I wonder if anyone else has noticed this, but you pick up any Marvel book now and their are like 4 or even 5 editors in the credits. Yet only one listed writer and the art team.

Something just seems wrong when a book has that many editors have a hand in the process. And since their are so many event driven books and conferences that take place. I wonder for the writer, just how much of it is them calling the show in their books? And what percent is editorial making changes and steering the direction of the books?

I guess that’s why a guy like JMS has to leave a book. Especially when editorial starts calling way to many shots and plans, and the writer has had enough.

I think over at Marvel especially, the editors are driving the show and the books. And the writer is their to just follow the plan of the editors and is of secondary consequence.

Now as publisher Marvel is certainly in their right to control the books. But as a writer who wants to express their ideas, I can see why some people would get frustrated and not like what their writing or decide to leave the book if they can get a better offer.

With comic book prices going up to $3.99 and no doubt going up more in the future. I wonder will there be even less reader willingness to buy new book properties?

Or will, for example people who buy superhero comics, only stick with superhero comics. In particular the superhero comics they know.

Is their less of a willingness to by new books with new characters from other publishers?

I wonder how this effects start up companies?

The price increase to $3.99 brings up another factor to consider. Now that the retailer, even with their discount is paying more. And they have a limited budget every month. Guess which books will get axed?

The price increase will help further to let the big two companies all but dominate the market. And while books like Chew or the Walking Dead may be great. At the end of the day comic books are also a business. And the numbers don’t lie.

And while some people may be tired or even hate the superhero market. Again just look at what sells at the top every month. Look at what people are buying. Those numbers don’t lie.

If your not working for the big two companies, or run a creator owned book that sells good enough to bring a profit. It sure does seem tough for comic creators to make a full time income on comic book work only.

I was in the bookstore and saw the book: Kirby King of Comics by Mark Evanier. While I was there, I read some of it. It’s a great book and at $40 cover price, though you can get it cheaper online, it is worth buying. Good job by Mark Evanier, from what I read.
:-)
I’ll probably get this some day, but as it is I got a big list of other books I hope to buy first. So Ugghh it’ll have to wait.

Reading this book though it made me think on a topic, the writer did not outright say. But from my own thoughts I use an example, and that is: You have to watch your own finances! I’ll get to what I mean in a minute.

With Kirby it’s stated, that basically his whole career, from the start of it until the end, he was from what I gather worrying about having enough money to pay next months rent and mortgage bills.

A great example was in the 70’s when Kirby was back at Marvel, he was getting a page rate for the Captain America book, that was almost the same as he made decades ago. It was like he returned full circle in terms of his financial cycle. Or that, for the most part it didn’t change.

Here is Kirby, arguably by the 70’s one of the most talented and respected creators in the comic book medium. And yet the guy is still worrying about paying the bills and his mortgage. And yet, the characters and stories he made, or helped make are bringing in hundreds or even millions of dollars annually.

Are you sensing that something is not right here?
My guesses are: In the law of what you think about most becomes your reality. And how your beliefs shape your world.

It basically states, what you deep down believe is what you’ll get. Kirby came from an era where all he knew and grew up with was financial struggle and that you lived from one pay check to the next months paycheck. And that you had a mortgage to pay off.

And you know what? That’s exactly what he got. He lived by the next paycheck and worrying where he would get it. I think deep down this belief was in him and a big reason why he never achieved financial freedom and a well off income.

I also believe that it’s a great example that: Despite your talent in a field, it is up to you to watch out for your financial income and what you make.

If you are not thinking long term about your financial stake, you will end up living from one paycheck to the next.

Just because you have great creative talent, in whatever field you are in, if you are not wise enough to learn the skills of good finance. All the talent in the world, will not make you rich and financially well, if you don’t think long term about building your income.

This is a lesson I indirectly thought of and learned from reading this book.

Kirby was a truly great creative guy that influenced the comics medium in America, he should have been a multi millionaire. But he wasn’t.

The lesson for me is:

1. Where you deep down belive where you belong financially, is where you will end up.

2. All the talent in the world will not make you rich, unless you properly think long term and plan out how to grow your income. Get advice, check your rights in whatever contract you sign. And that lack of financial knowledge will cost you.