We recently connected with Steve Stern and have shared our conversation below.
Steve , appreciate you joining us today. So, naming is such a challenge. How did you come up with the name of your brand?
About 14 years ago, when I came up with the idea of launching a company that would give people like screenwriters, producers and directors the opportunity to have their screenplays adapted into graphic novels and comic-book series, I was aware that many movies and tv series began their life as comics and GNs. A major part of the reason for this was that these sequential art books were in effect “storyboards” that made it easy for those involved in the film industry to visualize what their production would look like. And so, I came up with the name “Storyboard Graphic Novels,” which encapsulated our mission.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I read my first comic-book–an issue of Superboy–when I was around seven years old–and it was an experience akin to love at first sight. From that point on, I knew I wanted to create comic-books. My first professionally-published stories happened when I was in college, and many years later, I created my own comic-book, Zen Intergalactic Ninja, along with artist Dan Cote. That was in 1987, and in the early 90s, we had a great deal of licensing activity, including videogames from Konami and action figures from Just Toys, and we were also optioned for the first time for both a live-action film and an animated TV series. Neither of those productions ultimately happened, but it gave me an entre into the world of Hollywood. And in working with producers and directors, I learned how valuable they felt it was to have a property in development based upon comic-book and graphic novel IPs. So I was acutely aware of the relationship between Hollywood and the world of comics. That was the motivating factor in launching Storyboard Graphic Novels, one that would afford screenwriters and other members of the entertainment industry to take their scripts to the next level.
Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
Whatever service or product you offer your customers, you have to instill confidence in them that you can get the job done, which means having the necessary experience. In my particular case, my success with my creator-owned comic-book, Zen Intergalactic Ninja, was as powerful a way of convincing potential clients that I could deliver their product, and then some. By the time I launched Storyboard Graphic Novels, I had sold over three million issues of Zen, licensed the property for a wide range of products, including videogames, action figures, trading cards, vinyl model kits, phone cards, pens, pencils and notebooks, posters and Halloween masks, as well as numerous other items. Further, Zen had been optioned for both live-action film and animation–which, of course, is what our clients are ultimately looking for..
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
Having interaction with readers and fans of my writing has been, without question, the most rewarding aspect of my career. I have communicated with literally thousands of readers since first self-publishing Zen Intergalactic Ninja in 1987. Having had an impact on someone’s life, even if it’s just providing them with some much-needed entertainment, is a major reward for me. I should also mention that working with so many incredibly talented artists–scores of them over the years–is incredibly rewarding, as well. Whether working with them on my own books, or on projects for Storyboard clients, it’s a pleasure to be associated with such talented people.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.storyboardgraphicnovels.com
- Instagram: Stern8506
- Facebook: Stephen Stern
- Linkedin: Stephen Stern
- Twitter: @StephenLStern
