Ghost Machine has not so quietly impacted the comic publishing market in just two years. During this time, Geoff Johns’ creation has published multiple books, including the acclaimed “Geiger” series, a one-off collection, the “Redcoat” series, the horror-themed “Hyde Street,” and “Exodus.” This creator-driven model looks to take over the indie industry soon.
Ghost: Taking the Independent Publishing World by Storm
Ghost Machine Comics immediately stood out from its competitors due to its powerful creator-driven design. Rather than signing off on their rights to their work for a paltry income, creators take on full creative control while retaining all their rights. Ghost simply prints and distributes the comics and helps the creators reach a much wider audience.
It’s an approach that many publishers said was doomed to failure. They argued that creative people don’t understand business and that major publishers deserved to get a big cut of their work simply to get it out there. Well, with one comic after another selling out and more to come, it’s clear that Ghost has broken the mold, and things might never be the same again.
Could a small independent publisher like Ghost truly break into the multibillion-dollar industry created by the major companies? Perhaps not totally. But they can at least bring a breath of fresh air into a market that’s staggering under its self-important weight. Breaking free of repetitive and obvious storylines, Ghost’s model could force other publishers to adapt.
How Ghost Could Change Publishing for Good
Just imagine a market where independent publishers grant their writers and artists control over not just the creative direction of their work but also full ownership. No more compromising on storylines. Say goodbye to unfair profit distribution. Everybody shares the load in this model, and while it puts more of an onus on the creatives, their potential for success is vast.
For example, let’s say the publishing team takes on a small but creative writer who touches on fascinating themes. Rather than paying them a fraction of what they deserve or controlling their creativity, Ghost lets them do what they want and rewards them financially. People who feel rewarded for their work will, ultimately, produce better results.
Furthermore, they’re also more likely to stay loyal. Johns is building a stable of excellent writers, artists, letterers, and inkers who will continue to produce fascinating work that their legions of fans love. Better team loyalty also inspires more fan respect, so there are basically few downsides to this approach, one that’s likely to only spread like wildfire in the rest of the industry.
The Future is Now
With new publishers already picking up on Ghost’s innovative model, it’s only a matter of time before more creators go this route. After all, it’s a win-win situation for them: retain full control and economic benefits from their work? Who wouldn’t love a gig like that? Only time will tell how much of a dent it makes in the big publisher’s pockets, but for now, it’s clear that it works.