There’s one less comic site featuring conflicts in ownership. The Beat has returned to its independent roots after being acquired by Polarity in 2017. Polarity is the parent company of Oni Press and Lion Forge Comics creating a possible conflict. But, today, that ends as its again under the sole leadership of Heidi MacDonald, the site’s founder.

In the announcement, the acquisition is described as a “limited partnership to provide additional resources and infrastructure.” That partnership was “intended to empower the site to reach new heights and grow the audience for inclusive comics coverage.”

Established in 2004, The Beat has been covering the world of comics, graphic novels, comic cons, and pop culture daily to an audience of both fans and industry influencers. It is a two-time nominee for the Will Eisner Award in the Best Comics-Related Periodical/Journalism category and the winner of the Shelf Dorf Award for Best Comics Blog. In 2017, The Beat was added to the Library of Congress’s historical archives.

The conflicts within major comic news sites run deep and are common with many being owned by comic publishers or the parent company of media conglomerates which also produce media those sites cover. Disclosure is limited (though legally obligated) but these deals bring with it deep pockets to fuel coverage, conflicts and all.

The lesson, support independent journalism.