True words. I've been struggling with making comics through Kickstarter since… 2018? And while I'm considered quite successful at it, the reality is it never quite pays for itself. And without a book in the shops, people completely forget who you are and what you've done. (My IMPOSSIBLE JONES book was repackaged and put in shops for a while by Scout Comics, and while I ended that relationship I STILL have people who come up to me who only know IMP through those Scout comics.) If I was smart, or more talented, I would go do commercial art or storyboards or something and my life would be a lot easier (financially, at least). Unfortunately, I really love making comics, and have very little interest in (or marketable skills) for anything beyond that. But like you say: I do it for then JOY. And it does give me a ton of that.
Man -- I look up to you! Super talented and generous; smart and cool. You should be rocking the comix market day & night -- but there's a disconnect. Webcomics are hardly talking to print comics are barely talking to crowdfunded comics. And they all need to rally together. But the system is only set up for print comics. A system I've yet to crack for many obvious reasons.
Webcomics and crowdfunded comics are still laying global tracks in the wild frontier figuring out the best ways to be seen and monetized. A digital tsunami is taking over while we foolishly (and lovingly) desire pulp. Again, this isn't the comment section to solve our problems. Which is why acknowledging the joy of creating comix is important. I may hate the business but I love the medium.
And it shows in all your work, too, Karl. Thanks for that.
The thing Tom Spurgeon unfortunately didn't live to see was the end of Team Comics (his coinage) which is both a good and bad thing. Good for the medium, bad for the fact that all comics have their subset now and there's no way to keep track of it all. I don't think a lot of us would have even been aware of each other in the 90s if not for 'Team Comics'. The narrative that was was once "So you do comics?" is now "What kind of comics do you do?"
Thank you for sharing your insight. As someone trying to scratch a corner of the comics world for myself and feeling like social media is the ball and chain I have to bear... It's nice to see someone with a ton of achievements still enjoying their work and still learning.
Thanks, Shannon. As they say in the entertainment industry, you're only as good as your last effort. Which I take issue with. But since I have no kinda legacy to recommend me, I might as well get a kick out of what I'm doing.
Thanks for sharing your story and your insights! The joy that you have for creating is evident in your work, which is why it’s also a joy to read. Looking forward to 2025!
Thanks for this post. Very relatable to most cartoonists. I've been feeling that exact same doubts. Luck isn't a business plan that's for sure, but what feeds one's soul has to have a value worth more than money. I guess the trick is too somehow getting others to see and invest in that soulful enrichment? A perpetual problem for the artist.
Patronage and communication is key. It's hard to create new stuff on a daily/weekly/monthly basis. Some projects take a year or more (or longer). It's difficult to manage accountability. But we do what we can. And if you're committed to your cause and you show up to your own party -- people who like you and like what you do will follow and help. I believe in this exchange. I do it for others and others do it for me.
IN 2025 DEAN WILL BE SEEN
True words. I've been struggling with making comics through Kickstarter since… 2018? And while I'm considered quite successful at it, the reality is it never quite pays for itself. And without a book in the shops, people completely forget who you are and what you've done. (My IMPOSSIBLE JONES book was repackaged and put in shops for a while by Scout Comics, and while I ended that relationship I STILL have people who come up to me who only know IMP through those Scout comics.) If I was smart, or more talented, I would go do commercial art or storyboards or something and my life would be a lot easier (financially, at least). Unfortunately, I really love making comics, and have very little interest in (or marketable skills) for anything beyond that. But like you say: I do it for then JOY. And it does give me a ton of that.
Joy to you, Dean, this Holiday season.
Man -- I look up to you! Super talented and generous; smart and cool. You should be rocking the comix market day & night -- but there's a disconnect. Webcomics are hardly talking to print comics are barely talking to crowdfunded comics. And they all need to rally together. But the system is only set up for print comics. A system I've yet to crack for many obvious reasons.
Webcomics and crowdfunded comics are still laying global tracks in the wild frontier figuring out the best ways to be seen and monetized. A digital tsunami is taking over while we foolishly (and lovingly) desire pulp. Again, this isn't the comment section to solve our problems. Which is why acknowledging the joy of creating comix is important. I may hate the business but I love the medium.
And it shows in all your work, too, Karl. Thanks for that.
Happy holidays and mazel tov bro!
XOXO
The thing Tom Spurgeon unfortunately didn't live to see was the end of Team Comics (his coinage) which is both a good and bad thing. Good for the medium, bad for the fact that all comics have their subset now and there's no way to keep track of it all. I don't think a lot of us would have even been aware of each other in the 90s if not for 'Team Comics'. The narrative that was was once "So you do comics?" is now "What kind of comics do you do?"
"Team Comics" would make a great book title and subject.
Thank you for sharing your insight. As someone trying to scratch a corner of the comics world for myself and feeling like social media is the ball and chain I have to bear... It's nice to see someone with a ton of achievements still enjoying their work and still learning.
Thanks, Shannon. As they say in the entertainment industry, you're only as good as your last effort. Which I take issue with. But since I have no kinda legacy to recommend me, I might as well get a kick out of what I'm doing.
Dean Dean the musical dude. The more you read, the more you're good. Dean is awesome and real, that's why we read Dean at every meal!
Sing it!
Thanks, man.
Happy Holidays Dean:)
XOXO
Thanks for sharing your story and your insights! The joy that you have for creating is evident in your work, which is why it’s also a joy to read. Looking forward to 2025!
Much obliged, Devin!
Thanks for this post. Very relatable to most cartoonists. I've been feeling that exact same doubts. Luck isn't a business plan that's for sure, but what feeds one's soul has to have a value worth more than money. I guess the trick is too somehow getting others to see and invest in that soulful enrichment? A perpetual problem for the artist.
Patronage and communication is key. It's hard to create new stuff on a daily/weekly/monthly basis. Some projects take a year or more (or longer). It's difficult to manage accountability. But we do what we can. And if you're committed to your cause and you show up to your own party -- people who like you and like what you do will follow and help. I believe in this exchange. I do it for others and others do it for me.
Great advice! Thanks.
Love this. And/but the A.I. voiceover is delightfully disconcerting! Happy Holidays and Happy New Year back atcha. ❤️
Thanks, Joan! xox
But, um...what A.I. voiceover?