Originally Posted by
Lee Stone
In comics, it's more like hiring a painter or carpenter. Especially with the Big Two.
Creativity is where the plots, dialogue and cool art come from. They really don't want creators that want to be 'in control' of the universe. That's the Editors' jobs.
Sometimes a writer may be given a bit more control, if their editor feels they can be trusted not to break things or infringe on other titles.
And sometimes a writer may be given more control, despite their tendencies to break things, because they're currently popular (ie: Byrne and Bendis). Then DC has to spend time repairing what they broke after they leave.
Interestingly, one time they heavily promoted a then-current popular creator coming to them, they put him on a minor main title and let him have his own little corner where he didn't break anything. This would be ideal today, if not for how much more important IPs and royalties are in today's comic industry.
The creator was Kirby. And if he was to come to DC today and create the Fourth World, it would be almost certain that Darkseid, Apokolips, New Genesis, Mister Miracle, Big Barda, Orion, the Forever People, Mother Box, and the Boom Tube would not be seen ever again once he left.
Indeed, most likely Kirby would make the same deal that Claremont had with Sovereign Seven, which would make his characters impossible to be used in the DCU after he left (or even before, considering reprint rights of any appearances outside their title since everything is reprinted these days).
If a writer wants to create their own vision, they're better off doing indie comics and selling them online or at conventions.
DrivethruComics and Itch are both outlets for pdf comics that can be sold by their creators, also.