C.J. Hudson's Warn Everyone! - Newsletter #13

Is fan fiction something to lean into or just a big waste of time?

I remember when I first thought I wanted to attempt writing comic book fan fiction, I had several people in the indie comics scene ask the very honest question…"why?” Why bother writing a character you aren’t getting paid to work on, why waste your time when you should be focusing on our own creator owned content, even if the art is free, why do something that won’t lead you anywhere…why why why. All fair questions, but truthfully, a while back, I noticed something about indie comic book creators, and that’s that a lot of people in comics, not all of course, but particularly writers, think they know what’s best for you and your career. They believe that how you steer your career is very specific (ex. dump comics in the direct market and see what sticks), and any deviation from that will render your dreams of success dashed and fruitless. And to top it off, fan fic isn’t all that respected by indie creators and even thought of in some circles as the poor man’s fiction, labelling the writer as someone who can’t come up with anything original. I say that’s bullshit, and fan fic can have a very real impact on your career and can elevate your creative team as well. Let me explain…

Firstly, I did the fan fic knowing that the artist on the project, Moy Marco, would likely reap the majority of the benefits of the work, and that is exactly what happened, and I am completely fine with that outcome, and immensely happy for his success. As the story goes, soon after Moy finished the art on The Laughing Game, he leveraged those 44 pages in his portfolio and turned them into paid work from DC comics, fucking wild! Moy is now the artist of the Nightwing webtoon series, he got the job nearly entirely on the strength of this fan fiction work with me, which is unreal to think about. However, with the intent of the story to tell a Bat family centric tale that could highlight Moy’s range as an artist and also be specific enough to Batgirl that I could meet my personal goal of telling a thought-provoking story about one of my favorite characters, it ultimately makes perfect sense why this story worked out for Moy. And while I wasn’t hired to do anything at DC or given a new writing gig…I really don’t care, as I’m more than fine just focusing on what makes me happy, and that’s telling stories.

Secondly, before you say, “oh cool…so you didn’t get shit for all your fan fic work!” I will say these things can end up benefiting the writer too, but it does take longer, so patience is always a virtue when it comes to comics, and keeping a positive attitude never hurt either. Case in point, I recently went to a comic book signing with two big name creators and decided I would give them my fan fic as a thank you for all the years of enjoyment their comics brought me. Once they both flipped through the comic, they were both incredibly impressed, even commenting that they thought the comic would be horrible, as most fan fic is. One of the creators was so impressed he invited me to his private creator discord and told me that fan fiction, and especially good fan fiction that is printed and tangible, is one of the most underutilized tools at a creator’s disposal. It shows your range as a writer, shows that you can write different forms of content, that you know established characterization, that you can tell an intriguing story with a character that you didn’t create! I was speechless…I had hoped the creators would like what I did, but I didn’t think they would encourage it so much. In fact, they asked me “what’s next?” I actually hadn’t planned on doing more, but here I am now…outlining the next standalone tale for a Big 2 character that I love with yet another artist that I think has the chops to make it big. I hope lightning can strike twice and he can get some big boy paid work as well, because that would be pretty damn impressive. And even if nothing happens for me this time around either, even if I’m relegated to fan fic and a “mid” indie career…I don’t care, because I’m having an excellent time telling stories with my friends, and I would rather create what I want, how I want, than go down a path that isn’t for me.

So the next time someone asks you “why,” listen to their points, take them in, don’t dismiss them, but also remember that there is no single path to success, that you can, and should, try different things to get your work seen. It worked for Moy, I hope it works for my other friend too, and maybe…just maybe…it will work for me as well.

More Granite shorts!

Another Granite short backup feature just came in! This tale from the talents of writer Alexa Wilkerson and artist Jenny Fleming. This was such a great story, and so well complimented by Jenny’s retro style of art and coloring. Alexa had a clear vision for what she wanted, and I’m really pleased we were able to make it a reality. This backup, and others, will be available in the next few issues of Granite once they are launched on Kickstarter sometime later this year.

Alcee spinning off into her own tale.

Part of the appeal of writing Interstellar Dust is the large diverse cast of characters that’s available to me…I love them all. With volume 3 of ID on hiatus for a bit while Moy continues to work on Nightwing at DC, I’ve decided that I’ll supplement the ongoing present-day adventures of the whackiest criminals in the galaxy with some standalone tales that highlight more of the cast’s history… first up is fan favorite catgirl, Alcee. This cover by Jake Thompson highlights her personality so well, just a flirt with a bit of an edge to her. Now the question is…will I be writing it or will someone else? To be determined on that, as I am so far behind on my writing schedule at the moment that I may really need to consider outsourcing some work. This cover and 2 NSFW variants are available for download to paid Substack subs right now via my google drive.

What else?

Updates on a few other things:

• Granite backup features are still under development. 3 of 6 are now complete!

• Gridlocked: Torque will begin production soon hopefully. I just managed to snag a new artist, and I think his style will complement the book really well. More to come on that!

• I spoke with Damien Torres, and he may be starting work on Inferna as soon! I’m stoked to get this Substack exclusive debut comic going.

• Follow How to die in the Quad if you’re looking for more comics from me, as I have a short story in this really gorgeous looking book.

• Interstellar Dust vol. 3 is still on the way, but with Moy working at DC as well that means some things are delayed, but that’s ok, ID is always worth the wait.

• Bearer of Ages issue 1 is being remastered with a new colorist and will then be re-lettered too. Issues 2 and 3 are drawn but will also need to be colored. Thinking we can get back to BoA in 2025 for sure.

• I have the next arc of Granite plotted, but now I need to get to work on scripting it. That should happen after I wrap up these other commitments.

• Intergalactic Academy unfortunately still on hiatus for the foreseeable future. Read all the backstory now at Intergalactic Academy

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And a new bonus! Beginning January 1st, 2025, all paid Substack subscribers will get a special free physical copy of any of my new single-issue series released and funded through Kickstarter (or other crowdfunding site) while supplies last. This would be a paid tier Substack subscriber only variant, and unavailable through crowdfunding, my online store, or con exclusives. Basically, fully unique to those on Substack.

• Shipping is available anywhere in the world but would not be included for free. I will ask you if you would like your incentive cover before shipping (it will also be available digitally) and will send you a PayPal invoice for shipping costs. Rates for 2025 will be as follows:

  • USA: $5.00 USD

  • Canada: $20.00 USD

  • All other countries: $25.00 USD

• If you opt to support the Kickstarter campaign at any tier level, your Substack incentive cover would just be included with your standard order, and you would not be charged extra shipping, as you would already be paying it via the crowdfunding platform.

• Please note this is for my own crowdfunded comics only, not comics that may be exclusive to the direct market, and not those comics that I did not crowdfund myself (such as Vigia, Lycan or the Cauldron, which have their own specific publishing deals).

• You must be on the annual membership at the time the comic is successfully crowdfunded to receive your free comic. Monthly memberships are not eligible because they could just cancel right after they receive their rewards. The annual membership is actually much more cost effective compared to paying monthly.

• I will always note comics that are eligible rewards for paid subscribers. The first comic that will be eligible for this offering will be Hunters of the Outer Realm Issue #1 (along with the Laughing Game fan fic) and the collected edition of Interstellar Dust which will be released in 2025.

Extra content available! Access my exclusive google drive today!

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Extra content available! Access my exclusive google drive today!