Monday, April 28, 2014

Women, comics, and my experience part II

Hey everyone,

Sorry I've been quiet on here. Going through a family crisis of sorts, nothing you need worry about, but it's kept me offline for a bit.

However,  this issue of sexism in comics has reared it's ugly head again and it got me thinking about my last post on this issue and how women in comics have positively affected my career. Thinking about that lead me to think about how women in comics, and the arts in general, are affecting my present and maybe my future.

I just wrapped up my Visual Development class at PCAD, and there is a fact I'm seeing each semester that folks should be aware of. Most of my students are women. My last class was roughly 2/3's women, which is not unique to my class. The Illustration department, and the school in general, has a higher female enrollment rate than male. I understand that in general terms this is the norm for higher education, but it's great to see up close.

Also, these ladies are really good, I mean just CRAZY good, and intensely dedicated. The illustration program at PCAD is really rigorous, and the Visual Development classes are particularly challenging, but these ladies don't shrink away from the demanding work for a second. They're training damned hard, and they're determined to be ready for the work that is ahead.

There are students who graduated from my class but still come back to visit and gather more information, learn as much as they can, even if there are no credits involved. They just want to work and learn and get better and better.

I guess my point is this: If folks are not taking an artist seriously simply because she happens to be a women, or don't like having women in the arts well.... they're in for a surprise in a few years. The ladies I'm meeting are not playing around, and they are many. They're eager to work, but if work doesn't come for whatever reason they're willing to clear their own path, make their own way.

These folks who don't want women in comics can go ahead and keep telling themselves that only their tastes matter, or that women only get work because they're attractive, but posterity will only remember the work of the women who will prove them wrong.

Things will change, things will improve. I've met the future, and I have faith that they're going to fix things up. Dismiss them at your own risk.

As for me, I've decided to get on these ladies' good side. I kinda see me hitting them up for work in a few years ;-)

Ok, back to worrying and working for me. Talk to you later.

 Best,
Mike

Friday, April 11, 2014

Deadpool Wedding signing!

Hey everyone!

The big, oversized Deadpool Wedding issue hit stands! Did you get it? Good, good. Check out some great reviews here, here and here.



So, you want to get it signed by me and series writer Gerry Duggan? Want to hang out at an actual Deadpool Wedding? Yeah, I thought you would.

Check out what we have planned this weekend at Third Eye Comics in Maryland.




If you're anywhere near Maryland, you gotta come out to the event!

Best,
Mike


Tuesday, April 01, 2014

Oms en Serie 2 work-in-progress video!

Hey!

I've been working on my french comics, Oms en Serie II! Here's a quick progress vid.




This, and more, over on my Vine page. Enjoy!



Best,
Mike