Is it wrong to use creating comics as a form of escapism?

[SeasonofTreason]

I've been second-guessing my motives for creating comics lately because frankly I'm starting to feel that it may just be an escape, but is that necessarily a bad thing?

I'm creating a sci-fantasy type of story and there's no real reason behind it other than the fact that it's "cool".

I'm not making it to express myself or to make a story about my life or say something meaningful/artistic like many other legitimate creators. It's basically no different than playing an RPG but designing everything from scratch.

The big question is though, are the underlying reasons important, however "shaky" they may be, so long as it results in creating good work? Does it matter if a master mangaka/comic artist only created a world to escape into?

I'm no master of course but my drawing has improved over the years yet I'm only about to start my actual comic journey. What are your thoughts?

[wolflu66]

I support you in doing what you want to do. Perhaps everyone has different motives for creating, but art isn't that restrictive to begin with. Don't get too caught up in the "purity" of your motives. Focus on the creation itself, enjoy the process, and just follow your own ideas.

In fact, art has always been a common channel for "escapism," or rather, a psychological defense mechanism (sublimation). This is actually the creative motivation for many artists.

During your creative process, your experiences, thoughts, emotions, and so on will inevitably find their way into your work, whether intentionally or not.

And no matter how niche or unconventional your content might be, I guarantee there will always be people who appreciate it.

If you're willing, why don't you share some of your work with everyone here?

[justincarbunkle]

Not at all. All that matters is that you enjoy the act of making comics. If your driving force is to not think about your real life problems for a few hours, that’s perfectly fine, great even.

There are a lot worse activities you could be doing to alleviate yourself. With a comic, at least you’re exercising your drawing and writing abilities. Regardless of the quality, you have some original product in the end to show for your effort and time.

Every comic says something about the creator, but not everyone desires to make a comic that is artistic/important. Your comic can just be for fun, something you make for yourself. Your comic is whatever you want it be, don't think it has to meet anyone else's standards but your own.

[SeasonofTreason]

Thanks for the support! I have original concepts/designs on my newgrounds page, I'll share them here aswell. I finished the storyboards/layouts and rough drafts and now I've been working on the actual pages. I'll start a short comic with few characters first just to get the hang of my process before I launch into the bigger saga I've been planning. Here are some character sketches

[kyupol]

Ahh escapism...
Something I explore a lot in my comics...

[SeasonofTreason]

Thanks! Yeah, I was obsessing with injecting some kind of philosophical greater meaning into my work but ended up not feeling "good enough" and feeling discouraged from creating because of holding myself to arbitrary standards I can't seem to meet. But all in all having fun creating is the most important part of it all.

[abigaillmartin]

Eh no it’s not wrong as a form of escapism. I’ve been doing that since I was a kid. I made comics to escape from my elementary school bullies and I always exercised my imagination with characters from my hyperfixations. I am also a maladaptive daydreamer too.

It’s just when you get too into it and don’t distinguish reality from that world when it becomes a problem. It’s not wrong just don’t lose touch of reality and such. Well, but you know life sucks and especially in the state of things right now it’s only going to get worse.

[Leyelle]

i've been using writing as a coping mechanism for like 7 years. I think it's a problem only if you use it to avoid dealing with your real life issues (guilty as charged.) If you are just using it to unwind it's fine.

[abigaillmartin]

Been there done that

[UrMom]

What weirdo said creating comics for escapism was a bad thing? I'm not sure about folks nowadays, but I spent my teens in the webcomic scene when it was all still new, and we were all kids making comics for fun, escapism or exploration. (A good number of adult queer webcomic creators found themselves via making bl/gl.) Webcomic creators I follow now still do it for those reasons, or for venting trauma since the medium is personal rather than professional more often than not. I don't why it would be a bad thing to make a comic for escapism, at least you'll enjoy the process.

[Lensing]

The big question is though, are the underlying reasons important, however "shaky" they may be, so long as it results in creating good work? Does it matter if a master mangaka/comic artist only created a world to escape into?

no, they are not important and it doesn´t matter if it results in bad or good work.

Motives are different. I make music and art and for me it´s a form of escapism too and
I love it. It´s something that makes me happy. I don´t have higher motives or anything
like that. I created out of 100% egoistical reasons. I escape reality + I create something
that I want to read, look at or to listen to. If someone else likes it then it´s good, if
nobody likes it, it´s good too.

[Red_Dog]

It's fine and you're fine.
The concept art you made looks really cool. I really like the dragon.
Not everything needs to be made for some "deeper meaning" sometimes people just want to read about a fun adventure. If you enjoy what you're making I'm sure that other people will pick up on it too.

[AmysGames]

Writing has always been a form of escapism for me; I don't think there's anything wrong with that. The only time it might be a concern is (like @Leyelle said) if you start letting it take over your real life to the point that you don't deal with your issues at all.

[jwabeasley]

There's nothing wrong with making comics for any reason, and using them as an outlet for your emotions or to escape the drudgery of daily life. Make sure you're actually practicing the craft of writing and drawing, not just imagining a vague potential story. Be clear with yourself what the objectives of each project are and have a concrete plan to meet them. Be realistic about your likely results.

Most importantly, do it, don't just imagine doing it, or even worse imagining only a vague future where you have already done it.

[thepenmonster]

I should hope you're making comics for escapism. Making them for fame, money, and respect means you're madder than a hatter.

[skidiggy]

Does making comics have a negative impact on your life? Are you neglecting other important areas to accommodate for making comics? Unless it's having a deleterious effect on your life, I'd say it's fine to use comics for escapism. Go forth and make things.

[SeasonofTreason]

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