Off The Page

Written by Austin Benavides Designed by Angeli Mittal

Comics writer Michael Moreci discusses his original work and lessons from the industry

rom writing comics for the Superman, Stranger Things and Star Wars franchises to his er Things and Star Wars franchises to his own original works like “The Plot,” “Wasted own original works like “The Plot,” “Wasted Space” and “Black Star Renegades” freelancer MiSpace” and “Black Star Renegades” freelancer Michael Moreci (School of Professional Studies chael Moreci (School of Professional Studies ‘07) has been creating adventures with original ‘07) has been creating adventures with original and established characters for over 15 years. and established characters for over 15 years. The Daily spoke with Moreci about his career The Daily spoke with Moreci about his career and what lessons he wants to impart on and what lessons he wants to impart on writers entering the industry.

This interview has been condensed and edited for clarity.

The Daily: As a fan of the comics genre, what is it like when you get that call or email saying you’re going to write for a property that you’ve been a fan of for many years?

Moreci: It’s nerve racking. My early Star Wars work probably suffered from that intimidation factor, because it’s so big and you’re such a big fan of it and it’s so meaningful. Star Wars for me is such a profound thing, I think you eventually have to learn the ability to separate yourself. I know what a Star Wars Story is, I’ve been living in that universe since I was like four years old. It’s been kind of liberating in a way to gain that perspective and I think it’s the same thing for anybody when they’re writing, whether you get the call to write Superman or the Teen

Wars Story is, I’ve been living in that universe since I was like four years old. It’s been kind of liberating in a way to gain that perspective and I think it’s the same thing for anybody when they’re writing, whether you get the call to write Superman or the Teen

cal thing The Daily: What lessons

“At some — because it’s not — have you learned from the process of writing, publishing and point just put all then I think promoting your own work? that stuff to the side that you can reach a Moreci: Writing, especially getting good at writing and and say, ‘Okay, this is, this is what I lot more people and make the art of writing way making a career writing, takes a long time. February 19 marked my five year anniversary of beknow.’” more accessible and way more ing a full-time freelance writer. I was writing before then for digestible, where somewhere around 10 years people can look at regularly for journalism, comTi- it and say ‘Oh, this ics, and prose manuscripts. It tans or tans or is something I can just takes time and that sucks. It the Fantastic the Fantastic do. This is not just could be discouraging because Four. It’s very Four. It’s very younger obtainable, but it’s also you don’t know if you will make frightening because frightening because writer you’re more something that I can actually it. But I would rather someone there’s so much history there’s so much history willing to write like any- sit down and see how it works pursue it, especially if they love and the stakes are so high and the stakes are so high thing that comes along.” and functions.’ And I love it, and be encouraged knowbecause so many people because so many people doing that for young writers ing that it is most definitely a have not only so much have not only so much The Daily: At the begin- and demystifying that process. marathon and you should not passion for these things but passion for these things but ning of the pandemic, you It’s daunting to tell a story from feel like you failed just because also so many expectations also so many expectations published instructional beginning, middle, end, have you haven’t published your for these things. At some for these things. At some writing tutorials on your character growth and have a book or published your comic point just put all that stuff to point just put all that stuff to website and you taught a consistent theme. If you can or become a best seller by X age the side and say, ‘Okay, this is, the side and say, ‘Okay, this is, Novel Writing course at make that process all the more or X date or X amount of years. this is what I know.’ this is what I know.’ the University of Wiscon- easy, that’s something I’m all That stuff is different for every sin-Green Bay. Why do for. It’s just a democratization single writer. I think that that’s

The Daily: Are there any The Daily: you teach? of this craft. part of the journey and part of characters or properties that characters or properties that Moreci: If you the excitement — that you do you dream of writing for? you dream of writing for? can demystify the it forever, more or less. ◊

Moreci: The Fantastic Moreci: process of writing Four has always been someFour has always been some- as not some thing that I’ve loved since I was thing that I’ve loved since I was magical, a kid. One of my favorite things a kid. One of my favorite things mysis the Universal Monsters, like is the Universal Monsters, like ti- “It’s daunting somehow being able to play in that sandbox with “Creature somehow being able to play in that sandbox with “Creature to tell a story from from the Black Lagoon” or “Dracula”... So there definitely from the Black Lagoon” or “Dracula”... So there definitely beginning, middle, end, are things that are still out there are things that are still out there have character growth that I still have one eye toward, but for most of my time I’ve that I still have one eye toward, but for most of my time I’ve and have a consistent been lucky to pursue my own stuff. I think as I’ve grown and been lucky to pursue my own stuff. I think as I’ve grown and theme.” matured as a writer, it’s more matured as a writer, it’s more about, ‘OK, what can I create, about, ‘OK, what can I create, what can I do,’ and being judiwhat can I do,’ and being judicious about writing things that cious about writing things that I love because when you’re a I love because when you’re a