u/DeviousDoctorSnide

For the most part, I think "independent" in the comics context tends to be a shorthand for anything that isn't published by Marvel or DC.

Do you think that is still a useful or accurate definition? If not, how do you define and categorise an "indie" comic?

Invincible, for example, is the biggest superhero outside the Big Two. The comic is not published by Marvel or DC, but it is able to sell (via collected editions and spin-offs) as well as or even better than the average Big Two title and is supported by a very popular animated series produced by Amazon. When the comic started 20+ years ago and for most of its published run, it could be reasonably described as "indie", but is that still an accurate or useful description in 2026?

Is it a question of popularity? Does an "independent" book cease to be "independent" when it reaches a certain level of popularity, as Invincible has?

What about tie-in comics? Dark Horse published Star Wars comics for many, many years. Does the fact that they weren't coming from the Big Two make those comics "indie" or is it not credible to call something that tied in with Star Wars "indie"?

I see people, when asked for recommendations for "indie" comics, suggest Vertigo books. Obviously, Vertigo was / is published by DC. So does "indie" in this context just refer to a vibe? That is, you will get something out of this that you just won't see in any Big Two tights and fights comic?

I think it's an interesting topic and I'm curious to hear what people think about this!