How Do You Rate – The Rating System For Age Appropriate Comics And Graphic Novels?

by on March 31, 2014 at 7:48 AM
Posted In: Thoughts And Opinions

What rating system should you use to measure your comics against? Trying to define your “age level” in creating comics can be a nightmare. Everyone seems to have their own views on what is acceptable in each age level. On top of that, it does not help matters that ratings have changed over the years. So, the rating you use today may not be acceptable tomorrow. With that in mind, which rating plan will you choose?

The most common idea in Independent Comic Books is do not rate your books. You simply let the reader judge for themselves the age level your book should fall in. Unfortunately, that implies that your Unrated book is intended for a older audience. So, what will you say when you are asked the rating of your book? Will you say, “I don’t know?” If you say that, then you might lose the sale.

If you rate your book whose standards will you use? What is the worst thing to happen if you make your own rating system? The worst that could happen is that a potential buyer of your book believes that your rating system is incorrect. (Check Out My Blog – Double Standards For Rating Comic Books And Graphic Novels.)

My partner came up with a interesting idea to figure out a rough “age level” for our comics. We compare popular TV shows to rate comics. Simpsons level type humor is our teens and above books. Dragon Ball Z type fights is ages 5 and up. Sesame Street level is all ages. Anything else is rated for an adult. So far that works for us. People can decide for themselves based on how they feel about the TV Show.

What have you decided about rating your own comics?

-MD

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Double Standards For Rating Comic Books And Graphic Novels

by on March 27, 2014 at 5:41 AM
Posted In: Thoughts And Opinions

Imagine a family with a 7-9 year old approach your convention table. The boy is cosplaying as a flesh eating Zombie from THE WALKING DEAD. His costume is complete with fake blood, torn clothes and the look of rotting flesh. They asked me if one of my stories was appropriate for him to read. (The book that they were interested I rated for a teen.) I said, “If he was allowed to read THE WALKING DEAD he could read my comic.” I told the parents to flip through my book to decide for themselves.

I have one slightly questionable scene in the book that they looked at. Because of it, I rate that particular story for teens. It is a simple, short shower scene. The scene itself had everyone’s “goodies” covered. I thought that it was ok for that particular child to read it. Only because the parents told me that they let their child read THE WALKING DEAD. THE WALKING DEAD is filled with tons of violence, gore, complete nudity, rape and consensual sex.

All in all, the parents did not find my comic appropriate for their child to read. I was shocked… The key to a double standard is popularity. I learned that rape and consensual sex is ok for a 7-9 year old to read as long as it was popular.  

When selling your artwork, have you ever had to deal with this type of strange double standard?

-MD

 

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Sharpie Drawing – Owlet

by on March 26, 2014 at 2:20 AM
Posted In: Artwork, Mourning Daily Universe, Super Zero High

Sharpie Drawings Strikes Again!

This Time I Intended To Create An Image Featuring Owlet. The Great Horned Owl is in the picture as well. These Characters Are From The Graphic Novel Series Super Zero High. 

I Drew A Rough Layout Of The Characters In Pencil. With A Sharpie I Focused On making Owlet Punching Towards The Viewer. I Really Wanted To Make Him POP!

Once He Was Defined A Bit Better I Worked On Random Shapes. From There I Decided That I Wanted The Great Horned Owl TO Be In The Picture. When He Was Finished I Worked On  The Fun And Playful Background. After All Of That, I started to play with line weights.

So, What Do You Think About It?

Owlet

A Sharpie Drawing Featuring Owlet

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Drawing References – Living Models vs Photographs

by on March 25, 2014 at 10:33 AM
Posted In: Thoughts And Opinions

Do you prefer to draw from Living Models or Photographs?

It is easier for me to draw from reference photographs. Time constraints and money practically force me to rely on photographs for references. When I explore new places I like to take a ton of digital photographs. (I gain more exploring time if I do not focus solely on my sketchbook.) I then can use those digital photographs any time I need the reference material. I am not limited to whatever I drew in my sketchbook while I was around the new place. I still use my sketchbook when I travel. It is just filled with quick drawings, notes and textures.

Living Models provide something that photographs sometimes miss. You can explore movement if you have a living model. Imagine if you have a clothed person in front of you. That person or model can move into various poses for you to draw. You could practice speed drawing. Or you could practice drawing the folds on their clothes as they move. You are not limited to one or two reference photographs. You are just limited by time.

Almost every artist has to work from some sort of reference. Do you prefer to draw from life, or from reference photographs?

-MD

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Come See Us Today At The Convention In Hickory – NC

by on March 1, 2014 at 1:39 AM
Posted In: Thoughts And Opinions

Come And Meet Some Of The Writers And Artists Of Mourning Daily!

Don’t Forget To Get Your Graphic Novels Signed!

03/01/2014

Inside Pitch Toy, Hobby & Sportscard Show

Hickory Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau

1960 13th Avenue Dr SE, Hickory, NC 28602
I-40 Exit 125

Show Hours: Saturday 9-4
Admission: Adults $5
Age 15 & under FREE
Free Parking

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