Skelebunnies, Stitch, Autumn
1. What do you find most satisfying/least satisfying about creating
comics?
I love what I do, almost every aspect of it. I love the creation process when it's all still in my head, I love pencilling, I love inking, I love seeing it all put together in a professionally published comic book. I guess one of the most satisfying things is to see my vision complete in its published form. The other most satisfying thing is getting responses from readers who take something personal away from it. I enjoy feeling like I'm "giving something" to my readers.
2. What education/training would you suggest to someone interrested
in creating comics?
The best education/training you can get is just by DOING it. Figure out which artists and writers are your favorites, and study what they do. Then come up with your own unique way of seeing and expressing things. I have no art training at all, none in writing, either. With art and literature, I believe the most important thing is to be true to your own inner vision, not to learn someone else's rules about how things should look.
Some of the most successful comic book creators, at least with my publisher, have little or no "training."
3. (I find this question kinda rude, but this one's manditory in my paper) What salary range could I expect to start in this feild?
I'm not salaried, I get a percentage of the profits of my books. With my publisher, it starts at 7%, and increases depending on how many copies are sold. Merchandising is different, I think with T-shirts you get, like, $5 for every one that sells, or something like that. With the comics, 1,000 copies have to sell before you start getting royalties, so the publisher can pay himself back for the printing costs and stuff.
4. What other companies had you worked for/concidered working for
before Slave Labor Graphics?
They're the only publisher I've worked with like this. The only other publisher I even submitted stuff to when I started was Fantagraphics, and they were sort of interested, but SLG actually called me at home, and we quickly developed a good rapport.
I also did a little 2-page thing for Oz Story Magazine, put out by Hungry Tiger Press.
5. What are the biggest challanges you face in this feild?
Personally, my biggest challenge is finding the time to work on my stuff, since I also have a regular full-time day job. It has good benefits and stuff, so I can't be too flaky with it. I work on my comics on weeknights and weekends. My publisher is extremely supportive of my career, and he keeps giving me great opportunities, and I feel very safe and taken care of with them. I don't worry too much about sales, because I feel I have enough loyal fans that at least Slave Labor won't lose money on me, hopefully. Anything beyond that I consider a bonus!