The Comics Business Starts 2026 with Seismic Shifts Across the Industry

The Business of Comics Podcast is back from vacation, where nothing happened except a major shift across the comic book industry. If you’d like to see the full podcast, you can find the link here.

Not So Good News

What Does Netflix Buying Warner Bros. Mean for DC Comics? (Comics Beat) “As long as movies, series, and animation based on DC Comics characters make money, DC Comics, the idea factory, will have a place doing something somewhere.” 

If Netflix was a potential destination for comic book-related media (and that perception was questionable as the maybe movie model), the likelihood that they will be looking for comics related material after they own some of the biggest properties in the history of comics is unlikely.

The key for independents is to look to emerging forms of media exploitation and away from streamers like Netflix.

 Diamond Moves to Chapter 7 Liquidation (Comics Beat) This may be the final nail in the coffin of Diamond, but another strange twist in the story wouldn’t be surprising after everything that happened in 2025.

Independents should have already pivoted away from Diamond and consider alternative distribution in 2026 and beyond.

Disney Closes a Licensing Deal with OpenAI (CNN) Disney might not consider an AI licensing deal a threat to creators, but Disney has never been a champion of creator-ownership, so this isn’t a shocking revelation.

It is a reminder that if you work for Marvel as a freelance creator, assume your work will become part of Open AI and don’t expect any compensation unless it is specifically stated in your agreement.

Page Rates Continue to Stagnate (Comics Beat) I broke down in earlier videos how making a living purely off of page rates alone isn’t financially viable. There are ways to generate additional money that didn’t exist twenty years ago, but they require more business hustle than creative skill.

Derivative Characters Fail to Generate Any Royalties (Comics Beat) One of my more popular videos from last year made the point that Marvel doesn’t need your original characters. This story reinforces that point. Marvel and DC don’t offer fame and fortune. You can get fame (comic book famous), and you’ll get the rate they offer you, but your fortune will have to come from somewhere else.  

Good News

Webtoon Expands the Creator Programs (Financial Post) We’ll have to see what the new features of WT are and how they compare to the current deal, but in the wake of Diamond’s demise, it makes sense for independents to at least consider this distribution channel, if only as a marketing tool for their crowdfunding and print distribution.

Comic Industry Jobs Available in January (Popverse) As with any job you consider, both inside and outside of comics, pay attention to the IP clause in the potential employment agreement because some employers try to claim ownership of any IP that you develop while you’re working for the company, regardless if it is related to their business or if you do it on your own time.

Sony Buys Majority Stake in Charlie Brown Franchise (Comics Beat) This is a clear example of how a legacy IP like Charlie Brown can generate significant income long after the creator is dead.

As an independent, it helps to have a will or trust created and to consider including your IP and any ongoing royalties you get from your comics in your estate, even if it’s not making any money right now.

Younger Generations Embracing Comics (BBC) This suggests the analog trend being reported among Gen Z and Gen Alpha is impacting comics as well. This is good news if you want to get into print, but remember that print distribution has several challenges involved in it, especially when you consider the death of Diamond and the hoops you have to jump through to reach the younger demographics of readers.

Comics Industry Forecasts for 2026 (ICV2) I do agree there are going to be opportunities in tapping into social media influencer licensing, live selling on TikTok, print on demand for crowdfunding and niche titles, but each of these moves comes with their own legal and business risks, so independents are going to have to figure out what makes sense for their comics and what contract terms they can live with, all while making great comics.

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.