I Used to Have to EXPLAIN Comics!

#18, February 27, 2015

 

As they say, times change.

 

I started my writing career in the comics field in the 1990s. Back then, I actually had to explain what I did for a living. The average American didn't understand comics. Back then, "comics" were for "kids," and many adults actually believed they were harmful to kids. Why? Well, all those revealing spandex outfits embarrassed them, and the fight scenes between imaginary superhuman heroes and villains were just so violent.

 

Pfft.

 

Now comics are the main channel of story fodder for blockbuster movies, and EVERYBODY knows about them. Spandex? Oh please, you can see more brazen bulges at the beach and more cameltoes in Walmart. And kids seeing violence? Well, that will always be an issue, but at least well-drawn, exciting superhero battle art is considered art and not "a bad influence on the children." To most people, anyway.

 

Below is a sidebar article I wrote for Writer's Digest magazine back in February 1995. I thought of it recently, and it made me giggle to remember how the WD editor was so interested in the idea of writers making a living writing comics.

 

BWA-HA-HA!