Star Trek: Beyond Boldly Goes in a New Direction, and Creates Something New and Refreshing
Star Trek Beyond is the third installment in the new updated Star Trek franchise, and let me tell you they came into their own with this movie.
SDCC: Ghostrider Coming to Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. this Fall
Yesterday during the Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. panel at San Diego Comic-Con the cast revealed that “Vengeance is Coming”.
SDCC: Marvel/Netflix unveil teaser trailers for Luke Cage, Iron Fist, and The Defenders
Yesterday was the first day of San Diego Comic-con and Marvel and Netflix waisted not time getting to the point. We got not one not two, but three teaser trailers. One for Luke Cage one for Iron Fist and one for The Defenders maxi series.
Luke Cage Logo
Luke Cagewhich will be released on Septtember 30, 2016 looks to be a lot of fun. The trailer gives us a good taste of what the series will be…
Ghostbusters lack chemistry and heart, but is fun and visually stunning.
Thirty years ago the original Ghostbusters was released and is widely considered one of the greatest comedies of all time. It has endeared itself to fans spawning a toy line, cartoons, video games and comics that have lasted to this day. When people heard that a remake was being made many were very apprehensive about how good it could really be. Even if it does feature some of the best comical…
Hollywood’s Next Big Movie Stars
Predicting the rise of transcendent movie stars is harder than it seems it should be. For instance, I can recall more than a few publications singling out Armie Hammer as the “next big thing” after he burst onto the scene playing the Winklevoss twins in The Social Network, and yet his most noteworthy project in the five years since then was The Man From U.N.C.L.E.. Droves of film fans were…
@steve_lieber had good tips for making comics while dealing with depression. I want to talk about making comics when depression wins.
Depression winning? Why talk about the failure? Because there will always be one. Because some of us will have to start over again. And again. And again. From absolute rock bottom failure. The thing is not everyone sees me climbing out of the quicksand. Many of my readers think I am constantly working and happily producing books. “That Jimmie is a lucky guy. He has a wonderful career.” They see me at the high points, but not at the extreme lows.
Working in comics is hard, there is no secret in that. Daily, weekly, monthly grinds are not uncommon. Stumble, even once, and the time lost will claw into your back like a chain whip. The comic creator, no matter what they do, will need stamina, energy, vision, talent, luck and above all… passion.
Depression is the opposite of passion.
This is about MY depression. No two people are alike in this situation, so I’m not talking in generalities here, I’m talking specifics. Mine.
As of this post, I am just now climbing out of major depressive episode. I really wish I knew what triggers it. Granted, I am going through some tough times, but I have been through tough (even tougher) times before. I did not fall apart then so why now? I can be working on a successful comic or a labor of love – it doesn’t matter.
So let me tell you what happens when I do go through an episode and how I get back to creating comics when I find my feet again.
Trust me, this is hard for me to admit because it exposes my career to possible hardships. Nobody wants to hire a person who might have *issues*.
Low-grade depression is bad. As Steve Lieber noted, it can slowly choke your creativity and damage your work. Some creators have to run a constant marathon just to stay on track and keep the home fires burning. Steve has some great tips and advice.
But a major depressive episode is more like a knock out blow. It will stop me dead in my tracks. I will lose empathy, compassion, emotion, vitality, and self-worth. These are some of the fundamentals for working in comics. It’s not just the talent, because that varies with every creator, it’s the passion. A person can draw stick figures and still make a success if they have passion in their work.
If a person doesn’t even care about their career or even themselves then what is left? My depression is stupid. It’s like being paralyzed and being unable to speak. I KNOW I have a book due. I KNOW what I need to do. And yet, I can’t do it because there is no desire for it. No fire in my soul. Not for comics or anything. Not even for living.
In the last two weeks I wanted to just disappear. I wanted to end myself. I even googled the best, most effective, and easiest ways. The cruel double-edge sword of an episode of this magnitude is that even suicide is too much work.
Depression at this level is another form of being comatose. My close friends have seen me like this before. I can’t act. I can’t do anything. People will want to help me. Cheer me up. Take me out to events. Mostly I put on a face and I endure the experience. Depression is a real disorder. It hits at many levels. As Steve Lieber pointed out and as I am pointing out mine now.
I have talked with my doctor. I am on medication. I do what I can. My wife has seen my personality and spirit visibly slide off my face. It scares her. I am going back to the doctor again.
So, as a comic book creator what can I do when I fall off the edge?
First, there is nothing I can do at the deepest, darkest time. That is a given. I am gone. The only hope is that those around me don’t leave in disgust.
Second, when there is a glimmer of understanding, or any attempt to pull out of my hole of apathy, I try to do it gradually. Those around me might think I’m instantly better and deluge me with a heavy does of normality. Trust me, I am still anything but normal. Too much too soon and I might run right back into the hole.
Third, I don’t push the work. Instead I work on developing a routine. It doesn’t have to be a comic book routine, but I need something to grab onto to pull me back into the real world so I can start making comics.
Fourth, I keep to myself. I know some say get out there and explore the world, exercise, expand my horizons and break free from my regular environment. Not for me. I love what I do. My passion is on the page of the comics I make. If I am out too much I will resent being away from what I love the most. Making comics.
Once I have those things balanced then I am fine with adding other events to my life and social calendar. But being a comic creator is my anchor. I need that so my boat doesn’t drift off the edge of the map.
Also, once I have things in balance I can prepare for possible episodes. Like do an ENTIRE series before it is even solicited. That is my plan for the future. This way I can have the work done without worry of slipping off the edge.
Don’t get me wrong, it’s not like this happens all the time. I can’t set my watch to it. Years can go by, or just a season, I don’t know what my trigger is. I try to keep my life and surroundings simple so there is less to deal with when I pick myself up. A pet is nice and I LOVE cats, but when I am off in la-la land the pet could suffer, which could add more stress. The same for my other belongings, I keep it streamlined. I am stripped down to my essentials. I’m a minimalist, my world can fit in a small trailer. You could even say I’m a perfect candidate for the Tiny Home movement.
So those are some of the things I do to keep my comic production rolling. It may not work for others because depression has a wide grasp, but it helps me. I encourage others who might be going through this to get help and find their path to dealing with depression. Mental Health is something we all need to be aware of, be it ourselves or in family members or friends.
Keep your home fires burning.
X-men: Apocalypse Strives to be All New and Different, but is Just Above Average
Hard to believe that after sixteen years and nine movie the X-men movies still can keep things interesting and change thing up. X-men: Apocalypseis no different it features our merry band of mutants taking on one of their toughest foes to date. When the first mutant Apocalypse decides that the world has become weak in his absence he enlists the help of some of the world’s strongest mutants to…
New York City Comic Con 2014 was the first Comic Con we ever covered here at Vixen Varsity. We spent most of it standing in lines and trying to convince people to talk to us. Neither of us really knew what we were doing. We thought that seeing every single possible panel, table and event was covering it. We had laser vision, we stayed from open to close every single day of the convention. While…
Upcoming #BlackComicsMonth anthology, visit www.blackcomicsmonth.com/submissions for details !
Sorry, John Boyega Will NOT Be Joining Black Panther
For almost 24 hours, rumors have been circulating on John Boyega (Star Wars: The Force Awakens) would be joining Black Panther due to a vague snapchat and a follow from the head honcho himself, Kevin Feige. Here’s how it all started.
Boyega posted on his Snapchat: Meeting Time
Followed by a follow from Kevin Feige.
(hmmm why follow Boyega then Boseman???)Sites have been posting these rumors…
