The Importance of the Comic Book Medium

   Movie budgets are expensive and huge.  The amount of money, time, and effort that goes into a cinematic release can be very taxing.   Even if a movie is successful , there can only be so many sequels and remakes to go around.

   TV series budgets aren't lean either.  Although some shows can match the power of movies in terms of longevity, many demands must be met to maintain the success of a televised program.  Actors may want more money, cast and crews get tired and age during the progression of the show, some workers get fired, etc.    If  a TV show has run from 5 to 10 seasons, it's a champion in comparison to other ill fated televised series.

   Look at how many shows are cut today, and how quickly a show can be dropped from a network.  The same process of letting series go takes place in the comic book medium.  Still, there is a lot of leeway in costs for comic book production in comparison to movies, and a greater chance at the continuation of a series.  We've learned from the big and traditional companies that a comic series can go on for years, nearly a century.  Characters don't have to age within the story lines, but some do. Some comic book characters can live forever, die and even and still be reborn.  The cost for producing an issue is no where near a segment of a TV series, much less a few minutes on film.

   So to summarize, a creator in the comic book medium will find it less expensive to produce a comic book series that a movie or television series.  Characters and their story lines have a better shot at immortality.  Comic book are also more flexible for creative possibilities with less of an expense, since access to a comic book and its cost are still less than a trip to the movies.

Use Social Media to Grow and Be Seen!

    
    

            Andy Warhol said it best. "In the future, everyone will be famous for fifteen minutes." Who can ever really know if Andy could have made a prediction to how powerful and far reaching this statement would become in our current era.  As a pop artist, Andy promulgated the idea of mass production that mirrored the modern times of advertisement.  Many people feel differently about his work in the art media, as with anything, but look at how much his quote and his artistic aesthetic has carried over decades later.  We have undergone so many transformations in the digital information age.  With not only the dawn of the internet but its complex software expansion, each of us can literally have hundreds of thousands of viewers for our creative projects at any given time.

           Processes which easily used to cost ten's of thousands of dollars have become cheaper or, in many cases, are now free.  The multiple weeks, even months, once spent in the production of a project have been reduced to seconds and minutes.  In some cases, even the size of a team needed to do different parts of a project has been downsized.  A creative project can easily be brought to the fan in minutes and wherever there is mobile and internet access.  The world is far more convenient for creators looking for ways to connect to a global audience.

           In our search for lesser known, but very talented writers and artist, Titanium has paid attention to several content creator websites hosting one or more comic series.  Most of these websites have little or no money to distribute their works through traditional commercial sources. These individuals are instead well tuned into social media and its millions of international users.  There are more of these types of creators who merge their writing and artistic talents with their knowledge of software and social media.  In many ways, these digital forms of media have an even greater impact than traditional media.  It's easy to have a link on a social network account/page, but it's a sign of know how when you can use the finer features of social networking to be seen, heard and even more powerful, be felt by fans.  It is important because it has become the first place fans go

            Before the digital age, word of mouth was an important aspect of marketing.  This still exists today, but the affect is even greater.  People can see reviews all over the world instead of on their local news or from a neighbor.  If customers have a good experience, they will tell one person; if they have a bad experience, they will tell ten. Social media has exponentially multiplied this equation. 

            If you are a creator or belong to a comic company, learn about the times we are living in with relations to comics and digital media.  Pay attention to older models, what worked and didn't work.  Look at companies that are doing well financially and commercial in relation to companies that are not doing well.  Stay aware and keep focused.

Why New Comic Companies and Creators Need to be Born

     Why do new comic companies and creators need to be born?

     There are a few reasons that Titanium Comics has to offer:
 
1.  New comic companies and creators born out of an almost century's old tradition will appreciate the most important aspects of that tradition.  They value the sequential movement of comics and graphic novels, as well as the art of storytelling among other elements in comic production.  These companies and creators will breath new life into the genre by telling and illustrating stories based on events and ideas which resonate throughout their generation and culture.  There is an importance in not only respecting the tradition, but also having the adaptability to suit the times one is living in.  In our constantly evolving world, creators must have the ability to evolve as well.




2. There is a primary importance in giving comic book audiences a new take on concepts and ideas that are organic to the human experience.  Stories and characters should be believable.  They should offer a fresh look at life's time honored heroes, villains and situations, including those found anew.  These creators realize the characteristics of the hero and villain are inherent in each of us.  Whether expressed by a cape and cowl or jeans and a jacket, every real life event has within it one or more stories to tell.  Although there are many heroic and villainous elements that can resonate with all of us, innovative companies and creators can always find newer (and perhaps better) ways to revisit these classic archetypes.


3. Like anyone of us who has been doing the same thing day in and day out, for years, comic companies and creators can make the mistake of overspecializing in one area.  Basically, we can focus too much in one area, which makes other aspects of a comic or any creative work weak after production. Don't get me wrong; if we didn't spend the time to develop the character or the storyline, it wouldn't continue to intrigue or interest readers.  But the flip side to this has an advantage.  It becomes a new opportunity to expand our understanding of the medium itself.  To introduce unique interpretations within the genre is vital.  Staying original helps to keep us all guessing on not only what comes next for the character and the plot line, but what we may be able to expect from the very industry itself.  A comic industry comprised of originality, spontaneity, and variety keeps the medium vibrant and strong.

     The comic book industry took a heavy hit when censorship surfaced in the 1950s.  By the '90s, when more mature themes in comic books (violence, sexuality, and even language) had more of a presence, there was more of a noticeable variety to mainstream comics.  Thanks to newer publishers within that decade, the audience for comic books was given more options of comics to choose from other than garden variety superhero comics.

     When a medium becomes stagnant, and limited creativity suffers.  Readers become bored.  Companies refuse to grow and often dumb down, or limit, their potential, fearing that they may lose their audience.  At the same time, companies can make desperate attempts (usually when its too late) to completely change what they produce when their core audience becomes too comfortable with their predictable formula.  It's better for a constant flow of change and evolution to be noticeable in the comic book medium- something that we see readily from innovative comic companies.

     Hello, everyone, and greetings from Titanium Comics!  Our comic company has a lot of great comic series in the works.  Here, we would like to introduce you to some great stories to look out for!

Age of Darkness

A human world watching the last sunset on its existence gives birth to a casual group of survivors who get more then they bargain for when accepting the mission to save what is left of mankind and complete a mission to breathe new life in the human race. Outfitted with unique weapons and a behemoth transport vehicle, the team is launched into a war with demons, zombies and other creatures now controlling and inhabiting their world.

Death Raye

Earth, the future, ravaged by destruction and famine. A number of the world survivors recruited into the Rogue Air Offensive Group and the Rogue Army Defensive Group, fight to keep their identity and freedom within the current system which challenges their livelihood and existence. With only eight fingers, a ray gun and an attitude, a former member of the Rogue Air Defense Group flies from under its wings to become a Valkyrie on the battlefield and unleash World War Hell on their enemies as the notorious Death Raye.

The Arcane

In the American wild west, Occultist Josephus Arcane unlocks more keys to the symbols found within the occult system than any other human being known. Inspired by his discoveries, he writes volume upon volume on his findings and knowledge. The Opus of his work leads directly to the throne room of Hell itself where he acquires an audience with Satan. Jealous of Josephus' knowledge and covetous of certain powers he has unlocked, Satan tries to fool him into accepting his daughter for Josephus' Grimmoire which contains the key he needs to take back heaven. Josephus refuses the exchange and in turn, Satan takes what he believes is the right book and curses the future Arcane offspring. Years later after several wives and several sons, Josephus leaves and is never again seen by mortal men. Growing up feared and bewitched, his sons display specific dark abilities making them outcast among men. The Arcane Brothers, John, Joshua, Joseph, Jeremiah and Jesus are brought together to fulfill the work their father left for them and intercede in the war between Satan and God and determine who will inherit the “keys to the kingdom."

The Fraternity

One of the most respected instructors and members of an ancient and mystic secret society is accused of murdering one of the society's founders. Discredited and now hunted for breaking one of their most sacred vows, the instructor races to clear his name by exposing the one responsible. All the while on the run from the society's highly trained and dangerous assassins and a host of other undesirables from the century.

Enders is a group composed of iconic heroes, anti-heroes, and wannabes.  Though their lives are extraordinarily different, the team mates of Enders are united in a strange chain of events that test the fate of Earth.  Through strange occurrences, they find comfort, success and pain as they fight a host of adversaries in the planet's last dire moments.  As time counts down to a prophesied apocalypse, Enders swear to stop the world's destruction through any and all costs.

     Be on the lookout for these great series coming from Titanium Comics!