2004 Merchandise & Miscellaneous News Archives

May 28, 2004: Comic Book Idol Launches, Open Call for Submissions begins

Comic Book Resources, a leading comic book news and resource Web site, is proud to announce that the second edition of Comic Book Idol has begun with an open call for submissions.

"Comic Book Idol" is an amateur art competition hosted by CBR. It's a five-week, five-round contest in which contestants will be asked to complete an art assignment each week by a deadline. Their art will be posted in a forum designed especially for judges to post comments on and critique said art, as well as for CBR readers to view and vote on their favorites. Fans select which contestants move on in subsequent rounds, and two artists will be eliminated from the competition in each round until we have the one and only "Comic Book Idol," who'll receive some amazing prizes for the hard work accomplished during the competition.

This year Comic Book Idol is supported by a mini-site. The site will bring you daily updates of news and behind-the-scenes action from the contest.

The regular panel of judges for our second competition consists of Mike Carlin (Senior Group Editor, DC Comics), Jeff Mariotte (Editor-in-Chief, IDW Publishing), and Eric Stephenson (Managing Editor, Image Comics). There will also be "surprise" comic creator guest judges to be announced, one per round, as the competition progresses.

Prospective contestants should visit the Comic Book Idol mini-site today to learn about the requirements for competition as well as the instructions on how to submit your work. The contest begins today with an open call for submissions. Those wishing to be considered for competition must post links to their work in the designated Comic Book Idol forum, reachable from the mini-stie. A selection committee consisting of five of last year's CBI contestants, including winner Patrick Scherberger, will visit all the links posted and choose ten artists to face the judges and CBR readers. The first official round of competition starts June 3rd and the event continues through till July 8th when the winner is officially announced.

J. Torres, the host of the competition, had this bit of advice for contestants. "If you saw how the critiquing and the voting went last year, you need to not only be a good artist but you'll also need a tough skin and learn to stay focused on doing the work despite all the noise around you.

"But, really, the war of words on the CBI message board, the strategic voting and campaigning, and all of that are what made the contest exciting and fun and, sure, frustrating to some the first time around. The key is to keep your eye on the prize and draw like you've never drawn before because it could mean a trip to San Diego, a foot in the door at DC, published work at Image, and who knows what else..." This year, all ten contestants invited into the competition will receive a CBR T-Shirt, comic boards courtesy of Bill Cole Enterprises, Inc., and free passes to Comic-Con International San Diego 2004.

Any one of our ten contestants may be recruited by Digital Webbing to illustrate a story and cover for "Digital Webbing Presents"; plus, Scott Rosenberg and Lee Nordling of Platinum Studios will also be recruiting two artists from the competition for their graphic novel program; and we may even throw in another surprise prize or two along the way for everyone involved.

The winner of Comic Book Idol will be given four amazing opportunities within the industry:

  1. A pin-up assignment for an IDW publication to be selected by Jeff Mariotte based on the artist's interests and abilities.

  2. A short story assignment written by Eric Stephenson to be published in the forthcoming "Four Letter Worlds" anthology from Image Comics.

  3. Mike Carlin personally handing your art samples to editors at DC Comics for their review and consideration.

  4. Airfare, accommodation, and passes for Comic-Con International San Diego 2004 (courtesy of CBR, Comic-Con International, ScottsComics.com, Bill Cole Enterprises, Inc. and NewKadia.com) where the winner will get to schmooze with some of the judges, organizers, and sponsors of Comic Book Idol.

Visit the Comic Book Idol mini-site for details, deadlines, and other announcements regarding "Comic Book Idol."



2004 Merchandise & Miscellaneous News

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