Here is a true thing.

When I started at Marvel, I didn't know a thing about about how publishers actually worked. So when I got an envelope from them with comp copies of my first published stories of them, I freaked out a little. I thought that was the coolest thing.

1/

I was also working for Bongo, and they would send copies of all their comics, and more of the ones I worked on. That was even better!

COMICS IN THE MAIL (from before the days of the #MagicPorch).

2/

Eventually, I went over to DC to work.

And almost immediately, I started getting these huge boxes, pretty much everything they published and extra copies of the stuff I worked on.

And here is why I am a goof.

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I was CONVINCED it was an accident, I figured they sent me a box that was meant for, you know, Grant Morrison or something, and someone would be mad that their newbie writer got this big box with lovely hardcovers in it.

I actually waffled on if I should tell someone!
4/

Finally I did, I called my editor and sheepishly told them, "Uh, I think you sent me a box of stuff meant to go to someone else. I CAN SEND IT BACK!"

And they laughed and said, "no, those are for you, enjoy."

So what did I do?

5/

I went and made a cup of tea and took the box to the table in the back yard, it was a sunny day, and read my box of comics. When I was a kid, how to even FIND comics, let alone afford them, was always a big issue.

So that was a lovely day.

6/

I was a comic book writer.

For DC comics.

And I had a big box of comics to read.

It really hadn't hit me until that point. I'm sure it sounds silly. But that day, with the Spinners playing on the stereo, reading comics in the sun...was my favorite.

7/

For years it was a ritual, to open the new comics box, my son and husband would grab what they wanted to read, I'd grab what I wanted to read, and then we'd swap. It was lovely. I still really enjoy it.

But there's an extra benefit...

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If you are working in a shared universe, it is HUGELY helpful to be able to follow along with what is happening in the other titles, monthly, the way readers get them. You get to understand why each issue has to be satisfying in itself, you learn who makes good cliffhangers.

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And you know who is trying to grab Nightwing's bum at any given moment.

It's the funnest research library.

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And it's also inspirational, when a new writer comes in and sets a title ablaze in a good way, it makes you want to run to the keyboard for a fiery response.

Comics writers always say, 'don't JUST read comics if you want to be a writer,' and that's absolutely true.

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But I would also say, 'read a LOT of comics, if you want to be a comics writer,' because there is no better resource for inspiration, lore, craft, tone, and understanding than reading the best stuff your peers are putting out, actually SEEING how they convey ideas.

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A great comic SHOWS you what books try to teach. You can even learn a lot from bad comics, if only what not to do.

Comps are a perk, yes they are.

But they can also make you a better creator.

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That's it, thanks for all the comps over the years, publishers!

Today's random thought thread.

:)

END

P.S. I still open the box and grab out some choice stuff to read every month. :)