------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
the primordium: A high octane science fiction based detective comic book created by Christopher Hill and illustrated by British painter John Watson and Malaysian Tim Lai.The following is a weekly blog describing our path on creating this project. The path is incomplete. Join with us as we work towards publication. You want to create your own comic book? Hopefully our cautionary tale will help.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tonight’s installment… “It has to start somewhere, might as well be here…where ever that is.” (Yes, I like long titles)
For my entire life (except for my college and early twenties) I have been a huge fan of the industry. As a little guy I can remember visiting my Aunt Jean and Uncle Howard in Clarksville, Tennessee and going down to their basement. It was always a wonder because each time there were new comics around. Lot’s of DC but some Marvel as well. Never a run, just random books which I read and read and read. There was Captain Marvel #29 (Marvel – cosmic cover I think his first non-Kree uniform). I loved that cover. The book itself was crinkled & torn but I remember that book especially. I still have it; it’s not worth any thing on the market but to me it’s invaluable.
Aunt Jean used to take me to flea markets where I could pick up other comics. I loved Neal Adams covers and I remember one flea market where that is all I purchased. They also had “The Great Comic Book Heroes” book by Jules Feiffer. This is one of the first color comic trades ever; great book with DC heroes and the original origin of Captain America. It is an amazing introduction to the comics of the 40’s and 50’s. I would read the book constantly.
The great thing was the book was on a small table in a room that really wasn’t used very often. It was a formal room in the house with a piano and fireplace, a dignified place that had a hardcover comic on display. That set a tone for the reverence I have for the industry and the creators ability to bring things to life.
She and Uncle Howard were extremely supportive. So were my folks but it was different. These were my Uncle Howard’s comics. He would read them, he enjoyed them. My parents did not read comics. I am sure they were glad I was reading and not out on the street doing drugs or playing pinball. (Seriously, my parents warned me of the danger of playing pinball in an ARCADE, oh the horrors of my youth) but their support was general. They always supported my interests, even if they did not understand them.
The first comic book I remember buying was ROM #3. The series takes a lot of shots but I enjoyed the premise and the first couple of years. I didn’t like that all the wraith imposter's had the same birthday. Always thought that was a little weak for an alien world to plot and plan to take over a world and then all sign up for their social security cards on the same day. WTF? However; I was big into ROM, my Mom even gave me the figure on my birthday. The Buzz Lightyear of the day. I think it is still in her basement. I really need to find that thing.
Anyway, I can remember being a 14 year old kid on a church retreat to New York City. Bobby Johnson, Steven Bates and I skipped out on something and began to walk trying to find the Marvel offices. We walked, and we walked and we walked. Finally we found the building and went to the offices. There we were, our Mecca. The secretary was nice but said that she could not let us past. We were disappointed but thrilled at the fact that we found Camelot. Then a tall man overheard the conversation and opened the gates of Shangri-La!
I believe it was Jim Shooter, then Marvel Editor in Chief. I just remember him being really tall and that he was totally awesome. We saw the bullpen and met a lot of the artists. Everyone was amazing. A highlight and a memory that I wish I could remember completely. I also wish I was smart enough to thank Jim. So in case he ever gets lost on the intraweb and finds himself here. Thank you Jim!
I continued to collect until late high school and college, too many other priorities. I was writing and reading still but I did not have time to collect. Luckily I knew enough to keep the books well protected and stored. Eventually I found myself out of the wilderness and in 1996 or so I discovered comic again….slowly.
This time I was absolutely amazed at the artwork. Digital coloring had advanced so far from the “Shatter” days. The work was absolutely beautiful. However, I still had work commitments and dating and other priorities that kept me from diving in 100%. I remember reading a Generation X book that featured Stan Lee on the cover. Didn’t know who the characters were but I loved the art and enjoyed a level of storytelling that seemed much more advanced than I remembered.
Then I married and began to have a family. Since I had a new house, Mom and Dad saw this as an opportunity to clear out my stuff. Over the next year I had a new job other than childcare. My first child was born and I was committed to leaving my children something that was important for my own personal growth, my comics. But I wanted to make sure they had complete sets so for the past four years I have been finalizing every category that I started those many years ago. Not sure if I will ever finish, the Amazing Spider-Man run is really stretching the wallet but it will be much closer.
But what does this have to do with anything regarding “the primordium”? Ok, ok I’m getting there. I think it s important to say I am a fan of this industry first. My goal is to be a part of the medium and work with a team to bring stories to life. If it goes no further than that I will be happy. No matter where it goes I will always be a fan of the industry and the amazingly creative people, past and present that makes these things happen month after month.
So I am a comic fan back in to collecting with a real job, career and life. I am the Sales Director for a Triple-A baseball team, married with three amazing kids. Luckily for work, because our sales team has had a high degree of success, I have been able to bring personal interests into the workplace. While they may raise some eyebrows at work I am always given the benefit of the doubt and have never given them a reason not to. When I do something like that, the priority is for the event or capital improvement to make money. The track record is solid.
For example; I have always been a pro-wrestling fan so I created a pro-wrestling series of events called the Ballpark Brawl™. We did nine events so far and everyone has made money and brought new fans and sponsors to the stadium.
Now I looked to move another interest into the team dynamic…comic books.
Next Time…Converting fandom to profitability
Labels: christopher, Comic Book Publishing, hill, john, lai, primordium, tim, watson
Blogger
RSS