I want to pitch the idea of a graphic novel to DC comics, but I can't draw for my life -- what can I do?

Question

I have an idea for a Graphic Novel and/or a comic book seiries that I would love to specifically pitch to DC comics. I have no idea how to draw, but I have a solid plot-line I am ready to pitch -- since I can't draw, does this limit my chances?

Answer 1

Hmmm....I don't know. Hire an artist like mentioned above? IT could be an award winning collabration X D

However, with your drawing skills....you can learn to draw if you really want to. Do you???

If so, just practise, be patient, and persevere.Take lessons or read some good drawing books like "Drawing on the Right side of the brain'" by betty edwards.

At the very least, you'll be able to draw well enough to sketch outlines, lay out the scene (perspective), an then you can touch up with it on digital.

That would help the artist more, and you'll be more likely to be satisfied with the end product that can then be pitched.

Or maybe, you could pitch it anyway, and DC comics will hire an artist to do the "real" comic and you''ll get royalties??

Answer 2

No major publisher, especially not in comics, will even bother looking at something from a first time author, nevermind release it.

You need to establish yourself first. If it really is a good idea, find an artist, work on it together, and self publish it. If it's good, it'll get you noticed.

VVV edit: Kevin's idea is bad. Yes, write everything down, but you need to understand that no publisher will read ANYTHING that is not solicited through the proper channels. Never mind that they don't want to take the time to read through the mountains of things people send them in the hopes that maybe some of it doesn't sound like a 12 year olds fan fiction. LEGALLY, THEY ARE NOT ALLOWED TO. Say someone sends in a Batman story to DC, they never hear back from them. Then, later that year, a Batman story very similar to the one they sent in is published. That person could then try to sue DC comics for using their story without compensating them or giving them credit. In all likelihood, the stories are just coincidentally alike, and maybe DC was working on theirs before the person even sent it in. But the person has grounds to take them to court. For this reason, it is official policy of ANY publishing company (comics, books, movies, music, anything), to even glance at material which has not been solicited through proper channels. If you send it in blind, no one will read it, and it will go in the trash. You have to go through the proper channels.

Proper channels means either they approach you (which of course they won't if you don't have a reputation), or you need to find the proper way to have a pitch meeting with a publisher, which means talking to other people who already work in the industry. I have a friend who had an X-Men story to pitch. He got together detailed story summaries, and sample art. He found the proper channels and got a pitch meeting with a Marvel editor, and they sat down and talked for about 20 minutes at a comic con. The guy did not get the job, but even if he didn't, the plan was never to necessarily publish that specific story he brought them. The plan was to show the editor what sort of stuff he can come up with as a writer. In the best case scenario, the editor would have then thrown him some fill-in work on some minor title to see whether he would sink or swim. If he then got his stuff in on time, worked well, and did a decent job, he could have then gotten regular fill-in work, and MAYBE, if they liked him and liked his stuff, they might take a chance on him making him the regular writer for a minor character.

It's all about working your way up. If you have an original idea with an original character, you need to try and meet with people from Dark Horse, Image, Top Shelf, Fantagraphics, the smaller publishers. But honestly you'll probably just end up self-publishing.

Answer 3

You need to hire an artist and collaborate

Answer 4

It shouldn't, but I think that it would be a good idea to simply hire an artist to at the least draw and layout the character designs for you. I'm sure the company would appreciate some visuals. It is all art, after all. Good luck!

Answer 5

Write down EVERYTHING now. Edit and put those ideas in a neat format. Doesn't matter if you can't draw or not, as long as you have a good manuscript it doesn't matter. Just send a copy of your manuscript to DC, and let them find the artist talent.