[6] FIRST ISSUE
THE STORY'S INSPIRATION:
- I wanted to write a story about how envious parents can get of their own children’s heroes
- It's meant to show the selfishness of parents who don’t deal with their own issues before having kids and that dissatisfaction comes out
- It was also inspired by how so many adults have to put away their dreams as the sacrifice to build their families and provide for them and sometimes that comes out as petty resentment
- Finally, I wanted to hint at how celebrities now have people pay for their autographs at conventions. I was at New York City Comic-Con and found this so disheartening. When I was young you just had to wait a long time, but you could do it. Now, if you don’t have a lot of money, you don’t get to meet your heroes. I found that saddening.
IMAGERY STARTING POINTS:
- A comic book cover
- A boxed superhero with a for sale price
- An action figure with a price tag
- An action figure partially out of it box, crushed
- An adult tearing a comic book in half
- A collection of action figures with a dollar sign on them
- An action figure holding up a father
DEVELOPING THE IMAGERY:
- The comic book cover was the strongest idea and fit directly with the image, but in creative discussions and initial iterations, it became clear this was going to be too time intensive
- There was a worry that using an action figure wouldn't connect with the story since it's about comics, but I felt it spoke more to the commodification element
- A surprising find that ultimately worked was when I found circus promotion artwork. It had a retro feel but also a high "wow" focus and was used for the background.
- I love Miguel's final inclusion of stacking them and giving the effect of a store shelf.
Weekly illustrated short stories from a Brooklyn writer/art director who is trying to stay anonymous a bit longer.
This artist is credited in the collaboration section.
