I will admit this post has nothing to do with comic creation, marketing, or comic success.  That said, I thought it was such a good deal I wanted to get the word out to comics fans and gamers alike.

I just received an email from the folks over at BEST BUY announcing a sale they are having through May 31st on the video game Call of Duty 4 for MAC users. As a MAC user myself, I know how difficult it can be to find quality games to play on our systems. To be able to not only play a game the likes of Call of Duty 4 on the MAC is one thing, but to be able to get it at such an incredibly low price is another thing altogether.

http://creatingcomicsuccess.com/callofduty4.php

From the ASPYR Website:

The community-oriented Call of Duty 4 multi-player gameplay features a robust leveling system, variety of unlockable perks, hot-join and matchmaking, as well as create a class and party capabilities to ensure that players of all skill levels can join in the fun. Additionally over 100 challenges and a host of new game environments and modes deliver unlimited possibilities. Infinity Ward has also included Kill-Cam, a fan favorite feature that they created in Call of Duty 2, which allows for spectator instant replays.

Call of Duty 4 Features:
* Authentic Advanced Weaponry
* Coordinated Assault and Support
* Cinematic Quality Graphics and Sound
* Unparalleled Depth to Multiplayer

Through May 31st you can purchase Call of Duty 4 for just over half off the regular sales price. You can check out this amazing limited time offer at http://creatingcomicsuccess.com/callofduty4.php

It’s that time again – FREE COMIC BOOK DAY. As a creator, this is by far my favorite event in all of comicdom. San Diego Comicon is indeed a great time, however, it has grown so large over the years, the intimacy factor has all but been removed. The ability to talk with an existing fanbase, as well as any and all incoming readers is something that is missing from most events. Not so with Free Comic Book Day.

In case you are new to this whole Free Comic Book Day thing, here is a brief description of the event from www.freecomicbookday.com :

“Free Comic Book Day is a single day - the first Saturday in May - when participating comic book shops across North America and around the world give away comic books absolutely FREE* to anyone who comes into their stores.”

This year I have been invited back to ATOMIC COMICS! In Phoenix, AZ by store owner Mike Malve. I will be among some of the best in the industry including: Geoff Johns, Ethan Van Sciver, Sterling Gates, Patrick Sherberger, and several others.

See you there.

“Creativity comes from trust. Trust your instincts. And never hope more than you work.” – Rita Mae brown

Creating comics, such a simple thing. An idea is translated into a medium of sequential art incorporating pictures and words. A script is written, the pages are drawn, along comes the inker, she hands it over to be colored, the letterer throws some words into balloons, you wrap a cover around it, slap a staple in the middle, and voila, you have yourself a comic. See what I mean? Simple. Or is it? After all, if it were so simple, why on earth do so many that are not merely content with just reading comics but want to actively pursue injecting their creativity into the world of comicdom struggle day in and day out to bring their ideas to the printed page. It seems as if the process to create such a simple, innocuous thing is almost a war of attrition for those striving to do so.

It’s true that just about anyone can create a comic book. And yet so many creators are out there wanting to bring their ideas to life only to run into obstacles that prevent them from doing so; be it time to work on their creation, finding a reliable group to work with, or the necessary funds to make it a reality – the latter quite often being the biggest hindrance. Although it is the same for just about any artistic medium, comics present their own unique challenges.

Lets take a look at a few of those challenges that I mentioned above:

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“Aerodynamics experts can prove beyond the shadow of a doubt that the bumble bee’s small wings and bulbous body render it incapable of flying. Once launched into the air, any creature so configured will simply crash to the ground and die. The bee, however, is fearless – so it flies anyway.”

All too often, the thing that holds us back the most when moving towards fulfilling our dreams is fear: fear of failure, of success, of ridicule, of worth.  The above quote is taken from a column by Clayton Makepeace.  The post is one of the most inspiring I have come across in quite some time.

Instead of paraphrasing what he says, I felt it in your best interest to direct you to the column itself so you could read it in its entirety.  It includes a video that absolutely must be watched.  If after watching the video and reading his uplifting words you do not see how small your fears are and how readily possible it is for you to achieve your dreams, as Clayton puts it, “better take your pulse – because whether you know it or not, you have passed away.”

After you’ve read the column – and dried your eyes – come back and post a comment or two.  I love to hear what you think.

CLICK HERE TO READ THE POST (You may have to scroll to the top of the page.)

To your success.

“Do you see a man who excels in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before unknown men.” - Proverbs 22:29

Do you strive for excellence? The word excellence means outstanding, of exceptional quality. It begins when we know that being “good enough” just won’t do. It is the stand one takes that allows for performance that surpasses what was previously possible, defies previously established limits and maps out new territories. So I ask again, do you strive for excellence?

At one time or another I am sure you have had moments when you succeeded at something seemingly without effort. Times when you performed superbly and gracefully, you hit the mark on your very first attempt. Unfortunately, you’re never quite sure how it all came together, how it happened, or if a repeat performance is even possible. This my friend, is what excellence tastes like. A taste once acquired… Click to continue »

That was a question I received in the comments section of this BLOG. And you know what? It’s a great question. So instead of simply posting a reply I thought it better to address as an entire post. There’s a lesson in it that applies to everyone.

First and foremost let me take a moment to apologize for the lack of content. I began Creating Comic Success with the intent of having at least 2 posts a week to help aspiring and professional creators alike understand the marketing side of the industry. As a trusted source for marketing in the comic book world, I take this self-appointed task to provide you with the very best information available very seriously.

Here’s what happened: Click to continue »

“It’s all… part of the plan.” – Heath Ledger, The Dark Knight

Happy New Year to you and welcome to the first post of the New Year. Now that 2009 has arrived, and bringing an end to procrastination and better prioritization skills are at the top of your resolution list, it’s time that we dive right in and talk about your plans. Experts will tell you that the most important component of managing your time is the planning stage. Failing to plan is planning to fail.

Quite often when I meet people at conventions that tell me they want to create, or are creating, a comic book, I will ask them what their plans are? More often than not I will either get a “deer in the headlights” look or a confused remark like, “Um, my plan is to create a comic.” No, no, no, I mean what are you planning on doing after you create it? How will the book be printed – Offset Press or Print on Demand (POD)? Will it be printed? Will it be digital? How are you planning to market? Who are you planning on marketing to? What are your plans for distribution? Will you be exhibiting at conventions? Which ones? You see, by answering these questions – i.e. making a plan – you will be ahead of 90% of everyone else attempting to enter into the comic industry – including a lot of those already here. It is staggering to see how many people in the world of comics walk blithely around with no game plan whatsoever. The last thing you want to be is one of them. So how do you prevent that?..

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“Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any one thing.” - Abraham Lincoln

When it comes to creating comic books personal time management skills are essential and the very catalyst for success. Individuals from all walks of life who practice these techniques routinely are the highest achievers within their respective fields: from business to public service, sports figures to musicians, animators and comic creators. Learning to develop and apply these skills will improve not only productivity but functionality as well. The more you organize, the easier it will be to accomplish your goals.  We begin organizing by prioritizing.

Last post we talked about Procrastination and how it is the Scourge of Success.  Prioritization is the Nemesis of Procrastination.  As the saying goes, “The enemy of my enemy is my friend.”  So let’s get better acquainted with prioritization…

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Being successful does not mange your time well.  Managing your time well is what makes you successful. – Randy Pausch

Time: It is our most precious commodity. It is the only thing that we absolutely, positively cannot get back.  Once it’s gone, it’s gone.

Procrastination:  It is the thief of time.  And yet, so many of us are guilty of sitting idly by as the scourge of our dreams walks blithely into the room and makes off with such a valuable commodity.

As creators, most all of us are practitioners of procrastination, whether we want to admit it or not. When it comes to achieving comic success, we tend to take a long time getting there – or sadly, not at all– due to our tendencies to give into this productivity pirate.  Putting off important tasks like drawing a new page, or writing a page of story, sending out a press release, or updating the website in lieu of something more pleasurable or convenient seems to be the order of the day.  Is this you?  If so, don’t worry you’re not alone…

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The Miscellaneous Adventures of STYKMAN™ © a.k.a. Comics & Jonnie Allan

Last post I directed you to a link that shined some very important light on what the media everywhere is calling the “Financial Crisis.”  There is little doubt that things are pretty strained right now, with very uncertain times looming on the horizon.

Because of this, some may feel that maybe they should put creating comics on the back burner for a little while longer until things improve.  But should this be the case?  I would like to encourage you to say “no” to any such ideas and stay the course.  Don’t get me wrong I’m not saying things are not in a serious state.  I’m just tired of all of the gloom and doom and the need to put everyone in a state of panic…

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