My Plea to the Comic Book Industry

The American comic book industry is in a death spiral, and it’s time we were honest about why.

In this video, I’m making a plea for self-awareness in the Western creative space. While Japanese Manga and Eastern media continue to see massive growth in the West, American comics are facing a steep decline in readership.

The reason isn’t just “the stories”—it’s the culture.

I discuss:

The East vs. West Gap: How Mangakas focus on hard work and entertainment while Western creators are navigating a social-political minefield.

The Hostile Environment: Why “cancellation culture” and back-channel sabotage are creating a catty, unfun industry that drives customers away.

The Myth of Competition: Why Manga isn’t the “enemy,” but a symptom that shows us exactly what the American audience actually wants.

Professional Courtesy: Why we need to leave egos at the door, stop trying to tear down those we disagree with, and get back to being GREAT.

I believe in the American comic book industry. I wouldn’t work this hard if I didn’t. But we cannot build a future on revisionism and spite. It’s time to focus on the work again.