In my opinion, the biggest story of the year in comics is how the Diamond bankruptcy has thrown indie comics into chaos. Small press publishers and DIY teams are having to find new distribution avenues, and new ways to attract attention; all while the landscape shifts underneath them. What does everyone think the next year will look like for creators and publishers like Vault, Mad Cave and Uncivilized Books?
Some predictions of my own: • Digital-only releases through platforms like Webtoon and GlobalComix will attract more creators that aren't married to the physical issue format. • More publishers that look big from the outside (Dark Horse, IDW etc) will start crowdfunding launches for comics • The new readers who have gotten into comics through the Absolute and Ultimate universe hype will start branching out into indie titles (this one is more of a hope, but hey)
The present and future of indie comics is buying it from the cartoonists' or distros' website/Storenvy/Big Cartel and/or subscribing to their Patreon
At this point, it’s on the fan as much as anything else. They need to support creators. That’s the key to a healthy industry.
The big two will always chase the quick buck fist and foremost. Quality is always second to that. Fans need to stop participating in the variants/event/reboot culture. It’s the Sam thing over and over. Stop chasing the shiny thing.
Spiderman and Batman aren’t going anywhere. But those indie creators won’t stay inn an industry that doesn’t support them.
I definitely agree. It frustrates me how the quality of a comic has so little to do with its success. I suppose that's art in general, right? I'd love for people to be more curious and more active in searching out cool art that's under the radar; it's why I recommend indie and small press comics to anyone who'll listen.
Totally agree with this. Supporting the small creators is the best way to support the indie comics long term. The industry and its creators needs evidence that the indies are worth keeping.
I do not see independent publishers going to the digital format very quickly. They're bread and butter is selling physical comics. Crowdfunding is a possibility, and maybe some of these publishers will make deals with Penguin or Lunar to distribute their comics.
Another thing people don't realize is with Diamond's bankruptcy, several smaller publishers didn't get paid for previous sales. Distribution is one issue, but having money on hand to publish books is the other.
While this is a topic of concern, consider that the trade graphic novel market is considerably bigger than it ever was when I was a child in the 90s. If we want to talk about comics, especially for kids, the “big publishers” are not just DC and Marvel, they are Scholastic, Macmillan, Simon & Shuster, etc. And First:Second has put out as much quality stuff as anybody.
Very true, and the potential for cross-pollination between the book market and direct market isn't talked about enough.
I’ve seen more indie books in store since the diamond collapse tbh
The problem I find running a lcs is the demise of the previews catalog, it makes selling indie comics harder, I order some for the shelf and they don’t sell as regular customers pick up their orders and don’t always pick up new issues.
Diamond was barely an option for indie comics. We got actually got more indie books on shelves with our Indie Comics Book Week event when Diamond had their skip weeks. The requirements to get into Diamond was way outside of the reach for probably 99% of indie comics.
It’s a hard time to be an indie creator! I bounce between work with publishers and crowdfunding my own books, so I’m somewhat involved in both avenues. Crowdfunding as an indie creator is a great choice if you set low expectations and choose a format that allows you to tell your stories economically.
I usually print 6.625 x 10.25 (standard US comic size) in colour, but I’ve recently switched to 5x7.5 (manga sized) black and white and it’s been a great choice. Its helped me continue to offer readers comics at a reasonable rate. So concessions have to be made, but on the flip, it’s never been easier to create and self-publish comics.
I mean I’d love to meet a wealthy comic benefactor who wants their stories told, but until then, I’m having the time of my life making comics and I wouldn’t change it for anything. It’s the best job I’ve ever had and it’s changed a lot in ten years, but it means more to me now than it ever has.
Have you seen much difference in sales between the two sizes?
Ongoing comics are more likely to be digital, but will still get physical trades through Image, Seven Seas, self publishing etc