--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When I was there at Marvel, everybody…" description: "\"When I was there at Marvel, everybody thought if you could draw well and you could do sensational panels, that you were going to be a success. The trut..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/70e/john-romita-sr-71324_book_when-i-was-there-at-marvel-everybody-tho_421696.jpg" --- # When I was there at Marvel, everybody thought if you could… ![“When I was there at Marvel, everybody thought if you could draw well and you could do sensational panels, that you were going to be a success. The truth is that no matter how good or bad you are as a draftsman, if you can't tell a story, you don't last in comics. ...About halfway through my stay…” quote by John Romita, Sr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/70e/john-romita-sr-71324_book_when-i-was-there-at-marvel-everybody-tho_421696.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/70e/john-romita-sr-71324_book_when-i-was-there-at-marvel-everybody-tho_421696.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/70e/john-romita-sr-71324_book_when-i-was-there-at-marvel-everybody-tho_421696.jpg) > “When I was there at Marvel, everybody thought if you could draw well and you could do sensational panels, that you were going to be a success. The truth is that no matter how good or bad you are as a draftsman, if you can't tell a story, you don't last in comics. ...About halfway through my stay at Marvel, I realized I was being paid to tell a story, not do a drawing. That's why my stuff is always rather simple and uncomplicated compared to a lot of guys.” John Romita, Sr ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Storytelling ability outweighs drawing skill for lasting success in comics. **In simple terms:** Good storytelling matters more than art alone. Key Takeaway Focus on narrative, not just illustration. Themes storytelling comics career skill Mood reflective practical Type career advice creative insight When to use this quote - comic creation - career planning - team collaboration Key Concepts narrative importance creative hierarchy Questions to Reflect On - What story could you tell with your art? - How can you improve narrative skills? A Different Perspective Art alone can’t sustain a career without story. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Book](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/book/) [Comic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comic/) [Comic book](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comic-book/) [Draftsman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/draftsman/) [Stories](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stories/) [Success](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/success/) ## Related quotes > [I saw 'Beauty and the Beast' at eight years old in theatres and spent hours trying to recreate the majestic imagery of that story…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-simien/i-saw-beauty-and-the-beast-at-eight-years-old-in-theatres-and-spent/) [Justin Simien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-simien/) > [When I got into the second half of 'Dragon Ball,' I had already become more interested in thinking up the story then in drawing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/akira-toriyama/when-i-got-into-the-second-half-of-dragon-ball-i-had-already-become/) [Akira Toriyama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/akira-toriyama/) > [I never thought about draw or lose before each game. 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