One of the things that baffles me about the comics industry is the rationalization of editors to stick with tired, old comics (which are almost always more expensive) vs. more contemporary, higher-quality fare.
Is there another industry where higher cost/lower quality is accepted as rampantly as in newspaper comics? It's infuriating.
And I know all the "humor is subjective" and "editors are giving the readers what they want" arguments.
And, yes, humor is subjective, but there's a difference between "Calvin and Hobbes" and "Johnny G's Calvalcade of Hilarity" (which is a strip I'm developing in an alternate universe ... long story).
And readers hate change. So, saying you are giving them what they want is a cheap excuse for maintaining the status quo. Aim higher. Judge each comic on its merits. You are the editor. Now go forth and edit!
-JG
Nice try, JG. E for Effort, D for doomed.
Posted by: Fake Rockstar | June 22, 2009 at 10:52 AM
C is for Cookie!
Posted by: Lucas Turnbloom | June 22, 2009 at 11:51 AM
"Is there another industry where higher cost/lower quality is accepted as rampantly as in newspaper comics?"
Yep:
http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2009/06/01/090601fa_fact_gawande
Posted by: Matt P | June 22, 2009 at 01:01 PM
Amen! Yay! Rock on!
And the papers wonder why
Readership is down
Posted by: Haiku Ewe | June 22, 2009 at 01:02 PM