such was not privy to the fantastic sound score being played at full blast is stereo-surround. What I have learned from this movie, is that image and appearance, particularly in the field of entertainment, are very very important. I mean, I think we all already knew this either consciously or not, but it took seeing Ewan McGregor naked covered in sparkles and fire, and Jonathan Rhys-Meyers in fantabulous Bowie-like getup being shot in the stomach for it to really register just how important spectacle is in entertainment. And how little true spectacle exists in comic books.

That comics-media focus primarily on the craft as opposed to the crafter, is just part of the problem. It's no secret that this industry treats it's creative people horridly. Yes, that's treats, and not treated. Anyone reading the rant that Wizard re-printed this month featuring Grant Morrisson railing against DC Editorial will instantly get a clear picture of just how badly creative people are treated by those in "executive" positions.

Comics creations are just treated as if they sprung, full-formed from the ether into the coffers and records of whatever company copyrights it first. Spider-man's parents aren't Stan Lee and Steve Ditko, they're Marvel Comics Characters Inc. (all rights reserved).

And the rest of the industry just plays along with this, including the media, the fans, the corporations, and the creators themselves. Neil Adams was vilified for going to the wall for creators rights, by fellow creators. Image comics was actively derided at it's inception because of their notion that artists should get the lion's share of the financial and creative credit for their work, and not their bosses. The only person the creative industry has actually been able to successfully rally around is Jack Kirby, and that's only because the true extent of his creative efforts is entirely un-debatable. I mean, Jack Kirby's Fourth World, for heaven's sake.

The most obvious question is why would anyone play along with this sick little game? Why wouldn't creators not want to be thought of vital, important people with something to show the world? And why doesn't the comics media cover them as such? Is it fear of losing their jobs, or company contacts? Is it because they really aren't very interesting? Or are the majority of comics creators producing self-indulgent wank material (read: superheroes) that belies the fact that they are, in fact, self-indulgent wankers?

To quote Mike Wieringo from an interview at PopImage last month, "... one thing that I've learned from this industry if I've learned ANYTHING is that folks in this business have short memories." I very seriously doubt anyone criticizing Marvel for screwing Jack Kirby is going to be worried about losing their jobs, particularly if they have a measure of talent. And as for not being very interesting, some of our best and brightest have been covered outside of the comics industry. Grant Morrisson, Garth Ennis, Neil Gaiman, Alan Moore, and Warren Ellis himself have all been under the spotlight in entertainment and fashion magazines. To look at their standing in the comics media though, one would think that they were almost pariahs in their own industry.

So is the answer that the majority of comics creators are just big wankers? ... I don't want to believe this. Parts of me are tugging away, saying "of course they are! You know it, we all know it!". Little parts of me are feeling pretty wankerish themselves, admittedly. I think on some level in all comics creators, there is a tiny little feeling that they're working in an invalid medium, and that's why a great many artists and writers are dumpy people, tousled hair and glasses and all. An industry of low self-respect and an atmosphere of general self-loathing.

So what's the answer?

Perhaps, "so what?". I mean, we've existed as a fringe industry with no style and little real professionalism for years now, why bother getting up and dolling ourselves up now? Because, as I see it, we're very much nearing the end of the comic industry, as it stands. It's all going to come crashing down very soon, as far as I can tell, and what it builds itself up into out of the ashes is of vital importance to everyone who wants to make a different industry.

Do we want a wankerish little inbred fandom, producing %90 superhero work that is only sold in "special" stores? Do we want an industry that exists only online, a true triumph of commerce over artist, where the product is the only vital part of the equation? Or, do we want an industry where the people that produce these outstanding works of art are just as important as the work they produce? Where they can become the Superstars they deserve to be?

And the answer is?

Pride. Pride. Pride in a well-done piece of work, pride in ability, pride in yourself. Take our collective cues from every other misunderstood and put-upon minority group on the face of the planet, and demonstrate the pride you have in your work and yourself.

Do Not go to your comic convention in your Batman T-shirt and a pair of shorts, hair badly-mismanaged, glasses woefully out of fashion, and sweatingly sign autographs for 4 and a half hours.

Do Not let Wizard photographers take pictures of you playing your Dreamcast and further, don't talk about how you much prefer your Dreamcast to comics.

Do Not apologize for the work you do. You are a storyteller, or an artist, or a colour designer. You're not a "writer" or an "inker" or a "separator". You are a vital part of the creation of art

Watch acceptance, attention, and accolades come calling.

Pride does not also (have to) mean pretension. It doesn't mean you have to attend industry functions in an Andy Warhol wig and a feather boa, screaming catch phrases like "You look fabulous darling!". I mean, if that's just who you are, go to it, but the appearance of professionalism and self-respect are not negative things, and attempts at either shouldn't be derided by the industry at large.

So that's it, it's fairly simple. We just have to start treating ourselves as valid, important people. People that add beauty and culture to the world. No matter what level of the industry you're in, from fan to editor, treat your involvement in comics as something that is both important and worthwhile. Because, as Velvet Goldmine has taught us, people will believe in the images that they are presented.

And Image is Everything.

Christopher Butcher
In his Pajamas at 5:30 on a weekday.
February, 2000

Christopher Butcher is Columns Editor of PopImage.

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