I've been wondering about how someone could get published in the comics industry for awhile, so I've asked around some friends who do sequential art.
The answers have been pretty depressing. I wonder if there is still any chance for a new sequential artist to get published without getting their work stolen. I've just heard too many horror stories of beginning artists having their stories, characters, or even the copyright of their comic work taken by publishing companies. Sometimes publishing companies simply cut off a new artsts series after the first few issues and will give it to their own writers and artists to continue.
Webcomics are always an answer, but with the amount of ripoffs on the internet right now, I'm pretty reluctant to post my comic work online. Images of artwork being stolen from artist's websites has become an everyday occurence already, but in comparison written work, storylines, and concepts are almost effortless to steal.
When you're a new artist publishing for the first time, especially if you are still a student without much financial freedom, and especially if you are doing manga, it feels like anyone can manipulate you. It's ironic that from what I've heard since I've moved to the States is that going to the biggest comics companies is the most dangerous. Prehaps I just didn't do as much research when I was in Taiwan, but it's true that I seldom heard of copyright issues and comic artists having difficulty getting published when I lived there (it was also a lot easier to self-publish).
I'm not sure whether I should try publishing in the States or publish in Taiwan (although for now I ceartainly hope to find a US publisher, for various reasons...)
Being a freelance artist means being business-smart as well. Problems exist, and we just have to deal with it. Why put so much effort into creating a comic, when there is nowhere safe to release it? How does an artist find a publisher that will give them their money's worth for their work?
Thanks to +ipholio for this journal CSS 
Getting published in Comics/Manga? 
Zeal
Devious Comments
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theres always should haves where Im going and could haves where Ive been.
Also, know your rights. If you make up a character, it is copyright to you automatically. It is a good idea to get a copyright with the government just in case. If your work is stolen, take them to court over it! Make sure you've checked everything first, because if they're going to steal from you, they'll probably do it via loopholes and such.
Again, know your rights: Look up on the business, read books, etc. If you can't get an agent, this is really important. Know how everything works, what publishers are looking for--if they're looking to publish--make sure you read what they want you to do when sending them pages, etc. Never send originals.
You should also know that while you can copyright concrete things such as characters, your ideas and concepts cannot be copyrighted. If someone takes it, then they take it and there's nothing you can do about it. That's why you don't tell anyone your ideas until they're out (as in in a comicbook or something), and that's why you see so many rip-offs of popular works.
Self-publishing is difficult because you have to do all of your advertising, but there is an easy self-publishing website if you're interested: Lulu.com. Otherwise you end up paying a lot of money getting the books made and such, and you're not even sure if they'll sell.
I would say ask TOKYOPOP to publish you, but by looking at them right now, they look like one of those big companies that you should worry about. But, if you want, you can ask people who have worked with them (=sadwonderland). Viz has always looked pretty clean to me; just look in the comicbook section of stores near you at publishers, particularly manga publishers, and then look them up on the internet. Also pay attention to the genre you're publishing in--if the company only publishes shounen, then I reckon you should try somewhere else if your manga isn't shounen, etc.
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ももちゃん
Wedsite: Ai-Momo.Net
Cute Stop Zazzle Shoppe
translation:
just look in the comicbook section at publishers in stores near you
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ももちゃん
Wedsite: Ai-Momo.Net
Cute Stop Zazzle Shoppe
I dont know if he has a website of his own, but this is his Newgrounds profile, and I believe he has posted some of the publishing details in his news posts [link]
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WE RULE SHIT- Penn and Teller.
Kill the redhead and take the Wookie instead. ~UltraBeavis
[link]
There are guidlines for submittion. And they are pretty simple and straight forward. There's also rising stars of Manga...just...look it up on tokyo pop. if they don't want your manga they aren't gonna steal it. -knows editors- But that's pretty much the process everyone has to go through with any company. Unless you wanna do it yourself.
I DO know someone who owns a small publishing company. If you want information on that, note me. ^_^
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The End.
Someone did mention TokyoPop and the Rising Stars Contest. It's a good way to start. Cash prize, and getting published all at the same time it's a sweet deal.
And if you end up with a contract of any sort, read it thoroughly. Contracts are the route of most of the horror stories I've heard. You have to be careful not to sigh away your characters, stories, or art.
It's all about research.
I'll definietely check out Tokyopop and the contest
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[Made In Taiwan]
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