Navigating the Comic Book Publishing Landscape: A Guide for New Writers

A journey into the world of comic book writing begins with self-publication or navigating the submission policies of prominent publishers. For the aspiring comic book writer, self-publication is not just an initial step but a crucial proving ground that showcases your capabilities and dedication to potential employers.

The Benefits of Self-Publication

Though self-publication involves additional costs and may require gaining new skills, the end product serves as a valuable portfolio piece. It is instrumental in establishing your professional viability and can be a stepping stone towards becoming a more recognized talent in the industry. By self-publishing, you demonstrate your ability to take on all aspects of the creative process, from the initial conception to the final product.

Understanding Publisher Submission Policies

To successfully enter the comic book publishing industry, it is essential to understand the submission policies of various publishers. Here, we break down the current submission landscape as of 2017, providing aspiring writers with a clear roadmap.

DC: A Talent Search Focused on Artists

DC Comics is renowned for its focus on artists. They do not accept unsolicited writing submissions. Their talent search is geared towards artists, making it difficult for writers to gain direct access through this channel.

MARVEL: A Strict Policy

MARVEL, another major player, maintains a strict policy of not accepting any unsolicited submissions, whether writing or artwork. This policy is designed to prioritize established talent and maintain the quality of their publications.

IMAGE: Specific Requirements

For IMAGE, a submission requires not just artwork but also an established creative team. This publisher does not accept writing or artwork submissions and won't pair writers with artists. IMAGE values strong creative teams and established work.

DARK HORSE: A Comprehensive Submission

DARK HORSE is somewhat more open, accepting artwork submissions, proposals with an outline, established creative teams, and six pages of artwork. This provides aspiring writers with a more comprehensive option to showcase their potential.

ONI PRESS: Open but Selective

ONI Press has an open submission policy that allows for a wide range of submissions, including colorist submissions, artist portfolios, and writing samples. Writers must provide a pitch, outline, and eight to twenty-page script sample to be considered. This publisher is more open to new talent and provides a pathway for writers to gain recognition.

BLACK MASK: A Personal Branding Approach

BLACK MASK accepts proposals from established creative teams, artists, and writers. Unlike traditional submissions, this publisher focuses on the writer’s profile, including prior writing credits. This approach is more personal and emphasizes the writer’s individual brand and portfolio.

ASPEN: Limited Artist Submissions

ASPEN focuses mainly on inker, penciller, and colorist submissions, but not on proposals or writing submissions. Writers must showcase their drawing skills rather than their writing talents through this channel.

BOOM! STUDIO and IDW: More Selective

Both BOOM! Studios and IDW do not accept unsolicited submissions, preferring to evaluate talent through artist forums and colorist submissions. These publishers are more selective but still provide avenues for artists to submit their work.

The Takeaway for Aspiring Writers

Among the major publishers, only ONI Press accepts writing submissions, making it a unique opportunity for writers. However, it's important to note that the best approach is to focus on creating quality work first. By self-publishing, you can demonstrate your capabilities and build a reputation that can attract the attention of larger publishers.

Even if an aspiring writer decides to submit to ONI Press, having something published beforehand will greatly improve their chances. Self-publication serves as a powerful tool to showcase your skills, even if it’s just a small project. This step is crucial in building a portfolio that can impress potential publishers.

In conclusion, while the path to successful comic book writing is competitive, understanding the submission policies of different publishers and taking the initiative to self-publish can provide significant advantages. The key is to work diligently on your craft and build a strong portfolio that can catch the eye of the industry.