THE TRUTH: HOW MUCH DO MARVEL AND DC ARTISTS GET PAID?
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 30 ก.ค. 2024
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Wait, wait, wait.... A comic artist who isn't talking shit to me for being a comic fan? Who seems genuinely grateful for the support his fans give him? Subbed.
Thanks for sharing this with us, Ethan. So many artists are super secretive about page rates, which is understandable, but it makes it hard for someone breaking in to know what they should charge clients. No one wants to be cheated or taken advantage of.
And you're the second person I've seen draw straight lines freehand. On of my animation teachers can do that. It's insane and mesmerizing.
Just Some Guy Agreed. More artist need to be willing to come out and help educate younger artist, and put them on game about industry standard for page rates, income, and pay rates. I feel that many of them don't do it to out of fear of possibly discouraging people to pursue a career in comics.
But he says expect to be ripped off first getting in the door, so don't take it to personally.
Him drawing the straight lines is really relaxing to me :3
The lines arent straight, but appear to be because of consistancy and practice. really straight lines are done with a ruler, lol. Still, this guy is good!
Straight lines are difficult. I have a hard time not shaking when I draw my lines; I need to learn to subconsciously rotate the page around while I ink.
One of the biggest reasons companies (Banks for example) have done so well at lowering the wages of people is because of the secrecy. It is to the benefit of the older artists to share this kind of knowledge. It helps THEM to keep the wages of the industry at a rate they want. Keeping such secret only gives the power to the employer. BOTH need to have the ability to negotiate. Not just the employer.
Once Unions are finally eliminated in the USA, people will see wages plummet a lot more, for then, no longer do the working bees have the power.
meaturama, in most large profitable corporations the top executives are paid well. Banks being some of the highest of wages. That's pretty much almost a given fact. However, in MOST corporations, compared to the high level executives, middle management is paid a reasonable wage, and the lower level employees are paid horribly. In those LOWER level jobs, they do not want employees sharing with each other what they make. That is one of the reasons Human Resources, only give a vague range as to what a persons position pays within their corporation. It is also a tool to keep wages down because if enough employees know how low their wages are, they could leave or organize and strike. It is a technique that was introduced in 1955 in the Mining industry where they were cutting minors wages but were telling the minors they were not getting nearly as big of a cut as others. That, if they told others what they are getting, it would only mean THEY would have to accept a LARGER CUT to ensure equal pay. This method was very popular and was eventually put to a large scale use within the Auto Industry.
When wages are kept secret, all that does is promote lower wages and higher profits for upper level Executives. THIS is why many BANKERS also achieve their MULTI-MILLION Dollar bonus.
Subscribed, thanks so much for this! I was expecting a random guy that's done some research explaining his findings. hearing an actual professional deliver the information in a relaxed format like this was fresh.
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Hey Uncle Ethan. Would you ever show us all the Superhero/Villains you ever helped to create? It would be very interesting to see. Hope you had a great Christmas.
Good idea!
Is Sinestro one of yours? Sadly I stopped reading DC post-Crisis, so I only know Oa and the GL Corps from the JLA comics which sometimes got published in my country.
Stephan Brun No Sinestro originally was a Silver Age character.
Though he did create the modern look of Sinestro and the Sinestro Corps.
Way more than I expected actually. You, my friend, have a new subscriber.
If only there were guys like you and TH-cam when I was a young struggling artist.
Sad to say, but it seems like comic book illustration is a young man, or woman's game.
I'm still amazed at how quickly you go straight to inks, after roughing in the basics of the image...and it looks great!
More videos like these, they offer encouragement and honest info. on how to break into the business.
D. Saunders Comics/ art is not a young man or woman's game. Like the above poster said, you can go the self published route. Create your own stories, and sell them to an audience. With all of the online ebook/ printing and publishing means available at your hands today, the possibilities are truly endless. There isn't a better time for artist than now.
I feel like the older I get, the less creative I become. I, too, feel like at this point, I'm just making art for personal enjoyment, rather than to build a professional portfolio. I quit art for the 20 years EVS has been working on his. No way I could catch up to others my age now. (I do food illustrations mostly. I'd love to do menus/advertising or board game art).
D. Saunders hey it's never too late to work on your dreams. I can't speak from experience since I started young too but I've seen people well past 60 get into many different fields
Fascinating video. I'll never work in comics, but as a big consumer of them, I feel better knowing that many of my favorite creators are well compensated...one mostly hears the sad stories of creators screwed over etc.
Even with a nice paycheck, there must be moments when you worry...about editorial shifts, corporate changes cutting you off from the expected flow of work. Do you feel you can easily switch teams when/if something like that happens?
A bunch of your old videos are coming up in my que. Good stuff uncle E.
This was very insightful and encouraging. So many artist and people paint this really hard, depressing image that nearly all artist are broke, and starving, and constantly struggling get by. Its great to come across artist who challenged, and destroy that stereotype. Its good to know that an artist can live off their work, and live very comfortably.
Thank you , Ethan. I wish I had this information as a kid. Back then all that was mentioned about payment was bleak. All the pros I read painted a picture of the starving artist and how as a young artist you should really consider other means of employment. It was discouraging. So much so that it was part of what I considered when deciding not to even try becoming an artist. Hopefully with this info you put out, young artists today will be encouraged to follow that dream to work in comics.
I just read where Curt Swan worked 6 days a week at 4 pages a day working for DC. At today's rate at even $200/page that's $4800/week. But are you as good as Swan?
Keep Rocking! Ok, good to know. I was referring to Curt Swan: A life in Comics, where I got the impression that although Swan was self-taught and whose career went through many phases, he was quite the artist and would be credited primarily as a penciler. He seemed to be happy drawing the stories written by others especially Superman and Superboy mid-career. Also the early war-time adventure stuff. His wife said he carried work every where they went, even vacation. Apparently Golf was his greatest passion and played nearly every day for decades. Those green fees ain't cheap, so I assume he was doing ok.
Keep Rocking! I agree. Of course I wouldn't presume rates were that high in the 50s 60s 70s etc. Just merely that adjusted for inflation, and DC not necessarily having that studio- actor golden era payola scandal, maybe Swan was doing well enough to get by. There was no mention of his dissatisfaction with pay. He's a fascinating artist for certain.
actually payment is bleak in the initial years you must have the passion to stick through it.. its not for everyone.... i would still say the same thing to youngsters who would work in any form of art related work.. i do cg.. my initial years were really bleak.. now i am doing quite well but out of 13 people who studied with me and started off only 4 are still in the industry .. most changed to other jobs.. its kind of a long lonely road were your true love is your work .. the rest is something that will come to you in time..
There used to be a book called "The Business of Comics" that covered a lot of this stuff. Back in the day when I entertained the pie-in-the-sky dreams of working in comics I found it extremely helpful. Even though I never "made it" in the industry, I still highly recommend it if you can find a copy. Much of it will be out of date as this came out in the 90's, but I still think there are valuable lessons in there.
Awesome advice. Greatly appreciate the honest information you have shared. Any suggestions on where or who to show some page work to? Thank you and keep up the nice work with your channel! :)
I've been in self-training for months now, and this is one of the most important videos I've ever watched. I'm literally speechless right now. Many, Many, Many Thanks Mr. Sciver!
Go get em!
My question is: how much should I be paid to read Squirrel Girl?
5 figures. Maybe even 6...
waelse1
There's not enough money on this planet so far to get any self respecting human being to read that.😨😃
Enough to buy the next issue
You might think I'm being a smart ass, but they actually expect you to pay them to read Squirrel Girl.
waelse1 fucking funny ass comment made my day.
Thank you so much. I have been looking for this information for at least five years and I haven't been able to find any comic book artist that was willing to be as transparent as you've been.
Watching you draw those lines is equal parts soothing and terrifying!
Hi Ethan. Just came across your channel today and I love it. Thanks for your honesty and candor. I used to always just draw with pencil but started inking about 8 years ago. Drawing has been my hobby and I sell a few things on eBay. I wish you continued success in your craft. Take care.
Welcome, Wayne. Nice to have another artist in the community.
Ethan, I loved your work on Impulse. Still awesome to look at. And all your advice is awesome. Thank you for sharing the secrets of the comic book world. Still love your art. Keep it coming.
Thank you so much for this. I'm not an illustrator but I am a writer and I am trying to get some of my latest work submitted. Just hearing from your side though is very encouraging. This is a life long dream for me and I'm pushing to make it come true.
Also would love a tutorial on the page layout, bleed and trim margins, page beats etc. Thanks!
Wow. I really appreciate how chill you are on this subject. Straight forward and practical.
Shows your confidence. Many thanks. Rose Tico FTW.
i'm so glad for this video. It's really encouraging to hear these words as a young artist.
This is an awesome video. I can’t draw to save my life but I’ve always had questions about the business of comics. Well done and thanks for sharing this knowledge.
I had to zap myself out of a stupor to remember to comment. Watching you work is mesmerizing!
Thank you for the pointers and advice. For THIS level of detail, they BETTER be paying you $300 per page!
Really interesting and informative video.
Sidetrack, i loved your run on Impulse it was what really got me into comics (along with some kid aimed books from marvel adventures)
This was a great video, very informative and I enjoyed watching you work on Superman while discussing the topic.
I bought a print of Cyberfrog from you waay back when I was a kid in the 90's. Such a long, long time ago. Always liked your work. I met you again in Philly about 6 years ago.
Thanks for deciding to make Jordan Peterson one of your clients! I sure hope you got a royalty deal there, the book's looking to top charts.
Awesome video. Glad you told us this. Way back in the day, one of my uncle's was an artist and writer for Archie Comics and I would always say that he should have gotten more for his work.
Great tips. Thank you!
One question: How can an artist from another country have a chance to work in DC?
GREAT video! Thanks so much the sharing your knowledge and insight!
I've only ever seen your Star Wars videos... your illustrations are lovely
Love the detailed art. You can ink straight lines without a ruler!
That's what amazed me too, did it straight after to see how bad I am at it!
I expect it's a question of practice. As they say: try, and try again.
You just gotta concentrate 😉
I worked for an Indie on a few titles. Got jacked on all but one who paid me a whopping $20 per page and $50 for the cover. I also started in early 90's before going back to fine art.
Thank you for the insight on this topic, I wanted to know more about the payment of being a comic book artist so I have more knowledge about the big two (or four if ya count Image and Dark Horse), and how it works. so, this is really helpful.
I would love to see a video of all the different characters you've created over the years maybe also if you're done any work for video games or toy design too.
Gotta love the intros.
Not Joe Sue agree
The toe fingers are what allow you to draw so well i think , you have a physiological advantage over non mutants lol
Awesome video with lots of real world advice no one has ever told me.Thank you🙏🏻
Man Ethan. This was one hell of a solid and informative video. Great info shared. I look forward to more of these vids.
Character Equity checks sound like a great deal. Thanks for sharing the breakdown on the financial math of working in comics.
Great SuperMan pencils and inks! Thank you posting! Very informative.
Always nice to see a fellow professional give honest advice/info.
Hey Ethan. Thanks for making this video. It's refreshing both how straightforward you are, and how informative you are.
This is really useful. I’m not into the comic book business just for the money. Drawing is an amazing thing I love to do, but it is nice to know I have enough to support myself
ComicArtistPro Secrets... I came across this video this evening. I think you mentioned something about pay & drawing comics but, I was completely mesmerized by your line skill, with the cross-hatching and follow-up lines!
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Very impressive! Simply wow! Curious if you use/like Pitt pens? I have both but, personally prefer the later, despite everyone saying I should stick with the Copic.
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Now to re-watch & listen ;)
Great video! I just liked and subscribed. One of the most informative videos I have found in this field. Thank you for the sharing.
You sir, are a very generous person and I thank you for sharing your knowledge and insight into the comic book industry. I wish you nothing but the best. Godspeed Uncle
This gives me hope!!! Great video along with amazing art!
First time seeing one of your videos, it was suggested by YT and I was curious... I really expected a lot of beating around the bush and vagueness, but instead you just jumped right in with specific numbers. I think that's great. It's weird how taboo it is (at least in the US) to talk about this stuff. I was pleasantly surprised to hear how much you can make, but it makes sense. It's not the kind of job where they can just grab some dude off the street and train him for 6 weeks. Anyway cheers for the informative video, love the artwork too. Going to check out some more.
I know it's your job and all, but it blows my mind how casually you draw perfectly straight lines (studying to be an engineer so all lines are made with a ruler)
Was my dream to be a comic book artist when I was at school... 43years old now wish we had TH-cam back then. Great video man.
thank you Ethan that was helpful....I was doing pencils but after this video I think am going to learn inks too!
Hi Ethan, great video. Very informative. But when they adapt a storyline you worked on for film or TV, do you get royalties for that too?
Very cool. While I would never be a comic book creator, I enjoyed hearing you insights.
Thank you so very much for your honesty I really appreciate it please keep this going
Awesome content thx for the candid info! Great work too btw!
Thank you for a wonderful video I hope to one day own some of your art.
Good video. You, Gleason and Mahnke should make a documentary, "Green Lanterns (Cramped hands and nickel royalties)"
so the recap from this video,
500$ in 1993 (which is promised to-be-but-not happened) for a book,
150-200$ as DC Penciler , paid per page
150-300$ on Inker (400$ max, if lucky) (i heard "anchors" at first, and the subtitles say so lol)
did i miss something ?
But you didn't share what happened before. I imagine it was hard (mind and chances) at the beginning.
I can't believe such a thing like magical anymore. I mean, only few needed for comic artist, and im sure you should telling bout what happened.
Bless you and i hope you keep working what you do, man.
Thanks a lot, that was incredibly interesting
This is the best video I've seen on this topic. Thank you so much for this, the honesty was very nice :)
Hey Ethan, thank you so for the advice and encouragement for us ! It kinda felt like you were here and trying to spur me on personally. I've been wanting to do comics for a long time now, but I've been intimidated by it. I've been told it takes a day to finish a page, for an average penciler. I'm not the most fastest when it comes to drawing. So, finishing that page a day quota would definitely a be struggle.
So, my question is it normal for comic artists to struggle with their speed? Don't the Big Two want somebody who can pump out pages fast?
This is great information. I want to break in and this is wonderful. Something I’ve always wanted to know but now I need to start pushing myself to accomplish my dream.
This was a great informational vid. Thanks a lot for sharing the inside information.
As much as I find this talk interesting, I am just fascinated by watching you ink draw this page.
Great video with a great encouraging end! Kudos.
You're great, uncle Ethan! You're a pure genius. You're the Michelangelo of comic books. I hope you will do some videos with you working and talking about anything in the future
Was this Kyle Rainer or Superman that you are drawing, sir?
Very nice info and tone from this video as well. Great channel.
Well, I'm glad you got incentive payments for the digital impulse books I bought.
Thank you so much for the info. So insightful!
Brand new pencilers can make $150-$200 per page? Not bad for starting out.
+hawaiidispenser Depends on whether you're a fast penciler or not. I've heard a good pace for a penciler's 1.5 pages/day and some really fast artists can do 2 pages/day, but if you're earning on the lower end and take 2 days to make a beautiful page, you'd be making what most do in retail jobs. If what you do ends-up hitting with fans, it'd be worth it to take your time in the long-run, but if not, things could get pretty bleak.
I work in retail and was just thinking the same thing I make about the same as that guy and his ceiling is lower because I can get paid the hour his page divided by 16 hours he actually makes less then I do.
The Dream Syndicate Art Dolls
Uhm it most likely will increase the more you work exclusively for DC. Not to mention adding in royalties that are steady.
So at minimum $150 x 30 x 12 = 36k at the VERY least you make this. The more you work and build up in skill the more you get paid. So within 5 years you'll be making 300 bucks a page in no time and have a steady flow of money. This is assuming you take a full month for 18 pages of inks. Life also isn't all about money in the first place...
Thanks for the pro secrets uncle Ethan, I love watching you work while getting the inside scoop.
I see you working hard all this time and I am impressed. I thought that any artist does crosshatching with a drawing program or something these days. Anyway I subscribe.
Thanks so much for this Ethan. I love your channel and your videos have been very encouraging and inspiring for me. I want to ask, how is the career path for colorists? I wish you made a video dedicated to that topic or a special interview with a colorist you have worked with.
Great vid, man. Tis a goldmine!
Awesome stuff. I'm glade I found you.
Thanks for posting this. I was just made aware of this page by my cousin who’s a big fan of yours. Anyways, I have been drawing independent comics for about 10 years and wanted to ask, how do you get into Marvel or DC? I live in Hawaii and feel like it’s really hard to get any recognition because I live so far away. I do my own inks also btw. I would like to try to het work at either company but have no idea how.
Information like this is definitely a plus to come by, Thank you for sharing the information. A long time ago I tried to get into work with comic book industry giants like DC, Marvel, Top Cow, Image, etc...and continually got shot down by everyone. Wish I could have made it in. I will check E-bay in order to help as well.
Thank you so much for all infos, really interesting!
Really good advice, thank you so much. I love you're truth a lot. You're the best
Wow! Where has this channel been all my life? Great video! Been thinking about sending my work to publishers but not sure I have enough time to do a book. What is the turn around time?
Thanks for this. Like others thinking there was no money in this is why I gave up going pro too. It's great to hear some actual stats on it. Hopefully it'll encourage this generation to go for it.
Hey, I really like the video and I am sure that I will watch more from you in the future. I have one question: When you are working for a company, are you allowed to do additional artwork of their characters and sell them? Like drawings on conventions or as original artworks on eBay (not talking about the comic book pages). I am asking about copyright problems.
Thanks for getting me back into drawing
This video popped up a few times in related videos and I never clicked on it because I figured it was just some guy with a youtube channel talking about how much artists get paid. No clue it was the legendary Ethan Van Sciver's youtube channel. You should definitely put your name in the channel or something haha
Thank you! I've been focusing on drawing for film because of the actual living wages but I'll reconsider getting into Marvel/DC comics now.
do your own art and sell it. You dont own your art in Marvel dope head
This is all great information, thank you so much. After watching though, Im wondering if DC or Marvel give health benefits for your work? Sorry if its an obvious question, but it crossed my mind and wasn't touched upon in the video. Thank you!
This was very interesting. Thanks Ethan!
this was unbelievably useful! I just hope it hasn't changed much in 2 years
God damn I love this channel! So informative of the comic book game!
As a painter it's good to hear the but two often combine rates. (I effectively do three jobs, oh joy -_- )
My only experience was with Dynamite and they will choose an artist who can either ink their own work or who's pencils are clean enough to go straight to colors over one who can't but not really pay them more than their typical high end penciled page rate.
Thanks Uncle Ethan!
Another great and informative video, thanks Ethan!
Super informative, Uncle E. I have been pushing my work hard recently, putting together an indie book of my own. I was wondering, what is your take on digital workflows in regards to making an efficient dollar?
Thank you very much Ethan!! Great Information!!
This is awesome.....Number 1 comics channel to learn about comics on TH-cam
This was very cool. Thanks for another great video!