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Negative Space Comics Anthology

by Various

A 150-page collection of short stories from Negative Space Comics competition winners, finalists, mentors, judges, and more!

Support this project to gain access to rare opportunities in the add-ons section, including competition entries and one-on-one mentoring sessions with respected comic book industry professionals!

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PDF of the Negative Space Comics Anthology

Full digital version of the book including all 150 pages [15 short comics]

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Physical Print of the Negative Space Comics Anthology

Full 150-page anthology comic book in your hands! Dang, this is going to look great on your book she...

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Retail Bundle — Physical Print x5 of the Negative Space Comics Anthology

This offers a 50% discount to any retailer. The bundle includes 5 copies of the printed anthology.

$125

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Retail Bundle — Physical Print x10 of the Negative Space Comics Anthology

This offers a 50% discount to any retailer. The bundle includes 10 copies of the printed anthology.

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Tip Jar

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ADD-ONS

These items are only available once you have selected at least one primary Reward listed above.

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2023 Competition Entry

Add an entry to any competition next year! For our 2023 competitions, our regular deadline fees will...

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2023 Pitch Fest Competition Entry

In the spring of 2023, we will hold a Pitch Fest Competition! You will be able to submit a 2-4 page...

$10

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We'll Promote Your Crowdfunding Campaign!

Do you have a crowdfunding campaign coming up? For the price of an overpriced coffee (like they are...

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2 Pages of Script Feedback Notes

Receive professional feedback notes on your comic book script! Similar to our feedback notes additio...

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45-Minute Mentoring Session w/ Teodoro Leo — Editor at Aftershock Comics

Teddy has a passion for producing new and innovative ways to tell, experience, and consume stories....

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60-Minute Mentoring Session w/ Teodoro Leo — Editor at Aftershock Comics

Teddy has a passion for producing new and innovative ways to tell, experience, and consume stories....

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60-Minute Mentoring Session w/ Marla Eizik — Writer & Editor at TKO Studios

Marla Eizik is Associate Editor at TKO Studios. Previously, they acted as Talent Liaison at Image Co...

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45-Minute Mentoring Session w/ Nahuel F.A. — Writer & Co-Founder of Negative Space

Nahuel F.A. is an Argentinian comic book writer and screenwriter. This year, Nahuel wrote the short...

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60-Minute Mentoring Session w/ Andre Frattino — Graphic Novelist

Andre is a professional illustrator and storyteller, having worked in a variety of mediums, from pub...

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45-Minute Mentoring Session w/ Josh Sippie — Writer & Educator

Josh is offering 45-minute query letter coaching for those intrepid creators who want to go the trad...

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Black & White Commission Art from Fernando Pinto

Get a fun, wild, character commission in the exciting art style of Fernando Pinto! You can request 1...

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Color Commission Art from Fernando Pinto

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Daredevil 8x10 Print by JJ Lopez

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Commission Digital Art from J.J. López

Want your own piece similar to the Daredevil one? Get a waist-up, relaxed, or non-action portrait wi...

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Black & White Commission Art from Max Bare

Get an 8x10 commission in Max’s “constant wiggling" art style — beyond the superheroes, Max loves ol...

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Color Commission Art from Max Bare

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Color Character Commission Digital Art from Ace Hetisimer

Get an 8.5x11 character commission from Student Competition winner Ace Hetisimer! Loves to draw mech...

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Color Character & Scene Commission Digital Art from Ace Hetisimer

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30-Minute Portfolio Reviews w/ Teodoro Leo — Editor at Aftershock Comics

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Story

NEGATIVE SPACE COMICS IS ONE YEAR OLD! To celebrate, we are launching our first-ever anthology featuring our competition winners, finalists, mentors, judges, and more!

 

Our writers were told to give us their interpretation of what “negative space” means to them — either as a physical thing, a concept, or a mission — and they took it and ran. Most stories are YA+ and range in genre from horror to romance, from fantasy to real life.

 

Some of the creators on this anthology are being published for the first time! This is them breaking into the industry and being showcased to the community, while others are veterans with amazing new stories to tell. Our mission has always been to empower creators to get the education and mentorship to make it in the comic book industry — and with this anthology, AND YOUR SUPPORT, we can cover our second mission — TO GET PEOPLE PUBLISHED!

Purpose

We believe the comic book industry is ready for new voices, new stories, new people — our competitions open up a door for many newcomers in comics to find a community, grow their circle, and find professional mentors towards life-long career support. Our anthology, in part with that mission, is giving new creators a chance to get published, to get their work in your hands, to have something to show for their amazingly creative ideas that they have been pushing to put out in the world. Your help can make many of these creator’s lives & careers flourish! We are here for the underrepresented — your support in this really helps us to continue our mission and our path to open doors into the comic book industry!

Preview

Contributors

 
ACE HETISIMER — WRITER & ARTIST OF WHAT ONCE STOOD
STUDENTS COMPETITION WINNER 2022
Ace is a sequential art graduate from the Savannah College of Art and Design with a special interest in creating comics and illustrations. Ace is a nerd at heart, and would love to get some work drawing main line mech franchises such as Transformers. They enjoy drawing, inking, and coloring!
 
ALEX DVORAK — WRITER OF THE NIGHTTIME KIDS
CO-FOUNDER OF NEGATIVE SPACE
Alex is a Czech and Latina screenwriter, graphic novelist, published essayist, and actor. As the daughter of immigrants from clashing cultures, a teen cancer survivor, and a former runway model, Alex writes stories based on her life experiences with authenticity, dark humor, and heart. She’s drawn to coming-of-age stories of protagonists who turn individuality into superpowers — teen rebellion at its finest.
 
ANTHONY PUGH — ARTIST OF MIRROR, MIRROR
Anthony is an illustrator and comic artist based in Brooklyn. Over the past 10 years, he has worked various projects in the creative industry including marketing, advertising, storyboard art, character design and comic book art — he has teamed up with companies like: Comedy Central TV Network, All Things Comedy Media Studio, Red Line Publishing, Ogilvy x Adidas, Topps Trading Cards, and many more.
 
AUDREY MEEKER — ARTIST OF THE NIGHTTIME KIDS
Audrey Meeker is comic artist and editor based in Athens, GA. When she's not working on her debut graphic novel "SWING", she's making coffee or sleeping. You can find Audrey on Twitter @MeekerAudrey.
 
BRIAN HAWKINS — WRITER OF MIRROR, MIRROR
COMPETITION JUDGE & MENTOR
Brian is a freelance writer with considerable experience in the comic book industry — his latest series, The Vineyard, was released by AfterShock Comics, and volume 2 of his creator-owned series Black Cotton, with Scout Comics, comes out soon. Brian is also an editor for Mad Cave Studios, and a writer for Black Box Comics and Zenescope.
 
CAITLIN SINCLAIR CHAPPELL — WRITER OF REALM OF POSSIBILITIES
WOMENS COMPETITION FINALIST 2022
Caitlin is a writer turned editor from California. What started as a love for comics, film, and television turned into a career shortly after graduation. She writes and edits for CBR.com and is currently editing the independent comic series Half Dragon. On top of her written work, Caitlin has experience in theater and film production, and she actively seeks new comic, writing, and editing opportunities.
 
CARRIE HARRIS — WRITER OF SHADOWS OF STORIES UNTOLD
WOMENS COMPETITION FINALIST 2022
Carrie is a geek-of-all-trades who writes genre fiction for all ages. If it has monsters, mayhem, or murder in it — she’s all in. She is a published novelist and freelance writer with approximately 20 years of experience, including fiction writing, Kickstarters, and educational materials. As you read this, she is probably drinking something caffeinated and talking to people that only exist in her head.
 
DANA OBERA — ARTIST OF SHADOWS OF STORIES UNTOLD
Dana is a comic book artist, watercolorist, and a father of two. He paints with traditional watercolor, gouache, and ink — he does paint commissions and comic book art for a living.
 
DANIEL CVAMMEN — ARTIST & LETTERER OF RISE AND FALL
Daniel has been a professional artist for over 15 years, working primarily in traditional mediums. His subject matter is varied and often reimagines ideas from pop culture — blending them and warping them into something unique. Daniel’s wide-ranging work experiences include logo creation and graphic design, printmaking, character illustrations, commissioned digital and oil paintings, and teaching high school art.
 
DENNIS MENHEERE — ARTIST OF THE UNDOING WELL
Dennis is a Dutch illustrator and freelance comic artist with a knack for visual storytelling and vivid colors. Dennis is set to make a splash on the comic book scene with Etheres, which is releasing next year. Dennis is also a family man determined to get his daughter into classic Legend of Zelda games as soon as she can hold a controller. When Dennis is not drawing comics, he spends his time either reading them or thinking about them. Which is totally normal, right?
 
ERIN COONEY — ARTIST OF REALM OF POSSIBILITIES
 
ETHAN SLAYTON — ARTIST OF THE WOLFMINDER
Ethan is a comic book artist & RPG illustrator. He has been drawing Dungeons & Dragons characters for friends ever since he can remember rolling dice at the gaming table. He fancies drawing the sword & sorcery most but he’s really a fan of pretty much all the genres out there.
 
GARRETT LEY — ARTIST OF GAYLANDIA, OR
Garrett is a comic artist/illustrator with a Sequential Art BFA from SCAD who is known for their Copic illustrations & tutorials and their love of manga & local drag. They serve budding talent in their community as the head of digital arts at One River School of Art + Design in Lake Oswego, OR, teaching comics, storyboarding, illustration, and animation. Between teaching full time, hosting local drag events, doing Copic demos at Comic Con, and co-hosting the “Brainstorm!” podcast, they can never get enough to do! They are currently working on a psychological thriller graphic novel pitch about the woes and complications of love.
 
GILES CRAWFORD — ARTIST OF WINGSPAN
Giles is an artist and writer specializing in sequential art and narrative development. Obsessed with storytelling. Really into music. From Australia, living in Newark, NJ.
 
GREY  ALLISON — ARTIST OF ATLANTIS
Grey is a freelance comic artist and illustrator. She’s a farm girl with a passion for roleplaying games, horror stories, and historical fiction (plus lots of other nerd stuff). She lives with her Overwatch duo-queue partner/husband and their spoiled tabby cat, Cleopatra.
 
JEREMY COLWELL — COLORIST OF ATLANTIS
Comic book colorist, painter, concept artist, family man, and nut job!
 
JOSH SIPPIE — WRITER OF WINGSPAN
DIRECTOR OF CONTENT AT NEGATIVE SPACE
Josh is a writer of a little bit of everything, from plays to fashion to kid’s books. He’s been published in Atlas Obscura, the Guardian, McSweeney’s Internet Tendency and more, but his passion is in writing for children, both in the comic book industry and beyond. When not writing, he can be found kickboxing or kayaking while wondering why he isn’t writing.
 
JUSTIN ZIMMERMAN — WRITER OF ATLANTIS
COMPETITION JUDGE & MENTOR
Justin Zimmerman, MFA in Film, is a nationally recognized comic writer, director, and professor. He is the recipient of multiple grants and fellowships, he contributed a story to the Eisner Award-winning graphic novel Love Is Love, and his scripts and comic work have been optioned on multiple occasions.
 
MATT HARDING — ARTIST OF TENETS
Makes comics and stuff.
 
MARLA EIZIK — WRITER OF GAYLANDIA
CO-EDITOR OF NEGATIVE SPACE ANTHOLOGY
Marla is an Associate Editor at TKO Studios. Previously, they acted as Talent Liaison at Image Comics, and a founding member of Comic Book Workers United, the first union for comic book workers. Marla’s writing appeared in Sky Island Journal, Buckmxn Journal, and The Maine Review. They are currently writing a novel, a collection of queer erotica, and a really weird comic book.
 
MARTA SELUSI — ARTIST & LETTERER OF THE WARLOCK & ME
Marta is a watercolorist specializing in children book illustration and fantasy graphic novels. She studied fine arts and has a master’s degree in publishing. Her comics work has won the Casal Jove local comic contest in 2019, 2016, and 2009, all of which featured her take on sci-fi stories. She likes working on queer fantasy projects about friendship, QPR, and mental health.
 
MIA TORRES — WRITER OF THE WARLOCK & ME
WOMENS COMPETITION WINNER 2022
Mia currently works at an insurance agency, but moonlights as an artist/story writer. Ever since she read Calvin & Hobbes as a young kid and snuck into mature-rated manga like Inuyasha, Mia has adored comics. Now it's her dream to publish her own. Mia loves to write romantic comedy comics — it gives her butterflies to write about falling in love, but she's equally as excited to dive into horror genre, too!
 
NAHUEL F.A. — WRITER OF THE UNDOING WELL
CO-FOUNDER OF NEGATIVE SPACE & CO-EDITOR OF NEGATIVE SPACE ANTHOLOGY
Nahuel is an Argentinian comic book writer and screenwriter, and the co-founder of Negative Space Comics. This year, Nahuel wrote the short sci-fi comic The Distance Between [with artist Seigfried] for Amongst the Stars Anthology and is producing a horror short film which explores Nahuel’s favorite theme of the evils of toxic masculinity.
 
OMAR MORALES — WRITER OF TENETS
FALL COMPETITION FINALIST 2021
Omar Morales (he/him) is a first generation Mexican-American writer who learned English by reading Marvel comic books. He is a former Guinness World Records titleholder for “Largest Comic Book Published.” His credits include CruZader: Agent of the Vatican (The Force Media), The Lunar Ladies (Scout Comics), and various anthologies, including the all-Latinx created MAÑANA (Power & Magic Press).
 
OMINOUS POWERS a.k.a. S.M. MURPHY & KELLY LA CROIX — CO-WRITERS OF THE WOLFMINDER
FALL COMPETITION FINALISTS 2021
Creators of Everyday Magus & Old31 for Ominous Powers Ink comics/ Montana Escapees. We wanted to make comics since we were kids. Now here we are! Join us!
 
PABLO ANDRÉS — ARTIST OF HYEON & DRACKO
 
PETE CARLSSON — BOOK DESIGNER
LETTERER ON ALL STORIES (EXCEPT THOSE OTHERWISE NOTED)
Pete has been a fan of comics, design, music, and pop culture for as long as he can remember. His interest in comics brought him to the Joe Kubert School in 1993, where he studied with Joe Kubert and stuck around to work closely with him on PS Magazine. His latest project, Young Men in Love: A Queer Romance Anthology, was a huge success and one of the best designed books of the year!
 
ROBBY “RAW!” MELENDEZ — WRITER & ARTIST OF SOAR
FALL COMPETITION WINNER 2021
Robby left a career in marketing for global, national, and local brands to pursue his lifelong dream of making comics. The script for his first comic won the first Negative Space Comics writing competition. He is currently developing his story as a mini-series and will be pitching to publishers. 
 
SARAH ADRIANCE — WRITER OF RISE AND FALL
WOMENS COMPETITION FINALIST 2022
Sarah is a comic writer and co-creator (ADHDman, Octobaby), an arts administrator (Columbia University Film, Daniel Cvammen Studio, Juilliard Dance), potter (mugs and stuff), former dancer (ballet, modern), and an amateur photographer (sky, sidewalks) and visual artist (noods, landscapes). She lives in New York City (apple, big) with her family (husband, two daughters).
 
TEODORO LEO — WRITER OF HYEON & DRACKO
COMPETITION JUDGE & MENTOR
With almost a decade of professional comic book industry experience, Teodoro Leo has brought his editorial expertise to AfterShock Comics and Seismic Press and wrote and self-published Mind Control: An A.R. Experience and French Fries, Milkshakes & Waffles.

Add-Ons

COMIC BOOK WRITING COMPETITION 
 
 
MENTORING SESSIONS
 
In these Zoom sessions you can talk about where you are in your comics career and learn how to achieve your individual and specific goals – whether it’s in the script writing stage, finding an artist, best way to pitch, making connections, or finding continued success in the industry. If you end up making a long-time industry connection, all the better! [Note: Sessions are not meant to be for pitching, they are strictly for educational purpose and growth]
 
ARTIST COMMISSIONS AND PRINTS
 
 
FERNANDO PINTO — COMIC BOOK ARTIST
Mainly Cartoonist and teacher. I also do standup, I’m part of a podcast, and make music sometimes. Anything that’s hard to monetize, I’m there. Follow him at @MiNombreEsFernandoPinto
 
J.J. LÓPEZ — COMIC BOOK ARTIST
Comic book artist based in Manhattan. He’s the artist of Flatbush Zombies – 3001: A Prequel Odyssey from Z2 Comics, and has been featured in various anthologies such as From the Static, Sci-Fi Revue 2020, Off Into the Sunset, and more. J.J. is an avid wrasslin’ fan and a big gamer, and runs on coffee and scrambled eggs (he’ll also pitch in if you order pizza).
 
MAX BARE — CARTOONIST & ILLUSTRATOR
A Chicago based cartoonist and illustrator. His latest book HERO BEARDS, is an all-ages series starring super heroes with super beards. Previous work includes SCALLY-HO! published by Really Easy Press and written by Alex Willan. His work has been published by Lion Forge in and Scout Comics. Max and his wife Melissa Sue Stanley create comic work as marketing and activation for brands like Revolution Brewing, specifically the annual C2E2 tie-in comic featuring the GALAXY HERO and LEAGUE OF HEROES IPA beer family.
More on HERO BEARDS at herobeards.com
More on Melissa and Max's comics as brand activation services at salsasharks.com
 
ACE HETISIMER — COMIC BOOK WRITER & ARTIST
Ace is a sequential art graduate from the Savannah College of Art and Design with a special interest in creating comics and illustrations — they are also the 2022 Student Competition Winner at Negative Space Comics! Ace is a nerd at heart, and would love to get some work drawing main line mech franchises such as Transformers. They enjoy drawing, inking, and coloring!

Stretch Goals

$12K — Negative Space Sticker Pack: Anyone who purchased a physical reward will receive a sticker pack with 6 stickers, including Negative Space Comics and Negative Space Anthology artwork stickers!
 

$15K — Postcard Set: Anyone who purchased a physical reward will receive a postcard set with 5 postcards of artwork from this anthology!
 

$20K — Negative Space Fund: This is the big one! If we reach $20K we will launch the Negative Space Fund for 2023 competitions. Anyone that does not have the ability to pay for our competitions can easily apply to receive discounts or even a free submission to any competition! Help us help others!

Timeline

All anthology stories are already in the art stage! We spent August editing the stories — we expect inks to be ready by end of September and colors/letters by end of October.

 

When the campaign ends, on November 4, we hope to take 2-3 weeks to finalize the book design, and set up for printers. Our aim is to go to print before December. We are working with anthology creator extraordinaire Pete Carlsson, who will make sure we stick to our schedule.

A few short answers to how this works.