Marvel and DC comics have a problem on their hands as their big name talent leave for greener pastures leaving Marvel and DC struggling to survive. With DC comics ending exclusive contracts for their writers and artists, both Marvel and DC comics ending their distribution deal with Diamond(Marvel ends their deal in October), both companies telling their artists pencils down during the Pandemic, and drastically reducing the number of titles they are producing, writers and artists are finding new ways to make an income. Enter Substack. James Tynion IV, current Batman writer, Scott Snyder, and Skottie Young, are moving to Substack to produce new original content.
It Makes Sense Why Established Creators Are Leaving Marvel and DC
Substack started as a paid subscription newsletter service 4 years ago. It has evolved since then to allow for creators and writers to get their content into their fans’ mailbox for a fee. With the hire of James Tynion IV, Scott Snyder, and Skottie Young, Substack is hoping to gain more subscription paying fans for creator owned comics. With subscription streaming as popular as it is, Substack might have grabbed on to something potentially lucrative for both the creator and Substack. With no more exclusive contracts, and pittance royalties comic creators make, for the work they produce for DC, Marvel, and their respective movie studios, it makes sense why these big name creators are leaving the big 2. But I don’t think it’s Substack that will be DC and Marvel’s downfall. Substack is just another symptom of a deeper problem DC and Marvel have that’s been going on for at least the last five years and is also not the only competition that DC and Marvel Have.
SJW’s and Identity Politics Forced Creators to Leave Marvel and DC
With Indiegogo and Kickstarter, we have seen big names such as Ethan Van Sciver, Shane Davis, Andy Smith, Aaron Lopresti, Graham Nolan, and Billy Tucci have very lucrative campaigns that see them making more money, for their creations, than they would have at the big 2. So why are these big names leaving Marvel and DC? Some, like James Tynion IV and Scott Snyder are leaving because they are unsure of the stability of Marvel and DC, and others like Ethan Van Sciver, Shane Davis, Graham Nolan, and Andy Smith left because they saw DC and Marvel being taken over by SJW’s that were injecting woke politics into well established characters and the work environment. This has turned many fans and readers off who have completely stopped buying anything new that comes out of Marvel and DC. That is, in my opinion, the biggest problem both publishing companies have. When you race swap, gender swap, or sexuality swap, a well established character, you are advertising that you don’t care about the fans or why they are buying your books. DC and Marvel comic book sales aren’t exactly lighting the comic book industry on fire right now, and is also why back issue sales are through the roof. And when you have DC saying they are going to have 53 Batman titles, what does that say about your creativeness when you have to rely on the one character that actually produces for you.
Substack vs DC and Marvel
Substack might do well, initially, with their comic creator subscription service, but I don’t see the longevity over the long haul. Substack might also be able to get some fans of those established creators on board and cause DC and Marvel to panic a little bit. (quite frankly, I think DC has been panicking for a while now). But, overall, most comic book fans are collectors and love to hold a comic book in their hand. What Substack is offering is a one and done digital format for comics like Comixology that doesn’t have any repeat value. But, if they can have their creators produce new quality content, then maybe it will succeed and the fans will want more. Crowd funding seems the way to go because it offers fans original content, from established creators, that know what the fans want and don’t interject their political biases. By doing this, they have provided a collectibility which will see repeat customers from a loyal fan base.
Digital Comics Are Not The Wave of The Future
DC and Marvel have been digging their own grave for some time now and Substack emerging as potential competition is no surprise. Crowdfunding, as well, doesn’t get nearly the respect or credit it deserves, but has been proven a worthy competitor that is carving away a big piece of the comic book pie. Substack will be just another format for fans to get their comic book entertainment from and Substack should be applauded for it. But will it be something the fans will be spending their money on 10 or 20 years from now? Probably not. There’s nothing like holding a comic book in your hand, that you can go back to over and over again, and compare that to a digital comic book that will be read once and sit in the forgotten ether.
Related: The Race and Gender Swap Addiction
