Frequently Asked Questions
Purpose FAQ is an acronym for Frequently Asked Questions. This FAQ is an attempt to provide a comprehensive source of information about Top Cow, and was created in response to questions that are frequently raised by our fans and customers. We hope you find it useful. If there are any questions you have about Top Cow that are not answered in this FAQ, please get in touch with us so we can include them in future revisions. |
FAQ History Created: 8/20/97 |
Contents: This FAQ answers the following questions: GENERAL
SUBSCRIPTIONS
SUBMISSIONS
OFFICIAL FAN CLUB ONLINE |
| GENERAL |
|---|
[A] - Top Cow is Marc Silvestri, and a whole slew of mega-talented individuals, all obsessed with putting out the coolest comic books and product on the market. You can learn more about the company in the Top Cow Productions "History" section of this web site. |
[A] - Top Cow Productions, Inc. is one of four autonomous studios that comprise Image. Founded by Marc Silvestri, a 17-year comic book veteran, Top Cow publishes eight separate titles, many of which consistently rank in the top twenty-five for total unit sales in a market that usually produces 500 titles a month. You can learn more about the company in the Top Cow Productions "History" section of this web site. |
[A] - Top Cow is located in sunny Southern California. We could go to the beach if we wanted to, but nobody around here has ever really seen it. You see, we are all much too busy working to get out those ultra-cool comic books for our fans to enjoy. |
[Q] - When is Top Cow going to take over the world? [A] - Soon. |
[Q] - Why is Top Cow called Top Cow? [A] - Marc Silvestri likes to answer this frequently asked question with a stern warning... "Never pick a name for your company during a night out with friends at the local bar" |
[Q] - How do I get a job at Top Cow? [A] - Top Cow will post a "now hiring" notice on this web site whenever a position opens up. If you qualify for the position posted, you can mail or fax a resume to the company. |
[Q] - How do I become an intern at Top Cow? [A] - Top Cow will post an "internship available" notice on this web site whenever a position opens up. If you live close to Santa Monica, and do not object to working your butt off for little to no pay, you can mail or fax a resume to the company. |
| SUBSCRIPTIONS |
[Q] - Does Top Cow offer subscriptions? [A] - Not yet, but we are making plans to do so very soon. Once we are set up to do so, you will be able to subscribe to all our books from this very web site. We will keep you posted as developments arise. |
[Q] - Where can I get a Top Cow comic book? [A] - The best way right now is to visit your local comic book shop. If you do not know where that is, you can call the "Comic Shop Locator Service" to find out the location of a store nearest you. Comic Shop Locator Service You might want to check out your local newsstand, as well. Most of the "good ones" will carry Top Cow comic books. |
[Q] - How can I get Top Cow comic books delivered to my door? [A] - You can order Top Cow comic books through the mail. Top Cow books can be ordered through Diamond Distributors, and a great deal of our books and specialty items are also available through American Entertainment. You will soon be able to order exclusive items right here, through this Top Cow web site. Diamond Comic Distributors, Inc. International Customers E-mail: service@diamdcom.com Top Cow Store |
[Q] - Can I order Top Cow comic books and merchandise online? [A] - Yes! You can order Top Cow merchandise right here, online! It doesn"t get any easier than this! Just visit our online shop, or better yet - click here!! |
| SUBMISSIONS |
[Q] - Where do I send my submissions? [A] - Please send all submissions to: Att: Submissions Editor If Top Cow is interested in your portfolio, you WILL be contacted. It is however, impossible to respond back to every submission that we receive. |
[Q] - What should be included in my submission? [A] - Please send photocopies of your work, as no original artwork will be returned. Include a resume of past work, education, etc. Include only your best material. It is always a plus to include Top Cow characters in your submission. We recommend showing 3 to 4 pages of good story telling using sequential panels. |
[Q] - Do you have any hints or tips for submitting my work to Top Cow? [A] - Go through the following check list before you submit your portfolio for review: 1) Include only your best work. If your work includes all of these things, we would love to see it! |
[Q] - Does Top Cow accept writing submissions and/or story ideas? [A] - Currently, it is extremely difficult to get work as a writer for Top Cow. This is because most of our titles are written in-house by their creators, and these individuals are not currently seeking other writing contributions. When Top Cow IS in need of a writer for an existing property, the company will usually go to an established writer within the industry. If you are a talented writer with something unique to contribute to the world of Top Cow, the company is always interested in seeing your work. Top Cow will keep it on file, and should the need for your talents arise we will contact you. Any unsolicited materials regarding new properties are not accepted. |
[Q] - What are my chances of getting work at Top Cow? [A] - Slim to none! No, seriously your chances are... slim to none. Ha, got you again! The truth is that if you are "super-talented" there is a good chance of you getting work. A famous Jedi warrior once said, "May the force be with you!" Well, in the situation of getting work at Top Cow, it might be more accurate to say, "May the talent be with you." Hold your work up to the art found in a Top Cow comic book. We know your friends and family say that you are a great artist, but does it look like it will fit nicely into one of our books? If the answer is yes - rush that glorious art over to our studio as soon as you can! We want to see it!! But, if the answer is no - do not get discouraged, simply practice, practice, practice! Take art classes, and draw every day. Someday, if the desire and talent is there, you too will become "super-talented". Read David Wohl's (our great Editor in Chief) excellent article on this subject, and what it takes to make it in this crazy biz! |
| OFFICIAL FAN CLUB |
[Q] - Is there a Top Cow fan club? [A] - There is no official Top Cow fan club at this time. |
[Q] - Can I send Top Cow a comic book, trading card, poster, etc. to sign? [A] - No. It is just not possible. The artists do not have the time while in the studio, and it's not fair to do this for a few of you and not for all of you. You also risk having your cool merchandise damaged in the mail, and we would hate be responsible for a torn up Witchblade #1! Therefore, the only way to get something signed is to meet the artist at a convention, or to order a pre-signed book. Thank you for understanding. |
| ONLINE |
[Q] - Are there any Top Cow fan clubs online? [A] - Yes, and the power of the Cow travels far, so you have a few choices. First there are all the fans waiting to chat and exchange messages right here on Top Cow Online. Just check out our awesome chat room, and message boards (coming soon)! Many of our fans have formed their own clubs, and we know they would love to hear from you. For example, you can join a Top Cow mailing list by sending email to: "witchblade@gospel.iinet.net.au." Just say "Subscribe" and you will automatically receive thoughts, comments and ramblings on all your favorite Top Cow books by many of the fans who enjoy them. Finally, you can check out the Top Cow area at Wizard Online on America On Line (AOL). Keyword: Wizard. They have their own message boards, chat rooms, etc. dedicated to Top Cow. |
[Q] - The navigation bar is getting cut off on my monitor. How do I fix that? [A] - We suggest that you set your monitor to 800x600 pixels or higher. For those who have smaller monitors (640x480), you may find the navigation bar gets cut off on the bottom left when the site first comes up. To fix this, simply turn off your all browser bars, including tool bar and location bar. Also, make sure the browser is as large as possible on your screen. This should give you the extra room you need to see the entire site. |
[Q] - The artwork looks chunky. Can I fix that? [A] - The site was designed to convey the best quality artwork possible. For best results, set your color depth setting to thousands or millions, which will allow you to view this art as it was intended. |
