Three quarters of the year are complete and we have three titles on the shelf.  We have two more shows to finish out the year.  So I am going to take time to reflect a little and share some of our first year. 

Overall the year has been a learning experience.  Dedication to the team and business has been my goal.  In doing so, I have let some things slip.  It is a big challenge starting a business.  It is a bigger challenge when you have to re-learn the industry.  I have made many mistakes this year.  And I am pretty damn sure I am going to make many more.  But in light of that I am learning and sharing with the team my experiences.

The Mistakes.

The first mistake I made was moving too fast.  I could have kicked back and produced one or two books a year.  But I set a schedule and intended and have kept most of the schedule.  Was it ambitious? Of course it was.  Was it the right thing to do?  That’s debatable.  At the time yes it was.

The next mistake was taking on many more conventions than I could support or could support us.  Some shows turned out nicely others slammed us hard.  It was surprising to see the ones that did and didn’t do it for us.  Because of this next year we will have a very limited convention schedule.

Another mistake was one that many publishers have, talent.  I assumed that there would be many more artists out there willing to work for me at a reasonable rate.  I understand the need to make a certain amount of money to survive.  But if you aren’t working guys, it isn’t my fault.  Among the surprises is how many artists would turn down cash for a percentage of a book that may or may not be released.  One of the primary tenants was that the artists get paid.  That has never changed.   If I were to have offered a percentage of each book to my creative team they would end up owing me money.  Yeah I would have a lot more money in my back pocket but in my eyes I would be cheating the team out of compensation for their hard work.

The final and probably the most damning mistake was quality.  I was recently reminded of this mistake by a comic book shop owner.  But in reality I cannot take this as a mistake.  I have spent the year learning the new tools of the trade and new methods to create the comics.  Along the way I released Fusion 1 and 2 as a single book.  Fusion was written and drawn over 15 years ago using old methods that lacked the polish provided by today’s technology.  Fusion was a launching pad, a beginning.  The following Demon Seed/Suicide Jacks was also done in the old style of comic books.  15 years ago these books were par with what marvel and DC were putting out on the shelf.  Today they look and feel dated.  But you know what, I don’t regret releasing them.  And I also used some of today’s techniques to improve them though not as much as they could have been.

What did we do right?

The compensation for the talent was the right thing.  This is a burden on the front end of the business.  I take a huge hit even before I have a product to sell.  This is the right way to do it and I will continue to support the development team.

Flexibility when the situation calls for it.  I cannot stress how this has saved us throughout the year.  Being small and open has really allowed us to shift focus on the fly.  A testament to this was Dallas Comic Con.  We reviewed our set up before the convention and made adjustments on the fly.  We have done this with production also and that will bear fruit at Fan Days in October and carry over into Wizard World in Austin.

Keep using tools to improve product and production.  We have only scratched the surface of the tools available at our disposal.  We are constantly learning new methods and techniques to make a more polished product.  I have to give kudos to the other artists who have shared some of their tricks with us.  I also have to give the team big thanks for sticking it out and learning how to do things differently.

We provided our services to help charity.  This is something I am proud of and will continue to do.

Keep networking with other talented people and businesses.

And finally, it’s all about the fans.  This is something I try to instill in all the team members.  It’s not about us; it’s not about getting some comic shop owner to carry our books; it’s all about the fans.  The team has taken this to heart and for that I am truly blessed.  I thank god everyday for giving me a dedicated and talented group of people to work with.

Where does that leave Mental Diversions?

I won’t lie to you we took a beating this year emotionally and physically.  There have been times when I questioned why I was doing this.  When that happens I look back to the tenants that created when I started this business.  I am dedicated to this 100%.  One of my favorite bands has a line in a song that says “if you fail, at least you tried.”  I would rather fail than never have tried at all.  In that I can see that we will succeed.  I began to see the success around May of this year and now the rest of the team is starting to see it also.  Sure there are stumbles and missteps but when in your life does everything go smoothly.  With that in mind the following list our direction for next year.

·         Next year we will have a limited convention schedule.

o   New Orleans, Dallas Comic Con and Wizard World Austin are definite

o   Chicago is a possibility but depends on funding.

o   Phoenix is a definite maybe.  This again depends on funding.

·         We will continue to produce on a quarterly basis.

o   Our production schedule will be stricter but I know the team will rise to it.

·         We will foster more online content. 

o   This includes Kindle and Nook sales.

o   We will also start providing a regular batch of web comics.

·         Doing it for the fans.

o   More public appearances.

o   More correspondence from the talent to the fans.

o   More freebies.  Everyone loves freebies.

I know this was a long read but I needed to write this not only for my own therapy but to mark a milestone.  Technically I have been at this one year.  The team is almost at the one year mark and January 1^st of 2012 marks the official one year in business for Mental Diversions.  A lot has been learned in the last year and I am looking forward to new learning experiences in the coming year.

Special Thanks to

Comic Book Shops

·         Empire Comics, League City, Texas

·         Nan’s Comics and Games, Houston, Texas

·         Third Planet, Houston, Texas

·         Titan Comics, Dallas, Texas

Conventions

·         Wizard World

·         Dallas Comic Con

·         Apollo Con

·         Strip Con

Artist and Creators

·         Walter Jimenez II

·         Michael Champion

·         Terry Parr

·         Kevin Steele

·         Halo Seraphim

·         David Doub

·         James O’Barr

·         Jonathan Caustrita

·         Joel Watson

·         Jason Chalker

·         Cal Slayton

·         Bernie Wrightston

·         Kerry Gammil

·         Kit Lively

The Core Team

·         Allen Adams III

·         Damon Jackson

·         Garrett Gainey

·         Cheryl Sandison VosKamp

 

 

 

Well we had fun at Strip Con web comics Expo. We met some new people, made some money and helped out the Scottish rite childrens hospital with some original artwork.

Sitting behind the table I got industrious.  I did up a Lion-o in the classic style.  I also did a Supergirl but you will have to go to my deviant art site to see that one.

 

Pencils - Allen Adams III Inks - Terry Wagner Colors - Walter Jimenez II/Terry Wagner

Well guys I am catching up on a lot of belated work.  I wouldn't say neglected but the conventions tend to draw effort from the current projects.  Ok, what current projects?  Fusion 3 inks are complete and the test color is ready to send off to the colorist. 

Here's a sample without backgrounds added.

Artistic side is getting the reformat treatment as well as preliminary edits.  The first NASA Toons is getting a re-edit with the stories behind the drawings added.  Gods of Thunder is well on its way and is looking fantastic. 

On the reprint front we have Season of Storms(aka Demon Seed) already available on kindle and the reprint is out for print.

Speaking of Kindle, Fusion 1 and 2 are up on kindle now.  For those who own the comic you will notice that the comic contains both stories in one book.  Also if you check the copyright info it is listed as Fusion 1.2.

The Corpse is getting a reprint also.  New cover colors by Garrett Gainey and Spandex Avenger is getting a page reformat and a new cover.

For those that have the original Demon Seed and Corpse covers, both those runs were limited to 75 copies and the reprint will be noted in the copyright on the next print run. (Just a note to collectors)

I will be posting an archive on the website to keep track of what was printed and what the run was on each title.  I too am a collector and the more detailed information on a particular title the better. 

I had seriously thought about setting up at ONICON.  It was close to home and it would be a way to promote the upcoming 'Artistic Side' book by Clarissa Wagner.  Then I saw that all the artist alley tables were sold out.  On top of that the price versus benefit was very lacking.  I even checked into doing a dealer's table.  Really way out of the price break for me.  So you won't see us at ONICON.  Not much of a loss in my eyes though.  We have Sci Fi Fan days in Dallas on Oct 8TH and Wizard World in Austin on Nov 11th. 

In the future we are going to be more selective on the conventions we do.

Every time we do a convention I learn something new to take to the table.  This one was small and intimate.  The con was geared more towards authors than artists.  But overall the feel was laid back and comfortable.  It was a good time but the space was limited.  Also, they weren't geared for a full blown comic book studio.  I am pretty sure they were not expecting us.  We kind of blew them away in some respects.  But lessons learned and I do understand we were a handful to handle.  If I do Apollo Con next year the focus will be more on the written works coming up. 

The big problem with Mental Diversions is that creative freedom isn't stifled.  I always tell the team that there are no bad ideas, just ones we may not do right away.  I also tell them to never throw anything away.  It may become inspiration for another project down the road.  Back to our problem; since we are not limited we have a wide range of stories and art we are produce.  Though the major work is superhero based, we are not limited to that genre.  The upcoming 'Gods of Thunder' is strongly based in mythology and 'Artistic Side' is a Manga comic.  So we are truely non-conformist.

And you know what, I like that way.  Nobody should tell you that you can't do it.  And you should never limit yourself because you think you can't. 

I'm going to leave you with the cover of 'NASA Toons' that premiered at Apollo Con.  This will be available on Kindle this week.

Well prepping for the upcoming Apollo Con (http://www.apollocon.org/) In keeping with the theme the team is working on some special space related stuff.  I will be putting together my toons from my time at NASA.  This will be the first time they have been printed together!

Among other things going on...

The Corpse #2 is coming along nicely.  Garrett is working his tail off and its even more crazier than #1! (#1 is going out for reprint, we are almost out!)

Season of Stoms/Suicide Jacks (AKA Demon Seed) is going out for reprint also!  It will be sporting new cover art by Allen Adams, inked by Walter Jimenez, and colored by Ty Tyner.

Fusion 3 and 4 are nearing completion. Allen has really out done himself with the work on Fusion 4.

God of Thunder is coming along and should be ready by Sci Fi Expo.  This is another fantastic work by Damon and Allen.

There are many other projects in work.  And many ideas being batted around.  Let's just say Web Comics are coming among other things that will be available.

 

 

I spend some time practicing.  We should all practice.  I always tell my team that and I also tell them to NEVER throw anything away.  I don't say this without knowing something about it.  If you love doing art never throw anything away.  It may inspire you to recreate it when your talents have improved or maybe even take the time to finish it.  Allen Adams III did this with one of his drawings recently.  It took him a while to get back to it but once he did it was awesome. (See Paradise Lost http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/photo.php?fbid=104153819664864&set=a.104153809664865.9263.100002107386069&type=1&theater> Anyway I thought I would share at least one of my pictures from my practice.

 

I have often told the crew that the fans are why we do this.  I haven't done it yet but I am going to put a Swag Bag link on the web site.  What I want is for the fans to give me an e-mail address and if you want a swag bag then I need an address. 

Just what is a swag bag?  Well if you are a fan and following us then I will at times send out goodies to the fans.  I don't know how long I will keep doing this but I do know I woud like to do it for a while. 

And again just why am I doing this?  For the fans.  I don't want to innudate you with useless e-mails but I would like you to know where we will be from time to time so you can visit us.  Also the only reason for the address is to mail the swag.

Free stuff!

Until I get the swag page up just mail info to mental@mentaldiversions.com

 

The team has been questioning me about San Diego or some of the other bigger cons.  I priced San Diego and it currently is outside the range of what I am willing to spend.  This is a business and like any business I need to weigh the pros and cons before committing resources.  Sure everyone has told me we will sell out at San Diego.  But like all things it is not a guarantee.  It is better to be conservative at this point and grow the business as a sustainable entity. 

To be fair we made some money in Dallas.  Enough to cover the cost of the tables.  But in the same respect we lost just as much at Comicpalooza.  A show we expected to do very well at.  So not all shows are a guarantee win.  This is why I have been so selective as to where I am spending the money.  Comicpalooza was a slap in the face.  And our lack of sales was not directly related to our product.  Sometimes that's just the way it goes.  You win and you lose. 

That being said we are attending Apollo Con on June 24th-26th.  We are not going to be at Texas Comic Con.  I attended it last year and was not too impressed with the layout.  This year they have a new venue but the table cost is high like it was at Comicpalooza.  So I can only take one chance like that every so often.  Let's hope I chose wisely.