How to Understand Comics Collectives

Comic creation can be a rather lonely process, especially if you are both writer and artist! Even if you work as part of a team, the relative isolation can have a price when it comes to going it alone at conventions, web management and shopping for printing. Enter a collective: a group of independent artists or art teams that have banded together for one reason or another. On the business side, many artists find that there is, indeed, strength in numbers--while others come to find that solitude works better. If you are considering starting or joining a collective--here are some things to keep in mind.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Know what the mission of the collective is. Some groups cross-promote their members both online and at conventions, so you would need to do the same. Other associations are formed to reduce the individual costs of printing or advertising in more mainstream venues.

2. Understand what will be expected of you as a member. Whether it's promoting your fellow cartoonists, contributing guest or crossover strips or sharing table space at conventions, everyone should be pulling an equal share of the duties among the group. Make sure you're up for the task since no one wants to be the weak link, or worse, the regretted new addition.

3. Have something unique to offer. If you are really good at coding websites or putting together press kits, you may be able to fill a need in a collective that is lacking in that skill. Contacts among printers or press can be valuable to the group as a whole.

4. Look for strong leadership. While equality is a quality that should exist in the group, democracy can still exist by having a primary decision maker and tie breaker. Starting your own collective may put you in that position automatically, depending on who you bring in with you on the ground floor.

5. Think before you accept an invitation. It is certainly an honor and a sign of great respect to be asked to join any established group, but that doesn't mean it's automatically right for you or your work. Research the group and consider the implications because a respectful "no thank you" is better than a sticky extrication when you realize you've made a mistake.

[MyJB]

on 3/30/2009 A lot of good points. Number 5 really has to be considered beforehand as joining a collective that doesn't suit you can, as you say, can be a mistake that is hard to correct.