Yikes!
What a load of crap. I’m a GUY, not a girl, and
I’ve been doing webcomics for a year…and print comics for decades.
I am STILL an unknown. Girl. Guy. It’s about being a cartoonist in general. It’s damn tough breaking in and getting “known” unless you are VERY talented or really LUCKY.
The comics industry is sexist, but it’s tough for everyone to make money as a cartoonist, not just women.
It seemed quite a bitter ‘cast. I feel sad for Ms. Hernandez.

-Chuck. A Listener.

Left by CDM on July 6th, 2006

The thing to remember here is She WAS making it as a comic artist… and worked for 20 years on the inside, this in not an EMO rant by someone who couldn’t make it in the comic book industry. She is not an unknown. She is relating her experiences to us, and explaining why she feels it is important to help promote women on the web, where it is more about ability and talent, than politics and bigotry.

I’m not saying your experiences and opinions are any less valid than hers, but I did not come away feeling anything but respect for Ms. Hernandez. Realizing that attitudes had not changed within the industry, and would not be changing anytime soon, she decided to leave it, and focus on self publishing, webcomics, and helping other women with their dreams of making it in comics.

Yeah, she may be a bit bitter, but it seems like a valid bitter, and she’s doing something about what she sees as wrong.

JT

Left by jtpokie on July 6th, 2006

We should also point out that we never said it wasn’t hard to break into comics as a guy. It’s tough no matter who you are. Lea was kind enough to share her experiance with us and talk about the grant she is offering and why. If it comes off as a bit bitter it’s because we wern’t asking about what her favorite moments in comics was.

Plus we talked about Hypno-Nipple… how can that not just make you grin from ear to ear.

Left by madscott on July 6th, 2006

I am STILL an unknown.

And oh boy, do you sound bitter about it.

The comics industry is sexist, but it’s tough for everyone to make money as a cartoonist, not just women.

In other words, sexism exists, but gee women shouldn’t make a big deal about it, because some GUY might call you bitter. Because CDM isn’t a success, therefore any woman’s experience with sexism is negated, cuz only GUY cartoonists count.

Left by Kynn on July 6th, 2006

You know…that’s it. I’m emailing Leah. She sounds like such an amazing person with a looot of experience. I have weighty asperations of comicdom…hmm.

Left by Robin on July 6th, 2006

Robin emailed me! And her stuff is fabulous.

Chuck, I guess you missed the parts where I said I’ve been fondled, where I gave concrete examples of sexism.

Of course I’m biter. I spent twenty yars trying to get comics to girls. Manga’s finally doing that, in bookstores, but print comics in the U.S. is still rotten with sexism, and it’s time to build something new.

I’mconfused as to how it’s bitter to start a grant. No wait, I’m NOT. You picked out what bothered you and commented on that.

JT, Scott, Kynn: thanks for the support.

Left by Lea Hernandez on July 6th, 2006

Yea.. Robin kinda rocks. you should listen to her interview.. http://gigcast.nightgig.com/?p=52

Left by madscott on July 6th, 2006

A little fight has erupted here, awesome, I’ve not listened to the gigcast yet, but this alone shows it’s potential to be a great show.

Left by Dave on July 6th, 2006

Man, I am looking forward to being back on a regular schedule. Interviews like these are the ones I really miss.
Lea’s views of the industry and the sexism are very accurate in many regards. I do disagree on many points (would have loved playing devil’s advocate in this one) especially considering some of the economic sides of the business. But still this was an awesome interview. The Gigcast is now really fullfilling its potential.
Good job guys!

Left by Karl Kuras on July 7th, 2006

Damn! Curse my Y chromosome for making me genetically weaker AND for ruling out any sort of participation on my part. (Though I think I’ll be just fine and happy to stay what I am – for the record)

I’ll have to admit, my first thought was much like grotesque mole-man… why should others be bathed in light as I stew in obscurity, but listening to the podcast really plunged some insight on an otherwise unknown world to me (that being the world of pro comics). While I sympathize with the initial feeling of exclusion, I have to applaud the effort as any attempt to promote egalitarian practices between men and women is a good thing.

I think the most exciting part of “The Nan Grant” is the potential fusion between profession practices and the widely amateur driven styles of web comics.

Hope to see good things come from it!

Left by Mister Spook on July 13th, 2006

“I’ll have to admit, my first thought was much like grotesque mole-man… why should others be bathed in light as I stew in obscurity, but listening to the podcast really plunged some insight on an otherwise unknown world to me (that being the world of pro comics). While I sympathize with the initial feeling of exclusion, I have to applaud the effort as any attempt to promote egalitarian practices between men and women is a good thing.”

You are awesome for saying this!

Left by Lea Hernandez on July 17th, 2006

[…] LH: I love the self-examination of cartoonist Mike Dean in the comments section of my recent interview at Gigca: “I’ll have to admit, my first thought was much like grotesque mole-man? why should others be bathed in light as I stew in obscurity, but listening to the podcast really plunged some insight on an otherwise unknown world to me (that being the world of pro comics). While I sympathize with the initial feeling of exclusion, I have to applaud the effort as any attempt to promote egalitarian practices between men and women is a good thing”. […]

Left by The Gigcast » Sequential Tart interviews Lea Hernandez on August 2nd, 2006