From what I know, the comic industry is not doing very well in China. After print magazines started to decline, comics moved to online platforms, but many paying readers were lost. Because of this, being a comic artist in China is usually not a high-paid job. Even so, I still hope to work in this industry.
Based on my understanding, starting a new comic takes a lot of time. It usually needs a few months to prepare the character designs, the drafts for the first chapters, and the full outline of the story. After that, the creator sends the work to an editor. If the editor thinks the work is good enough, it may get a chance to be published as a series. I have also been trying this process in my free time.
However, I have to admit that the comic industry is not a completely stable career choice under the current situation. Platform policies change often, readers’ willingness to pay is decreasing, and the pressure of constant updates can cause physical strain. All of these make the risks of being a comic artist higher than in many other jobs. Because of this, while I am pursuing my dream of becoming a comic creator, I also prepare another path for myself.
I can also try working as an animator or animation director, which is closely related to my major. If my comic does not succeed in the early stages of serialization, I would consider joining an animation studio as an animator as a transition. The animation industry in China is growing very quickly. Many 2D and 3D animation films are receiving great attention and are very popular with young audiences, and people are willing to pay to watch them. Working in animation would allow me to keep gaining creative experience and improve my drawing and storytelling skills. At the same time, it would help me build a stronger technical foundation for continuing my comic creation in the future.
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