Good Guy DC Comics institutes new CREATOR PAYMENT PLAN. Factors in digital sales!
I have no idea if DC Comics is a good guy. I’m going to assume they’re actually not, but why let beliefs get in the way of headlines? Or maybe I’m wrong. I’m just some Communist Asshole waging a war against THE MAN on my MacBook. #Fraudlent Anyways. What I do know is that the company has instituted a new payment plan that reflects digital sales, which is pretty fucking gnar. Gnarltacular. That sort of horse shit.
DC Comics has announced to its talent a new payment plan for royalties, effective July 1, via an email from co-publishers Dan DiDio and Jim Lee. The plan introduces several changes to the existing model, notably reflecting the expanded role of digital sales in the comic book industry.
Under the new plan, royalties — referred to as “participation” by DC — will now be based on a book’s net revenue through various distribution channels, including digital, rather than on its cover price. According to the letter sent to talent, “This change gives us more flexibility to sell our material in new distribution channels that have different pricing models.”
Digital sales and physical sales, which were previously tabulated separately, will now be factored in tandem when determining if a book has reached the threshold eligible for participation payment. An unspecified threshold for collected editions was also added.
Responding to strong industry opinion, colorists will now be eligible to receive royalties and will also receive cover credits on issues they’ve worked on. Digital-first creative teams are also eligible for participation for the first time, having formally been paid at a flat rate.
The actual means of payment are seeing some changes, too, with payments sent via direct deposit to creators in the United States, and payment reporting and work-for-hire agreements now both conducted electronically.
While the email sent to talent outlined a number of changes to the participation payment policy, it’s not an exhaustive list, and creators were encourage to reach out directly to DC’s Talent Relations team for any further questions.
DC Comics recently circulated a Talent Survey to its freelance creators, gauging their opinion on various issues. Veteran DC artist Yanick Paquette shared part of his response on Facebook, stating that DC’s lack of royalties granted to colorists made it “excessively difficult to secure the best colorists for DC projects.” The company has received scrutiny for its creator relations in recent years, with criticism for a high rate of turnover in many of its New 52 titles, and overt editorial influence. In 2015, DC’s publishing operations will move from New York City to Burbank, California; joining the company’s digital and administrative divisions. [CBR]