Listen up, you magnificent weirdos—no great art happens alone. Whether you're making comics, painting, kitbashing, or building cosplay props, collaboration will take you further than you ever thought possible.
I know, I know—every artist has that control freak mentality. “It’s my vision! My story! My world!” But let me tell you something: even the best of the best have someone in their corner. Jack Kirby had Stan Lee (whether he liked it or not), Eastman had Laird, and every single artist out there who’s killing it today? Yeah, they’ve got an inker, a colorist, a writer, a letterer—a squad backing them up.
So why are you out here trying to do everything yourself?
Why Creators Struggle to Collaborate
It’s simple: we’re stubborn. Every comic creator, painter, filmmaker, or maker I know has this belief that only they can execute their vision perfectly. And while that’s cute and all, it’s also the fast track to burnout.
I’ve been there. I’ve tried writing, penciling, inking, coloring, and lettering all on my own. And you know what I learned? That’s a one-way ticket to misery, my friend.
The indie scene is full of amazing talent, but too many people fall into the trap of doing EVERYTHING themselves because they don’t want to "lose control." But real talk? The best work happens when you trust someone else to bring something new to the table.
The Magic of Working with Others
Great art is like a jam session—it’s about feeding off the energy of the people around you.
Think about comics:
A writer gives an artist a script, and the artist brings it to life.
A colorist takes those lines and adds emotion, depth, and energy.
A letterer gives the story its voice and rhythm.
It’s a team sport, and when you find the right people, you’ll push each other to new creative heights.
Think about Kevin Smith and Scott Mosier—Smith thought Clerks was just a dumb indie flick, but Mosier pushed him to believe in his own work and go bigger. That’s what collaboration does. It challenges you, hypes you up, and makes you better.
Finding the Right People to Work With
Not all collabs are good collabs. Some people are lazy. Some people are full of shit. And some people? Will push you to be better than you ever imagined.
So how do you find them?
✅ Look for people who give honest feedback without being assholes.
✅ Find creatives who challenge your ideas but respect your vision.
✅ Work with those who actually do the work—not just talk about it.
And most importantly? Put yourself in the mix. Find fellow creatives at cons, on Discord, Substack, Instagram—wherever your people are.
Give More, Get More
The best collaborations happen when you share the love. Stop hoarding your ideas like goblin sitting on a pile of unused brilliance. Reach out., connect, and create
This week, I challenge you—find one person to collaborate with. A writer, an artist, a creator—team up and make something happen.
And when you do? Hit me up. I wanna hear about it.
🔥 Now get off your ass and create—with someone. 🔥
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