Here ’tis… That annual post that about 10 or so people eagerly await: The Nix Comics Revenue and Expenses Confession… er… Report. This year, like last, I’m finishing up in the black. Also like last year, this was out of necessity, as I’ve been in a continued state of semi-employment, despite finally getting a B.A. in Public Policy, Management, and Leadership. (I honestly thought I’d be gainfully employed by this time and back to throwing money at projects with no regard for their money making potential.)

That’s the good news, and I’m not complaining. In last year’s report I didn’t list personal expenses as a line item, because, well all of the money I made making comics went to personal expenses. I was pretty much at a zero balance. The net of $447.35 for 2022 is actual money waiting on 2023 projects. (And of course, knock on wood, barring any sudden personal expenses.) That’s pretty cool! Thanks to everyone who has supported me!

A Little more detail on the revenue:

On-Line sales: I performed an experimental divestment from crowdfunding platforms in 2022. In particular, there are aspects of Kickstarter that I’ve never particularly liked: The whole “Got A Long Way To Go and a Short Time To Get There” model of funding is an emotional rollercoaster that I can do without, I don’t like the formatting constraints of a Kickstarter campaign, and I don’t like the potential for guilt by association with anti-union actions or block-chain use. This meant trying to drive more traffic directly to my website, particularly when doing pre-orders for Tales from the Crate #7 and Sketchbook Picture Sleeves Volume 2.

In the end, the results were pretty much what you’d expect. I made less money. My feelings about the brand and process aside, its what people seem to be programmed for. (And, well, the algorithms of the various social media giants. Yes, they probably tamp down crowdfunding requests, but it seems more they tamp down on individuals asking for pre-orders even more.)

Grant: Long Story Short: I opened up the year with what I thought was a great idea for a combination self-promotion/ICARP project. The Greater Columbus Arts Council (GCAC) agreed and gave me a grant to pay for it! The United States Postal Service decided and to dispose of my art in an undisclosed manner. (Thanks to GCAC for letting me repurpose the funds for printing other projects!)

Events: While I didn’t actively “divest” from doing comic shows, I did actively only do comics-related events that had zero buy-in. (That ended up being SPACE, where I worked off my table table fee for Bob Corby, and my own release party graciously hosted by the Bookspace. It meant no CXC for the first time in the history of the “big indie” Columbus show, which I kind of missed, although as it turns out, a sciatica attack probably would’ve impaired my ability to table anyway.

I did make something of a return to non-conventional marketplace type events and did pretty well. Expect more of me at community arts events and record swaps in the coming years. They tend to be a little hit or miss for a random comics guy, but honestly, the high end is better than any comics show. (Both for sales and those intangible type things like “community building.”)

Consignment: I opened up the year selling some comics for a friend on eBay. This number is my net commission after pay-out, fees, and shipping to avoid it looking like I had massive expenses and sales in this report. The interesting part of doing this work was that it reminded that I essentially started Nix Comics with a massive eBay sale. I find myself wondering if I could replicate that in 2023 somehow to refill my coffers and return to some of the rewarding but expensive collaborative work that I love.

Commissioned Art: Hey! I did album art this year! Scratch that off of the bucket list! I also did my first ever Sketchbook Picture Sleeve commission and a pet(s) portrait. Didn’t think I’d ever do the latter.

Wholesale: I’ve pretty much packed t in when it comes to wholesale. I sell stuff to Lost Weekend, Laughing Ogre and the Wexner Center Gift Shop because I want to be part of the community and enjoy my partnership with those businesses, but honestly putting books in stores is a lot of work for very little reward.