I just wanted to say I adore your work! I'm currently studying illustration at falmouth uni in the uk, You are a constant source of inspiration and I cant wait for necropolis! Got any helpful tips or advice on getting into the comic industry? Best of luck

Hey Thanks!

Because you say ‘comics industry’ in your ask, I’m guessing you want a Paying Job Making Comics. The best method I know for getting into the comics industry (such as it is):

1. Make the comics you want to see in the world. Your very best work.

2. Put those comics on the internet. Make sure they are clearly identifiable as yours, link back to you, and that you are easy to follow and reach.

3. Repeat.

You are now a comics artist. You are making work. There are a lot of ways to commodify that work, and those are up to you. Depending on what segment of comics you want to work in (superhero work or all-ages comics or small press or whatever) there are market-specific things you can do to get there. The convention scene is also something you’ll want to investigate, but you will lose money tabling until you garner an audience (presumably on the internet).

How to make a living while you’re hard at work making comics for the internet is a whole other (less pleasant) conversation. Even with an advance (for which I am deeply grateful) I still work other entertainment jobs (development writing and print illustration, lately) to make ends meet while I work on Necropolis. I’m not complaining; I like those other jobs, and I enjoy doing the occasional work for hire gig at Marvel. I’m just saying it’s hard to make a living making comics, especially your own comics.

But making comics and making those comics available to an audience is the first and best step you can take towards A Paying Job Making Comics.

The rest of it is chance, patience, and time. And sometimes it’s even fun. Like when you get to draw Ms Marvel carrying Wolverine around like a grumpy baby.

Best of luck to you, James.

-Jake