It’s here! The Beat’s annual survey of comics professionals, journalists and respected hangers on covering the biggest events of 2007 and where they think things are going in 2008. As always, thanks to all who took the time from their busy schedules to participate. The response was overwhelming, and we’re breaking the survey answer s into two parts once again. Get a hot foamy beverage — or perhaps a cold frosty one — sit back and enjoy. PS: If you look closely there are some news hints and teases within.
Lea Hernandez: Rumble Girls: Runaway Lightning Ohmry, Ironclad Petal (stiiiiill), a book about the fire that destroyed my house (it’ll be the funniest book about a house fire ever!), monetizing my comics since they have a huh-yuge readership and a low earning level, and a short-story serial strip with my long-time muse Nan 1^1. And something Big. And getting my daughter tested into high school. Guess which one is the most stressful. No, go on. Guess.
What was the biggest story in comics in 2007? It’s not a dream, not an imaginary story, and not a fad: Women and girl comics fans and pros talking about comics critically, socially, and artistically. Making comics. Still.
What will be the biggest story in comics in 2008? Tori Amos’ Comic Book Tattoo, set to debut at SDCCI 2008. Tori Amos’ songs as interpreted by many kickass comics creators. Cast of many tens, edited by Rantz Hosley. I’m in it.
What guilty pleasure (of any kind) are you looking forward to in 2008? Making more money. Wait, that’s not guilty, that’s just pleasure. A tray of baklava? Dangit, I just don’t have any pleasures I feel guilty about. I’m still embarassed by those naked pix of Daniel Radcliffe. Wait! I have it: cosplay. Don’t send help.
Ben Templesmith: More FELL from Image comics ( Yes, honest! #9 is complete and will be out early next year just for starters! ) WORMWOOD: CALAMARI RISING and if I can manage it, WORMWOOD: BINGO NIGHT IN VALHALLA from IDW Publishing, as well as DEADSPACE from Image and quite possibly something a bit different from me called THE CENTURY, some book covers, album covers perhaps from the looks of things…plus a bunch of stuff I already forget. I blame the drinking.
What was the biggest story in comics in 2007? I thought it was going to be my part time job as a Princess Leia Slave Girl model at SDCC, but apparently not. I’d have to go with it being the year comics solidify their success at being half decent successful movies that actually embrace the art and artists and start taking advantage of some of that on screen…which seems obvious for some projects considering comics are a visual medium as much as a literary one. Hopefully a continuing trend on the projects where it would make sense to do so. Apart from that, I have no idea, as I’ve been blissfully ignorant of most goings on thanks to travel and work schedule which meant I had no life whatsoever.
What will be the biggest story in comics in 2008? The pessimist in me expects it to be how well the biz fairs in the coming recession. US economy looks to be in for some rough times ahead. The other story might be just how lax US immigration has become, I mean, apparently they’re letting me in early next year for an extended period. The fools, the fools! They know not what they do!
What guilty pleasure (of any kind) are you looking forward to in 2008? Being able to crash at my own house at next years SDCC. Being in the next room from some of the people I work with, rather than 16 hours in the future on another continent ( hmm, that might not be such a good thing come to think about it! ) and generally knuckling down and getting a lot of projects under my belt. 2008 is the year of 400+ pages for me.
Rikki Simons, ShutterBox Book Five with Tavisha, which we’re now three months behind on. Which means we’re on schedule.
What was the biggest story in comics in 2007? Probably something to do with Neil Gaiman, or Alan Moore, or that Sin City guy, or some movie adaptation, or manga becoming more popular with kids, or a tawdry comic cover, or a legitimate magazine talking up comics’ legitimacy, or some poor shop owner being arrested.
What will be the biggest story in comics in 2008? I don’t know. What’s been the biggest story for the past ten years? See above.
Maybe Tokyopop promotional events will stop feeling like a cross between an orca show at Sea World and a Hieronymus Bosch painting. Now that would be a big story. To me at least.
What guilty pleasure (of any kind) are you looking forward to in 2008? Finishing ShutterBox Book Six and then walking off the Golden Gate Bridge. Ha-ha! Oh, me. I’ll settle for Guild Wars 2 or Eve-Online implementing playable human avatars.
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