As you've mentioned, the comic book market has suffered a major downswing in the past few years. Many people in the business are pessimistic, absolutely certain that high technology diversions have sounded the digital death knell of comics, but they're wrong. These things are cyclic. Something will rekindle popular interest in comic books, and I'm determined to be in on it. They are absolutely essential tools for aspiring comic writers.
Different media employ different structures.
As much of a standard as you'll find on a television soap opera. Another good question, and another one which might well unmask me as the raving lunatic I am. There's a third option, one that I would more ringingly endorse, and that's working with a smaller company. Conversely, the smaller ponds do make each creator more of a big fish, so said creator can maintain more control over both creative and business matters. I've also worked in radio and voice acting and would love to get back into those.