Proving yourself again...and again...and again

In Tom Brevoort’s most recent newsletter (always worth a read ‘cause its packed with behind the scenes info and comic nerdery), a reader asked how I came to be involved in my new mini-series Iron & Frost, given that I’m mainly known for Star Wars. 

I admit, it rankled me slightly. Not because the question was asked in bad faith (in fact, they were very complimentary about my SW work. Thank you, questioner!), but because it immediately fed into my inner goblin’s constant narrative of: ‘Told you! You don’t deserve this! Get back in your box before anyone notices!’

Imposter Syndrome aside, I get why the question was asked. After ten years working on various high profile Lucasfilm projects, I am known as that Star Wars guy. And it’s no bad thing. It’s a brilliant thing, in fact. I’ve been playing in a sandpit that I’ve loved since I was knee-high to an Ewok.

So, super-ego aside, why was I so miffed?

Well, first and foremost, it’s a reminder that people – readers, viewers, other industry bods – only see part of your career. To me, Iron & Frost is another step in my journey with Marvel, my fourth mini-series for the House of Ideas in the space of 18 months. However, if you only know me from The High Republic, then that’s the box you’ll put me in.

I’m that Star Wars guy.

It’s the same reason that for some people, I’m that Doctor Who guy, or that Warhammer Adventures guy, or that guy who somehow persuaded someone to let him mash together Transformers and Back To The Future.

People only know the part of your work that’s most visible to them, so you can’t be cross if that’s how they see you. It’s your job to show them otherwise. To tell your story.

And it goes beyond franchises too. I continue to wear a lot of hats, some of which are from past roles: I’m the magazine guy, the audio drama guy, the IP guy, the comics guy, the tie-in-novel guy... 

These days, I’m moving into other areas: Screenwriting. World-Building. Development. Creative consultancy. Producing. Moving from comics and books into visual media, some of those roles less visible, happening behind the scenes. And yes, getting pigeonholed is always frustrating, but it’s also a challenge that I’m ready to face head-on.  

Every new job is a chance to show that you’re more than you’ve been, to illustrate your range and the expertise you can bring from one world to another. Reputations aren’t fixed. They change and evolve, giving you the chance to surprise people along the way. 

I will always be proud of being the Star Wars, Doctor Who or the Marvel guy, and will try to prove why huge franchises have trusted me enough to play with their toys by continuing to try new things. 

Because, wherever we are in our career, we always have to prove ourselves. That’s not a weakness, whatever my internal goblin says: it’s momentum. It means there are still new avenues to explore, new audiences to reach and new opportunities to surprise others...and yourself!