Are you not enthused???
Comic Reviews for week ending 11/6/2022
Good morning, my friend,
The Big 2 (Marvel and DC) are the big names comic readers will recognize in Western comics, but small publishers and indie creators are slowly gaining traction. As the indies grow, there’s a common problem I see creators making over and over again - a lack of public enthusiasm for what they’re creating.
Before we dig into today’s topic, a quick announcement. We’re looking at reviving our YouTube channel with short videos (Check out the channel here). What kind of content would you like to see in a quick 60-second video released a few times a week?
If you don’t see an option you like, feel free to add your thoughts in the comments. Your input is greatly appreciated. Thank you!
Back to the topic…
I know, I know. Creators are famously introverted, so putting yourself out there as a creator can be an uncomfortably tall order.
Get over it.
What’s the dream? The dream for many indie creators is to make comics full time, or maybe score an option deal to have one or more comics adapted into another medium ala film or animation. In reality, the chances of an option are slim when you look at the percentage of published materials that make that leap, but dreams help you believe the impossible is possible.
A dream needs fuel to become a reality, and that fuel is enthusiasm. Success in sales can only come when a creator has a significant base of enthusiastic customers. For customers to get excited, they first need to see that excitement from the creator.
What does that mean? That means talking about your comic at every opportunity. Attend live streams, make social media posts, publish articles, and do everything you can to get your comic front and center to the eyeballs of anyone who might be remotely interested in your story.
There’s a marketing school of thought that says you should spend more time marketing your product than it takes to make your product. How much more? That depends on whether or not the creator has an existing fanbase. If you already have fans, marketing time is easier. If you’re a first-time creator, start spreading the word about your comic before you write the first draft of the script.
Yes, it sounds like a lot of work, and it is, but the more work you put into marketing - BEFORE your Kickstarter or IGG campaign goes live - the likelier you are to have backers ready to go on day one.
If you care enough about your comic to be enthusiastic about it, share that enthusiasm far and wide. Let that enthusiasm fuel momentum and backers so your project isn’t DOA.
Think about all the indie creators or small publishers you know. How do they get the word out to build momentum? What’s the best example of a creator expressing enthusiasm you can recall? Share your experience in the comments, and we’ll share your story far and wide.
Now, let’s look at the week in comics.
NATURE’S LABYRINTH #1 – Review
CHERISH #1 – Review
SWEETIE: CANDY VIGILANTE #2 – Review
VAMPIRELLA VS. RED SONJA #1 – Review
OZ: RETURN OF THE WICKED WITCH #1- Review
BLADE RUNNER: BLACK LOTUS #4 – Review
BÊLIT & VALERIA #5 – Review
DEAD KINGDOM #2 – Review
CLODAGH #3 – Indie Review
BIG BANG ADVENTURES #16 – Indie Review
Heavenly Demon Reborn (Vol. 1) (Ablaze Publishing)
Show's End: The Second Coming #5 (Mad Cave Studios)
Over The Ropes: Broken Kayfabe #5 (Mad Cave Studios)
Dream Master #1 (BlackBox Comics)
Lord of the Jungle #1 (Dynamite Comics)
Gun Honey: Blood for Blood #3 (Titan Comics)
Sherlock: A Scandal in Belgravia Part 2 #4 (Titan Comics)
London Gothic #1 (Indie Submission)
A Fistful of Pain (Indie Submission)
Clash of the Classics: Don Quixote Fights the War of the Worlds (Indie Submission)
That’s the shortlist for now. We’ll add more titles and adjust as time and resources allow.
Again, thanks for your support. Please share (the handy dandy ‘Share’ button is down below) this newsletter with everyone you can. Your support ensures we can keep bringing you great content for a very long time.
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Have a great day!
Would a lack of marketing include places to sell digitally? After Comixology folded not a lot of indie publishers stuck around. DriveThru, Comic Distro, and Indy Planet still exist but I couldn't find Inverse Press or Blackbox on there. It's like options are invisible.