What the Comic Book Industry needs is a wake up call -- over the last few years we have heard publishers, writers, artists, comic shop owners, and fans all complain that the medium we love so dearly is slowly dying.  Why is this? So many think that they have the answer, but do they?  Most when asked will give a long winded tell of what went wrong and who is to blame, but few are buckling down to focus on fixing the problem.  Instead of bitching (sorry for the word usage -- but it best fits) let's try something different -- let us focus on how to bring about a new renaissance to our beloved pastime. Let's cover some basic concepts on what the industry as a whole (and what I mean by industry is everyone involved from publisher to artist/writer -- comic shop owner to fan) will need to do to reenergize the comic book medium.

In order to effectively tackle this problem we start off by dividing this issue into four distinct columns.  The writers/artist, the publishers, the fans, and the comic shop owners -- this issue will focus in on the artists and writers who shape the characters we so dearly love.   

Artists/Writers
First up let us just say please put out a book on a reasonable schedule.  Comics revolve around a simple theory -- it's a form of entertainment.  If you are not being entertained on a regular basis --  you will go elsewhere to find new entertainment sources.  Let's point out three very high profile artists/writers that have really been bad on this particular issue over the past few years.  Jim Lee (Divine Right), J. Scott Campbell (Danger Girl), Jeph Loeb (The Coven), Jay Anacleto (Aria),  and Joe Madureira (Battle Chasers). Their respective books, when they appear, rank in or around the 10 ten in the overall sales chart according to Dimond Distrubution.  But together over the last 12 months they have barely produced 12 issues of work.  That is simply pathetic.  Fans kept on waiting -- reading endless  press releases "saying the books would be out this week" -- yet not once did they show up on time (or for that matter anywhere around the scheduled time).  And before I start receiving hate mail from Lee, Mad, and Campbell fans -- I like these guys work and collect all three books myself, but the wait between issues is ridiculous. Dependability is what the industry needs to keep it growing -- and to keep fans coming back into stores.  By constantly breaking your word and putting out your books excessively late you let the fans down.  Now I am no ogre and there are reasons for a book to occasionally be late -- but these books simply don't fall into that realm of reasoning.  You are a comic professional hence the word professional -- you have a job to do -- do it or get out!! 

The above statement does not apply to all artists or writers -- some have had a great run of success and reliability -- my hat goes off to those artist and writers who do meat deadlines on a fairly consistent basis.  Individuals such as Erik Larsen  Fabian Nicieze, Humberto Ramos, Brian Augustyn, Mark Waid, Garth Ennis, Devin Grayson, Alan Moore, John Ostrander, and the list goes on and on.  These artist and or writers put out a book (some of them several books) on a timely basis.  So it can be done.

Secondly, the lack of monthly or bi-monthly books by some of the industry's biggest names have clearly hurt sales -- and pushed fans away.  A few years back a friend of mine who had stopped collecting comics gave me a call and asked me to pick up The Darkness #1 for him,  he had been a big Marc Silvestri fan and had been told that he was once again going to work on a monthly book.  When I asked him why after a year or so of not collecting would he suddenly want to jump back in -- he said it was  "this artists' particular work -- he really was a big Silverstri's fan from way back.  Hum…… big name, big draw at the comic book shop.  Lots of book sales -- more people come in shops.  Novel idea!!!!  Lets face it -- as the stable of the established superstars (i.e. Todd McFarlane, Marc Silvestri, Jim Lee and Neil Giaman) go off to pursue other interest  such as novels, t.v., action figures, and movies -- it leaves the comic industry missing something -- the artist/writer that drew fans to shops in the first place.  I like McFarlane Toys -- have several of them (the Dark Ages line -- very cool set by the way), but I cherish a McFarlane comic even more -- and by this I mean a full McFarlane comic -- not just a story concept or cover work.  As for Silvestri -- I really have no idea what his outside projects are besides a toy deal with Moore Action Collectibles and something in the works with Edios -- the computer software/gaming people, and a possible television series based on Witchblade.  I would prefer to see him return to The Darkness or better yet,  how about a Cyberforce mini-series.  Just four issues -- I bet it would sell like hotcakes.  Mr. Giaman -- the man behind such works as Sandman, The Dreaming, Stardust, and Books of Magic -- at least you put out some work each year -- a mini-series or special issues.  More would be nice though.   As for Jim Lee -- he is trying to finish the Divine Right maxi-series, but the wait between issues is down right pathetic.  Lee has also been talking about working with Alan Moore on a new project for his ABC line -- some advice to Alan would be get Lee to do a few issues in the can before you advertise it.   All of these guys have high name recognition among fans new and old.  By putting out a mini-series or returning to monthly work it would give the industry a much needed boost. And it would probably bring some strayed fans back into the fold, and better yet prevent some from ever leaving. 

The above problem is not only shared by the so called superstars of the field.  Any one who is producing comic work needs to think about this issue -- if a fan enjoys your work and you disappear for a extended period of time -- then that fan will either find another book to read or spend the money on other forms of entertainment.  For example Everett Heartsoe -- the man behind Razor.   What the heck are you doing -- Razor was a good book -- now it's becoming a showcase for t and a.  And the printing schedule is rediculous.  Try to put some quality back into this book -- Vampirella and Lady Death all share that same "bad girl stigma" -- they have large breasts and tiny costumes, but at least each issue contains a story (and some good stories at that) and comes out on a regular basis.   Snowman -- Matt Martin your work is fabulous -- but its got to come out on a more regular basis.  You are the reason you are not a superstar yet.  Donna Mia -- Trevin Utz could be the next Alex Ross or David Mack.  His artwork is simply a joy to behold.  Pakkins Land -- this a great all ages book that ranks right up there with Bone.  But to make it you have to put the book out on a more regular basis.  The sad reality here is this is just the tip of the iceberg -- there are so many great books that have a good fan base, but due to problems such as the ones mentioned above can't quit get the extra recognition they need to explode on the market and attract more readers/fans.   

It's time to take the industry's woes and problems seriously.  Correcting these problems starts with the artist and writers.  Re-dedicate yourself to your muse.  Put out quality books that you would want to read.  Passion is what we need to see from our writers and artist.  Stop giving us half-assed work or 12 page comics.  Fans are easy to please -- we are looking for dependability (its gotta be in stores on a somewhat regular basis), a good story (strong characters and a plot)  and solid art.  Entertain us -- allow us to escape from our everyday world, encourage us to dream, make us believe in heroes.  The world needs them now more than ever.

End Of Part One -- next issue we take a closer looks at the Fans………….