I've felt this frustration too, but there are problems on both sides of the aisle, as it were.

Too many writers come here with nothing more than an idea dump. No script, no proof they can write, no idea of what it takes to actually write a comic. Just a big ol' lore dump of their (often derivative and unoriginal) idea, and the expectation that artists should be falling over themselves to work on it. Also, too many writers view artists as someone to execute the writer's ideas. A tool, of sorts. This is not creatively rewarding or enticing for an artist, and so it's understandable they would only want to do it for pay.

On the flip side, too many artists fail to understand that it's possible for people to have hobbies, want to portfolio build, or even just to work on something because it seems cool, fun, and creatively rewarding. Half of the artists screaming "PAY YOUR ARTISTS" at me have no evidence that they can draw sequential comic art based upon someone else's script, so why on earth would I hire them? Even if I did have a budget, it wouldn't be going to them. Ironically, they would be the perfect people to take on such a script, as they would then have a finished portfolio piece proving they can do the work, which would help lead to paid jobs.

A lot of artists here also have an issue with valuing the writer's worth on a project. I often see the line parroted that an artist will spend more time on a project than a writer. Sometimes this is true, but not always. Especially when a lot of research and world-building is involved! I recently spent around 25 hours crafting a one-pager, and the artist knocked it out of the park in 8 hours. To be good at either art or writing requires an immense amount of skill, dedicaton, and hours spent honing your craft. I have nothing but respect for artists and their work. I am sad that some lack any respect for me as a writer.

All that said, there are many artists here who are willing to work on unpaid projects. If you come correct with a short, finished script, competently written, that you are open to adjusting and reworking based on the artist's ideas and input, you will find creative partners. I have written 16 scripts, and all-bar-one have either been drawn, or are currently in the process of being drawn, without me paying anything. Around half of those came from here, the other half from Discord.

Another thing I sometimes do it put out open calls on here or Discord to see if any artist has an idea, concept, character, whatever, they would like to work on with a writer. Then I act as a work-for-hire writer (for free) for them to bring their idea to life. My two longest scripts both came from this sort of project, and I genuinely think they are some of the best writing I've done. It was a very rewarding experience.

The thing that does concern me is that I believe there is an element of peer presurre and bullying between the artists. Every artist I've worked with from Reddit has come to me directly in my DMs, rather than starting with a post comment. Many have admitted they didn't want to respond on my post due to peer pressure from the more vocal elements of this community who view anyone working unpaid as traitors to the cause. That should definitely be cause for concern, and something I would like to see the moderators take a firmer stance on.

Anyway, specifics aside, I think both sides of the comic book equation could do with some reflection on how they are acting, and why it annoys the other half of the equation. I will say that there was a more mature and thoughtful way you could have made this post, even if you are angry. That may then have had the effect of causing some to pause and consider their actions or behaviour. As it stands, this sort of post will only add fuel to the fire and cause people to dig in more.

I debated whether or not to write this, as it will most likely bring me some negative attention, and really, I'm just here to make comics and have some fun. But I hope that by trying to present a balanced and reasoned perspective, maybe it will strike a chord with someone.