Comic Book Journal

I, or rather, my schedule, still isn’t up to 100 percent, so I had something a little different in mind for these week’s list - mixing some much needed research with the feature today.

Maybe you are a writer. Maybe you are an artist. Maybe you are both - in which case I’m very jealous. Here’s the hypothetical - you have a finished project, and you want to get it out to a major comic book publishers. Unfortunately, never mind the many, many, many hardships it took to get that project on paper - the journey to publication hasn’t even begun yet. Don’t get me wrong - submitting can be a both uplifting and humiliating process - but if you’re a first-timmer, please leave all your well-founded dreams of doing Daredevil or Detective Comics on the first try behind - comic book submissions aren’t quite that easy, as seen below.

10) DC Comics: The comic book juggernaut provides a Talent Search for sharp-eyed artists. If you are not of the artistic inclination, however, you’ll find absolutely nothing here for the writers. The website bluntly states the process is only able to review artists, not writers. Keep in mind these policies are in place for their acquisitions, including DC’s Vertigo and Wildstorm.

BOTTOM LINE: “At this time, DC Comics does not accept unsolicited artwork or writing submissions.” The unsolicited part does bring up the option of perhaps finding an agent to represent you, but please be wary. The comic book industry is plagued with scams and fradulent agents. Always ask agents of previous works. The best way to find agents is to read the acknowledgements section of the books you read, be it fantasy, graphic novels or just plain fiction. Though this process does add a whole new layer to the submission process, you might find a bold ally in getting published with the big boys.

9) Aspen MLT: Michael Turner’s company has seriously the best looking comics out there. Not only does he have a talent for drawing beautiful women - a linchpin in the comic biz - but he also draws everything else beautiful in my opinion. To slip into Aspen would be a comic book geek’s dream, as well as a huge asset on a professional resume - even if the invitation is only open to artist
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BOTTOM LINE: While we writers have to sulk about in the corner once again, it’s a huge opportunities for artists regardless. The submissions page - at the bottom of company info - breaks guidelines down for pencillers, inkers and colorists. The instructions tell you exactly what they are looking. If you are artistically-inclined, this is a breakthrough position.

Marvel: The company does offer avenues for both writers and artists. It requires no more than 5 pages of sample artwork or an inquiry letters from writers. Keep in mind, however, you probably won’t get that winning pitch published here - at least not at first. If you do land a job here, as writer or artist, it will be on one of their pre-existing titles, which, let’s be honest, is a helluva breakthrough. But since the company doesn’t read unsoliticed writing materals, you might consider taking that dream project you’ve been penning for years somewhere else.

BOTTOM LINE: If you do send them either artwork and inquiry, read the directions. The instructions call for a self-addressed stamped envelope as well as a completed Marvel Idea Submission Form. This is standard procedure - so get used to it - to stop lawsuits from people who “claimed” to have written some idea they submitted to Marvel. I error on the side of Matt Albie from Studio 60 - if they would have written it, they would have written it. But if you don’t trust the people you’re sending it to - don’t send it to them, simple as that.

7)Dynamite Entertainment: I picked up their Battlestar Galactica/Lone Ranger flip book on Free Comic Book Day and I was deeply impressed. Plus, they also write “Army of Darkness” and “Red Sonja” - two of the hottest titles in the biz right now. For their part, they request an inquiry letter from writers (as well as samples from colorists, pencillers and painters), which is pretty much the same as Marvel’s submission process above, with one added bonus - they may request proposals after hiring. This is a major bonus over Marvel - you can not only get your foot in the door, but you can also get your dream project possibly published as well.

BOTTOM LINE: Given the number of steller licenses this company owns, it will need to prove its caliber in originals sooner or later. This creates a demand, and its a demand YOU, the creator, should certainly take advantage of.

6) Dimestore Productions - This company might not have much in the way of razzle and dazzle as the other companies listed above, but Dimestore offers creators a yearly contest known as Small Press Idol. The contest has competitors vying for a chance to publish a mini-series with the imprint after several rounds on public voting. Not only isn’t is it downright fun to see what other creative teams are doing, but it also offers a much-needed forum for feedback to creators. The judges all provide great critque of each Round - be it premise and cover art, character designs, sequentials or the ultimate Issue #0 sell-off. I don’t care what anyone says; that Simon Cowell has nothing on Roger Foucault!

BOTTOM LINE: There’s only so much your family and friends can tell you about your work. While Dimestore might not have the vast resources of other publisher, it does offer a way to refine your work over and over again, even if you don’t win the big prize. In addition, the company offers many other publishing opportunities year-long!

5) Image - The company revolutionized the comic book industry - showing a little guy (albiet comprised of the best of the best) could withstand direct competition with the big two. But that was the 90’s, and Image has fallen into uncertain times. Though core titles like Savage Dragon and Spawn still run strong, much of their original universe has been fractured, and the company is certainly looking for new creators to pick up the pace. BUT make sure you read the fine print before you submit. There’s a reason the submission guidelines read “WE DON’T PAY PAGE RATES.” This means they are not the ones paying you - like an agent, they take a flat fee from the sales, but unlike an agent, it is possible for the creators to endure losses just as well as profits.

BOTTOM LINE: Don’t let this deter you from submitting to Image - it’s a huge opportunity. But conceptualize a marketing plan before you submit. Don’t just assume “It’s their job to sell this” - because its also your job if you want to make any money - especially with some responsibility for losses. Another comic company I explored - Too Hip Gotta Go Comics - runs by a similar system and explains it better than I ever could. Consider them in the same vein as Image - there are advantages and disadvantages to each company. Give both a good thought if you chose this route.

4) Antarctic Press - This company’s Free Comic Book Offering was called Pirates vs. Ninjas. Did you hear me? Pirates and Ninjas! Brilliant! That’s not all that’s brillant about this company. Though best known for more manga/anime style ventures such as “Gold Digger” and “Ninja High School”, the submissions page of this comic publisher contains a State of the Industry address at the bottom which YOU MUST READ if you want to work in comics.

BOTTOM LINE: Never submit to a comic publisher unless you know the general look of their line. Antarctic Press has a very colorful adventure feel to it, but the honesty of the submission guide combined with the loose and fun feel of their publishing line creates a very inviting atmosphere. They accept both inquiries for writers and artists.

3) Arcana Studios: Some publishers have submissions down to an art form, or at least, an on-site Internet form. Expediancy is something one must consider in comic book submission. After all, why send a comic submission out for three days through the mail, plus postage, when you can send it for free through the wonders of the Internet. Arcana, the publishers of “100 Girls”, “Starkweather” and “Dragon’s Lair”, makes it pretty easy to send your work - provided its completed with at least 5 pages of art.

THE BOTTOM LINE: Definitely one to consider. They have a strong line, and their titles span a wide range of weird and wild, and they’ve risen to top ranks of new comic book publishers because of this. There are a couple of things, however. First off, there are some holes in their website - including dead links and spelling/grammar errors - which are worrisome to the eye. Secondly, the submissions guideline seems more promise than pitch. It doesn’t read with the honesty of Too Hip Gotta Go or Antarctic - and while I’m sure they intend to deliver on their word - its just a bit odd when the publisher is selling to the creator and not the other way around.

2) Ape Entertainment: We’re down to the last two, and both publishers have one thing in common: versatility. Ape Entertainment offers quite a lot outside of the gorilla marketing (yes, that’s a pun, not a mispelling) assoicated with Silver Age Comics. Their titles span from classic pulp (Black Coat) to modern day everymen (Bizarre New World) and an indie terror (Horrorwind). The publisher wants both artists and writers, but is only accepted completed creative teams for the latter. Still, the sheer variety of their submission guide is a comic book creator’s dream.

BOTTOM LINE: They’re pretty much looking for something of everything. Unlike most companies, they accept all genres and all age-groups. In fact, not only do they consider comic book publications, but also role playing games. And they can be reached by web-link (preferred), e-mail and snail mail. Their submission guidelines are very thorough and very clear - they even explain what artistic position fill easier than others. Ape Entertainment also alternates between the role of publisher and packager. They are more on the market for one-shots and mini-series, so this might not be the place for that magnum opus ongoing you’ve been penning for so long. Still, it should rank high on any submission list regardless.

1) Dark Horse Comics: Dark Horse is proving to be a giant in the industry, and stable one that. Those are two qualities usually mutually exclusive with here-today, gone-tomorrow status of comic book companies - one company I reviewed on Free Comic Book Day just wanted to last six months in the industry! Dark Horse got its start the same way Dynamite - by picking up licenses such as Star Wars, Aliens/Predator and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. But Dark Horse Comics would proved its own versatility in later years with in-house hits like “Hellboy”, “Sin City” and most recently “City of Others”. What amazes me is, for as long as I’ve been a comic book fan, Dark Horse Comics has always been open to submissions. The merit of a company company is often judged in how it treats its submissions, and Dark Horse certainly stands above them all.

BOTTOM LINE: There of good to go around. Dark Horse is among the only companies I’ve encountered which still ask for a full script - giving writers a change to strut their stuff with some page length. The company looks for sequential quality over pin-up power for artists, though it accepts submissions of both. And all submissions must include - you guessed it - a Submissions agreement. Did I mention they have page rates - although unknown at this time - a huge bonus over Image!

HOWEVER, just because Dark Horse is the No. 1 Best Bet for Comic Creators, there are some disadvantages to these publishers just like all the rest of the list. The biggest disadvantage for Dark Horse is time. First off, they only accept snail mail. Secondly, due to the huge volumes of submissions they receive (don’t blame them, comes with the territory), they only send responses to people they wish to hire. But just look at their New Recruits Program - they’ve just narrowed down their 2005 list to 20 (admittedly the list was in thousands) and their 2004 New Recruit winner is just now going to the printer.

BOTTOM BOTTOM LINE: Patience is a virture, and Dark Horse is worth the wait, but if your project could be in limbo for a very very very long time!