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Topic: Am I Retired? (Topic Closed Topic Closed) Post ReplyPost New Topic
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Steven Brake
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Joined: 01 January 2016
Posts: 562
Posted: 02 July 2022 at 10:18am | IP Logged | 1  

Actors are never unemployed - they're only resting between jobs.

Perhaps you're resting? :)
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Trevor Smith
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Joined: 21 September 2006
Location: Canada
Posts: 3514
Posted: 02 July 2022 at 10:32am | IP Logged | 2  

"Perhaps you're resting?"

**

Let's hope he's not nailed to the floor at his drawing
board.
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Scott Good
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Joined: 18 August 2018
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Posted: 03 July 2022 at 2:19am | IP Logged | 3  

JB, You know, I always wanted to be a artist but never quite got there. Life took me in a different direction and I'm now almost 56 and a masonry sub-contractor and apply my artistic abilities building buildings and other masonry jobs. I've built way too many CVS's, Walgreens, and Rite Aids, among hundreds of other stuff. I have a employee that's 65 years old and he's at a crossroads. He tells me that he's so damn angry (at everything) and just wants to retire...and then he doesn't. I told him it's like Grumpy Old Men, the older you get you just get so pissed off at everyone because you've lived a life of being pooped on. Cut off in traffic, in line at the store, ect, ect. And it pisses you off. I've seen you get shafted too many times over the years, especially being one of the top creators ever in the business. I think it's just burn out. Hopefully you can get that fire back that I witnessed when I saw you at the conventions in the 80's. But I understand life has caught up with you and that fire may never come back. But I find it hard to believe that you've lost the desire to create. It might not be the X-Men or Avengers and might just be something a little more calming for your generatioon....but that's ok. You don't have to impress anyone and just make yourself happy. You deserve it. You've made us all happy in your stories and you deserve to live the rest of your life with no regrets. We've all made wrong turns at times and we all have to live with them. I truly always wish you the best and if you want a job, I'm always up for a commission. Hope this wasn't too much ... just saying.
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John Byrne
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Joined: 11 May 2005
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Posted: 03 July 2022 at 2:47pm | IP Logged | 4  

I haven’t lost the desire to create. My brain still bubbles.

It’s the impetus to spend my days hunched over the drawing board that has dwindled. Again.

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Michael Penn
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Posted: 03 July 2022 at 3:57pm | IP Logged | 5  

I recall an author once saying, I don’t write because I want to; I write because I have to. Have you found that to be true? To what could you analogies your creative drive, JB. 
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John Byrne
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Grumpy Old Guy

Joined: 11 May 2005
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Posted: 03 July 2022 at 4:19pm | IP Logged | 6  

I write and draw (wrote and drew) because otherwise I’d have to get a real job!

Seriously! How lucky have I been for the last fifty years? I produce this STUFF and some people actually want to see it!

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Andrew Bitner
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Posted: 03 July 2022 at 4:24pm | IP Logged | 7  

The definition of "unemployed" above really only applies if one is seeking unemployment benefits. As a word in and of itself, it should be understood to mean one who is not employed.

On that basis, JB, you can define it as you please. I don't know that "retirement" applies because you're not precisely stopping with the intent of being done/really done/yes I'm not doing this anymore done-- time will tell if this break extends into something more than a brief hiatus, but that's entirely your decision. 

In other words: only you can say if you're unemployed or retired.
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Michael Penn
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Posted: 03 July 2022 at 4:25pm | IP Logged | 8  

Like Paul Simon sang, born in right place, born at the right time!
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John Byrne
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Grumpy Old Guy

Joined: 11 May 2005
Posts: 132129
Posted: 03 July 2022 at 4:28pm | IP Logged | 9  

I prefer “unemployed” over “retired” because I’ve noticed that when a retired person goes back to work the reaction is often “But I thought you were RETIRED!” while an unemployed person getting work is cause for celebration.
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Paul Wills
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Joined: 18 August 2018
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Posted: 03 July 2022 at 4:45pm | IP Logged | 10  

I haven’t lost the desire to create. My brain still bubbles.
----------------------------------------
the most important trait for an artist. Can't wait to see what will bubble out!

Edited to add: As it stands, it's got to be satisfying knowing that you have already established a legacy that will always be around long after we're gone. You'll always be a part of history!


Edited by Paul Wills on 03 July 2022 at 4:52pm
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Michael Penn
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Joined: 12 April 2006
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Posted: 03 July 2022 at 5:07pm | IP Logged | 11  

One analogy that fails is to that of an athlete who can’t perform anymore and thus retires. 

Maybe you’re “retired” like Michael Jordan in the mid-90s? He won three championships in a row, walked away, then came back to win another three in a row!

Only the ticking clock threatens to remove the quotes from your “retirement.” Gather ye geezer rosebuds?!
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Ted Pugliese
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Joined: 05 December 2005
Location: United States
Posts: 7979
Posted: 06 July 2022 at 11:14pm | IP Logged | 12  

I can't imagine you as retired because I cannot see you
never drawing again. I feel like you will have to get some
of your ideas out of your head. If not, if you never draw
(produce) again, e.g. Elsewhen, etm., then I am afraid you
would be retired.

Kinda sad, considering you are the greatest living comic
book artist.
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