OPEN PANEL — One Page

The story is free. The universe is the asset.

What it is. A free comics platform that gives finished comics away forever, and makes money by owning and licensing the worlds those comics create — characters, merchandise, film/TV, collectibles.

Why free. Free isn’t charity — it’s the growth engine. No paywall = the widest audience = the best odds an IP catches fire. Giving away a digital comic costs almost nothing, so we take many cheap shots at the next breakout universe.

How it makes money. Reading is always free. Revenue comes from the universe via VARIANT (the commercial side): merch licenses, brand partnerships, film/TV/game options, premium collectible editions, and sublicensing.

The structure. One for-profit company — a Delaware Public Benefit Corporation. It owns the IP, runs the free reader, and earns the licensing revenue. The PBC gives us a legally protected public mission and keeps ownership, control, and profit with the founders. (Later option: a steward-trust to make it permanently un-sellable, à la Patagonia — only if we choose that.)

Creators. Paid fairly up front, co-own their work, and earn a real share of downstream licensing (working figure: author-favorable 50% of net on their work), tracked transparently. The talent pipeline is the business.

The flywheel. Free comics → audience → a hit IP → licensing revenue → reinvest into more free comics → bigger audience. Product stays free; the asset compounds.

Status. Working draft (v0.1). Names provisional. The legal structure needs counsel before filing. Not legal or financial advice.

Full picture: FOUNDER_BRIEF.md · money & structure: MONEY.md · what’s open: DECISIONS.md.