Image Comics Submission Guidelines

Image Comics has done many of my favorite books over the years so I thought I'd check out their submission guidelines.

So basically Image only wants new, original ideas for books. They don't accept any writing samples. They want proposals for a new comic series or graphic novel. Image only does creator-owned material so you aren't going to get a job at Image doing art or writing for a book that is already out there. In fact they make it very clear that they want the creative team that pitches the idea to be the ones working on the book. You simply are not allowed to hire other people than the people you originally state will be working on the book. Also because Image hires based on creative teams and a whole idea they don't pay page rates. They pay by the book and take a small fee for publishing and the rest goes to the creative team to split up as they please. Though it is a creator-owned work they want to make it clear that they will have some ideas to impart to make the book better and more marketable so don't get married to the title or exact format you originally pitch.

Ok, now to the specifics of submitting. Here's everything you have to submit in a proposal:

1. A typewritten cover letter with all contact info at the top of the page. They just want a basic introduction of who you are at this point.
2. A typed, one page, synopsis of the overall story. They want to know they entire story or story arc, not just one issue.
3. Photocopies of fully inked and lettered pages. They don't want original art as they will never be able to return it. They want at LEAST 5 pages of the book and would love to see more if you have them.
4. Color is optional. They don't need it to be colored, but if the book in final form is going to be colored then it is recommended, but not required, that you send it in colored.
5. Include a cover mock up. Have a good logo that is easy to read from across the room. They want to see that you have good design sense.

Send submissions to:

Submissions

c/o Image Comics

2001 Center Street Sixth Floor Berkeley, CA 94704

or email them to: submissions@imagecomics.com

They want you to be honest and don't really want flattery. Don't talk about other publishers or such and don't have testimonials. Just let the work speak for itself. 

They are a huge publisher so while they say they try to get back to everyone who submits they can't always do that. If you don't receive a reply within a month of your submission consider the proposal rejected. If they are interested in your proposal they will absolutely get back to you within a month.

Also Image Comics doesn't own any intellectual properties and the creators will always get to keep that and will always own their work. Which for people who are worried about publishers stealing ideas is very comforting.

Overall, Image seems like a good place to submit if you have a team, are very self motivated, and have a big idea that is original. I really like Images model of accepting creator based work because it really keeps the market fresh. The most popular comics in recent years have come out of Image and I think that is because they really support the creator.