*careens into article* https://www.businessinsider.com/black-former-dc-comics-editors-describe-career-obstacles-they-faced-2020-10

Lord, please let them follow this up with a deep dive on the three black female executives that sued Disney.

Ironically, I think one of the women is at DC now.

Anyway, long story short, the comics "mainstream" is atrocious at maintaining black talent because of two intertwining biases--one against black people and one against artists.

(I don't care anymore so I can open up the cans of worms.) There is an erroneous belief that the writer is the "brain" of a creative team and anyone can handle the rest of the duties. There is also a false belief that black people aren't intellectual enough to be that "brain."

The result? If you are black, you have to be four times as good for an entry-level slot. The Obama of writers. Have a PhD. A social media following nearing 100K. Articles about you in major publications.

And even then you will be given the same salary as a white guy who only has two Image projects under his belt that sold 2,000 copies each. Your skill will be questioned. "Do you REALLY know comics?"

You will be treated as if you should be grateful for being allowed to make a legendary character authentic. Your work will be used for film/games. The original creator will get paid. You'll realize you could do much better in TV or working on your own properties. You'll leave.

Editors? Well, that's even worse. Because you'll be expected to relocate to an area that is physically and psychologically harmful to black people (Portland) or to move to a place that is simply not financially within your reach given wealth disparity along racial lines (LA/NYC).

And that's just at the companies themselves, not taking into account the zero protection when Comicsgate trolls send you Klan photos or call you a race hustler or make fun of your ethnic name. So for your own well being? You leave. And your ideas are used without compensation.

The "mainstream" comics industry has created a hostile and confining environment where there is no incentive for a black person--especially one who is famous and established elsewhere--to remain instead of leaving for animation or prose or games or Scholastic or Netflix.

Why would anyone black stay? Nostalgia? Maybe for dudes in their mid-50s. Anyone younger grew up in the time that the industry had almost completely shoved us away. That talent pool is nostalgic for manga staples and video games.

You're gonna tell a famous black dude in his 30s who spent his childhood obsessed with Goku that he should be grateful to write a Luke Cage comic? At entry-level pay? Good luck with all of that!

I LOVE the superhero genre. So obvious. I love the comics medium. Also obvious. I love writing and world-building. I could not care less if I get all three simultaneously. Not any more. Haven't for a long time. Give me The Sims, a Batman movie, and a slice-of-life OGN. I'm good.

I don't have to deal with any Comicsgate trolls or stalkers anymore. I don't have to worry about when any glass ceiling will knock me upside the head. Black people have enough to deal with right now than to fight for a seat at a table where they won't even be served a full meal.

Not to mention being racially abused for marketing purposes! https://twitter.com/cheryllynneaton/status/1319660513748525057

All that said? There's a reason I put "mainstream" in quotes. Because there are places within comics that are welcoming to black people. Like YA--yes, even at DC! And there are a host of mediums available that deal with the cape genre, from games to film.

The DM is only the foyer of the house that is comics. Reactionary, bigoted fans and creators only make up the outside gate of the cape genre. Push your way past both? You'll find plenty of places where you can make yourself comfortable.