I talk a lot about supporting the comics ecosystem here and to celebrate the support Okazu is getting from our own community, and give back to that ecosystem, we launched a series of Microgoals for the Okazu Patreon this spring. These goals allow Okazu to directly impact creators by giving them the kind of income they need to be able to live so they can do their work. This kind of patronage is different than the project-based crowdfunding at Indiegogo or Kickstarter and I want to talk about that for a moment. Creating is a process and, generally speaking, readers only grasp some pieces of that process. And one of the things people don’t grasp is that it’s work that deserves to be paid for. Not just the end result…all the middle stages, too.
In early crowdfunding days, I knew of one comic artist who attempted to crowdfund their daily expenses as they worked on a book that they would then also have to crowdfund. They did get some money, but backers were resistant to the idea of paying the creator’s rent or food. I understand why, of course. “Backers” want to “back” a thing; a production, a publication, something concrete that they can see and hold. In the same way that investors don’t invest in ideas – they want to see that something has been built and is being used, backers expect results…whether they are putting money in a Broadway play or a database or a comic, it seems unreasonable to ask people for money for paying your rent while you write the play or draw the comic.
But the reality is that for comic artists, there are only a few ways to make a living off their work. Comic strips and comic books are not stable, long-term gigs (and, as with most industries, only a few make the numbers that let them make a living from those.) Anthologies are piece-work. Until recently, there just hasn’t been a simple system to charge for webcomics. This piece of the ecosystem has been precarious for some time, but the technological reinvention of patronage is a key factor for creators who have been searching for a way to live.
My objective with the Okazu Microgoals is to contribute to creators’ ability to live as they create. And I am specifically choosing marginalized voices and diverse creators, with an especial focus on the queer community. To that end, I have chosen a fabulously talented Native writer, Nakawē Writer Mari, whom you may remember from the Absolute Power: Tales of Queer Villainy! anthology, with her brilliant story, “Chrome Crash.” Mari is, incidentally, closing in on her primary goal, which is to achieve a level of patronage that will allow her to have ADA-accessible housing. If you think you can help her get a little closer to that, I’d appreciate it.
My second choice was the subject of today’s review – an honest-to-goodness local newspaper out of Burlington, VT. The Ladybroad Ledger is “a group of female and nonbinary cartoonists from Vermont. Our goal is to produce a FREE twice annual newsprint publication to promote comics and comic art by femme Vermont cartoonists and distribute it throughout the state.” As a result, the ads are not local to me, but give me hope for a vital, inclusive, and diverse community in a place as alien to me as Bali. ^_^
The Winter Issue includes comics on community, motherhood, food, politics and a decidedly queer comic “Frenchman’s Cove” by arby essex. It is brimming with love of comics for comics sake. I’m very pleased to have a few extra issues some of which will be part of the next round of Lucky Boxes. ^_^ Just to be able to share the love of comics, I will also give one issue away here. Entering is easy – suggest a cool Patreon to add to the list of people we should follow (and hopefully support) in the comments (make sure you’ve got a real email attached to your WP profile) and I will pick a recipient of this fantastic niche print newspaper. Remember – I’m looking to support comics and creators with disabilities, folks of color and/or queer folks. Drop your suggestions in the comments with links so everyone can check them out and maybe win a copy of the Ladybroad Ledger!
Ratings:
Overall – 8
THIS is the kind of stuff I love supporting, which is exactly why I like independent comics shows best, like the upcoming Toronto Comic Arts Festival in Toronto and Comitia in Tokyo.
