10 Misconceptions You Have About Working In The Comics Industry

4. Not All Comics Professionals Are Fanboys

XinhuanetXinhuanetTo that same end, and probably just repeating ourselves a little, but not all comic book writers, artists or otherwise are totally huge fanboys. They're certainly a little geeky to be in the profession and to have got there in the first place, but their nerdery certainly pales in comparison to that of the people who read it, and might even be an asset in them doing their work. We're not saying that being a totally obsessive crazy comic book fan will hinder your chances at getting a job in the industry - this doesn't apply to everyone, just look at Dan Slott - just that you shouldn't expect everybody else to be the same. There are the time constraints, sure, but also there are people working in the comics industry that just aren't that big into reading comics themselves full stop. There are all those people who work in non-creative roles, the businessmen and the ones who do the actual grunt work to publish stuff, but even those who do work as writers, artists and the like might not be there because it's their one true passion. Just look at Mark Millar: clearly he wants to be a Hollywood producer, but he settles by writing comics aimed at becoming film adaptations and becoming fabulously wealthy that way. We're being more than a little glib at Mr Millar's expense - and he can more than afford it, ho ho, seriously, Mark Millar is rich - but it's still true, to some degree. Some people simply fall into a job in comics the same way they fall into any job that pays well and keeps a roof over their head. There's plenty of them that are fanboys, but just as many that are regular working stiffs.
 
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Tom Baker is the Comics Editor at WhatCulture! He's heard all the Doctor Who jokes, but not many about Randall and Hopkirk. He also blogs at http://communibearsilostate.wordpress.com/