Indy Comics Writer

I’ve been writing for comics publishers for about two years now. I’ve had some success. One independent publisher has hired me to write four series, one of which, GEARZ, has already been published. I’ve also had four short stories accepted by anthology publishers, been hired to rewrite an artist/writer’s comic and wrote a graphic adaptation of Jules Vernes’ 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea for another publisher.

But with all this, I’ve not made nearly enough money. Most of my income comes from my non-fiction freelance writing. If I had to survive on comics, I wouldn’t even be able to afford Ramen noodles.

That leads me to this interesting story at the Pulse, a Web site covering comics. It’s an interview with Darren Davis, head of Bluewater Comics, the company that I’ve written four mini-series for.

In the interview Darren — who is one of the nicest guys you’ll ever meet in the comics business — bemoans the state of the comics industry. Specifically, he worries about the future of independent comics. No one’s buying them, he points out. And Bluewater itself has had to cancel several promising series because sales just weren’t high enough. He wonders how any independent can ever make a profit.

What do you think? Is it possible for an independent comics publisher to succeed today? I know some have, but the success stories such as Image and Dark Horse are few and far between.

Whether you agree with Davis or not, his interview certainly provides some food for thought.