SICK FREAKS
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SICK FREAKS 〰️
SICK FREAKS Magazine
Issue 1 OUT NOW!!!
With comics by:
Stefani Vlusha
Roland Boles
Linda Kuo
Rania Namoro
Hal Malone
Christine Zito
Shurjo Mukhi
Jess Lin
Jess Lipinsky
SICK FREAKS MAGAZINE
SICK FREAKS is a new comic magazine dedicated to showcasing work by underrepresented creators.
We are happy to announce that SICK FREAKS Magazine is open for submissions! Our second issue’s theme is… HORROR!!! If you’re a marginalized creator, we want to see all your dark, and terrifying comics.
FINAL REQUIREMENTS:
Works by marginalized artists (preference for Baltimore/DMV based)
Between 2-4 pages
Comic/Sequential arts (no prose, must have some visual element)
Riso ready! Black and white (grayscale/gradients OK) files, single layers.
Need help with this? Check out our “Intro to Risograph” page and feel free to email us if you have any questions!
All rights fully owned by the author/artist
Aligned with JJP as a publisher
If you’re in doubt about whether or not your comic would fit in, just pitch it. We have varied tastes!
Accepted artists will be emailed more information on 3/28/2026!
SUBMISSION PACKET:
At least two sample pages
Don’t feel obligated to to submit fully polished work! If we pick your comic, you still may be asked to make edits. Your sample pages do not have to be completely relevant to the theme, but should reflect the type of work you'd be creating.
Logline: 1-3 sentence summary of your comic
Bio: Tell us any previous work, your social media (if any), and anything else that you feel is useful. Please also share a link to your portfolio if you have one.
Contact Information: Please include your IG handle and an email address for us to reply to you!
Submissions due 3/14/2026!
Send your submission to jess@jessjesspress.com with “Issue 2 Submission” in the subject line.
Deadline to submit to the second issue is 3/21/2026
FAQs
Q: What is the pay? Is there an advance?
Pay will vary based on complexity and number of pages. Individual contracts will be sent to selected artists based on discussion
Q: What’s the timeline?
As of right now, the submission period runs from 2/8 to 3/21. Accepted artists will be emailed on 3/28. The working period runs from early April and ends in late May, though this part is subject to change. We are anticipating a release in early Fall 2026.
Q: Can I submit multiple comics for consideration?
No, we are a small team and unfortunately don’t have the capacity for that right now.
Q: Can I submit my comic if it’s available online or has been self-published?
Sure! As long as you fully own the rights and don’t have a deal with another publisher. The comic must be risograph compatible in the two colors chosen for the issue.
Q: I’ve never been published before. Can I still submit?
YES!!! Please! We are looking to support emerging artists.
Q: Will there be feedback if my pitch is not accepted?
No, we are a small team and unfortunately don’t have the capacity for that right now. You will be notified if your submission wasn’t accepted.
Q: Is there a limit to how many pitches will be accepted?
Yes. We will feature 6 artists per issue. 3 will be creatives we’ve met through conventions or workshops, and 3 will be from submissions.
Q: Can I submit a comic that I made with AI?
Hell no.
Q: I have an agent. Should I still submit through open submissions?
You can still apply, but please note that we want to use SICK FREAKS to support marginalized and underrepresented artists.
Please contact us if you have any further questions!