a positive face, A thriving market in sales and cultural life, and another downside, the instability in which the majority of writers work and the difficulties of getting ahead of small and medium-sized publisherspart of the x-ray of the world that reveals the story expected The first White Comic Book in Spain was presented this Thursday at the Ministry of Culture. Comics IndustryIt is an organization created in 2020 and composed of representatives. all areas of the sector -writers, booksellers, editors, translators, librarians, critics, distributors, event organizers, agents…- “fighting for the dissemination, improvement and growth of the ninth art.”
Next to you Minister of Culture, Ernest Urtasun and said María José Gálvez, General Manager of Books, Comics and Reading. HE Sector President Alejandro Casasolaaccompanied by him Óscar Valiente, vice president and director of Norma Editorial. presented this detailed and historical diagnosis. They participated in this 650 professionalsThey note that it offers a “clear, accurate and plural image” of the reality of a sector that has been historically forgotten by public institutions. They make some requests for help 8% and 10% Valiente noted that it’s equivalent to the weight that comics have in the publishing industry (they’re currently at 5%). special public scholarships for creation.
Keys
It was Cesur who threw the bomb Full summary with numbers from the White Paper This proves that comics are “one of the greatest assets of the Spanish publishing industry”, have “greater specificity and specialization” and have four million readers over the age of 14. The other side of the coin: writers’ insecurity. Under these lines, keys:
The rich ecosystem of the environment
“There’s more 1,000 Spanish artists active, We create 1,500 direct jobs specialized, more 300 translators funny, more 50 custom publishing labels although they are More than 300 people publishing a comic More than once throughout the year 150 personal publishers and fan editorsMoreover 200 special bookstores bring together 122 events 1.3 million visitors per year10 representatives, 6 training centers, 4 university chairsMoreover 25 associations and foundations specialized,” Valiente explained.
Strength of the industry
He added that the sector has reached the following level:4,600 news published In 2022 and also in 2023, It produces an annual turnover of 130 million the data that places it Between 7 and 8% of Spanish editorial weight (ignoring textbooks) and this coincides with the recent decision by the consultancy GfK to give comics a weight of 8% in the Spanish book industry’s turnover and 10% in units sold.
Writers’ desperation
“The above figures,” Valiente lamented, “contradict another fact, namely the enormous difficulty that many artists experience in practicing their profession in suitable conditions.” The White Paper illustrates the difficulty that comes with a complete dedication to creating comics:
– Only 21% of professionals report that all of their income comes from comic book-related activities.most people combine this mainly with illustration, design or teaching.
–For 64% of writers, income from comics does not reach minimum interprofessional salarywith 33% with annual net income of less than 1,000 euros. 30 percent claim 1,001 to 10,000 euros, 21 percent claim 10,001 to 30,000, 11 percent claim 30,001 to 60,000 euros, and 5 percent claim to exceed this amount. 45% charge less than 30 euros per page, without taking into account upfront payments for rights or royalties.
–51 percent earn less than 20,000 euros net annually And Only 10% of creators have received any corporate help in the last 5 years. And from the data provided, it is clear that only those working in the international market can make a living from comics.
Feminine Spanish comics
According to data provided by the Tebeosfera association, out of 1,033 Spanish creators published in 2022, only 221 were women. And only 20% of the creators participating in this Whitepaper are. “The number of female creators is still in a very clear minority,” lamented writer Sara Jotabé, coordinator of the Sector’s Equality committee, who noted the increase in international female firms and wondered what was missing in Spain to participate in this growth. . Although no figures were available, it was observed that there were “large numbers of female readers of all ages in bookstores and events.” The White Paper offers an illuminating examination of the history of writers who broke the mold every decade. Pioneers such as Lola Anglada, Purita Campos, Trini Tinturé (his death was announced shortly after the work was submitted)Carme Barbarà or Núria Pompeia according to the current generation 2.0.
Basic precautions
The industry also demands eight key measures:
– The creation aid mentioned above
-Maintaining progress in the implementation of this regulation, as the Ministry currently prioritizes artist status
-The Introduction of a hitherto non-existent tax title and special qualification requirements for writers.
-Introducing comics in educational programs.
-Measures to encourage reading comics
-More presence in libraries
-Artificial Intelligence and anti-hacking protection
-Preservation of artistic and cultural heritage. Valiente made sure to recall the historic demand for a museum or public center for comics.
Other important data
They participated in the White Paper 47 publishersOf these, 96% do not belong to any publishing group and 86% are micro-businesses with fewer than 10 employees. In autonomy, 32 percent of them are from Catalonia, 19% from Madrid and 17% from the Valencian Community. The research notes that of the total number of comic book publishers in Spain, the 5 largest account for 60% of launches, indicating the concentration of the sector and the need to support and protect smaller publishers.
-From comics published in 2021, 70% of publishers publish Spanish works; 48%, children’s and youth comics; 41% European comics; 24% manga and 13% North American comics. According to the White Paper, smaller publishers develop more national products and therefore need more assistance.
–Specialized bookstores are the main marketing pointaccounts for 35% of sales. These are followed by independent general stores at 14%, department stores at 13%, and direct sales from both general chains and publishers’ websites and online trade at 8%. squad, It is the work with the highest presence in sales points with 44%, followed by American and European comics and Spanish works with 9%.
–Broadcasters’ highest cost lies in raw materials -51% of expenses-. And 81% of them print and bind in Spanish companies, making them a driving force for the printing industry. In 2021, 68% of publishers received some help with editing.
The preparation of the White Paper was one of the main objectives of the Sector, and this also led to the announcement in 2022 of the Ministry of Culture, then led by Miquel Iceta, on 17 March. Comic Book and Comic Book Day.