Andrew Leamon

comics writer (CAMERA MAN, RADIANT BLACK #22 Backup @imagecomics, FOURTHMEAL @tbquarterly) | nintendo nerd | dog dad | he/him

[Andrew Leamon @aleams]

As a comic writer who hires artists for my projects, I've had the privilege of looking over comic artist portfolios in person and online.

I thought it might be helpful to share some of what I look for as I go through portfolios in order to help those of you who are newer.

[Andrew Leamon @aleams]

*boots up Donkey Kong 64 for the first time in twenty years*

Me (deep voice): "Okay!"

[James Portis III | JPenumbra @JPenumbra]

Generative AI does not belong in Comics. If you use Generative AI in comics you are not a real comic creator.

[Joe Clark @JoeClarkChicago]

If you don't know why, you should read THE MOTERN METHOD

[Andrew Leamon @aleams]

If you were ever wondering, "I'd love to hire Andrew to write a comic for me, but I bet he's way too busy."

Good news, my schedule has opened up for more opportunities, and I'd love to write for you.

Contact info in bio.

[Andrew Leamon @aleams]

The good news is that there are so many amazing, hungry and passionate indie comic writers that would love your attention.

And I'll share some great writers you can find on here in the coming days.

This is all to say...
Support indie comic writers.
Think indie.

[Andrew Leamon @aleams]

I feel like I say this to my writing buddies all the time, but writing comics is a very specific discipline and artform in itself. It's not prose, tv/film or theatre. Comics is its own medium.

Yes, anyone can write comics, but few can actually write to the medium well.

[Andrew Leamon @aleams]

I think it's time we all take a nap. Can someone get the lights?

[Andrew Leamon @aleams]

Sometimes, there are, in fact, too many cooks in the kitchen.

[Andrew Leamon @aleams]

@TheYuanTwins Thank you for saying that! Especially when folks are starting out, these comics are rarely going to make money and never right away.

[Andrew Leamon @aleams]

I'm tired of the toxic positivity in comics that says, "Just make comics! No excuses!"

There are plenty of valid excuses, and it doesn't make you any less of a comic creator for having to take a break or figure things out.

[Lanier @Coolesdolo]

@aleams Too many creators are swept up in the fantasy of this medium, but the reality is you gotta take time away from it, live life and then use that to power the next work. Budget wisely, negotiate etc.

[Andrew Leamon @aleams]

Many writers have wrongly romanticized stories of folks who recklessly accrued debt to take a chance on themselves and went on to become rich.

With all due respect, that's a tragedy.

It's like gambling your mortgage on horse racing. No one should have to do that.

[Andrew Leamon @aleams]

1. Life is more and more expensive. Bills come first, and your collaborators can't/shouldn't work with you unless you can afford to pay them.

2. The examples people use of "great comics badly drawn" lean into the badly drawn as part of the story's conceit.

[Andrew Leamon @aleams]

@nickmarino Fun fact: lime green popsicles.

[Xander Arnot / XanderFlicks 🎬 @xanderarnot]

Gonna leave this here...

[Dark Horse Workers United @DarkHorseUnion]

ANNOUNCEMENT: The workers of Dark Horse Comics (@DarkHorseComics) are forming a union. Please read our mission statement below. 👇

#DHWU

[Jorge Rodríguez @jorgertg98]

Heads up true believers! For my sins in life my soul has been cast to cyber hell! Expect to see me and Charlie very soon at Wrestlemania 26 live from The White House lawn, brought to you by Nvidia! Excelsior!

[Andrew Leamon @aleams]

@DarkDocter @discotekmedia Yeah, I think you're right, but seemingly digital only.