Are independent comic book creators selling out?

[Calhoun07]

In Chasing Amy, we see hatred directed towards Marvel Comics with a certain T shirt prominetly shown at the comic book convention. I don't think I can really say what the shirt says on the all ages board, but it's Marvel Can Suck blah blah blah. In contrast to this, Michael Allred seems to be the main indy creator featured (by his art, not on screen) to offer an alternative world to the world of Marvel Comics.

Now Allred is drawing for Marvel. As well are other creators previously known exclusively for their independent works in comics. And I read Bizzaro Comics from DC today, the hard back collection of comics, and it also features many indenpendet cartoonists giving their take on the DC heroes. I love all these comics, and can't get enough of them, but I miss Allred's Atomics, and Mad Man. And I wonder how much time some of these other creators will have to devote to independent comics now that Marvel is paying for their art?

Have these indy creators sold out? They are now under the work-for-hire contract now, unless Marvel and DC radically changed over night, and I doubt that. I some how can't shake the feeling that some of them have sold out. I love the new comics, I want more, but at what price do we get these new comics?

[I.R Joey]

Well innovation is often sacrficed because this and every industry is all about the $$$$.

[Calhoun07]

Yeah, everybody has to make a living. I dunno who here read Hepcats, but it was a great series, but died an untimely death. The creatore of it could barely make $10,000 a year on his work, and had to throw in the towel. Now he is doing story boards for movies. I suppose these independent comic book creators want to put food on their table too.

As for innovation....I think they are maintaining it. What I saw in Bizzaro Comics, at least, was very innovative and wonderfully great to read.

[Leaping Larry Jojo]

I dunno...but it seems to me the whole comics industry is trying to help one another instead of competing these days. As you know, the comics industry is just coming out of a bad slump...and many people in the industry want to help keep things afloat, even ones with a corporate agenda (well, Marvel can't be called a huge corporation anymore...it's pretty small now)

Also, as was said...at the present time, the industry isn't ripe for creator owned series. At the present time, only the main superhero titles and manga sell. When the industry is booming again, then you will see a shift in that indie area.

[Calhoun07]

I wonder if anybody else is crossing over from the indy comics to the mainstream comics now that Marvel (and DC to a limited extent) are using more indy talent than ever before.

I think the most interesting thing I had heard is that Marvel tried to get Robert Crumb to draw Spider Man! Could you imagine that?