“Am I going to just continue to shoehorn other characters into it or do I make up my own guy… so that’s what I did”. Mike Mignola, 2018.

Comic books act to both link us to our past stories found in our mythology and help to create new mythology by keeping the old alive through referencing and adaptation. Comics continue to attempt to tackle and showcase the universal, and in many cases timeless nature of mythology, a main focal point of Mike Mignola’s ongoing thirty-year saga, Hellboy. Mignola often uses his own characters- predominately Hellboy, from his ‘Mignola-verse’ to not only help guide the casual mythology observer through well-established world myths, but also uses these characters to help explain his new mythology and how it works with what we have had handed down to us from multiple generations and societies).  This is one way to show how these myths are similar to each other, highlighting the connections that even though we are all from diverse backgrounds, mythology links everyone to how we thought and continue think about the world.

In their article Comic Books as Modern Mythology, Gelu Teampau explains how mythology has always provided dramatic stories which are easily adaptable, which feature the same stories with “variants of the same major and easily recognizable mythical characters, events and backgrounds” (Teampau, 2015 pp.147).Teampau elaborates and lists the forms in which these stories can be seen in “numerous examples from high arts, such as classical literature, painting, sculpture, architecture or classical music are expectedly retellings or reinterpretations of the well known myths (mostly originating in the West’s Judeo-Christian and Greek-Roman inheritance)” (Teampau, 2015 pp.147). This is seen by these myths and legends being visible in in modern art and media, such as film, animation, video games and as this article explores, comic books. Teampau believes their inclusion in modern media allows the content to be “due to their power to influence and their ability to forge easily understandable and identifiable messages” (Teampau, 2015 pp.147).

Mike Mignola is a veteran in the comic book industry, now with over 40 years of experience, most of that time crafting his creator owned series Hellboy published by Dark Horse comics. In 2018 on behalf of the Society of Illustrators, Karen Green the Curator for Comics and Cartoons at Columbia University interviewed Mignola. Mignola stated “almost nothing about Hellboy was planned, I just wanted to get away with drawing monsters and not cars” (YouTube, 2018).

Teampau, while referencing Arthur Asa Berger proposed that we need to look at culture like an “onion with multiple layers, holding the myth (the sacred story) at its core” (Teampau, 2015 pp.142). Expanding on this, goes on to describe how each ‘layer’ adds to the myth- “This essential nucleus is covered by the historical events put into connection to that myth. A third layer comprises the elitist creations containing reverberations of the myth, covered, at their turn, by the layer of the popular culture creations” (Teampau, 2015 pp.142). Again, while referencing Asa Berger, Teampau states that the largest and final layer is built from the everyday activities which reflect the myth, the adaptation of the layers to make new mythology in fiction, i.e., comics, (Teampau, 2015 pp.142) Something Mignola has frequently drawn inspiration from.

By Mignola’s own account, his desire to just draw monsters he unknowingly had stepped into the history of comics legacy as a mythology preserver and creator. This further stipulated by the creator in his interview when they discussed his work on DC Comics’ Batman: Gotham by Gaslight, an alternate history of Batman where an 1888 Gotham City stands in Whitechapel and Jack the Ripper haunts its streets- another example of Mignola bending myth and history to create a new mythology and Berger’s ‘onion’ theory. “Coming off this, I made up my own story where I could draw what I want… how could I back to being at the mercy of someone sending me a script”. He continued “am I going to just continue to shoehorn other characters into it or do I make up my own guy… so that’s what I did” (YouTube, 2018).

With the newfound passion to break away from being bound by other people’s stories and guidelines of the publishers, the comic book Hellboy debut in 1993 allowing Mignola to peruse his love and wish to just draw monsters. By doing this, Mignola used Berger’s ‘onion’ theory and through the pages of Hellboy, blended all his loves, folklore, horror, Lovecraft, pulp fiction and of course mythology creating a new mythology and exposing an audience to tales and characters from our past in a new way. The character itself a half human and half demon summoned from hell during the last days of World War II by Nazi’s to help tip the war in their favour by Rasputin. However, while he was being summoned the Nazis were interrupted by Professor Trevor Bruttenholm, who after the confrontation took the child in and raised him as his own and taught him to be an occult detective and monster hunter. Through his story, Hellboy joins Bruttenholm’s group B.P.R.D. (Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defence) and is revealed to be connected to a prophecy where he is to bring upon Ragnarök- the Norse mythological name for the apocalypse.

Dawid Przywalny, in his article Comic books as Modern American Mythology suggests culture has always been a lively element, always changing and morphing with the society which used it. When a society evolves, it also changes its language structure and its cultural creations. “Old beliefs, opinions and rituals lose their meanings and become traditions without functionality” (Przywalny, 2014 p). Therefore, if a cultural‑social change happens, it must be accompanied by a mythology reinterpretation which Mignola has done by crafting an in-depth world, built by adding his own mythology and world stories to push his narrative forward, intertwining figures and groups from history such as Rasputin and Nazis- key nemesis to Hellboy throughout the series. The series also include tales and figures from a range of mythologies; Celtic, Slavic, Arthurian legends, Greco-Roman, African to name a few. While weaving this existing canon of mythology into his story he creates a diverse palette of characters and perspectives that, just like traditional mythology reflects the changing landscape that creates a more expansive and more relevant mythology.

Overall Mignola is just one example of a Comic book writer and artist who has borrowed and retold straight adaptations of the myths we pass down or altered versions to fit within his overall story. Mignola has played a somewhat unknowingly pivotal role in comics when it comes to creating modern mythology with his simple desire to just draw monsters. His works have not only created new characters that are now connected to the mythological ones we know but he has given these traditional myths a new life, at heart keeping the values and core moral intact for a new generation and showing readers how these myths and legends can act as a bridge the worlds cultures together, showing us no matter or race or place of origin we share these similar tales that help form us all, uniting us a one community.

References:

1. Mignola, M. and Byrne, J., 2018. Hellboy Omnibus Volume 1 Seeds of Destruction. 1st ed. Milwaukie: Dark Horse Comics.
2. Mignola, M, 2018. Hellboy Omnibus Volume 2 Strange Places. 1st ed. Milwaukie: Dark Horse Comics.
3. Mignola, M. and Fegredo, D., 2018. Hellboy Omnibus Volume 3 The Wild Hunt. 1st ed. Milwaukie: Dark Horse Comics.
4. Mignola, M., 2018. Hellboy Omnibus Volume 4 Hellboy in Hell. 1st ed. Milwaukie: Dark Horse Comics.
5. Teampau, G. (2015) ‘Comic books as the modern mythology’, Caietele Echinox, 28, pp. 140–155.
6. YouTube. (2018). A Conversation with Mike Mignola and Karen Green. [online] Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2YCXTwkjYdM&t=3729s [Accessed 5 Oct. 2023].
7. Augustyn, B., Mignola, M., P Craig Russell, Barreto, E., Kane, B. and Dc Comics, Inc (2006). A tale of the Batman : Gotham by gaslight. New York, Ny: Dc Comics.
8. Przywalny, D. (2014) ‘Comic books as the modern American mythology’, Ad Americam, 15, pp. 117–128. doi:10.12797/adamericam.15.2014.15.10.

Wollongong City Library astonished the fans on Saturday, 14 May 2022, as the team behind the event delivered another Comic Gong to a once again hungry crowd.

Fans of the now long running annual event rejoiced as Comic Gong returning after a brief two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 lockdowns with a successful relaunch. Like many other events, the COVID-19 pandemic and the lockdowns led to the cancelation of the 2020 show and the 2021 show progressing under a very limited capacity. However, this year’s show was spread over five locations throughout central Wollongong – Wollongong Library, Wollongong Town Hall, the Art Gallery, the Arts Precinct, and the Crown Street Mall.

This year welcomed some new venders along with some of the long running venders and artists that have been with the convention since its conception. Beside the venders and artists other fan favourite features return such as the Batmobile and more importantly the cosplay competition, where everyone can dress up and express their love for the characters that shape pop culture. Along with other activities such as pinball, Lego robots, face painting and stunt performers performing the moves and stunts we have come to love from our superheroes in the comics and on the screen.

Comic Gong is an annual pop culture festival that celebrates a love of comics, graphic novels, gaming, and cosplay. Comic Gong is a free and inclusive and all-ages event. Free event geared towards families. The event debuted back in 2013 at Corrimal District Library and Community Centre. In 2014 it moved and expanded to Wollongong’s city Library, gallery, and Town Hall. This move was to accommodate its success and need for extra space. This Illawarra based event is like Super Nova or Oz Comic-Con and it is estimated that this celebration of pop-culture attracts over 10,000 people each year, according to the Wollongong city council’s website.

This was a illustration from 2017 which included a blend of traditional marker work and Photoshop for the Australian band Addicted To This for their first EP ‘No Salvation’. This was a fun project, go heck them out.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-M_Bvg9dU_8

This was a special edition of the series that was live streamed on Wednesday the 1st December 2021 using my phone, -so excuse how shaking and blurred out i look (or be greatful haha)- that focused on my comic series, Bronwyn so if your keen to know some more of my background and the origin of the series give it a watch.

As a creator myself I have asked a few times in my publishing journey if I was on the right path, and always I have come to the answer, yes. In my next article I will be interviewing a few of my fellow creators to ask the age old question, why do we do it.

https://mobile.twitter.com/ZacXenite/status/1459847090964615169

What I wish I had known when I started in comics.

Over the course of the past 10 years, the comic industry has hit the consciousness of the mainstream viewer more now than ever. Out of this has come a boom in Australian independent creators seeking to forge their way in the comics industry acting either in the role of content creator or as publisher. Under the name Whatzacdrew Comics I was one of these creatives and there is a lot I wish I had of know when I first started a few years ago.

The benefits of indie published books include being able to create a wider range of storytelling and artwork. It allows the creative team to release the story that they wanted and not be hindered by or feel the pressure of an 80-year legacy, like the major mainstream publishers seem to be suffering from. While this history can sometimes be a difficult to live up to, it also becomes a major asset, as a writer or artist your work is instantly recognisable as sellable because of the character’s popularity in the genre. This does not really happen in indie books unless you have come from a mainstream career, or you have been publishing the indie title for years.

Edmund Kearsley, creator, and publisher of the series Radical believes the hardest thing about being a publisher today is the same as it’s always been. Mr Kearsley continued “It’s finding an audience. It’s finding people who want to buy the types of comic books you make. Even in the social media age the signal to noise ratio is so high, it’s hard to let people know that you’re out there making books.

The best piece of advice I ever received was from fellow Australian artist Nicola Scott, a mainstream artist who left a full-time exclusive contract with DC Comics to peruse creator owned title Black Magick for Image Comics. Nicola and I were at similar ages when we began a journey to break into comics, and what she said while going over my portfolio was that this is a long and hard job, you really must want it. This is advice I now give to people who ask me about creating comics, there is so much extra work to do because of a bias and stigma that indie books are not as good as mainstream comics. Another thing I tell people is that this is a slow burn, don’t expect sales or recognition off the first book and gradually all your work will build to a property that someone recognises. 

TIPS FOR CREATING

Along with telling people about the importance of wanting to do this as a career I also say write to the market, meaning look at what is popular and write stories about that theme with your twists. This will give you some help in getting your book get noticed. Also, Superhero stories are not the only stories to tell, so think beyond the superhero genre because in many cases it can hinder the creative process. Mr Kearsley also stated, “My advice to new creators would be to make YOUR comic book.” He elaborated “Don’t try to imitate corporate books. Do it all yourself. Do everything. Do the writing, art, letters, and colours all by yourself. At least once.” This is how I work on my books and knowing how to do everything will benefit you in the long run. Another important thing to remember is to habitually create, always be working even if it is sketching layouts, research, it all counts.  Maintaining a schedule will help you with this, treat it as if it were a job.

PRINTING AND FUNDING THE BOOKS

Money is often a make or break in the independent scene, but in the last few years platforms like Kickstarter and Indiegogo have really taken off and offered to help creators raise the funds required to print their book. You could also use social media to do pre-orders or sell your final book. To help get use to printing books start with smaller mini comics or zines, these can be lower in costs to produce and will help you learn the printing side of publication. However, when you send your book to a printer ask around for recommendations first as there are a lot of horror stories about printers out there, so the more you know the easier it will be to find a good one. And secondly always get a proof copy, no matter the size of the print run, this will save time, catching errors and money down the line.

DISTRIBUTION

Distribution is one of the major concerns with being an independent publisher, as is there is no established distributor. Gary Dellar of Reverie Publications, an Australian publishing house agreed that this is one of the major problems with comics presently. Mr Dellar said “There is none. No national distributor exists for Australian comics. (Use to be Gordon and Gotch in my early days of making comics) Yes there are groups of websites plus the old one or two comic shops that you can place your comics up for sale, but this isn’t enough to sustain ongoing comics.” Mr Dellar continued, “for me it was the ongoing promotional exercise of doing tables that attracted readers from outside the creative groups. It’s a lot of hard work but it gets the sort after readership you need, and it showed everyone we existed and produced excellent comics under the Reverie brand.”

Another way to help your distribution network is to make new contacts through cross promotion, that is, allowing other creators to put an advert for their book and vice-versa in the hope that you can use that creators fanbase to expand the readership of your book. Sometimes this works, sometimes it doesn’t, but advertising is becoming very important, even if it just gives your book a few seconds of recognition with another publisher or reader.

Other areas you can investigate as a publisher to help your distribution network is, once again social media, in today’s market a key requirement is to have some form of social media. Something like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram are very useful, you can build a following and promote your work and its free. As an independent creator, money is always ongoing issue and when there is something available that can benefit you that is free, take it.

Online stores that specifically sell indie books, either in digital format or physical form. Australia has a few online stores that have really taken off, first there is ownaindi and then the more recent addition of ComX Shop, a side project of ComX Studio. These are useful tools as they will be able to reach an audience who are specifically looking for indie books.

So, to summarise, while creating remember to maintain quality, and try to release something frequently, but not to fast your quality will drop. Quality of your book is key as an independent creator.  Start with what you have; the resources, skills, price range, materials etc just publish. Just because someone else has a different program or materials does not impact you if it isn’t broken don’t fix it. Finally, and this is the most important thing of all, tell your story. Share your vision on your own terms, the ideas you have don’t exist outside of your head, your idea needs to be out there to exist.

Australian comics finds a new home as web developer turns publisher.

From web developer to comic promoter, to comic book publisher Shane Syddall is aiming to become Australia’s largest independent publisher and promoter. With one question in mind, why are we not supporting Aussie talent.

Shane Syddall has been a long-time comic reader of mainstream comics for as long as he could remember but fell off as publishers began to both rehash and reboot their comic lines in the 80s. In 2019 Syddall stepped back into the world of comics when he discovered the Australian indie scene. When asked why he came back to comics he said, “to be honest I missed them”. Mr Syddall elaborated “comics have always given me such great joy, but finances were my main issue, plus my OCD need to have full collections which is a VERY expensive need”. Mr Syddall believes it was indie comics that helped overcome the original issues that were key factors in why he parted from comics years earlier, “Indie Comics have shorter runs and no arcs that ran over years, that made me realise I could bi-pass my OCD need and still read comics.”

But why are creators shifting from pursuing a mainstream career with the bigger publishers, e.g., DC Comics, Marvel or Dark Horse and taking a chance on themselves? Over the last decade even mainstream creatures are making the transition away from these major publishers and seeking out creator own agreements or delving into publishing their own material with the aid of Kickstarter and other fund-raising platforms. This shift has been made easier because of how the world has become connected through the internet and social media, making finding an audience and distribution a lot easier than say twenty years ago. Once creators relied on distribution companies like Diamond and the marketing of the publisher to get their work out there, but the internet has helped the creator to become fully in charge of their career in many ways.

After his reconnection with comics Mr Syddall started his website, https://comx.net.au/ that would act as a directory to link comic collectors and the casual reader to a database of all Australian stores to help finding these stores easier. “During the process of listing these stores I discovered the Australian Indie Comic scene. I felt quite stupid at first that I hadn’t considered there were Australian Comics. Not sure why I remember the date, but on Boxing Day 2019 I started building the part of the site that would house the directory of Australian Talent.” Mr Syddall continued “I figured if this was news to me, how many other comic fans didn’t know about Indie Comics in Australia?”. It was this thought that pushed the websites focus on making people aware this scene existence in Australia

Looking to continue the push of Australian creators in the comic scene, and with the encouragement of others, Mr Syddall ventured into the role of publisher. In July of 2021 Mr Syddall launched the first ComX Studio publication titled Presents, followed by Presents: Noir.

Both Presents and Presents: Noir are anthologies, the first in full colour and the later in black and white. Each book features four stories from four different Australian creators, some stories are one offs while others are ongoing instalments. These publications were released in August followed by Presents: Noir in September and was available initially through a pre-order on Kickstarter and now on the publisher’s website https://comx.shop/ .

ComX Studio holds similar values to Image Comics in many ways, the main similarity being, the creators come first. As a publisher ComX Studio only acts as publisher and distributer and retains no ownership of the material printed. The creators are free to move on and take their material with them if or when they choose to depart company. This arrangement, also held by Image Comics is a way to counteract another reason for the departure of creators from pursuing mainstream careers. This reason would be the warning tales from older creators who previously worked in mainstream comics expressing how they have been used and receive no compensation, especially with the use of the material they created that led to the boom of the comic-based media.

In many cases past deals have granted both the studios and the publishers a loophole in not paying them royalties for their work, one recent example of this is Warner Bros using the work created by Alex Ross for costume designs and promotional material. One case would be in Wonder Woman 1984 which borrowed heavily on a costume design created for Wonder Woman in the DC Comics Book Kingdom Come which was the base design and influence for the golden armour shown throughout the film. The Promotional material also recreated his paintings of the DC Comics characters to promote 2017s Justice League without crediting Ross as the original source for the concept.

With these first publications now out and available to the public, Mr Syddall is oncourse to release the publishing house’s follow up issues continuing focusing on the Australian talent. Many of the original contributors are returning to the next editions with a few new additions to the talent roster leading to a November release for the next instalments of both Presents and Presents: Noir.

This momentum in releasing content to the public has allowed Mr Syddall time to reflect on the time and effort that goes into this side of the industry, Mr Syddall explained “there is more to printing than meets the eye, and Kickstarter are WAY more work they look. Help is invaluable when doing both”. Mr Syddall continued “maybe it’s because of recent events and its front of mind, but I would have to say the social politics of the scene is something difficult to navigate too.  But I any industry is like that, I guess I just hoped for more from a community based around something I loved. Second would be organising a group of people with different goals to share just one.

Due December 2021, this issue showcases the adventures of the giraffe detective, Vivian Jones as he investigates crimes with supernatural overtones after an encounter that left him scarred as a child.

This book, both written and illustrated by myself also will feature a sketchbook showing how the series came to be; full of sequential layouts, concept sketches and various pin-ups. AND last but not least features two amazing guest artist who contributed some amazing work for variants. The first is from Duncan Pranevicius, ( https://www.instagram.com/xpranevicius/ ) creator of Bin Kitty, printed through ComX Studio, https://comx.shop/product/comx-presentsnoir-001b and the second Ryan Vella, ( https://www.instagram.com/ryan_vella_comics/ ) the creator of Turbo Supermax, also published through ComX Studio.

To order the book, send a message to myself on Facebook www.facebook.com/whatzacdrewcomics