Call for Queer Artists: Rev-Share Opportunities and AI-Free Fan Art Features for How to Kill a Superhero
Photo by Cesar Torres. Copyright 2018. And since we are on the subject, this image was made without any generative AI. For more, visit the Cosplay Archives.
A Message from HTKS: Reclaiming Our Space
Let’s be honest: the digital landscape for queer artists is becoming a desert. Platforms like Instagram, X, and TikTok that once promised a community now bury our work under algorithms, shadow-ban "spicy" content, and exploit our creativity.
At How to Kill a Superhero (HTKS), we believe human lived experience is the soul of art. While we explore the edges of new creative tools, we are officially centering human artists. We want to turn this blog into a safe harbor—a curated home where queer talent is celebrated, not just used as "content."
We are looking for creators to join our legacy alongside incredible artists like Nick Agin, Adam Graphite, and Kappiny Art. ---
Two Ways to Collaborate
We are opening two distinct tracks for artists to work with the HTKS brand.
Track 1: The Fan Art Feature (Community & Traffic)
Who it’s for: Illustrators who love the How to Kill a Superhero books and its universe, and want to share their vision.
The Exchange: This is an unpaid track, but it is not a "shoutout" into the void. We will create a dedicated, high-traffic blog post featuring your work, your process, and direct links to your portfolio and commission pages.
The Goal: To send our loyal, niche fanbase directly to you, bypassing the social media algorithms that hide your work. And most importantly, to create opportunities inside our LGBTQ community that is decolonized from tech bro culture, big tech and platform monopolies.
Track 2: Visionary Collaborators (Paid Rev-Share + Secret Zine)
Who it’s for: Professional illustrators and designers interested in book covers and merchandise.
The Partnership: You will design official covers or merchandise (T-shirts, prints, etc.).
The Compensation (The "Protective" Clause): We offer a 20% Revenue Share of Net Profit for every item sold featuring your design.
Note: "Net Profit" is defined as the sale price minus the actual cost of goods, third-party platform fees (e.g., Printful/Shopify), and shipping/taxes. This ensures a sustainable partnership where the artist is paid fairly for every successful sale.
The Contract: All collaborators will sign a clearly written, "plain-English" legal contract that guarantees your 20% share and outlines the ownership of the artwork.
The Inner Circle: All paid collaborators get an automatic invitation to our Secret Zine Project—a curated physical anthology of queer superhero art.
Our Commitment: 100% Human-Centered
We acknowledge the controversy surrounding AI in the fetish and superhero space. Our policy is simple: We want the human touch. We are looking for the "heat" and the heart that only a queer creator can bring to a canvas. No AI-generated submissions will be accepted for these opportunities. We want the HTKS web site to be a home where people can discover new queer visual artists and fresh talent.
How to Apply
Ready to join the HTKS Collective? Please follow the instructions below:
Option A: Fan Art Submissions
If you have HTKS fan art or want to pitch a feature, email us at our contact page. Please include a link to your portfolio and any specific HTKS characters you love drawing.
Option B: Rev-Share Application
To be considered for covers, merch, and the Secret Zine, email us at our contact page. Please include a link to your professional portfolio or shop. Let us know if you have experience with print-on-demand or book cover design.
