Gutter Thoughts 027: Nine Lessons Every Comic Creator Needs Early On
Avoid the mistakes that slowed me down so you can move faster in your own comics.
The Stoic Quote of the Week
“I judge you unfortunate because you have never lived through misfortune. You have passed through life without an opponent—no one can ever know what you are capable of, not even you.”
— Seneca, On Providence, 4.3
Hey there!
This Tuesday, September 9, marks nine years since I published Boom Kid, my very first comic.
It’s a milestone I’m proud of, but also a moment to reflect. Over those nine years, I made mistakes, hit walls, and nearly burned out more than once. But each misstep taught me lessons that shaped who I am as a cartoonist today.
Marking this anniversary made me look back on the lessons I’ve learned. I want to share them with you in the hope they give you more clarity and make your own path through comics a little easier.
Let’s dive in.
1. Don’t limit your ideas to just comics.
Comics are powerful, but they’re slow. If you lock every idea into panels, you’ll stall momentum.
Your universe can live in other places: posters, shirts, playlists, and short videos. These aren’t side projects, they’re ways to keep your world alive between issues.
2. Share more of the universe you create.
Don’t hoard your characters or lore. Drop sketches, unfinished ideas, and fragments of history.
Manga legend Hirohiko Araki (JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure) says strong character histories are the backbone of lasting stories. Build them, and share them. Curiosity fuels readership.
3. Tell short, complete stories.
When I first started Boom Kid, I wanted it to be an ongoing weekly series.
Then I pitched an early version to an editor. He didn’t sugarcoat it: “If you want to get anywhere in comics, you need something finished.”
That stung, but he was right. I wasn’t ready to crank out 24 pages. Around the same time, a friend’s 8-page mini-comics got picked up and turned into The End of the F**ing World*. That was my wake-up call.
So I created an 8-page Boom Kid issue. Colored it, hand-lettered it, put it on Gumroad. Then I did another. And another. Those small issues didn’t just build my skills—they got me a job at Apple.
Lesson: Short comics are proof of work. They’re easier to finish, quicker to share, and help you test what resonates. If I started again, I’d build a stack of 4–8 page stories, not chase an endless series.
4. Define your own category and genre.
If you can’t explain your lane, you’re competing with everything else on the shelf.
Boom Kid didn’t fit “superhero.” No capes. No bright costumes. So I coined my own: Hip-Hop Superpower Drama.
When you define your own category, you stop being one of many and start being the one others measure themselves against.
5. Embrace the dip as part of the process.
In 2016, I was broke, stressed, and deep in what Seth Godin calls The Dip — that long, discouraging slog where progress feels invisible.
It nearly broke me. I questioned everything. Some days I cried at my desk. But pushing through gave me clarity. Not bliss, clarity. And clarity is what made me a better cartoonist.
If you’re in the dip now, don’t run. Lean on community. Keep showing up. The dip isn’t proof you’re failing, it’s proof you’re on the right track.
6. Build a network and community.
Every step forward I’ve taken in comics came from community.
Wednesday trips to Brooklyn’s Bergen Street Comics. Conversations with indie cartoonists in LA. Friends who critiqued my drafts. Editors who gave blunt but necessary feedback.
These relationships kept me going when I wanted to quit. Comics are drawn alone, but careers aren’t built in isolation. Start small: say hi at a shop, comment on a creator’s post. Over time, those threads become the net that keeps you steady.
7. Figure out your theme early.
Cool characters aren’t enough. Theme is what makes stories stick.
Think of The Tortoise and the Hare (slow and steady wins) or Beauty and the Beast (don’t judge by appearance).
When I finally defined Boom Kid’s theme — managing expectations of others — everything clicked. Pick your theme early. It’s the compass that keeps your story from wandering.
8. Stick to black and white until you master values.
Color overwhelmed me. It slowed my process and sapped my confidence.
Black and white sharpened my focus on line, shadow, and negative space. Once values are solid, color becomes an enhancement, not a crutch.
Simplify first. Master the fundamentals.
9. Take breaks and walk.
Drawing all day feels safe, but sitting still is dangerous.
Back then, I walked everywhere, even in LA. Those walks gave me my best ideas and kept me sane. Research backs it up: walking boosts creativity and protects your health.
Step away from the desk. Your comics (and your body) will thank you.
Closing thoughts
If I had to restart my comic journey today, these are the 9 lessons I’d carry with me.
The takeaway:
Don’t box your story into one format.
Share your universe often.
Ship short stories.
Own your category.
Push through the dip.
Lean on community.
Anchor your story in theme.
Master values before color.
Protect your health.
Start small, think big, and remember: every professional comic creator was once exactly where you are now. The difference is, they chose to keep going.
Looking for more of my work? Start with Boom Kid—a story about power, identity, and loyalty.
This Week’s Creative Sparks
Here are the shows, books, movies, comics, and more that have sparked my creativity this week:
Video Game Spark: Hollow Knight & SilkSong
One of the year’s most anticipated releases is finally here—Silksong, the long-awaited sequel to the beloved Hollow Knight. If you’ve played the original, you know how striking it is: a hauntingly beautiful world paired with tough, addictive gameplay.
In the lead-up to Silksong, I’ve been diving back into Hollow Knight, trying to bump my 75% completion rate to a full 100%. Whether I make it there or not, one thing’s certain—I’ll be playing both.
Show Spark: Game of Thrones Season One
This past weekend, my girlfriend and I started rewatching Game of Thrones from the very beginning. Thanks to Labor Day, we binged the first season, and I was blown away by how much I’d forgotten happens right out of the gate.
Watching it now, the Starks strike me as both stubborn and foolish. At the same time, I was reminded just how well the show fleshed out its characters. It got me thinking about how I can push myself to build stronger characters and sharper storytelling in my own work.
Animation Spark: Off the Leash
I love stumbling onto creative projects like this. I came across a short animated video by Louie Zong, whose fascination with music and Animal Crossing shines through in every frame. His influences are clear, and the impact hits fast—it feels like something that could easily air during an Adult Swim commercial break.
Check it out, and you’ll probably find yourself bopping your head while saying, “That’s adorable.”
That’s a wrap for this week’s Gutter Thoughts. Thanks for joining me on this creative journey—hopefully, something here sparked an idea or inspired your own work. Until next time, stay grounded, stay creative, and keep pushing forward.
This issue is sponsored by me.
I created Cut the Learning Curve, a free 5-day course for aspiring comic creators who are ready to stop guessing and start creating with confidence.
And if you’re more of a founder or creative team who wants this done for you, I also ghostwrite story-driven newsletters that build trust and drive conversion.
Very good points! The Dip feels so relatable… 😄😔 Thanks for another good one, Damian 🙏