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 Here's the "Comics is Comics" editorial from AN ACT OF FAITH #9. It chronicles the "Creator-owned Comics (vs. Corporate-owned Comics)" panel held at the Special Edition: NYC comics convention. The panel featured a discussion between Al Nickerson, Michael Allred, and Kurt Busiek. Following that is a correspondence between Dave Sim and Al Nickerson concerning current talks on comic book Creator's RightsÖ   October 4, 2014 Hi Dave, Thanks for your September 4th letter. I hear what you’re saying. I also get frustrated with the lack of robust talks concerning comic book Creator’s Rights. But, just because it’s difficult doesn’t mean that I’m going to stop. When I started talking publicly about Creator’s Rights in 2005, Scott McCloud told me: Be prepared to be disappointed. Scott wasn’t wrong. Still, there was something that you had once mentioned that continues to encourage me: There’s nothing magical about the guys who chose to discuss (creator’s rights) back in 1988, it was more a matter of 'SOMEONE has to start discussing this stuff' just as Neal Adams seemed to have the same sense back in the 70s. At a certain point if you’re the only one talking about it everyone just screens you out, which is why it’s important that new voices chime in wherever they see a need. And which is why I’ve spent this much time on it with you, Al. You’re the only person in seventeen years to express an interest. It’s probably your turn now. Don’t be surprised if it loses you every friend you have. It still needs to be done. The discussions that you and folks like Steve Bissette and Scott McCloud have had in the 1980s had made a huge impact on me as a young artist. Because of such conversations and because of the Creator’s Bill of Rights, I became very much aware of comic book history and the horrible business practices of comic book publishers. People were certainly listening to you guys. I’m praying that, today, young artists coming into the field are listening, as well. I actually see them listening when I teach and lecture about Creator’s Rights. And (for example) I’ve seen them listening during the "Creator-owned Comics (vs. Corporate-owned Comics)" panel. (I mean Michael, Kurt, and I even talked about comic book contracts during the panel. How often does THAT happen?) Will such talk topple work-made-for-hire companies like the Walt Disney Company/Marvel Entertainment or DC Entertainment? Probably not. But, if we can make young artists aware, if we can instill change in the work-made-for-hire cesspool of comics, if we can make sure that past travesties aren’t repeated, then I’ll keep on fighting. I may be done with work-made-for-hire, but I’m not done with comics, and I’m not done with speaking out. There’s always hope. Holy is Yeshua! best, Al Nickerson http://anactoffaithcomic.com/ http://www.facebook.com/al.nickerson.3 John 11:25-26 (King James Version): 25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: 26 and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? PS: With that said, you’re certainly not wrong about Marxist-feminism.  Hi Dave, Thanks for your October 24th letter. It’s always great to hear from you. No need to apologize, though. I understand what you’re saying. And I understand your frustration. It can be annoying to (seemingly) yell into the wind (so to speak) in regards to attempting to discuss comic book Creator’s Rights. You and folks like Stephen Bissette, Scott McCloud, and Colleen Doran have made great strides in Creator’s Rights. We owe you guys more than we can ever repay. Maybe, in several more years, I’ll be where you are in my views about talking about such things. But, I’m not quite there just yet. In regards to John 11:27, some Bible translations have Martha speaking in the present tense and some in the past tense. HmmÖ I’m enclosing various translations that I’ve found on Biblehub.com. best, Al Nickerson  Next: "Frank Miller got me thinking..."  |
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