Zuda

[Emperor]

Well Tony Lee came second, which was a surprise. First place was an entry from a previous winner - it might be a fluke but it could be that having an established fanbase of people signed up to Zuda can be a big help. It was a seriously tough month and any of the top three could have won in a quieter month (like this one perhaps).

Anyway next batch are up and it is a much more open field - I was stumped on who to vote for as there are 4 or 5 that are contenders but nothing that made me jump off my seat. I went for the Bronze Hammer one as I liked the style (even a hint of Radiator's work in there round the legs ) but it could have gone any one of 3 or 4 ways and I might change me vote.

If I was competing I'd like to be in a month like this as there is no clear juggernaut entry that will squish everyone beneath its rumbling wheels of win.

[Emperor]

I went for the Bronze Hammer one as I liked the style (even a hint of Radiator's work in there round the legs ) but it could have gone any one of 3 or 4 ways and I might change me vote.

I'm still thinking of changing my vote but in the meantime here is their DA page with lots of pretty pictures:

http://gambear1er.deviantart.com/

[Emperor]

A member of Down The Tubes has a story up in this month's competition:

http://downthetubes.ning.com/xn/detail/887566:Topic:22215

He had one run at it before and come second but is currently #1 (although it is early days). So I'm hoping he might have some ideas and tips so I'll be picking his brains.

As always have a read through and vote for the one you like - as luck would have it I'd narrowed it down to his story or Gelgun.

[Emperor]

There are a few days left to run on this month's and a former FutureQuaker is in the running:

http://futurequakepress.blogspot.com/2010/04/julia-bax-needs-you.html

They were in the lead but in the rounding up of the numbers for the last week they got nudged down to #2.

[Emperor]

Seems Zuda has withdrawn the competitive element:

http://www.bleedingcool.com/2010/04/30/zuda-abandons-competitive-element/

I assume they aren't scrapping Zuda altogether or they'd have said. So this could be A Good Thing as you are more likely to be judged on merit which levels the playing field and removes some of the arse ache of having to bust your hump doing publicity. I had basically got my (thin) hopes on an "instant win" or pulling in a favour, which, if it had come off, would have been the "nuclear option" of publicity, but even then it wouldn't guarantee votes (you'd just have some massive viewing figures if people didn't sign up and vote too). So I am enthusiastic about the move, unless they put in some other difficult hopes to jump through. It does mean I'm going to have to watch how the changes work and possibly adjust my plan accordingly.

[Emperor]

Looks like Zuda is over - they closed the competition aspect at the end of April and have just announced it is being folded into the DC digital publishing arm:

http://www.bleedingcool.com/2010/07/01/dcs-zuda-line-slashed/

Although there is a flicker of hope for up-and-coming creators:

The submissions question is simple: It is the new DC Co-Publishers' plan to expand submissions beyond just Zuda Comics and the Online group into a larger, more comprehensive system that covers all of DC Comics' wide variety of needs, skills and interests. Jim and Dan are very excited about bringing in and developing new talent so look for more information about that from them as plans develop.

http://zuda.blog.dccomics.com/2010/07/01/the-future-of-zuda/

I'll obviously, keep an eye out for that as (or when) it happens.

[Colin YNWA]

I did wonder how it'd fare in the new climate. It seemed a very good model for unearthing new talent but one that benefited all not just DC and they seem to be getting more competitve these days.

Still be interesting to see what they come up with as an alternative talent spoting model... aside from just reading 2000ad that is!