Sticking It To The Man.

So, Eric Powell's been kicking up the dirt of late with his video ( which he's taken down ) calling for more diversity in comics.  In characteristic "potty mouth" Powell style, the creator of the Goon raises the standard and berates the "big two" publishers for concentrating all their efforts on producing superhero comics, rather than giving the little guys a break. 

Which would be fair enough, I guess, if not for one small fact that he seems to be missing: Comic book readers don't give a toss about the little guy. 

Sorry, Eric, I realise it's probably not what you want to hear, but it is the truth.  There's a reason why DC are putting out six Batman-related titles a month, why Marvel are publishing nine X-titles every month, and that reason is because people buy them.  Simple as that.  ( Meself, I couldn't give a toss about modern superhero comics - fact is, I don't give a toss about most modern comics, full stop - I tend to spend most of what little money I have on archive and omnibus editions of old stuff ). 

You go on forums and comic boards all over the internet, and you get the same cries of " Yeah! Stick it to the man! Fuck the capes! " and that's all well and good, all terribly right on, and what-have-you, but nobody buys the right on stuff, nobody cares.  Or rather, not enough people care enough to make it profitable. 

Them big superhero comic crossovers that Eric seems to be directing his indignation towards? ( Which all seems just a wee bit rich, from a guy who not that long ago was doing Action Comics ). They're what make the money.  And, like as not, the uncomfortable truth is that both Marvel and DC are businesses, and, like any other business, their primary concern is with making money.  And if they don't make any money? guess what? they'll stop publishing stuff, and then we get no comics, at all.  None.  Bupkiss. 

I miss the small press, meself.  I remember, back in the day, all comics shops would have a spinner rack off to one side, or a section of shelf, specifically set aside for the small press, the ropey xeroxed self-produced fanzines and comics that the little guys did for themselves.  Now, nothing.  Not a jot.  Because people who go into comic shops just don't want to buy them, any more. 

The problem isn't with the big two, it's with the readers. 

For every one guy or girl out there who buys The Goon there's a couple of thousand who'd rather buy Green Lantern.  And they're the people DC and Marvel care about it.

While I can only applaud Eric, for the sentiment, and his obvious passion, I have to say that I think the whole call to arms thing is a bit pointless, in so much as I don't think it's going to change anything.  At all.  Although, and fair play to the man, at least it's got people talking. 

The answer?  Write and draw your own comics, knock them up yourself ( photocopying's dirt cheap these days, and you can pick up a stapler for next to fuck all in any stationers anywhere ), stand around on street corners/in clubs/in pubs/at gigs/around the convention floors, and punt them out yourself, for a loss if you have to, just so long as you get your stuff out there. Or, if you can't be arsed to do all that pesky leg work, wack it up on the 'net.  A blogger page costs nothing. 

See you in the funny pages.  Or not.  Your choice.