Creative careers and work dynamics in Cultural and Creative Industries: Comics creators in Italy

This paper investigates the careers and work dynamics of comics creators in Italy, guided by two key research questions. Firstly, the study examines the career trajectories of comics creators, exploring how they organize their work and the challenges contributing to precariousness within the field. Secondly, it explores the impact of digitalization on the organization of comics creators' work. The methodology employed is comprehensive, integrating archival research and a survey conducted with 508 comics creators in Italy between September and October 2022. The study unveils challenges in comics creators' careers, emphasizing a DIY ethos shaped by diverse educational backgrounds. Precariousness is evident in struggles with contracts and income disparities. International engagement and self-publishing underscore an entrepreneurial spirit. Digitalization's impact is notable, with social media playing a pivotal role. The findings emphasize the subjective nature of creators' experiences. The study not only unveils critical insights into the challenges and dynamics of comics creators' careers but also contributes significantly to academic discourse by shedding light on the intricate interplay between digitalization, entrepreneurial spirit, and the nuanced experiences of creators within the evolving landscape of the comics industry.