As an comic creator, where do you go once you've burned your bridges with DC and Marvel over their treatment of fellow comic-creators? If you're Chris Roberson, you take your creator-owned comic line (Monkeybrain Comics) and go digital exclusively on comiXology.
From ICv2.com:
Roberson cited Image as an inspiration, and said that he doesn’t see what Monkeybrain’s doing as competition, but is “…trying to add one more avenue for creator-owned comics.” He also noted that Image is constrained by the “harsh realities” associated with its commitment to print publishing. Monkeybrain differs from Image in that it will only handle projects for which neither the writer nor the artist are doing work for hire (i.e., it would not handle comics for which a writer hires an artist who does not share in the copyright).Monkeybrain is serving only as a digital publisher; print rights remain with the creators.
Now, I'm the kind of guy who hates it when two factions set an agenda that makes it hard for the competition to shine through (be it Marvel/DC, Coke/Pepsi, or Democrats/Republicans), so of course I'm going to love this idea. But will I buy the books? There's a preview of each book in the 5-title digital line here, but none of them seem to be my cup of tea. Still, I may pick up October Girl, just to see what the hook is - and support Roberson's attempt to help out the little guys. Happy Independents Day.
I'm off tomorrow - see you back here Thursday for more fun.
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