B. CLAY MOORE: LIFE AFTER IMAGE

[MattBrady]

by Benjamin Ong Pang Kean

April 27 last year was a big day in the life of B. Clay Moore. Having co-created and published the critically-acclaimed Hawaiian Dick with Image Comics in 2002, the writer was officially announced as having joined the publisher as the company’s Public Relations and Marketing Coordinator that day.

“I think Image Comics is not only a terrific publisher, but a vital cog in the industry," Moore said in the official press release. "Whether people care to admit it or not, Image helped revolutionize the way comics are made, and I honestly believe a strong Image is good for the industry as a whole. I want to do anything in my power to promote awareness of the terrific things going on at Image these days. My goal is to be a visible, easily accessible and tireless promoter of Image Comics."

"Clay's going to do some fantastic things for Image," promised Stephenson. "In addition to being a wonderful writer, he's also a keen observer of this industry who brings a wealth of experience from outside comics to this job. He's a smart guy with a good grasp on how the business works, and we really couldn't be more excited about adding him to our team.”

Since then, he’d gone on to create a semi-regular Image e-Newsletter where he continually kept subscribers informed on what’s hot and happening with the House of New Ideas. Other than that, he’s maintained a very active presence on the Image message boards, interacting with fellow board members and Image fans as well as creating a synergistic rapport with other creators.

He’s also handled Image's monthly and quarterly Diamond book catalogs, organized trade shows and conventions along with Stephenson, dealt with publicity and fan requests, dealt directly with retailers, and tried to shore up foreign rights deals.

Who says PR & Marketing was easy?

Other than being the marketing and liaison guy for Image, he’s also worked on creating more comics such as the sequel to his hit Hawaiian Dick, Battle Hymn and The Expatriate.

A year later, or technically, Friday, April 29, Moore is leaving Image Comics. We sat down with Moore for a look at the past, present and what’s next for him as a creator.

Newsarama: What do you feel you've accomplished during your entire PR stint with Image Comics?

B. Clay Moore: I like to think I've helped steer the ship in a positive direction. I think I helped shore up communication with creators, and lent an eye to new books and concepts. I've spent a lot of time dispelling myths about Image, and working to help shape the new... well, the new image of Image.

The company's in great shape heading into the summer months, as a casual flip through any of the latest few issues of Previews will tell you.

NRAMA: Is there stuff that you think have been left undone?

BCM: Well, sure. It's a continual process. I hope that some of the things I did will be picked up and reshaped by the incoming marketing director, and I'm sure there are things that he'll do better than I did. I think Image is inches away from exploding again, and recent numbers seem to back that up. I'm hopeful the next guy will be busy trumpeting this explosion, and, of course, I hope to be a part of the continued growth of Image as a creator, for a long time.

NRAMA: What about things that you think could have been done better, or matters that you think could have been approached differently, if given the chance to turn back the clock?

BCM: I think so, but a lot of that is probably because, in hindsight, I have a better understanding of what the job entailed. I think communication is always the deciding factor in whether things work or not, and there were cases where it could have been better. But, by and large, the positive outweigh the negatives. Is Image in a good place right now? Yeah, I think it's in a very good place, and things are only going to get better as the year progresses. And that's what's most important.

It's not easy, publishing that many books with a small staff, but Image does it as well as anyone. The recent glut of publishers attempting to operate within the Image mold should tell you that the model is enviable. And up until this point, no one else has really been able to succeed with it like
Image has. So they must be doing something right.

NRAMA: In your opinion, where was Image when you came on board, and where do you think it is now?

BCM: I think Image was trying to settle in under Erik Larsen. There was an attempt being made to bridge the transition between Jim Valentino's time in the publisher's chair, and Erik's. Trying to figure out how to make sure the great things Jim did weren't somehow lost in the transition, while incorporating Erik Larsen's ideas into the mix. [Executive Director] Eric Stephenson was key in that process, since he'd been there with Jim, and is still there now, handling more work than ever. I think the transition period is over, and Image is in the process of starting a long run of successful new titles, while older books undergo a revitalization. Seeing Jim spend more time as a creator is an indication of this.

NRAMA: While you were also a staff at Image, nevertheless that did not stop you from writing and creating comics. You've done Hawaiian Dick: The Last Resort with Steven Griffen and Nick Derington, The Expatriate with Jason Latour, Battle Hymn with Jeremy Haun and co., among others. What's next for you, post-Image?

BCM: Well, the first thing I want to do is refocus on my Image books, working to get things back on schedule. Writing full-time will allow me more time to do that, and will also allow me the freedom to develop more new concepts and ideas at Image, and elsewhere. Ultimately, I'm a writer. And I now have time to devote all of my attention to writing. I plan on publishing through Image for as long as I can do so, but I'll be branching out a bit soon, as well.

I need to wrap up the Western miniseries I'm doing with Tony Moore (Five Dead Men), and the graphic novella I'm doing with Azad (Clean Living), and, of course, still need to put the finishing touches on Battle Hymn and Hawaiian Dick. I'm trying to load up the rest of 2005, and I'm really looking forward to having time to devote to projects that are, at this point, only in the planning stages.

I also plan to spend more time working toward writing for other media. I'm floating a television pitch right now, and I'm watching the development of the Hawaiian Dick movie with a keen eye...

NRAMA: Anything else that you'd like to add/share?

BCM: I'd just like to publicly thank all the people who've helped me over the past year as I juggled duties. There are so many people who work "behind the scenes" at cons, or at Diamond, or at any publishing company or media outlet, and they rarely get noticed. The industry seems to be loaded with backbiting and cynicism, but my personal experiences have demonstrated how many people are out there just busting their asses to bring entertainment to readers, and it's a shame they don't receive more appreciation for their efforts.

I'll be around as much as ever.

[Blind Assassin]

I wish you luck. I am totally loving Battle Hymn, too.

Looking forward to seeing more of your work in the future.

[Tony Lee]

Well done mate - you deserve a rest. Speaking as one who's been on the 'publisher PR' podium, I'm impressed you stuck it for a year ;-)

Tony

[Egg]

I have to agree with Mr. Lee. Having lightly, lightly, lightly touched on doing PR for Arcana Studio, I can say it's a hard row to hoe. However, Mr. Moore, your work at Image Comics really changed my perception of the company and has inspired me to spend more of my money on the Mighty 'I'! Congratulations on a job well done!

Sincerely,

Egg Embry
Editor - www.ArcanaStudio.com & ANT from Image Comics

[Primate]

Looking forward to the next issue of Hawaiian Dick...

[johnlayman]

Ben,

You should put up a spoiler warning... or maybe resize that picture.

B. Clay Moore sure is ugly!!!!!

[Beau Smith]

Clay,

Welcome to my world, amigo. I hope ya have fun and continue to do things ya really wanna do.

Do your best and do it in a manly way.

Your amigo,

Beau
The Flying Fist ranch

[James Sime]

During Clay's tenure I saw a more aggressive effort on Image's behalf to forge closer ties with their retail partners, and in our industry that can only be a good thing. Here's hoping the regular Image newsletter, bagstuffers, innovations in how Image presents their solicitations, and further marketing campaigns that we've seen crop up over the past year will continue... and I've got to confess, I'm definitely looking forward to Clay spending more time writing comics!

James Sime
Isotope - the comic book lounge
San Francisco
http://www.isotopecomics.com

[Skinshark]

So that's what he looks like.

I was expecting more Hawaiian and less di....um...

Congrats my man!

[MattBrady]

Originally posted by johnlayman
B. Clay Moore sure is ugly!!!!!

You're just saying that because since having all the mirrors in your house broken in a fit of arteeeest's pique, you no longer have a frame of reference.

And he could take you in a fight, Nancy boy.

MattB

[BClayMoore]

Thanks for the well-wishing, folks.

I did want to point out that Eric Stephenson is actually the Executive Director at Image, no longer the Managing Editor.

And that still doesn't begin to describe all he does.

-BCM

Oh, and if Layman thinks I'm so ugly, you might ask him why he leaves those notes under my door at every con...

[Dan Wickline]

Clay,

Best of luck man. Image's loss is the readers gain... more time for writing.

[majorjoe23]

I saw Layman at a convention and thought he was Moore. Confusing.

[GeorgeG]

Well, the first thing I want to do is refocus on my Image books, working to get things back on schedule.

That's the thing Image as a whole needs to do--with more consistency.

Hey Beau--looks like there's a job opening.

[Beau Smith]

George,

I think I've rode that horse before. Lookin' for a new saddle to jump on to.

Thanks for thinkin' of me though.

Anybody else wantin' to throw money at me?

Your amigo,

Beau
The Flying Fist Ranch

[ATPComics]

B. Clay will be missed. He was a great help to me and my studio with preparing our books for print with Image. Best of luck to you Clay. Can't wait to see your next opus.

Cheers,
Stephan
Across the Pond Studios

[AlexLothos]

B.Clay, you're a class act all around. You've done a lot of good work, but I understand the relief of returning to your creative pursuits. Here's hoping tons of success to ya, mate! Cheers!

[Joe Keatinge]

Originally posted by johnlayman
Ben,

You should put up a spoiler warning... or maybe resize that picture.

B. Clay Moore sure is ugly!!!!!

I don't know what the hell you're talking about - B. Clay Moore is super hot!

I'm telling you, man, if he wasn't married...

[eric_image]

Originally posted by GeorgeG
looks like there's a job opening.
[/b]

Actually, there's not.

We'll be making an announcement shortly.

[marksable]

As a creator at Image, Clay has been real pleasure to deal with. I'm really sorry to see him go, but excited that this will mean more books from him.

[jza1218]

Originally posted by Primate
Looking forward to the next issue of Hawaiian Dick...

Whenever that will be...

[Jon Malin]

Best of luck, Clay.

Best of luck, Eric.

-Jon

[ssscomics.com]

Originally posted by eric_image
Actually, there's not.

We'll be making an announcement shortly.

*puts resume back in desk*


Best of Luck Clay!

saul
www.ssscomics.com

[IvanBrandon]

even though i just spoke to him today, i miss clay, deeply.

[Bobby Nash]

Best of luck and good fortune, Clay.

Bobby