Self-Publishing
by Max Mollhagen-Jaksa
Fall 2004

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Self-publishing, in the medium of comic books, is so large a factor that it is almost impossible to confine to a single article. This is a brief overview.

Mini-comics

Many self-publishers use the form of the mini-comic to tell their stories. Mini-comics are most notable for their size (the standard comic book is typically 10 1/4 x 6 5/8 whereas the “standard” mini comic is 5 1/2 x 4 1/4) and for its uniform creative vision. While up to 5-6 people might work on a standard “industry” comic book, the mini-comic typically has a single writer/creator/artist. This can allow for a more unified end product (if well-executed). The other feature of the mini-comic is its production value. Minis can be manufactured by the creator at a local copy shop. This cuts publishing costs in half. Wherever there are comics creators, there are minis. The mini-comic has almost become the unofficial business card of the comics creator.

Full-size Comics

There are many self-publishers who choose the standard comics format as well. The primary drawback of this approach is the cost. Today you could find yourself paying anywhere from $800-$1500 for a thousand 32 pages issues. Prices vary on aspects like color, paper, glossy, etc. The attraction here is a more streamlined “professional” product. Few comics creators have found a wide enough audience through self-publishing to sustain themselves economically. There are those, however, who have defied the odds—like Jeff Smith, Toc Fetch and Dave Sim to name a few. There are also groups and foundations who offer grants to comics self-publishers. For more information visit: www.xericfoundation.com

The Tenaciously Tedius Simple Stories of a Noman, by Toc Fetch | larger
Cover of Bone by Jeff Smith

Web Comics

If there has been a renaissance of comics anywhere in the last five years, it has been on the internet. Suddenly creators are discovering a level playing field. It is just as easy to type “joeschmoe.com” as it is “marvelcomics.com” Suddenly anyone in the world can access your work at a bare minimum of a cost to you. The drawback of the web comic is that while it can establish a huge audience, it is far from lucrative. There are those, however, like Fred Gallagher who has published his strip “Megatokyo” over the web for years, and now people are ordering his books. For more information: www.megatokyo.com

Alternative Companies

There are now a handful of printing companies catering their businesses to small print runs of “professional” looking books. Pricing might go as far as $2 an issue, which is actually quite reasonable considering the print run might be only 10-50 issues. Still a dawning technology, definitely something for the self-publisher to keep his/her eye on. For more information: www.comixpress.com

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