Over the weekend I off-handedly made a post on my social media feeds that read as such:
Every so often I wonder if I should try to get my comics adapted into something like a movie or TV show, but then I remember there are soulless execs who will erase years of work from existence for a tax break.
The reaction from folks who follow me was unexpectedly excited, like this was breaking news about something I was actively pursuing.
Folks told me how much they’d like to see an animated adaptation of the Oracle for Hire years, shared stories of other comics creators who spent years pursuing just the right studio, offered advice on how to go about it while protecting my intellectual properties, and so on.
But the truth is I have no desire to pursue something like that.
The biggest deterrent is, as the post itself stated, that there are soulless executives out there who will obliterate years of work from the face of the earth so their mega-corporation can score a tax break. I don’t know how I would handle it if the Oracle for Hire years was optioned for development, created, completed, then wiped from existence because some CEO wanted more money. The chance, however slim, of my life’s work being erased on a whim is not a risk I’m willing to take.
It’s also a lot of work, and I’m not a fan of doing more work than I need to. I love working on the comic every single day, but past that I greatly value my free time, which these days is time spent with my family and friends. Adapting years of comic strips into another format altogether is a monumental task that I neither want nor do I wish to outsource.
And finally, I like comics as they are. I love comics as an art form and don’t view adaptations of them as “a step up.” Sure, movies and TV shows may reach more people, but I like reaching folks who like reading comics. I love the process of making comics, and the act of reading and experiencing them. I didn’t get into comics so I could get into making movies or TV shows. I got into comics because I love comics, and if that means I’ll be toiling in comparative obscurity for the rest of my career then so be it. I’ll be doing something I love.
The expression of excitement from folks who saw that post was very flattering, though. It’s nice to still get that reaction after twenty-plus years in the comics business.