Making a living working as a mainstream full time comic artist can be challenging but it’s very plausible. With huge companies like Marvel and DC who publish dozens and dozens of books a month, there’s almost always opportunity. But what about for you perverts? No one’s exactly knocking on your door, right? If your future in hentai seems bleek don’t worry, there’s hope. With a little dedication and this thing called the Internet you can earn a full-time income drawing porn.

As some of you know, I am the founder of DirtyComics.com and I contribute to other sites online such as Jabcomix.com and JohnPersons.com.  I used to be a colorist for Marvel and DC Comics, I published a few books, I’ve gone to conventions pimpin’ my art, I’ve done an Indiegogo campaign, etc.  I’ve been an entrepreneur in comics and I’ve been a freelancer.  That’s why I think I can help you, especially if you’re sitting on the fence wondering if you should pull the trigger on an adult comic career path.

The main reason I draw and paint comic porn for a living is because I love it.  Sure, I didn’t like my future opportunities in mainstream comics.  And yes, I love the opportunities that I see coming in online adult comics.  I’m a huge component of the adult comics industry and I’m passionate about seeing new people come into the industry, and making it bigger and better.

The first question I think you need to ask yourself is, do you want to be a freelancer or an entrepreneur?  Most people think it’s the same thing, but really, it’s not.  Let’s define it.

Wiki defines a freelancer as:

“A freelancer or freelance worker is a term commonly used for a person who is self-employed and is not necessarily committed to a particular employer long-term. Freelance workers are sometimes represented by a company or a temporary agency that resells freelance labor to clients, others work independently or use professional associations or websites to get work.”

If you freelance now, freelancing for adult comics is the same.  Look for a publisher, get a job penciling, inking, or whatever for a rate you’re comfortable with.  Not really much is different.  Even though by definition you are both self employed, being an entrepreneur is very different.

Here’s Wiki’s definition of an entrepreneur:

“Entrepreneurs are leaders willing to take risk and exercise initiative, taking advantage of market opportunities by planning, organizing, and employing resources, often by innovating new or improving existing products”.

The key word to take from that definition is “leader”.  If you wanted to take the entrepreneur route and have your own adult site, it’s going to take leadership, money, time, planning, organization, etc.  It can be very tiring and taxing because in the beginning you will most likely be a one man show. The difference is the pay off.

In Wiki’s definition, they mention risk.  Yes there is risk, but there is risk in anything you do.  You could work a great paying shitty freelance job and be miserable.  Or you could draw what you love drawing and possibly not make a profit for months (maybe even years).  When I was in my 20’s, I may have taken the higher stress well paying gig because I was ambitious.  Now?  Fuck that shit.  You can actually do what you enjoy doing and make what you want to make if you work at it.

Major Pro and Cons:

Which gives instant income or more job security?

Freelancing.  If you’ve freelanced before, saying you have much security here is almost comical.  But being an entrepreneur gives you zero security in the beginning.

Which is most flexible and/or has the highest upside?

Entrepreneur.  Once you “get going” you will have more flexibility and have the capacity to make more money.

So what should you do, freelance or be an entrepreneur?  My advice is to do the one that resonates with you.  I think most people have to do both.  You either have to straddle your “day job” with your entrepreneurial plans or you have to freelance while you build your own gig.

That’s the end of part 1. In part 2 I’ll discuss how you make money doing both.

-Moose