What did he learn from superhero comics?
Working on superhero comics taught him about deadlines. Work needs to get done. Because of deadlines, inferior work will be printed. He also learned that the last person who gets their hands on the art determines what it looks like, whether it’s a colorist or an editor. Gradually, DM took steps to assume control over his work. He started as a penciller, then began inking his own work, and even got involved with some color. The old assembly-line model of mainstream comics taught him the division of labor. Paradoxically, DM began to think of comics not as a collaborative medium but a complete work. Once he left the trade, he felt like he had to unlearn the superhero “habits” of lay-out and that approach to drawing. Now, however, he doesn’t think he really need to unlearn that much. Mainstream comics was a great training crowd to perfect storytelling skills. The field is still oriented towards children, hence it’s necessary to emphasize clarity at all times to tell a successful story. DN:
