What Creators owe Fans/What Publishers Owe Creators

digresssmlOriginally published April 12, 2002, in Comics Buyer’s Guide #1482

James B. of San Diego wrote in to “Oh So” to comment on my opinion that all creators owe their fans is their very best work, to which he said that I was “…absolutely right. Technically speaking, of course. Technically, all a creator does owe his fans is his very best work. Just as, technically speaking, all a publisher, say—oh, I dunno—Archie Comics, owes to any creator would be the agreed-upon amounts due under the contract or agreement said creator was working under, right?”

Now James raises an interesting point. However, he took my sentiment totally out of context to accomplish it.