“I’m not an editor, but based on friends’ experiences – I would try to have some pencils in your portfolio, just so you can show the quality of the art before and after inking – I know artists who have picked up inking work, for instance, by demonstrating what they can do with ink over rough pencils.

“Also make sure that you have some sequential work in there as well as pin ups or splashes. It’s important to show that you can visually tell a story.

“If you write and draw, then a finished short might be nice too.

“I’ve mostly seen people showing the actual artwork at shows in the past but
I’m not an editor so I don’t know if they have a preference on that score.”

Marcia Allass, Sequential Tart, a leading web zine about the comics industry

• You might also like to take a look at this guidance on what you should – and shouldn’t – include in your art portfolio when you’re showing it around at comic conventions. You might also like to take a look at my Editor’s View on what we like to see in Portfolios and there is some advice from independent comic creator Pete Ashton here about presenting yourself to an editor; and more advice here from artist Matt Brooker

John Freeman

The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.

Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.

He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.

Categories: Creating Comics

Tags: Creating Comics, Drawing Comics, Portfolio Advice, Portfolios, Quote Me