Aug 28, 08:53 PM · Big Round Eyes
So, I’m starting an extended weekend from comics today, and so far, it’s been enjoyable. I worked my tail off on this little mini-project, but it wasn’t for Issue 4…
It was a submission into Tokyopop’s Rising Stars of Manga Contest.
You may have noticed the lack of big round eyes in my art. So, why did I work on this?
I stumbled across the contest one day as I was chatting with Fredd, and thought, whoa, what a great opportunity. Tokyopop is one of the fastest growing publishers in the world right now. The problem was that I am not a speedline freak. Don’t get me wrong, there is quite a bit of manga I love (Lone Wolf and Cub, Appleseed, Ranma 1/2, Grey, Vagabond), but I thought I would have a hard time saying my style was manga, in the traditional sense. Despite Fredd encouraging me on, I didn’t think it was a good idea.
Fast forward to WizardWorld Chicago, where after a day of pounding the floor with my portfolio, I was beat. I had seen all these people with giant Tokyopop bags full of their free swag. I wanted in on that, since I felt it was time to get some goodies, and my oh my, Tokyopop had tons of it. They were just giving out free books (samplers) along with the gi-normous bags (great marketing, by the way, everyone had those billborad/bags). Anyway, a nice rep pointed out to me that all the books were free and to take some. I thanked him and pointed out that I was just checking to see if there were any I missed!
The rep then notices my portfolio, and it turns out he’s an editor. In the course of looking over my portfolio, he strongly suggests that I should enter the contest, and reading the confused expression on my face, he went into reasons why I should, and how manga isn’t all style, it’s also design and storytelling. There is actually no pre-determined look.
When I came home, I found a copy of the first Rising Stars of Manga collection. The editor was right. There were plenty of different art styles in the book. I had absolutely no excuse not to do it, especially with an editor telling me to try it. It wasn’t a promise or anything, but it was a suggestion.
All through this balls-to-the-wall process, I kept trying to talk myself out of it. I kept pouring over the rules to see if I would disqualify for some reason. I didn’t. I was scared of entering, maybe because I was really going out on a limb to try something new. I did, too, incorporating some manga techniques into my work that made sense to me. I made the story a Golden Boy prequel, so I could one day release it for free on the web or include it in a collected edition. I can honestly say it is some of my best work. I was still scared when I sent it off today. Most of what consists of the comic biz is risk, but for some reason, this has felt like a huge giant risk, even though all it has cost me is some time and effort.
I’ve long admired how Paul Pope worked for a manga publisher in Japan, even though he didn’t do quite as well as everyone hoped. But man, when he came back here, his work became even more amazing than it was previously.
And maybe that’s it. Maybe I am scared of these new ideas, of taking a big chance to potentially win and pitch a series to Tokyopop? Maybe I’m scared of potentially changing?
I thought of Paul Pope when I mailed the submission off today. Even if I lose, I win.