I discussed, a while back, the possibility of my sending a query to Marvel Comics, and at the end of that discussion the possibility became a reality. I followed the instructions and detailed both my writing experience and why I want to write for Marvel.
I got a response today. It's a form-letter that says "hey, sure, send us some stuff to look at." I assume it's a standard sort of letter they send to everyone who sends them a query, which makes the process of sending the initial query sort of pointless, but whatever. The letter asks me to send a sample to the Submissions Department but that I should "please... not send stories using [Marvel's] characters."
Which puts me in a conundrum. They don't want to see work with one of their properties, but it's close to an inviolate law of nature that Marvel doesn't publish creator-owned books and they've only maybe thrice in their history put out books that don't take place in some variant of the Marvel Universe. This is a pain, because most of the ideas I've been kicking around are ideas for Marvel and deal with Marvel characters and places and concepts. The comic ideas that don't are either specific to something else (DC) wouldn't fit into the Marvel Universe and are therefore pretty much right out.
At the same time, all they asked for was a sample of my original writing, not a proposal. That means that they're concerned about my ability to string words together, to produce snappy dialogue, to understand the mechanics of sequential art. They're not concerned about the larger picture of the book; the overall story, the other characters who might appear, the direction of the thing. In that sense, I can toss almost any characters at all into a ten-page script excerpt and it sort of won't matter. But if that's the case, why keep me from using a Marvel character?
So, I'm a little at a loss for what to do. I'm going to send them something, but I don't know what. I can't send them something of theirs and it seems silly to send them something of mine. So, please discuss. Make a recommendation. Give me advice.
(By the way, I assume that I should be sending them a script and not, say, a short story or some other prose. It wouldn't be unheard of for a short story to be the "script" for a comic, but a short story doesn't demonstrate the understanding of sequential story-telling that I mentioned above. Of course, I could be wrong about that - maybe they want to see prose. I just don't know. Aaargh!)
Comments (9)
I'm sure they're still trying to cover their butt. Until they've established a relationship with you, they don't want you sending what is in their mind unsolicited Marvel ideas to them.
I imagine that once you prove that you CAN, in fact, write, they'll let you take a stab at a Marvel universe story.
Posted by Eric | May 10, 2005 5:32 AM
Posted on May 10, 2005 05:32
The only cautionary statement I'd make (and one I'm sure you're more than aware of) is don't send them anything to which you wouldn't mind losing ownership.
Actually, maybe you could just send them a story written in someone else's universe. If you sent them something like a Batman story (just for example) then they'd obviously have the frame of reference to know where you're coming from, but they'd have no way to steal anything beyond the basic plot.
Have I mentioned I'm generally distrustful of the intentions of large corporations?
Posted by Lukas | May 10, 2005 7:29 AM
Posted on May 10, 2005 07:29
I would suggest to send them one of your marvel stories but change the name of the trademarked characters to something else.
That way you show you can work with the Marvel universe and even if you lose property of the writing.
Then at least you don't lose property over one of your original creations.
Posted by gus | May 10, 2005 10:00 AM
Posted on May 10, 2005 10:00
Tell them that you're going to pitch this next smash-hit idea to DC, Dark Horse, Image and every manga publisher in Japan as well.
Real advice: Do a Marvel-style version of a DC story. Make it look like you wish DC were more like Marvel.
Posted by Ben | May 10, 2005 11:39 AM
Posted on May 10, 2005 11:39
You may have to treat them like a standard fiction submissions department. They probably want to weed out the fanboys or writers who can only function in comic book canon.
I would suggest 1 of 3 options:
1. Send them some short prose that you're particularly proud of.
2. Convert an existing story into, or write a new piece in sequential layout or write-up.
3. Do either of those and also direct them to Fables. The site indicates an ability to work in short stories involving multiple characters over long periods of time.
Posted by Erik | May 10, 2005 1:10 PM
Posted on May 10, 2005 13:10
Send them a generic superhero universe story that shows that you can write a variety of different things.
Digging up Bendis' advice from his workshop, he suggested showing that you can write a variety of different scenes and stories.
So throw something together with "Psiman" and his side(psi'd?)kick "Mento-Lad"!
Or something perhaps a bit more serious. But you get the picture.
Jason, could you email me the link to the letter your originally sent them?
Posted by Bard | May 10, 2005 2:33 PM
Posted on May 10, 2005 14:33
Oh, and I'd suggest NOT sending them an old style Marvel script. As Bendis described it: "The writer writes two or three pages of description, of how the story's going to go, and hands it to the artist. Then the artist comes up with all the scenes, and the writer just fills in the word balloons to fit the scene."
lol, it explains so much about old Marvel comics.
Posted by Bard | May 10, 2005 2:36 PM
Posted on May 10, 2005 14:36
Thanks for all the tips, guys. I'm not particularly concerned, at this point, about Marvel pilfering my ideas. Not only is the idea of that sort of silly to begin with but they're really not asking for enough material to pilfer.
I had actually, briefly, considered sending them a DC script, but I figured that would be in poor taste.
In the end, yeah, I think I'll follow along with the Bard's advice and toss some random characters onto a page and have them interact in a few different ways. Only, you know, coherent.
I might just be saying that because the Bard was the last person to post. At the moment I'm exceptionally tired and that's making me weak-willed.
Posted by Jason | May 10, 2005 3:29 PM
Posted on May 10, 2005 15:29
BOW BEFORE THE AMAZING MENTAL POWERS OF PSIMAN AND MENTO-LAD, PUNY MORTALS!!!
...ahem. I mind controlled Jason. Hurrah!
Posted by Bard | May 10, 2005 3:38 PM
Posted on May 10, 2005 15:38