Over the years, I have tried to support indie creators —albeit with mixed results. I have been trying to work on more indie reviews, as I did with Big Bang Comics recently. And last
year, I spun off a podcast just for indie creators, Fantastic Comic Fan Presents. I was able to bring on some fantastic indies onto the show, like Another Door Comics, Randy Reynaldo’s Rob Hanes Adventures, and Alim Leggett’s Sweet Pea.
But realistically, there are too many comics, let alone indie comics, putting out fantastic comics that just wait for fans to discover. But, there is a fantastic way to support those indie creators: the Ringo Awards, an annual comics industry awards show that lets both fans and pros nominate and vote, celebrating the creators and books that truly connected with readers.
The Ringo Awards matter for indie creators because fan votes can pull smaller, overlooked books into the spotlight in ways the big publishers simply can’t drown out. When fans show up, they level the playing field.
Hey, I know some of the creators. I am looking at Omar Morales’s Major Thomas, who put out one of my favorite indie comics last year. And, I was lucky enough to sit down with Omar to talk about his comic. Anything by Jon Dexter is worth a look; he has a
new campaign going for his Alpha Dogs comic, now on its sixth issue. How about another one of my favorite indie creators: Laurie Calcaterra, whose Path of the Pale Rider, where you can sample for free over at Global Comix.
Again, one nomination — just one — can give an indie creator the kind of visibility that changes everything. It can boost their career, bring new readers to their work, and send a clear signal to publishers that audiences want fresh voices, new ideas, and creators who aren’t already on every shelf. Your vote can literally put those books on the industry’s radar.
So don’t sit on the sideline, because you! The fan matters! If you’ve ever finished an issue and thought, More people should be reading this, the Ringo ballot is where you make that happen. It’s quick. It’s open. And it’s one of the few places where your enthusiasm actually moves the needle.
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