The Great Panda Talent Search

[Big_Panda]

Hi folks, you all know me. I may not post a lot but I'm a great kisser. It's me, Big Panda, AKA Darrick Chen AKA THe Guy WHo Keeps Putting Out Comics at Cons.

And I'm looking for talent.

Basically, I'm looking for at least one artist to collaborate on a significant project. Now I realize that's there's probably a LOT of folks on here that have said just that, but hang about, it gets better.

Reason I'm posting is because hey I know folks who are this site and it's been suggested that I try to tap their vast talent like a keg of fine ale. So, here I am.

Here's everything you need to know, up front.

The project is a full fledged comic book. Not an ashcan, not a copy book. End product will be a fully sized comic like what you see on shelves. I already have a printer that specializes in the offset process. This will be a quality, serious effort at breaking into the comics industry.

The project is part of our Onward Bound series. Those of you who picked up the comic at last ACen, know it's a fantasy action/adventure series with a setting that's more like the Old West than Medieval Europe. Elves and dwarves are part of the norm, with steampunk elements, gunslingers, Hong-Kong style action. Think FF meets Red Dead Revolver. Typical rating on the stories is PG-13.

The script, story, and characters will all be accounted for. This is a straight art gig. Naturally I always accept input from any contributor, it's just that final say remains with me, the creator.

Getting money is the ideal, but not a garauntee. I'll have to be frank, the indy comics biz is not the financial paradise some might think it is. In this case the end product is going to make a debut at a signifcant show, either Wizard World Chicago or, depending on the final product and finances, San Diego. As such, there's going to be quite a bit of overhead.

Basically, any money what comes in first goes to cover that overhead; that involves printing, table costs, anything directly related to the marketing of the book. After that, whatever comes in is profit and that goes to the talent first. I, personally, get paid last, if at all. Right now I have a job that allows me to work this way financially. Last show we were at, the profit was a bit less than we had hoped, but regardless that went directly to the talent. This is because:

I know how to treat talent. I've dealt with many different contributors over the last few years and I like to think I've treated them all fairly. All art credit in print and verbally is attributed to them. And as mentioned above, they are recompensed as finances allowed. Exposure and street cred's your biggest definite gain. But, you will be paid if there is money to pay you.

Plus, if you happen to live in the Chicago area, I'll at least buy you dinner.

I'm able to fit the project to your current parameters. Which is another way of saying: if you sign on, I ask flat out how many pages you can realistically produce in a given time frame and I tailor the story and script to that. I can write short or long. Right now, we're looking at about five to six months available production time. At least. The project release date is aimed towards Summer 2005. If in that time all you can offer is a 4-page short, no problem. If you can offer a 32 page book, VERY no problem. But the size and scope of your contribution will largely be decided by you. All I ask is you consider your time frame and and ability to commit realistically.

We're shooting for a 32-page book and we've got about 20 accounted for, but I'm not adverse to going over 32 if the end result is fantastic.

The Project is gauranteed to release. Basically, unless tragedy stries, the book WILL be produced. There has been no project planned that hasn't seen completion. Work gets done, the project happens.

That's the long and short of it, folks. I realize I'm being a bit frank, but I don't think any interested parties are going to want to read three+ paragraphs of me hemming and hawing. The arrangement boils down to: I get some stories told, you walk away with at the very least larger exposure and a honst-to-goodness comic book to put in your portfolio.

Anyone looking for more info, just a) post here or b) e-mail me (preferred). More than happy to answer questions on the board, provide a sample script, copies of prior publications.

If you're not interested, that's cool. I just ask we don't turn this thread into a debate on self-publishing, comics, genres, etc. If you feel the need to express ire or ask me exactly who the hell I think I am, I have an e-mail. This thread is essentially a want ad. Only interested parties need apply.

Thanks, and hope to hear from you folks.

[Bumblebee]

With Dreamwave, the things I want to do for Pocket Otaku, and my Santa comic, I don't have much time to do anything; but I work pretty well from scripts...O o O!
I have a busy life, but I wouldn't mind trying to squeeze some help out for ma' uber-friend- BIG PANDA!!!

I can''t make any real promises, but I can try? : D

[Big_Panda]

Now don't play around with a brother, Bumbles. You know I'd slather myself in cake for the mere prospect of working with you.

Look at it this way; I wouldn't be able to have a full script ready for production until January so it's not an immediate sort of thing, plus you'd have minimum five months to work on the thing.

E-mail me; let's talk. That goes for all of you as well!