✭ Status: CONTRIBUTORS APPS OPEN!! ✭

A Star-system zine featuring art and writing about the various works of Osamu Tezuka!!

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Zine Info & specs

This zine is a charity project, with all proceeds donated to Zahrat Alhun Mutual Aid. The final project will be both a physical 6” x 9” booklet and a digital edition, accompanied by physical/digital merchandise.Contributors are guaranteed to receive a free PDF zine and digital bundle. Our goal is also to provide a complimentary physical bundle as part of your compensation, and while this depends on final sales and budgeting, we are committed to doing our best to make this happen.The zine’s theme will take inspiration by celebrating the works of Osamu Tezuka. We are looking for 25 page artists (including guest artists) 4 - 6 merch artists, and 3-5 writers to bring this vision to life._{⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎}

General Contributors Guidelines

✭ Respect & Inclusion ✭While some of Tezuka’s works reflect outdated and harmful stereotypes rooted in racism and colonialism, this zine will not allow any replication or promotion of such depictions. Contributors must portray all cultures, including Black people and African civilizations, with respect. The mod team acknowledges these issues in Tezuka’s history but is committed to ensuring the TEZUKAVERSE remains a safe, inclusive, and welcoming place for all fans._{⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎}✭ Allowed Content ✭Contributors will be assigned specific roles, with each expected to provide original, SFW/PG-13 content that follows the zine’s guidelines.Applicants who create or engage with pedopornography (loli/shota), incest/pedocriminal ships, or discriminatory content (e.g., racism, homophobia, transphobia) will not be accepted.Within the zine, no discriminatory or AI-generated content is allowed; shipping is welcome if it abides by the rules,but it should not be the central focus of your proposals. Artistic nudity may be considered on a case-by-case basis_{⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎}✭ General Portfolio & Sample Guidelines ✭When applying, we ask that you submit 3-5 samples of your work for consideration. You may also include a portfolio link, though note that only your selected 3-5 samples will be evaluated during the selection process.All samples and portfolio links must be publicly accessible. No account sign-ins or permission requests should be required. If you’re unsure, a public Google Drive folder works well.While sample portfolios may include NSFW material, these should be tagged appropriately, and keep in mind the zine content itself will remain SFW. Any generative AI samples are strictly prohibited.
Samples do not need to feature Tezuka-related works though they are always welcome and appreciated.

Page Artists Guidelines

Both traditional and digital media are welcome; however, all final submissions must be delivered in a digital format. Traditional artwork should be scanned at an appropriate DPI to preserve quality and sized appropriately for a 6” x 9” book layout.Comics are also allowed and encouraged. All comics should follow a left-to-right reading format to maintain consistency with the rest of the zine. Comic artists will be responsible for both writing and illustrating comics ranging from 1 to a maximum of 4 pages. Completed comics must be submitted at a digital, print-ready resolution to ensure they reproduce cleanly within the zine itself.Spot artists will collaborate closely with 1-2 writers to create 2-3 small illustrations to accompany each of their texts. The illustrations are typically character-focused and do not necessarily require backgrounds, though they may be included if desired. Decorative elements or detail-focused pieces related to the writing are also welcome._{⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎}✭ Page Artist Portfolio & Sample Guidelines ✭In addition to the General Portfolio & Sample Guidelines above, please select your best finished pieces, as works-in-progress or sketches are not ideal for judging. Choose samples that highlight qualities suited to polished illustrations, such as:✭ Strong composition,
✭ Effective use of color and value,
✭ Detailed and fleshed-out backgrounds,
✭ Technical competency in areas like anatomy and perspective,
✭ Interesting stylization,
✭ Storytelling
✭ Ability to complement writing_{⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎}✭ Comic Artists Samples & Portfolio Guidelines ✭In addition to the General Portfolio & Sample Guidelines above, at least some of your samples must be in a comic format. Please select your best finished pieces, as sketches or work-in progress are not ideal for judging. Choose samples that highlight qualities particularly suited for comics, such as:✭ Strong storytelling,
✭ Effective visual narration,
✭ Clear reading flow,
✭ Ability to craft a complete short story within a limited number of pages,
✭ Demonstrated technical skill,
✭ Expressive character work,
✭ Thoughtful page composition._{⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎}✭ Spot Artists Samples & Portfolio Guidelines ✭In addition to the General Portfolio & Sample Guidelines above, please select your best finished pieces, as works-in-progress or sketches are not ideal for judging. Choose samples that highlight qualities suited to spot illustrations, such as:✭ Effective use of color and value,
✭ Technical competency in areas like anatomy and perspective,
✭ Interesting stylization,
✭ Storytelling_{⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎}

Merch Artists Guidelines

We’re planning for a maximum merch bundle, so contributors can get a sense of scale. Here’s what we’re aiming for:✭ Up to 3 individual stickers
✭ Up to two sticker sheets
✭ Up to 2 mini prints
✭ 5-7 trading cards
✭ 1 acrylic charm
✭ Up to 2 buttons or an acrylic/enamel pinWe’ll also leave wiggle room for digital merch! Artists who’d rather design wallpapers, icons, or other digital goodies are welcome to do so!_{⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎}✭ Merch Artists Samples & Portfolio Guidelines ✭In addition to the General Portfolio & Sample Guidelines above, we highly recommend including merchandise examples, and good quality photos are appreciated for physical items.When selecting samples, choose pieces that best showcase qualities suited to merchandise, such as:✭ Strong color use
✭ Design readability (especially at smaller scales)
✭ Ability to create simplified or chibi characters
✭ Appealing stylization_{⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎}

Writers Guidelines

This project will feature between three and five authors, each bringing their own voice and perspective. Additional page space is reserved for spot art- smaller illustrations that highlight and enrich the writing. These pieces will be handed separately from the larger, full-page artwork, ensuring that both the text and visuals compliment one another without competing for space.Submissions should follow the project's formatting guidelines to ensure consistency across all contributions. Writings should be approximately 1,500 words or seven 6” x 9” pages maximum. Writers should keep these standards in mind with drafting and editing their work so that the final layout remains balanced and cohesive._{⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎}✭ Writers Samples & Portfolio Guidelines ✭
In addition to the General Portfolio & Sample Guidelines above, please submit only finished samples (excerpts, vignettes, or standalone pieces) rather than full stories. These should reflect your style, voice, and technical ability.Final pieces will be ~1,500 works or up to seven 6” x 9” pages, so keep these standards in mind when choosing samples. Strong submissions will showcase qualities like:✭ Voice,
✭ Pacing,
✭ Clarity,
✭ Descriptive skill,
✭ Characterization
✭ Ability to compliment visuals._{⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎}

✭ General ✭✭ Q: What is a "zine"?
"Zine" comes out of "magazine". Zine means a small magazine usually made by oneself or in a group of people, and often about a niche subject.⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎✭ Q: What is this zine's theme?
This zine is focused on the works, characters, and stories of the "God of Manga", Osamu Tezuka!!⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎✭ Applications & Contributors ✭✭ Q: Do I need prior zine experience to apply?
Not at all! Everyone starts somewhere, first-timers are welcome.⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎✭ Q: Is there an age limit for applicants?
This zine is open to applicants ages 16 and up. Since it is all-ages and strictly SFW, minors are welcome, but they must confirm they are permitted to receive mail in case physical contributor compensation is offered.⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎✭ Q: How many contributors will you be accepting?
The project will feature 25 page artists, including guest artists, as well as 3-5 writers and 4 - 6merch artists.⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎✭ Q: What about pinch hitters?
We’ll decide how many pinch hitters to recruit based on Interest Check results and final application numbers.⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎✭ Q: Will contributors be compensated?
All proceeds from the zine will be donated to Zahrat Alhanun Mutual Aid, but contributors will still receive compensation in the form of a free PDF zine and digital bundle. While contributor compensation beyond this is our end goal, it cannot be fully guaranteed at this stage due to factors such as cost and budgeting.⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎✭ Q: Are NSFW artists allowed to apply?
Yes (as long as you don't break our guidelines)! Note that since the zine is aimed at a SFW audience/gen we'll ask that your samples and portfolio are SFW.⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎✭ Q: Is Black Jack canon level gore allowed?
Light medical gore in the style of Black Jack will be allowed, but content must remain within the zine’s overall SFW approach. Anything beyond mild or thematic medical elements will not be permitted.⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎✭ Communication ✭✭ Q: How will communication work during the creation of the zine?
All communication and organization will be over Discord in the zine's dedicated server. This is to make things more organized and be sure all are in one place.⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎