Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs updated February 5, 2024
Q: How does the collaborative process work with SP Comics?
A: Here’s a comic that explains it!
After we have decided on the type of comic project for your research, you provide us with any materials that would inform the comic script — book manuscript, article, blog, lecture video, etc. One of our scriptwriters takes those materials and reviews them ahead of a liftoff meeting between you, our project manager, and the scriptwriter, where the scriptwriter propose ideas and get direction for the script. The scriptwriter writes a draft of the script and submits it to you for review, where you can give any change requests and edits you feel necessary. The scriptwriter edits the script based on your notes, and we return it to you for another review.
Once the script receives your approval it moves to line art. The line artist will create a composition sketch of the comic, which is given to you for review. During this review you can ask for any edits to the line art that you would like. The artist will take your notes and finalize the line art.
Once the line art is approved, the comic moves to the color artist and the letterer (simultaneously). When the comic is colored and lettered you will get a final review where you can request edits to the color and the text. Once these edits are made, we create the final composition of your comic and deliver you the print and digital files.
This is our general process, but each comic project is different, and you can be more involved in the collaborative process if you’d like.
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Q: How long does the process usually take?
A: For a one-page comic abstract, the process takes 7-9 weeks. For a 4-8 page mini-comic the process takes 10-16 weeks. For a 20 page graphic novella the process takes 6-8 months. Of course, for all projects we create custom schedules, and all of our estimates are dependent on our clients being responsive and timely at each stage of approval.
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Q: Who will own the copyright of my comic?
A: The copyright for the comic belongs to the scholar or organization that commissions the work. When you start a project with us, we sign a Client Contract that legally transfers the copyright of the finished artwork to you. SP Comics retains rights over the things we’ve created to make your project, like templates, fonts, or draft files, but you have copyright to print, publish, and distribute the completed artwork as you like. SP Comics requests certain marketing rights in our contracts to be able to put the comic the web gallery on our website, post it on social media, and put it in newsletters; these are negotiable in the contracting phase.
Often, though individuals hire us, the contract must be reviewed and signed by the entity that funds the project: A scholar wants to work with us, but the university pays, or a non-profit organization commissions a comic, but their granting agency pays. The copyright will transfer to whatever entity signs the contract, so scholars must negotiate appropriate transfer language with their funder.
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Q: What are the costs?
A: We create custom quotes for each project, and are able to work within research budgets to create a comic that works for both your research and your budget. Email us for a custom estimate at sales@spcomics.com.
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Q: I don’t have enough money to do what I want. Do you have suggestions?
A: We are able to work within most budgets to create a comic that works for your needs. Very often, our clients can appeal to their employers or grant agencies for more funding for a bigger project. Most institutions want to communicate your work and create broader impacts! We can assist with any quotes or letters of commitment you might need to apply for such grants and add SP Comics as a contractor for the communication activities. We have some resources that may also assist you in adding comics to your grant application:
Why grantors love comics to mobilize knowledge
Include a comic in your grant proposal or letter of interest
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Q: Do you offer discounts?
A: Since each project is priced for the custom needs of our clients, it’s difficult to offer discounts. We do offer a referral discount if you’re learning about us from a client of ours, so email us to inquire about that at sales@spcomics.com.
However, we will work with you to try and create the best possible artwork within whatever budget constraints you have. We have lots of ideas, so try us!
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Q: I work for or are funded by a branch of the government. Do you have experience assembling a bid for the contracting process.
A: Yes! We’ve done this before and are familiar with the process. Let us know when you’re ready to start!