Unironically, starting out as a clone of a skilled yet not super hard to emulate artist is better than coming off with an original style right off the bat since you'll most likely develop and carry on the technical skill required to draw like the former when you'll actually evolve your art into something more recognisable and original.
Are you guys actually doing shitloads of master and fundamentals studies alongside developing your one shots? Do you have a clear look for how you want your comics to look like style-wise?