Since a young age, Ace has been obsessed with writing and telling stories. Since 2004, he has split his time between writing and publishing Masterpiece Comics, and publishing the online magazine The Written Word, a place where he has tried to give other writers a voice.
Beyond Masterpiece Comics and The Written Word, he has written for other small press comic companies and wrote numerous short stories, the most recently of which, He Waited, was published by Long Story Short. In 2008, he branched out further by writing the play Fallen by the Numbers, produced by Cloverleaf Productions.
Recently, in addition to his writing, Ace has turned his hand toward acting and was cast in the lead of the short film Five Minutes for the Phoenix 24 Hour Film Challenge.
2009 is shaping up to be a great year, with new and better opportunities that Ace is fully embracing.
Now, Here’s A Thought: Why Are Comics So Far Reaching Culturally?
By Ace Masters
Comic books are one of the few American art forms to enjoy a world-wide beloved status, perhaps even more so then movies, TV and music. In fact the earliest known comics – before the super-hero boom – predate movies, recorded music and TV. The super-hero boom itself predates TV.
The cultural reach is world-wide, but why is that? How many have stopped to think of why comics have such a cross cultural appeal and why have they outlasted many other art and entertainment forms. If you think about it, the answers, as they usually are, are simple:
Cross-Generational: Comic books have been around for over a hundred years. This year, Marvel is celebrating its 75th anniversary, going back to its original incarnation Timely Comics.
Comic books have often been handed down from father to son. Some of my earliest memories are my father reading Spider-Man, Archie, even Scrooge McDuck to me as a child. When I have children of my own I will do the same. They are bonding time and something a son can fondly remember sharing with his father, and later share with his own son.
Beyond that, how many subjects do today’s youth’s have in common with the "older" crowd? Not many. Comics are one of the few things a fifteen year old may have in common with a fifty year old.
Beloved Characters: Classic characters that have been around for decades that everyone knows, even if they have never read a comic. People know Spider-Man, Batman, Superman, they are American icons.
Readers identify with the characters, especially Spider-man: a guy with super powers who should be a revered hero, but never quite seems to have anything go right for him, and always struggles just to pay his bills.
The characters are beloved by their fans. Many readers have grown up with the characters; they started reading when they were children or teenagers and still reading in their thirties and forties. It’s as if they are part of their family.
Anyone Can Create: While some my might not like this to be said, anyone can create a comic! All it takes is time, a lot of dedication an idea, some Bristol board, pencil, ink and you can go. There are a lot of people who create their own "local" comics and get them into their corner stores.
That said, it is still not that easy and does a lot of skill to create a good comic.
They Speak: Because they speak to the one of the basic human traits of wanting to be more than what we are. Through comics we can be anything or anyone.
Education: I was at San Diego a few years ago when Dark Horse Comics was doing their KISS comics. Gene Simmons was there promote it. He said during the discussion of the title that he learned English after his family moved here by reading comics. And some people say comics have no value.
Of course, comics are not just for children, and if they are going to be used for educational purposes, the right comic needs to be chosen.
The Lack-of-Gap Factor: I refer to it as the Lack-of-Gap Factor. That is there is a lack-of-gap between creators (or "comic book celebrities") and fans due to signing and conventions. Many comic book fans feel they know their favorite creators because they see them at different conventions and are often on a first name basis with the creators.
In no other entertainment form (with the possible exception of Pro Wrestling) does the fan have a chance to interact with creators to the degree they do with comic book creators.
Simple. The answers usually are, even if we expect them to be more complex and profound. I’ve only touched the surface on why comics are so beloved and a world-wide cultural phenomenon. The reasons why can continue on far beyond this single column.
Maybe we should just be glad that the industry we love is so beloved.
BURNING QUESTION: "How do you create comics," is a question I am constantly asked. My usual response: "Wouldn’t you like to know?"
NEXT TIME:
Ace Masters's Guide to Creating Comics, Part One: You’re Doing What? – The first in a series of columns – though not all in a row – on creating comics. A must read for anyone looking to create their own comics, if I do say so myself.
Got a comment or question about the Burning Mind?
Leave at message at the Ace's Cinders Forum.