Does the new Gold Key Comics really require 200-page submissions?

Earlier this yr, Gold Key Comics, the enduring writer of tv and movie-related comics of the Sixties and Nineteen Seventies, introduced its return with the launch of a Kickstarter for a reboot of The Mysteries of the Golden Key by Boris Karloff, one of many writer’s hottest former titles. The venture, which showcases the work of creators together with Michael W. Conrad, Steve Orlando, Artyom Trakanov, Kelly Williams, Jok, Craig Hurd-Mckenny, Sergei NazarovAnd Kyle Arendwas successfully funded on the finish of final month. Past that, Gold Key has been open to submissions since returning, however the tips for submitting work have raised some eyebrows on social media and prompted a response from the editor.

As famous by the comedian guide creator Zach Chapman on Twitteron the publisher’s submissions pageamong the many standards listed is a press release that submitting creators will need to have at the least six points, or roughly 200 pages of comics, accomplished earlier than submitting:

lol wut. it appears to be like prefer it was written by somebody who does not work within the subject. pic.twitter.com/Uo7VQ6tRZi

— Zach Chapman (@ChappyZach) May 15, 2023

(The irony of getting this level immediately below “Gold Key respects creators and their work.” was not misplaced on us.)

Additional down the web page, the submission type features a query about what number of points the venture has already accomplished (highlighting ours):

The tweet caught the eye of trade figures, together with creators Fabien Nicieza, Christophe Sebela, Neil Kleidand extra, all of whom famous how unreasonable this request is for creators merely seeking to submit work.

What stage of insanity is that this?
I ask truthfully.
Who can we contact for this to allow them to be higher knowledgeable about how comics are made?
Submitting six points? Insanity.
Be open to modifications? After all. However 1 edit on web page 12 of challenge 1 might imply dozens of pages to transform. https://t.co/COOfGblUie

— FabianNicieza (@FabianNicieza) May 16, 2023

I imply the six downside factor is loopy, @GoldKeyComic however the worst half is “being open to modifications”, which suggests you’ll have to utterly redo these six issues. Come on. https://t.co/j3571IXE6O

—Neil Kleid (@neilkleid) May 15, 2023

wow. it is like these frogs which have particular coloring to let they’re toxic. run away! https://t.co/7Bs0ZVkUir

– Christophe Sebela (@xtophersebela) May 15, 2023

It is insanity, who produces six problems with a guide to submit? (fundamental which is able to producing 32 pages monthly!) https://t.co/h8Lh3IXUY5

— @pauljholden (@Pauljholden) May 15, 2023

Should you’ve accomplished 200 pages, you most likely have already got an editor or you do not want one. https://t.co/J6O5CWttbn

—Fraser Campbell (@FraserC69) May 15, 2023

For his half, Gold Key was fast to reply to the criticism, responding to Chapman’s tweet inside hours to make clear:

You might be completely proper, we wrote this copy over a yr in the past. We now have 3 legacy and three authentic titles we’re engaged on and none have been shut to six points full (we’re studying) – the copy of the shape is being edited and we recognize you bringing it to our consideration.

— Gold Key Comics (@GoldKeyComic) May 16, 2023

“You might be completely proper, we wrote this copy over a yr in the past,” the editor tweeted. “We now have 3 legacy and three authentic titles we’re engaged on and none have been shut to six points full (we’re studying) – the copy of the shape is being edited and we recognize you bringing [sic] to our consideration.

Michael W. Conrad, who contributed to The Mysteries of the Golden Key by Boris Karloffadditionally defended the writer:

I’ve labored with these individuals, they usually’ve been very good/understanding each step of the best way. This submission stuff is new to me, but it surely feels prefer it was previous/unrealistic. https://t.co/K81IgPbn4M pic.twitter.com/mOtWyZhkiQ

— Michael W Conrad 🗿 (@michaelwconrad) May 16, 2023

“I’ve labored with these individuals, they usually have been very good/understanding each step of the best way,” Conrad tweeted. “This submission stuff is new to me, but it surely feels prefer it was previous/unrealistic.”

The golden key at all times appears to be are working on updating their submissions page, which one other certainly one of their tweets appears to be taking longer than anticipated as a result of type a part of the web page.

With so many predatory outfits within the comics able to reap the benefits of up-and-coming creators seeking to get their work out into the world, it is no shock that the prevailing submission tips for Gold Key have drawn speedy criticism. It’s heartening, nonetheless, to have seen a response and openness to criticism from the parents behind Gold Key, and I hope they repair their net type points quickly.