Thanks to Ian Shires for this Small Press Idol update. Just in case you have no idea what Small Press Idol is, just imagine the independent comic book creators version of American Idol. If you are a comic creator than you should be entering this competition right now.
With over a week and a half until the opening bell, Small Press Idol has continued to surpass expectations at all turns. Already 15 teams have pre-registered, another 7 have announced intention on joining (pre-registration is not required to be in the show, registrations are taken up until the last day of the round, March 22nd). And with new sponsors, Collectorz.com and an individual doing the “level up” Sponsorship similar to last year, where whatever the registration $$ gets to, they will sponsor to the next even $100, We are currently already at $500 cash payout to the winner. More new sponsors are still in talks, we are expecting to beat last year’s record payout, Plus, the Shocker Toys sponsorship – which is valuable in it’s own right…makes this year easily the Biggest in SPI history.
The Judges Panel has been announced: We have Cary Kelley, of Red Handed Comics and Fallen Justice fame, who has been a contestant, and a judge, in the contest in the past. Joining him is Erik Hendrix, who was the grand prize winner of Idol 2009 for Faction, and who has founded Carpet Bomb Comics with a couple other alum from last year, as part of the SPA Comics Imprint, and who has taken the helm of the SPA’s magazine, retooled it as a PDF magazine, and launched SP! Nexus ( www.selfpubmag.com ). Rounding out the panel is the two-headed hydra judge partnership of Adam Withers and Comfort Love – who together write and draw The Uniques, a successful Indy comic. We think this is the best panel we’ve ever had, packed with practical knowledge of how to make comic concepts that connect with their intended audiences, and willing to give the solid useful advice that contestants will need to shape their progress in the contest, and take that knowledge into the real world.
So whether you’re a potential contestant, or someone who is just interested in watching new concepts from inception to printed pages, with real potential to be the next big thing, Small Press Idol is the place to watch…enjoy the show!
