Much ado has been made about Robert Kirkman’s decree that in order to save the comics industry the big name writers must stop all work-for-hire projects with DC and Marvel, and focus exclusively on creator owned material. If Kirkman was looking to set the internet abuzz with discussion, his video succeeded, as readers, bloggers, and industry professionals all chimed in.
My opinion on the matter tends to align quite well with a statement given by Grant Morrison in an interview with IGN.com, so rather than rambling aimlessly and repeating what’s already been said, allow me to reprint the master’s words – the emboldened emphasis is mine.
I suppose I'm slightly amused by the reformer's zeal with which each new generation approaches the problem of 'saving' comics. It reminds me of humanity's charming, self-regarding notion that it's our job to 'save' a planet which has survived fine without us through several mass extinction events, climactic overhauls and planetary disasters.
I've been listening to people talk about 'saving' the 'industry' for over 20 years while comics have continued to be published and have, in fact, become better, to the point where the only conclusion I've come to is that comics are best 'saved' by sealing them in Mylar bags! Everything else is just messianic inflation. Just do good books and stop trying to be the savior of a whole medium that's been doing okay without you and will continue long after you're gone.
Yes, I think Kirkman's right, in that I'd like to see more of our creative community unleashing their wild imaginations onto the page and less of the obvious 'movie pitch on paper stuff' that's come about recently as a result of comic creators chasing the Hollywood dollar but I don't have a problem with writers and artists working on Marvel and DC properties if they enjoy it. I'd rather read a good Green Lantern story by someone who cares than work my way through a 'creator-owned' project that's been created solely to appeal to lowest-common-denominator movie executives.
Otherwise, he's possibly being slightly disingenuous by issuing this 'call to arms' at a time when, to be honest, I can't think of any significant comic book writer for Marvel or DC who doesn't have creator work on the go. Apart from Geoff Johns, who's told me he much prefers writing DC superhero books, everyone else - me, Warren Ellis, Mark Millar, JMS, Garth Ennis, Matt Fraction, Brian Bendis, Kurt Busiek, etc etc - seems to be hard at work creating new properties, so I'm not entirely sure where the problem lies.
To the one or two regular visitors of this blog, and to those who know me personally, I’m sure it comes as no shock that I share Mr. Morrison’s opinion. I see nothing wrong with working for The Man, nor do I believe all large corporations are soulless entities who care nothing for the well-being of their employees as the many pissed off, embittered whistleblowers would have us believe.
Hell, I work for one of the nation’s larger defense and aerospace contractors, so not only do I work for a large, soulless corporation, I work for a large, soulless corporation whose biggest customer just happens to be the man of all “The Mans,” the U.S. Government.
I’m baffled by the savior complex that exudes from Kirkman and from his apostles. Look, comic books aren’t going anywhere. Yes, the industry will surely evolve. Popularity will always be cyclical. Graphic novels may replace monthlies as the dominant format, or maybe paper will give way to paperless, but comic books and the folks who create them will always be around. In fact, the bigger impact of the evolution of the comic books medium will be felt by retailers, but I’ll save that for another blog.
On an interesting side note, this begs the question, do all people with savior complexes have to make an Audio-Video presentation of some sort? Al Gore made his slide show. Robert Kirkman made a video blog. Will a powerpoint presentation from Jesus be next?
Anyway, more than anything else, what really rubs me the wrong way is the arrogance held by the “work-for-hire is evil” crowd. If you want to be your own boss, that’s fine. It’s your choice. But don’t try to convince the rest of us that everything you touch turns to gold, or every idea you have is brilliant. You’re not that special. And don’t look down upon your fellow creators as sell-outs if they enjoy, and are satisfied, with work-for-hire projects. Again, you’re not that special.
I essentially have a work for hire job that involves creativity and innovation. Sure, I’m not breathing life into fictional characters, but when I’m designing new hardware, I utilize much of the same creative processes. I sketch, make notes, and work through equations with pencil and paper before modeling it on the computer. Throughout the typical 18 month design effort, I become rather attached to my work. I take a lot of pride in it. And you know what? I’m perfectly fine with not owning it. I’m perfectly fine with knowing that should I ever leave the company, I can’t take any of those ideas with me.
In fact, I’ll go as far as to say that us engineers being ok with work-for-hire under soulless corporations is a big reason the United States has the most advanced military in the world. Similarly, I propose the willingness of creators to do work-for-hire books under soulless corporations is why we still have a comic book industry.
Think about it. While a couple of creator-owned works may have recently achieved public notoriety, critical acclaim, and financial success, it’s Marvel and DC and their work-for-hire superhero books that have kept the industry viable since the 60s and will continue do so for decades to come. Claiming that creators should forego work-for-hire with the Big Two in favor of creator owned projects as a means to save the industry is disrespectful to the very people who have kept the industry relevant enough for Kirkman to even issue his decree in the first place.
Therefore, get off your high horse, do what you think is right for you, allow other people to do what they think is right for them, and don’t give them grief for doing so.
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