Part 8/12:
The economic realities for creators are bleak: many talented artists and writers are working harder for less pay, unable to secure future contracts with major publishers, and forced to seek alternative income streams. Crowdfunding success stories like Ethan Van Sciver, Dan Fraga, and others serve as proof of a shift—creators are taking ownership of their work and building audiences outside the traditional system.
Meanwhile, publishers are redirecting resources—some are outsourcing or migrating their content to Webtoon and digital platforms—raising doubts about the future of monthly printed comics. The debt, layoffs, and canceled projects paint a picture of an industry struggling to adapt, or perhaps unwilling to do so.