This Changes Everything!
It's All A Matter Of Your Perspective
So, listen, we need to talk.
I hope you enjoyed my inaugural newsletter, and thank you for the kind comments. I was floored at how many subscribers I had at launch and shocked at how many have signed up since. Thank you for spreading the word. It means the world to me, and I’ll try not to disappoint you.
Except maybe today.
As promised, I want to pass along some info about my appearance at Fan Expo Philadelphia this weekend, but before I do…
I was in Los Angeles earlier this week and in the mood for a hotdog. I had heard about Tail o’ the Pup but never experienced it. This was the first thing I saw as I walked through the parking lot.
Not the most appetizing first impression, but It’s an entirely different experience when you stand in front of the place.
By the way, the hotdogs were delicious!
But this newsletter is more about food for thought (see what I did there). In this case, I want to talk about how perspective changes everything.
Let me tell you a story.
There’s a thing I do more often than I care to admit… and by more often, I mean all the time. It’s a psychological game I’ve played with myself (Hey! Get your mind out of the gutter). After I finish a cover illustration, I give it a secret title. It’s not something anyone, even my editors, has ever been aware of... until now.
When I was breaking into the comics biz, my buddy and legendary inker, Joe Rubinstein, gave me sage advice that I wasn’t ready to hear nor had the skill set to implement.
“You’ll never do your best work until you’re indifferent to it.”
At that point in my young career, every line I drew was precious, and if it wasn’t exactly as I wanted it, it had to be erased and redrawn.
“Indifferent?”
“Yes.”
“Like total disregard?”
“Yes.”
“How will I know when I’ve achieved indifference?”
“When you’re indifferent as to whether you’re indifferent.”
From that moment on, every time I sat behind the drawing board, I tried my hardest to be indifferent while simultaneously knowing that the act of trying was the antithesis of the very thing I was hoping to achieve… or not achieve?
I later came to understand that what Joe was talking about was being in a state of flow, and it took about ten years for me to get there. One morning I sat down to draw a wrap-around cover. Nine hours later, it was done, and outside of the first and last lines I drew, I couldn’t remember any part of the experience. Have you ever driven somewhere and you know you stopped at all the lights, used your turn signals, and somehow managed not to kill any pedestrians, yet have no recollection of the drive? That’s exactly what it felt like.
But in the ten years prior, I would do dumb things like giving my covers secret titles in an attempt not to take my art and myself too seriously and accelerate my path to indifference.
For example, the cover of Batman 131.
Now, before I tell you this, I’ve heard from a number of you who really like this image, and while I’d like to pretend it adds deeper meaning, this will probably spoil it for you.
So, feel free to skip to the next section.
Last chance.
It’s called “Batman Gets His Cape Caught in The Batmobile Door.”
It’s all a matter of your perspective.
You’re welcome.
I’ll be at FanExpo Philadelphia, June 2-3. Just you, me, and several thousand of our best friends!
This time of year, the weather in New York City is a mixed bag, but every summer, there are ten perfect days where the temperature is in the 70s, and the humidity is non-existent.
Yesterday was one of those days. I, however, spent most of it indoors doing sketches like the one below for the Joe Quesada Rare Sketch Experience, which isn’t the name of a tribute band but should be.
The Experience is sold out, but I’ll still be signing, doing remarks, selling prints, and stealing hearts.
FRIDAY- HEY, THAT’S TODAY!
I’ll be signing (as long as Amtrak cooperates) from 4:00-5:00 pm and 6:30-8:00 pm.
SATURDAY
Signing 10:00-11:00 am in P01 and then again from 12:30-2:00 pm.
At 3:15 pm in Comic Theater (Room 123), it’s panel time. JOE QUESADA'S MARVELOUS JOURNEY! I’ll basically be doing what I’m doing here, but live and in person.
And then it’s last call for signatures from 5:45 pm until…
Bet you didn’t know that composer Dan Wilson’s girlfriend’s pregnancy was the inspiration for the lyrics of this tune. What’s the subtitle of today’s newsletter again?
SUNDAY
I won’t be there, but my art agent Kwan will be. Please stop by and say hi. He’s going to be lonely without me.
Next week: recaps of both this past Tuesday night’s Los Angeles premiere of FLY (it was a blast) and FanExpo Philadelphia. As well as some details about the video content we’re putting together for you.
See you then, I’ve got a train to catch!
You’re Amazing!
JQ
Interested in purchasing some of my original art?
wow I can't believe you'd give my batman comic such a disrespectful title!!!!
Great tip! Thanks, Joe. I'm better at indifference than I was when I was younger. Knowing it's more about getting to the next page or piece rather than making one thing perfectly, really helps.