Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Chuck Brown. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Chuck, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear the story of how you went from this being just an idea to making it into something real.

I tend to treat each intellectual property (IP) idea as its own separate business. Depending on the finances, I may fully fund an IP myself. The process begins with a brainstorming session where I dump all my ideas into the notes app on my phone. From there, the idea evolves into an outline, with story arcs, character development, themes, etc. Once the outline is fleshed out, I move on to the scripting stage.

Once the script(s) are complete, the next step is to create a budget. The budget needs to account for the editor, artist(s), letterer, graphic designer, and promotion. These are the steps I follow if I’m self-publishing a book or using crowdfunding. Even with crowdfunding, I’ll need to come out of pocket to pay for an artist to create some initial comic pages to promote the campaign.

In other cases, an IP may be picked up by a publisher. In this scenario, my primary focus is typically on writing, as well as recruiting a personal editor and an artist for the project. Publishers like Boom! Studios and Ignition Press provide additional support for development and funding, which can make the process smoother.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m a multiple Eisner and Ringo award-winning writer. I’ve had the privilege of working on some incredible comics, including The Punisher, Hulk, Wolverine, Aquaman, John Carter of Mars, and Black Manta. In addition to my work on these mainstream characters, I’m also the creator of several successful creator-owned projects, like Bitter Root, On the Stump, Flawed, and 1000.

I grew up in a small town, and the experiences I had growing up played a huge role in shaping my love for storytelling and my career in comics. Comics, animation, and movies were my escape and my inspiration—they saved me and changed my life. Now, with my own work, I hope to do the same for others.

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

I would say that a resource I didn’t take full advantage of was my local library. Local libraries offer several free services, such as printing, meeting rooms, notary services, and even a seed library to help you grow your own food. Not to mention the many brilliant people on staff. You can also read thousands of comic books for free on the library app, Hoopla, a great resource for studying and enjoying the pillars of the comic industry.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

Being your own worst critic can drive you to be a better creator and writer. However, it can easily mutate into self-deprecation. I learned from my mother long ago to be kind and considerate to others, something I strive to do every day. Now, at this stage in my life, I’m trying to unlearn negative thoughts and focus on being kind and considerate to myself also.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ogounink.com/
• Other: @Chuckbrown01010 on TikTok

Image Credits
Bitterroot Cover and OTS scream variant by Sandford Green, OTS covers by Prenzy