The Business of Comics for August 31, 2026
Fighting Convention Crime: One of the more disturbing stories that came out of last week’s Anime NYC was a report that several comic creators in artist’s alley were robbed of cash, cameras, merchandise, and even signage. Multiple arrests were reportedly made, but this story reminds us of the challenges of in-person sales. Convention distribution can be a great way for creators and publishers to connect with fans, sell their books, and expand their presence in the industry, but there are costs and concerns that go with getting a table. There are several steps creators can take to limit potential theft, but each one has its own potential complications. You can take only digital payments to avoid having your cash stolen, but many cons don’t have a reliable Wi-Fi signal to process payments. You can have a second person behind the table to manage sales and inventory while you charm the crowd, but then you have to pay for them to attend the show and navigate the limited space behind the table with another person. You can limit the amount of product you put on the table so no one walks off with it, but hiding the items you want people to engage with works more for prints and artwork than it does for comics and merch. Ultimately, creators who table in Artist Alley at any con need to balance the goal of attracting overstimulated readers and discouraging potential thieves.
More and More Manga: HarperCollins has announced it is launching a new manga imprint, Kazé, with the initial lineup of titles for both kids and adults. This is the latest chapter in the expansion of manga in the US, with recent manga imprints coming out of Abrams, Dark Horse, and Mad Cave, and the recent news of the Japanese government funding digital manga expansion in the US market. This isn’t a new trend. Manga began its American rise in the late 1900s, and my first job in comics back then was for an anime and manga publisher here in New York. But in the same way a new independent comic book publisher doesn’t have to create superhero comics trying to compete with Marvel and DC, you also don’t have to make manga or manga-style comics just because they are popular. In most cases, you are better off working in the genre and with the art style that you love rather than just trying to make the type of books that everyone else seems to be making. If you love manga, then by all means make the best ones you can and market them to an ever-increasing audience. But there is a niche for almost every art style and genre. The trick is working in the space that you know best.
AI Invades Webtoon: In a recent announcement that reported a second quarter of declining sales and a larger financial loss overall, WEBTOON is also rolling out multiple AI-driven features for readers and creators. These AI features will reportedly include the ability for readers to build stories using the IP of Webtoon creators who opt into the program. Now, if you’ve been watching this channel for any length of time, you know that comic book creators think AI is the best thing ever (they don’t) and that the mainstream media is constantly reporting about how AI is so helpful to businesses that are losing money (it’s not). But if you are a comic creator with content on Webtoon, or any other digital platform using generative AI, make sure you understand what readers and Webtoon can do with your comics before you move forward, and discuss the ToS with your attorney if you have concerns. You don’t want to wake up one day and find that you gave permission to Webtoon or trolls to infringe on your comics.
Life, Death, and Comics: Roger McKenzie passed away on August 21. He had been dealing with heart failure for several months and died peacefully while in hospice care. McKenzie was known for his work on Daredevil, Ghost Rider, and Captain America, and he was the creator credited with the idea of having Steve Rodgers run for president, which sounds like a really good idea right about now. McKenzie’s death comes at the same time as other high-profile deaths in the entertainment world, including Dolly Parton and Tim Curry. It is in moments like these when I try to remind comic creators of the importance of estate planning. The IP you create, and the revenue streams you develop, may last long after you are gone, so if you want your work to benefit your friends and family, then it is important to have either a will or a trust created for your comic book business. My parents passed away earlier this year, also to heart failure, so I’ll give you some extra tips that I am learning in the process of managing their estate. First, it is not enough to create a will, you have to update it on a periodic basis as your situation changes. If you make your will when you have one comic and no spouse, it won’t be much help if you die with six long-running franchises, a movie deal, a divorce, and three children. Second, whoever is going to handle your comic book business after you are gone needs the contact information for your accountant and your attorney. They should also have some sort of list of the IP you own, the royalties you have coming in, and the payments you have going out. It will also be helpful if they have a way to access your accounts when you take your fingerprint with you to Valhalla. Planning for your death isn’t comfortable or easy, especially when you’ve got responsibilities and deadlines to meet when you are alive, but if you don’t plan for your estate, the government will probably take most of it, and nobody wants that.
Mastering the Art of Comics: Random House Worlds will publish a new guide for comics creators this fall called Marvel’s Mastering the Art of Comics. The book will cover storytelling, character creation, and pitching stories to publishers. The book appears to be in the spirit of classic books from creators like Stan Lee, Scott McCloud, and Will Eisner as well as recent books by Andy Schmidt, Brian Michael Bendis, and Shelly Bond. It is unclear how much of this book will cover the legal and business aspects of comics, but if you can’t find it in that book, you can still read content like this.
Have fun.
Gamal
PLEASE NOTE: THIS BLOG POST IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR LEGAL ADVICE. IF YOU HAVE A CONTENT, LICENSING OR INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY ISSUE, DISCUSS IT WITH YOUR LEGAL ADVISOR OR CONTACT C3 FOR A FREE CONSULTATION.
