How do you choose a new comic and/or creator?

[davidaccampo]

Given that Nolan is setting out to publish an anthology, and with a nod to his "raising awareness" thread, I thought I'd start a line of thought:

How do you find a new creator or a new comic?

Do you:

a) read about the concept in Previews (or online) and pre-order?
b) wait until it's on the shelf and browse?
c) pick it up because it has a striking cover that grabs you?
d) read an online or print review about it?
e) Read a press release or listen to a podcast where the creator talks about his or her work?
f) pick it up if a friend recommends it?

Obviously, these are all overlapping answers. I'm just wondering..assuming that everyone on these boards reads at least some indie comics...how did you START buying them?

I'm also speaking specifically about NEW CREATORS. If you only bought Walking Dead because Kirkman was the Marvel Team-up guy, then I'm less interested than if you just walked into the store and picked up Brian Wood's LOCAL because it had a cool cover.

So how do you discover (and buy) new books by new creators?

[nolan]

B
C
D
E
F

I think the important thing for this anthology is that we get a diverse group of creators with distinct voices telling stories that they couldn't tell anywhere else (whether for the reason that they're unknowns or because the story is too risky).

Because voice is more important in comics now. Even Marvel and DC are looking at it for their mainstream stuff so multiply that exponentially for the indie market.

[davidaccampo]

Unfortunately, I think it's much more complicated than that. I've seen the "If we build it, they will come" approach, and it doesn't necessarily work.

I choose a LOT of my books by new authors using a lot of the above methods. But one of the MOST effective for me is the hear creators talking about their work in print and audio interviews. This marketing is the key. There are tons of new books in Previews every month, and th e retailer has to choose what to buy.

So a creator and publisher both have to really be aware of what sells the work...do you know what most people hear when they hear "Bold New Voices in Comics!"? THey hear "Amateur Writers Trying to Break In!"

It's sad, but it's true. And it's true because there's a lot of mediocre stuff out there.

But if a bunch of creators can get interviews on Newarama, if, for example, Phosphorous Tide can actually put out a PODCAST before publication where all the creators talk about their work -- if you can post previews on a Phosphorous Tide website -- that's going to make a huge difference.

Using a personal example: we have a writer right here who has a book coming out. But in all the noise of Previews, I didn't even know about Jeffery Stevenson's Task Force One. Sure, it sounds familiar now, but I think it was just lost on me. I'm definitely buying the book now, but I didn't pre-order it, and there are lots of stores around LA who won't have it.

Luckily, I live in LA so there are more than enough that WILL carry it.

Items of importance for me:

- If a creator talks about it with passion, I will become interested and try it. But i have to hear about it first. Podcasts are great.

- If it MAKES it onto a shelf, and it has a really striking cover -- I will flip through it and read the narrative at the beginning. You've got about two pages to convince me.

- If I read a press release online and the concept sounds cool -- I'll remember it when teh book comes out and give it a more thorough flip-thru.

I think these things are important to note if one is going to get into the publishing game -- even on a small, indie, POD level...