Can you draw, or would your graphic novel be a collaboration? I respect those who can both draw and write... one online comic I really like, because it uses the Japanese style in an American way, is MegaTokyo.
Anyway I absolutely agree, I'd love it if American cartoons and comics would integrate a bit more beauty into their art and learn to tell a rip-roaring good story at the same time. Would be nice to have more graphic novels that aren't about superheroes - that's something that attracts me to manga, no spandex.
That is one of Clare's favorites!! Several of her friends are into illustration, and at least two plan to attend art schools. One of her best friends, Emilee, wants to attend Savannah College of Art and Design because is it the only college that teaches Sequential Art, which is what she'd need for Graphic novels and 3D animation of an Anime. Emilee is an outstanding artist!
I used to have some Dark Horse issues of the SW extended universe that came out in the early 90s. I have since sold them to a friend, and the artist who did the work for the SW favored a lot of blues, and bubbles, and really weird 'camera' angles, and his depictions of the characters weren't always flattering to the eye. However, in the other part of the issues they had the continuing adventures of Indiana Jones and if I remember correctly, the artwork was much different and nicer.
I think I would like to find a happy medium. I want the protagonists to look good, and the villain to look bad and the others to look like they belong in their place, and something simple but not cartoonish or amateur. I would need to have a collaboration with an artist, and thats been the real bugaboo for me right now. I have some friends working to find someone for me, and another who is doing their own doodles for me, which is extremely nice and appreciated, but ultimately, I am looking for an artist partner who can work with me. A friend suggested I go to some of the science fiction cons, but my worry there is that the only way I will get any artists' attention is if I can pay them some money, and I really can't. My goal is to work with them so that we can both get published and recieve experience and credits for a resume, and then (ideally, but not necessarily the most realistic part) that the publisher will pay each of us to do what we need to do if it is a success.
Or, what I am finding out is, I should write the script in screenplay format, and submit that with the idea that the publisher will be willing to supply an artist. What that will entail I have no idea, and I will probably lose control over the artistic quality if that happens. We'll see.
right now though, I am going through a bit of a learning curve, not only in writing a screenplay, but tightening up the story itself into something that that readers will like. I havent done this kind of writing in a while (too much blogging and politics for the last seven to eight years!!!).
That's EXACTLY what I am aiming for...EXACTLY what I have been thinking!!!! that was evident to me the other night when I was in B&N, and was trying to tell a fellow writer about it, but got swarmed by a bunch of the Japanime/manga fans, who didnt want to hear me say "gee I wish there were more AMERICAN stories!"
Im getting an itch in my palm that maybe thats a field that needs some exploring...hmmm??
Unfortunately, almost all of the graphic novels I could recommend are superhero-based... and the ones that aren't are so, uhm, avant-garde that I hesitate to recommend them. But, I'll put in another plug for Elfquest, by Wendy & Richard Pini. There are multiple volumes and editions, and I'm not sure if Barnes & Noble's carries them, but if they do the first volume is titled "Fire and Flight". It's available both in large color volumes and manga-style black and white editions. The art is lush and the story is terrific.