Thank you for your insightful post in to what might attract an illustrator. Ironically, perhaps I would have been better off putting less thought into my post. I actually deleted the answers to many of your questions, aiming for brevity in a public place! Go figure!

So, I will assume any that have read this far are interested enough for a more lengthy pitch. In order to Mari’s questions:

While independent, I would say its not quite say it’s Comix, but halfway between there and mainstream, with an emphasis on accessibility and aesthetic enjoyment as well as thought and emotional provocation.

The story itself is fictional, in contemporary fantasy setting, as well as metaphysical locales, and combinations thereof. It follows the details of the lives of a modern magician and her like-powered employees, as they face the ordinary world, and the very extraordinary one hidden within it. The heroines’ journeys will be very intimate, and at times very cold, emotional or brutal, but at times lighthearted, tongue-in-cheek or simply pleasant.

As the writer, the themes I’m bringing up sometimes make myself uncomfortable, but this is intentional. By looking at sensitive topics, I plan to engage and challenge the reader, hopefully offering a space for them to create their own insights. “Edgier” topics sometimes included will be breaking promises, revenge, religion, molestation, sexual orientation, activism, and anything else that scares me. However I plan to let neither poor taste nor preachy conclusions water down the story.

I am looking for a painterly artist, or one who can sketch and ink for a hybrid (ink+paint) look. When illustrating metaphysical locations (such as dreams or other planes) the perfect artist is hopefully one who goes wild, and can move between abtracted and representational work and combine them within panels. I have been experimenting with various combinations of tradit. comic-book inks and painting.

If I had a dream team of artists, it would be painted by Jim Lee (The Sentry) and David Mack (Kabuki), with each coming to the forefront as suited the image. In this dream team, some locals would even be created by other guest artists completely, which would be appropriate to the setting.

Currently, I am scripting the character introductions, which will fill one issue and begin the first of 4-issue arcs. From issue 2 on, I would like to have an additional 1-3 page bonus story, generally lighter material than the primary story.

For the artist, the rewards would include a spit of the earnings, as I will be publishing this out of my own pocket. This might turn off some artists instantly, but those aren’t the type I’m looking for. What I am truly seeking is an artist that can become as equally passionate about this as I am, and put some of their heart into it. I’m trying to write the kind of stories I don’t find in TV or in a comic shop, and rarely in cinema or prose fiction. Are you looking for the sort of story-images you don’t find in those places?

Hopefully this would offer an aspiring comic artist something really amazing, as their sequential art portfolio can really push the edge of what could be done in an ongoing. Future details would be worked out on creative input of the artist, success of the book, etc.

For the beginning few issue(s) the timetable is flexible, as the artist and I refine our styles and build a product together. However, I would like to see this become a monthly, or, at worst, bimonthly. That is a promise I am aware of no painted comic keeping to date, and must be considered when developing the “look”. I plan on publishing by end of summer.

At this time I am saving money to create a small run that I will then take to quite a few personal contacts, and look for backing for a larger run. (Particularly the ones that suggested I actually go and finally do this!) This should be successful based on the reaction I’ve had to the material so far. Fallback plans include possible grant requests.

My writing background includes free verse poetry, some short fiction, and technical writing. Unfortunately, I have no links available, and I haven’t pursued writing in years, in favor of improvisational storytelling and live role-play, and visual arts. My education include some college, I am moderately well read, and love comics. Some of my paintings are visible at chozcunningham.com.

If you have read this far, are an illustrator, and interested, please contact me via Tribe.

Thanks MAri for getting me to type this all out loud!