Ramon Gil and the Comics Arts Workshop are hosting a free virtual event titled “The Rise and Fall of Comics” in May, on the factors that impacted the American comic book business in the 1990s.
Listen to three industry veterans talk about the 1990s, what happened, why it happened and what’s happened since. A Question and Answer will follow.
Speakers include Marvel Comics former editor-in-chief, and ongoing comics writer Tom DeFalco, who was instrumental in shaping the output and editorial direction of many Marvel UK projects, so there’s a chance that arm of Marvel Comics may get a mention.
There was clear intent from some at Marvel at that time that the London-based adjunct would help beat off growing competition from publishers like Image Comics, Marvel then confident its brand, and regular publication of its titles, helped sway the buying choices of both readers and, importantly, direct market retailers.
This year marks 50 years in the comic book business for Tom, and, thanks to publishers like Archie, Marvel, Apex Comics and SitComics/Binge Books, he still has new work appearing on the stands.
Heidi MacDonald is an award-winning editor/journalist, and Publisher of the indispensable The Comics Beat. An editor at Disney and DC Comics, she edited such titles as The Lion King, Scooby Doo, Swamp Thing, and Y: The Last Man. She also cohosts Publishers Weekly’s graphic novel podcast More to Come.
Elliot S. Maggin is a former senior writer for DC Comics. He published his first story at 17 in a Boy Scout magazine and his first novel, the bestseller Superman: Last Son of Krypton, at 27. He worked as a freelance writer for many years for such publications as the Village Voice, the Colorado Daily, the Keene Sentinel, the Los Angeles Times and others. Notably, as principal writer of Superman for DC Comics in the 1970s and 80s, he was responsible for setting moral and ethical standards for a generation of American kids. He continues to write for the publishing and entertainment industries.
Organiser Ramon Gil has been published by Dynamite, Source Point Press, Bleeding Cool, The Comic Beat, Atlas Unleashed, Forward Comix and many more. He is also the organiser of Diversity Comic Con and teaches comic book publishing at SUNY| FIT. You can view his work at www.ramongil.com
The Comics Arts Workshop is an online membership community that will give you the basic skills and the right mindset to make it happen. It features include courses, critiques, guest speakers, co-working sessions and more.
• Comic Art Workshop: The Rise and Fall of Comics Friday 27th May, 2022 12.30am to 2.30am BST | Online event | Free | Book tickets here
• To get access to Comics Arts Workshop guest speaker archives, community co-working nights, one-on-one coaching, Making Comic curriculum and more, visit comicarts.newzenler.com
The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.
Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.
He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.
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