"This hour in history needs
a dedicated circle of transformed nonconformists.
Our planet teeters on the brink of atomic annihilation;
dangerous passions of pride, hatred and selfishness are enthroned in our lives; and men do reverence before false gods of nationalism and materialism.
The saving of our world from pending doom will come,
not through the complacent adjustment
of the conforming majority,
but through the creative
maladjustment of a
nonconforming
minority."
- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
A Call to Roam and Sound the Roar
An Open Letter from Michelle Camilleri
Dear Comic Book Creators,
Whether you're a writer, artist, inker, colorist, letterer or just hold a passionate interest in the comics – please take a moment to consider what we've embarked on doing here.
We are at a pivotal point in history.
As a modern species, we've been around for little more than one hundred thousand years. In the past century we have seen the effects of the industrial and technological age in our growth and lifestyles. We're thriving, we're advanced… we are pretty remarkable creatures. And yet we still don’t know how to take care of ourselves.
We have an important choice to make:
Continue to exist in an environment that is leading to our destruction, or...
Attempt to make a change that will enable us to flourish and perpetuate the evolution of our species.
Now I must be honest… I'm not a long-standing fan of your work. Although I can appreciate its place in the world of creative expression, I know little of your history or the realm of the industry outside of what the mainstream media has exposed me to. What I do know is that what I've seen shows courage, idealism and integrity. I know that the essence of these stories the world has loved shows hope, strength and a way.
All of us, somewhere inside of ourselves want to live happier lives. All of us, regardless of profession or skill would like to contribute to that happiness. Don't all people tend to seek a meaning or a purpose, even if just for a fleeting moment, in some point of their lives?
You – the creators in the comic book industry – have a unique recipe:
non-conformist ideas mixed with talent, easily swallowed by pop culture, and so far the lack of recognition that allows you to remain veracious in your art. What I ask of you now is simple… Please bring your stories to life. Use your passion to inspire people, to show them that the superheroes you create live inside of us all. It has only taken a few of you to inspire me to write this letter. I can only imagine what could be done with the strength of a larger group addressing the issues we face with our leaders.
People want a reason to have hope for a better world and we are slowly running out of them. You have the ability to give people another reason, the ability to show that people still care. If you had one chance to say how you believe our government should be conducted, what would you say? If you were the president or a member of congress for one term, what would you improve upon? What an amazing thing it would be to see each person in the comic book industry dedicate one story to the idea of The Comic Book Creator’s Party, or share their views on the web pages of The City Square.
Everyone is not going to agree on every idea, but that doesn't matter. What matters is that it's all in the spirit of trying to improve something in the world we have so far allowed to become corrupted.
As creators begin to contribute, and ideas are being bounced around, I think we'll see something pretty spectacular. An actual movement or even possibly only a fad, but how refreshing it would be to have such a positive trend! People, marketing goodwill instead of clothes, cars and “bling bling”.
So again, just think about it. Explore the possibilities. I hope each of you will find something inside that hears this call.
The City Square is also a place for your voice to be heard. Let's begin to consider what we have to say about the state of our world and attempt to present our opinions across the cyberwaves.
Everyone is welcome to contribute.
I look forward to hearing from you. I look forward to traveling on this adventure together!
Sincerely,
Michelle Camilleri
Director
The Comic Book Creators Party
michelle@michaelnetzer.com
Read Michael Netzer's
Blood which Flows From the Heart
In his Creators' Corner of The City Square
View this one time instance,
Original Art for Sale
Dedicated to the formation of
The Comic Book Creators Party
Michael Netzer Online
