The Queens Comic Podcast

[Andrew Monroe Pallid Hands Find all posts View Profile Close Andrew Monroe]

Thanks, Andrew, it looks like the order went thru! I'll get it shipped out first thing tomorrow. I really appreciate it, huzzah!

It's my pleasure, can't wait to check it out!

[Alison Jane Girl Boss Jane Find all posts View Profile Close Alison Jane]

The latest episode of The Queens Comic Podcast is now live!

https://open.spotify.com/episode/4UB...a8be65dc83496b

With Billy indisposed, Ian takes the opportunity to conduct our first ever interview with indie comics creator Scott Ruhl about his new self published book, Futurelux! It's a strangely philosophical talk about art, process, creativity, influences, the need to do something different and life!

There is, unfortunate, a quick audio glitch just past the 13 minute mark thanks to Zoom but luckily it only lasts about three seconds.

Follow Scott on Instagram @scottgerardruhl and check out his webshop at https://futureluxuryisburning.square.site/

The podcast put me to sleep...

[Andrew Monroe Pallid Hands Find all posts View Profile Close Andrew Monroe]

I just finished listening to the podcast and really dug it! It's a fascinating listen. Great job by both of you.

[Scott Intellectual Carrot Find all posts View Profile Close Scott]

I just finished listening to the podcast and really dug it! It's a fascinating listen. Great job by both of you.

Thanks, Andrew!!

The podcast put me to sleep...

Thanks, Alison!!

[Dom D Spoon! Find all posts View Profile Close Dom D]

I haven't been listening to the podcast after the first one because the stuff you guys discuss is way outside my ken but I enjoyed this one as it mostly just talking about creative processes.

One thing the podcast touched on that I've given a lot of thought to over the years is creative feedback. You've made your thing and now how do you know if it's actually any good? My take on it is this, feedback is absolutely necessary while at the same time 99% of it iss completely useless. There's the stuff that comes from friends and family that useless because they're being polite/supportive of you. Then there's the strangers whos takes are worthless because you don't know their tastes. Someone might hate what you've done but that persons favourite film might be Driving Miss Daisy. Maybe their opinion isn't worth anything. I hate performers stopping me after a show to ask me what my take on their work is because a) it would be rude to be anything but complimentary and that's not helpful if I thought it needed work (it usually does) and b) they barely know me so why should my opinion hold any weight with them? You really do just need to have 1 or 2 people who actually know what the fuck they're talking about and who know you well enough to give it to you straight. Once you have them never, ever, ask anyone else what they think.

Scott was talking about imposter syndrome etc and I think having those 1 or 2 people is really helpful for any sort of self doubt. Firstly they'll stop you putting out anything really shit and secondly their eventual approval is excellent armour against any incoming criticisms. You'll know you're not completely delusional if you're hearing good things from your 1 or 2 people. Anyway... just some unasked for Wisdom that occurred to me while I was listening to the interview.

[Scott Intellectual Carrot Find all posts View Profile Close Scott]

I haven't been listening to the podcast after the first one because the stuff you guys discuss is way outside my ken but I enjoyed this one as it mostly just talking about creative processes.

One thing the podcast touched on that I've given a lot of thought to over the years is creative feedback. You've made your thing and now how do you know if it's actually any good? My take on it is this, feedback is absolutely necessary while at the same time 99% of it iss completely useless. There's the stuff that comes from friends and family that useless because they're being polite/supportive of you. Then there's the strangers whos takes are worthless because you don't know their tastes. Someone might hate what you've done but that persons favourite film might be Driving Miss Daisy. Maybe their opinion isn't worth anything. I hate performers stopping me after a show to ask me what my take on their work is because a) it would be rude to be anything but complimentary and that's not helpful if I thought it needed work (it usually does) and b) they barely know me so why should my opinion hold any weight with them? You really do just need to have 1 or 2 people who actually know what the fuck they're talking about and who know you well enough to give it to you straight. Once you have them never, ever, ask anyone else what they think.

Scott was talking about imposter syndrome etc and I think having those 1 or 2 people is really helpful for any sort of self doubt. Firstly they'll stop you putting out anything really shit and secondly their eventual approval is excellent armour against any incoming criticisms. You'll know you're not completely delusional if you're hearing good things from your 1 or 2 people. Anyway... just some unasked for Wisdom that occurred to me while I was listening to the interview.

Thanks, Dom. I appreciate you listening and taking the time to put your thoughts down. All of what you said is always bouncing around my brain. I do think I can tell where someone is coming from or if they are just being polite, but it is tough to get constructive feedback. I'm not sure if that can come from someone who isn't also a creator of some sort. I do think friends and family unknowingly do a disservice, especially when you're younger. There's a fine line to being encouraging knowingly and unknowingly. Looking back as a kid I was almost completely surrounded by people who see art as a parlor trick. Most people don't look at art. They don't know what they are talking about and do not understand what a creative person requires or what challenges they will meet in the real world. All they see is a kid who can do a neat trick and they heap on praise.

At some point I grew and learned enough to dismiss those people, or take the compliment for what it is, an uninformed yokel dazzled by parlor tricks. But then you get older, and it's not as cute anymore. People want real results, (meaning jobs and money), and the quality of the work or lack thereof is beside the point. Can you make a living off it is all that matters to them. They don't understand the opportunities offered beyond tattoo artists, caricature artists at State Fairs, and Walt Disney. As far as regular people are concerned that is the world of art as much as they can see it. People who don't read comics think comics aren't being made anymore, to them it's an antiquated curiosity from the past.

So I think my imposter syndrome is from a lifetime of praise heaped on me by meaningful but uninformed people, (mostly family), and my reaction to not being nearly as good as they think I am. It's stupid, I know. But I think even my art director at my day job expected me to light the world on fire when I told him I decided to do this, not really having an understanding of where this work does or doesn't fit in the greater comicbook world, and how much of a struggle it might be. It's not their fault I'm obsessed about something they might not fully appreciate. But it is frustrating at times.

[Ian Jane Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close Ian Jane]

Thanks, Andrew!!



Thanks, Alison!!

Ha, she was literally sleeping a few feet away from where I was recording.

Andrew, Dom, glad you guys enjoyed it. It was fun to be able to do something a bit different this time around.