For the Writers Among Us

[Billium3]

I hope to write comic books for aliving someday (Hopefully sooner than later and ideally for Marvel and/or DC). Just gotta find a way to break into the industry. I sure wouldn't mind writing everyone's favorite Shellhead someday. 

Any writer will tell you two things: be persistent and be ready to be rejected because you rarely get a bite on your first try.

I know what you mean; trying to get in is a job itself. But I know it's one of those tough things that will pay off in the end. At least, I hope so.

[Metal Head]

Start small, and work your way up. A lot of the current writers and artists at Marvel and DC started on their own indie projects. Some are/were film/TV writers, so there's that, too.

[Metal Head]

Some of you know I had a decent career in the South Florida film/TV/video industry for over a decade, but for the past 2 years I've been a tech writer/reviewer. I am at a crossroads, and would love to continue writing that way, but I'm also looking for film/TV/video opportunities.

Heath

[Roger A Ott II]

Haven't visited this thread in a couple years!  I'm currently freelancing for Marvel, working on their Handbooks and Saga books, doing research for trade paperbacks, and now also working on art refurbishment for Handbook-related projects.

I have loved the Handbooks since I was a kid in the early 1980s, so working on them now is quite a thrill. I'm also hoping that someday I can work my way into writing actual sequential story comics, but for now, I'm having a lot of fun where I'm at.

Like Heath said, a lot of current writers started on their own indie projects. Marvel doesn't accept unsolicited submissions anymore, so the best thing to do is get noticed for what you've already done.

[Metal Head]

I once submitted to Marvel, about 9 years ago, but never heard back. I should've kept submitting, lol. Might as well work on my own comic then.

heath

[Billium3]

Haven't visited this thread in a couple years!  I'm currently freelancing for Marvel, working on their Handbooks and Saga books, doing research for trade paperbacks, and now also working on art refurbishment for Handbook-related projects.

I have loved the Handbooks since I was a kid in the early 1980s, so working on them now is quite a thrill. I'm also hoping that someday I can work my way into writing actual sequential story comics, but for now, I'm having a lot of fun where I'm at.

Like Heath said, a lot of current writers started on their own indie projects. Marvel doesn't accept unsolicited submissions anymore, so the best thing to do is get noticed for what you've already done.

How'd you get in at Marvel if I may ask, Rog? Very cool to hear you're working with/for them. 

[Roger A Ott II]

I wrote this up as an article for AI #75, but since that was several months ago and may never see the light of day...

Right place, right time scenario, basically. As a huge fan of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe series, I was hanging out on a message board called "Who Watches the Watchers?" where the Handbook guys frequented.  One of the board regulars started a thread for amateur profile writers to post stuff, so I wrote two short character profiles and posted them.  One of the head Handbook writers came in and critiqued everyone's work, and a couple weeks after, I got an e-mail asking if I'd like to try out for a real Handbook, because they were looking for some new writers. That was in March of last year.  As of today, I've written over 2 dozen Handbook profiles, written for two Saga books, researched various trade projects, and written recap pages for the FF by John Byrne Omnibus and the Origin of the Hobgoblin TPB.  And I've just recently started doing art refurbishment on the TPB versions of the OHOTMU Hardcover series from a couple years back.

[Billium3]

I wrote this up as an article for AI #75, but since that was several months ago and may never see the light of day...

Right place, right time scenario, basically. As a huge fan of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe series, I was hanging out on a message board called "Who Watches the Watchers?" where the Handbook guys frequented.  One of the board regulars started a thread for amateur profile writers to post stuff, so I wrote two short character profiles and posted them.  One of the head Handbook writers came in and critiqued everyone's work, and a couple weeks after, I got an e-mail asking if I'd like to try out for a real Handbook, because they were looking for some new writers. That was in March of last year.  As of today, I've written over 2 dozen Handbook profiles, written for two Saga books, researched various trade projects, and written recap pages for the FF by John Byrne Omnibus and the Origin of the Hobgoblin TPB.  And I've just recently started doing art refurbishment on the TPB versions of the OHOTMU Hardcover series from a couple years back.

Holy crap that is awesome! That's a really cool "how I broke in..." story. The fact that you got to work on Origin of the Hobgoblin, a TPB based on one of, if not my favorite villain of all time, is amazing! Congrats, Rog.

If they're ever looking for more writers, hit me up.   

[Roger A Ott II]

Yeah, Hobgoblin is my favorite villain, so it was a thrill to get that. That was due to a last-minute call for help from one of the head guys who just couldn't fit it into his schedule. I keep a pretty tight work ethic, always turn my stuff in on time (unless it's already overdue by the time I get it), and hope that makes me a go-to guy when these rush projects come up.

[Billium3]

Yeah, Hobgoblin is my favorite villain, so it was a thrill to get that. That was due to a last-minute call for help from one of the head guys who just couldn't fit it into his schedule. I keep a pretty tight work ethic, always turn my stuff in on time (unless it's already overdue by the time I get it), and hope that makes me a go-to guy when these rush projects come up.

That's a sure fire way to stand out and develop a dependable reputation. Who knows what they may come to you with next?

And it's a shame how Dan Slott wrote the original Hobgoblin in Amazing Spider-Man. I actually stopped buying the title after Amazing Spider-Man #649 because I became so disappointed with their horrible treatment of Roderick Kingsley (I still hold out that it's part of some ruse on Kingsley's part). I hope another writer can come along and fix what Slott did to Hobby; hopefully sooner than later.

[Roger A Ott II]

Not to derail the thread too far, but Slott has written some pretty good Spider-Man stories, so I'm hoping you're right and this is some plot on Kingsley's part to keep his low profile.

[Billium3]

Not to derail the thread too far, but Slott has written some pretty good Spider-Man stories, so I'm hoping you're right and this is some plot on Kingsley's part to keep his low profile.

You know, I think Kingsley would make a great adversary for Iron Man, especially if they don't want to use Kingsley in the Spidey books (Trust me, this is on topic; you'll see by the bottom paragraph). Both are business men, so they could set up a rivalry there. And Kingsley's unethical business dealings would definitely bring him into conflict with Tony. Plus, it's a great way to show that Kingsley tries to distance himself from Spidey and how he isn't motivated by things like revenge; only money and power.

Now THAT is a story I'd love to write; I've been kicking an idea around like that for a little while, now. Of course, a struggle like that should be built up over a good deal of issues until it reaches a mind blowing, pumpkin bomb filled conclusion.

[JDD01]

I kinda like the idea of a super powered Hobgoblin oh well then again theres always the world of Fanfiction.net to put up your stories. If you guys don't know I'm kinda a decent writer/artist. I've already got a new webcomic called Unity United and I hope to myself thats it entertaining at least.
It only has 3 pages so far (cover included) but it seems cool.

Here's some links if you want to critque it:
page 1:http://unityunited.smackjeeves.com/comics/1450661/prologue-pg-1/

page 2:http://unityunited.smackjeeves.com/comics/1452920/prologue-pg-2/