You wrote a lot of great points. I do happen to be one of those comic fans that wants and waits for a book just like this! The art alone is a testament to your years long journey and every page is so beautiful to look at. I know I am not speaking for a mass comic buying audience but I can attest that myself and my peers pick this book up with a sigh of relief that books like this exist!!
The world has battened down the hatches. We're all tightening our belts and seeking comfort in what we know. It's no surprise. This is just what I expected. But of course I'm saddened I wasn't wrong.
Speaking personally - and I could be wrong - I don't think you need a 'name' writer to sell your product as I feel you have more than paid your dues as a writer. Of course, I am somewhat biased as I love your work. I would, however, hazard a few guesses as to why Starhenge isn't doing big numbers. It's a matter or taste, but I prefer your pen & ink artwork to your fully painted work, which is very nice, but I much prefer the latter because it gives you more room for ornamentation and rendering, playing into your strengths as a artist in the pre-Raphaelitic tradition. Also, 'Starhenge' may take your fans too far out of their comfort zone. I don't think you necessarily need to do Conan or Kull, or even Dark Ages Spawn, but I think you might find a bigger audience if you do something immediately identifiable as sword & sorcery, just to appeal to your established fan base and perhaps lure in new punters. Then, once you have them by the goolies, you can take them elsewhere. I don't think you need to do superheroes, but I once again, I could be wrong. If you do consider doing a superhero title, then from my perspective, I would prefer you do a DC than a Marvel character. Perhaps something in the horror or supernatural vein. Something like Doctor Fate, the Spectre or Doctor Strange, but they of course are a bit niche when it comes to mainstream superheroes. Anyway, good luck. I will probably follow you wherever you go, although I can't say I'm eager to revisit the likes of Wolverine or Spiderman, who I long ago surfeited on. Thor might be a good match.
The thing is, while I love black and white it it is vastly more time-consuming and exhausting, and I enjoy it an awful lot less than painting. I have always loved painted work - Sienkiewicz, Lawrence, Corben, etc. - and when I do StarHenge it restores me and makes me happy. The rest, the work-for-hire, is slog. I know I can do it, but it's not where my heart lies.
Do you think its just a matter of finding those people now? Feels like the online space is so massively oversaturated with content you really gotta hustle like a madman on the local level to get through the filters.
It could be. Finding an audience is incredibly hard now. Keeping one equally so. Nobody seems to know the answer, but some people manage to blast through the noise. I'm not sure how. That may be a temprament thing.
Sorry to hear the numbers are dropping. I've been ordering 2 covers for each issue. Your artwork is amazing and the story is excellent too. People don't know what they're missing out on.
Sadly, the generation that truly appreciates real art is slowly fading away. However, you still have many fans who love and appreciate your work. Some of us are in Texas! 🥰🥰🥰
I think this is a truly special comic so I'm so sorry to hear that. I can't even imagine how this could be helped. Unfortunately, I don't think a big name writer would matter that much more. As you've said if it's not Batman or Spider-Man people just not care :( This industry is so fucked up.
Hadn't thought of that. I love the comics and buying collected editions doesn't appeal to me much. Last one I bought was The Dark Knight Strikes again, because I missed issue #3.
My experience is that if you manage to keep with it, then one day people will pretend they were with you the entire time. I'm certain you know this already but had to put it out there regardless :D
Sadly we're getting to the point where it actually loses money. It's hard to make books that make no money at all, which is where we are. It is how I make a living after all! But when they start losing money then it's game over.
Understood, and in no way would I press you to risk the endeavor, but was wondering what you mean about"...actually loses money."
Admittedly the details of publishing escapes me, but I've alway been under the assumption that the risk of publishing falls on the publisher and not the author (unless said author self publishes of course).
Granted it's their choice to go forward or not, but I'm curious about this relationship you have with them. Does Image require authors to make a financial investment?
Granted, I understand that "investment" on your part includes any time involved for creating fixed works, which impacts so many other parts of one's life, but what I'm referring to above are wrought financial investments.
Btw, I'm also of the mind that I am likely way off base about your response (and this subject as a whole) so apologies for the bother if that's the case, and by all means, disregard! :)
Image is more a service platform for creators than an actual publisher, though they reserve the right to pick and choose what they publish. If a book doesn't get enough orders to cover the costs - print, sales, distribution, the retailer cut, etc. - then it will lose money. Everybody gets paid except the author, and you can end up in dept to the publisher, just as musicians can with their record labels. It's as simple as that. Ore, for instance, made me no money at all. That's 60 pages I wrote, created art for, lettered, design and everything, and received zero in return. Some 3 months unpaid. It can be brutal.
Thanks Liam. It certainly explains why they have so many books out...
If you ever consider writing about doing business with Image —something along the line of "This, then, and that happens, and thusly..." so yeah, a process overview of sorts— I'd be very interested in reading about it.
Granted this suggestion comes with an acute understanding you already have a bajillion other things you'd rather do (like stapling your eyelids to a ceiling fan) but thought to ask in case you ever get a wild barbaric hair up your... But it's understandable why you wouldn't!
This arrived just as I finished reading StarHenge Vol. 1 last night. I wanted to compliment you on an ambitious work that challenged me as a reader (and it's been a long time since that happened). It touched on some of my favorite things -- Arthurian myth and graphic storytelling. Sorry the orders for the new issue are disappointing but I will be here for the long haul.
I rarely re-read things because there's still so much I want to read, but I have re-read the first book twice and just started it again after reading issue 1 of book two. The art blows me away, and I think there's some good narrative layers that re-reading helped me better understand.
I am very sorry, Doc. Will A Kiss For Atticus finish its run? Perhaps there will be a collection? Or must economics dictate it be shelved, at least for while?
It's only 4 issues, and is completed already, so yes, it'll finish its run, and get collected into the various formats - hard back and soft back. And I think we'll do an omnibus hardback too with some special extras. Then, well, we'll take it from there! Thanks, as ever, Gide!
The orders for 2 seems strange. People who purchased issue 1 know what sort of book this is - yes, it’s not Batman, it’s something much more imaginative in scope and beautiful. So I would have thought those that bought 1 would get the rest, which I will. From being in schools doing creative projects, including a Comic Club, it’s certainly true they move from Dogman to Manga and the Absolute DC and if it’s Marvel, Deadpool.
You wrote a lot of great points. I do happen to be one of those comic fans that wants and waits for a book just like this! The art alone is a testament to your years long journey and every page is so beautiful to look at. I know I am not speaking for a mass comic buying audience but I can attest that myself and my peers pick this book up with a sigh of relief that books like this exist!!
That's good to hear, Gerald. Thank you! If only there were more of us...
Hey, I'm a fan of your books too! I backed Immortal Coil 4 on launch day.
Well Liam is a huge inspiration and someone I look up to for sure.
This stinks! People don’t know what they are missing out on.
The world has battened down the hatches. We're all tightening our belts and seeking comfort in what we know. It's no surprise. This is just what I expected. But of course I'm saddened I wasn't wrong.
Speaking personally - and I could be wrong - I don't think you need a 'name' writer to sell your product as I feel you have more than paid your dues as a writer. Of course, I am somewhat biased as I love your work. I would, however, hazard a few guesses as to why Starhenge isn't doing big numbers. It's a matter or taste, but I prefer your pen & ink artwork to your fully painted work, which is very nice, but I much prefer the latter because it gives you more room for ornamentation and rendering, playing into your strengths as a artist in the pre-Raphaelitic tradition. Also, 'Starhenge' may take your fans too far out of their comfort zone. I don't think you necessarily need to do Conan or Kull, or even Dark Ages Spawn, but I think you might find a bigger audience if you do something immediately identifiable as sword & sorcery, just to appeal to your established fan base and perhaps lure in new punters. Then, once you have them by the goolies, you can take them elsewhere. I don't think you need to do superheroes, but I once again, I could be wrong. If you do consider doing a superhero title, then from my perspective, I would prefer you do a DC than a Marvel character. Perhaps something in the horror or supernatural vein. Something like Doctor Fate, the Spectre or Doctor Strange, but they of course are a bit niche when it comes to mainstream superheroes. Anyway, good luck. I will probably follow you wherever you go, although I can't say I'm eager to revisit the likes of Wolverine or Spiderman, who I long ago surfeited on. Thor might be a good match.
The thing is, while I love black and white it it is vastly more time-consuming and exhausting, and I enjoy it an awful lot less than painting. I have always loved painted work - Sienkiewicz, Lawrence, Corben, etc. - and when I do StarHenge it restores me and makes me happy. The rest, the work-for-hire, is slog. I know I can do it, but it's not where my heart lies.
Fair enough. It’s your perogative. I look forward to whatever you do.
Do you think its just a matter of finding those people now? Feels like the online space is so massively oversaturated with content you really gotta hustle like a madman on the local level to get through the filters.
It could be. Finding an audience is incredibly hard now. Keeping one equally so. Nobody seems to know the answer, but some people manage to blast through the noise. I'm not sure how. That may be a temprament thing.
Sorry to hear the numbers are dropping. I've been ordering 2 covers for each issue. Your artwork is amazing and the story is excellent too. People don't know what they're missing out on.
Thank you. They always tail off a bit. This was just a LOT more than I hoped.
Sadly, the generation that truly appreciates real art is slowly fading away. However, you still have many fans who love and appreciate your work. Some of us are in Texas! 🥰🥰🥰
I think this is a truly special comic so I'm so sorry to hear that. I can't even imagine how this could be helped. Unfortunately, I don't think a big name writer would matter that much more. As you've said if it's not Batman or Spider-Man people just not care :( This industry is so fucked up.
I think some of those bemoaners are shooting their mouths off, but others are not exposed to indie work and only see the work from major publishers.
Sadly true.
Beyond understanding why people would buy JUST issue #1. What's the point? Just received the first issue and it's beautiful.
They buy issue 1 then, if they like it, wait for the trade. But thank you for the kind words.
Hadn't thought of that. I love the comics and buying collected editions doesn't appeal to me much. Last one I bought was The Dark Knight Strikes again, because I missed issue #3.
My experience is that if you manage to keep with it, then one day people will pretend they were with you the entire time. I'm certain you know this already but had to put it out there regardless :D
Sadly we're getting to the point where it actually loses money. It's hard to make books that make no money at all, which is where we are. It is how I make a living after all! But when they start losing money then it's game over.
Understood, and in no way would I press you to risk the endeavor, but was wondering what you mean about"...actually loses money."
Admittedly the details of publishing escapes me, but I've alway been under the assumption that the risk of publishing falls on the publisher and not the author (unless said author self publishes of course).
Granted it's their choice to go forward or not, but I'm curious about this relationship you have with them. Does Image require authors to make a financial investment?
Granted, I understand that "investment" on your part includes any time involved for creating fixed works, which impacts so many other parts of one's life, but what I'm referring to above are wrought financial investments.
Btw, I'm also of the mind that I am likely way off base about your response (and this subject as a whole) so apologies for the bother if that's the case, and by all means, disregard! :)
Image is more a service platform for creators than an actual publisher, though they reserve the right to pick and choose what they publish. If a book doesn't get enough orders to cover the costs - print, sales, distribution, the retailer cut, etc. - then it will lose money. Everybody gets paid except the author, and you can end up in dept to the publisher, just as musicians can with their record labels. It's as simple as that. Ore, for instance, made me no money at all. That's 60 pages I wrote, created art for, lettered, design and everything, and received zero in return. Some 3 months unpaid. It can be brutal.
Thanks Liam. It certainly explains why they have so many books out...
If you ever consider writing about doing business with Image —something along the line of "This, then, and that happens, and thusly..." so yeah, a process overview of sorts— I'd be very interested in reading about it.
Granted this suggestion comes with an acute understanding you already have a bajillion other things you'd rather do (like stapling your eyelids to a ceiling fan) but thought to ask in case you ever get a wild barbaric hair up your... But it's understandable why you wouldn't!
Cheers!
This arrived just as I finished reading StarHenge Vol. 1 last night. I wanted to compliment you on an ambitious work that challenged me as a reader (and it's been a long time since that happened). It touched on some of my favorite things -- Arthurian myth and graphic storytelling. Sorry the orders for the new issue are disappointing but I will be here for the long haul.
Cheers Robert! Appreciated.
I rarely re-read things because there's still so much I want to read, but I have re-read the first book twice and just started it again after reading issue 1 of book two. The art blows me away, and I think there's some good narrative layers that re-reading helped me better understand.
Appreciated, Eric! Thank you.
I am very sorry, Doc. Will A Kiss For Atticus finish its run? Perhaps there will be a collection? Or must economics dictate it be shelved, at least for while?
It's only 4 issues, and is completed already, so yes, it'll finish its run, and get collected into the various formats - hard back and soft back. And I think we'll do an omnibus hardback too with some special extras. Then, well, we'll take it from there! Thanks, as ever, Gide!
The orders for 2 seems strange. People who purchased issue 1 know what sort of book this is - yes, it’s not Batman, it’s something much more imaginative in scope and beautiful. So I would have thought those that bought 1 would get the rest, which I will. From being in schools doing creative projects, including a Comic Club, it’s certainly true they move from Dogman to Manga and the Absolute DC and if it’s Marvel, Deadpool.