1. Did last year’s winner's book get printed?
2. How is this years Comic Book Challenge different than last year's event?
3. Do these need to five different people?
4. I have a great idea, but I'm an artist not a writer! OR I'm a writer not an artist! What should I do?
5. I have 10 pages of sequential art that I would like to enter for the contest. How do I send more than one page?
6. May people located outside the U.S. compete?
7. Can I enter more than one comic idea?
8. Your contest says that an Entrant must "submit one fully completed page," and I was wondering about the definition of "fully completed." Does that mean inked, colored, and lettered or just penciled?
9. I was wondering if the copyright of the works entered remain with the creator(s) or are assumed by Platinum. If an entry fails to make the cut or is rejected for the contest are the creators free to find a publisher or self-publish the book?
10. Does it really matter if my idea has already been in print?
11. Is it ok if my idea has appeared online as a webcomic?
12. How old do I have to be to enter?
13. Does my submission have to be in English?

1. Q: Did last year’s winner's book get printed?

A: Yes. Jorge Vega’s book, Gunplay launched in March as one-shot prequel with the full-length graphic novel appearing in April. In addition to this, Platinum Studios created www.whodiestoday.com, with a website and series of podcasts to support the release. Comics legend Christopher J. Priest was also brought on board to provide backup “Penny Dreadfuls” for the book.

2. Q: How is this years Comic Book Challenge different than last year's event?

A: Last year we simply asked for entries and one page of art. This year we are asking for more. In order to make a submission, you must enter a complete comics package, including a synopsis of the idea, and THREE completed pages from the book. This means there must be a writer, artist, inker, colorist and letterer, even if they are all the same person.

3. Q: Do these need to five different people?

A: NO! Many times the artist is the inker and the colorist or the writer could also be the letterer. We are open to whatever works for you, the creator. It can even be one person doing everything.

4. Q: I have a great idea, but I'm an artist not a writer! OR I'm a writer not an artist! What should I do?

A: If you need to collaborate with someone, check out all the different web comic sites (e.g. www.drunkduck.com ) or artist sites (like www.deviantart.com ). Find someone who writes or illustrates in a style you admire and open a dialogue. Some of the best comics are collaborations between great artists and writers who have never met face to face! Last year we even saw people posting ads on www.craigslist.com looking for collaborators.

5. Q: I have 10 pages of sequential art that I would like to enter for the contest. How do I send more than one page?

A: We do not allow more than three to be uploaded. You should choose your art based on what represents your project the best. These three pages do not necessarily have to be sequential pages from the book. They should be the three that best show off the work.

6. Q: May people located outside the U.S. compete?

A: Yes, unless you are a resident of Puerto Rico or the Province of Quebec. However, ALL chosen Top 50 Entrants (whether from the US or not) must make their own travel arrangements to appear, in person, in San Diego on July 24, 2008 in order to pitch to our panel of celebrity judges. No exceptions, sorry!

7. Q: Can I enter more than one comic idea?

A: Yes! You may submit as many DIFFERENT ideas as you like.

8. Q: Your contest says that an Entrant must "submit one fully completed page," and I was wondering about the definition of "fully completed." Does that mean inked, colored, and lettered or just penciled?

A: The pages need to be as complete as possible to reflect what you think the book should look like. Will we look at a project that isn’t fully finished? Yes. But, we will not give it the same weight as one that has met all the criteria. Will we consider black and white? Yes, but that should be a choice on your part that lends to the feel and style of the book and not just because you couldn’t find a colorist. To have the best chance of making it to the final five, the pages should be something you could see in any comic book shop.

9. Q: I was wondering if the copyright of the works entered remain with the creator(s) or are assumed by Platinum. If an entry fails to make the cut or is rejected for the contest are the creators free to find a publisher or self-publish the book?

A: Copyrights to your Creative Materials are NOT assigned to or assumed by Platinum by merely entering the contest. Entering the contest authorizes us to review and evaluate your entry, but it DOES NOT give Platinum ownership of your creative materials. However, in order to move forward in the competition, each person named as a Top 50 Entrant must agree to and sign two Platinum Studios contracts: one is an Acquisition Agreement for your Creative Materials and the other is a Work-For-Hire Agreement. (Copies of these contracts will be provided to all Top 50 Entrants at least one week PRIOR to their "in person" pitch in San Diego.) These two agreements require a transfer of all rights in the Creative Materials to Platinum and include details regarding the amount of compensation the Entrant will receive for the Creative Materials. However, these agreements are only legally binding if you are selected as the Grand Prize Winner. If you are not selected as the Grand Prize Winner, then these agreements will be void and will be destroyed, and you will retain all rights to your Creative Materials. Platinum is unable to offer the Grand Prize to any Entrant who has not signed and returned these agreements. If a potential Top 50 Entrant does not sign and return these agreements by the deadline specified by Platinum, then such Entrant will be disqualified. Please see the Official Rules for a more complete explanation. Further, it is possible that Platinum will be interested in developing some Creative Materials submitted by an Entrant other than the Grand Prize Winner. Should that occur, it is always the creator's choice to separately negotiate and sign a contract if offered by Platinum.

10. Q: Does it really matter if my idea has already been in print?

A: Yes. We cannot accept pitches that have already appeared in print, even if it is only POD (Print On Demand). The Platinum staff will research each pitch extensively to ensure that your project has not appeared in print before.

11. Q: Is it ok if my idea has appeared online as a webcomic?

A: Yes, that’s fine. In fact, developing a fan base online for your comic might be extremely helpful when it comes to voting time. <hint, hint>

12. Q: How old do I have to be to enter?

A: The Entrant (and each team member) must be at least 18 years old in order to participate in the contest.

13. Q: Does my submission have to be in English?

A: Yes, all submissions must be in English.