The Rising Stars of Manga

http://www.tokyopop.com/news/mangatalent/index.php

Click the link for the full info, I'm too tired to explain.

The short story is that Tokyopop has had two Rising Stars of Manga contests so far. You submit a story 15-20 pages in length, and the top 10 get published in an anthology. I figured, what the fuck, I'll try my hand in the third contest. However, I only found out the due date was March 15, like, in the end of January. :eek: So, in about a month and a half, I had to script it, thumbnail it, pencil, ink and do the lettering, in addition to designing characters (though I had most of them in my head and I had already designed the main character ages ago), rooms and buildings. I aimed low at 15 pages, just to make sure I made the deadline, but I still figured that there was now way it was gonna happen, since I'm lazy, easily distracted, procastinate a lot, and I draw slow as shit. But I decided to give it a try.

Sadly, in the middle of everything, I had to re-write the ending and that ended up tacking on an additional 3 pages (bringing the total to 18). Happily, I busted my ass and forsook a normal sleep schedule (I averaged 4-5 hours a night, and I usually average 7-8) and my social life (thankfully my girlfriend and buddies were understanding) and I finished it last night. My whole thing was that I didn't want to cut any corners and turn in a rush job, and I feel pretty happy with what I created. My proportion and perspective could be a tad better, but that's always been a weakness of mine. It's decent, though.

I'm just proud that I overcame my usual slothful tendencies, kicked my own ass, and just made the deadline. I'm Fed-Exing it out today (it has to be postmarked the 15th, but I'm not taking any chances). Wish me luck. I'll keep you posted if I hear any news.

BTW, the prizes are as follows: Places 4-10 get $500, 3rd gets $1000, 2nd gets $1500, and 1st gets $2500 and the chance to pitch an idea for a series to Tokyopop.

BTW, lack of sleep does fun things to your brain.

Good luck. The quality of a lot of the previous winners wasn't very good, so hopefully you'll have a decent chance at winning. Post some of your art here.

glad to see i'm not the only one disappointed in the quality of the previous Rising Stars winners. i was going to enter this third contest (see Munkey's & Bitches thread), but i just couldn't get things in order. also had a story based on this FOB in an illustration class i took titled Donkey Lips, but me and the person i was working with couldn't find the time to complete it. :\ que sera, sera. they bumped the prize money up for this contest too. good luck though, and definitely show us the goods.

Thanks guys. And I agree with you both about the quality of the previous winners. Nobody was all that impressive (some downright SUCKED), either art or story-wise. Not saying that I'm the greatest artist ever, but I think I can easily compete. Plus, my entry isn't the usual manga-style you see- it's a gothic horror/mystery story set in a mid-1800's Victorian-like era.

Plus, out of both volumes out so far, only one other person (the grand prize winner in Vol. 1) did the same thing I did- ignored using toner and just did all the detail by hand. Yeah, it's a bitch, but the end result is so much nicer. No offence to anyone that uses it, but toner's for lazy bastards.

Basically my art style resembles a combo of Manga, Edward Gorey and my own personal touch. :)

When I get a chance maybe I'll scan a few panels and show you what I submitted.

I'm actually a long time friend of Lindsay, who did the "Peach Fun" story that won in the most recent book. I was a bit surprised when I finally got a chance to see it, because I didn't think it was her best art - I think other stuff she's done has been far better. Still, it was cool that she won.

I have to say, though, that some of the winners have indeed been very mediocre.

You mean the story with the ferret? That was pretty cute, and she had a nice, sharp art style. Still, I was suprised that it was the top winner, as it wasn't amazing- but if she does indeed normally do much nicer work, I'd really love to see it, she has great potential.

I did really like the winner in the first volume, "Devil's Candy". There was another story in that volume about a girl who has a monster follow her home and another one about a little girl that goes to live with her Grandparents and ends up turning into a rabbit that were very creative and well done. In contrast, I thought the winners in vol. 2 overall weren't as impressive. Hopefully the winners in vol. 3 will all suck to I can take tham all down. :)

Honestly, I did about as well as I could in the time period given. Still, the end result could have been better had I more time...oh, well. If this doesn't go well there's always vol. 4...

I should really submit to one of these, but I'm lucky to finish a single pin-up anymore.

And it probably doesn't help that I can't write, either.

Hey, I'm a writer who can't draw. We could be a writing-drawing team.

I always wanted to enter, but I can never come up with a descent 20 page stand alone story. Maybe someone can help me out a little for the next contest hehe. I'm mostly into fantasy type setting or something that takes place in modern times and include magic. :)

I'd do it, but I can't draw for shit. Meh. Maybe I'll start now and work towards next year. :lol:

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Originally Posted by SHiNgO

I always wanted to enter, but I can never come up with a descent 20 page stand alone story. Maybe someone can help me out a little for the next contest hehe. I'm mostly into fantasy type setting or something that takes place in modern times and include magic. :)

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Heh, exact same problem. All my ideas end up being too long. I think the shortest thing I could do... and that would be worth doing... would be 40+ pages. Actually, I just remembered a short idea, but it's centered around a car chase and there's no way my skills are up for that.

Magic in modern times... I had an idea that might be crammed into 20 pages. Bascially involves this cafe that captures spirits of deal animals and supernatural creatures and infuses them into the meal, that provides benefits for people who are born with the ability to use magic. For mundanes though there's no effect. The main spirit catcher who works for the place is a mundane boy who wants to be a mage. Then he hears of a legendary spirit that can be combined into a special feast to turn a mundane into a mage. He ends up traveling with the daughter of the boss of the cafe. Her personality and powers change with the vibes of the people around her, so if there are nice people around she's all sweet and angelic, but if she's surrounded by evil people she becomes a goddess of destruction. The setting would basically be like the modern world only with mystical elements. It's an idea I haven't fleshed out much yet.

Seriously, I'd be up for partnering with somebody who can draw to put together an entry. It's what, 10 pages or so? I could knock out a storyline for that no problem.

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Originally Posted by shidoshi

It's what, 10 pages or so? I could knock out a storyline for that no problem.

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It's 15 pages min, 20 pages max. Mine wound up being 18, up from my original estimate of 15.

Personally, I wouldn't want to draw someone else's story. I'm the type that likes to write, pencil, ink, and letter all by myself. I like to have full control over everything.

As for my story, it's actually a sort of prequel to a larger story arc that I've been kicking around for a while. I just decided that, if by the slim chance that I actually win and can pitch a full-length story to Tokyopop, this is the story I would like to do.

Weird, I figured that I'd be all relaxed once I finished the thing and sent it out, and I am in a way, but I'm also nervous as to what the outcome of my submission will be. The rules state that the winners will be notified by phone and/or email, but they don't say by when. A full list of the winners will be posted on the Tokyopop site on May 1st.

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Seriously, I'd be up for partnering with somebody who can draw to put together an entry. It's what, 10 pages or so? I could knock out a storyline for that no problem.

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Maybe you should check your PM box.

Well, here's a small comfort for me- I just checked the tracking info on the U.S. Post Office's web site, and my package was delivered, so I don't have to worry about it getting lost in the mail at least... :)

Haven't heard if I placed or not yet, but I have gotten a couple of emails from an editor in Tokyopop's original Manga department, saying that he's reviewed my entry and thought it "showed promise" and "had potential" and was "such that they wanted to give me detailed feedback as soon as they had time". I've been invited to a portfolio review in NYC this Saturday (4/24) that Tokyopop's doing at Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art (http://www.moccany.com). I don't think it has anything to do with being hired for anything, it's just a good chance for some detailed face-to-face feedback from some industry professionsals. Should be fun, I didn't even know there was a Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art in NYC. :)

If someone writes, I'll draw.

My storylines tend to be fragmented. =|

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Originally Posted by shidoshi

I'm actually a long time friend of Lindsay, who did the "Peach Fun" story that won in the most recent book.

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You mean this chick?
http://www.tokyopop.com/news/mangatalent/lindsay.jpg


And Hero, your sig speaks the truth, my brother.

Dole wants to pimp her. for the sex and for the art. it's a win-win situation.

Dole~ All I can say is good luck, and win or not, it's the fact that you worked so hard and pushed to get this done that should be the important thing to take away from the experience. But I bet you knew that ^^

I'm not all about the pimping game, Ashen.

However, I'm always looking for hopefuls. ;)

Here's the page listing all the winners from Vol. 2. Hey, we have a NY girl in there, Ashen...
http://www.tokyopop.com/news/mangata...st_winners.php

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Originally Posted by Hero

Dole~ All I can say is good luck, and win or not, it's the fact that you worked so hard and pushed to get this done that should be the important thing to take away from the experience. But I bet you knew that ^^

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Thanks Hero.

Well, I'm happy that I got this done, win or not. I'm proud of my story, and the fact that I proved to myself that I can buckle down and churn out such an involved project in such a short amount of time. The experience was well worth it. As soon as I hear anything else I'll post it.

Maybe I'll take a few pics of the museum and post them if there's anything cool there.

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When I get a chance maybe I'll scan a few panels and show you what I submitted.

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=\

Post your story Dole.

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Originally Posted by Hero

If someone writes, I'll draw.

My storylines tend to be fragmented. =|

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If you write a premise and do some designs to build from, I'd be willing to fill in the details, storywise. That way it would suit your style and be something you want to draw instead of some shared project that would only become a burden to you.

Stories are easy, drawing is... like stabbing yourself in the eyes with broken glass dipped in kerosene. Or at least it feels that way when it's made painfully clear how much I still need to learn. :sweat:

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Originally Posted by rezo

=\

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Originally Posted by sunshine

Post your story Dole.

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Oh, right, forgot about that. I'll try to bring some stuff to work tomorrow and scan it. I'm not scanning and posting 18 pages, however. Sorry! :)

I penciled/painted a pic of the main character from my entry a while back...maybe I'll bring that in and post it.

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Originally Posted by Ammadeau

Stories are easy

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That mindset is why so many fancomic storylines blow chunks...

I believe this news.

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Originally Posted by CynicalSphere

That mindset is why so many fancomic storylines blow chunks...

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I was speaking more of the time investment and the sheer amount of actual effort, actually. A fancomic storyline should be a little harder because you're working in a fixed universe that you're not supposed to change, but most completely ignore this restriction and end up sucking because of it. I was also talking of my own personal experience, which would obviously be different for someone else who finds drawing easy.

To me, a story is more about the details than anything else and in a comic most of those details are visual and therefore up to the artist. The writer pens the dialogue and writes a description of the scene, but it's up to the artist to really bring that to life. Unlike writing a story, where every single detail is up to the words the author chooses.

Maybe I should save writing is deceptively easy because it might make people think they can write just about anything, but just like there are certain guidelines a artist has to follow to drawing a nose or eyes so they'll be recognized as such, so is there conventions a writer must be aware of to construct a decent narrative. Though once you know the rules, it only takes some imagination and a little time. At least for me. Where drawing takes a very visually oriented imagination and lots and lots of time.

I'm getting nervous...I'm hearing that people who have been rejected are already getting their rejection certificates in the mail (at least Tokyopop informs you if you tank, I was wondering about that). I also hear that if you haven't heard anything by now, there's a chance you're in the running. I'm not putting much faith in that, since I could get home from work today to find a rejection slip in my mailbox, but we'll see...

But even if I do place, I also hear that you're not allowed to publicly say so until Tokyopop makes the official statement on their site. So, even if I do place, I might not be able to say so until then. But I'll worry about that when and if the time comes.

I've been fine up until this point, but it's getting near the end and like I said, I'm getting nervous.

Also, even if you don't win the grand prize, you can still get a book deal out of the contest. The second place winner in vol. 1 ("Van Von Hunter" or something like that) has a graphic novel in the works. And Shidoshi's friend, the grand prize winner in vol. 2 ("Peach Fuzz") also has one coming out.

I'm pretty excited. I've been working on my idea to pitch to Tokyopop in case they're interested (a continuation of my entry story), and I've also been working on my next entry (sort of a sci-fi action/horror story) in case this one bombs.

Why do I always never see these until way too late? Wonder when the next one will be...

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But even if I do place, I also hear that you're not allowed to publicly say so until Tokyopop makes the official statement on their site. So, even if I do place, I might not be able to say so until then. But I'll worry about that when and if the time comes.

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Yeah, way to hide your win. You already know. ;)

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Originally Posted by Dolemite

Here's the page listing all the winners from Vol. 2. Hey, we have a NY girl in there, Ashen...
http://www.tokyopop.com/news/mangata...st_winners.php

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pick me up from my house and we'll stalk... *ahem* i mean, "scout" her out. ;)

ya know, the more i see this thread up top, the more and more i feel like i should stop being lazy and get to work on something. but then laziness comes back and beats me into submission. i'm not going to lie. it's a harsh mistress.

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Originally Posted by MechDeus

Why do I always never see these until way too late? Wonder when the next one will be...

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Check the website, I'm sure they will announce it.

And, if nothing else, Vol. 3 is due out in June, I believe, and it will have the due date for submissions for vol. 4.

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Yeah, way to hide your win. You already know. ;)

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I wish I did... :(

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Originally Posted by Ashen Victor

ya know, the more i see this thread up top, the more and more i feel like i should stop being lazy and get to work on something. but then laziness comes back and beats me into submission. i'm not going to lie. it's a harsh mistress.

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Dude, I'm a lazy bitch too, but the experience was so worth it. Even if I don't get published, I'm just proud that I got the thing done and that I did a pretty good job on it. And you have an advantage that I didn't have, that being time. I had to crank out my entry from scratch in about a month, which almost killed me. Vol. 3 is due out June 7th, and I'll assume (I could be wrong) the deadline announced in that book for vol. 4 entries will be at least 3 months from then. So, including May, you'll have at least 4 months to work on the thing. Man, I wish I had 4 months to have worked on my entry...

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Originally Posted by Dolemite

Oh, right, forgot about that. I'll try to bring some stuff to work tomorrow and scan it. I'm not scanning and posting 18 pages, however. Sorry! :)

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Don't be lazy. I'm supposed to be the lazy one here.

Well, I didn't get in. :(

I went to MoCCA in the Soho district of NYC saturday to meet with the Tokyopop reps and get my portfolio reviewed. There were about 25 other artists and writers there. They did a little presentation about their art guidelines, gave out some free books and pamphlets, and then got to the reviews. They spent about 15-20 minutes with each person. The editor that was emailing me ended up being the guy that reviewed me and he actually recognized my story right away when I showed it to him, which was cool. Turns out that the editors in the contest and their original manga department LOVED (I mean, really loved) my writing and story, but felt that my art needed work, and they were right. I mean, this WAS a rush-job, and there were some aspects of the art that I liked, and some that I later looked at and made me want to cringe. Mostly, there were problems with my anatomy and perspective, though they were very impressed with what I accomplished given the fact that I had done it all in only a month. Still, they kept going on about my writing, pointing out that it was probably one of the strongest pieces submitted and that's why they wanted to follow up with me on it. They really felt I have potential, and wanted to point out the areas they feel I need to improve in if I want to get published. It seems that most of their entries don't tend to have very good writing to back up the visuals. They said if my art had matched the story, I would have won. I was part of a small group of entries (out of over 1000) that didn't win, but they wanted to meet with anyway to give detailed feedback to.

This makes me both happy and sad. Happy, because they gave my writing so much recognition, but sad because I was really into the entry I submitted. I have this whole epic sequel planned, and I'd love for it to see print one day. Perhaps I should have gone with my first instinct and just waited for vol. 4 instead of rushing it. Still, the editors I met with were friendly and really supportive, and actually sat down with me and went over my entry page by page, pointing out things they liked and didn't. They really encouraged me to send in another submission for vol. 4 (due by the end of the summer). In fact, the one editor took down all my contact information and asked me to email him when I mail my next submission so he knows it's coming and can personally check it out. Seems my entry piqued their interest enough that they want to see how I do with some extra time and compare my new entry with my old one.

So, I'm off to work on my new submission. I haven't decided if I'm re-drawing my original entry (since they loved the story so much), or just doing a brand new story from scratch. I should be able to drastically improve the art given I'll have 4 months to work instead of 1. Still, I'm glad I did it. The experience and encouragement I recieved were worth it.

Still, winning would have been nice. ;)

However, it would have meant a shitload of work. If I did get do do my own book, it would have had to have been 3 volumes at 150 pages each, according to the editors. Damn, that's a lot, considering I work full-time. I'd do it in a second, however.

BTW, I'll scan and post some of my entry on Tuesday.

what time where you there on sat? i was in the area with my girlfriend after 5 or so. but man, i wish i knew about that cuz i would've loved to have some of my work looked at. seriously though, that post was awesome man. puts a smile on my face even though it wasn't even me that was there. :D

Seems like you've got some friends in the business now, eh?
Good job, sir pimp. Now, I've gotta see this story you've submitted...

Hey Dolmite... is there a way I can get a taste of what your story was? I would love to read it somehow. I know you're probably a bit protective over it since anyone could steal the idea, but if you are willing to share.... I would love to read it. ^_^;

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Originally Posted by Ashen Victor

what time where you there on sat? i was in the area with my girlfriend after 5 or so. but man, i wish i knew about that cuz i would've loved to have some of my work looked at. seriously though, that post was awesome man. puts a smile on my face even though it wasn't even me that was there. :D

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I was there about the same time you were. The presentation started at 2PM, and the reviews about 3. They got to me about 4:45, and I was about in the middle of the list. Then my girlfriend and I (she came with me, she's a wiz at navigating through the city) hung around the general area for a bit. We caught the 8:05 train back to LI.

BTW, while they looked at individual pieces of art, they were mostly interested in looking at sequential stuff.

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Originally Posted by ChaoofNee

Seems like you've got some friends in the business now, eh?

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Thankfully, yes, it seems that way. So, hopefully, that gives me a good foot in the door on the next entry I send in. :)

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Good job, sir pimp. Now, I've gotta see this story you've submitted...

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Well, like I said above, I'll scan some stuff tomorrow, or if we ever run into each other I'd be glad to show you.

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Originally Posted by SHiNgO

Hey Dolmite... is there a way I can get a taste of what your story was? I would love to read it somehow. I know you're probably a bit protective over it since anyone could steal the idea, but if you are willing to share.... I would love to read it. ^_^;

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Yes, I am a bit protective, but as I said above, I'll be posting stuff from it this week...keep an eye out.

Thanks for the interest.

Stop posting build up and let us read the story you asshole. It's only 18 pages!

How about this, you post like the first 6 pages and if we like it then you have to post more. I don't care about the art. You can always spend time with perspective. Story is always going to be hard because in reality it directs the artwork.

I'm interested to see what this is. I'm not educated at all in the Manga/Anime/whatever fair, yet because I sort of know you I'm interested in it. Show us dude!

If you don't want to scan the art then just post a script or SOMETHING.

Finally got my official rejection slip in the mail yesterday, thanking me for submitting my entry. At least they included a fancy certificate with my name on it, suitable for framing. :p

So just post the story then... omit the art if you must.

This is the shittiest thread. I keep coming back to it thinking "Surely Dolemite has posted a pic or two by now," and yet, nothing... :\

Shit, you guys are impatient...soon, I promise. ;)

damnit!

Dolemite. Your word is worthless now.

Round 4 ends August 15th or so. I don't remember exactly since I checked the site a long time ago.

I've decided to enter this round and am currently deciding what I'm going to do with the meager prize money I will undoubtedly win.

Anyone else having a go at it?

I wouldn't dream of competing against Ribald Youth, and neither should anybody else.

I'm not going to use Ribald Youth though =\

They take 2 year rights to whatever places... so I can't use something that I would actually plan on showing anywhere on my own in that time.

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Originally Posted by Mzo

I wouldn't dream of competing against Ribald Youth, and neither should anybody else.

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I agree with this.

Supposedly I can write, and I would, but I have this crappy ability to.. never finish anything?

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Originally Posted by rezo

I'm not going to use Ribald Youth though =\

They take 2 year rights to whatever places... so I can't use something that I would actually plan on showing anywhere on my own in that time.

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Oh... well, I can't draw anyway. And neither can Kidnemo, since Penny Arcade has said that anybody who has a sprite-based webcomic can't draw, and I believe everything they say.

lol!

You are awesome.

(I steal...err, borrow all my artwork from Mega Man and Chrono Trigger)

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Originally Posted by rezo

I'm not going to use Ribald Youth though =\

They take 2 year rights to whatever places... so I can't use something that I would actually plan on showing anywhere on my own in that time.

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I do not believe this news.

Try reading the rules again. You retain the copyright ownership and all the intellectiual properties of your manga. If you want to send it to another publisher, mastrubate with it, whatever, you can. The only rights Tokyopop holds for 2 years are the rights to use your manga in a promotional capacity for the Rising Stars of Manga vol. 4 competition.

So, by all means, feel free to use this Ribald Youth thing, whatever the fuck that is.

BTW, yes, I'm trying out for vol. 4 as well.

Ah cool, I misread it, I guess. I thought it said exclusive rights for whatever reason. Thanks.

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So, by all means, feel free to use this Ribald Youth thing, whatever the fuck that is.

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It's a story about an elementary school girl. She does homework, eats lunch, and wanders around her house doing nothing in the middle of the night and stuff. I've already started drawing the other comic though, so I'm going to finish it. Plus, after drawing 60 pages of ribald youth last month, I need a break. A break that consists of spending more time drawing something else =\

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And neither can Kidnemo, since Penny Arcade has said that anybody who has a sprite-based webcomic can't draw, and I believe everything they say.

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Actually, kidnemo has never posted any of his non comet7 art here, has he? I know he's mentioned painting and the like before. Kidnemo, can you post some drawings? I'd like to see them. TO SATE MY CURIOUSITY.

I just picked up The Rising Stars of Manga vol. 3 today at the bookstore (yes, the one that I was *sob* rejected for). As usual, the quality of the art and storytelling of the winners varies wildly. The Grand Prize winner was fucking awesome and totally deserved it, unlike vol. 2's winner, with it's horrible story and terrible and inconsistant character proportion. You RSOM hopefuls should pick it up and see what you're up against.

And rezo, your story sounds pretty cool, but is it really a story about...um...nothing?

All of my stories are about nothing.

The one I'm doing for the contest is about a guy that runs into two girls that are being robbed... then he offers to take them to get some food to make up for it and ditches them later when he runs into an old friend.

Don't steal my idea.

Hm, perhaps I'll enter this one. I think I've already got the story and characters, I suppose I should actually write it out and see what I can do. Procrastination, here I come!

I wish I had gone through this thread earlier. My g/f and I are now trying to formulate a way to get an entry done by August 16 :sweat:

No color is a bummer, but I guess that would at least double the production time anyway.

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Originally Posted by FuryFox

I wish I had gone through this thread earlier. My g/f and I are now trying to formulate a way to get an entry done by August 16 :sweat:

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15th, not 16th. Geez, do I have to correct everyone in this thread?

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Originally Posted by rezo

Don't steal my idea.

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Too late, done and submitted. They loved it, in fact I won. Thanks, man.

It is the 16th actually. When I said 15th earlier, I hadn't checked the official site in about a month... eh heheh...

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They loved it, in fact I won. Thanks, man.

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:(

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Originally Posted by rezo

It is the 16th actually. When I said 15th earlier, I hadn't checked the official site in about a month... eh heheh...

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Ah, you're right. Guess they changed the date since I checked last. It says the 16th in the new book as well.

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:(

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Bwa-ha-ha.

This thread's been around for almost 4 months and you stil haven't shown us a damn thing?

C'mon, man.

Yeah, post some pics or stop posting in this damn thread. I can't believe I keep checking here.

JM

Me too. This is pissing me off now. Let's just see it.

I think that, instead of sending in a submission for the third rising stars of manga, he actually just sent them a letter saying he was planning on sending them something in later... and they never heard from him again.

ouch...

Waaah.

Okay, okay, I'll try to post something Tuesday (I won't be around a scanner until then). Seriously.

Thanks for the interest, guys. :)

It's Tuesday bitch. ;)

JM

Dammit, give me a break! :p

I'll have some stuff up either today or tomorrow, depending on how busy I am. But it'll be here.

Okay, I've got some stuff scanned...I just have to re-size and crop it. Should be up soon.

Hi! My name is Thursday!







(I'm just messing with you.)

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Originally Posted by Dolemite

Okay, I've got some stuff scanned...I just have to re-size and crop it. Should be up soon.

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LIES! The tricksy pimp LIES!

JM

Post something by the weekend or you're banned.







(I am not messing with you)

I thought you weren't supposed to show the work publicly...maybe that's why he's reluctant. Or are you guys asking to see his previous entry? I'd post some of my stuff, but I'd hate to win and then have some bitter TNLer send Tokyopop evidence of my "public showing" and disqualify me (hypothetically).

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Originally Posted by Mzo

Post something by the weekend or you're banned.







(I am not messing with you)

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You have not the POWER!

This afternoon.

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Originally Posted by FuryFox

I thought you weren't supposed to show the work publicly...maybe that's why he's reluctant. Or are you guys asking to see his previous entry? I'd post some of my stuff, but I'd hate to win and then have some bitter TNLer send Tokyopop evidence of my "public showing" and disqualify me (hypothetically).

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No, you just can't submit stuff that's been published elsewhere, I believe. Anyway, the thing they're bugging me about is my rejected entry from vol. 3. My current story isn't going to be ready in time for the vol. 4 deadline, so I'm just saying fuck it and taking my time to have it ready for the vol. 5 deadline in March.

Okay, after what has seemed like (okay, it really has been) ages, here's some selected panels from the story I submitted to Tokyopop for vol. 3 of the RSOM contest. I'll post some more tomorrow.

As I stated before, this story was a mad rush-job because I decided at the last second to enter the contest, so I wrote, thumbnailed, penciled, inked, and lettered it my spare time over the course of just one month. I was very pleased with the story but, considering how fast I had to draw, my art suffered a lot. Specifically, my proportion and perspective were kinda bad, and I didn't put as much detail in as I would have liked...in retrospect, considering how much the reps I talked to at Tokyopop loved the storyline I wrote, I would have been better served sitting out vol. 3 and just made sure I had it ready in time for vol. 4. Oh, well.The submission I'm working on now is already 150% better artistically, and I'm even more excited about the story I've written this time.

Anyway, here's some stuff from the vol. 3 submission...

BTW, here's an interesting interview with Tokyopop regarding the RSOM contest. The most important part of it to me?

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If you can't get your materials together in time for the August 16th deadline, Paniccia told us the next contest will begin around January. More details will be on the website soon.

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Fuck yes, I'm saved. In fact, from what they said in the interview, it's going to be a bi-annual contest for the foreseeable future. :)

So, the way they seem to have it set up, the two annual deadlines are August and March 16th.

Wow, you actually posted something! The backgrounds look pretty sharp, but the characters are way too simple. It's an odd mix really.

This is the part that interested me.

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No matter how awesome the art is, there’s nothing more damaging to an entry than when the story just doesn’t make sense or doesn’t go anywhere.

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Given my penchant for stories about nothing, and all =|

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Originally Posted by rezo

Wow, you actually posted something! The backgrounds look pretty sharp, but the characters are way too simple. It's an odd mix really.

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I know. Like I said, if I had more time I would have used far more detail, especially with the characters. The submission I'm working on now is coming out MUCH better since I'm taking my sweet-ass time with it. It's like night and day.

I really regret rushing the last one now...the TP editors I met with in NYC told me the same thing about how weak the writing is in most of the entries they recieve, and how my entry was the exact opposite- the story was great, but the art needed work. I seem to be getting the two working together this time...

Well, I busted ass for like a month straight, no weekends, 10-12 hours a day, and earlier today I sent in my submission for RSOM 4.

Wish me luck. I'll post some of the work if anyone's interested, and I can confirm I'm not going to be penalized for it.

Sent mine in too. Had to change some things halfway through the story and cut some parts out, so I don't really like how it turned out =\. Then when I went to kinkos to copy it, the copying machine didn't pick up most of my ink wash, so almost all of the shading is gone and a lot of places just have odd patches of color now =\

Still sent it though. =\


=\

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Originally Posted by rezo

Sent mine in too. When I went to kinkos to copy it, the copying machine didn't pick up most of my ink wash, so almost all of the shading is gone and a lot of places just have odd patches of color now =\

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Tell me about it. I have the whole thing digitally painted (in grayscale) Liquid-style...took my hi-res, max-detail, photo-paper prints to Kinko's...and sent in...photocopies. I knew it had to happen, but I was hoping advances in photocopy technology might have improved since last I used one. It still looks all right, but nothing like on the monitor of course :(

What other means are available for copying? I know of one comic that reproduced thousands of shades of grey as halftones, as well as some scnas of watercolored pages I've seen in black and white that had all of the light greys intact. It'd be nice to know where I could go to do this if it comes up again in the future.

Good luck you two. As I said, I'm taking my time and submitting for RSOM 5.

Furyfox, while I'd love to see some of your submission, I wouldn't take a chance posting it here until you hear if you made is or not, just to be safe.

BTW, which copier did you guys use at Kinkos, the regular B&W copier? If so, that's your mistake. I used the color copier...it comes out FAR crisper and clearer. It's worth the buck a copy.

I can't wait until this thing is over, I'd LOVE to see FuryFox's.

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Originally Posted by Dolemite

Good luck you two. As I said, I'm taking my time and submitting for RSOM 5.

Furyfox, while I'd love to see some of your submission, I wouldn't take a chance posting it here until you hear if you made is or not, just to be safe.

BTW, which copier did you guys use at Kinkos, the regular B&W copier? If so, that's your mistake. I used the color copier...it comes out FAR crisper and clearer. It's worth the buck a copy.

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Well, if that's the case, I might as well just sent in my print-outs. They make it clear in the instructions to only send in black and white, and technically, what I was printing out was using color to produce a full grayscale. If they actually print any of the manga themself, it's going to be at the black & white photocopier level anyway. Plus, I already spent like $50-70 on this already (bristol board, non-photo blue pencils, erasers, graphite, micron pens, photopaper, copying, fedex)...plus the whole month without a job so I could do it (a worked at Bi-Mart for a single day before quitting and deciding to do this full-bore). Twenty dollars more when I know it was going to be downgraded anyway just seemed like a waste, and at least I had control of it instead of someone at Tokyopop.

Dolemite: I was looking through this thread more comprehensively, to get all the info I could, and saw that you actually talk to the editors and everything. That's really cool. Good to see you're still working on stuff.

Rezo: I haven't checked your out yet, but I'd probably take the link down for now. But I'm just paranoid like that. I even rewrote the addresses on the package, suspicious that the Kinko's floozy may have entered them in wrong on the computer.

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Originally Posted by Mzo

I can't wait until this thing is over, I'd LOVE to see FuryFox's.

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Then you'll have to cough up the 10 bucks for Vol. 4. But if you send it to me, I'll sign it for you for free :p

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Originally Posted by FuryFox

Dolemite: I was looking through this thread more comprehensively, to get all the info I could, and saw that you actually talk to the editors and everything. That's really cool. Good to see you're still working on stuff.

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The editors are a cool bunch of guys, especially Brandon, who I was talking to the most (both in person and email).

I actually have 1 full page completed for my RSOM 5 entry. Already the difference between the artwork from my RSOM 3 entry and this one is huge. And with almost 7 months until the next contest deadline, I won't have to rush at all. I can't wait to see how this comes out.

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Well, if that's the case, I might as well just sent in my print-outs. They make it clear in the instructions to only send in black and white, and technically, what I was printing out was using color to produce a full grayscale. If they actually print any of the manga themself, it's going to be at the black & white photocopier level anyway.

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Yeah, but keep in mind that Tokyopop has to scan your artwork as well, which will further degrade the image quality...I think it's important to give them as crisp a copy as possible to ensure your entry looks it's best if it's published.

As for the full greyscale, I assume you did the shading and such in Photoshop? If so, it should reproduce fine is published. If you look at the RSOM 3 book, you'll notice more more of the enteries did their shading digitally (or by hand) as opposed to using (ick) toner.

Ok, I took the link down. =\ I'm sorta wary of the quality of it so I wanted some quick impressions.

this:

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plus the whole month without a job so I could do it (a worked at Bi-Mart for a single day before quitting and deciding to do this full-bore).

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Is pretty cool though. I avoided getting a job this summer while at home so that I could just work on drawing. So I was able to split time with this contest, still update my webcomic and work on some other side things besides either of those.

Have you thought of sending in a seperate submission for a graphic novel project? The Rising Stars of Manga thing is good just for the fun of competition, but actually trying to get your own book is more worthwhile, I think. A lot of companies don't even take submissions through the mail at all, anymore; or that's what several of them said when they came by my school last year.

Fuck you bitches who have the luxury of taking off work to do this... :(

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Originally Posted by rezo

Have you thought of sending in a seperate submission for a graphic novel project? The Rising Stars of Manga thing is good just for the fun of competition, but actually trying to get your own book is more worthwhile, I think. A lot of companies don't even take submissions through the mail at all, anymore; or that's what several of them said when they came by my school last year.

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I'm not sure what you mean. Can you explain more? -companies don't take submissions through the mail? ...most companies don't take submissions at all without some legalize and other stipulations.

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Originally Posted by Dolemite

Fuck you bitches who have the luxury of taking off work to do this...

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I'm not exactly in Rezo's boat, as I don't live at home, have student loans to pay, and plenty of debt. I actually need to win for the money, as well as the opportunity, to make this worth my while. It would have been nice to find out sooner and work it into a normal work schedule...but then again, I really don't want another normal job either...

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I'm not sure what you mean. Can you explain more? -companies don't take submissions through the mail? ...most companies don't take submissions at all without some legalize and other stipulations.

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I mean they have a process you can go through to submit a comic idea to them through the mail, and I remember hearing from other companies that said they don't do that anymore. It's just easier to deal with than having to hit up a con or something.I know of someone that did it and she's supposedly working out a deal with them right now, and -at least artistically- you seem to be more capable than she is. If you're serious, I would go for that besides just entering the contest. http://www.tokyopop.com/aboutus/submissions.php

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Originally Posted by FuryFox

I'm not sure what you mean. Can you explain more? -companies don't take submissions through the mail? ...most companies don't take submissions at all without some legalize and other stipulations.

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Most comic companies, Tokyopop and Image included, will allow you to mail them a treatment for a comic...an outline, some art samples, etc. If they like it they might meet to discuss the project further.

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I'm not exactly in Rezo's boat, as I don't live at home, have student loans to pay, and plenty of debt. I actually need to win for the money, as well as the opportunity, to make this worth my while. It would have been nice to find out sooner and work it into a normal work schedule...but then again, I really don't want another normal job either...

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Dude, you can't count on this to make money...it's not a business venture. They get at least over 1000 entries each contest, after all. Besides, only the top 3 winners get any real amount of money (grand prize is $2500)...the other 7 just get $500.

If you ARE lucky enough to get a book deal out of it, this is what Tokyopop expects: A story that will take up 3 150 page books. That's the book deal they give. As for how much they will pay you for that, I have no idea.

Needless to say, based on what I've seen of your work, you're a very talented artist, but you can't rely on winning this. Many times people don't place how they should...an example would be the winner of vol. 2, whose submission had no business winning at all. Vol. 3's winner, however, totally deserved it. That story fucking rocked.

As for your writing ability, I have no idea, but that will be a factor. When meeting with the editors, the main complaint they said they had with the submissions they were getting was that almost always, the art was great, but the writing was bad. Hell, read any RSOM entry and you'll see that. That's why they said my submission stood out to them, and why they wanted to meet with me. I had the exact opposite problem...they loved my story, but had problems with my art, which was crap because I rushed it. I wrote, penciled, inked and lettered it in just over a month WHILE working full time. It was hell. But they told me if my art was as good as my writing, I probably would have won! Man, I wish I had waited to submit my story for ROSM 4 instead of 3 so the art wasn't rushed. :cry: :cry: However, I think my story for my RSOM 5 entry is even better, so hopefully my art, with the extra time I have, will measure up this time.

So, remember, kiddies...it's not just about pretty art work. It's the ability to tell a compelling story as well.

BTW, here's a link to a RSOM message board...comes in handy. Check it, but mind your manners...unlike TNL, they're a little thin-skinned there:

http://www.pseudome.net/phpBB2/viewf...e33343fdd69579

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Originally Posted by Dolemite

Dude, you can't count on this to make money...it's not a business venture. http://www.pseudome.net/phpBB2/viewf...e33343fdd69579

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I know. I knew how the cash rewards worked out, and how many people enter each time, and I've looked over all the entries from every volume. My goal was to simply produce something that would blow away every possible entry, on every level (story, layout, technical skills, artwork, originality), no question. Based on what I've seen from previous volumes, I feel it does...but everything is subjective of course. I'm not trying to toot my own horn and be an ass or anything either, but I think it's better than most professional stuff on the shelf right now, too. I mean, that expensive college degree better be paying for something. :sweat:

It's not that I'm counting on the money, per se, but that's the mindset I had going in. Being published at all is a huge thing, but getting a book deal is the real goal.

I'll check out those boards though.

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I'm not trying to toot my own horn and be an ass or anything either, but I think it's better than most professional stuff on the shelf right now, too. I mean, that expensive college degree better be paying for something. I'm not trying to toot my own horn and be an ass or anything either

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Yeah, it's the rule of competition. Basically, whenever there's a tournament of any kind, no matter how many people enter, there are just a few that actually have a chance at anything, and those people are the ones that will compete with each other. Everyone else is just fodder to be picked off along the way. I don't think there's anything wrong with assuming that you're in that upper tier. Really, I don't think there's a point to bothering to make anything at all unless they feel they can put themselves in that position.

Since I have reservations about my comic I don't expect to get anything from this. =\ On the other hand, if things had worked out a little differently I probably would have sent the comic off feeling certain that it would at least place, and unless you're arrogant to the point of stupidity, I don't think there's anything wrong with that sort of "this is a winner" mentality.


grumble grumble

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Originally Posted by rezo

Since I have reservations about my comic I don't expect to get anything from this. =\

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Oh, at the very least you'll get a handy dandy certificate with your name on it thanking you for your submission, like I did. :D

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Originally Posted by FuryFox

I'm not trying to toot my own horn and be an ass or anything either, but I think it's better than most professional stuff on the shelf right now, too.

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Nothing wrong with having some confidence. I hope you win. Good luck, dude.

Hey Dole, are you using the same story as the last time and just redoing the artwork? Also, what are the rules for doing this? What are the limitations and so forth. Because if you're not using the same story I'd like to read what you have done.

Also, if you guys are scanning your work or reproducing it the best way to do it is to set the resolution at 300 dpi. When you're scanning the product make sure you aren't getting mezzo patterns. If you've drawn on simple layout paper or blank paper you shouldn't have a problem. For printing you'd be better off using Illustrator or Quark Xpress.

Photoshop is not a printing utility, it's for manipulation. In Illustrator you can set your print area and see exactly where you'll be printing. I recommend Illustrator over Quark Xpress because Quark is VERY detailed and you could probably get lost if you don't know what you're doing. Illustrator is pretty simple.

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Originally Posted by Andrew

Hey Dole, are you using the same story as the last time and just redoing the artwork? Also, what are the rules for doing this? What are the limitations and so forth. Because if you're not using the same story I'd like to read what you have done.

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Brandon from Tokyopop told me that you can't re-draw and submit the same story, it's against the rules, sadly. He encouraged me to re-draw it in my spare time anyway, just for the hell of it, since he loved the story.

As for letting you check it out, hit me up on PM, maybe I can email a copy your way. Thanks for the interest.

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Also, if you guys are scanning your work or reproducing it the best way to do it is to set the resolution at 300 dpi.

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Actually, according to Tokyopop's submission guidelines, you HAVE to scan your work at 300 dpi (if you're doing some digital work on your story and then plan on printing it out), so you're right on this.

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Photoshop is not a printing utility, it's for manipulation. In Illustrator you can set your print area and see exactly where you'll be printing. I recommend Illustrator over Quark Xpress because Quark is VERY detailed and you could probably get lost if you don't know what you're doing. Illustrator is pretty simple.

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I agree, Quark is basically for putting documents together from scratch, not for touching up and printing whole pages of scanned artwork. I have run into minor problems printing things out from Photoshop, also. I usually just save the image as a .jpg and open it up by itself and print it out that way. Illustrator's print preferences are fine, however.

On my current submission I'm still doing everything (aside from lettering) by hand, though if I have time (and I should have plenty), I might add some extra shading and details via Photoshop. Just minor things, however, I'm all about the purity of my art and doing it all by hand.

As for the fonts I'm using the same as last time (Anime Ace from Blambot). The way I'm doing them is different, however. Last time I printed the text, cut it out and pasted it onto the originals. When I made the color copies at Kinko's the edges of the pasted test were invisible. It worked well, but it was annoying and a lot of work. I had little choice, however, as I didn't have access to a printer that was good enough to print out my copies at an acceptable level. That's changed, however, as we just got in a new top of the line laser printer at work recently. This time I can scan in the pages and do all the text in Photoshop, then just print them out. Thus, I have even more time for the art. :)

Here was my process:
1)conceptualize characters and script
2)write story (like a screenplay)
3)mockup each page on a scaled template, planning out the space of word balloons and that sort of stuff
4a)make a page template (for safety, trim, and bleed), since each page was done at 2x scale on 14"x17" bristol board
4)draw final pages, roughing with non-photo blue, and finalizing art with a mechanical pencil
5)ink all the pages
6)scan all pages at 600 dpi, re-assemble them in Photoshop (since I have a normal-sized scanner)
7)vectorize the inks, re-import into photoshop
8)paint all pages
9)import into a page template in Illustrator, drop in the balloons and lettering.
10)print out a 600 dpi
11)photocopy onto maximum brightness paper
12)paperwork, fedex, blah blah blah

I would have used Anime Ace (or some similar manga-esque font), but they're copyrighted, and can't be used in commercial publications (a la RSOM). I didn't feel like buying a manga font ($69-99), so I just Copperplate Gothic Light, which went with my fantasy medival setting. In a long term project though, I'd buy a license for a manga font.

I recommend using .tiff or .eps (if you're using illustrator). Use illustrator for your bubbles, avoid using Photoshop for typography of any sort.

Quark is a layout program. It's meant to handle huge bodies of type (magazines)

*sigh*...I'm depressed. I wish I had something ready to submit for this one...oh, well, I'll just concentrate on doing my best for RSOM 5.