Arena Comics is a small American publisher of genre-spanning comic books, magazines and novels. The company was founded in 2012 and distances itself from its peers by adopting a European packaging style and aesthetic. Most titles are printed in hardcover, often using non-traditional formats and sizes. We are extremely selective in the projects we take on, and in the talent we hire to work on those projects. If you believe your work is of the same quality as our company’s and other publishing companies published material, and you'd like to work for Arena Comics, then by all means Step into the Arena...

We are currently doing portfolio reviews at conventions and that is one of the best ways to get your work seen and even get an immediate response.

Writers: One way to send a submission for writing is by send a COMPLETE SYNOPSIS which tells the entire story: beginning, middle, and end, omitting unnecessary details. A short-story synopsis should be no longer than a page. A synopsis for a series (limited or ongoing) or graphic novel should be about two to five pages. Indicate issue breaks where applicable. A synopsis should say exactly what happens and how, noting plot and character specifics. Do not leave the resolution of the story in question. This should be the most straightforward presentation of the story as possible, as the synopsis is often the make-or-break point for a proposal.

The next way is to send a FULL SCRIPT for any short story or single-issue submission, or the first eight pages of the first issue of any series, unless you are a published professional, in which case, you should include samples of previously published work. If the work is already completed, story, art, and lettering, copies of this may be sent instead.

Pencilers: The best way to get your artwork seen is to submit samples to submissions@arena-comics.com. We recommend that you send a wide variety of work, from pencils to inked work and to finished colored pages. Also one of the most important things is if you're looking for work as an interior artist, submit samples that show sequential storytelling, not just pinups. And send samples of known characters, and not just your own creator-owned stuff. Anyone can produce a good pin-up, if given enough time, but we need to see pages you produce under time deadlines, that show your ability to handle storytelling, facial expressions, and anatomy, as well as an understanding of shadows and light, as well as, perspective.

Additional tips that might be of help:
Be sure to show us that you can do more than mimic your favorite artist style. We understand great artist’s styles might inspire you (they are great artists for a reason, they inspire us all). The editors here like to see detailed backgrounds as much as they do mood or color work. Also show a range of people (white, black, fat, skinny, big, tall, etc.) and a range of background stuff (cars, buildings, etc in different shapes and designs).

Always send jpegs at 72 dpi. And every time you drop an e-mail to an editor to check on things, send along a couple pages or images. Often, assignments can be all about timing. With as many samples as we receive, it's good to remind us who you are and what you can do every time you drop us a line.

And finally, be realistic about your skills and your production. You've seen our books, and know what levels of artists we hire. And with a hiring for a comic that is on a firm deadline comes an expected level of output. If you're hoping to land a monthly comic, it's important to be able to produce 4-5 pages of work every week.

This isn't all to say that you can't send clean paper copies to us--and we always like to see finished, printed books if you have that sort of sample--just know that we're not able to reply to the stacks of those that come in every day, we're not able to return the samples.

Inkers: Send clean, clear black and white files (never originals) of at least five inked pages, along with samples of the pencils you have chosen to ink. The pencils should be from different pencillers. These samples should not be lettered or colored.

Colorists: Send clean, clear color scans (never originals) or printouts from a good color printer of at least five colored pages. If we want to see higher resolution work we may ask you to e-mail pages or show a web portfolio. These pages should not be lettered.

Letterers: Send clean, clear color scans (never originals) or printouts from a good color printer of at least five colored pages. If we want to see higher resolution work we may ask you to e-mail pages or show a web portfolio.

All materials need to include your contact information (name, address, phone number, e-mail) on every page, or enclosed in the e-mail, you send. Your submission will not be returned so only send disposable copies. Response time could be very long, or not at all, due to the extreme time constraints we work under, so please be patient and don't phone, write or e-mail looking for an answer.

Send all submissions to:
submissions@arena-comics.com

or mail to:
Arena Comics
3646 Woodland Cove
Decatur, GA 30034