Lead Artist -- Reaper (Original Manga/Webcomic IP)

Lead Artist -- Reaper

Reaper is an original manga/webcomic IP developed by Malik Simmon, combining supernatural action, psychological drama, and character-driven storytelling with themes surrounding Black mental health, generational trauma, identity, and the consequences of power. We are seeking a talented and dependable Lead Artist to join the Reaper production team on a long-term freelance/contract basis. This is a chance to be a key creative contributor on an original IP with plans to expand into audio drama and animation. The Lead Artist will work closely with the creator, writer, and production team to translate Reaper's scripts and storyboards into finished sequential artwork. Responsibilities include: Illustrating complete manga/webcomic pages and sequences, creating dynamic action and combat scenes, maintaining consistent character designs, anatomy, proportions, and expressions, creating environments, backgrounds, props, and visual details, meeting established production deadlines, and helping establish and maintain the overall visual identity of Reaper.

The Ideal candidate has strong experience with:

• Manga, manhwa, comics, or webcomics.
• Sequential Storytelling
• Dynamic anatomy and posing
• Action/combat choreography
• Character acting and emotional storytelling
• Background and environment illustration
• Cinematic panel composition
• Long-form or serialized storytelling

Strong sequential-art experience is highly preferred. Character illustration portfolios alone will not be sufficient. We are looking for an artist who can maintain a consistent level of quality across an entire chapter and is interested in building a long-term creative relationship with the project.

Compensation

$2,000 USD fixed rate per completed chapter

Payment will be divided into three production milestones based on 15-page increments. Each milestone requires completion and approval of its assigned pages before payment is released. The final milestone will also include the assembly of the final chapter and the preparation of the required digital, webtoon, and print-ready files.

Target Completion: December 2026

Release Target: Christmas 2026

Application Requirements

Please provide:

1. A portfolio showcasing your strongest work.
2. Multiple examples of sequential comic/manga/webcomic pages.
3. Examples of action or combat scenes, if available
4. Examples demonstrating character consistency and expressive acting.
5. Your availability and estimated production capacity
6. Your preferred workflow and software.
7. A brief introduction explaining your interest in Reaper and why you believe you would be a strong fit for the role.

Applicants may be asked to complete a paid or unpaid artistic test/sample, depending on the stage of the selection process.