Drawing VS. Writing
A frequently asked question
“What do you like doing more, drawing or writing?”
That’s become one of the most asked questions I get during interviews and signings. It’s a great question that I dont’ really have a definitive answer to. It’s like asking who do I like more, Redman or Method Man. Ok, there is definitive answer to that…it’s Redman. Duh. But writing vs. drawing, the actual answer is both.
Writing and drawing my own comics is one of the most rewarding things ever. It’s the closest to going back to childhood and feeling like I’m just on my own playing pretend. Because, I am. I sit down at the keyboard and drawing table and just make things up. Just me and my imagination and making things without any input at all. I get to play pretend on paper all by myself.
I know, I know, that’s kind of a cheat of an answer, right? When ever me and the kids are playing “would you rather?” and they try to answer “both” or “neither” I reply with “Come on, play the game!” So, in the spirit of the game, like I make my boys, I’ll play the game.
I’ll focus in on the question a bit. I’m taking covers out of the equation. Those are super fun and to me doesn’t really count in the VS of it all. Today, if I had to pick between drawing someone else’s script or writing a script for another artist to draw, I’d choose…
Writing.
That may surprise some. To others, they may not even remember when I used to draw interiors. haha. It’s honestly weird for me when I realize how long it’s been. I started drawing professionally in 2001, working from other writers scripts until 2013 when I finished my 5 year run on the Wizard Of OZ books. I loved most of those books, some of them not so much. Either way, I learned so much about making comics, storytelling and the profession of being a full time creator. I wouldn’t trade it for the world, but it’s not what I set out to do when I got into comics.
I always wanted to write and draw my own comics and after OZ it felt like it was finally time. I pitched Rocket Raccoon at Marvel and that became my first series of me doing both duties. After the first arc, I knew it was time for creator owned. I handed over art duties so could write and draw my own series. Over the next few years I worked on I Hate Fairyland and had the time of my life. Eventually, I decided to add on a few titles that would write but not draw.
I got the gig on Deadpool and brought on Nic Klein and Scott Hepburn. That was a blast. Then I pitched a new idea to marvel called Strange Academy and created that with Humberto Ramos. A dream come true. At the same time Aaron Conley and Jorge Corona would join me in co-creating new Image books in Bully Wars and Middlewest. Soon I would team up with Kyle Strahm to create Twig and other Image titles with Jorge on The Me You Love In The Dark and Ain’t No Grave. Clearly, I fell in love with writing. It helped that my artist partners are all geniuses and very close friends.
To my surprise, you all showed up every time and seemed to enjoy it as much I did. I even handed over art duties on I Hate Fairyland after drawing for 21 issues to the brilliant cartoonists, Brett Bean and Derek Laufman and a fanatics issue in there by Jay Fosgitt.
So why did I pick writing for artists over drawing for writers? It’s not because it’s easier. It’s not because of money, or recognition, or any other non creative reasons. It’s because I get to talk to my friends, go away and play pretend on my keyboard and then the masters of the craft go off and bring it all to life and blow my mind via my texts and inbox! I get to be surprised. As the artist I was the end of that line, outside of colors and lettering. After I finished my part, there weren’t more surprises for me. Writing, I am always surprised and thrilled after my part is done. A few sentences sent out comes back as a full adventure. For me, it’s just currently a funner version of collaboration.
While I can’t see myself ever going back to drawing pages of someone else’s script, I will ABSOLUTELY be going back to writing and drawing my own book. Sooner than later!!! Boy At The End will see the light of day very soon.
So, there ya go. The question has been answered!
You all in the funny pages!
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I think Middlewest is one of the most underrated and highly relatable stories when you figure out how the emotions can attach to you. I would put it on the same level as Craig Thompson's Blankets.
All the SY writing has been fantastic.
I look forward to Boy at the End, I have a gut feeling it is going to be an eye-opening amazement that also shreds the heartstrings like an Anthrax/Public Enemy Fight the Power mashup.
Onward we all go together.
Ooh always love an in-depth Skottie post! I honestly really love your response to this! The way of looking at it as your place in the process of collaborating with others. And that currently it's more fun to be the kickoff! As Anakin put it "This is where the fun begins!"
As a consumer I'd apply the same question and give a similar response. I love it all! I was of course bumbed when we found out you wouldn't be doing interiors for I Hate Fairyland. But then Brett came along and blew us all away making me a day one lifelong fan of his! Then the same thing happened with Jorge! And Nate, JFB Jay, etc.
Your ability to assemble of team of kick-ass awesome people is what keeps me coming back. Whether your involvement is more on the writing side of things or the visual side of things.
But there's also the part where you can feel the excitement with every project you're on because you're getting to explore a lot more in a lot less time. And that comes through both in the writing and the artists collaborating with you as they're just as excited!