One of our most frequently asked questions is, “How do I order a commission from…?” The answer is always, “Mileage may vary.” Some artists have a very casual process — just shoot a message over social media DMs or email. And be sure to check out our full list of artists with Open Pre-Convention Lists.

Others have a very specific set of procedures they’d like their customers to follow. Legendary comic book artist Todd Nauck falls squarely into the latter category. Nauck will be taking commissions during the convention this year (not before), and will have a very limited number of spots open each day.

Here’s a breakdown of the process to get on Todd Nauck’s SDCC 2025 Commission List:

Prerequisites

Before we begin, there are a few considerations:

• You must be attending San Diego Comic-Con 2025. Nauck will not ship any commissions; they have to be picked up in-person in Artists Alley at Table #II-01.
• Only one Exhibitor will be selected each day with all other spots going to Attendees. Badges and I.D. will be checked on pick-up.

Getting on the List

With that in mind, let’s get that commission locked in. First, you’ll need to get one of those coveted commission spots Nauck offers each day. How do I do that? I’m glad you asked:

Code Word

The night before each day of the convention, Nauck will post an announcement on his website (toddnauck.com) at 8:00pm PT opening his commissions for the next day. This post will contain a code word that must be included in the subject line of the email sent to request a spot. That code word is only good for the next day’s requests, and a new code will be posted each night. In other words,

• Wednesday’s code word is good for the email to request a spot on Thursday’s list only.
• Thursday’s code word is good for the email to request a spot on Friday’s list only.
• Friday’s code word is good for the email to request a spot on Saturday’s list only.
• Saturday’s code word is good for the email to request a spot on Sunday’s list only.

Email

Now that we know what goes in the Subject of the email, let’s fill in the rest of the blanks.

An email with the next day’s code word in the Subject must be sent to [email protected] to request a spot for the next day. Nauck requests that email contain the following information:

1. Your name
2. Specify whether you’re and Attendee or Exhibitor (see Prerequisites above)
3. Type of commission you’d like (see below)
4. Name of the character you’d like him to draw
5. At least three alternate characters in case Nauck is unable to draw your first choice
6. Specify if you would like your commission on an art board provided by the artist, or if you’ll be providing your own sketch cover or sketch book
7. List which days you’re attending SDCC 2025

If Nauck replies to your email, this means he’s added you to his list of commissions for the following day. He’ll also provide you with payment options and instructions to lock in your order. If he doesn’t pick you one day, don’t panic; you can send an email to request a spot each day Nauck posts a code word.

You must check in at Table #II-01 in Artists Alley with your badge and I.D. to complete your order and arrange to pick up your commission. Nauck will draw your commission that day in the Exhibit Hall or evening at his hotel for pick-up the following day. If you’re a no-show at check-in, Nauck will offer your commission spot to customers at his table.

Commission Options

Here’s the (see below) part for #3 in the list above (see above). Aren’t cross-references fun?

Nauck is currently offering the following options for his convention commissions:

• Head shot, profile, pencil sketch on 6″x9″ art board or on your sketch cover comic: $50
• Remarque (3”x3” roughly) on your comic book cover, acrylic paint line art profile head: $60
• Remarque (3”x3” roughly) on your comic book SKETCH cover, black and white line art head: $50
• Remarque (3”x3” roughly) on your comic book SKETCH cover, Copic marker full color head: $80
• Head shot black and white on 7″x10″ (roughly) art board or on your sketch cover comic: $100
• Head shot color Copic markers on 7″x10″ (roughly) art board or on your sketch cover comic: $150
• CGC grading (or other comics grading services) for commissions drawn on sketch covers, add $20 to the commission price. This does not include the comics grading service’s fee. Check with your comics grading service to see what they charge to grade a sketch cover commission.

Consolation

If you don’t get selected for Nauck’s commission list during SDCC 2025, he’ll still have lots of his art for sale. You’ll find original 11″x17″ comic book art pages, limited edition art prints, and some pre-drawn 9″x12″ commissions for sale at Table #II-01 in Artists Alley, so there’s no need to contemplate ritual hari-kari. Trust the process, and you’ll be fine. Good luck!