Comics are like Twinkies and Cockroaches, they can survive anything. Even in a dystopia, we will have comics and we’ll need fundamentals! Looking forward to the next class.
After reading comics on a weekly basis for 35 years, I think it boils down to this. The great comics are great. The good comics are good, the filler comics are filler. Editorial is completely necessary for cohesion and continuity, but there does seem to be a higher allowance of editors looking to print filler books currently. Better to print something rather than nothing. I would guess the big two aren't really pushing nearly hard enough for new characters and high equity page rates based on some articles I've read (see Dustin Nguyen), which in turn would draw in less talent. But there are hopefully enough of us hungry little guys with big ideas that have been germinating said ideas for decades. And that we would do anything to get in the sandbox and play. To keep the medium healthy and alive for the next half century. We just need outlets on breaking in to be more self evident and less luck based. Huge fan, Scott. You're the perfect example of what I believe most of us want to be.
I must say that Absolute Batman is paradigm breaking, engaging, and entertaining. I know people who dropped out of collecting and reading that are jumping onto your book. The real geeks are extending their curiousity into other books. The power of 10. How you felt at 10 years old with a stack of comics has returned in adulthood.
They, like me are ALL IN on this Absolute Universe.
Yep, ABSOLUTE BATMAN #8 on my LCS pull as it’s been from jump. That Matches page turn in #7 straight up rocked my socks, that cliffhanger hangs serious cliff.
Been reading comics since I was a kid, agree that we are seeing a special moment in the variety, artistry, and intensity of the storytelling. Also, with your latest work for DC & DSTLRY, what Deniz Camp is doing, and more, it’s great to see the readership respond (in sales and reaction) to the big swings. Exciting time to be a reader.
I think the idea of taking risks is especially important now. There are so many comics to choose from and while a by-the-numbers story might be safe and might do just fine, the risks are the ones that stand out. The stories that tell something different or put a new spin on an existing trope or character.
Those covers are so beautiful! I’m Harrison, an ex fine dining industry line cook. My stack "The Secret Ingredient" adapts hit restaurant recipes (mostly NYC and L.A.) for easy home cooking.
I think comics have been in an incline, in terms of quality and options, for decades. Right now, in 2025, there is quite literally a book for every type of reader. That’s a great thing for the industry’s continued success.
I’m buying more comics than ever right now. Times are really uncertain and the stories have been exploring all angles of that uncertainty making it very interesting. Absolute Batman has been great. I really like that all the villains are friends and that Bruce has grown up with them. Mr. Freeze is scary as hell and Bane looks sick!!
Agreed that some of the fundamentals are missed in some (not all) comics, including basics like thinking about the page turn or when to use spreads for maximum impact, rather than just an opportunity for exposition dumps. Nothing irks me more than someone who dreamed up a screenplay then "defaults" to a comic as a backup (I hear this a lot in my non-comic writing group.)
Comics are a medium of their own and can't just simply be a short story or a screenplay that's handed off to an artist. It has its own language and its own conventions that need to be adhered to and respected.
The economic aspect of your latest post is a mixed bag. I want to be a professional comic writer. So, on the one hand, if the comic economy shutters, my opportunity does too. But, I love comics as a medium and don’t want to write in a different one. Based on what Scott wrote it does seem like there should be opportunity for new blood with fresh ideas.
The point isn’t that it’s this terrible moment. Just one of flux. We’re having a lot of success right now at DC, even while the larger economic picture of the industry itself is uncertain. So it’s about embracing the things that make Comics exciting and subsequently successful.
Comics are like Twinkies and Cockroaches, they can survive anything. Even in a dystopia, we will have comics and we’ll need fundamentals! Looking forward to the next class.
Well said.
"It's a bird..." by Steven T. Seagle is one of my favorite Superman stories. Also, "Harvest of Youth" by Sina Grace is a lot of fun.
After reading comics on a weekly basis for 35 years, I think it boils down to this. The great comics are great. The good comics are good, the filler comics are filler. Editorial is completely necessary for cohesion and continuity, but there does seem to be a higher allowance of editors looking to print filler books currently. Better to print something rather than nothing. I would guess the big two aren't really pushing nearly hard enough for new characters and high equity page rates based on some articles I've read (see Dustin Nguyen), which in turn would draw in less talent. But there are hopefully enough of us hungry little guys with big ideas that have been germinating said ideas for decades. And that we would do anything to get in the sandbox and play. To keep the medium healthy and alive for the next half century. We just need outlets on breaking in to be more self evident and less luck based. Huge fan, Scott. You're the perfect example of what I believe most of us want to be.
I must say that Absolute Batman is paradigm breaking, engaging, and entertaining. I know people who dropped out of collecting and reading that are jumping onto your book. The real geeks are extending their curiousity into other books. The power of 10. How you felt at 10 years old with a stack of comics has returned in adulthood.
They, like me are ALL IN on this Absolute Universe.
This makes me really happy - thanks so much
Yep, ABSOLUTE BATMAN #8 on my LCS pull as it’s been from jump. That Matches page turn in #7 straight up rocked my socks, that cliffhanger hangs serious cliff.
Been reading comics since I was a kid, agree that we are seeing a special moment in the variety, artistry, and intensity of the storytelling. Also, with your latest work for DC & DSTLRY, what Deniz Camp is doing, and more, it’s great to see the readership respond (in sales and reaction) to the big swings. Exciting time to be a reader.
Thrilled for Q&A and class, see you there!💥
Thanks so much
I think the idea of taking risks is especially important now. There are so many comics to choose from and while a by-the-numbers story might be safe and might do just fine, the risks are the ones that stand out. The stories that tell something different or put a new spin on an existing trope or character.
Those covers are so beautiful! I’m Harrison, an ex fine dining industry line cook. My stack "The Secret Ingredient" adapts hit restaurant recipes (mostly NYC and L.A.) for easy home cooking.
check us out:
https://thesecretingredient.substack.com
I think comics have been in an incline, in terms of quality and options, for decades. Right now, in 2025, there is quite literally a book for every type of reader. That’s a great thing for the industry’s continued success.
I’m buying more comics than ever right now. Times are really uncertain and the stories have been exploring all angles of that uncertainty making it very interesting. Absolute Batman has been great. I really like that all the villains are friends and that Bruce has grown up with them. Mr. Freeze is scary as hell and Bane looks sick!!
Agreed that some of the fundamentals are missed in some (not all) comics, including basics like thinking about the page turn or when to use spreads for maximum impact, rather than just an opportunity for exposition dumps. Nothing irks me more than someone who dreamed up a screenplay then "defaults" to a comic as a backup (I hear this a lot in my non-comic writing group.)
Comics are a medium of their own and can't just simply be a short story or a screenplay that's handed off to an artist. It has its own language and its own conventions that need to be adhered to and respected.
The economic aspect of your latest post is a mixed bag. I want to be a professional comic writer. So, on the one hand, if the comic economy shutters, my opportunity does too. But, I love comics as a medium and don’t want to write in a different one. Based on what Scott wrote it does seem like there should be opportunity for new blood with fresh ideas.
The point isn’t that it’s this terrible moment. Just one of flux. We’re having a lot of success right now at DC, even while the larger economic picture of the industry itself is uncertain. So it’s about embracing the things that make Comics exciting and subsequently successful.