A FanGirl shows her passion (image courtesy of Kevin Dooley)
Everyone has passions. I’ve got some that undoubtedly seem silly to others, and that’s fine. The point is, I’m following mine, and I’m finding ways of using new media–the same new media everyone’s chirping about–to do this. Damn if it doesn’t feel good.
One of my passions is comic books. Done smirking? Let’s continue. Today, the compendiums of comic art are called “graphic novels” and “trade paper backs”, but there’s no shame in harkening back to the medium’s roots by keeping it simple with “comic books”. The ones I’m into, however, aren’t so comic. I only recently got into them upon finding their dark side. That’s just me. It’s no coincidence that Alan Moore’s masterpiece V for Vendetta started me down this path, while similarly shadowy works like The Dark Knight Returns drew me deeper still. These books are on par with the greats in any other genre, and they merit the accolades they’ve received from within and without industry circles.
Hungry for more, I found Robert Venditti’s The Surrogates on too many “best ever” and ‘Top ___” lists to ignore. I didn’t leave my room until it was finished, to the chagrin of my significant other. The timeliness of the story couldn’t be overlooked, and my mind attempted to answer the questions it raised about technology and society without Venditti ever having to directly ask them.
Robert Venditti's The Surrogates (Amazon.com image)
You know when you fall in love with a work, it consumes you, and you almost feel abandoned afterwards? You might scramble to pick up the sequel, or prequel as was the case with The Surrogates, but sooner or later the journey ends. You’ve so many questions to ask, so many things you want to tell them about how their work became a living, breathing thing for you.
But who are you kidding? You’ll never get to ask those questions; you’ll never get to enter the mind of the figure behind the masterpiece. Or so you think.
New media changes this. Fans, followers, devotees and junkies—we have access to the source of our passions like never before in human history. And that’s no fad.
Believing this, hoping to prove my theory and practice what I preach, I sought out Robert Venditti, the one who had most recently stoked the flames of my passion for comics with The Surrogates. In the old world, this man would be totally, completely off limits. Not only have his books met with phenomenal success and deliriously positive reviews, The Surrogates is now a Bruce freakin’ Willis movie. But in the new world—the New Media World—Robert Venditti has a blog.
I was amazed to see hardly any comments on his posts, which were well written, personal and provocative without exception (biased fandom aside). So I commented. I knew, with almost 100% certainty, that one of the all time greats of the form would be reading it.
This knowledge was enough for me. I could have relished it, been content with it. But it didn’t end there.
A few days later, I received this email:
Hey Ian-
Just wanted to drop you a quick line and say thanks for the kind words about The Surrogates in your post comment. I’m humbled to have my book mentioned in the same sentence as the 2 you cited.
Never played BioShock, but I’m toying with the idea of maybe getting a PS3 in the near future, just to see what games are like nowadays.
Take care,
Robert Venditti
I drank it up like I would have if Nolan Ryan had sent me an autographed jersey in the 7th grade. I had reached out for a connection and Venditti was there to receive me. What’s more, he took the time to thank me for my thoughts.
Inspiration and a bit of initiative was all it took to get that much closer to a master of the craft, the one that both ignites my creativity and gets me through my hardest days.
What are your passions? How have you used new media to pursue them, and how do you plan on doing so in the future?
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
Ian,
This is a fascinating story and all the more fun to read because it had a happy ending. I’ve never really given graphic novels/comic books much consideration but the parallels you drew between them and new media is clear as day. I saw “The Surrogates” while I was in Austin in late September 2009. The movie was decent but I’m betting the comic book is far better.
Josh Ferris´s last blog ..How To Get An Amazing Deal on a New Home
Josh-
Thanks for supporting me by leaving your thoughts. Pick up the book and you won’t be disappointed. Who knows? It could plant the seed of a new passion in your life!
wow, that’s a rad story – love how new media was able to get you a connection.
i also am fascinated by peoples passions like this that they persue, i have many, and although i do sometimes get into it totally i am sometime too scattered to totally immerse, and have awe for those who do. time….elusive
BUT this reminds of the dark ages before social media is what it is, about 12 years ago at a boring job, my first time on the internet, i was OBSESSED with make-up, and particularly brands of make-up i read about in magazines that was not available in Austin back then, so i started searching, and i found a message board, (remember message boards?) called the Lipstick Page and amazingly found other women as into make-up and colors and how to wear it as i. we swapped by mail, we gave tips and ultimatley we had a “meet-up” in atlanta complete with make-overs at nordstroms. I’m still friends with some of them.
Now…i use new media to learn more about vegan cooking, mid century modern stuff, real estate marketing, and restaurants…and connecting, really connecting and enriching
thank Ian, now if i write a blog post about that ancient era of the lipstic page forum, you can act like you’ve never heard it before
Nanette Labastida´s last blog ..“Coffee worth slowing down for…” the ritual behind the ritual
Nanette-
I suppose I *could* respond to your awesome, hilarious comment–but I’d rather do it over Torchy’s tomorrow. Can’t wait!
Ian – My two older kids are both into comic books/graphic novels (the ones geared at their age range, of course). My son is 11 and my daughter is 8. I recently took them to Dragon’s Lair on Burnet Road while we were out as a family for my son’s birthday – I wanted to treat them to something that they would enjoy. I ended up getting something for them, and for our three-year-old girl as well. While we were there, I have to admit that I was tempted to get some stuff for myself, too. I haven’t really read much in that genre since I was a kid, but there appeared to be some high-quality books to choose from. Maybe I should give “The Surrogates” a read as well.
I’m happy that you posted this one. As you know, thanks to our BlogTalkRadio show, I’ve been able to meet and interact with some of my favorite social media authors and idols, including Chris Brogan, Shel Israel, Paul Chaney, and more. However, this post has given me some new ideas about what is possible with regard to my other passions. I’m happy to hear about your experience with Robert Venditti.
As a small aside, I love the comment widget that pulls up the commenter’s most recent post automatically. I need that one.
Jason Crouch´s last blog ..Having the Biggest Sign on the Block
Jason-
Glad you liked it! Dragon’s Lair is…how shall I put this…a bit *too* nerdy for my taste, and that’s saying something. One of the best comics stores in the country is very close to it on North Lamar, Austin Books and Comics. Seriously, it’s ranked nationally. Want to go with me some time? There’s something for everyone.
Ian,
Fun story. It is mind boggling to imagine all the ways we can now use SM to connect with people in ways that are personal, but not over reaching. We all just need to act on our creative impulses because we never know what the outcome (or response) will be.
Last year I sent an email to a national TV news anchor about a story they had just done on Detroit and GM. That is not a habit of mine, but I was all riled up about the subject and pointed out the inconsistencies of their story. Within 30 minutes I got an email signed by the anchor thanking me for my response and apologizing. I was shocked.
Cecilia Nault´s last blog ..A Sassy Celebration @ Bin 36 Chicago
Cecilia-
Yes! It’s such a great feeling knowing that you get through to a person of influence. But, as I said above, just knowing that Venditti was going to read my words, whether or not he was going to respond, was enough for me.
And, for the record, I emailed him a link to this post and he replied, saying that he loved it. Made me fuzzy all over again.
Ian, I was so not expecting this kind of a post. What an awesome curveball though, it definitely opened my eyes and I’ve been in this vibrant world of new media for the greater part of 3 years!
Just another thing that New Media brings to this space that was inaccessible 20 years ago!!!
I think I may just do a post of my own on this and link back to you. Also, I’m wondering if we could setup a time to chat and share ideas. Interested?
Taylor-
Thanks for stopping by. A follow-up post and linkback would be really cool. So would an idea chat. Let me know when you’re available and we’ll make it happen. Cheers.