Image Comics Submission

This is an article that originally appeared on my personal blog (jasonloveslife.com) on April 15, 2013.

Image’s submission page looks different since then, but the process has remained the same.

You can either watch the video version of this blog post. Or you can read the article below the video.

Image Comics LogoIt has been an exciting day. I went ahead and made the decision to submit the Madman of Magic to Image Comics.

In case you live under a rock, Image Comics is the publishers of the now very famous “Walking Dead”. They are an American Comic Book Publisher that is well-known within the comic industry for allowing creators to keep the copyrights of their creations.

The company was founded by a group of illustrators who worked for the big comic book companies, but were sick of not seeing any profits from their creation.

Twitter Response

I posted on twitter that I was going to submit my comic and the reaction was incredible. Here is a screen shot of the post and the number of retweets:

The Twitter Response

This reaction was way more than I ever expected. With this kind of support, it is hard for me not to at least send in a submission.

The Introduction to the process

Image Comics could change their submission process at any time. You can go to imagecomics.com/about/submissions to see what the current process entails.

Why publish with Image?

My original plan was to self-publish the Madman of Magic series. I wanted to have complete control while learning the business side of publishing comics. This plan has changed for three principal reasons

Cost

I knew it was going to be expensive to publish my own comic. There were several cost factors I didn’t take into consideration. The big ones being shipping and marketing.

If Image Comics is willing to front the expense of printing and shipping, I can put all my financial resources and time into marketing.

Reach

Image has a strong and loyal fan base. I also have built up a loyal following (I prefer to call them friends), but Images has 100 times more. If Image connects with me, I then have the opportunity to introduce their fans to my work.

Filtering

Image Comics gets a lot of submissions per month. Customers know any comic Image publishes is going to be the best of those submitted. For customers, an Image logo on a comic means quality.

The Steps to Submitting to Image Comics

Step 1 – Have an original project

The great thing about Image Comics is that they only publish creator-owned material. In other words, if you are looking for a job as a writer or artist you should go somewhere else. This also means their business model isn’t based on screwing artists and creators out of their creations.

This is the big reason I am going with them.

I have been working on this comic for several years with my wife. Losing the right to the comic would be devastating.

Step 2 – Create and print some pages

I assume if you are going to submit something to Image you have something to pitch. This includes having a story in mind, and an artist picked out (even if it is you), and an art style chosen.

To see how you plan to execute the comic, Image asks you to send a minimum of 5 inked and lettered pages. Do not send originals because they will not be sending anything back.

Lucky for my wife and me, we have the first comic printed, which is thanks to our Kickstarter Backers and a lot of hard work. Our plan is to send a physical copy of the comic book with some merchandise we have left over from the Kickstarter Campaign.

We’re hoping it will help us get an edge.

Step 3 – Design some cover art

Image Comics attaches a lot of importance in the Cover Art you submit.

“This lets us know whether or not you understand the market and gives us a good barometer on your design sense.”
-from their website.

So take your time and make sure the cover you submit is well designed, catches the reader’s eye, and peaks interest in what the comic is about.

Step 4 – Type up a 1-page synopsis of your story

Another important part of your submission is a 1-page synopsis of your story. Don’t be too dramatic or descriptive in your writing. Focus on your story arc and characters to show you have something worth printing.

For me, this was the most difficult part. We have a first draft for the entire series finished. Distilling it down into one page was a lot harder than expected. At the same time, it was a good exercise in explaining what the comic is about in only a few paragraphs.

Step 5 – Write-up a cover letter

Image makes it clear that this is the least important part of the process. The focus should be on the project itself and not a fancy cover letter explaining how other people love the comic.

Make it simple, give your contact information, and focus on everything else for submissions.

Step 6 – Send it all in

Now take it all together and send it in an envelope to Image at:

Submissions
c/o Image Comics
2001 Center Street, Sixth Floor
Berkeley, CA 94704

Or you can email them digital versions to:

submissions@imagecomics.com

Here is a final checklist to make sure that you included everything:

  • A cover letter with contact information
  • A one-page synopsis of the story
  • A cover mock-up


My Submission to Image Comics

You should not try to hand Image Comic employees submissions at events. With all the things going on at conventions, it would be a pain to have to keep track of your comic and paperwork.

Keeping you updated

If they have an interest in your comic, they will contact you within a month. I will keep you all updated on my progress and let you know as soon as I get any response.

13 thoughts on “Image Comics Submission

  1. The Code Crimson says:

    Seems to me like you’ve really got a shot at this! Image has been known for taking chances to produce great material. I’m certain you would fit right in.

  2. Jason Love says:

    That is very nice of you to say. I think for anyone submitting to Image it is a little bit of a long shot. I imagine they get hundreds of submissions every week.

    I am still keeping my finger cross, but I do have a plan “B” if they decide not to go with my comic.
    Thanks again for the kind words and taking the time to check out my blog.

  3. Oz says:

    Oh man! Pretty much all of my favorites are coming out of Image these days. They’re really top of the heap; I definitely applaud your choice, and will be keeping my fingers crossed for Madman!

    Good luck!

  4. Jason Love says:

    I haven’t stayed up-to-date with comics currently being put out by the major publishers, but Image is one of those companies that seems like they respect their artists and creators more than they respect the money.

    In other words, they don’t try to split creators from their creations. I am not sure of any other companies out there that do that.

    Thanks for the crossed fingers, don’t get a cramp, but it is much appreciated.

  5. John Riley says:

    Hey!
    So, I was interested in doing the same thing you did, and I’m just very much confused on the Cover Letter. How exactly did you go about yours, and what do you include? I don’t want to be too stiff with it, But I don’t want to under do it. Care to share some pointers?

  6. Jason Love says:

    There is no right or wrong answer on this. However, the cover letter is the least important part of your submission packages.

    I will try and write an entire blog post on this to help others who are having the same problem.

    Is this something people are interested in?

  7. Mike Frost says:

    Although you wrote this over a year ago I have found it really useful. I was curious to know how you got on with it? Did Image publish your work?

  8. Compulsive Admin says:

    I am happy to hear you found it useful. Fortunately, Image hasn’t changed their submission process too much.

    Unfortunately, they did not pick-up my comic book. I ended up self-publishing using Kickstarter to fund the first print. Right now we are trying to figure out if a 2nd print would sell or not. We are also planning to put out a digital version at some point this year.

    Good luck on your submission and let me know how it goes.

  9. Mike Frost says:

    Thank you for your reply. A Kickstarter was going to be my plan B as well.

  10. Mark Ruffolo says:

    appears to me like you’ve truly got a shot at this! Picture has been known for taking risks to create extraordinary material. I’m sure you would fit right in.

  11. Ben-jam-in !!! says:

    I suck at drawing, so could I send in just the script and maybe a storyboard???

  12. Compulsive Admin says:

    Yes, you can try.
    But they normally like to see something finished they can back.

  13. Caroline says:

    Hi there!
    It’s 2021 but your article has helped a lot!
    Unfortunately I don’t know how to draw at all. I have an idea for a graphic novel and would love to pitch it to them! Can the 5 inked and lettered pages be done by an artist I would be working with or does it have to be my own drawing? Since I don’t know how to draw that would suck… Haha
    Thanks in advance for your reply!!

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