I've done my best to further progress in the comics industry for years now, while simultaneously removing myself from it in bits and pieces.

It's an exhausting, near impossible place to thrive while also holding onto your humanity.

I say that with zero exaggeration.

The current conversation has devolved, in less than 48 hours, into ugly infighting, trolling and loyalty based sniping.

I get it. I do. It's impossible to live in this environment in any kind of healthy way if you're not at the top of the pyramid.

It does shit to you.

I look at this industry/community like a giant ship and i just don't want the newest batch of sailors to fall into the ocean before they get a chance to get their sea legs. I also sure as fuck don't want anyone left on the docks.

But this is a pirate ship.

And there are pirates on this ship who will slit your throat while you sleep without batting an eye.

Often under the guise of ally.

I've seen so many sell their souls and their morals for a chance at what this industry defines as success.

It's a meat grinder.

Many of you might not have realized it but I quit working for any and all comics companies in December 2019.

Cold turkey.

I got out.

The plan, before cancer, was to finally do my graphic novel and publish it myself.

I was free.

I've turned down jobs that would royally piss you off if you knew what they were. All because I couldn't give up my ethics for a 5 year shelf life of hollow accolades. I knew it wouldn't fulfill me.

Some people truly thrive on this pirate ship.

Not me.

And that's ok!

I want to make comics. My own comics. My way. Free of the mess. I dont want my work tied to this ugliness. The thing is tho...I'M tied to this mess. Because I can't bear to see newbies run over or anybody left behind. I'm always gonna do my best to fight to give others a leg up.

And that's the crux of my problem today.

Because in the past decade I've been showing kids how to stow away belowdecks. How to game the captain's systems. I've been funneling intel and protecting the vulnerable.

All the while ignoring my own bleeding wounds.

Not all the pirates on this ship are bad. Hear me on that.

I love so many editors, writers, artists, distributors and deckhands in between here.

I'd die to protect you.

You know who you are.

But I'm forever scarred by my time here.

Watching the past couple days unfold...

It makes me want to burn this ship to ashes.

Because fuck this.

Fuck this meat grinding piece of shit broken ship that has eaten so many innocents.

This is personal.

This ship.

This industry.

Cannot be repaired.

It can only be survived.

And that is not good enough.

So from now on?

I'm not gonna mince words.

It's not worth it.

Mainstream comics isn't worth the price you're gonna pay. You'll get a few good years at best. Then you'll be right there with the other pirates, selling your soul to stay alive one more day.

It's a rigged game.

I know it and now you do too.

You don't NEED this busted ass, cut throat bull shit industry to make comics.

There's no pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Companies will eat you alive.

You dream of making comics?

Do it. You dont need this industry.

I'll always be here to teach you how to survive the pirate ship but know, right now, you have an expiration date. And just build your own ship further down the dock.

Don't give them your heart. Your spirit. Your time. Your energy.

It's not worth it.

Never was.

If you are anyone other than a white man who knows how to keep his mouth shut, the mainstream comics industry will do everything to ruin your life.

You can't fix it from the inside. You will meet a few great people who are trying to fix it. But 98% of it is just SHIT.

It's all built on lies.

Make your own comics that are full of your own unique voice and experiences. Don't trust anybody on this ship.

You wanna make a little money here? Be a mercenary? I'll teach you how.

Do it and move on and build your own.

Fucking.

Ship.

You wanna know HOW to make your own comics?

I'll teach you everything I know.

Anytime.

Just email me.

I've been getting people started for years now. I'll do it for you too.

You dont need to survive any gatekeeping pirate fucks.

Ever.

Again.