Every once in a while, a person has an idea that is so good and so special and so outta-this-world genius that it makes you think, “Why hasn’t someone done that before, it’s brilliant!” I am not that person, but creator Scott Morse is, and his latest idea for San Diego Comic-Con is about to knock the convention world off its axis.

Instead of his usual run-of-the-mill commissions at San Diego Comic-Con, Morse will be drawing one-page comics for a book titled This Ink Runs Cold. He’ll be creating the comics right in front of attendees, among the cacophony of the exhibit hall.

Here’s the kicker though. The comics he’ll be drawing could be written by YOU. 

Morse is currently taking submissions for stories for this book, short stories, to be specific. Very short, like, no more than six panels. So he’s talking about short scenes, quick interactions, or as he puts it, “something VISUAL with some PUNCH. CRIME or SCI-FI, and you know me, I love old-timey versions of both.”

Morse will be making the decisions for which stories he will include in the book, but expect to participate in the process, as it is just as much your story as it is his. This is your shot to work with an artist and navigate how to collaborate.

After the convention, the good folks at Allen Spiegel Fine Arts will be printing the book in a bande dessignée-style hardcover. Not only will you get a copy of this book, but you’ll also be making a small cut of the profits. Next, the pages from the comic will be made for sale with the writers getting “first dibs” on their stories at a discounted rate. 

This project is in honor of Allen Spiegel, founder of Allen Spiegel Fine Arts, publisher, artist representative, champion of the arts and mainstay at the San Diego Comic-Con for over 40 years. Tragically, Spiegel passed away just days after the 2023 convention at age 73, leaving behind a legacy of nurturing creativity out of others and a love for illustration and graphic novels.

Don’t delay, submissions are due by July 19. This could be your chance, don’t let the ink run cold.