Hi everyone!
Shortly after I started writing comics, I saw a comic strip that perfectly summed up a common indie mistake.
A character says, “Don’t worry, anyone can do lettering!” and over the next few panels we see different types of terrible lettering: far too tight against the balloon, poor spacing, awkward balloon placement, different sized text. Throughout, the dialogue insists that lettering is easy and that letterers overcharge.
The truth is that almost anyone can learn to letter with enough time, effort and a little deliberate learning. I do letter some of my own comics, and I can do it to a high standard.
The problem is not quality. The problem is time.
Lettering takes me a long time, and there are other things I can do that are far more valuable uses of my attention: I can look ahead across my universes, plan stories, make decisions that only the creator can make.
That is why I choose to work with Jahch, who has been a fantastic letterer for me for years.
Just because you can do a task does not mean you should. Think carefully about whether doing the thing directly in front of you is actually the best choice for your project as a whole.
– Ed