Women In Comics Month: Interview With Christine Dinh

In honor of Women in Comics this March, PREVIEWSworld talks with Christine Dinh!

PREVIEWSworld: Tell us a little bit about yourself! What are you currently working on? 

Christine Dinh: I'm Christine Dinh, BOOM! Studios Brand Communications Manager. I handle our e-book publishing, book market marketing, convention programming, BOOM!'s overall branding initiatives, and anything else I want to get my hands on! I'm currently working on marketing initiatives for Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, the upcoming Jonesy from Sam Humphries and Caitlin Rose Boyle, Goldie Vance from Hope Larson and Brittney Williams, as well as TONS of incredible projects we haven't announced yet!

PREVIEWSworld: How long have you been working with sequential art? What titles, companies, and creators have you worked with over your time in comics? 

Christine Dinh: I've been fortunate to be working for nine years, going on 10. After graduating college, I fell into entertainment PR and marketing. I decided to get specialized in an area of focus and gave myself three months from San Diego Comic-Con 2009 to find a job in the comics industry. I did publicity for Top Cow for one-and-a-half years and was a social media consultant for DC Entertainment. After spending two-and-a-half years at Warner Bros., with opportunities working on a handful of DC's franchises, I found myself drawn back to the comics publishing world. I just hit mytwo-year anniversary at BOOM! Studios last month! I'm lucky to get to work with so many talented creators and friends in comics over the years, such as Ron Marz (Witchblade), Phil Hester (The Darkness), the Lumberjanes team, the Explosm.net team (Cyanide & Happiness), Hope Larson (Goldie Vance), Sam Humphries (Jonesy), Ryan Ferrier (Kennel Block Blues), David Petersen (Mouse Guard), Michael Alan Nelson (Hexed), Dan Mora (Klaus), James Tynion IV (The Woods), Si Spurrier and Jeff Stokley (The Spire), and so many more that I can't quite reveal yet! Just as meaningful, I've worked with several people behind-the-scenes who push me to the best I can be and fall in love with comics every day like Mel Caylo, Irene Bradish, Shannon Watters, Dafna Pleban, Eric Harburn, Jasmine Amiri, Bryce Carlson, Andy Khouri, David Brothers, Ron Perazza, Janelle Asselin, and so, so many more.

PREVIEWSworld: In your opinion, how has the comic book industry evolved in terms of gender?

Christine Dinh: I can only speak for my own experiences, and what I've witnessed around my close peers. A lot has changed since I started working in the comics industry seven years ago, but we still have some way to go. It's no secret that women are largely underrepresented in comics, but this is a problem across several industries. We've seen a concentrated effort in having companies and books reflect the world we live in instead of the longstanding status quo, and I don't see this stopping. One of the reasons I joined BOOM! is that our staff is equally split—50% women and 50% men—and you can see the impact of staffing in the variety of books the company puts out.

As for content, it used to feel like I had to turn to webcomics and manga for stories about women, created by women. These creators have been telling incredible stories and doing amazing things since the beginning. It's a step up that these women who've been here from the start are being recognized for their contributions to the industry. Publishers need to work better at following the teen and YA book market. Young adult women are the biggest reading demographic. And I'm glad to see books like This One Summer, Gotham Academy, Giant Days, Ms. Marvel, and In Real Life making best-of lists! Mainstream comics are starting to change to include more representation based on gender, ethnicity, and sexuality. And I am thankful for the countless women, Valkyries, Comic Book Women, and more working hard to make the industry better, especially for young women who are just getting their start in comics.

PREVIEWSworld: What stereotypes do you see surrounding women in comics? How could people of all genders go about breaking those stereotypes?

Christine Dinh: Mainstream comics needs to drop the belief that women do not read/publish/care about comics, or only enjoy certain "types" of comics, and the belief that men won't read stories with women in it. If anyone mentions it in a meeting, during a pitch, or on a panel, address those individuals right there. I'd like to no longer see comic characters where their only defining characteristic is that they're a woman. If that character can be replaced with a sexy lamp, that's a problem. Be thoughtful on how characters are portrayed and how books are marketed. The inclusion of women and other marginalized groups can only better the process. Support their voices.

PREVIEWSworld: How do you want to see women represented in comic books 10 years from now?

Christine Dinh: I look forward to the day where we just use writer, artist, editor, etc. instead of qualifying with lady writer/artist, female editor, etc. Additionally, I'd love to move away from Women in Comics panels because programming is stacked to represent everyone, and women are regarded as equals who work professionally in the same capacity as men. I'd also like to see stories featuring women not reduced down to "girl comics" that men can't and/or shouldn't read. 

PREVIEWSworld: If you could give advice to any aspiring editors, executives, writers, or artists, what would you tell them? 

Christine Dinh: Most important, be kind and professional— the comics industry is very small and connected. If you're difficult to work with, that reputation spreads fast. If you're consistent and timely, editors will often recommend you for additional books and even pitch you to their friends at other publishers. Whether you're talent or you're working behind-the-scenes, what you do has value. Surround yourself with people who value you. You also have the power and choice to say “no.” Don't say '”yes”  if you're not happy with your choice. That sentiment begins to spill over in your interactions at conventions and online.

PREVIEWSworld: And lastly, are there any up-and-coming women creators who you would recommend readers check out?

Christine Dinh: The contributors to Lumberjanes and Rosy Press' Fresh Romance are all creators I recommend checking out. Sarah Kuhn should be on people's radar—she's the author of the forthcoming Heroine Complex trilogy, starring Asian-American superheroes. Her comic debut was The Ruby Equation for Fresh Romance, and she has more comics work in the pipeline! Arielle Jovellanos for Fresh Romance's School Spirit is an incredible artist! Emily Carroll's an amazing storyteller! Jody Houser, Mairghread Scott, Kelly Thompson, and Lucy Knisley are all aces.

See more Women In Comics Month interviews in our special section on PREVIEWSworld!