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.

The same with Jack Kirby. He developed many far-reaching ideas which fell on deaf ears until he hooked up with Stan Lee. His creations have likewise been bastardized through the medium's exploitation which also left him with little reward for his creative gifts.

Where would DC Comics be today without Neal Adams? Without Frank Miller or Alan Moore? We may not hear all of them complaining much now but let's not forget the thanklessness they suffered and the disrespect for their creations and for the essence of what they wanted to give to the world through their work.

For all the abuse and misuse of the comic book creators' gifts to the world, one could possibly stomach it if the comic book industry was standing tall and thriving in the world today. Publishers run their ships with an iron fist, yet they have no idea how to be truly successful. How to reach the people and compel them to buy their comics. They all pretend to know the pulse - but the dismal state of comics sales shows otherwise. The corporate publishers have never really had the foresight or the courage to be truly innovative and to publish the kind of comics that the people want to read. The kind of comics the world needs today.

Yes, they may laugh all the way to the bank with the fortunes they make from the movies while they tell us that comics don't sell. They abuse the creators and then discard them into the cold without really ever understanding what treasures they've been given. Sadly, most publishers have shown little regard for the ingenuity and statesmanship of the comic book creators who have a message which the world wants to hear. The message that's being blocked in the commercial cobwebs of corporate confusion by the publishers.

The creators know what to do, they simply need a home and they need to be respected for what they do best. Not threatened with lawsuits for asking for their rights. Not told to do things the company way or no way. The creators possess the power which gives life to the comic book industry, not the publishers.

Flaming Sword Productions. The publishing arm of the comic book creators. A publishing company of the creators, for the creators and by the creators.