Building an American Manga...In 2012 (After the Bubble Burst)

I'm an indie / self-publisher (so far at least)...Most people don't consider my comics manga, but they ARE still comics, and I do derive tons of aesthetic influence from manga and anime.

Because I'm not really much of an actual popular creator, I don't get paid like some comics creators do. Most likely, I'm a "Manga-Ka Hobbyist". I'm not a creator of the commercial variety. Actually, I never was one of those to begin with. Creators like myself are producing comics based on passion and drive alone, never money so far. Creators driven BY money are finding it tough to produce anything OR survive, online or anywhere else. But because I don't rely on profits of the industry for survival, I exist in a comics publishing context OUTSIDE OF industry sales. You'll only do it forever if you're doing it (comics) for free. Which I AM. Industry sales don't affect my productivity because I'm not involved in industry figures or sales of comics in any way really. I'm getting older, but am I worried about quitting? No.

I'll be drawing comics and manga (more than likely) in 2012 and beyond for MANY years. The American manga industry is only partially built on money, and it's a very small amount. American manga is like American indie comics. It doesn't rely on sales to continue being produced. Just encouragement, positive reinforcement, and passion, and passion is the only aspect of comics making NOT in short supply of those three things lately.