Comics still sticking around

By Josh Teixeira
Nov. 7, 2014

“From a financial standpoint comics are doing very well. They seem to have lost focus on telling stories,” said Tony Gray, a local comic book artist, writer and publisher. “It’s now a very nasty and grim environment that these heroes work in. For me growing up, comics had these great stories that were happening all this time.”

A relatively new and thriving depiction of comic books comes in the form of TV series, such as Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. or DC’s The Flash.

“Comic movies and especially comic TV series have a huge impact on the industry,” said Gray. “The TV series allow characters to grow from week to week. It’s only favorable for the industry.”

In 1954 when comics were relatively new, there would be senate hearings on juvenile delinquency caused by comics. They also looked into the possible influence of comic books which eventually triggered the creation of the Comics Code Authority. Its censorship principles and its seal of approval to singled out misfits—all of which drove a number of publishers, and many artists with them, out of business.

“The emergence of graphic novels and educational comics show how positively messages can be put across utilizing these characters,” said Gray. “I regularly license comic books that feature The Conduit promoting St. Clair College.”

As with certain other industries, comic book workers are curious where the position will be in the future.
“Twenty years from now are kids going to even remember comics with the same nostalgia that people my age are because they were so prevalent and so readily available and affordable?” said Gray. “I’d like to think that there will always be comics. I think they’re like the superheroes themselves. No matter how negative you get on it, they’re going to survive somehow.”

Nowadays comics are used as a tool of education. Certain universities have conducted studies in which those who read comics are motivated and more willing to participate in individual participation.

“Comics helped me learn to draw, comics helped me learned to read, comics have employed me. They’re extremely vital in how I formulate everything,” said Gray. “Spider-Man, Captain America, The Hulk, all of these guys were heroes of mine. But the people who drew them were equally heroic in my mind.”

For comic book illustrators, a lot of work has to go into their art and can be very demanding.
“I live this stuff,” said Gray. “I work about 14-16 hours a day and eight hours on weekends.”

Some comic book store owners have a similar perspective of how the industry is today.

“Right now the state of comics is stronger than it’s been in 25 years,” said Shawn Cousineau, owner of Rogues Gallery Comics. “The negative cementation isn’t there anymore. People read comics like they read novels. Comics are collectible, serialized, and if I do my job right, social.”