UK GETS ITS FIRST COMIC AGENCY
The Jordan-X Creative Arts Agency opened its door in November and with it came the UK’s first dedicated centre for comic book professionals.
The man behind it is GM Jordan, co-founder of the Comic Book Alliance (CBA), who started out his career as a journalist specialising in comic books. He later became a retailer before settling into writers as his chosen profession. The agency is a natural progression, long overdue and will fight to make its mark in a country where comic books are still regarded as entertainment for children.
Jordan-X is a one stop shop, not only does the agency represent writers and artists, but it also has been set up to help large and small publishers. They can put together entire creative teams for projects, including editors, letters and colourists. Jordan says they are capable of setting up new imprints for companies wishing to expand their interests into the growing graphic novel market.
I sat down with head honcho GM Jordan to ask how the agency came about and his plans for the future.
MB:
Welcome. It’s been a busy 12months for you.
GMJ (laughing):
Breakneck, haven’t really stopped and just catching my breath now.
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MB:
What kicked it all off?
GMJ:
The CBA’s Spirit of Hope book was the start of almost a year of madness. It has been fantastic.
MB:
It was a great idea how did the CBA get everyone together for that?
GMJ:
‘Build it and they will come’. Tim (Pilcher) and I were discussing the tsunami in Japan the morning after the news broke and we talked about doing a comic that would raise funds, 54/58 pages something like that. Within a week it had snowballed and was this amazing product available now from the CBA website.
MB:
So the pair of you got all these creators together and in a relatively quick time period got it ready, how many people have been involved?
GMJ:
Not really, the man who made all this happen was Alan Cowsill. It was his dedication and hard work that ensured that the book was edited, put together and hit the shelves. Tim and I helped when we were asked and called in a few favours to get things done, but Alan was the driving force and he hasn’t got the credit he deserves. All together over 91 people have contributed from the UK, Japan and the USA.
The Spirit of Hope Charity Anthology
MB:
You seem to have been at every convention last year, ever thought about slowing down?
GMJ:
I am, I was doing a crazy amount but the CBA volunteers are fantastic so I can cut down a lot, Eva and Grant Perkins take a lot of the pressure off because they are so hard working.
MB:
So the agency, why now and why you?
GMJ:
Good question. For years I have been looking for an agent myself and got nowhere because conventional literary agents just don’t seem to be able to handle the comic book medium. Lovely people but most go cross-eyed when you talk about panels and layouts. There is a literary agency that say they are capable of handling comic book professionals, but having spoken to them I don’t think their heart is either in it, or they think much of the market.
MB:
Have you given up writing to concentrate on this?
GMJ:
Not at all, but so many people in the business told me that they were also looking for somebody to represent them and there were hints that because I have been around for 20+ yrs I might want to give it a go.
MB:
Who will or do you represent?
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GMJ:
A mixed bag of artists and writers really. I am lucky because the British comic book community is so friendly and open to new ideas so they have been behind me, most creators can see the benefit of what I can do.
MB:
So take us through your clients now, who is onboard and who don’t you represent that you would.
GMJ:
On the writing side Jasper Bark, Jim Alexander, Si Spencer, Jerry Ibbotson – all of them fantastic writers. Artists, where do I start? Will Pickering, his work on ‘Burke and Hare’ was stunning, Alex Moore, Becca Tealle, Alex Thompson, Grant Perkins are all ones to watch because they have varied styles and each will knock your socks off. Alex Moore is already making waves with her work and I am not just saying that because I have worked with her. Another artist coming through is Kalie Stanton, her artwork is fun...
MB:
You seem to favour female artists, is that a conscious effort?
GMJ:
No, not really. I believe, as most of the CBA organisers and members do, that there are not enough women working in the industry. If you look at the few who are there are some amazing talents that are under used.
MB:
Such as?
GMJ:
Nic Wilkinson, Gail Simone (DC), Nicola Scott (DC), Vicky Stonebridge, Emma Vieceli all great professionals. The industry is not pulling its weight when it comes to hiring women. I have put artwork down in front of an editorial team and not told them who the artists are. They said they preferred ‘A’ but when I told them who’s work it was and she was available an excuse was made and they hired somebody else. That is a rare case but I do think it demonstrates an underlying problem in some parts of the industry.
MB:
Care to name the editorial team?
GMJ:
No, it’s better to be able to change things gradually than cause trouble and be frozen out completely. Change things from the inside as opposed to banging heads, people dig in when they feel threatened and I think the work speaks for itself.
MB:
You also act as an editor for Markosia; does that impact the role as an agent?
GMJ:
Not really, if I have a project that is ideal for another company I will approach them. The team at Markosia have an impressive catalogue of work across many different genres but they know I am fair and understand I have to wear two different hats.
MB:
So what does the Jordan-X Agency offer, what can you do that other literary agents can’t?
GMJ:
We don’t just represent artists and writers, we have access to editors, letterers, colourists, and we can offer complete packages and finished products. In some respects a consultancy, because I have been in the industry over 20yrs I have been involved in a wide range of aspects.
MB:
The new steampunk series is that an agency project?
GMJ:
Nope, it is me as a writer wanting to create something that will be open to everyone. I believe we have some of the best creators in the world and if the series takes off there will be work for British talent and business on all levels.
MB:
Care to explain, you have spoken before about your desire to work exclusively with British companies is that still alive?
GMJ:
Look at what the creative forces in this country can achieve. We have everything here except politicians that can help not hinder. Would I work with Japanese, French, Canadian, US or German companies but I would prefer to work with British people where possible.
MB:
You don’t seem to think much of politicians.
GMJ:
A couple are ok, most are too stupid or too narrow minded to be allowed out on their own and certainly shouldn’t be allowed to make key decisions.
MB:
Should strip art be considered an art form?
GMJ:
It is an art form, in almost every other civilised country in the world it is considered as such and given protection. In this country there is next to nothing, when they start to discuss anything to do with the arts they drag out the same people from film, book or theatre, try and be a bit more original. Comic books are art for the masses; more people probably have access to comics than ballet or opera and look how much money is pumped into those.
Jordan is a Co-Founder of the CBA
'South of the Border' for NYK
MB:
What would you say to the Culture Secretary if you could speak to him?
GMJ:
Open your eyes and see all the good things the industry does and could do with the governments backing and help. You help almost every other branch of the arts except ours, look how we can help with education and utilise that. Look at the impact we have on the film and television industry, help us capitalise on what we do best which is creating original work that is as good as any other artistic medium.
MB:
‘I am dead’, an amazing piece of text. How do you feel about the impact it has had on people?
GMJ:
I don’t. I wrote it to help one person who couldn’t express how she felt at being abused as a child. Rachael Gator was brought on board by Nicola Wilkinson at Insomnia to illustrate it and she just took it to a whole different level.
MB:
It has affected people.
GMJ:
Of course, it was meant to. The text on its own is just words, when Rachael took those words and created those haunting images it stuck in people’s minds. Simplistic but hard hitting. How much courage Nic (Wilkinson) had as creative director to take the decision to print that poem is unbelievable. Three publishers originally wanted to work on it, all backed out because of my stance on censorship and they didn’t want to be seen to be working with somebody who was prepared to stand up against unnecessary legislation.
MB:
You went head to head with the NSPCC on politics.co.uk over the matter.
GMJ:
That’s right, the argument for this legislation was a kneejerk reaction to a mothers grief, it was unnecessary, done for the wrong reasons and done for brownie points with the media in general. The fact it gave the police stupid amounts of power they don’t need and can misuse was unbelievable. This coalition government should have repealed it instead of leaving it on the books to be used at a later date when they think they can get away with it.
MB:
What do you think of the media in general?
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GMJ (laughing):
No comment.
MB:
But you used to work for magazines and newspapers.
GMJ:
I have a love-hate with most media, I don’t like media Barons who try to bend the public to their political wishes, and it doesn’t have to be that way. I also don’t like the way as soon as there is a comment to be made about our industry they wheel out Mark Millar or Alan Moore, there are more creators they can ask.
MB:
Who do you think is going to have a breakout year in 2012?
GMJ:
Creators? I think Grant Perkins will finally catch a break, his artwork is just fantastic. Alex Moore and Alex Thompson have a good chance, Tony Lee is going to finally get the recognition he deserves. Richmond Clements and Jasper Bark are writers that should be watched, anything they do is entertaining and thought provoking. Ian Sharman is an exceptional writer and if I was a publisher I would take a long hard look at the work of Baden James Mellonie, some of his work is just about the best horror work you can get but isn’t given the exposure it should. The other artists I would keep a close eye on are Yel Zamor and Vicky Stonebridge.
MB:
Do you think the agency will take off?
GMJ:
Yes, on some levels more than others. Supporting the professionals is the most important thing, giving them confidence and the room to do what they do best which is creating amazing work possible.
MB:
Is the UK industry going to survive?
GMJ:
Things have to change; distribution needs a long hard look at how it’s handled. Retailers need to change their attitude as well, some support British publishers but most don’t go out of their way to carry British products. I have said this on numerous occasions, we need to get our books into mainstream book stores and if every comic book store just picked up 2 copies every month of a British produced independent comic book the exposure to the general public would be incredible. We need government help and we need to media to take notice of what is going on. Sales of graphic novels are going up, the big publishing houses see that but from the conversations I have had with them they are unsure how to proceed. Call me and I will tell them how to, it is not rocket science and if we all work together the British comic book industry will be a world beater again, certainly better than the America market in terms of quality and originality.
MB:
And your role with the CBA...
GMJ:
My role with the CBA is ongoing for as long as they need or want me, I am disposable and I know that. How much longer they will need me is anyone’s guess but I am very proud of what we have done and when I leave it will continue to grow providing people get behind it.
MB:
And the steampunk project?
GMJ:
7 books is a lot to take on but 1 is already completed and waiting for the artist to finish. Alex (Moore) can take all the time she needs because my part is done and it is in her and Markosia’s hands now. Kalie (Stanton) has a 9 page introduction to ‘Cherry Vampyre’ to work on and then we can look at the full script, which I already have an outline for.
MB:
When can we expect the other books to be announced?
GMJ:
As artists come on board projects will be announced, likewise if finance can be put in place so that we can speed things along. If The Liberty takes off the way it should it will help a lot. I know what the characters look like and how the plots will go so it is just a case of having the money behind me to do it.
MB:
Film? Television? Merchandising?
GMJ:
The whole works. I have already been looking at The Liberty in terms of a film script and have several companies in mind that I want to approach. I don’t think there is that much money in the UK in the British television industry at the moment, but the books are going to be set in the Victorian era and costume dramas tend to attract money.
MB:
Fact or fiction, you are going to sell licences for the books as opposed to selling them outright.
GMJ:
Markosia have the rights to ‘The Liberty’, after that they are interested in ‘Cherry Vampyre’. The licences that will be sold are for the film and merchandising rights, we want to build up a good working relationship with a major publishing house. That way everyone benefits, I will still be part of the Markosia family and their help, support and assistance has been invaluable.