Comics creators, editors, and fans were taking to Twitter utilizing the hashtag #ComicsBrokeMe late Saturday night into Sunday to share their experiences in comics. Most used the hashtag to share their negative experiences in making comics, be it low wages, unfair deadlines, and the health toll of drawing for hours on end. As of this writing, there were over 4,500 tweets utilizing the #ComicsBrokeMe hashtag.
Some industry leaders, longtime creators, and new creatives all shared stories. It’s worth checking out on Twitter, as it is enlightening for each of their stories but also reveals how difficult it is to make a living in the industry.
The hashtag got started by Eisner & Ignatz-winning cartoonist Shivana Sookdeo, who tweeted their experience working on a graphic novel for three years. The pay was so low they had to take up a second job on top of freelance work.
you know what, fuck it time to trend #ComicsBrokeMe
what happened to you in comics, esp if you left it? https://t.co/p9EvvEvxn7
— shivana (@toastasaurus) June 10, 2023
Some creators called for unionization, which would be hard but not impossible. In any event, sharing stories like this will help fans of creators and comics understand the unfair treatment and low wages most face in the comics industry. At its core, these creators are sharing these truths because they love comics and making comics, but the industry doesn’t support their passion back.
Comic shop owner Ryan Higgins shared the bitter truth of the industry, in that a big problem is how comics are inexpensive, and due to the low price, selling more units is the only way to generate reasonable profits. He agrees creators should be paid more but states there’s not enough money.
My #ComicsBrokeMe comment is this: They are too cheap and don't sell enough to make anyone money, except those at the top. Look at IDW, Oni, Aftershock, and the literally thousands of publishers out of business before them. It's either dollars or units that need to increase.
— Ryan Higgins (@RyanHigginsRyan) June 11, 2023
Higgins’ point brings to my mind a lingering “solution” offered over the years: reducing the number of single-issue series and moving to a graphic novel format. As we’ve seen with booming manga sales, it could work. The single-issue format has existed for so long, though, with comic shop owners relying on their influx of new issues each week.
I highly recommend you scroll through Twitter, reading as many personal accounts as possible. Not only is it revealing since most of these stories are unknown, but maybe with enough voices heard, something can be done to help make this industry viable for creators of all popularities and styles.
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