It was on or around July 10–11,
2026 that Comix Wellspring, a major print-on-demand printer popular with
independent comic book creators and crowdfunders, suspended operations and shut
down. Founded in 2011 as a comic-focused division connected to Greko Printing
in Roseville, Michigan, Comix Wellspring became a very popular choice among
independent creators and publishers for the past decade. It’s sudden, and
recent announcement that it has temporarily suspending all operations came as a
complete surprise to the entire industry.
Comix Wellspring halted production
and refunded all unfulfilled customer orders due to what it described as
“unforeseen operational challenges.” In the announcement posted on their
website, they also directed customers who are in need of comicbook print
services to Greko Printing, the original founder of Comix Wellspring, now that
there’s no longer non-compete restrictions in place.
In the past, we had personally used
both Comix Wellspring and Greko Printing, as well as Ka-blam for our own comics.
While there is still some serious
consternation among Indie comic companies and solo publishers as to where they
will be getting their comics printed. Into this uncertain future comes a new
player, Morris Publishing’
According to their web page, MorrisPublishing was founded back in 1933 as a commercial printer. Over time, they
have evolved into a specialized printer in the short-run book and
self-publishing industry, claiming to have published millions of books in a
variety of genres, comicbooks and graphic novels among various other types and genres.
The company boasts about producing short-run books in quantities of 25 to over 5,000,
offering binding styles and sizes which conform to industry norms and can
be tailored to meet most authors’ needs. The company also states that because
they specialize in certain sizes and features, publishers can expect to receive
lower prices with them than other printers.
What makes their pitch especially
notable is they have recently begun a social media blitz on Facebook and other
social media platforms, by offering a free comic to herald their arrival on the
scene. We recently signed up to receive the comic and were reasonably impressed
with their presentation. To be sure, we have often, in this forum and
elsewhere, extolled our own interest in comicbooks that aren’t just comics, but
a teaching medium. The Ghostwriter (Morris’ presentation comic) is a fine
example of just that.
The comic starts out with a
two-page story with Ghostwriter rescuing a female publisher being abducted by a
villain named Traditional Comicbook Sample (Yeah, I know, totally corny, but
easily overlooked, for the purpose of an intro narrative.) From there it gives
visual examples of both traditional and Manga style comics. Next up is a
two-page spread pitching as to why Morris should be your choice in comicbook
self-publishing. This is followed by a how-to guide to self-publish with Morris
in five easy steps that covers traditional and Manga comics as well as graphic
novels. The steps include types of binding, black & white as well as color
printing options, types of binding and paper choices, and wraps up with how to
prepare your files for printing. The comic then winds up with Morris’ pledge
for up-front pricing as well as promotion tool to market your book. The back
cover offers up a full-page ad with specific information on how to contact
Morris, including a phone number, email, and their physical mailing address.
We have to say, if you want to
print in the comicbook market, perhaps the best way to gain the attention of
comicbook publishers (especially Indie publishers) pitching your services in a
giveaway comicbook is actually a pretty genius way to go about doing it.
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