| |
| |
|
| |
A HOME FOR THE CREATORS
Flaming Sword Productions is building a home for the comic book creators. A home they can call their own. A place for the creators to become stronger - more creatively and economically independent. A home where they can plan projects which they'd have the freedom to create the type of comics they see fit. A home that's their own - not managed by corporate sharks who abuse their creativity and give little reward in return.
It's been a difficult ride for the creators since day one. Siegel and Shuster were ridiculed for years about their idea for a Superman comic book. When they finally convinced someone it's a good idea, well, we all know what happened to their property. The essence of what Superman meant to his creators has been long lost and buried under the commercial manipulations and the unfair treatment of them by its publisher. READ MORE... |
| |
| |
AN OPEN LETTER TO PAUL LEVITZ
Hello Paul. It's been a while since we've had a heart to heart talk about the comics and I have been thinking about you lately, so this is as good as time as any, I suppose. I'm writing you this letter because we want to recruit you back to our ranks. Back to the ranks of the comic book creators.
We all know you're a creator at heart. Heck, why else would you cast your lot in with A.C.T.O.R., an organization dedicated to the welfare of comic book creators?
READ MORE... |
| |
| |
AARDWOLF PIONEERS NEW PUBLISHING MODEL
The thrust of an endeavor such as this is nothing new to Clifford Meth and Jim Reeber, founders of the industry's benevolent Aardwolf Publishing. Aardwolf has led the way for some time, inviting industry professionals for ventures that hold the creators' concern at heart, both in creative freedom and logistics support for professionals enduring sometimes difficult times.
Aardwolf's path has been a primary beacon for Flaming Sword, leading the struggle for the plight of Dave Cockrum and Bill Messner-Loebs, while championing Harlan Ellison's confrontation with AOL over the internet's role in the intellectual property rights arena. Aardwolf has also donated the proceeds from sales of its entire line of products, for an extended period, to the Tsunami relief efforts in wake of the disaster in Asia.
READ MORE... |
| |
| |
THE STATE OF THE COMICS
Tom Spurgeon looks at a business analysis of the comics industry in an article at his Comics Reporter web site and comes to the following conclusion: "Despite areas of growth in the overall marketplaces for comics in the last ten years to include viable performances from top arts books, strip books, and non-adventure manga, the American comic book shop in general is just as narrowly focused as it ever was." He then asks for additional opinions and offers his email address: "I'd love for someone smarter with more time to come to a different conclusion and share that here."
Tom has a way with his readers and knows how keep them engaged. I clicked on the link and sent him the following: "I don't believe there's a much smarter analysis than what you've given, Tom, and a lot of time doesn't always guarantee a better conclusion. You asked so nice, however, that I can't resist adding a few words."
READ MORE... |
|
| |
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.
READ MORE... |
|
| |
FOR TRUTH, JUSTICE AND THE AMERICAN WAY
The greatest service which can be given to Will Eisner's legacy in his departure from us is the perpetuation of the spirit he breathed into the comic book industry. The gifts which Will Eisner has given the comics are so insurmountable and well known that they need not be listed here and now. Suffice it to say that amongst his many great works, this giant of the comics defined the sharp sociopolitical statements made in the medium today and invented the graphic novel with which the comics present their message to the world.
With the passing of the revered and beloved late great elder of the comics, the reigns now naturally pass over to Neal Adams. Not the reigns of eldership in age alone, but the eldership of prominence, works and stature, all combined into one. READ MORE... |
|
| |
A CHALLENGE TO ALL SUPPORTERS OF THE CHRISTIAN COALITION
I understand that you truly believe you are performing a great service to God and humanity by banding together and using your unified strength in order to bring about the legislation of what you perceive to be a higher moral standard onto a society which you believe has gone astray with its liberal standards.
The comic book industry has long been a prime target of your persecution, ridicule and attempts at censorship of its publications, as part of your efforts to enforce what you believe to be Christian morals on the American people. You are, however, so very wrong about all this - and you do it all in the name of The God of Heaven and Earth and his Only Begotten Son, The Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I turn to you now in order to warn you of the catastrophe you're bringing upon yourselves and upon all of mankind with your pompous arrogant ways.
READ MORE... |
|
| |
| DEARLY BLOVED A Message from the Anti-Christ
Greetings friends. Yes it is I, the AC himself. Please do not confuse me with your air conditioner, cool as my demeanor may appear to you. You know I prefer the warmer environs, after all. This may be why I've been dispatched to you in the comics, it would appear. You are very well known for your warmth where I come from.
I am a much maligned man, you know. Quite unjustly, if I may say so myself. Why, with the names and titles you've bestowed upon me through the millennia, it's a wonder you're even reading this right now.
READ MORE...
|
|
| |
THE DAMNED SNAKE
The wealthy elite who are enforcing division and ignorance in the world have a weakness. They love wealth so much, they'd give everything they own in order to have more. The socio-economic structure in Western civilization has become such that pop culture, be it film, television, COMICS, books, art, or music, among others, are generating a great deal of the wealth for the elite. Pop culture is a random force which comes from the people. Just follow me on this for a second.
If someone, or some group is able to show that they have the key with which to generate more wealth than the elite could ever dream of, through a pop culture phenomenon, the wealthy elite would put ALL THEIR MONEY, and even their own mothers, on the table to allow them to do this.
READ MORE... |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
 |
THE COMIC BOOK CREATORS' GUILD
We believe that a strong union of the comic book creators will help secure a better future for the comic book industry within the global entertainment and marketing environments it thrives.
The Comic Book Creators' Guild will strive to set new standards for the conditions under which the creators work, including the institution of retirement and medical benefits, legal counseling for newly created properties along with informative research of the fast changing arena of copyright law for existing ones, emergency funding for the support of colleagues in distress and the establishing of our own publishing, marketing and entertainment arms as a base from which to help provide creative and financial independence for the creators.
COVER • SPLASH • CREDITS • PANELS • PAGES • THOUGHT BALLOONS |
|
|
| |
|
| |
 |
|
| |
|
| |
 |
|
|
|
