So Capcom is a game company that has been around since I was very young, I grew up playing a lot of their games and I still play a lot of their games. One of there series that started when I was very young was Mega Man. Although Mega Man is a 3rd party video game character, many people would consider him one of the classic gaming icons, and you can expect to find him in any modern interpretation of gaming history.
Over the course of the years Capcom (in collaboration with Udon) has released a number of art books based around their different games, each containing game based art by a slew of amazing artists from all around the world. Their art books are always impressive. In recent years, they’ve started producing Tribute art books, by the fans and for the fans.
First there was a Street Fighter art book. I didn’t know about this book till after it was released but when I picked it up in our local book store, I was blown away by all the art inside. Clearly Capcom/Udon were on a quest to collect art from some of the top known artists as well as some of the top artists no one had ever heard of.
Soon after they did another tribute book for a less popular, but equally fun and creative game called Darkstalkers. I game I enjoyed in my youth and this time I was excited and ready to submit some art. I joined the masses and sent in several pieces I’d worked hard on, but to no avail. No small wonder, again, when I picked up the book in store I was blown away by the talent they’d found. I was disappointed, but excited for all those who had achieved their dream of seeing their art in print, along side some of the greats.
Earlier this year I found out they were opening up the doors for their next tribute art book. Mega Man.
As I said previously, I grew up playing Mega Man and felt it would be an honor if I could help to celebrate a character I’d devoted so much time to as a child, and still admired as an adult. I’d seen the first 2 tribute books and knew there would surely be more artists and more talent trying to earn their piece of nerd glory, but I was determined to give it everything I had.
I spent the following months thinking, sketching, drawing, and repeating the process. Amongst all the work I put in, I came to 5 completed pieces that I felt were worth submitting. I sent them all in, and then began the wait.
Due to some unfortunate snafu’s they were unable to announce the chosen when they intended. They asked us to wait patiently and keep our submissions under wraps until they could put our minds at ease. Days quickly turned to weeks. I found myself checking their website constantly and anxiously, hoping and waiting. Artists the world over fell silent with bated breath as 1 by 1 others began to give in. Every day I saw new Mega Man art posted online as others gave up hope and tried to end their anxiety.
Still I waited. Everyday I tried to remind myself to stay confident and patient. It was hard… but it was worth it. Well over a month later, after I’d given up on checking daily, I came home to an email that took me completely by surprise. I was one of the chosen.
And so now, as the book is being printed and prepped for its release at the 2011 Comic-Con (Jly 21-24), again I wait. This time, however, instead of waiting with anxiety and perhaps fear; I wait with joy and confidence.
I can’t post the image that made it into the book but here are some of the piece I did that weren’t selected.
Weight of the World
Night Attack
Weekend at Wilys
Mega Man Zero Art Nouveau
If anyone is interested in picking up a copy you can preorder it here.
Hardcover (There will also be a paperback for those who’d prefer to wait.)
Hard work pays off. Congratulations to all the artists who made it in and to all the artists who didn’t, keep it up. Their are so many gifted people out there I hope you get a chance to shine in the next Tribute.
-Danno Out
