Greg Rucka, hero to most comics writers, says pretty much what I’ve been saying for a while now. I think the only way the mainstream comics industry is going to change is if creators decide they don’t need Marvel or DC, otherwise they’ll keep on treating talent like this. It’s a travesty, honestly. There is a better outlet for work to be done that keeps us financially solvent, but that’s a long hard path. This is why I balance many plates; why I’m a weekend warrior; and why I moved up here—so I could do the work I love doing and not do anything I didn’t want to do. Most of all, I want the financial comfort that comes with teaching so I can pay the people I work with on my comics, while at the same time only work on the things that I care about and not have to need to work for the major publishing firms. To have the ability to only do what I want to do. Unfortunately, Rucka is right, there is a line of people right behind him that will take his place in a heartbeat to get the chance to write Wonder Woman or The Punisher. I’m sure those people are fucking great and awesome and extremely talented writers and artists who deserve that opportunity, but I’m not one of them. I don’t need to be one of them. The reality is most of us have rent and bills to pay and doing our own work means we may never see a dime from it, but I think that’s okay. We should do the work that we love doing and not have to worry about how we’re going to eat next week. Still, this bothers me, and as a result we get stuff like Avengers Arena.

You should read the rest of the interview, it is—of course—fantastic.