This rant is a bit different than usual. Recently on Facebook, Dan Nokes, independent comic book creator, shared his feelings about some of the current crop of people attending conventions. Because comic book movies have become main stream pop culture a growing number of people are attending conventions that have never even read a comic, but Dan’s rant sums it up nicely:

“So, I’m sure one or two of you wonder, why I get so upset that so much convention and fan show culture focuses on NOT COMICS, and NOT COMIC CREATORS. It’s not that I want myself and comic creation to be the absolute, adored, and worshiped center of the culture. I just want it to be a more recognized component than it is.
Let me give you an example: I was at a show last weekend, and more than ONCE, when presenting my book pitch. I received the immediate response of: I DON’T READ COMICS. One went so far as to respond: I DON’T READ COMICS. I’M NOT REALLY INTO THE WHOLE SUPER HERO THING. Which broke my heart in so many different ways. First of which, I am firm believer in the concept that comics are a medium and not a genre. And the synonymous, synchronistic, auto response of linking the two as the same unnerved me to the core. The second being the general consensus that it’s completely okay to not care about the source material that the cosplay, films, television and celebrity worship owes it’s livelihood to. Which is sort of funny, considering that if this were a Harry Potter fan or and reader of a literary series. It would most likely NOT be okay to not have any appreciation for the source material, let alone NOT HAVING READ THE BOOKS. But comics are okay to disregard. The other irony as they said this was that we were at a fan show with the name COMIC-CON in its title. Which is like saying you came to the strip club for the buffet.

Again, don’t mistake this for self aggrandizing ego. I know I do not have the most important job in the world. I’m a word and picture monkey trying make enough bananas to survive. I do however want to get the impression that my craft matters to the culture. Because when I waltz into a lot of shows now. The feeling is different from when I once started.

Now it feels like: A large club or theater with 20 amazing bands, performing their hearts out, and you know their is great talent and energy there. But the rest of the audience could not care less. The crowd is more interested in getting photos with people dressed up like Katy Perry, Justin Beiber, and Miley Cyrus, hitting the merch booth, and meeting and greeting with Steven Tyler at the bar, You turn to one of them and ask WHY AREN’T YOU CHECKING OUT THESE BANDS! THEY ARE AMAZING?! The reply of I’M NOT REALLY INTO MUSIC, leaves you gobsmacked.

Like I said. I don’t want to be the center of attention. I think I want recognition that comic books in general are an important component of the culture, and independent comics and creators are VITAL to maintain a healthy dose of creativity and fresh ideas in the medium. I want the culture to grow up and expand a little bit. I want it to embrace the full potential of the medium. Nostalgia is fine. But too much of anything leads to stagnancy and disintegration. I want legitimacy for sequential storytelling and graphic prose that I know it deserves. I want an aspiring creator to feel no subject or genre is off the table for consideration, and a comics community with an open mind to embrace and welcome such innovative committed dedication to the craft.

I hope at some point in my life, I arrive at that juncture. I’m not overly optimistic towards that scenario. But occasionally I get small influxes of hope that push me forward.”

check out Dan’s website here: http://www.21sandshark.com/