FAQ Update

Nothing of huge importance, but I keep getting badgered about the cut content, so I felt that warranted a response.

Not that a lot of people actually read this, given my inbox some days, but HEY!  Hope springs eternal.

(I really ought to upload something, it's been so long...)

FAQ

Are you REALLY Ian Flynn?  The comic guy?
Yes I am.  You can check out my website and my body of work at www.BumbleKing.com

Awesome!  I love your art in the comics!
That's flattering - but I don't do the art.  I'm the writer.  I compose the manuscripts the art team uses to produce the book.  I've done concept art, though.  Some you can find here on dA, some you can find in the graphic novel collections.  I'm a decent doodler, but I leave the REAL art to the skilled professionals.

I want your job!
Er...

How do I break into the business?
That's better.  When I was trying to break into the biz, there wasn't any guide.  In an effort to give back to the fan community a little bit, I've compiled a FAQ to help aspiring fans down the path to applying to Archie.  You can find it here: www.bumbleking.com/forum/viewt…

Read my fan-fic!  Look at my fan-art!  Use my fan-concept!
No, nope, nuh-uh.  This would open me up to allegations of intellectual theft.  There's a lot of really creative fans out there, and they produce a lot of cool stuff.  What if I accidentally re-used someone else's idea down the road?  Some folks would be flattered, others would be enraged I "stole" from them.  For my protection - and to protect the fandom - I limit any fan-material to fan-art of official characters.

I want to talk to you!
I wish I could keep in touch with everyone, but I really don't have the time.  Your best bet is to voice your thoughts on my forum - www.BumbleKing.com/forum.  Comments and notes through dA will be read, but I don't know when, and I don't know if I'll reply.  I can only keep up so many avenues of correspondence, y'know?

So... why are you on dA then?
Mostly to keep up with old friends, some artists I like, and to share some concept art from time to rare time.

I love the comics!  I share them with my friends on dA!
The enthusiasm is appreciated, but you're breaking the law.  People have to buy the books to get the content.  That money becomes profit for Archie and ensures they keep producing the book and I keep my job.  Putting up scans for free loses Archie money.  And there's the whole illegal angle.  So if you've got full scans up, I'd appreciate you taking them down.  (Not like I can do anything about it, but still...)

I HATE you.
Sorry to hear that.  Say what you will, but keep it civil.  If you decide to be vulgar and/or profane, I'm hiding your comment.  It'll stay there - you'll know I'll have read it - but I won't force other people to endure your foul language.

You should negotiate with Ken Penders and get all the cut content back in the comics!
I emphatically point back to the point where I say I'm the writer.  A freelance writer.  I only have steady work with Archie because they really like what I do.  This is not a 9-to-5 position, this is an issue-by-issue gig.  And while I have a huge say in the direction of the books, I still have to abide by the decisions of the editor and licensors.  Creatively, I've got a lot of input.  Legally, I'm not even a blip on the radar.  There are three to four levels of management above me that handle those negotiations and legal matters.  There is nothing I can do about it.