What is World Monster HQ?
We’re a collective of cartoonists, storytellers, writers, animators, illustrators, game designers, videogame artists, painters… a bunch of talented and extremely versatile artists who all share a deep love of the comics medium. We share a studio located in the northeast Minneapolis.
How long have you been a studio?
We’ve been operating out of the same studio for over 20 years.
How many cartoonists and other artists work in your studio?
It varies on different days. We have around ten regulars who come in, as well as a number of wandering monsters who pass through, especially when they smell pizza.
What publishers have you worked with?
Members of our collective have worked with a wide variety of publishers including Image, Dark Horse, DC Comics, Oni Press, IDW, BOOM, Vault Comics, and Heavy Metal.
Is World Monster HQ a publisher?
No, but most of our artists self-publish some of their work. Mini-comics forever!
Is World Monster HQ an agency?
In spite of most of us growing up reading Mad Magazine, we’ve collectively done a wide variety of work for all kinds of clients… even giant corporations! However, we are a collective of artists, not an agency.
What other clients have you had?
Members of our collective have done work for Game Informer, Action City, Target, Best Buy, General Mills, and a vast array of other clients.
Can I pitch you my project?
Have a project you think might interest us? Feel free to contact us and pitch it to us, and maybe we can help out or point you in the right direction. Please note, however, none of us do unpaid work or work on spec. The history of comic art is paved with the corpses of cartoonists who were exploited by unscrupulous business people. At World Monster HQ, we believe in fair compensation, proper credit and retaining ownership of our work and original art unless otherwise negotiated. Our artists all have no shortage of personal projects, and, just as anyone else doing any kind of work would expect, we are compensated for the work that we do for other people.
What do you think about AI?
We believe art can only be made by actual humans, and we do not use AI or consume “art” made with it. Furthermore, since AI is trained on art without the consent of the artists (usually with AI illegally training on copyrighted works), all AI “art” is creepy plagiarism. AI is also deadly boring. If you have any pitch involving the use of AI, please go prompt yourself.
Do you take interns?
Sometimes we offer internships. Unfortunately, we can’t pay interns… we’re a collective, and have no budget for interns or much else. These opportunities have generally gone to cartoonists in MCAD’s comic arts program.
Can I visit your studio?