Unshelved | Bill Barnes | Talks at Google

TL;DR

A journey through the evolution of a comic strip from the software industry with unique character development.

Transcript

Commentator: Today I'd like to introduce my friend, Bill Barnes. Yesterday was the eighth anniversary of his comic strip Unshelved about libraries. He has many books out about this comic strip. And five months ago Bill started a comic strip about the software industry. It takes a special kind of person to understand his snarky one-liners and he's l... Read More

Key Insights

• 😟 Transitioning from a software career to full-time cartooning requires a nervous excitement about fitting into a new community.
• 🥋 Understanding the origins and definitions of comic strips is crucial in exploring the storytelling capabilities of the art form.
• 🎨 Developing a new comic strip involves character design and the dynamics of collaboration between writer and artist in conveying unique narratives.
• 🎞️ Intellectual property challenges can arise in trademarking titles for comic strips, necessitating careful decisions to avoid legal risks.

Questions & Answers

Q: How did Bill Barnes transition from a software career to full-time cartooning?

Bill Barnes quit his software job to pursue full-time cartooning, finding the nerve to fit into the comic community through unique storytelling.

Q: What insights did Barnes share about the development and origins of comic strips?

Barnes explored the definitions and history of comic strips, focusing on the storytelling capabilities and dynamic aspects of the art form.

Q: How did Barnes develop the new comic strip "Not Invented Here"?

Barnes collaborated with artist Paul Southworth to develop characters like Owen and Desmond, focusing on the software industry dynamics and the relationship between writer and artist.

Q: What challenges did Barnes face in trademarking the title "Overdue" for his comic strip?

Barnes encountered potential intellectual property issues with the title "Overdue" due to a short film with a similar name, leading to a decision to change the comic strip name to avoid any legal risks.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Bill Barnes describes his transition from a software career to full-time cartooning and the nervous excitement of fitting into the comic community.

• Exploring the origins and definitions of comic strips, Barnes delves into various aspects of the art form and its storytelling capabilities.

• Barnes shares the development process of his new comic strip "Not Invented Here" focusing on character design and the dynamic between writer and artist.