Image Comics is still independent. They have maintained their status by being able to produce and distribute comics based on their own creative decisions and business strategies, without being tied to a major corporate entity.
Archie Comics Publications is indeed an independent outfit. They operate independently, creating and distributing their comic content without being tied to a larger corporate entity. This allows them to have more control over their creative decisions and business operations.
Some of the best independent graphic novels include 'Persepolis' by Marjane Satrapi. It's a powerful memoir that tells the story of her life in Iran during a time of great change. The art style is simple yet effective in conveying the complex emotions and situations.
A great independent novel is '1984' by George Orwell. It presents a dystopian future where the government has total control over people's lives. The themes of surveillance, censorship, and the loss of individuality are still very relevant today. Also, 'Pride and Prejudice' by Jane Austen is a wonderful independent novel. It's a story of love and misunderstandings in the 19th - century English society, with strong - willed characters like Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy.
๐I recommend the following novel to you: "The Queen of the Defiant Gods: The Supreme Third Miss". This is a fantasy romance novel about a female protagonist who was considered a good-for-nothing. She became powerful after cultivating and became a heaven-defying goddess. The male lead is devoted and there is only one female lead. There is a love story, which fits your requirements very well. I hope you like my recommendation, Mwah ~๐
There are several great independent publishers in the realm of historical fiction. Akashic Books is a notable one. They publish a range of historical fiction that can range from stories set in local historical contexts to broader international historical events. And then there's Coffee House Press which has also contributed to the historical fiction landscape by publishing works that often blend historical accuracy with creative storytelling, allowing readers to get immersed in different historical epochs.
Some of the well - known best independent publishers in literary fiction include Graywolf Press. They have a reputation for publishing high - quality literary works that often gain critical acclaim. Another one is Coffee House Press. They are committed to bringing out unique voices in the literary fiction world.
Another is 'Stuck Rubber Baby' by Howard Cruse. This graphic novel set in the 1960s South in the United States, through its gay protagonist, explores themes of race, civil rights, and homosexuality. It was one of the important works in gay independent comics of the 1990s.