We have a HUGE opportunity for artists to try to be part of, and as part of A.N.A. Comics initiative to grow an open and trusting relationship with creators, below is the Creator agreement for our Swimsuit Breast cancer charity issue.
Give it a read over and if you want to be involved, email us at submissions@anacomics.com
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STUDIO CREATOR AGREEMENT-2010 Swimsuit Special
01.01.2010
This Studio Creator Agreement is being entered into by A.N.A.COMICS(Studio) and _______________(Artist), and will take effect (date).
Purpose of Studio Creator is work with A.N.A. Comics, and to Produce and Donate at least ONE illustrated piece to the A.N.A. Comics 2010 Swimsuit breast cancer charity book.
This Agreement is active 01.01.2010, with illustration deadline set at 07.31.2010.
Description of project:
A.N.A. Comics 2010 Swimsuit Special #1
Printed in Full Color
Cover by a Superstar Artist TBA
32 pieces of Art
All Characters featured are owned by A.N.A. Comics
Artist and Studio agree to the following terms of the project:
1. Artist understands not all submissions will be approved, your illustration is subject to editorial review and you will be asked to make adjustments if needed to ensure continuity for the book. Nudity or explicit content will not be allowed in the publication.
2. Artist agrees to send original art to Studio to be auctioned off to benefit charity; shipping cost is Artists responsibility, address to ship original art to is: A.N.A. Comics. Studio will in return supply Artist with the amount the piece sold for.
3. Artist agrees and understands Studio will not be compensating for your work as this is a charity book, however Artist will receive at 5 complimentary copies of the book for as a thank you for each piece of artwork approved to be included in the book.
4. If an artist is only a Pencil illustrator, Studio will work with them to get work inked and colored for the book if they do not have a team in place.
5. Artist agrees to sign this agreement with Studio understanding his/her work could not be included in the project unless agreement is signed.
6. Studio agrees that No cost for the project will be passed on to, nor will any money be asked from the Artist to be included on this project.
7. Artist understands All Characters pictured in the book are owned by Studio, due to liability issues and copyrights no other Characters will be used in the book. Characters illustrations created for the book is copyright A.N.A. Comics, with full name credit being given to the Artist.
8. Artist agrees for Studio to use illustrations submitted for promotional use in which ever format the Studio chooses.
9. Studio agrees to list Artist name on front cover and inside contents of the book, along with promotion through anacomics.com and affiliated websites.
10. All parties agree to have publishing, distribution, and property management conducted through A.N.A. Comics.
A.N.A. Comics agrees to promote, produce and support the development of A.N.A. Comics 2010 Swimsuit Special #1 through appropriate channels and supervise all advertising and networking opportunities. Profits from the book designated to go to Breast Cancer Research.
Artist agrees to produce an illustration of an A.N.A. Comics Character to be included in the A.N.A. Comics 2010 Swimsuit Special #1 which is to be printed in comic book format. Profits from the book designated to go to Breast Cancer Research.
Studio & Artist agree to not disclose any private or sensitive material about the Studio/Partners/or Anyone associating with A.N.A. Comics, or pursue litigation against the other.
Any addendums or changes to this agreement must be signed and approved by all Parties.
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If this is a project you would like to contribute to, please email submissions@anacomics.com and get on board!
Thanks
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Monday, January 25, 2010
Web-Comics = A.N.A. Comics + You
Web-Comics = A.N.A. Comics + You
01.25.2010
A.N.A. Comics is happy to announce our new initiative for Creators looking to break into web-comics! There are two ways a creator can have their web-comics find their home here at ANAcomics.com.
1. SUBMIT – We are always looking for Creators to team with us, if you would like to submit your web-comic for consideration, please follow our submissions guidelines found here: http://www.anacomics.com/contact-info.html - some things to remember is that if your web-comic is accepted, there is no cost to you for us to host your property, you retain all rights and ownership, and a contract will be signed and put in place to detail the relationship. A.N.A. Comics also reserves the right to exercise editorial guidance regarding content, art, and quality of the property.
2. PARTNER - A.N.A. Comics is opening up an opportunity for Creators to Partner with A.N.A. Comics in hosting their own web-comics. How the partnership works is a little different than if you submit your work to be part of A.N.A. Comics. Aside from the standard rule of NO excessive violence, sexuality, or other explicit content (being an all ages company we try to keep everything PG-13 at most), a web-comic partnership affords the creators complete independence with their property. A.N.A. Comics will work with you, set up your own website for your comic (example: web.anacomics.com/YOURWEBCOMIC), and utilize our resources to help you build your property. Similar to the SUBMIT option, all final details will be in writing protecting YOU, A.N.A. Comics, and especially your property.
Packages start at $5/month for a basic web-comic site design, and are available for purchase in 6 month increments. ALL packages have a $25 set up fee.
Level 1 site
6 months @ $5/month (basic site $25 setup fee) = $55
1 year @ $5/month (basic site $25 setup fee) = $85
Level 2 site includes Web-comic logo at the top of site, and one RSS feed in content sidebar.
6 months @ $10/month (Level 2 site $25 setup fee) = $85
1 year @ $10/month (Level 2 site $25 setup fee) = $145
Level 3 site includes everything in level 2 plus 2 additional side bar items: Links, additional RSS feed, etc.
6 months @ $20/month (Level 3 site $25 setup fee) = $55
1 year @ $20/month (Level 3 site $25 setup fee) = $85
Level 4 site includes everything in prior levels and allows unlimited updates and add-ons with site access given to Creator.
6 months @ $30/month (basic site $25 setup fee) = $205
1 year @ $30/month (basic site $25 setup fee) = $285
SPECIAL OFFER: Get 25%off all 1year orders through March 31st 2010!!
Simply email: Business@anacomics.com for more detail or if you have questions you can visit the Board on our website, Thank you!
As part of our initiative, and constant effort to be very candid with our fans and supporters I have included below a very nice Web-comics questionnaire that was posed to me by Freddy over at the anacomics.com Board. This questionnaire was answered by our EIC/VP of Brand Management, Anthony Hary, Enjoy the read:
I would like to first share that I have been part of 5 web-comics prior to coming to A.N.A. Comics. I have learned a lot and have a lot of opinions about web-comics. Many of my answers will be from my current view point and not necessarily where I started with web-comics.
-Why do you do them? I think they are a very unique medium that allow for a lot of freedom of expression at a low monetary investment from the creators.
-Is it for the publicity? Sure. Anyone who creates wants some level of attention. I do NOT however create properties to be in a web-comic format just to get publicity for say a printed property. You can do that, but I think it helps to do a web-comic for what it is. Show it due respect.
-for the practice? That isn't really a motivator, but it is great practice. Especially if you are wanting to draw comic books. Do a web-comic and LEARN your craft. I recommend it.
-is there a story you just had to get out that didn't fit in any other format? No. that has never been an issue.
-How strict are you with deadlines? I am strict with deadlines. (ask Nick lol) But deadlines for web-comics are not like deadlines for a comic book. You have a little more flexibility. Everyone who does web-comics with A.N.A. Comics will be required to have at least 2-3 months of strip updates ready to publish before the web-comic ever goes live. This is just better for everyone.
-How often have you dropped the ball? I've dropped the ball plenty in the past. When I did everything on my own and had no support network. I was updating the website. Doing press, writing, drawing, inking, lettering, and coloring. It was nuts and too much work.
-did you have back-up strips? I had all my strips archived and accessible to new readers if that is what you are asking. I think this is key to success.
-Guest artists/writers? At times I have been a guest artist or writer, but I have never utilized one for myself. I may have to someday. lol
-Do you write and draw your strip yourself? Yes, indeed I did. On a couple I had a co-creator, whom I still work with. Most of the heavy lifting I did alone however.
-are they a series of stand-alone strips(like Garfield?) or do you have a clear story arch scripted that connects each strip OR do you just make it up as you go along? ALL of mine are written before hand, even if its not a timeline based story and it jumps like Garfield. I always knew and know where I am going. This is key in my opinion for a successful strip. You have to have a path mapped out or you can get burned out and feel overwhelmed. But everyone has their own style.
-If you hire a writer (or an artist) how protective are you about your concept? Put EVERYTHING in writing. That is super important. I don’t care who are you are working with. Don’t just protect yourself, protect your investment and that means agreements and contracts are written up before ANY kind of creative collaboration takes place.
-Do you let the other person have creative input on story/design? Yes. If I am on a team for a project, everyone should be welcome to contribute. Its better that way too. Helps with the revision and development process.
-How concerned are you about readership stats? The only stat that matters is that those people who take a chance on us and read our web-comic like it. I want them to like it, love it, come back and read it again. That is the goal. Whether its 10 or 10,000, that stat is still secondary to whether people like it. Now having 10,000 readers is also a goal, and would ROCK!! Things take time and you have to take care of first things first. You gotta put out a GOOD PRODUCT!
01.25.2010
A.N.A. Comics is happy to announce our new initiative for Creators looking to break into web-comics! There are two ways a creator can have their web-comics find their home here at ANAcomics.com.
1. SUBMIT – We are always looking for Creators to team with us, if you would like to submit your web-comic for consideration, please follow our submissions guidelines found here: http://www.anacomics.com/contact-info.html - some things to remember is that if your web-comic is accepted, there is no cost to you for us to host your property, you retain all rights and ownership, and a contract will be signed and put in place to detail the relationship. A.N.A. Comics also reserves the right to exercise editorial guidance regarding content, art, and quality of the property.
2. PARTNER - A.N.A. Comics is opening up an opportunity for Creators to Partner with A.N.A. Comics in hosting their own web-comics. How the partnership works is a little different than if you submit your work to be part of A.N.A. Comics. Aside from the standard rule of NO excessive violence, sexuality, or other explicit content (being an all ages company we try to keep everything PG-13 at most), a web-comic partnership affords the creators complete independence with their property. A.N.A. Comics will work with you, set up your own website for your comic (example: web.anacomics.com/YOURWEBCOMIC), and utilize our resources to help you build your property. Similar to the SUBMIT option, all final details will be in writing protecting YOU, A.N.A. Comics, and especially your property.
Packages start at $5/month for a basic web-comic site design, and are available for purchase in 6 month increments. ALL packages have a $25 set up fee.
Level 1 site
6 months @ $5/month (basic site $25 setup fee) = $55
1 year @ $5/month (basic site $25 setup fee) = $85
Level 2 site includes Web-comic logo at the top of site, and one RSS feed in content sidebar.
6 months @ $10/month (Level 2 site $25 setup fee) = $85
1 year @ $10/month (Level 2 site $25 setup fee) = $145
Level 3 site includes everything in level 2 plus 2 additional side bar items: Links, additional RSS feed, etc.
6 months @ $20/month (Level 3 site $25 setup fee) = $55
1 year @ $20/month (Level 3 site $25 setup fee) = $85
Level 4 site includes everything in prior levels and allows unlimited updates and add-ons with site access given to Creator.
6 months @ $30/month (basic site $25 setup fee) = $205
1 year @ $30/month (basic site $25 setup fee) = $285
SPECIAL OFFER: Get 25%off all 1year orders through March 31st 2010!!
Simply email: Business@anacomics.com for more detail or if you have questions you can visit the Board on our website, Thank you!
As part of our initiative, and constant effort to be very candid with our fans and supporters I have included below a very nice Web-comics questionnaire that was posed to me by Freddy over at the anacomics.com Board. This questionnaire was answered by our EIC/VP of Brand Management, Anthony Hary, Enjoy the read:
I would like to first share that I have been part of 5 web-comics prior to coming to A.N.A. Comics. I have learned a lot and have a lot of opinions about web-comics. Many of my answers will be from my current view point and not necessarily where I started with web-comics.
-Why do you do them? I think they are a very unique medium that allow for a lot of freedom of expression at a low monetary investment from the creators.
-Is it for the publicity? Sure. Anyone who creates wants some level of attention. I do NOT however create properties to be in a web-comic format just to get publicity for say a printed property. You can do that, but I think it helps to do a web-comic for what it is. Show it due respect.
-for the practice? That isn't really a motivator, but it is great practice. Especially if you are wanting to draw comic books. Do a web-comic and LEARN your craft. I recommend it.
-is there a story you just had to get out that didn't fit in any other format? No. that has never been an issue.
-How strict are you with deadlines? I am strict with deadlines. (ask Nick lol) But deadlines for web-comics are not like deadlines for a comic book. You have a little more flexibility. Everyone who does web-comics with A.N.A. Comics will be required to have at least 2-3 months of strip updates ready to publish before the web-comic ever goes live. This is just better for everyone.
-How often have you dropped the ball? I've dropped the ball plenty in the past. When I did everything on my own and had no support network. I was updating the website. Doing press, writing, drawing, inking, lettering, and coloring. It was nuts and too much work.
-did you have back-up strips? I had all my strips archived and accessible to new readers if that is what you are asking. I think this is key to success.
-Guest artists/writers? At times I have been a guest artist or writer, but I have never utilized one for myself. I may have to someday. lol
-Do you write and draw your strip yourself? Yes, indeed I did. On a couple I had a co-creator, whom I still work with. Most of the heavy lifting I did alone however.
-are they a series of stand-alone strips(like Garfield?) or do you have a clear story arch scripted that connects each strip OR do you just make it up as you go along? ALL of mine are written before hand, even if its not a timeline based story and it jumps like Garfield. I always knew and know where I am going. This is key in my opinion for a successful strip. You have to have a path mapped out or you can get burned out and feel overwhelmed. But everyone has their own style.
-If you hire a writer (or an artist) how protective are you about your concept? Put EVERYTHING in writing. That is super important. I don’t care who are you are working with. Don’t just protect yourself, protect your investment and that means agreements and contracts are written up before ANY kind of creative collaboration takes place.
-Do you let the other person have creative input on story/design? Yes. If I am on a team for a project, everyone should be welcome to contribute. Its better that way too. Helps with the revision and development process.
-How concerned are you about readership stats? The only stat that matters is that those people who take a chance on us and read our web-comic like it. I want them to like it, love it, come back and read it again. That is the goal. Whether its 10 or 10,000, that stat is still secondary to whether people like it. Now having 10,000 readers is also a goal, and would ROCK!! Things take time and you have to take care of first things first. You gotta put out a GOOD PRODUCT!
Monday, January 18, 2010
what the-?!?
Howdy mahalo shalom, readers!
My name is Richard Caldwell, though I sometimes use the nom de plume of nilskidoo in certain online dealings. I have accepted the offer of joining the A.N.A. team in the form of scribing some upcoming interviews with a variety of stunningly creative and comic book-minded folks, to be posted here and nowhere else in coming months!
If my name is recognized at all, it may be for my spell with ComicNews.Info, where I served time as a reporter, reviewer, columnist, interviewer, and Managing Editor. I've written for other media as well, both online and print, but that site was where I met A.N.A.'s very own Nicholas Myers! So the rumors of us fighting in 'Nam together are unfounded! Mostly!
I am stoked to the Nth to have been invited to write for this blog-group, and hope to take no prisoners! So who will I be interviewing then? Wait and see. Oh, you just wait and see, faithful followers of A.N.A...
But to see what I do in my non-A.N.A. time, just check out my own blogger/blogspot, the sometimes infamous jalopy. And as is custom with this team, any and all feedback is generally welcome, so fire away.
Face true, front believers! Cheers!
My name is Richard Caldwell, though I sometimes use the nom de plume of nilskidoo in certain online dealings. I have accepted the offer of joining the A.N.A. team in the form of scribing some upcoming interviews with a variety of stunningly creative and comic book-minded folks, to be posted here and nowhere else in coming months!
If my name is recognized at all, it may be for my spell with ComicNews.Info, where I served time as a reporter, reviewer, columnist, interviewer, and Managing Editor. I've written for other media as well, both online and print, but that site was where I met A.N.A.'s very own Nicholas Myers! So the rumors of us fighting in 'Nam together are unfounded! Mostly!
I am stoked to the Nth to have been invited to write for this blog-group, and hope to take no prisoners! So who will I be interviewing then? Wait and see. Oh, you just wait and see, faithful followers of A.N.A...
But to see what I do in my non-A.N.A. time, just check out my own blogger/blogspot, the sometimes infamous jalopy. And as is custom with this team, any and all feedback is generally welcome, so fire away.
Face true, front believers! Cheers!
You Gotta Make IT Happen
You Gotta Make IT Happen…
01.18.2010
There are a lot of people who talk about how they wish they were making comics. There seems to be an equal amount of folks out there telling you how you can break in to comics. All their advice is good. And by all means, if you want to keep spending your money travelling to convention after convention hoping to woo the eye of an editor and get your shot, by all means do. A.N.A. Comics offers you something else.
We are looking for creators, writers and artists, who are willing to work with us, on an internship type basis. You’ll gain experience and exposure, you’ll have published work you can show to editors rather than a flip portfolio, and you will gain knowledge on yourself and your abilities that you simply cannot gain working alone. You will not however be guaranteed any monetary compensation. We are looking for you to work WITH us, not for us. Our goal is to provide a platform for creators to cut their teeth and create a body of work that will allow time to truly showcase why they are ready to work for the big boys or perhaps they’ll find that independent comics is really where they want to be. Either way is fine, but its up to you to Make IT Happen!!!
If you want to be part of where we are going, head to ANAComics.com, join the forum and let’s see what we can Make Happen together.
01.18.2010
There are a lot of people who talk about how they wish they were making comics. There seems to be an equal amount of folks out there telling you how you can break in to comics. All their advice is good. And by all means, if you want to keep spending your money travelling to convention after convention hoping to woo the eye of an editor and get your shot, by all means do. A.N.A. Comics offers you something else.
We are looking for creators, writers and artists, who are willing to work with us, on an internship type basis. You’ll gain experience and exposure, you’ll have published work you can show to editors rather than a flip portfolio, and you will gain knowledge on yourself and your abilities that you simply cannot gain working alone. You will not however be guaranteed any monetary compensation. We are looking for you to work WITH us, not for us. Our goal is to provide a platform for creators to cut their teeth and create a body of work that will allow time to truly showcase why they are ready to work for the big boys or perhaps they’ll find that independent comics is really where they want to be. Either way is fine, but its up to you to Make IT Happen!!!
If you want to be part of where we are going, head to ANAComics.com, join the forum and let’s see what we can Make Happen together.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
“Make IT Happen!!!” - course of A.N.A. Comics in 2010
“Make IT Happen!!!”
Looking too been seen? Have you toiled on your project and often had to fight off the chains of discouragement and doubt? Every creative person has. We at A.N.A. Comics see this as an opportunity. Don’t wait for some big name publisher to give you a ‘shot’. Don’t sit and feel things are meant for you, or that you are owed anything in this business, because you are just fooling yourself. You want to succeed; you surround yourself with likeminded individuals that share similar goals. You set out your course, support each other in your efforts, and then you will see an accomplishment! Join A.N.A. Comics as we move forward in 2010. Join us as we Make IT Happen!!!
What is IT…
“IT” is your goal, what you are going to Make Happen. This isn’t some subscription to forceful tactics or inconsiderate actions just too selfishly attain your goal. NO! Behavior like that isn’t needed to succeed. What are needed are Commitment, and a support network. People who try to say “I did this all on my own” are either rare or completely lying. Also your support network isn’t a group of people that baby you and do things for you, they are a group of people and contacts that work with you and fill in the gaps in areas you may need it. Through this relationship of Commitment and a support network you will create for yourself the opportunity to be able to focus on what you want to do most, which for most of us reading this is CREATE.
Here at A.N.A. Comics 2010 is going to be all about Making IT Happen. With our “We’re Indy” anthology featuring the works of a wide range of independent comic book creators, is set to print this Spring. It will contain the whole spectrum of Indy genre comics, not just what we do here at A.N.A. Comics. Why would we do that? Why invest in putting out a book that features people not with A.N.A. Comics? A.N.A. Comics isn’t just about building our own brand, we are also about supporting the industry as a whole. There is a depth to Indy comics that people rarely get to see, and we want to help these committed creators Make IT Happen for them!
We’re also putting out a Swimsuit benefit issue to support Breast cancer research. This book will contain only A.N.A. Comics owned characters however will feature art from some extremely talented Indy artists! If you are an artist looking for a chance to get published, please email submissions@anacomics.com and we’ll send you the information on how to get set up. We have no limit on how many pages will be in this book, just that it will contain the best of the best that we can bring to you. All the while providing another level of exposure to the work of Indy Artists in comics.
Be there when it happens. Or be the one to Make IT Happen!!!
A.N.A. Comics
2010
Looking too been seen? Have you toiled on your project and often had to fight off the chains of discouragement and doubt? Every creative person has. We at A.N.A. Comics see this as an opportunity. Don’t wait for some big name publisher to give you a ‘shot’. Don’t sit and feel things are meant for you, or that you are owed anything in this business, because you are just fooling yourself. You want to succeed; you surround yourself with likeminded individuals that share similar goals. You set out your course, support each other in your efforts, and then you will see an accomplishment! Join A.N.A. Comics as we move forward in 2010. Join us as we Make IT Happen!!!
What is IT…
“IT” is your goal, what you are going to Make Happen. This isn’t some subscription to forceful tactics or inconsiderate actions just too selfishly attain your goal. NO! Behavior like that isn’t needed to succeed. What are needed are Commitment, and a support network. People who try to say “I did this all on my own” are either rare or completely lying. Also your support network isn’t a group of people that baby you and do things for you, they are a group of people and contacts that work with you and fill in the gaps in areas you may need it. Through this relationship of Commitment and a support network you will create for yourself the opportunity to be able to focus on what you want to do most, which for most of us reading this is CREATE.
Here at A.N.A. Comics 2010 is going to be all about Making IT Happen. With our “We’re Indy” anthology featuring the works of a wide range of independent comic book creators, is set to print this Spring. It will contain the whole spectrum of Indy genre comics, not just what we do here at A.N.A. Comics. Why would we do that? Why invest in putting out a book that features people not with A.N.A. Comics? A.N.A. Comics isn’t just about building our own brand, we are also about supporting the industry as a whole. There is a depth to Indy comics that people rarely get to see, and we want to help these committed creators Make IT Happen for them!
We’re also putting out a Swimsuit benefit issue to support Breast cancer research. This book will contain only A.N.A. Comics owned characters however will feature art from some extremely talented Indy artists! If you are an artist looking for a chance to get published, please email submissions@anacomics.com and we’ll send you the information on how to get set up. We have no limit on how many pages will be in this book, just that it will contain the best of the best that we can bring to you. All the while providing another level of exposure to the work of Indy Artists in comics.
Be there when it happens. Or be the one to Make IT Happen!!!
A.N.A. Comics
2010
Thursday, December 17, 2009
!!HUGE NEWS from the MCBA!!
!!HUGE announcement regarding MN comic-cons!!
Wednesday December 16th 2009, a HUGE announcement came to us from the Midwest Comic Book Association (MCBA) regarding their plans for Minnesota’s annual comic book conventions. ALL of us at Carbon Hallway Graphics and Production, along with our partners at A.N.A. Comics 100% support the MCBA. They represent the type of passion and dedication we love in this business and sincerely ask you to support them also. Especially in the face of this change, it gives us the opportunity to make this year the biggest convention season ever for the MCBA. We hope to see you there.
Below is the email we received from them. Please give it a read:
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MCBA SPRINGCON - COMIC BOOK CELEBRATION
May 15 & 16 – 2010
10AM-5PM - Both Days
MN State Fairgrounds
In The Grandstand
1265 Snelling Ave N
St. Paul MN 55108
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MCBA FALLCON - COMIC BOOK PARTY
October 16 – 2010
10AM-5PM
MN State Fairgrounds
Progress Center
1621 Randall Ave N
St. Paul MN 55108
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MNCBA@aol.com Email if you have any questions
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Dear Friends,
We got really good news last week! As most of you know, a lot of the national comic book conventions have changed their event dates for 2010. It started when one of the largest conventions in the country suddenly moved their date to the late fall and quickly, in response, a good chunk of the other conventions followed suit in changing dates. As a result, the MCBA was put into the position of having to move our dates so we wouldn't have to compete for guest creators. Easier said than done!
Fortunately for all of us, our preferred venue, the Minnesota State Fairgrounds, came through with flying colors! They were able to make space for us in the new world comic book convention date order with a slight and very interesting twist!
The Midwest Comic Book Association is pleased to announce our 2010 event dates:
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MCBA SPRINGCON COMIC BOOK CELEBRATION
May 15 & 16 2010 - 10AM to 5PM Both Days!
Minnesota State Fairgrounds
In the Grandstand
1265 Snelling Avenue North
Saint Paul, Minnesota 55108
Something For Everyone
22ND ANNUAL TWO DAY EVENT!
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MCBA FALLCON - COMIC BOOK PARTY!
October 16, 2010 - 10AM to 5PM
Minnesota State Fairgrounds
Progress Center
1621 Randall Ave
Saint Paul, Minnesota 55108
Something For Everyone
THE ONE DAY WONDER!
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So, in other words, the two day convention will now be held in the spring (SpringCon) and FallCon will be the new one day convention in the Fall!
We're really excited about the opportunities and challenges that our new journey presents to all of us and invite you and all members of our community to join us as we set sail into the great and exciting unknown!
Finally, a request. We need your help to get the word out to our community about our new dates and times. We humbly request that you provide any assistance you might be able to offer via your e-mails, secret messages, magic, websites, tweeting, blogs, internet, snail mails, telegraph, word of mouth, Pony Express, etc. Any effort you can extend would be noticed and gracefully accepted!
We appreciate your being a part of our community and THANK YOU for letting us be part of yours! Look for more info and data bits in the near future!
The MCBA Geek Squad (The Original Geek Squad) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The MCBA
Founded in 1988 by Comic Book Fans and Creators, the Midwest Comic Book Association is a not-for-profit, non-aligned, diverse, all volunteer association. Dedicated to participating in and the promoting of the world of comic books. Providing access, service and developing the overall community of comic book creators of all types, publishers, retailers, media and fans.
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Thanks for reading this information. We plan to have members of our community at both of these events. Mark your calander and make a point to stop by and say hello. We’d love to meet you.
Sincerely your friends,
Carbon Hallway Graphics & Production
And
A.N.A. COMICS
Thursday, December 10, 2009
How to make comics
How to Make Comics!!
12.10.2009
There a so many ways to “make comics” or to “break in” to this business. Tim Seeley, I believe said recently that it’s easier to break in to comics, then it is to stay in. I think to a very real level this is true. Think about it, list the names of quote “professional” creators out there, then tell me, who is doing pencils or writing on Spidergirl right now? Do you even know how long they have been on the title? I’m sure there are a few Spidergirl fans out there that would know the answer, yet compared to who could name the creators on titles like New Avengers, Superman, Green Lantern, or even Spiderman, there would be no comparison. Yet even YOU can make a comic.
Now you have options, choices to pick through to determine what it is you want to do. You can mold yourself, and get yourself in to a publisher doing work for hire assignments where you all you have is the pay for your work and occasional royalties from larger sales numbers. You could also do creator owned, self published work, where you are paid nothing up front, yet should your book do well, the money, creative rights, and ownership ALL go to YOU and no one else. Between these two most common paths there seems to be one trend that stands out over the last 15 years in comics. It is the strength of the creative team.
You’ll hear Editors talk about the finer points of storytelling, strength of solid anatomy, or the value in having a depth of knowledge regarding specific characters or the historical continuity of a character. What I am talking to you about is being a student of the game, knowing the business side of things and using that to your advantage. It is not for everyone. And that is ok, some people should only write or draw, ink or color, allowing the editors of the business handle the pairing of groups together, hoping one day to find their Jeph Loeb to their Ed McGuiness. Yet for those out there who have a need to steer their careers a little more there is a simple truth that can be found from studying the history of successful creators in the last 10 to 15 years.
Some creator teams didn’t find themselves until they were at a publisher like Marvel or DC, yet once finding each other; they have made a point to keep working together. They found there band and its time to make music, as it were. A great and very recent example of this pattern can be found in the pairing of Mark Millar and Steve McNiven. Joining up on the Civil War Mega Event for Marvel, They followed that up with the HUGELY successful “Old Man Logan” centering around a now aged Wolverine, The pairing have found their stride and have become one of most successful creative team sales wise of the last decade. The Key to this is that THEY have seen it. So much so that the team of M&M are hitting the ground running with their own creator owned comic that is believed to start in March of 2010, printing through Marvels Icon imprint.
You also have guys like Brian M. Bendis and Michael Avon Oeming who made their mark with POWERS through Image comics, and have gone one to huge success as a pairing and found homes at Marvel, bringing POWERS with them. Each has gone on to do work with other creators however they never stopped working together as well.
This is the same with pairing of artist also. Teams like Michael Turner/Peter Steigerwald, Ed McGuiness/Dexter Vines, Jim Lee/ Scott Williams, and the lists go on with teams that have made a commitment to each other and through perseverance and TEAM WORK they have found success in the business. Moving from Independent/ Creator owned comics to work-for-hire at major publishers, and sometimes back again with continued success. WHY? Because they made a brand for themselves, and they stuck together in their work efforts. This gives Editors a package to look at. They have a book, and it needs and art team. They don’t have to find the next Quesada/Miki combo; they can just GO GET THEM, because they are a team.
This is KEY behind the methodology of A.N.A. Comics. There are plenty of folks in this business who will promise you opportunities, use you to get THEIR foot in the door, and simply get your work and not pay you and move on once the job is done. When all that is done, where are you really? More times than not you are right where you were to start. That is not acceptable for us, and it shouldn’t be for you. You have to take action, and you need to connect yourself with people that either are already where you want to be, or they are going in that direction. It’s the strength of the creative team. A.N.A. Comics is all about support and development of solid creators. To help them find their Stan Lee for their own Jack Kirby and go out to change the comic scene forever.
At anacomics.com we have a forum set up to share your work, get critiques and grow as an artist. We also use this as a field to develop relationships within the industry. A.N.A. Comics itself is the result of the combined joining of Supreme Knight Studios, Floating Island Press, and Carbon Hallway Graphics & Production. Each was on their own striving to put together comic books and other creative medium properties. We saw a similarity to our focus and made the commitment to go at this together. Taking the comic book production focus from all three of our studios, we combined to for A.N.A. Comics. Creators have asked us about working with us or for us. Our business model is different then what most have seen. Really it all come down to being committed.
You have to be committed to be part of A.N.A. Comics. We aren’t in the position to take your creator owned book, drop thousands of dollars of our resources to print and advertise it in the hopes that it would either sell enough for us to recoup our investment. Nor are we in the position to try to hold you financially accountable to the project. Quite simply it should be said:
At A.N.A. Comics, creators don’t work FOR us, they work WITH us.
This TEAM focus has been the key to our success so far and we believe it will continue to be. All of our projects are handled with open, honest, strait forward communication that eliminates confusion and promotes production. The way we do business may not be the avenue you find best for your strides to make comics, and that is ok. Still I will run down some of the things we are doing here at A.N.A. Comics, and you can see for yourself what we do:
WEBCOMICS:
A.N.A. Comics offers creators with their own web comic strips to submit to us, and if chosen, we would provide a website set up to hold your comic and feature your work. There is not out of pocket charge to the creator for this. There is a signed agreement and a commitment for regular production (at least one update a week) that would be required.
Currently there is one web-comic running at ANAComics.com/webcomics and 2 more planned for 2010. Take a look and see if you would like to feature your own story in our web-comics area.
ANTHOLOGY BOOKS:
With 2010 A.N.A. Comics starts what will be an Annual tradition: A.N.A. COMICS PRESENTS: We’re Indy #1! This Annual Anthology will feature works from Independent creators in all genre of storytelling. A.N.A. Comics doesn’t ask for any financial commitment from the creators to have their work included, nor is any pay promised back to the creators. A release is signed allowing A.N.A. Comics the privilege to print the submitted story in the Anthology. The goal is simply to showcase the wide range of great comics out there. The 2010 Anthology is full, however if you would ever wish to be included in a future printing, please keep an eye out for open submissions at anacomics.com
ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITIES:
ANAComics.com offers Indy Creators the opportunity to purchase Ad space on our site. If you look around anacomics.com you’ll notice a header and a side bar advertisement. These are set up to cycle through different advertisers we have, changing with each click of the page. With thousands of visitors to our website, your ad would be viewed hundreds if not thousands of times. ANAComics.com offers three packages for advertizing, broken down by how many times your add would appear in a month: 500/Ads for $5 – 1200/Ads for $10 – or Unlimited Ads for $20 a month. All packages are offered in 3, 6, or 12 month increments. Our super saver package is Unlimited Ads for a FULL year for just $200.00. If you are interested in advertising with ANAComics.com please email business@anacomics.com.
COMIC BOOKS :
We wouldn’t be much of a comics company without actual comic books. A.N.A. Comics first comic book was published October 2009.
BRETHREN: Beginnings marked the initial venture into physical comic book printing and also the start to the much anticipated creator owned project from A.N.A. Comics co-founder Anthony “ANMPH” Hary. The story is set to continue with issue one printing in May of 2010, and issue 2 in October 2010. A.N.A. Comics also has special Directors Cut Trade Paperback of Harijan, a sci-fi epic from the mind of A.N.A. Comics co-founder Nicholas P. Myers. This will be the first time his original mini-series is collected in one book, and it will contain a special interview with the creator along with never before seen art and previews of what is to come! We are very excited about that.
There are a couple other projects in the works, along with a special Charity benefit Swimsuit issue that is set to have the profits benefit Breast Cancer research. All the characters in the book, both men and women, will be characters from A.N.A. Comics. Making this book not only an awesome way to support a great cause, but also an unique opportunity to get to know characters from within the different worlds of A.N.A. Comics that you may have had otherwise.
We are always open to creators that would be looking for a home for their project. We have already started discussions with a couple creators and it’s great to see who else is out there. Similar to our other ventures, we do not ask for any financial commitment from creators we team up with, rather we set up a complimentary relationship that helps the creator establish a brand and reach out to a wider audience then they may have been able to on their own.
Things to know, A.N.A. Comics is a family based company. Outside of our annual anthology, or special creator owned books, we have no intention to produce products or stories with content that would be above what is typically allowed in a PG13 film. Our commitment is to stories, quality stories, and to keeping them free of fluff or any sort of gratuitous content included simply for the sake of doing it. If your property contains heavy gore, nudity, swearing, or offensive content, we are not who you are looking to work with, as we as a group feel those elements are not necessary at such an excessive level to tell a quality story, but rather they hurt your story.
We’ve considered a lot today. And we have looked over how A.N.A. Comics goes about the business of making comics. How will YOU make your comic? Will you work for someone else, or do you have the commitment and dedication to make your dream happen all on your own. There is not one path that is better than the other. You simply have to know which path is for you. Please feel free to visit the forum at anacomics.com and talk to us, share work, and bounce ideas around. We are here to help, and build up the Indy side of comics.
Thanks for reading.
12.10.2009
There a so many ways to “make comics” or to “break in” to this business. Tim Seeley, I believe said recently that it’s easier to break in to comics, then it is to stay in. I think to a very real level this is true. Think about it, list the names of quote “professional” creators out there, then tell me, who is doing pencils or writing on Spidergirl right now? Do you even know how long they have been on the title? I’m sure there are a few Spidergirl fans out there that would know the answer, yet compared to who could name the creators on titles like New Avengers, Superman, Green Lantern, or even Spiderman, there would be no comparison. Yet even YOU can make a comic.
Now you have options, choices to pick through to determine what it is you want to do. You can mold yourself, and get yourself in to a publisher doing work for hire assignments where you all you have is the pay for your work and occasional royalties from larger sales numbers. You could also do creator owned, self published work, where you are paid nothing up front, yet should your book do well, the money, creative rights, and ownership ALL go to YOU and no one else. Between these two most common paths there seems to be one trend that stands out over the last 15 years in comics. It is the strength of the creative team.
You’ll hear Editors talk about the finer points of storytelling, strength of solid anatomy, or the value in having a depth of knowledge regarding specific characters or the historical continuity of a character. What I am talking to you about is being a student of the game, knowing the business side of things and using that to your advantage. It is not for everyone. And that is ok, some people should only write or draw, ink or color, allowing the editors of the business handle the pairing of groups together, hoping one day to find their Jeph Loeb to their Ed McGuiness. Yet for those out there who have a need to steer their careers a little more there is a simple truth that can be found from studying the history of successful creators in the last 10 to 15 years.
Some creator teams didn’t find themselves until they were at a publisher like Marvel or DC, yet once finding each other; they have made a point to keep working together. They found there band and its time to make music, as it were. A great and very recent example of this pattern can be found in the pairing of Mark Millar and Steve McNiven. Joining up on the Civil War Mega Event for Marvel, They followed that up with the HUGELY successful “Old Man Logan” centering around a now aged Wolverine, The pairing have found their stride and have become one of most successful creative team sales wise of the last decade. The Key to this is that THEY have seen it. So much so that the team of M&M are hitting the ground running with their own creator owned comic that is believed to start in March of 2010, printing through Marvels Icon imprint.
You also have guys like Brian M. Bendis and Michael Avon Oeming who made their mark with POWERS through Image comics, and have gone one to huge success as a pairing and found homes at Marvel, bringing POWERS with them. Each has gone on to do work with other creators however they never stopped working together as well.
This is the same with pairing of artist also. Teams like Michael Turner/Peter Steigerwald, Ed McGuiness/Dexter Vines, Jim Lee/ Scott Williams, and the lists go on with teams that have made a commitment to each other and through perseverance and TEAM WORK they have found success in the business. Moving from Independent/ Creator owned comics to work-for-hire at major publishers, and sometimes back again with continued success. WHY? Because they made a brand for themselves, and they stuck together in their work efforts. This gives Editors a package to look at. They have a book, and it needs and art team. They don’t have to find the next Quesada/Miki combo; they can just GO GET THEM, because they are a team.
This is KEY behind the methodology of A.N.A. Comics. There are plenty of folks in this business who will promise you opportunities, use you to get THEIR foot in the door, and simply get your work and not pay you and move on once the job is done. When all that is done, where are you really? More times than not you are right where you were to start. That is not acceptable for us, and it shouldn’t be for you. You have to take action, and you need to connect yourself with people that either are already where you want to be, or they are going in that direction. It’s the strength of the creative team. A.N.A. Comics is all about support and development of solid creators. To help them find their Stan Lee for their own Jack Kirby and go out to change the comic scene forever.
At anacomics.com we have a forum set up to share your work, get critiques and grow as an artist. We also use this as a field to develop relationships within the industry. A.N.A. Comics itself is the result of the combined joining of Supreme Knight Studios, Floating Island Press, and Carbon Hallway Graphics & Production. Each was on their own striving to put together comic books and other creative medium properties. We saw a similarity to our focus and made the commitment to go at this together. Taking the comic book production focus from all three of our studios, we combined to for A.N.A. Comics. Creators have asked us about working with us or for us. Our business model is different then what most have seen. Really it all come down to being committed.
You have to be committed to be part of A.N.A. Comics. We aren’t in the position to take your creator owned book, drop thousands of dollars of our resources to print and advertise it in the hopes that it would either sell enough for us to recoup our investment. Nor are we in the position to try to hold you financially accountable to the project. Quite simply it should be said:
At A.N.A. Comics, creators don’t work FOR us, they work WITH us.
This TEAM focus has been the key to our success so far and we believe it will continue to be. All of our projects are handled with open, honest, strait forward communication that eliminates confusion and promotes production. The way we do business may not be the avenue you find best for your strides to make comics, and that is ok. Still I will run down some of the things we are doing here at A.N.A. Comics, and you can see for yourself what we do:
WEBCOMICS:
A.N.A. Comics offers creators with their own web comic strips to submit to us, and if chosen, we would provide a website set up to hold your comic and feature your work. There is not out of pocket charge to the creator for this. There is a signed agreement and a commitment for regular production (at least one update a week) that would be required.
Currently there is one web-comic running at ANAComics.com/webcomics and 2 more planned for 2010. Take a look and see if you would like to feature your own story in our web-comics area.
ANTHOLOGY BOOKS:
With 2010 A.N.A. Comics starts what will be an Annual tradition: A.N.A. COMICS PRESENTS: We’re Indy #1! This Annual Anthology will feature works from Independent creators in all genre of storytelling. A.N.A. Comics doesn’t ask for any financial commitment from the creators to have their work included, nor is any pay promised back to the creators. A release is signed allowing A.N.A. Comics the privilege to print the submitted story in the Anthology. The goal is simply to showcase the wide range of great comics out there. The 2010 Anthology is full, however if you would ever wish to be included in a future printing, please keep an eye out for open submissions at anacomics.com
ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITIES:
ANAComics.com offers Indy Creators the opportunity to purchase Ad space on our site. If you look around anacomics.com you’ll notice a header and a side bar advertisement. These are set up to cycle through different advertisers we have, changing with each click of the page. With thousands of visitors to our website, your ad would be viewed hundreds if not thousands of times. ANAComics.com offers three packages for advertizing, broken down by how many times your add would appear in a month: 500/Ads for $5 – 1200/Ads for $10 – or Unlimited Ads for $20 a month. All packages are offered in 3, 6, or 12 month increments. Our super saver package is Unlimited Ads for a FULL year for just $200.00. If you are interested in advertising with ANAComics.com please email business@anacomics.com.
COMIC BOOKS :
We wouldn’t be much of a comics company without actual comic books. A.N.A. Comics first comic book was published October 2009.
BRETHREN: Beginnings marked the initial venture into physical comic book printing and also the start to the much anticipated creator owned project from A.N.A. Comics co-founder Anthony “ANMPH” Hary. The story is set to continue with issue one printing in May of 2010, and issue 2 in October 2010. A.N.A. Comics also has special Directors Cut Trade Paperback of Harijan, a sci-fi epic from the mind of A.N.A. Comics co-founder Nicholas P. Myers. This will be the first time his original mini-series is collected in one book, and it will contain a special interview with the creator along with never before seen art and previews of what is to come! We are very excited about that.
There are a couple other projects in the works, along with a special Charity benefit Swimsuit issue that is set to have the profits benefit Breast Cancer research. All the characters in the book, both men and women, will be characters from A.N.A. Comics. Making this book not only an awesome way to support a great cause, but also an unique opportunity to get to know characters from within the different worlds of A.N.A. Comics that you may have had otherwise.
We are always open to creators that would be looking for a home for their project. We have already started discussions with a couple creators and it’s great to see who else is out there. Similar to our other ventures, we do not ask for any financial commitment from creators we team up with, rather we set up a complimentary relationship that helps the creator establish a brand and reach out to a wider audience then they may have been able to on their own.
Things to know, A.N.A. Comics is a family based company. Outside of our annual anthology, or special creator owned books, we have no intention to produce products or stories with content that would be above what is typically allowed in a PG13 film. Our commitment is to stories, quality stories, and to keeping them free of fluff or any sort of gratuitous content included simply for the sake of doing it. If your property contains heavy gore, nudity, swearing, or offensive content, we are not who you are looking to work with, as we as a group feel those elements are not necessary at such an excessive level to tell a quality story, but rather they hurt your story.
We’ve considered a lot today. And we have looked over how A.N.A. Comics goes about the business of making comics. How will YOU make your comic? Will you work for someone else, or do you have the commitment and dedication to make your dream happen all on your own. There is not one path that is better than the other. You simply have to know which path is for you. Please feel free to visit the forum at anacomics.com and talk to us, share work, and bounce ideas around. We are here to help, and build up the Indy side of comics.
Thanks for reading.
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