I Need an Artist, Formerly Known as "Big Mama" Options

[Lieutenant Lava]

I'm working on a new comics series. I am thinking about pitching it to Image or Vertigo or the like... I just want to write it and not work on the art (or maybe sporadically later if my art gets better).

I'm drawing out a quick 8 page intro story, but I really just want somebody to draw it and I script it. To add insult to injury, I need somebody that can draw like old timey comics. EC shit. Jay Disbrow or Wally Wood, Johnny Craig, etc. etc. Where do you even find somebody to do that? I haven't seen anybody draw like this for 40 years! AND if they could, I'm sure the last thing they'd want to do is draw some crumb-bum comic for some know-nothing, know-it-all nobody!

This is probaby the oldest question since the dawn of indie comics... where do you find an artist?

Do you think I should pitch it with my crappy art and hope they have somebody in mind? Where should I troll for an artist? Anybody out of work and looking to try and make some money? I want this to be my Cassavettes cash project. My Soderbergh blockbuster. I think it's a good idea. Maybe make enough to work on other things... like drawing! There's a lot of serendipity going around... so I just thought I'd put this out in the world.

This post has been edited by Lieutenant Lava: Apr 1 2009, 10:09 PM

[BruceInColorado]

I'm no expert on matching comics writers with artists - but I've heard of more than one success story involving Deviant Art. My impression is that this networking process is one of the intended purposes of the site.

This may not help much with finding an artist whose style is similar to Johnny Craig/Wally Wood/EC Style. That's a pretty tall order, but Deviant Art should be a good place to start. Good luck!

[Ryan Dunlavey]

Trying to get strangers to work on your passion projects almost always leads to disappointment and heartbreak.
Unless you're already friends with a suitable artist - draw it yourself. Imitating other styles is easier than you might think, and you already know how to draw - try it! At least you have that option, most writers don't, so use it to your advantage.
Just my opinion, I know other people have found collaborators over the net but I'm not sure how they made it work.

[JP Hootiger]

I have to say I've had success with cold-emailing artists -- either actual success or incredibly nice, "man, thanks but I'm so busy but really -- thanks for thinking of me" kind of responses. I think the right project can inspire an artist just as well as anything a friend pitches to him/her.

But I do think your Plan B of pitching it to DC and letting them know that you're open to other artists (and let them know the style you're thinking of) will work.

[Lieutenant Lava]

Thanks for all the great advice!!!


I think the compromise I've come up with is to submit my comic (fully drawn) to other artists and see if anybody would be willing to work on it. That way, hopefully they can see that I understand the medium and won't ask for zoom shots or three-page spreads, etc. and that I'm comitted?

I've never pitched a comic before... but I'm going balls out, full guns blazing on this one!

[JP Hootiger]

Yeah, balls and guns, Lava -- do it!

BALLS AND GUNS!!!