This will be the second iteration of the survey, five years after the launch of the first Comics Creators Survey and the initiative is generously supported by Arts Council England and the Arts University Bournemouth.
The UK comics scene is a fast-growing grassroots creative industry, fuelled more recently by the explosion in readership of comics and graphic novels as data show that sales of graphic novels have tripled between 2019 and 2024.
Launching on Friday 5 September, this anonymous online survey is designed to provide the most up-to-date snapshot of who is making comics in the UK today, how they’re doing, what obstacles they’re facing and what they need to be able to thrive.
It will include questions on the impact of AI, the cost of living crisis and Brexit on the livelihoods of creators, as well as build on the findings of the last survey, conducted in 2020.
Five years ago, the survey discovered that:
– The average income was £10,299, with 66% earning less than £5,000;
– Only 13% of creators earn a living through comics alone;
– 1/10 creators who view comics as their career are only able to create comics in their spare time;
– Creators identify as 60% male, 33% female, and 6% non-binary;
– 1/3 comics creators are working class;
– Main challenges were cited as ‘Lack of financial income, or expectation of it in the future’ (55%) and ’Lack of time to create’ (51%).
The survey will provide valuable data to assess and help us understand the landscape and how the situation has changed in order to ensure that this period of growth is sustainable and that creators are reaping the benefits of their work.
Hannah Berry, says: “This is an exciting and a uniquely challenging time to be making comics, but the history of this industry is notoriously paved with the exploitation of creators. In order for this period of growth to be sustainable we need to ensure that the needs of its creators are met, which means, first of all, working out what those needs actually are.”
Anna Ganley, Chief Executive of the SoA is keen to see creators reap the benefits of their work: “The boom of the comic books scene in the UK is wonderful and demonstrates the rich diversity and breadth of our industry. During a time of fast-paced change and challenges, particularly with the development of generative AI, which impacts on authors’ livelihoods, this new survey is perfectly pitched and will provide invaluable insights into the working conditions of comics creators. Understanding the challenges faced by comics creators is an essential first step towards safeguarding their professional interests and to building a sustainable profession, ensuring that the success of the sector benefits the creators themselves.”
Rachel Hill, CEO at Association of Illustrators, says: “Comics are a powerful medium for storytelling, and the community who create them have demonstrated remarkable talent and resilience in recent years. This survey is a crucial step toward understanding the real-world challenges and opportunities facing comics creators in the UK today. By adding your voice, you are helping to build a fairer, more sustainable profession, one where the work of comics creators is properly recognised and valued. The more creators we hear from, the stronger the case becomes for meaningful support, increased funding, and improved working conditions. Comics have never been more important as a tool to connect people and reflect the diversity of our lives. Your input is essential to make sure this creative sector continues to grow and thrive.”
We need you
The survey is open to anyone over 16, based in the UK, who is making comics (or intending to) for public audiences. It doesn’t matter whether you are an established professional, emerging talent or student. You can find the survey here
About the data
The data will be analysed by The Audience Agency, who will also be running qualitative interviews to explore subjects in depth.
The results
The final report will be published in early December.
We will use the findings to advocate for creators and make the case for better support and funding.
Specifically, the findings will:
• Help us advocate for creators, ensuring their views can be represented in policy and campaign work;
• Improve levels of funding by delivering relevant data that can be used in funding bids and campaigns;
• Increase support by identifying issues and lay the groundwork for interventions;
• Empower the comics community with insights that will ensure activities are representative, equitable and sustainable;
• Break down silos by giving arts, literature and funding organisations information necessary to include comics in their programming;
• Make the case for the formation of a backbone organisation, ensuring the comics community can work collaboratively towards shared goals.
About us
Hannah Berry leads the project, and conducted the 2020 survey while in post as Comics Laureate.
The Comics Cultural Impact Collective (CCIC) was founded by an independent group of comics professionals with the aim of raising the profile of the medium and supporting creators. CCIC is the UK’s first infrastructure organisation dedicated to comics advocacy, using research to build the social, psychological and economic case for comics while campaigning for better funding, support and recognition of the sector.
The Association of Illustrators is the professional body for illustration in the UK and beyond. Since 1973 the AOI has been championing illustrators and the illustration industry with education, promotion and campaigning to achieve a thriving industry.
The Society of Authors is the UK’s largest trade union for all types of writers, illustrators and literary translators, at all stages of their careers. The SoA has been advising individuals and speaking out for the profession for more than a century.
