1. Young comic book creators: Navigating the world of corporately controlled comics can be daunting and confusing. So I'd like to pass on some hard learned lessons that I hope will help you, if I may.

2. There are different structures for how you will be contracted. Because the majority of the books sold through the direct market are corporately controlled intellectual properties, you will be an "at- will" or "work for hire" employee.

3. That means that you can be fired, for any reason. How does this translate to you? It means that as a subcontractor, you have no loyalties to anyone save yourself.
Companies can't be loyal.
You are working to extend the shelf life of Intellectual properties that you don't own.

4. Reputable publisher will present you with the terms of your employment prior to the commencement or completion of any work you are engaged in.
Handshake agreements are meaningless, particularly if there is no third party to confirm said agreement.

5. Get everything in writing. It helps legally. If a producer tries to change the terms of the agreement during the course of engagement, you are no longer obligated. They have broken the agreement and the terms must be renegotiated and agreed to before work resumes.

6. Insist on a page rate. Comics are a labour intensive endeavor and unless you own a significant portion of the Intellectual Property rights of a concept, you are essentially working for free. If it's something you can afford, financially, go for it. Otherwise, get paid.

7. Doing things for charity is a separate issue. I've done a lot for various charities and I encourage others to do so if time allows.

8. If a publisher/ producer tries to sell you on a substandard rate vs. backend because "you're sharing the risk" but you have no ancillary rights..walk away.
It's not your responsibility to take a risk with something you don't have ownership in.

9. Creator owned work? Hire a lawyer. Preferably someone whose familiar with publishing contracts. Ask for referrals.
Once again, make sure the terms are laid out and you know what's required from each party in terms of time and money.

10. Do your due diligence. If you're approached about doing work, particularly by someone you've never met or heard of, look them up. Ask around. FInd out their history. It saves a lot of headaches. If you can't find anything, that can be a red flag.

11. Another red flag, if you have no IP rights, is someone asking for any type of monies from you up front. That's not your responsibility.

12. Doing things because you have a good heart can bite you in the ass. I've been bitten, more than once. I'd like to think I've learned from it and have successfully applied it over the last few years.

I hope this helps a bit.

13. Addendum: Exclusive Contracts.
Ultimately, even exclusive contracts are "at will" agreements, particularly if it's based on a page rate rather than employee compensation. When you sign an exclusive, understand the terms of the contract so that you are not left hanging.

14. an exclusive with a signing or yearly bonus of some kind is preferable but not a deal breaker. Remember, that you are still a subcontractor, responsible for your own taxes and possibly a portion of whatever healthcare package the company offers, if they have one.