Exclusive: Marvel and DC Comics illustrators reveal the secret to landing the job

• Bernard Chang and Chad Hardin — comic illustrators for both Marvel and DC Comics — told Business Insider India what it is like to work in these iconic franchises and what it takes to find a job there.
  
• Both Chang and Hardin are paid per project and specialise in creating the caricatures for specific characters.
  
• Hardin has worked with four big companies including Marvel, DC Comics and Boom.While Chang has been with both Marvel Comics and DC Comics where he worked on famous characters like the X-Men, New Mutants, Cable, and Deadpool.

Marvel Comic Universe and DC have been luring people with their fascinating superheroes — Iron man, Doctor Strange, Black Widow, Batman, Harvey Quinn — for years now. And since these are among the best comic companies in the world it is nearly impossible to get a job.

Bernard Chang and Chad Hardin — comic illustrators for both Marvel and DC Comics — told Business Insider India what it is like to work in these iconic franchises and what it takes to find a job there. Both Chang and Hardin are paid per project and specialise in creating the caricatures for specific characters.

Hardin has worked with four big companies including Marvel, DC Comics and Boom. He is popularly known for drawing Harley Quin’s character in the Batman series. While Chang has been with both Marvel Comics and DC Comics where he worked on famous characters like the X-Men, New Mutants, Cable, Deadpool, Superman, Supergirl, and Wonder Woman. At present, he is working on Presents:Deadman, part of the DC.

If you have been enamored by the Marvel or DC superheroes here’s what you need to do to get a job:

Learn to draw everything

Chang strongly believes that anybody who aims to work with Marvel or DC should know how to draw all the things we come across daily.

“It is very difficult to become a comic illustrator with Marvel or DC. Not only do you have to learn how to draw superheroes but also environment, cars, buildings, clothes. It is a very skill specific career. So if it’s your dream job to work at Marvel or DC you should learn to draw everything,” said Bernard Chang.

Brush up your skills
People who wish to learn with Marvel Or DC might not get a chance. According to Chad, ‘Marvel or DC do not want people who wish to learn. They would rather choose someone who is a professional and have excellent skills.

“You will have to prove to them that you can do it. They (Marvel or DC) don’t need to teach you. So you need to prove to Marvel or DC that you are capable of creating comics without their help. When they know, they will invite you to work for them,” said Chad.

Be active on social media
According to Chad, MCU and DC both religiously look after people who post their work on social media. Hence, having a heavy presence on Instagram or Facebook might help you get the dream job even if you don’t know anybody.

“Marvel and DC keep an eye on social media for people who stand out. If you are already are into comics you need to show your work to them using a strong social media portfolio,” said Chad.

Learn how to market yourself
Apart from social media presence, people also need to keep a tab on the changing tech so that they can understand where can they market themselves.

“What’s working now may not work in the future — like right now it’s instagram but that might change,” said Chad.