NEW YORK, NY – In a move hailed by some as “too little, too late” and by others as “the only way we were ever going to do it,” major comic book publishers have announced a new policy to finally compensate artists and writers for their iconic creations, provided they are no longer living.

The groundbreaking initiative comes on the heels of the passing of acclaimed artist Sam Kieth, known for his work on “The Maxx” and “Sandman.” Industry insiders suggest that the outpouring of grief and belated recognition for Kieth’s contributions highlighted a critical oversight in their business model.

“It’s really about legacy,” stated Sterling Gold, CEO of Apex Comics, during a press conference held in front of a giant holographic projection of a dollar sign. “We realized that the best time to properly value an artist’s work is when they can no longer negotiate, spend, or, frankly, complain about the terms.”

The new compensation structure, dubbed the “Posthumous Appreciation Fund,” will retroactively award a percentage of profits to the estates of deceased creators. Critics immediately pointed out that this still leaves living artists struggling, but Gold dismissed these concerns. “Look, if you’re alive, you’re still a potential liability. You might want health insurance, or a living wage. Dead artists are much more predictable. They just want their work to be remembered, and maybe a nice headstone. We can do that.”

Sources close to the industry suggest that several aging creators have already begun drafting their wills to include specific instructions for how their estates should manage the sudden influx of theoretical wealth, while others are reportedly looking into cryopreservation just in case the policy ever extends to “mostly dead.”