And like all successful, well-known comics creators he doesn't have the money for insurance so he needs help. Honestly, how many creators need to be ruined before we end this system?
Obviously I agree, but Niles's case isn't really the equivalent of the typical freelancer's -- he's done some Batman minis here and there, sure, but his most successful work is creator-owned. If every freelancer in the industry were given a full-time employment contract tomorrow, that still wouldn't have an impact on guys like Niles. I'm not sure even a union would help given that he's working for himself.
So what's the answer in his case? I know that if he were a successful novelist, every book would come with a contract and an advance that would cover his living expenses until the deadline.
I don't know. It's a compelling question. We spend a lot of time -- justifiably -- considering how much freelancers get fucked over by the major publishers, not getting a fair piece of the revenue their work has generated -- but it can be pretty rotten for even a successful creator-owner who DOES get to profit from his work.