Write for Comics for Love, not Money
Competition is Tough, Dollars are Scarce in Comics-Writing Business
Comic book companies are hiring celebrity writers such as Kevin Smith, Anita Blake and Stephen King to write scripts for their books. Movie studios are snatching up even the most obscure comic-book heroes -- the Punisher or Elektra, anyone? -- and making major feature films about their exploits. Comics are more literate than ever, and they're increasingly gaining a reputation as "real" art.
No wonder that so many writers are so eager to break into the field.
Not only are comics more respected, they're also a blast to write. There are things writers can do in the comics medium -- with timing, pacing and suspense -- that they just can't do in any other prose form.
It's too bad, then, that there's so little money to be made for comics writers, especially those who can't draw.
The Bad News
The comics industry is dominated by two players, Marvel and DC. These companies are also one of the rare birds in the comics industry that also pay real, living wages to their writers. Writers can make solid earnings by writing for Marvel and DC.
Too bad, then, that it's virtually impossible for writers new to the comics industry to break into either of these companies. Marvel and DC both can pick their writers from the very top of the comics industry. They don't need to waste their time working with newer, less proven writers.
Yes, it is possible for writers to send a pitch to either company, or to hand a proposal to an editor from them at a convention, that is so amazing that they'll get hired on the spot. That is possible. Is it probable, though. Not at all.
Writers' best bet, especially, of course, if they have no professional drawing skills, is to seek work at one of the smaller, independent comics companies. Unfortunately, these companies are struggling through the recession. And even in the good times, few of them actually paid any upfront money. Most independents pay writers and creators on the back end, providing them with a share of the profits made by their comics. These profits, though, are often zero.
The Web has made publishing comics easier than ever. However, very few comics creators have figured out a way to make money from publishing Web comics.
An Expensive Proposition
Many creators prefer to go it alone, and create and sell their own comics without going through an established publisher. That's often a good bet. But, again, profits are hard to come by.
For one thing, writers will have to either hire an entire creative team -- penciler, inker, colorist and letterer -- or find one willing to work for free. The artists willing to work for free are generally not yet at a professional level. Hiring an art team can cost thousands of dollars for a single 22-page comic.
Next comes the marketing. Writers may have completed the greatest comic in history. But if no one reads it, that matters little. Writers must then spend significant time and effort, and sometimes money, on promoting their works.
Why Do It?
Given all this, why would anyone want to write for the comics industry? There's one big positive: It's fun.
Many comics writers keep their day jobs or tackle other freelance projects on the side. They write comics because they have a passion for the industry, not because they want to make money at it.
It is possible to make some money in the comics industry. It won't happen quickly, though. And it might never happen.
This is something that freelance writers will have to keep in mind as they attempt to break into the "funny books" business.
Writing for comics
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