Read the comic book publishers' "classic" works online

It's no longer necessary to keep a large comic book collection to read the early pulse-pounding adventures of your favorite superhero. Digital subscription services let you see how your favorite character developed, or just let you read those stories you somehow missed the first time around.

I recommend: Marvel Digital Comics offers the first run of X-Men and the first 100 issues of Spider-Man and the Fantastic Four, along with other classic and new Marvel titles, in an ad-free format readable from any computer with Internet access. Monthly and annual subscriptions are available.

Target the comic book publishers who accept submissions

While several comic book publishers work exclusively in-house, many of the smaller houses will take submissions from new writers and artists, as occasionally will some of the big names.

I recommend: Marvel and Dark Horse Comics both accept submissions accompanied by a submissions agreement. Dark Horse further offers artists and inkers sample scripts and sketches they can use to showcase their talents; fans can also work for their comic book store chain, Things From Another World. Slave Labor Graphics offers free internships to aspiring writers and artists looking to become employees and posts its submissions guidelines on its website. Image Comics is the publisher for creators looking to retain the rights to their characters to visit, however, as almost all their titles are creator-owned, but its contributors to have a complete comic from which their submission is excerpted.

Network with comic book publishers at comic book conventions

Conventions are more than just places to have a good time seeing female fans dressed as Wonder Woman or Vampirella or buy replicas of the Batcave. Just as in the rest of the business world, they're good places to put talented people together with the people who can use their talent.

I recommend: DC Comics conducts its Talent Search program for new comic book artists solely through the comic book conventions its staff members attend. After Hours Press accepts submissions by email, but prefers to see complete works submitted at conventions. Major comic book conventions include Comic-Con International in San Diego (and the affiliated Alternative Press Expo and Wonder-Con in San Francisco), the New York Comic Con, Fallcon in Minneapolis, the semiannual Comic Book Show in Nashua, NH and Los Angeles’ monthly Comic Book and Science Fiction Convention.

Publish a comic book yourself

Dedicated comic book printing services have sprung up to allow fledgling comic book writers and artists to put their works before the public without facing the rejection or constraints of the major comic book publishers. Some on-demand book publishers also deal in comic books. Having your own comic book in print can help you sell your work to comic book publishers at conventions, particularly those who like to see complete comics.

I recommend: Harold Buchholz Print Services prints black and white comics with full-color covers on demand in trade paperback form in runs as small as 50 copies. SIPS Comics, a division of South Island Printing Services, permits uploading a zip file of the comic on its FTP site, ships proofs by next-day air or FedEx, and offers such promotional items as magnets, stickers, posters, flyers, art prints and transfers. On-demand publishers such as Blitzprint, Trafford and BookSurge also handle comic books, with BookSurge offering distribution through online channels such as Amazon.com and Baker & Taylor.