Interesting blog post, Don. I had no idea you wrote comics as well. I'm always interested in how the non-Marvel/DC/Dark Horse/Image comic companies operate, since they seem to fly under the radar, yet are so hugely popular. How did you get that job? How long have you been doing it for?
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Posted by: Don Markstein
Posted on: 2008-01-04 at 03:38:44 PM
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About ten years ago, a guy I know asked how one might latch onto a Disney writing gig. I suspect he was one of those guys who think that since kids read it, it must be an easy way to break into comics writing, but of course, younger readers are much more particular about what they read than the average comics fan suspects.
I put a quick stop to his speculations by telling him the first step was to read Disney comics for 40 years. It wouldn't hurt to hone your writing skills during that time, but I didn't mention that because I knew I'd already suggested more than he was likely to want to do.
As for how I did it -- it's a long story. It starts with reading them for 40 years.
I've been writing Disney comics for one company or another since about the late 1980s or early '90s. Ny favorite is Egmont, because I get to sink my teeth into reasonably solid storytelling. But I also enjoy doing dialog for Gemstone on already-written stories, because it's fun and easy (at least if you've been reading them for 40 years, or rather over 50 by now), with at least a modicum of creative satisfaction.
Quack, Don
I put a quick stop to his speculations by telling him the first step was to read Disney comics for 40 years. It wouldn't hurt to hone your writing skills during that time, but I didn't mention that because I knew I'd already suggested more than he was likely to want to do.
As for how I did it -- it's a long story. It starts with reading them for 40 years.
I've been writing Disney comics for one company or another since about the late 1980s or early '90s. Ny favorite is Egmont, because I get to sink my teeth into reasonably solid storytelling. But I also enjoy doing dialog for Gemstone on already-written stories, because it's fun and easy (at least if you've been reading them for 40 years, or rather over 50 by now), with at least a modicum of creative satisfaction.
Quack, Don
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Posted by: Don Markstein
Posted on: 2008-01-06 at 06:07:51 AM
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Oops -- missed this before. It's "Egmont", not "Edgmont". I wouldn't mention it, but it gives me an excuse to add a quip that I made during the '90s, when it changed its name from "Gutenberghus", that it's the publisher that sounds like a funny animal's nephew. Y'know, like "Gyro Gearloose's stupid nephew, Egmont" or "Gladstone Gander's unlucky nephew, Egmont".
I'm told it sounds strong and virile in the central European languages (unlike, say, what has got to be the world's least macho corporate name in its own language, Microsoft). Beethoven composed no less than three very stirring pieces of music titled "The Egmont Overture". Still, maybe someday I'll use it as a character name. What the heck, it'll just get translated anyway.
Quack, Don
I'm told it sounds strong and virile in the central European languages (unlike, say, what has got to be the world's least macho corporate name in its own language, Microsoft). Beethoven composed no less than three very stirring pieces of music titled "The Egmont Overture". Still, maybe someday I'll use it as a character name. What the heck, it'll just get translated anyway.
Quack, Don
