Comic Book Resources

Just the FAQs, m’am

What is “Comic Book Idol”?

Comic Book Idol (CBI) is an amateur art competition sponsored by Comic Book Resources (CBR) and participating advertisers. It’s a five (5) week, five (5) round contest in which contestants will be asked to complete an art assignment each week by a deadline. A panel of comic book professionals comment on the artists’ work in each round. Fans determine which contestants move on to subsequent rounds by voting in a weekly poll. And all of this action takes place in the Comic Book Idol Forum.

The host for CBI is J. Torres, whose writing credits include “Wonder Girl” (in stores next week!), “Ninja Scroll” and “Teen Titans Go” for DC Comics as well as CBR’s short-lived “Open Your Mouth” column, which originated this competition in 2003. He will be posting weekly introductions, instructions to the contestants (i.e. the art assignments), and official announcements including who’s been eliminated in each round and who delivered enough to draw another day.

Eliminated?

Ten (10) contestants will be chosen to compete. Each week registered CBR readers vote in a poll that determines who moves on to the next round and who gets eliminated from the competition. The two (2) contestants with the least amount of votes in each round will be taken out of the competition while the rest continue to the next art assignment. In the final round, there will be two (2) contestants vying for the title “Comic Book Idol.”

Will the Hoff be part of this?

No, but we will shortly announce who is on our panel of expert judges. These judges, all of whom have an editorial background, will provide critiques and commentary about the contestants’ work throughout the competition. Yes, it’s like getting a professional portfolio review without leaving your house.

There will also be “surprise” comic creator guest judges to be announced as the competition progresses.

Joe Quesada (Editor-in-Chief, Marvel Comics), Mike Carlin (Senior Editor, DC Comics), Erik Larsen (Founding Member, Image Comics), Ron Marz (Samurai: Heaven and Earth), Mike Norton (All-New Atom), and Todd Nauck (Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man) were some of the judges in seasons one and two.

So, how do I enter?

The preliminary, “open call” round begins Thursday, September 6th at approximately noon E.S.T. (and will run until noon E.S.T. on Sunday, September 30th). Those wishing to be considered for the ten (10) spots in the five (5) round competition must post links to their online portfolio in the officially designated thread in the moderated CBI forum.

It is imperative that those who wish to participate in this competition read this entire FAQ and also carefully follow all the instructions for posting their link in the designated thread in the CBI moderated forum. This links thread will only be open to the public on September 6th.

Posting prior to this date or posting in the wrong thread may lead to disqualification.

A selection committee made up of former CBI contestants, including season one winner Patrick Scherberger (Marvel Adventures, GeNext) and season two winner Carlos Rodriguez (Shadowhawk, The Pact), will visit all the links posted and choose ten (10) artists to compete in the competition.

The first round of competition is tentatively scheduled to start October 4th and continues through till November 8th when the winner is officially announced*.

*Dates subject to change due to scheduling conflicts or unforeseen delays in the submissions round.

It’s that easy?

No. Not really. Bear in mind that as a contestant you must be able to work over the weekend to meet the deadlines, have the ability to scan in your artwork, post it online for public viewing, and be prepared for feedback both positive and negative.

For the top two (2) finalists, this means a five (5) week commitment.

What are the art assignments?

Previous CBI assignments have included design work, pin-ups and covers but due to popular demand, in season two of the competition there was a greater focus on sequential art and this year’s competition will feature much of the same.

Contestants should expect to have to draw a lot in a relatively short amount of time.

Exactly what contestants must draw in each round of competition will only be announced on the Thursday prior to that round’s deadline (usually the following Monday).

Contestants should expect to have to draw a lot in a relatively short amount of time. Have I mentioned that?

Will artists be required to pencil, ink, and/or color these assignments?

It will be left up to the individual artists to decide whether they want to submit only pencils, ink their work, or go all the way with colored art, once they consider the subject matter, format of the assignment, and the time constraint.

What does the winner win?

This season’s Comic Book Idol wins the following five (5) fabulous prizes…

(Prize #1) The Big Apple
Airfare, accommodation, and passes for the New York City Comicon 2008 (courtesy of the New York City Comicon).

(Prize #2) The Big Shmooze
A date with J. Torres which will include dinner followed by a mixer hosted by Jonah Weiland and attended by former Comic Book idol contestants, as well other professional comic book artists and editors including some of our judges past and present.

(Prize #3) Assignment: Oni
An assignment for Oni Press as determined by James Lucas Jones based on the artist’s interest and abilities.

(Prize #4) Assignment: IDW
An assignment for IDW Publishing as determined by Chris Ryall based on the artist’s interest and abilities.

(Prize #5) Assignment: Cebulski
As in C.B. Cebulski, prolific comic book writer, former editor and current Marvel talent wrangler. More on this in round three…

N.B.: While these are great opportunities for any new artist, these prizes have “no cash value” and contestants should not expect any additional compensation for services rendered beyond the competition; all participants have the right to refuse any or all of the assignments and prizes offered them following their participation in the competition.

Can everybody play?

Comic Book Idol is an amateur comic book art competition open to the public (including artists outside of North America) with the exception of employees or any individuals who have claimed professional status as a comic book artist and/or have been paid to produce artwork for any of our sponsors and affiliates including but not limited to Comic Book Resources, New York City Comicon, IDW Publishing, Oni Press, Image Comics, and Marvel Comics, as well major publishers and studios like DC Comics, Dark Horse Comics, Tokyopop, Devil’s Due, Udon, etc.

However, while the contest is meant as an opportunity for artists who have not produced comic book artwork for pay, or have not otherwise claimed professional status as a comic book artist, exceptions may be made on a case by case basis.

For example, artists from other fields who have not been paid to produce artwork published in a comic book may still be eligible.

Also, individuals whose only comic book work is self-published may still be eligible.

Artists who haven been published in the small press but have been “out of comics” for a number of years may also be eligible.

Creators of online or amateur web comics may still be eligible.

Please do not contact CBI, CBR, any of the judges or forum moderators regarding your eligibility.

You will be contacted if you are being considered for the ten (10) spots in the competition, or if we have questions about you or your work.

If in doubt about your eligibility, go ahead and post the link to your online portfolio anyway and take advantage of this little bit of exposure. You never know who’s watching.

Comic Book Resources reserves the right to review an artist’s body of work to determine if there are grounds for disqualification.

Lastly, you must be at least 18 years old * to participate.

*18 years old by the date of travel to the New York Comicon (April 18-20, 2008).

Good luck, everyone!

J.