Professional Comics Creator End of Summer Roundup
News
How Does the DC Fallout Impact You?
COVID-19 hit the comic book industry like a tsunami in the spring, and the end of summer was no different. When DC announced major cuts to both its staff and it’s upcoming releases, it sent shockwaves through every level of the industry that we’re still trying to understand weeks later.
Jim Lee explained the move to the Hollywood Reporter as part of a plan to focus on the core line of books and devote more resources to new readers and digital markets. Industry experts like Rob Salkowitz put the story into a historical and business context, assessing the need for change and the perspective of DC parent company. Other news outlets are still trying to read the tea leaves, but no matter what happens comic creators at every level are going to have to adjust to the new realities DC is responding to and creating.
Additional reading: Are Independent Comics Worth Making if Marvel Stops Publishing?
Major Publishers Invade Kickstarter
August also put a spotlight on major comic book publishers generating major revenue and minor animosity with Kickstarter. While Bleeding Cool points out that crowdfunding has always had space for major creators, the New York Times focused on Hollywood superstars using the platform to create major comic book events. While there are vocal accusations of major publishers displacing independent creators, the reality of crowdfunding is if you have a crowd of your own, you can get funding. If your book has a different audience than Keanu Reeves’ book, his Kickstarter probably won’t impact your efforts at all.
Business
What are the three economic realities of publishing comics?
(GlobalComix)
While managing the finances of your book might not be as exciting as seeing your vision come to life or as inspirational as seeing your book on the shelf of a comic shop, it is a critical aspect of independent publishing that revolves around three basic economic realities.
How do you create a budget for publishing your comic?
(GlobalComix)
Before you sell your house, beg your grandmother for money, or rob a bank to publish your comic, it helps to know how much money you need in the first place. It doesn’t make any sense to spend a lot of time stressing about cash when you don’t have a clear idea of the costs you’re trying to cover
New Ways to Track Comic Book Sales
(Comics Beat)
While good retailers know very closely what their customers will buy, there is still no substitute for sell-through sales data. Now, ICv2 is giving us the Q2 sell-through rankings via ComicHub.
Legal
A Simple Guide to Creative Contracts
(Creative Contract Consulting)
Drafting, negotiating, and signing the contracts for your creative project might take some time and cost you some money, but you'll save money in the long-term and put both you and your book in a better position to succeed.
Opinion
How to Break Into Comics (Video)
Industry Analyst Perch offers one simple (but not easy) method for getting into the comic book industry.
Events
GlobalComix is a digital marketing and distribution platform designed to maximize exposure and revenue for comics of all types and genres. Join the CEO of the company for a free webinar or Tuesday, September 22nd at 8:00 pm Eastern to learn how to use GlobalComix's newest tools to publish, amplify your reach and readership, and get to know your audience.
Special Thanks
Once again, I’d like to thank all the backers for my upcoming book The Business of Independent Comic Book Publishing. Special thanks goes out to my editorial and business team that made the campaign a huge success.
Have fun with your comic
Gamal
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PLEASE NOTE: THIS BLOG POST IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR LEGAL ADVICE. IF YOU HAVE AN ISSUE WITH YOUR COMIC PROPERTY, DISCUSS IT WITH A QUALIFIED CONTRACT ATTORNEY OR CONTACT C3 FOR A FREE CONSULTATION