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The SKTCHD and Off Panel End of 2022 Chat-stravaganza
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AvatarDavid Harper
9:57
Thanks to everyone for joining me for the first ever SKTCHD and Off Panel live chat! I have zero idea if this will actually be an occasional replacement for the Mailbags or just a one time thing, but it seemed like a fun variation at the very least!
9:58
We're going to kick it off here in a second, but I figured I might as well mention: there was a very good podcast with writer Kieron Gillen that dropped the day after Christmas, and I think you'll really enjoy it if you missed it. There's a fun variation on my Ten Things column dropping tomorrow, before next week starts taking a macro look at the industry in a very me way to kick off the year. Lots of good stuff coming!
9:59
Anyways, to the chat!
Handsome Dan
10:00
If you were a sandwich, which one would it be?
AvatarDavid Harper
10:01
Probably a Club! It's a lot like my writing. Very tasty, probably too many ingredients and sort of the over the top, but it all works out in the end.
Rich Wojcicki
10:01
given the recent pushes for comics unions and top tier talents leaving major labels for substacks: How do you feel about an artist or writers ability to make a living singularly in comics these days? Are these new formats leading to better possibilities for creators to ‘make it’? Or is the ‘using comics as a launching point for other mediums (film, tv, animation)’ method still seen the more lucrative way for creators to earn a living. Not talkin Kirkman $$, just “hey I have health insurance and I can still afford my weekly pull list” $
AvatarDavid Harper
10:01
We'll take this bit by bit, because it's a lot.
10:03
In regards to the ability to live singularly off comics, I'm pretty uneasy about it. Stagnant page rates pair poorly with inflation and economic uncertainty, as do publishers simply not paying people. Unless you're the tippy top of comic creators, it feels like it might be harder than just about ever to exclusively be a comic creator.
10:04
Granted, there are opportunities today that help support that - Patreon, Ko.fi, whatever else there is - and there are other ways to fund your work, whether that's Kickstarter or Zoop or whatever, but that turns your life into an eternal hustle. Some are cut out for that, but others aren't. And those are also not just comics, like we're talking about.
10:05
I think there are new opportunities to get your work out there and new ways to find a higher ceiling, but it also feels like the odds on reaching those are lower than previously despite the opportunity being there. It's a very tough environment, even if many are making it work.
10:07
As for the using comics as a jump off to other mediums, I think that's the dream, but from what I understand, option money isn't nearly what it once was, and betting on your project becoming something bigger in this adaptation environment is a tough one. It's a way to raise your potential ceiling as a creator, but again, its chances are a bit muted these days, I feel. It's a nice value-add, though!
Mike Lanuzo
10:07
Couple of NBA Questions for you.

How was Jazz Spurs?
SGA is a top x player this season?
The east has 4 clear all-star front court players in Embiid, Giannis, Durant, and Tatum, but only three spots for starting. Who doesn't start?
AvatarDavid Harper
10:08
Jazz/Spurs was great! It was a very fun game with zero offense and we had great seats. Very little to complain about there!
SGA = Top 15? It's hard to put someone averaging 31.5 points lower than that. The guy is unbelievable. I previously compared him to Spider-Man and I feel like I might be underrating him! But there's also a ton of great players out there.
10:10
East All-Stars: I've actually thought about this a lot, and it might be Giannis, which seems crazy? Tatum is a lock. So is Embiid. That makes it Durant vs. Giannis. I'd say simply because the Bucks are better and Giannis leads him in key stats, I'd go Giannis, but that's such a tough choice.
Cameron
10:10
With all the upheaval in social media these days do you get a sense from retailers about whether or not social media presence actually has a tangible impact on sales for creators? Or do you personally find that a creator's social media or "personal brand" influences your willingness to check out their work? Or the degree to which you support that creator?
AvatarDavid Harper
10:11
I've actually talked to a number of people in comics about this subject, and it's something I always meant to write about but have never made happen.
10:12
My understanding has always been that social media can impact Kickstarters, Substacks, Patreons, and digital comics tremendously (and immediately), but direct market comics, the impact is murky.
And that's not a new thing. I had someone working at a top publisher tell me that what's hot on Twitter has rarely been what sells.
10:13
So there's always been a gap there. The upheaval on Twitter and the scattering of everyone to the winds undoubtedly has not helped.
10:14
That said, I will say, the presence of someone can make me pay more attention to their work. A great example is Liana Kangas, who I only discovered because someone tweeted me to visit Liana at ECCC, and since, I've been constantly astonished by Liana's efforts. That has led to me supporting in a real way.
I'd say it's a net positive for creators in some way, even today, but it isn't the silver bullet solution some look at it as for selling comics. Unless it's on Kickstarter or something you can immediately buy (or it's on social media itself)!
Brandon Schatz
10:15
For what it is worth, I can quantify many instances through out the year of a creator's social and branding endevours that translates directly into sales. Though I will say, retailers who aren't great at socials or branding themselves don't usually see a positive impact.
AvatarDavid Harper
10:16
There's another take on social media from Brandon, someone who is way smarter than me (and owns a great comic shop)!
Brian KQ
10:16
If you were 18 again, and had to pick a college to attend in 2023, what would you pick?
AvatarDavid Harper
10:17
There's a lot of context that would change my decision (I went to school with my four best friends from high school primarily to do just that), but if I was deciding purely for academic reasons, I'd probably make a different decision.
10:18
100% somewhere with warmer weather and better sports. San Diego State!
Or no college. That would be a real possibility.
Brandon Schatz
10:18
I've long thought the single issue format needs to change if the stories are to survive. The change over to $4.99 for a regular sized comic has already started, and I think might end up being industry standard by the end of 2023.
AvatarDavid Harper
10:19
There isn't really a question here, but I tend to agree with Brandon. I could see $4.99 being a constant by this time next year.
10:20
That door has been opened, and publishers are always waiting for doors to be opened, it feels.
That said, in regards to format, I tend to think some evolution is necessary, and we're already seeing it. I do wonder how much that splintering has impacted how success is determined. It's not as clear cut as it once was!
10:21
Question for the peanut gallery: for those still on Twitter, how often do you click the wrong button on a tweet because you're used to the way things were before they started showing reach on tweets? My answer is 100% of the time.
Alex Chung
10:21
I'd really have to change my buying habits if regular comics are $4.99. I might have to start shifting more books to Marvel Unlimited and DC Universe.
AvatarDavid Harper
10:21
I'm with Alex. $4.99 might push me towards those platforms even more.
10:22
Speaking of...
Elliot Metz
10:22
What's your assessment of the current state of the "buffet" apps (Marvel Unlimited and DC Universe) right now - and where they're headed moving forwards? Personally I'm loving DC's "ULTRA" option that gives access to comics a month after release. Hoping Marvel does something similar.
AvatarDavid Harper
10:24
I think they're both in a great place. If you're a non-Wednesday Warrior with no history in the medium and you're deciding between buying print comics and one of those, why would you ever choose single issue comics?
That's a great place to be in.
10:25
That said, I don't think the reduction of the release window is as meaningful overall as it might seem. For one, until it's day-and-date, it isn't going to replace the typical comics experience in a real way.
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