On Progress
As an artist it's more healthy to avoid thinking of propaganda as "progress"
Everything about us, down to our very chromosomes has become politicized. Half our country believes this as a good thing, a way towards a better future for all even though the damage being done is right here in front of us. You can autopsy it quite easily. Look at our arts.
As headlines praise hamfisted sermonistic messaging in entertainment, and companies like DC Comics announce that Superboy is now Superman and btw he’s bi! Happy coming out day! Political messaging has become a king standing on the neck of the fun well crafted adventure stories that made comics wonderful to begin with. Now it’s all a vehicle for political minded destroyers to remind us that they exist and that the characters we love pretty much belong to them and their political tribe now. Every headline of yet another character coming out in comics rings with the snide jeering tonality of “1 POINT TEAM GAY! WE WIN!”
It’s lunacy and it’s done nothing to promote togetherness or sales. In fact, conservative artists in the mainstream must live as if they’re in witness protection and never mention their views, lest ye move on to indie pastures (which I highly recommend - especially now!) Remember, these are the people who call themselves ‘Inclusive’ and obsess over ‘diversity’, yet they make damn sure that anyone to the right of Marx is purged from having a voice in mainstream comics. That’s not inclusive. It’s most definitely not diverse.
These are more words they use to fool you into going along with the mutilation of our arts and culture to turn it into a propaganda machine for an agenda that’s based on destroying what they see as a corrupt and capitalist society. It’s nuts, and yes, it doesn’t make sense, but that’s what being far left is - wanton destruction cause the system is corrupt and capitalist already bro, so we gotta fuck up their culture harder until it becomes our fun activist culture. Even better when you point it out, the very activists doing it act like you’re nuts. They say “Comics were always political, bro” like it isn’t happening all while celebrating it happening right in front of you in the headlines. The ultimate in gaslighting. If their cause is so just, why lie about it? Why not admit it’s propaganda like the actual creators do in interviews?
I don’t want to live in an activist culture. I want to make art and have fun with the fans and other creators who love comics with all the passion I do. I don’t want myself or any other artists, regardless of their beliefs or background, to be hassled or curbed of their expression. I don’t want fans being called bigots for wanting normal comics without all the messaging. I can’t enjoy art about radical political messaging and decadent self-indulgence. I want art to be about making others happy and helping them escape this fucking flaming wreck called life for a minute. Cause we all need that. All of us. We’re ALL going through it and all of us are feeling beat down. It’s not my job to lecture you. It’s my job to entertain you and lift you back UP. That’s progress. Not political pandering.
My work is going to be about being human. So anyone can find a piece of themselves within it. It transcends political identity, or trending fads that age like cheese, or self-indulgence. It’s about connecting and reminding you that you, NO MATTER WHO YOU ARE, are not alone. And to tell the most fun and brutal action adventure stories ever. That’s it. That’s the thesis. Let’s spread fun over politics. Let’s spread what makes us unite over what divides. Let’s make art that transcends our petty little angry activist era. Let’s make art people care to remember.
We got some fun work done recently! 2 BAD ASS Terror in the Trenches PINUPS by my friend and go-to-artist, Monika Maccagni! As you may have noticed Expect amazing colors soon guys!
More page have been inked on TERROR IN THE TRENCHES (TITT) we’re up to almost 20 pages inked as of this posting. Can’t wait to color. Our colorist is gonna make these piece next level.
In OTHER CREATIVE NEWS - I decided to redesign another GOLDEN AGE character, in fact, many call her the first EVER Female Superhero. FANTOMAH was a jungle protector with monster transforming POWAHH!!
She’s cool. So how to approach remaking her? I say find the fun. What makes Fantomah fun? Well, she turns into a freakin MONSTER. Let’s start there and embrace the She-Hulkness we have already going for us. In fact, I see comic fans ask for the original She-Hulk back in her hot bod so this becomes an opportunity to harness that desire for Fantomah. Embrace the skull face but figure out a way to make it “sexy” and more heroic. She can’t just be eyeless and evil looking - or perhaps save the eyeless shots for specific visual effect in panels. For when she’s angry or having dark thoughts. But let’s give her eyes we can connect with so she feels heroic enough. We want her fun but only monstrous when it counts. Also let’s remain true to her costume while updating it to emulate She-Hulks while making it even more Fantomah friendly with the bone designs. I never liked that just her face was a skull without any other bone designs so I added these. Keep her blonde. And you get?
FANTOMAH, a driven archeologist willing to harm nature to make her great discovery, finds hidden deep within the forbidden heart of the jungle: A temple made by the jungle itself. There the jungle god, a god of both life and DEATH, gave her powers to protect the jungle to repent for her sins against it, though now she loves the jungle as if borne to it. Now she grows strong, fast, and durable, and can speak with the animals. She is the living wrath of the jungle! Fantomah! I designed her to be like a return to the classic SHE-HULK days but ya know gothy and Von style. I think a story with her and Black Terror is gonna have to become a fact at some point very soon.
This is going to be 1000 times easier said than done.
A CHIMERA is an animal made of different animals co-existing together.
I didn’t plan it. I just had a lot of different interests growing up so I tried a lot of things. And failed. A lot, but I learned as well and over time I got good at many different skills. As a creator I sense more and more everyday that to really survive one must become a chimera. As in you must work to become proficient in things other than just making things pretty. Practice a few of these skills every day if possible. Once you become decent in them you’ll notice your work strike more of a chord with customers. Try to have at least a basic understanding of: Design, color theory, marketing and social media promotion, copywriting, character design, 3 Act structure, Art History, pitching, visual storytelling, video editing, etc. Become a many animaled animal. It’s no easy task, but I think it makes all the difference.
TERROR IN THE TRENCHES - SIGN UP TODAY for updates on my next book!
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/terror-in-the-trenches-vol-1/coming_soon/x/19000198
Another book I’m helping out on is closing in on 100K on indiegogo. It’s BATTLE BRICK ROAD! I’m doing the supplemental book with all the great behind the scenes stuff. It’s gonna be baller! Check it out here: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/battle-brick-road/x/19000198#/
Until next time fiends,
- - Vonster
Perhaps put some vines into Fantomah's design as a jungle tie in, or is that too predictable?
Very well said! I find it frustrating that the modern industry’s status quo is “Well if it hasn’t been done before, then it must be good!” Then they just copy and paste whatever woke propaganda is out at the time onto classic characters (or their progeny).