Comic Book Resources

Round 5: The Marvelous Two

Welcome back to Comic Book Idol. I’m your host J. Torres. And this is it!

We went into the last round with four very worthy contestants and this week we boil it down to the two lucky finalists who will compete for the big CBI3 prize “package” consisting of a handful of assignments to add to the ol’ resume, an opportunity for some invaluable industry shmoozing and networking, and of course the free trip to the Big Apple for the New York City Comicon in April 2008.

After this week’s poll, with over 800 votes cast, the two contestants who will be competing in the finale are: Jon Reed and Charles Paul Wilson III.

Sadly, that means we must say goodbye to two very talented artists:

Caio Oliveira
http://www.quantaacademia.com/quantoon/Fanfiction/MPF001ing.htm

Dan McDaid
http://danmcdaid.com/

Dan, you went into this competition the underdog because of your “animated” look, but you had many people rooting for you, including myself. You were my favorite of this ecclectic bunch because your style is right up my alley, but just looking at your portfolio should tell people why you garnered so much attention and adoration on the forum. Your art has been described as “classic,” “stylish,” and inspired by some of the greatest names in comics and cartoons. We all know we have not seen the last of you. I can think of at least three people champing at the bit to offer you work or invite you to audition for them.

Caio, you on the other hand went into this contest a favorite, and it’s very obvious why judging from your portfolio. You also did not disappoint your supporters with the impressive artwork your turned in each round. And when some of those supporters proved a little over-zealous and tried voting more than once for you, you were extremely cooperative in helping us get to the bottom of things. You even offered to take yourself out of the competition so that these cheaters did not embarrass or put CBI in a bad light. You then pleaded with your fans to play fair and let your artwork speak for itself. Which it did. Never mind the votes and the prizes, your true reward is yet to come.

But wait, folks! There’s more…

As I’ve said before there are no losers here. Caio walks away from this with (at the very least) the Round 2 bonus prize of the “Invincible” pin-up assignment.

And now, this week’s guest judge Francis Manapul has decided to award the Round 4 bonus prize to Dan! In case you’ve forgotten, that bonus prize is a date with Mike Marts at DC Comics. Well, an online date of sorts to submit and get feedback on some art samples, that is. AND as an added bonus, Francis would also like to show your samples to his editor David Chauvel of Editions-Delcourt in France.

How do you like them apples?

Make sure to check out Dan and Caio’s websites and stay tuned for their exit interviews in “Idol Thoughts” right here on this very blog. And lastly, make sure to give our departing contestants some love in our “Caio Oliveira and Dan McDaid appreciation thread” in the CBI fourm.

With that dirty work out of the way, I congratulate Jon and Charles for making it into our final round.

This is it, gents…

Round Five… Fight (to the finish)!

Your final assignment is to provide the artwork for a pitch for a hypothetical new comic book series adapting the “Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends” cartoon from the 80s.

You must illustrate a cover plus no less than four (4) pages of sequential samples, which can be one scene or two or however you want to break it down.

There’s no script. You get no reference or other resources. Google is your friend.

Whatever you choose to do, just make sure it impresses our “guest judge” this round, the Mighty Marvel Bullpen…

Chris Allo
(Marvel Talent Manager)

Axel Alonso
(editor, “Moon Knight,” “Punisher”)

John Barber
(editor, “Marvel Comics Presents,” “Wolverine”)

Tom Brevoort
(editor, “Avengers,” “Fantatic Four”)

Nick Lowe
(editor, “Uncanny X-Men,” “Runaways”)

Mark Paniccia
(editor, “Hulk,” “Marvel Adventures”)

Bill Rosemann
(editor, “Annihilation,” Ultimate line)

Warren Simons
(editor, “Daredevil,” “Iron Fist”)

Steve Wacker
(editor, “Spider-Man,” “Captain Marvel”)

How do you like them apples, Aunt May?

Your deadline is Monday, November 12 @ 3 PM (EST).

You know where and how to post. You know what’s at stake. I don’t think I need to say anything further.

Except maybe… Spider Friends, go for it!

J.