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Unfit comic artist search

Weeks ago, Dilbert’s Scott Adams announced that he wanted to find a new artist for cartoonist Mike Belkin’s poorly-drawn comic strip Unfit. He’s now posted sample strips from all the entries. Conspiracies that Belkin is Adams aside, in this cutthroat world of syndicated comic strips, I’m surprised that there are only just over 80 entries. Then again, like me, perhaps many artists were wary of Adams’s vague descriptions of an undetermined cut of the profits and an infamous “just think of the exposure” in lieu of proper payment. Nonetheless, there are some great (and not-so-great) entries. My favourite is the very first sample in the batch, by Jerry King, the art for which perfectly matches the humour, unlike many of the samples which seem to be over-drawn.

See all the entries

  • http://sandwichbag.blogspot.com/ Elliot

    Almost all of these submissions are dreadful.
    Just dreadful.
    I looked about at about half and am dumbfounded by the distinct lack of drawing skills.

  • http://sandwichbag.blogspot.com/ Elliot

    Almost all of these submissions are dreadful.
    Just dreadful.
    I looked about at about half and am dumbfounded by the distinct lack of drawing skills.

  • http://www.chriscockcroft.com/ Chris

    I’m really digging the style of #74 – but yeah, for the most part, the artwork is lacking. Maybe not as much as the original, though…

  • http://www.chriscockcroft.com Chris

    I’m really digging the style of #74 – but yeah, for the most part, the artwork is lacking. Maybe not as much as the original, though…

  • http://stormsillustration.com/ Patricia

    I just find this whole competition extremely depressing. It’s difficult to even try and put it into words.

  • http://stormsillustration.com Patricia

    I just find this whole competition extremely depressing. It’s difficult to even try and put it into words.

  • Jones

    Man, i feel for the future. Even 80 cartoon submissions for people eager to shovel Mr. Dilberts manure are 80 too many. And some of these are really inept.

    Scott Freakin’ Adams. “Think of the exposure!”

  • Jones

    Man, i feel for the future. Even 80 cartoon submissions for people eager to shovel Mr. Dilberts manure are 80 too many. And some of these are really inept.

    Scott Freakin’ Adams. “Think of the exposure!”

  • Uno Momento

    Jerry King’s looks sharp. So I mean no offense by pointing this out:

    The thing is it looks like Glenn McCoy drew it. If Jerry King is a McCoy psuedonym, excuse me. If not, then “The Duplex” is already a syndicated strip. To keener eyes than mine, perhaps the two cartoonists’ work is dissimilar enough. But, my weak eyes say whoa! (as in no).

    To echo what the others above wrote, it is not the greatest of pickings. There are some good ones in the mix though, from beginning to end. But, they don’t seem to be grouped by quality. So you gotta root through them. For instance, go backwards then jump to the middle. Jump ahead then start at the top.

  • Uno Momento

    Jerry King’s looks sharp. So I mean no offense by pointing this out:

    The thing is it looks like Glenn McCoy drew it. If Jerry King is a McCoy psuedonym, excuse me. If not, then “The Duplex” is already a syndicated strip. To keener eyes than mine, perhaps the two cartoonists’ work is dissimilar enough. But, my weak eyes say whoa! (as in no).

    To echo what the others above wrote, it is not the greatest of pickings. There are some good ones in the mix though, from beginning to end. But, they don’t seem to be grouped by quality. So you gotta root through them. For instance, go backwards then jump to the middle. Jump ahead then start at the top.

  • http://jeope.blogspot.com/ Jeope

    Scott Adams thinks something’s poorly drawn? Isn’t that the pot calling the kettle black?

  • http://jeope.blogspot.com Jeope

    Scott Adams thinks something’s poorly drawn? Isn’t that the pot calling the kettle black?

  • Adam

    Now imagine working for a syndicate and seeing this stuff crossing your desk every single day of the year. Poor saps.

  • Adam

    Now imagine working for a syndicate and seeing this stuff crossing your desk every single day of the year. Poor saps.

  • http://www.pajamazzon.com/ Jeremy

    Wow.

    I don’t even know if some of these would make it into a local high school newspaper, they are so poorly drawn.

    By far, the first page is the cream of the crop and it just gets worse the further you progress.

    But then again, I guess any of them are an improvement over the current strip (though the writing is pretty damn funny!)

  • http://www.pajamazzon.com Jeremy

    Wow.

    I don’t even know if some of these would make it into a local high school newspaper, they are so poorly drawn.

    By far, the first page is the cream of the crop and it just gets worse the further you progress.

    But then again, I guess any of them are an improvement over the current strip (though the writing is pretty damn funny!)

  • uno momento

    Isn’t the Internet wonderful? 15 years ago it wouldn’t be easy to see some of the best unknown, undrerrated cartoonists. Nor would you see the untalented ones. Now you can see both easily enough. Somehow even those who were ashamed to show their work now have no fear.

    It is all hilarious. Viva Now!

    Anyhow, I am curious what people think of number 83, Gary Clair. Since that was the first one I saw after seeing one of the original strips, Clair’s submission stands out to me. The panels aren’t crowded except for the too tall or too wide balloons. The chicken character is in a three piece suit and has on glasses–genius. And that simple line for the chest and the excellent gesturing are just something I haven’t noticed since Calvin and Hobbes stopped. Maybe there are others who do great hands and gestures, but, of all those submissions, Clair’s has it going on. I actually want to see more from him.

    Cheers.

  • uno momento

    Isn’t the Internet wonderful? 15 years ago it wouldn’t be easy to see some of the best unknown, undrerrated cartoonists. Nor would you see the untalented ones. Now you can see both easily enough. Somehow even those who were ashamed to show their work now have no fear.

    It is all hilarious. Viva Now!

    Anyhow, I am curious what people think of number 83, Gary Clair. Since that was the first one I saw after seeing one of the original strips, Clair’s submission stands out to me. The panels aren’t crowded except for the too tall or too wide balloons. The chicken character is in a three piece suit and has on glasses–genius. And that simple line for the chest and the excellent gesturing are just something I haven’t noticed since Calvin and Hobbes stopped. Maybe there are others who do great hands and gestures, but, of all those submissions, Clair’s has it going on. I actually want to see more from him.

    Cheers.

  • Craig

    I have to admit when I first followed the link from the Dilbert newsletter to the UnFit comic I didn’t think I’d stick with it. Even so I’m still there every day and I’m enjoying it more and more.

    It’s easy to say that it’s badly drawn but I kinda like it. It’s a little like watching a low budget movie. It helps you concentrate on the content. I really am not a fan of the vast majority of the samples, purely because I’m happy with the look of Mike and Trudy. Anything else is like a high budget remake of a classic b-movie.

  • Craig

    I have to admit when I first followed the link from the Dilbert newsletter to the UnFit comic I didn’t think I’d stick with it. Even so I’m still there every day and I’m enjoying it more and more.

    It’s easy to say that it’s badly drawn but I kinda like it. It’s a little like watching a low budget movie. It helps you concentrate on the content. I really am not a fan of the vast majority of the samples, purely because I’m happy with the look of Mike and Trudy. Anything else is like a high budget remake of a classic b-movie.

  • jc

    well … i m lookin for a person who can do some good pencil sketching…
    my mail id is wineeth@gmail.com

  • jc

    well … i m lookin for a person who can do some good pencil sketching…
    my mail id is wineeth@gmail.com

  • ap

    Scott Adams is sick in the head.

  • ap

    Scott Adams is sick in the head.

  • http://www.4dudesoffcampus.com/ Klaus

    I should’ve submitted something. I didn’t know anything about this at the time.

    Klaus

    http://www.4dudesoffcampus.com
    http://www.theklaus.com

  • http://www.4dudesoffcampus.com Klaus

    I should’ve submitted something. I didn’t know anything about this at the time.

    Klaus

    http://www.4dudesoffcampus.com
    http://www.theklaus.com

  • charlie

    its a comic for krissake—its supposed to look like a five year old drew it

  • charlie

    its a comic for krissake—its supposed to look like a five year old drew it