Breaking into the Comic Book Industry as an Artist or Illustrator

Comic book artists and illustrators find their path into the comic book industry is much easier than that of a writer. Because editors can glance over your work quickly, without having to read anything, they are more likely to take a second look at your work, and even more likely to pass it on to their superiors. Many great artists get their start by working on comic books, and it can be a fun and financially rewarding job to take.

The first thing you have to do is decide what exactly you want to draw. Are you interested in creating your own comic book characters and stories, or do you want to draw for one of the popular superhero lines that are already well-established? Do you work in full color, or just in black and white?

Once you have answered these questions for yourself, you are ready to send in some sample artwork. Make sure to use the internet and visit the websites of any comic book companies before sending in your unsolicited material. Some have certain guidelines that you must abide by in order to have your work considered, and some will not even accept artwork or other material for which they have not specifically requested. Some companies may be willing to send your original artwork back to you, while others may not return it all - you should make sure you are well aware of any guidelines or stipulations before mailing out your work.

With the internet becoming more popular and as it has become a more acceptable method of completing important tasks in recent years, some companies may even accept electronic artwork submissions through e-mail or another form of electronic submission. Remember though that not all comic book publishers do this, and in fact many still prefer the traditional means of snail mail for any important communication.

If you are trying to break into the comic book industry as an artist or illustrator, don't give up. And while it may take some time, effort and practice before your work starts to get noticed, always remember that persistence pays off. All it takes is landing that one piece of good artwork into the hands of the right editor to make your dreams come true as a comic book artist. Keep this thought fresh in your mind, and you should have all the motivation you need to keep drawing and making submissions, and never give up.