--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Watching people like Brandon Graham, Erik…" description: "\"Watching people like Brandon Graham, Erik Larsen, and Joe Keatinge produce stories for my characters was a revelation... Like, 'Why are you doing work ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bed/rob-liefeld-6199_comic_watching-people-like-brandon-graham-erik_302487.jpg" --- # Watching people like Brandon Graham, Erik Larsen, and Joe… ![“Watching people like Brandon Graham, Erik Larsen, and Joe Keatinge produce stories for my characters was a revelation... Like, 'Why are you doing work for hire when others are working on characters you own?' 'Bloodstrike' and 'Brigade' is me re-focusing my focus!” quote by Rob Liefeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bed/rob-liefeld-6199_comic_watching-people-like-brandon-graham-erik_302487.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bed/rob-liefeld-6199_comic_watching-people-like-brandon-graham-erik_302487.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bed/rob-liefeld-6199_comic_watching-people-like-brandon-graham-erik_302487.jpg) > “Watching people like Brandon Graham, Erik Larsen, and Joe Keatinge produce stories for my characters was a revelation... Like, 'Why are you doing work for hire when others are working on characters you own?' 'Bloodstrike' and 'Brigade' is me re-focusing my focus!” [Rob Liefeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-liefeld/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Seeing creators own their characters inspired a shift to personal storytelling over hired work. **In simple terms:** Own your characters, not just jobs. Key Takeaway Focus on personal ownership. Themes creativity ownership career Mood determined inspired Type advice motivational When to use this quote - comic writing - indie publishing - character development - career planning Key Concepts intellectual property authorial control Questions to Reflect On - How can you protect your ideas while collaborating? - What steps help transition to creator-owned work? A Different Perspective Balancing commercial contracts with personal projects can be tough. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Bloodstrike Brigade](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bloodstrike-brigade-2887536/) [Brigade Focusing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brigade-focusing-2887537/) [Characters Bloodstrike](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/characters-bloodstrike-2887535/) [Comic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comic/) [Focus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/focus/) [Like Brandon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/like-brandon-2887538/) [Others](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/others/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Watching](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/watching/) [Work](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/work/) [Working Characters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/working-characters-1359697/) ## Related quotes > [I think just about everyone is doing something that's completely different from what you've seen them do before or a stretch in some way.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-elizabeth-winstead/i-think-just-about-everyone-is-doing-something-that-s-completely/) [Mary Elizabeth Winstead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-elizabeth-winstead/) > [The best feeling you can ever have when you're working on a show is that the characters are still inside you, and they have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marti-noxon/the-best-feeling-you-can-ever-have-when-you-re-working-on-a-show-is/) [Marti Noxon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marti-noxon/) > [It's always difficult with the superhero stuff because you're working with characters who have been written by 100 to 200 people over the past…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-ellis/it-s-always-difficult-with-the-superhero-stuff-because-you-re-working/) [Warren Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-ellis/) > [My biggest disappointment is that once I'm finished working on the characters, I really do expect to see them in the flesh one day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kimberly-willis-holt/my-biggest-disappointment-is-that-once-i-m-finished-working-on-the/) [Kimberly Willis Holt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kimberly-willis-holt/) > [Normally, when you're working on something, there are other characters that you have alliances with, and you have unified goals with some characters.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/romola-garai/normally-when-you-re-working-on-something-there-are-other-characters/) [Romola Garai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/romola-garai/) > [When I'm working on my characters, that's something I pay a lot of attention to: how their body works, how they move, how they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/astrid-berges-frisbey/when-i-m-working-on-my-characters-that-s-something-i-pay-a-lot-of/) [Astrid Berges-Frisbey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/astrid-berges-frisbey/) > [People can rock together, people can do great things together, and that's what you love when you're working with characters and it's all going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamie-lidell/people-can-rock-together-people-can-do-great-things-together-and-that/) [Jamie Lidell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-lidell/) > [Nowadays, there are seven music directors in one film. 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When that happens, others have to come to the front and show the calibre that brought…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-phelan/at-times-you-are-going-to-miss-people-when-that-happens-others-have/) [Mike Phelan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-phelan/) > [There are a lot of people who want to retain the Eighth Amendment - I don't agree with that view myself - there are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-varadkar/there-are-a-lot-of-people-who-want-to-retain-the-eighth-amendment-i/) [Leo Varadkar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-varadkar/) > [Sometimes being your most authentic self involves accepting others for who they are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-the-drag-queen/sometimes-being-your-most-authentic-self-involves-accepting-others/) [Bob the Drag Queen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-the-drag-queen/) > [I've driven Ferrari 488 GTB, the 488 Spider, the Mclaren 570s and 540c, the Bentley GT3R, GT Speed and V8s, Mercedes AMG GTs, Lamborghini…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-hirsch/i-ve-driven-ferrari-488-gtb-the-488-spider-the-mclaren-570s-and-540c/) [Alex Hirsch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-hirsch/) > [I would rather excel others in the knowledge of what is excellent than in the extent of my powers and dominion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-the-great/i-would-rather-excel-others-in-the-knowledge-of-what-is-excellent/) [Alexander the Great](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-the-great/) ## More by Rob Liefeld > [I wasted so many years in my youth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-liefeld/i-wasted-so-many-years-in-my-youth/) [Rob Liefeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-liefeld/) > ['X-Force' #1 sold 5 million copies. 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We gave this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-liefeld/deadpool-bad-blood-is-a-book-that-long-term-fans-of-wade-wilson-can/) [Rob Liefeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-liefeld/) > [I've always had a fortunate knack for grabbing young talent and giving them a break.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-liefeld/i-ve-always-had-a-fortunate-knack-for-grabbing-young-talent-and/) [Rob Liefeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-liefeld/) > [“Dreams die hard.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-liefeld/dreams-die-hard/) [Rob Liefeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-liefeld/) > [I can tell you, young 22-year-old Rob Liefeld was having quite a run.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-liefeld/i-can-tell-you-young-22-year-old-rob-liefeld-was-having-quite-a-run/) [Rob Liefeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-liefeld/) > [As to Batman, turns out I really prefer Robin over the Dark Knight.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-liefeld/as-to-batman-turns-out-i-really-prefer-robin-over-the-dark-knight/) [Rob Liefeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-liefeld/) > [A fixer-upper is good for your business if you are the guy who fixes it up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-liefeld/a-fixer-upper-is-good-for-your-business-if-you-are-the-guy-who-fixes/) [Rob Liefeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-liefeld/) > [I've loved Hawkman since I was really young.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-liefeld/i-ve-loved-hawkman-since-i-was-really-young/) [Rob Liefeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-liefeld/) > [Even if it flops, when you're sitting at the drawing table, you dream about seeing your work on the big screen, no matter what.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-liefeld/even-if-it-flops-when-you-re-sitting-at-the-drawing-table-you-dream/) [Rob Liefeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-liefeld/) [Explore all 99 Rob Liefeld quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-liefeld/) ## More Comic quotes > [Any incarnation of 'Batman' I am delighted to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-west/any-incarnation-of-batman-i-am-delighted-to-do/) [Adam West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-west/) > [I always loved as a kid reading 'Spider-Man,' and the 'Fantastic Four' would show up... it was all about that larger universe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peyton-reed/i-always-loved-as-a-kid-reading-spider-man-and-the-fantastic-four/) [Peyton Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peyton-reed/) > [One of the key characteristics of the comic book medium is that it is not brought to life by just one voice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-lee/one-of-the-key-characteristics-of-the-comic-book-medium-is-that-it-is/) [Jim Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-lee/) > [I identify with Superman. I am adopted, I am an only child, and I love the idea that he comes from another world, that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryan-singer/i-identify-with-superman-i-am-adopted-i-am-an-only-child-and-i-love/) [Bryan Singer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryan-singer/) > [Before World War II, I was living a very cloistered existence, as most cartoonists do. The work I was pouring out did not come…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-eisner/before-world-war-ii-i-was-living-a-very-cloistered-existence-as-most/) [Will Eisner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-eisner/) > [If you look at Marvel Comics, there are very few Marvel characters I would like to write.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garth-ennis/if-you-look-at-marvel-comics-there-are-very-few-marvel-characters-i/) [Garth Ennis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garth-ennis/) > [The big problem for comic art is you don't want to overwork it. If a drawing is overworked it isn't funny. It's the spontaneity…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-sorel/the-big-problem-for-comic-art-is-you-don-t-want-to-overwork-it-if-a/) [Edward Sorel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-sorel/) > [Leslie Stein's comics give readers privileged access to a complete and wholly original world of gently skewed wonders.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-woodring/leslie-stein-s-comics-give-readers-privileged-access-to-a-complete/) [Jim Woodring](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-woodring/) > [I've certainly seen a lot of my cartoonist friends embrace 'Little Lulu' in a much deeper way because their kids love it so much.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth/i-ve-certainly-seen-a-lot-of-my-cartoonist-friends-embrace-little/) [Seth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth/) > [Batman doesn't have any superpowers. He's not superhuman. He's not super. So therefore he can't be a superhero.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-silvey/batman-doesn-t-have-any-superpowers-he-s-not-superhuman-he-s-not/) [Craig Silvey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-silvey/) > [When I was writing 'Black Panther,' on one level, I was angry because DC would never let me write 'Batman,' so I was doing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-priest/when-i-was-writing-black-panther-on-one-level-i-was-angry-because-dc/) [Christopher Priest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-priest/) > [I was really into the first 'Spider-Man' films with Tobey Maguire, so it's pretty cool how it all came full circle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacob-batalon/i-was-really-into-the-first-spider-man-films-with-tobey-maguire-so-it/) [Jacob Batalon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacob-batalon/) > [Most men are secretly still mad at their mothers for throwing away their comic books. They would be valuable now.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rita-rudner/most-men-are-secretly-still-mad-at-their-mothers-for-throwing-away/) [Rita Rudner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rita-rudner/) > [I'll only diet for a Marvel movie. I will give up bacon and waffles to be Storm.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janelle-james/i-ll-only-diet-for-a-marvel-movie-i-will-give-up-bacon-and-waffles-to/) [Janelle James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janelle-james/) > [You've seen the first issue and what happened in the last page. Some pretty awful stuff. I don't know why I seem to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/declan-shalvey/you-ve-seen-the-first-issue-and-what-happened-in-the-last-page-some/) [Declan Shalvey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/declan-shalvey/) [Browse all 5,841 Comic quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comic/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Watching people like Brandon Graham, Erik Larsen, and Joe Keatinge produce stories for my characters was a revelation... Like, 'Why are you doing work for hire when others are working on characters you own?' 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