Steve Niles Talks Creator-Owned Comics

A few days ago comic creator, and monster maker, Steve Niles wrote a piece on creator-owned comics and the future of the industry. Little did he know that his message would spread throughout the internet like a wild fire. Over the past years, months and days we've come across various rants or explanations from a number of comic creators on this topic and their ideal construction of the industry, but Steve Niles does it a little differently and remains completely positive and hopeful in his thoughts and creates an easily supported campaign. Listed below is his original post in its entirety:

"Some of you may have noticed my pushing creator-owned comics harder than usual recently, so I thought I’d take a moment to clarify my thoughts.

First off, this is in no way an anti-Marvel or anti-DC thing. Those are great publishers to work for if you can find the work. DC has always been good to me. I’ve done a couple things at Marvel. I just want to set the record straight, for myself at least, that I do not believe we have to tear down the Big Two to find a place in comics. Mainly, like many creators, I’ve tried to make my living doing books I’ve created myself or with collaborators. Creator-owned comics like Criminal Macabre, 30 Days of Night, Edge of Doom and Mystery Society.

As we are all aware, the comics business isn’t in the best shape. We can speculate and blame a million reasons from changing technology to a lack of interest in the mainstream, but blame to me is a waste of time. There are problems to be addressed of course, but that’s another topic. All I’m saying is, it’s tough out there right now.

I remember when I worked with Eclipse Comics back in the 1800’s. I got a call from the publisher saying we might have to cancel a series because orders came in at only 70 thousand. Today, those kinds of sales are reason for cartwheels. There are some great comics being published but they just aren’t selling the numbers they used to. That’s just a fact.

All I’m doing lately is attempting to call attention to creator-owned books.  I think plain and simple, things are going to get even tougher out there and we have to find our place. Personally I believe there is severe lack of cooperation among creators. There’s a very dog-eat-dog mentality in comics sometimes and I think all we harm in the end is ourselves. 

My simplistic solution right now is to support as many of my fellow creators as possible. We just don’t have access to publicity budgets, so simple grassroots networking can help us all a great deal. 

For example, on Twitter, every time I see a fellow creator who I’m following post a review, preview or sales information, I hit Re-Tweet. This isn’t anything revolutionary, but it is a simple, fast way to show support and maybe get the information in front of somebody who might be interested. At the same time let’s NOT do things like bombard creators Facebook pages with posts about our books or tag them in our art. That's like throwing a brick through somebody's window to meet them. There’s a fine line between shameless self-promotion and being really annoying. 

We can debate the shit out of every last point I’ve written. That’s just what we do these days. God knows I’ve jumped into a few myself online and every time I feel like crap afterwards no matter what the outcome. I’m just tired of all the fighting.

So yeah, that’s really all: support creator-owned comics. It’s that simple. As we bounce between print and digital over the next few years, helping each other when possible will only help solve the problems we’re facing. Comics and Hollywood have had a good relationship over the last decade, but we can’t just rely on the superheroes to save the day. The big 2 movies have been great, but there have also been an amazing amount of quality films made from creator-owned books.

Straight up, we have diversity on our side. Let’s use it. Let’s spread the word.

It’s not going to be easy. We have to figure out new ways to get material out to the public, learn new ways to reach and sell directly to fans. We’re going to have to be creative, supportive and very DIY sometimes, but I think it will be worth it. Things are changing. We can adapt or fade away. I think we can not only adapt but survive and thrive.

And one more thing since I’m being all preachy and shit.

Can I say something I’ve wanted to say for a long time? If you like something, tell your friends. If you love it, tell the world. But if you hate something, just throw it away, don’t buy it again and move on. We spend way too much time tearing shit down. I just want to try the other direction for a while."

_______________________

He later added an appreciative follow-up message here. Niles also just added this update.