But, this blog is (of course) not a completely happy one. I am disappointed that I couldn't win, but more so, I'm disappointed by the fact that everyone couldn't win. Everyone who made it in the six finalists deserves to get their books made. Everyone who took the time to reach out to the community and give it their all should be rewarded, but unfortunately, those rewards must wait.
I encourage that the DtD campaign not be a dying flame for those of you who didn't win, but instead be a ray of hope. Even though you didn't come out on top, you were selected out of hundreds of pitches to stand above the rest. You are the elite right now; you should be on top of the world. Don't let this be the end; there is still more to come. I barely lost the first-ever Z2H contest (before there was even a beta site), and I took that as a rekindling of a dying flame of passion with Gravedigger. I made the project better because of it, and because of it I was able to rejoin a select few for the possibility of publication with the same title. (That being said, expect a new-and-improved Gravedigger to lose the next Z2H contest I can enter.)
And, before you call me an elitist, everyone who didn't make it as a finalist should see this as proof that your time could be next. All of us had been passed over throughout time on this site and now we're seen as some of the most important people on here. You could be next; stick around.
Comments
09:52 Fri Jul 25th, 2008
Yeah, not to cheapen my own selection by any means [it's awesome], but you guys in the D2D club sort of have a little bit of extra flair, becuase your properties were selected by [theoretically] professionals, for having had some glimmer of potential, even though some of the pitches [at least at the start] had very little there. I can't help but think I wont just 'cause I was tenacious, and had made everyone afraid of the shaming and ranting they'd have directed towards them if they did NOT to vote for me. You kids, though, got in purely on the merits of the concepts, and that in itself is something very special. So yeah. Any of the non-voted D2D pitches could very easily be plucked for production at some other point. In theory, at least.
09:53 Fri Jul 25th, 2008
When can we edit comments?!? Nards!!
"I can't help but think I WON just 'cause" blah blah blah.
11:50 Fri Jul 25th, 2008
Steven, I am so pleased to hear you are planning to stick around! Both of your pitches were most deserving of being in the running, and if you could only say "eh" you would have been one of the initial twelve winners of CCCN, I am certain!
Like Lord Maim says, your time will come!
13:11 Fri Jul 25th, 2008
Your time will come, Stephen. This time I think part of the prob was you had two pitches in the selection so you split your own vote. You clearly know what you are doing so I have no doubt one day one or more of your projects will see the light of day here at Z2H.
16:57 Fri Jul 25th, 2008
Is there an american version of Z2H's? I don't ask this as a snide way of saying why can't americans play in their own sandbox but rather if there isn't one.......why isn't there?
Are Canadians so out of the comic book loop that we have to make our own website just to compete with them? I'm just wondering why people like Steven and RPulfer couldn't play with us on a daily basis......gosh, that sounded dirty.
17:34 Fri Jul 25th, 2008
Well, considering the States have ten times the population Canada has, that'd be one hell of a busy website...
17:42 Fri Jul 25th, 2008
Why would it be so much worse that way, Fett?
I am on this site (as well as other Americans) already. The first Z2H contest was world-wide. I understand the Canada-only contest (considering it was basically a trial run with limited resources), but I think that once that gets off the ground that making regional-exclusive contests goes against the whole idea of this site. It's "The People's Publisher" not "The Regional People's Publisher". I say make the next CCN a world-wide effort.
Besides, is a busy website a bad thing?
18:12 Fri Jul 25th, 2008
Steven and Ryaz, it's all about funding, from what I understand. C:CCN was funded by Telefilm Canada, who wanted the money to go to Canadians. If an American or some other international organization funds a specific contest or otherwise invests in Z2H, I'm certain there will be American-specific contests or worldwide contests. Even more than that, I'm certain that the powers that be here at Z2H are working tirelessly behind the scenes to make The People's Publisher a truly world-wide community.
19:39 Fri Jul 25th, 2008
Nothing wrong with busy! In fact this place goes practically tomblike and near comatose when there is no contest in place! We have always welcomed you US Americans and others from everywhere! It's just that we're so much more talented than you, that's all!
19:39 Fri Jul 25th, 2008
Ummmmm, that and the fact that you haven't been eligible for practically any of the contests!
20:41 Fri Jul 25th, 2008
Hey I'm okay with the no americans thing....just less competetion...muhahahaha:)
And if the comic is going to be funded by telefilm then, yes, of course the winner should be canadian. I'll be danged if my tax money is gonna go to a yankee....even if he's dandy....though if he can also doodle i might have to rethink my position
00:34 Sat Jul 26th, 2008
I've been in three comic book competitions - including D2D - and Z2H is hands-down the only one who has it down to a science, international or not. This is also the only competition which inspired confidence - for both me and people running the show.
And while we're on the subject of stereotypes, maybe its because you guys (and gals) up north are just so darn nice - unless you want me to rethink my position :0
01:31 Sat Jul 26th, 2008
When you combine free speech + Internet I instantly put my guard up. Old reflex.
Z2H has been outstanding so far because the Irritating Douchebag factor has been incredibly, unexpectedly low. I was fully prepared to have to defend my point left right and center (like I have to do on *other* websites) whenever I'd open my mouth, and be cursed to not receive any sort of feedback on my work.
I guess that's where my fear comes from, Steven. More hopefuls from everywhere is not a problem, but it can be if netiquette goes out the window, and Z2H does not dabble in censorship (or at least, hasn't done so visibly).
If it gets to that, I guess we'll have a appoint a Supercool Smooth Z2H Canuck Police Mod Corps to keep the whole atmosphere we got going right now :D
02:53 Sat Jul 26th, 2008
Fett, that's an awesome point! I'm writing the Corps into Zeros #3 even as we blog!!!!
21:09 Sat Jul 26th, 2008
Moderation is a tricky business, speaking from professional experience. The issue of censorship is the most thorny - just remember its Z2H's website, they can have (and not have) what they want (or don't want) on it. Luckily, we haven't crossed that bridge yet.
I agree with Fett though - there is a surprisingly low amount of douchbagery on foot in Zeroes2Heroes. I'm pretty sure anywhere else this many comic creators jam-packed into one egofest would be akin to nuclear flame war, but I need congratulate for maintaining such a peaceful place!
21:29 Sat Jul 26th, 2008
Zeroes #3! Where do you find the time Tenzil? Fett I echo your sentiments... it is great we have no censorship here (in the pitches and galleries as well... not just the blogs). And it would suck to lose it if the *douchebaggery* went up a notch.
21:52 Sat Jul 26th, 2008
I have come across a moderate amount of douchebaggery in this site. Maybe it's that my definition is different than most. Still, comparatively, this is far better than any other place I've seen. And, honestly, if the hit counts for this site went up, I don't think the level of douchebags would, simply because douchebags do not survive here. We don't let them.
I'm not a douchebag; I'm an opinionated asshole. There's a difference.
15:42 Sun Jul 27th, 2008
We believe that a community is defined by its early members - as the site has grown over the past year, you guys have taken it upon yourselves to shepherd the new members and guide their criticism and comments into positive directions. Its admirable and I have no doubt that if the supportive atmosphere you have fostered here continues to be important to you, that you will continue to have success in protecting it...
You've set a great example in how you've communicated with one another and defused aggressive behavior. That's not to say that this site is one big love-in... there are plenty of differences of opinion (and rightly so!), but the debat is always friendly and in service of making the site and your fellow creators stronger in the end. Kudos!
16:04 Sun Jul 27th, 2008
I know! We do have like the greatest community ever! No Flaming. No Fighting. No "Word Fights". No Name calling. Supportive, active people who are rooting for each other. I mean... dang! If the real world was like this it would be Paradise on Earth! :P
02:28 Mon Jul 28th, 2008
Say what, Titan? You mean we're different from the rest of the world? Dang, going to have to open my eyes and have a look around! Or maybe better I don't!
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Lord Maim
09:39 Fri Jul 25th, 2008
Gracious even in (temporary) defeat. Your time will come soon enough Steven. Gravedigger has always been a unique story that I'm sure will find its audience sooner than later.
Confession time though, I hadn't even had a chance to read ItK, but I'm sure its up to par with your other work. Hope that you don't drop out of sight again! (Wow, hypocrisy much?) ;)