Comics Sacrifice
The big discussion in comic books this week is about sacrifice, how the comic industry is all about long hours and intense deadlines, to the exclusion of living a proper, full life. Well, I just want to let everyone know that it’s all true.
A lot of people think that I don’t have any friends because of my personality, but I’m here to tell you it’s by choice. Having friends would be a distraction from writing Batman in “Batman” or drawing background dick jokes in “Sex Criminals.” What’s more important? Enjoying time with people (fleeting) or writing a killer Daredevil scene (forever)? I think we all know the answer.
I’ve missed the last dozen of my wife’s birthdays. Does she mind? I don’t know, we don’t really talk as I’m too busy working. My sons Chad (6), Charles (8), Chip Jr. (11), Chucky (14) and Champ (30) know to leave me alone between the hours of 6am and 10pm because I’m busy creating worlds. It appears they’re doing well from what I see on TikTok (I allow myself a four hour social media break every day), so I’m not too stressed by our lack of a proper relationship.
I do a lot of cocaine. I don’t want to do a lot of cocaine, I have to in order to meet my deadlines. Do I also enjoy the cocaine? Yes. But that’s secondary to making sure I colour Public Domain pages in time for the print deadline. When people ask me about my retirement plan, I tell them that it will involve stopping doing cocaine and maybe taking up pottery. Of course if I find that I can’t concentrate enough on making pottery then I’ll do some cocaine.
But I don’t want people to think that my life is only work. I do actually manage to take several vacations a year. They’re called comic conventions and, yes, they fully interrupt my schedule, but it’s nice to get away from work for a while and sign my work and draw Spidermans for adults. My editors do give me a bit of a hard time when they see all the photos I post of me getting blitzed at “barcon” after hours when I owe them so many pages, but my life can’t just be about making comics. It also needs space for being adored for making comics.
Sorry, I didn’t intend for this to be a lecture. I just think it’s important to let you all know that, this? This is a lifestyle of intense work and deadlines where most of the month’s work is done in the last two weeks, but those first two weeks are actually really crucial for me to sit and stress about everything I have to do.
Good luck to anyone who wants to comics for a living. It’s absolute hell.
UM THEN WHY DO YOU DO IT
For the money!
OH
Also, for the very cool experiences! I posted last week that I would talk more about THIS photo today:
So, yes, I went to London with many Fantastic Four legendary creators to get a tour of the up coming FF movie set. Technically I’m a “legendary” “Marvel Two-In-One Creator featuring The Thing and The Human Torch,” but it was either invite me or Mark Waid and I think they made the right choice.
I obviously can’t say much about the trip ‘cause I saw EVERYTHING and am now full of so many spoilers, but boy oh boy what a treat. Astounding physical sets, incredible costumes and details, it was all really amazing. Every time I’d turn a corner I would actually laugh out loud at how ludicrously wonderful the thing I was now seeing for the first time was. And the people! So many talented people creating this fun project, like the joyous Matt Shakman, who is directing the movie. We also, obviously, met Vanessa Kirby and Pedro Pascal, who were very, very charming. I didn’t speak much to Vanessa as I’m scared of women, but Pedro and I are now best friends. Though I did forget to show him my Mr. Fantastic audition tape.
The strangest part was seeing how many “Chip Easter Eggs” are in the movie! Like, at one point they refer to Reed as “the world’s smartest man” which is clearly a reference to me! Wild times, I tell ya.
Anyway, the whole thing was magical and I’m extremely grateful they thought of li’l ol Chipper when they were working up the guest list. And while I understand that I’m a little “in the bag” now after being given the red carpet treatment, I genuinely feel like this movie is going to be incredibly special.
Also, I got this hat which makes me look like I’m a cameraman for a local news station!! Thanks, Marvel!!!
The BIG NEWS this week is obviously that ZDARSKY COMIC NEWS #4 is out!!
It contains a HARD-HITTING interview with Eve L. Ewing and my new GOSSIP COLUMN! And I just want to shout out this issue’s advertisers! This DOUBLE-SIZED ISSUE is only possible thanks to you!
-BOOM! Studios: They advertised a new Power Rangers comic! Fun!
-DC: They advertised the new ABSOLUTE SUPERMAN series! Fun!
-FUN TIME GO!: They advertised some SEXY books?? Fun!!
-WEST COAST DAVENGERS: He advertised ME! And yet I still took his money?! Fun?!
Please visit my dear sponsors and thank them with money and views!!!
And for my dear paid subscribers, issues #3 and #4 of ZDARSKY COMIC NEWS will be available at the bottom of this very newsletter!
Bye!
UPCOMING BOOKS
ZDARSKY COMIC NEWS #4 — Oct 30
PUBLIC DOMAIN #10 — Nov 6
BATMAN #154 — Nov 6
THE DOMAIN #5 — Nov 13
TIME WAITS #2 — Nov 13
ZDARSKY COMIC NEWS #5 — Nov 20
BATMAN #155 — Dec 4
ZDARSKY COMIC NEWS #6 — Dec 18
DAREDEVIL OMNIBUS VOL 2 —Jan 1
TIME WAITS #3 — Jan 8
THE ALL-NIGHTER VOL 3 — Jan 22
PUBLIC DOMAIN VOL 2 — Feb 19
THE DOMAIN VOL 1 — Mar 26
UPCOMING SIGNINGS
THOUGHT BUBBLE (Harrowgate) — Nov 16-17