Comic Book Artist Blasts Marvel Over Low Pay

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In a recent Instagram post, Dustin Nguyen, a well-known comic artist, voiced his discontent with Marvel Comics, bringing attention to ongoing issues such as low wages and insufficient royalties for artists. His honest comments have ignited a discussion about how creators are treated within the comic book world.

In a post shared on Instagram, Nguyen expressed his frustration by stating: “Everyone I’m not collaborating with at Marvel can take a hike.” He continued, “For the past 15 years, I’ve asked politely on behalf of all artists. Stop exploiting creators; you won’t get another cover from me until this changes.

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A post shared by dustin nguyen (@duss005)

I’ve been deeply moved by Nguyen’s passionate outburst, which stems from his belief that Marvel has consistently undervalued and exploited him. He likened the situation to being stuck in a minimum wage job, yet even that seems preferable compared to pouring my heart into a Spider-Man cover gig only to receive a few free copies in return. Despite my editors at Marvel driving me up the wall, I have an immense affection for them and will stand by their side, though I fear our united resistance against Marvel may ultimately prove futile.

Nguyen’s latest contribution to Marvel involves creating a variant cover for October’s “Spider-Man: Black Suit & Blood” #3, where he also wrote and illustrated the five-page story “Dysmorphia” in issue No. 1. Additionally, he will be working on a team-up variant cover for the upcoming “Doom’s Division” #3.

As Nguyen points out, the payment rates for covers and pages at Marvel are surprisingly low. He observed that an artist would not be fairly compensated unless they’re earning between $6,000 and $7,000 per cover. He expressed concern that only a small number of artists manage to secure higher pay rates, which he believes is due to Marvel’s reluctance to offer fair payment.

Nguyen’s remarks echo a common frustration within the art community, as many artists find it difficult to earn a living wage. He went on to say, “[Marvel] has been undervaluing creators since the beginning, unless you’re making $6,000 – $7,000 per cover, in which case I wish you success. I hope you’re getting a cut from the MCU and subsequent merchandise sales.” He further criticized Marvel for not paying royalties on overseas sales, stating, “America is the birthplace of superhero comics… yet they refuse to share profits with creators? This is unacceptable.” Lastly, he expressed disappointment about the lack of creator compensation for merchandise such as lunchboxes and t-shirts.

Additionally, he emphasized that the minimal rates per page haven’t been adjusted to match inflation, expressing, “I’ve requested a $75 increase in my pay per page from Marvel over the past 15 years. It seems that the minimum wage in California is progressing more than they are.” This practice of underpaying isn’t just disrespectful but also lacking foresight, as it tends to discourage top-tier talent.

One of Nguyen’s main concerns is Marvel’s decision not to share royalties from international sales with their creators. He pointed out, “Only they and DC Comics are the ones who don’t offer royalties for overseas sales.” This lack of payment, especially considering Marvel (which belongs to Disney) has considerable financial means, raises serious questions.

Nguyen’s feelings of frustration are resonating with many artists within the industry. For example, Sean Gordon Murphy has openly discussed his challenging encounters with Marvel, alleging he was penalized after selling a book at a convention without their permission first. This suggests an atmosphere of apprehension among artists, as they fear that expressing their concerns could put their careers at risk. Rob Liefeld, the creator of ‘Youngblood’, also echoed this sentiment, saying “I’m sorry. I’ll hire you for a cover and other work.

As a seasoned movie critic, I’ve observed the comics industry for quite some time, and it seems to me that Marvel, with their near monopoly on mainstream comics, has been reaping the benefits for years. It’s no secret that artists like myself are often undercompensated for our work, especially when it comes to cover art. Publishers such as DC, Boom, Image, DarkHorse, Oni, even independent creators launching Kickstarter campaigns, they all seem to offer more attractive deals. Regrettably, Marvel appears to be lagging behind in this regard.

The Sad State of the Industry

The points brought up by Nguyen aren’t just individual occurrences; instead, they reflect a deeper, systematic problem in the comic book industry. Numerous artists have spoken out about being undercompensated for their work. For instance, Zoe Thorogood revealed that she was only paid $100 for character design work, which ended up as a cover without her permission. Granted, it wasn’t much money, but they should have informed her they planned to use it as a cover, even if it was a later decision.

It’s correct that artists frequently don’t hold the copyrights to their work, but the concept of royalties is in place to guarantee creators a fair portion of the earnings stemming from their works. Many argue that artists should unite and push for improved compensation from publishers such as Marvel. As artist Jason Alexander noted, some creators are reluctant to ask for higher pay due to concerns about being blacklisted, which unfortunately reinforces the pattern of underpayment.

For a while now, the remuneration Marvel provides to its creators has sparked debates. I’m of the opinion that not every creator should be paid equally; factors like quality and popularity should determine payment scales. However, Marvel’s approach has been exceptionally problematic. They have persistently underpaid their artists, a concern heightened when considering the vast sums generated by their intellectual property across various media platforms.

The accusations of creator mistreatment extend beyond just financial matters. The upcoming documentary “Stan Lee: The Last Chapter” portrays a deeply troubling scenario of how even Marvel’s legendary character, Stan Lee, was unfairly treated in his later years. The preview footage is emotionally stirring to view, and if such treatment could be inflicted upon someone as prominent as Stan Lee, it prompts significant concerns about how less recognized comic creators are managed.

As Marvel, with its immense profits under Disney’s umbrella, it’s crucial that we, as the talented artists contributing to their success, demand fair remuneration for our work. Given their vast resources, it’s only just that they compensate us generously. Nguyen’s recent disclosure serves as a wake-up call, highlighting the need for the industry to prioritize artist wellbeing and offer equitable wages. Regrettably, this predicament echoes broader problems in many creative sectors, where our contributions are often undervalued and undercompensated.

Speaking up and fighting for one’s rights is essential for artists, especially when it comes to earning the recognition and fair payment they deserve. This might involve taking risks that could potentially harm your reputation, but if you’re being mistreated by those in power, it’s better to seek out places where your contributions are valued. Kudos to Nguyen for standing up for themselves! I hope more creators will find the strength to do the same.

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2025-03-14 01:30