Where are those Christian Comics?

I recently ran across a blog posting dealing with the frustration a college-age Christian reader of graphic novels has over the lack of spiritual and/or Christian based books and comics on the shelves (http://knightword.wordpress.com/2008/10/24/chrisitan-super-heroes/#comment-54). My thoughts are as follows (which if you've met me at a convention...you've probably heard me talk about at length. It's Bob's economics of the comic industry 101):

I share your frustration on this issue, my brother. As someone who has been creating a Christian based graphic novel series since 2002, I've ran across many of what I call "Closet Christian Creators" in the industry, who commend me for taking a stand for Christ in what I am doing. Many also tell me they'd love to do likewise, or have a story they've wanted to create for years, but that there is just not an outlet (I.E. a publisher) for them to bring it to market. In fact one writer (who shall remain nameless) who was the creator of one of our more high-profile and more "demonic characters", is among that group.

You've got to remember that most people working in comics are not like movie or TV directors and/or actors....who make enough through their trade to be financially independent. Most are working stiffs who rely on their monthy assignments to pay their car payments and mortgages... like most of America. And so this doesn't give them the opportunity to take months to years to underwrite creating their spiriutal or Kingdom honoring project. Sorry to say but it's just simple economics. That's why now most of what is being created comes from either very small press publishers, who only publish a title or two a year, or the creators themselves through self-publishing.

Part of my goal through the Eye Witness series, has been to create enough attention and buzz within the comic and book trade to demonstate both to the retailers and publishing community that the paring of spirituality and comics/gn's can work, does have a massive willing audience and will sell if given a quality product. Once that is established and the money is flowing through the system...so to speak, then you'll be amazed at how many books/stories you'll see roll out. But the good news-bads news scenerio will then be...will they be published for the right reasons once the big-boys are involved, that is to say will the spirit which drives many to follow this path, be corrupted by an industry who's bottom line is the bottom line, rather than outreach. Just some food for thought.

If you, like the original poster are new to the genre, checkout my 3 Eye Witness graphic novels...which combine an American style Biblical adaptation...with a modern day action-thriller, at: www.headpress.info

bob-

NEVER GIVE UP, NEVER SURRENDER!

That wonderful battle-cry was made semi-famous by Tim Allen in the movie Galaxy Quest, (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0177789/) but is very relevent to the story I'm going to share with you, which was forwarded to me by the author, Pam Kumpe, through Shoutlife.com (http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=21767332)
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She writes....

Terry Fator of Mesquite, Texas is the winner of the TV show, "America's Got Talent" (http://www.nbc.com/Americas_Got_Talent/)

BUT DID YOU KNOW- This time last year, he was getting ready for a show and had booked a 1,000 seat auditorium. As he took the stage, only one person sat in the audience! Yes, one lone 12-year old boy came to his show.

Terry sings, does ventriloquism, and his dummies impersonate celebrities. He's the best I've ever watched, absolutely pure entertainment.But when no one came to his show last year, he almost gave up his dream after 32 years of practicing and performing. All those years, he worked hard. He practiced. He developed skills. He kept trying. He knocked on doors. He sang. He made up new skits. He created. He performed. He dreamed.

Did I say -- he never gave up?

What an inspiration for all of us. Dreams do come true. Terry went from "one" fan, to number one on this show. He is a winner. The Lord says, he knows the plans he has for us, plans to prosper us, not to harm us, and he will give us hope and a future. I personally am not praying for a million dollars, although you can write me a check if you want to. But I am praying with a hopeful heart about my writing pursuits. How about you?

Are you working hard to see your dreams come true?I don't want to look back, and wish I had tried.

Blessings from East Texas
Pam Kumpe
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Pam really hit the nail on the head! How many of us have the persistence to follow our dreams for 32 years until it becomes a reality? We live in the fast-food-overnight-sensational-world, which has conditioned us, that if "IT" (being our dreams) don't happen now...or in the time table we set for them...than they are not going to.

Remember, Noah labored over 70 years, before he completed the arc!

NEVER GIVE UP...DOING RIGHT. NEVER SURRENDER...THE DREAMS GOD HAS PLACED IN YOUR HEART (ESPECIALLY WHEN OTHERS TELL YOU, YOU'RE CRAZY....THAT'S THE BEST SIGNAL YOU ARE ON THE RIGHT PATH)!

Robert Luedke
www.headpress.info

POPTHOUGHT.COM does review

Joe Hilliard, writer/reviewer at POPTHOUGHT.COM, has just posted a review for EYE WITNESS: ACTS OF THE SPIRIT (www.headpress.info).

To view, go to: http://www.popthought.com/display_column.asp?DAID=1322

Inspiration in Frustration...

It's quite easy to wake up each day and believe what's the use?

I'm no different than my neighbor, I'm no better than my brother.

I toil each day just to pay my bills and find I'm always still wanting.

My joys become stretched farther apart and there seems like no point in being me.

Will I ever make a difference?

Will I ever be of note?

Or, am I destined to just being another wheel in a cosmic wrist-watch, that only draws attention when it is broken?

But a light shone upon me and I considered for a moment, that we are all a special creation.

Concieved in a time before time, in a space unlike space,

to be master of a task designed for us and no other.

There can be no point in denying the fingerprint that I am, though sometimes I like to try,

but the challenge will alway be to identify the assignment,

not it's completion.

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Robert James Luedke

Copyright 2007

Robert Jamed Luedke, is the Author/Illustrator of the Eye Witness, graphic novel series
www.headpress.info