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EL GATO NEGRO, Nocturnal Warrior



Last Updated: 11/18/2009

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Gender: Male
Status: Single
Age: 28
Sign: Libra

City: Lower Rio Grande Valley
State: Texas
Country: US
Signup Date: 11/27/2006

Who Gives Kudos:

Planet Comi.. (2)
Freddy (2)
Nino (2)
Dave Ryan (2)

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EL Santo Gordo
July 2, 2008 - Wednesday 

Current mood:  disappointed
Category: Blogging

THIS IS FOR EVERYONE WHO WORKS IN THIS INDUSTRY WE CALL THE COMIC BOOK INDUSTRY (OR THOSE WHO HAVE TOO MUCH TIME IN THEIR HANDS!!!)

I'M USING THIS LARGE FONT TO INDICATE THAT I'M SUPPOSE TO BE YELLING, WELL...I COULD BE....I'M BEEN IN THIS INDUSTRY (ON AND OFF) FOR A GOOD 15(PLUS) YEARS. I'VE MEET A GOOD ARRAY OF PEOPLE WHOM I'VE THOUGHT I WOULD NEVER MEET AND THOSE WHO I GREW UP ADMIRING, THAT GIVE ME CHILLS DOWN MY SPINE AND MADE ME GLAD I CHOOSE THIS INDUSTRY IN THE FIRST PLACE.

OH BELIEVE ME, I'VE SEEN THE UGLY SIDE OF THIS INDUSTRY AND I DO BELIEVE THAT EVERY KIND OF OTHER INDUSTRIES HAS THEIR VERY OWN (MAY IT BE THAT OF ACTING, TV/FILM, WRITING, LANDSCAPING...ETC). BUT I STAND ON MY OWN SOAP BOX TODAY AND THOUGHT THAT I WOULD SAY MY 'PIECE' AND LET EVERYONE ELSE KNOW WHAT I FEEL LATELY...I DON'T WANT TO SOUND LIKE JOEL OSTEEN OR DR. PHIL...BUT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT NEEDS SAYING....

NO MATTER WHERE YOU ARE IN THIS GREAT COUNTRY WE CALL AMERICA...IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST, THE CALIFORNIA COAST, PHOENIX AREA, EL PASO AND THE REST OF THIS GREAT STATE OF TEJAS...THE MIDWEST, THE DEEP SOUTH, ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLORIDA KEYS...AND AS FAR NORTH TO THE BIG APPLE A.K.A. NEW YORK CITY!!!!

EVERY PLACE HAS IT'S OWN 'GREAT COMIC BOOK COMMUNITY' PEOPLE GET TOGETHER WITH ONES WHO KNOW THE ART FORM, AND THEY GET WITH ONE ANOTHER TO DO 'NETWORKING' AND AS WELL AS LEARNING FROM ONE ANOTHER. THEY GET TOGETHER AT LOCAL COMIC SHOPS AND COMIC BOOK CONVENTIONS AND GO TO THEIR FAVORITE COFFEE SHOPS AND DO MORE NETWORKING SHARPENING THEIR SKILLS TO FINE TUNE THEIR ART AND WRITING IN ORDER TO MAKE THEIR NEXT PROJECT 'ONE NOTCH BETTER' THAN THEIR LAST.

I LIVE FOR THAT!!!!!!!!!

BUT WHAT SICKENS ME AND MAKES MY CHICKEN BOIL ARE THOSE WHO HAVE 'EGOS' AND 'ATTITUDES' AND THOSE WHO THINK THAT THEY'RE THE ONLY ONES WHO QUAILIFY TO LIVE ON THIS EARTH...WHO DO NOT MAKE TIME TO MAKE NEW FRIENDS WHO HAS JUST GOTTEN INTO THIS INDUSTRY AND ARE EAGER TO LEARN THE ROPES. AND THOSE WITH THE "HIGH AND MIGHTY" ATTITUDES ARE NOT THERE TO LEND THEM A HAND.

I'M NOT NAMING NAMES...I'M NOT LIKE THAT...

"ONLY THE SHALLOW KNOW THEMSELVES"...

AND THERE ARE THOSE WHO ARE WORKING ON "CROSSOVERS" AND ARE CO-WORKERS (OR EX-CO-WORKERS) THAT ARE NOW RIVALS AT THEIR OWN COMIC BOOK COMPANIES ACROSS TOWN (OR THEY COULD BE ACROSS THE STREET OR JUST AROUND THE CORNER).

FOR THOSE WHO DO NOT KNOW THE FIRST 'RULE OF THUMB' IN THIS INDUSTRY...

''NEVER...I REPEAT...NEVER TALK ABOUT ANYONE ELSE WHO IS IN THE SAME INDUSTRY AS YOU ARE...IN THE BLOGS...AT MEETINGS...OVER THE PHONES...COMIC BOOK SHOPS...CONVENTIONS...ETC...IT'S SO UNPROFESSIONAL,...SO HIGH SCHOOL.....NEVER!!!!!"

(I SAY THAT YELLING EVEN LOUDER!!!...YET, SOME OF YOU MIGHT THINK: "WELL, WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING...?" I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT ANYONE PARTICULAR...NO NAMES INVOLVED...JUST SPEAKING IN GENERAL!)

AND IF THIS 'UGLINESS' CONTINUES, THOSE WHO ARE NOT INVOLVED WILL SEE THIS (AND THOSE WHO ARE NOT IN THE INDUSTRY, PARTICULARLY...THE FANS!!!) AND WILL NOT HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH THOSE "SEPERATED PARTIES" AND YOU WILL NOT GET NOWHERE IF YOU CONTINUE TO ACT LIKE A BUNCH OF JEALOUS CHEERLEADERS.

"WE'RE ALL IN THE SAME GUTTER, BUT SOME OF US ARE LOOKING AT THE STARS."

SO IN ESSENCE, THIS INDUSTRY CANNOT AFFORD TO HAVE ENEMIES WITHIN THEMSELVES...WE NEED ONE ANOTHER IN ORDER TO SURVIVE...

SO LET US FEED ON THE GOOD PASTURE OF FRIENDSHIP AND DRINK FROM THE GOOD WATERS OF KNOWLEDGE FROM ONE ANOTHER. ONLY THE WEAK AND SHALLOW WILL HAVE TO FEED ON TRAMPLED GRASS AND DRINK FROM TROUBLED WATERS.

11:04 AM
 
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Mauro
Mauro Padovani

 
I agree..same in Europe or Italy, But sometime is good to be alone than with bad friends.

In Italy the publishers don't help...
 
Posted by Mauro on July 2, 2008 - Wednesday - 4:21 PM
[Reply to this] 
EL GATO NEGRO, Nocturnal Warrior

 
Mauro,
I totally agree on what you wrote, I forgot about the beloved and talented ones across the "big ocean"...Sometimes it is good to be alone than with bad friends...
But the only thing in this world worse than being talked about, and that is NOT being talked about.
If the publishers will not help you in Italia...then, "self-publish" on your own.
 
Posted by EL GATO NEGRO, Nocturnal Warrior on July 2, 2008 - Wednesday - 4:35 PM
[Reply to this] 
Mauro
Mauro Padovani

 
I agree with you what is important to speak about, the silence is not good.

In Italy all my comic books are self-published!
 
Posted by Mauro on July 3, 2008 - Thursday - 7:58 AM
[Reply to this] 
Nino

 
Richard. I read your blog. I would say it's better to be not so alone. I would say it would be better to surround yourself with a select group you can trust. I wouldn't say help EVERYBODY because there are a majority of people out there who know this and are waiting to LEACH of of your generosity. Just like any other industry, they are waiting to EXPLOIT the kind,and dare I say naive. Names like Bill Finger, Kirby, Siegel and Shuster come to mind. I agree that self publishing is the way to go. I would only help the ones who I know are honest and trustworthy, like yourself. Well, that's my own personal opinion anyway. I don't speak for everyone.



Nino.

 
Posted by Nino on July 2, 2008 - Wednesday - 9:45 PM
[Reply to this] 
EL GATO NEGRO, Nocturnal Warrior

 
Nino,
You've brought up names whom I known of very well. They're the "unsung heroes" of this industry, the true pioneers! They are the very "first victims" of this serious subject.
I've experienced certain "leeches" in my years in this industry, some I've given advice to, (and some who refused to take it), and I never see nor hear from them again...
Young artists and writers who want so badly in get into the comics industry always ask me to review their portfolio and scripts...(I've seen good ones and I've seen bad!)
If I critique one's portfolio or script, and give them an honest opinion, I've already made an a friend or an enemy (without knowing it!).
(Of course, they're welcome to get a second opinion...I'm no authority on portfolio reviews...but I'm giving a honest one)Which would make them have the "ganas" to strive to do better and not talk ill about the person who you think gave you a "bad review".
Thanks for responding my friend!

Richard
 
Posted by EL GATO NEGRO, Nocturnal Warrior on July 2, 2008 - Wednesday - 10:14 PM
[Reply to this] 
Nino

 
This also has to be said. If you want to ba a comic book artist, you are going to have to know how to take proffesional criticism. If you take a portfolio to a pro, or someone who already has their books out there, be prepared to get critiqued. If someone brought a portfolio to me and I saw some things wrong with their artwork, like anatomy or perspective, I will point it out.
If I notice that these things are the artists personal ..style.. like Jack Kirby's anatomy, or Charles Shultz's shaky inking, or Robert Crumbs sketchy detail, then I won't say too much. But if the artwork needs something here or there, I will point it out. Lastly I will encourage the artist to keep drawing. I myself have had other artists point out several things with my artwork that need tightening up or toning down. One last thing. If you draw your a** off and you still can't get work as a pro, get in line. There is always someone WAY more better than you. Plus, alot of times it just happens that many pros out there didn't get their jobs from what they know but by WHO they know. Sadly, this is true.


Nino.

 
Posted by Nino on July 3, 2008 - Thursday - 5:08 AM
[Reply to this] 
Freddy
Freddy Lopez

 
Well said... As I try to find my role in this industry I'm seeing a lot of that going on. Either people have made it and have a sense of superiority, or they haven't made it and are becoming bitter... It's not good.


I've met you before at comic cons and you're good people. Don't let the jerks get you down. Eventually they'll filter out of the system and the good guys will still be around.


-Freddy
 
Posted by Freddy on July 2, 2008 - Wednesday - 9:44 PM
[Reply to this] 
EL GATO NEGRO, Nocturnal Warrior

 
Freddy,
It's been a long time, my friend. If there were a million of "Freddies" out there in this industry, then we wouldn't have anything to worry about.
You're the prime example of what other "young comic artists" are hoping to strive for.
It's people like you who I admire so, you've struggled and you never gave up.
Moreover, you've never forgot where you've came from...which makes you 1 in my book!
Yeah, "the good guys" are still around!


Richard
 
Posted by EL GATO NEGRO, Nocturnal Warrior on July 3, 2008 - Thursday - 5:27 AM
[Reply to this] 
La Diabla
Laura Molina

 
Dude, people will never stop gossiping. and artists will never stop stabbing each other in the back. That's the way it is.


"Comic Book People". We're not talking about adults with a high level of maturity or emotional development here.

 
Posted by La Diabla on July 2, 2008 - Wednesday - 9:46 PM
[Reply to this] 
EL GATO NEGRO, Nocturnal Warrior

 
Laura,
Yeah, you're right...they're not adults, when it comes to behaving like the way they are.
I know that there is "gossiping" and "backstabbing" in this industry ( they have that everywhere!...from kiddie cluhouses all the way to the White House, it's everywhere!).

But if "Comic Book Co. A" cannot get along with "Comic Book Co. B"(where 'egos' play a big part in this), and you're right in the middle...and you know both companies (and get along with both) are you going to take sides???

So, tell me...at what "high level" of maturity or emotional development are we placed at?
 
Posted by EL GATO NEGRO, Nocturnal Warrior on July 3, 2008 - Thursday - 5:55 AM
[Reply to this] 
The Human Fly

 
The Human Fly stands with you Richard, and all the brave souls taking their stand as true independents!
 
Posted by The Human Fly on July 4, 2008 - Friday - 3:33 AM
[Reply to this] 
EL GATO NEGRO, Nocturnal Warrior

 
Amen, my brudda...amen.
'Tis titles likes yours that makes comics FUN!!!



Richard
 
Posted by EL GATO NEGRO, Nocturnal Warrior on July 11, 2008 - Friday - 3:15 PM
[Reply to this] 
Done'

 
Wow, egoos among comic book creators. Its ironic if you think about it - but people do cruel things to make themselves feel better. Especially when it comes to talent. One thing I have learned is that talented people can be bad, when they feel threatened. It's human nature - that is sad because it is something that can be over come with a kind heart.

D.

 
Posted by Done' on December 3, 2008 - Wednesday - 4:25 AM
[Reply to this]