Well, maybe not exactly.)
On a lark, I thought I’d submit “Escape from the Vigilante Crypt” to Image comics just to see what they had to say, and I found out this: If you’re going to submit, do it by email. Seriously. I got my response less than 12 hours after I sent the submission, and Erik’s response was:
“I’m afraid we’re going to have to pass.”
That’s it. Now, I admit to being curious as to what he thought “didn’t fit” with the Ghost Zero comic, but after some soul searching, I realized that if he didn’t say, then it really didn’t matter. I mean, seriously, it could have been anything, so why worry? I get tons of excellent, honest feedback from you guys and my readers at Drunkduck, so I can use that to change and improve.
Now, let me talk about rejection letters. I’ve gotten quite a few of them over the years from various publishers, but really not about anything as close to my heart as Ghost Zero. I’ll say that it stung for about an hour before I used it to do some serious step-back evaluation, which is the real value of rejection letters. I honestly believe that, if you are persistant and honest about improvement, you are only a set number of mistakes away from being an expert. There’s no short cut. You HAVE to make the mistakes to get where you want to go. I just look at Erik’s response to being one more mistake (whatever it was) that I can get out of my way.)
It also caused me to ask myself “how am I measuring success with the comic?” Is it number of sales? Is it a livable wage? Is it national publication? All of those things would be great, but in the beginning, I just set out to tell a story the best way I knew how. In the end, that’s all I have to measure by.
So, what do I do now?
Well, the same thing I do every evening….try to make a great comic.
Oh, and thanks to my close friends for your supporting emails……you know who you are.)
-Dave
Dave,
Personally, I have some issues with Image comics. They’re part of the reason I quit collecting comics hard-core back in the 90’s… but that’s another ball o’ wax. All I’m saying is that that rejection just confirms my feelings toward that company.
My friend, you continue to have the most positive and well-adjusted attitude of any creator I’ve met. You obviously don’t need anyone to tell you this, but: keep on keepin’ on. You’re doing outstanding stuff.
Thanks a bunch, Don!
Since I’m not a huge reader of comics, I really didn’t have much of an opinion about Image either way. I still don’t, though I did enjoy Robert Kirkman’s books.
As for the well-adjusted attitude, well…I didn’t have much of an option!) I either had to walk away from the book, or keep on going….and I just can’t walk away.
It did teach me the important lesson of just keeping my focus on the comic. All the rest will either come or it won’t. Much appreciated, buddy!
-Dave
Scott McCloud basically said this about breaking into the business (paraphrasing of course):
Draw a comic on a piece of paper. Sell it to someone for at least a penny. Congratulations! You’re in the business!
Success all depends on your level of expectations.
It’s true rejections are a great way to learn how to improve. It is the best attitude to have and will get you through those moments of doubt we all have. You guys have a great product and I thoroughly enjoy it. Keep up the good work and try to have fun with it.