Cultural critique is incredibly important, but it can also take a quick turn into focusing on the negative and raining on the parade of all the amazing things that are going right. Today, comics writer Gail Simone took to Twitter to remind us all that no matter how many inappropriate butts get drawn, things are really pretty amazing right now in comics in general, and our voices and desires are only helping them get better in the future.
If you only look at the negative, it does feel a bit like you might be missing the rainbow made of unicorns right in front of you.
— GAIL SIMONE (@GailSimone) June 30, 2015
But don’t take my word for it. Here’s a selection of the incredible wall of positivity that was Simone’s Twitter profile today, starting where all Twitter rants (positive or negative) start: things we think about in the quiet nighttime hours.
Thinking about it last night, it’s odd how cranky we can all be as comic book fans. Seriously, consider what’s happening right now.
— GAIL SIMONE (@GailSimone) June 30, 2015
Nearly every company has raised its game. Odds are, your favorite character has an awesome writer and artist.
— GAIL SIMONE (@GailSimone) June 30, 2015
Independents are coming on strong, there’s more comics for girls, the majors are actually trying new things…
— GAIL SIMONE (@GailSimone) June 30, 2015
We actually have parity or near-parity with female attendance at cons. Small publishers are having hit series.
— GAIL SIMONE (@GailSimone) June 30, 2015
It’s a pretty astounding success story. Most print is down or dying, comics are actually going up in sales. Stores are thriving.
— GAIL SIMONE (@GailSimone) June 30, 2015
I want to compare this to just ten years ago. Just one decade back.
— GAIL SIMONE (@GailSimone) June 30, 2015
There were far, far fewer cons and many were sketchy as hell. Publishers were folding, Marvel was in terrible shape, DC too.
— GAIL SIMONE (@GailSimone) June 30, 2015
I feel like we are in an industry with a second wind, and it’s huge. And a LOT of it, maybe most, is because of a new audience.
— GAIL SIMONE (@GailSimone) June 30, 2015
Complain about the diverse readership and readers coming in from film all you like, but you are enjoying the benefit of their dollars.
— GAIL SIMONE (@GailSimone) June 30, 2015
I can’t wait to see what comes next. We have a diverse readership, and they will be the next generation of creators. It’s inevitable.
— GAIL SIMONE (@GailSimone) June 30, 2015
There are things that need to be worked on. But if you love this ridiculous medium as much as I do, it’s pretty ****ing great right now.
— GAIL SIMONE (@GailSimone) June 30, 2015
Now there’s a future we want to be a part of.
(image via Loren Javier)
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