Why I Chose to Self-Publish My Comic

Graphic Novel Arrived

When I first started Project: Saviour, I didn’t set out to self-publish. Like most creators, I thought the “proper way” was to submit to publishers, wait, and hope someone gave me a shot. Like you know, DC comics.

But the longer I worked on it, the more I realised I didn’t want to wait for someone else to say my work was good enough. I wanted to tell the story my way, on my timeline, with no compromises.

That’s how I ended up as an independent comic creator and publisher.

It Was Never About Control — It Was About the Work

Self-publishing isn’t about having total control for the sake of it. It’s about keeping the core of the project intact.

I’ve spent years drawing, inking, and colouring every page of Project: Saviour. I know every panel, every detail. I’ve worked with people who understand my vision, and I’ve been lucky to have help on lettering for a few issues.

Self-publishing lets me protect the spirit of the book. It allowed me to build a world without worrying if it fit someone else’s template of what a comic “should be.”

The Hardest Part Is All of It

The creative part is only one side of self-publishing.

You also become your own marketing team, logistics coordinator, website designer, print manager, and sometimes even your own distributor. I’ve had to figure out shipping, packaging, online shop systems, promotion, and everything in between.

None of it has been easy. There’s no blueprint, and there’s no one coming to do it for you. You either figure it out, or the book never gets made.

Why It’s Still Worth It

I’ve never regretted taking this path.

I don’t have to compromise story beats or change things to fit market trends. I get to connect directly with people who like what I’m building. I’ve learned new skills I never thought I’d need, and I’ve built something that feels personal, because it is.

The best part is when someone holds a copy of Project: Saviour in their hands and tells me they connected with the story. That makes every long night and every setback worth it.

The Takeaway

Self-publishing isn’t for everyone. It’s harder. It takes longer. It can be frustrating.

But it also gives you the freedom to make something that’s entirely yours. For me, that’s what matters most.

If you’re thinking about telling your own story, don’t wait for permission. Make the thing. Release it. Figure it out as you go. That’s how Project: Saviour happened. That’s how any creative work happens.

Thanks for reading — and for being part of this journey.

— Craig Johnson

Project Comic Universe