From the time he drew his first comic book in sixth grade, Ben Glendenning has loved comic book publishing. Since then he’s created sketch cards for Upper Deck's Marvel Masterpieces Lines, drawn for Image Comics’ Loaded Bible 3 and Dynamo 5 and published his comic books Skulljammer and Superworld Presents.
Suite 101 spoke with Glendenning at the 2009 Phoenix Comicon where it was clear by the crowds around his booth that his art has earned him many fans. The following is an edited version of the interview.
Suite 101: When did you get started in comic book publishing?
Glendenning: In high school I got some friends together who wanted to make a comic book. I wrote the character, a friend in advanced placement English wrote the script, and we did three issues of our comic book, Skulljammer.
At the time we were frequenting a comic book store called Comic Asylum and the owner, Ron Montoya, was fantastic – he bought our comics and carried them in his store. Later he got us a table at an Arizona convention to sell comic books. We sold out of Skulljammer and I knew – this is what I’m doing for a living!
Suite 101: What are the key things you’ve learned about how to make a comic book?
Glendenning: When we started it was, “Oh I just sit down and draw.” But now, it’s vastly different. Because we’re a creative group and need to work together. You have to communicate your ideas and see if you’re all on the same page.
We research. We talk to other creators. It’s a constant learning process because the industry, quality, and technology is always changing so you have to grow with it.
Suite 101: What is the best way to network?
Glendenning: Online is best. I’m meeting people face-to-face for the first time at Phoenix Comicon that I’ve known and worked with for three years online.
Deviantart is one of the best ways to stay in touch with everyone because their gallery system is so easy to keep track of people and their work. And you can update very easily. Always keep working and have new items coming up.
Suite 101: What about people who want to get into comic book writing?
Glendenning: If comic book writers are trying to contact artists, Deviantart is the best place to go. There’s also Comic Space and everyone has a MySpace page of course.
I want to stress that communication is key. Writing is a stick-with-it thing – you really have to talk to creators and artists and find the style that meshes with you. It’s not like art where you see everything and know it’s going to work – there’s more communication and effort involved.
Suite 101: You’ve worked for comic book publishers Image, Arcana, and Bluewater Productions. How did you break into that kind of comic book publishing?
Glendenning: Most of those times I was approached by a creative team. The artist of Dynamo 5 approached me after seeing my stuff and said, “You have such a different style from me! Why don’t you do a pinup and we’ll put it in one of the issues?” So yeah, networking among other artists and staying in touch. A lot of times we’re friends and see each other at shows and we call in favors.
Suite 101: Your comic book Superworld Presents is very professional. How did you publish this comic?
Glendenning: We live in a great time because we have Print-on-Demand online. And we came across one called Ka-Blam. We got our files through and the comics came back fantastic. I would recommend them to anyone who wants a quality book. Although there are pitfalls to getting anything printed – definitely research everyone. And be patient.
Suite 101: How tough is it to support yourself financially while pursuing your dream?
Glendenning: I really have to thank my wife for that. My wife supports me financially. I’ve had tons of menial jobs, I’d get up at six, go to work, come home, and draw until three in the morning. And my wife could see that commitment. So she told me, “You need to devote more time to this.” And if I didn’t have that support system it would not have happened.
But it also comes from motivation. I did not quit. I would sacrifice sleep, I would sacrifice anything. At one point I was working three jobs and doing art on the side and portfolio reviews at cons. And not once did I think, “This is going to end.” It was going to happen one way or another.
Hear what Ben has to say about his current and future projects at Comic Creator Shares His Upcoming Projects.
Learn about the differences between writing scripts for animation and comic book scripts at Writing for Comic Books and Animated Cartoons.
And learn more about Ben Glendenning’s art and comic books Skulljammer and Superworld Presents on deviantart and at his website!
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