We Suck at Comics: Volume 1 - Rejection

Well, we don’t really suck at comics. We’ve been doing this for over 10 years so we’re probably doing something right.

But still, making comics sucks, especially when you have a really good idea that just doesn’t quite pan out. It doesn’t mean it’s a bad idea. It just wasn’t right…at some point in the past.

But now might be a different story. That’s what we’re trying to do. Give some of our old ideas a second shot.

COOL, BUT WHAT EXACTLY ARE YOU CRAZY KIDS DOING?

Glad you asked. When we were coming up with an idea for an Anthology, we made a joke that after 10 years, we had a lot of ideas that kinda sucked. It got us thinking about all the other creators we’ve met over the last decade and we started to recall that they also felt a little “sucky” making comics.

THEN IT HIT US!

Let’s get all of our friends together, many of whom had some really good ideas that just didn’t land at the right moment, and make an anthology!

And that’s where we’re at. We’ve started putting together a book called We Suck At Comics and we’re gonna use Kickstarter to…uh…kickstart it.

So yeah, check it out!

A.A. Rubin: Writer

Tayler Carpenter: Illustrator

How does your work fit the theme of “Rejection”?
The inciting incident in my story is my character's dishonorable discharge from the armed forces. Rejection also plays a role in the end.

Website: www.aarubin.com

Twitter: @TheSurrealAri

Ryan Elliott: Writer

How does your work fit the theme of “Rejection”?

Imposter syndrome amirite!? This comic has been done and sitting in a drawer for years now.  For some reason even though all who read it said it was excellent I could not allow myself to believe them.

The self-rejection was rough.  This concept and theme were what made me finally try and believe in my vision.

Website: www.violentpress.com

Twitter: @geekcastry

L.M. Beuthe: Artist/Writer

How does your work fit the theme of “Rejection”?

This was an experimental piece I had created to submit to a magazine for the theme visual narrative. It was promptly declined. The general response from my friends and family was “huh?” But I really enjoyed pushing my use of watercolor and creating a textless story. So despite the response, I’m still very fond of this work. 

Instagram: @lmbeuthecomics

Alexander Sapountzis: Writer/Illustrator

How does your work fit the theme of “Rejection”?

This story was one of my first attempts at writing and illustrating a short story and was submitted to another anthology some time ago. Unfortunately, like the protagonist, it just didn’t get there in time.

Website: www.asapcandraw.com

Instagram: @asapcandraw

Michael Penncavage: Writer

Projects:

Person Unknown
My first published novel. A thriller that will keep you guessing until the end!

Dark Horizon
The first volume of my published short stories.
Science Fiction, Fantasy, Horror, Crime, Mystery - something for everyone!

Facebook: @michael.penncavage

Blake Seals: Writer

How does your work fit the theme of “Rejection”?

In the tradition of never judge a book by its cover, this poor sap Michael Vincent Ross gets himself transformed into a giant talking ape creature. While he just wants to figure out what the heck happened and how the heck to get back to being human he accidentally trashes a town and gets the moniker Evil Monkey Man for his troubles. Oh, and all the major publishers rejected the comic.

Website: www.evilmonkeyman.com

Paco Jones: Writer

How does your work fit the theme of “Rejection”?

Pig Hero is a story about a hero who terrifies those he attempts to help. At heart he is a rejected superhero.

Jeff Rider: Writer

Jarret Katz: Artist

Linda Campbell: Colorist

Micah Myers: Letters

How does your work fit the theme of “Rejection”?

“The Poacher” is set In a world where magic is toxic and the royal family prove their worth hunting dangerous beasts in a deadly preserve. But one hunter, with a very specific axe to grind will risk everything to slay a mighty Dragon. It’s a fun fantasy spin on a rejected warrior seeking redemption.

Website: CloudwranglerComics.com
Twitter: @cloudwrangler
Instagram: @cldwrangler
Try using that cloudwrangler word, you'll find me.

Christoff Rodriguez: Writer

William Dedock/Gregory Floch: Artist

How does your work fit the theme of “Rejection

Well, the story was, indeed, rejected by other publications (true story). Plus, as I mentioned in the submission, a guy is literally thrown overboard. I guess that’s something some creators can feel related to, hahaha.

Twitter: @imchristoff

Katherine Blakeney: Artist/Writer

How does your work fit the theme of “Rejection”?

All of my work deals with rejection and Otherness in some form. At the core of my art and writing are characters who are often perceived as monsters. The short story I’ve contributed to this anthology examines the ways in which the concept of “monstrousness” is subjective. It tells the story of a young human girl who travels into outer space and falls for a monstrous alien only to be rejected by him as a monstrous invader.

Facebook: katherine.blakeney
Instagram: @yorwick
Twitter: @YorwickCastle
Website: Katherineblakeney.com

James Lynch: Writer

How does your work fit the theme of “Rejection”

When I was thinking about the theme of rejection, I wanted to express the different ways that people deal with being turned down. Rejection is never an easy thing to experience and, although it is universal, how we react and cope with it varies. I tried to incorporate different responses – physical, mental and emotional – but in a setting and circumstance that allowed for a bit of levity and reflection while keeping the truth of the story a mystery so the focus could be on the characters and not on the events. It was also important for me to get to ask the one question that we don’t always get to ask when we are rejected: why?

Facebook: JamesIsWritingAllTheTime

Kamilah Wong: Artist/Writer

How does your work fit the theme of “Rejection”?

My story, Girl in the Shadows, fits the theme of rejection as the little girl is rejected by the general public because she can see monsters known as the Shadows. She is abandoned in a forest to fend for herself, and eventually finds a home with the Shadows instead.

Website: kamilahswong.carrd.co

Sebastian Bonet: Artist/Writer

How does your work fit the theme of “Rejection”?

The overall story deals with a group that is rejecting those that are different. We see this play out as a friend is forced to reject a friendship in the worst way. Betrayal.

Website: Sebastianbonet.com
Instagram: @Sebastianbonetart
Patreon: BonetStudios

Joshua L.A. Jones: Writer

How does your work fit the theme of “Rejection”?

The story Dolly 23 deals with the rejection of humanity and any mechanisms they created.

Twitter: @JLAJones

Johnny C: Writer

How does your work fit the theme of “Rejection”?

The original piece of work (as presented here in this anthology) did not match the brand of the anthology we wrote it for.  So it was rejected with the chance to reformat under a very short window of time.  Therefore the original iteration was doomed to be unpublished, until now.  

Twitter: @JohnnyC138
GlobalComix: Schjoay Productions

Cara Stemo: Artist

How does your work fit the theme of “Rejection”? The story was rejected from the anthology “Cthulhu is Hard to Spell” because the comic didn’t fit the Lovecraftian theme. The comic was edited, but this version has never been published. 

Instagram: @carastemo
Tumblr: emeraldoodles

Jonathan Gorga: Writer

How does your work fit the theme of “Rejection”?
Joel and my short comic embodies rejection because it tells a story of two dumb, dumb white men in their early thirties who have one terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day and come out friends on the other side. Life rejects them (or it feels like it does) and they make lemonade out of those lemons. 

Website: theComicsmithy.blogspot.com

Twitter: @JonGorga (on most socials)

Joel J. Barker: Artist

How does your work fit the theme of “Rejection”?

Jon put it best, “Life rejects them…and they make lemonade out of those lemons.” I’m so glad that Jon and I finally got to immortalize this shared autobiography because it reminds me that risks are worth the taking. More importantly, and cheesier is that it’s all about the journey, not the destination (ya know, those little plans Life rejected).

Website: jojabarker.com

Twitter: @jojabarker (on most socials)

Robert Sodaro: Writer

T.C. Ford: Artist

How does your work fit the theme of “Rejection”?

I had submitted my short story, “When the Legend becomes Truth” for consideration to an anthology about the African Diaspora. Unfortunately, my submission was not accepted. It sat around until I heard of the Wayward Raven “Rejection Project” . So I submitted my story to them, and they accepted it.

Website: hubpages.com/@robertjsodaro

Twitter: @Funnybook_City

Facebook: robert.sodaro

Mark C. Frankel: Writer

Kathrin Ayer: Artist

How does your work fit the theme of “Rejection”

Besides the voice in my head screaming in a cross between Yiddish, Arnold’s interpretation of Conan the Barbarian, and something fit for high tea with the Queen (you hear it now too, don’t you?)? Well the story is about the universe collapsing in on itself, thereby rejecting everyone and everything for starters. Crom!

Instagram: @pantherpitt (on all the socials)