[Op-Ed] Comic Artists Don’t Deserve More Money

If you’re struggling to figure out how to make money as an artist, I’m sorry to be the bearer of bad news. No, you don’t deserve more money.

Why?

It’s simple. You decide how much you ask for your art. The market decides how much your art is worth.

Since the market has the money, the market will determine how much you get.

These are basic business principles that everyone should understand, so if you’re an artist who intends to survive from the money you make from your art, you must, must, must understand this point.

To make more money, you must make art the market is willing to fork over the cash to buy.

Two Extremes

I was reminded of this principle in action by two recent examples that sit on opposite ends of the cash-for-art spectrum.

First, Jim Lee.

Regardless of anyone’s feelings about how Jim Lee is currently managing DC Comics (not well), Lee is rightly considered a legendary artist. From his iconic work at Marvel to the co-founding of Image Comics and the creation of Wildstorm, it’s hard to argue with Jim Lee’s place in comics history.

Recently, Lee raised a few eyebrows when his commission prices were made public.

The reaction from assorted artists and editors in the Comics Industry ranged from “He’s taking money away from other artists who need it more” to “He deserves every penny.”

In reality, Jim Lee charges those prices because he can, and the market believes the value of his work is worth it. If collectors and art enthusiasts didn’t believe the value of Jim Lee’s work was worth as much as he was charging, they wouldn’t pay those prices.

It really is that simple.

On the other end of the spectrum is Jen Bartel.

For those unfamiliar with Bartel’s work, she’s most recently known for drawing a series of She-Hulk covers in the short-lived, rebooted, and canceled again Rainbow Rowell run.

Bartel took to social media over the last few days lamenting the low money she received on her Marvel work, particularly with the re-use of Marvel SNAP cards, and that her attempts to “get a raise” have fallen on deaf ears.

(“Get a raise” is in quotes because Bartel is an independent contractor, not an in-house employee of Marvel.)

There’s no delicate way to explain why Bartel isn’t making more money, so it’s best just to show you.

If I’m being generous, Bartel’s cover work is technically proficient, but in truth, these covers are as bland and lifeless as a beige jumpsuit with a brown belt. Passive, pose-heavy figure work with almost non-existent backgrounds that convey nothing about what’s in the comic to get you excited.

Remember, covers are the equivalent of a billboard designed to grab the readers’ attention. Instead, Bartel creates cover after cover of illustrations that look like they belong on the back of a children’s coloring book.

Yes, some artists will read the above assessment and get mad, but the market doesn’t care.

The market has the money. If artists want more money, they have to create art that appeals to the market.

Superhero, action comic readers will not be invigorated by the artwork Bartel creates, so Bartel will not make Lee-level commission rates.

Again, It really is that simple.

The Lesson

I’m picking on Jen Bartel as an object lesson only because she decided to make her money criticisms public. That said, Jen Bartel’s finances, much like most problems, are fixable.

Artists must learn this lesson. You don’t get paid based on how hard you work or how perfect your lines look.

You get paid based on how valuable the market believes your work is worth. To make more money, create art that bigger, affluent audiences crave.

And before anyone starts with the “I have to make art that’s true to me,” there are thousands of starving artists who remain true to who they are, which is why they’re starving.

If you want money that sustains your life, create art that people want and are willing to pay top dollar. There is no other way.

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