Looking for an artist. [UNPAID]

Alright so, this is a bad pitch. Now, I'm not trying to turn you off of comic writing or insult you but if you want to attract an artist, an unpaid artist at that, you need a good pitch. What did you do wrong here?

Well, first you don't have a finished comic script. Why should an artist invest their time in this project, if you haven't even invested your own? You should absolutely have a script, at least a rough draft, before reaching out for artists. It shows this is something you've dedicated yourself to.

Second:

"I will find a way to repay you".

What does that mean? If you have goods or services you're willing to exchange, be specific. Otherwise you're just going to illicit a whole lot of eye rolling.

Another thing:

"if I can get this pilot bought and the comic book printed, I give you my WORD you will receive a share of the profits made."

Working for spec, which is what you're describing, is not just something that goes by word of mouth. You have to iron out the details, and honestly it's probably a waste anyway because the chances are this pilot/comic will go absolutely nowhere. You might as well say "If I win a multi-million dollar lottery, I PROMISE to give you half."

The blunt truth is, you're not going to find a quality artist who will work unpaid on your comic. Especially when you have zero experience with comics and an unfinished script.

My suggestion, examine whether you really want to do a comic in the first place. You seem to be more interested in making a TV show. Why divide your time and energy between two things, when you could focus on really doing on thing well? Why make supplemental media for something that doesn't exist yet?

Instead of looking to make a comic, you should be finding someone with a DSLR, maybe save up and rent some sound equipment, go to a thrift shop and buy props/costumes, and make a the least shitty version of your pilot you can afford.

Or if the comic is something you feel strongly about, come back when you have a script completed. Show some commitment to this idea because, to borrow a cliche, ideas are a dime a dozen. What matters is execution. Go out and execute.

/r/ComicBookCollabs Thread