Winners: Top Cow Talent Hunt 2019

Top Cow Productions is proud to announce the winners and runners-up for the 2019 Talent Hunt. The semi-annual competition continues Top Cow’s tradition of giving aspiring creatives a hand up, paid work, and the opportunity to work on some of the most iconic characters like The Darkness.

“Helping people turn their passion into their profession has been one of the most rewarding things we do here at Top Cow,” said company founder Marc Silvestri. “Congrats to all the creators that participated—and thank you to all the fans that support their efforts!”

“Always a pleasure to give someone a break!” Top Cow president/chief operating officer Matt Hawkins said. “Every year I’m impressed by the quality of entries we receive. Looking forward to doing it again.”

This year’s competition garnered over 500 submissions, Top Cow Talent hunt judge Ryan Cady returned to help Matt and Marc pick the finalists. “I know that I say this every year, but this might be the best batch of submissions we’ve ever had,” Cady said. “Though we had to select only a small handful of winners, there’s a whole crop of incredible talent about to break into this industry. I can’t wait to see what they come up with.”

The Top Cow Talent Hunt winners and runner-up in the artist category:

Artist Winner: Gabriele Falzone

About: Gabriele Falzone is a 24-year-old Italian illustrator from Siracusa. He attends the Scuola del Fumetto in Milan. He started his career in 2017 with Gamble, published by ALT!—and illustrated La Rabbia in 2018 through Shockdom.

“I’m truly honored to have been chosen among so many artists from around the world. Thanks to all the Top Cow team for this is a great opportunity!”

Artist Runner-up: Farid Karami

About: Farid is a 26-year-old artist who has worked in animation with the aspirations to work in the comic book industry.

“I still can’t believe it. Thanks to the Top Cow Production team for this opportunity and great honor. I am forever grateful.”

The Top Cow Talent Hunt winners and runner-up in the writing category:

Writer Winner: Adam Breen

About: Adam is a writer from Dublin, Ireland. He has a degree in English and Film. As a writer, he has an ever-increasing pile of comics to read that threatens to consume his home. He enjoys movies and using his bio to say hi to his wife, Hey Sharon!

“I am deeply honored to be one of the winners in this years’ Top Cow Talent Hunt! It was a massive shock that I’m still recovering from! I’m very excited to work with so many talented people and I cannot wait to collaborate with them and help bring the story to life.”

Writer Runner-up: Rob Pilkington

About: Rob Pilkington is an LA-based writer whose comic work is featured in Cloudscape Comics’ Life Finds A Way anthology, Red Stylo Media’s What Fresh Hell Is This? anthology, and a yet-to-be-announced project with TKO Studios. His screenwriting has been recognized in the Academy’s Nicholl Fellowship semifinals and in Hollywood’s annual survey of buzzy unproduced genre screenplays, The Blood List.

“Even as a starry-eyed 90s kid in my local comic shop, Top Cow was always a boss-level presence. I’m beyond excited to be the Talent Hunt Runner-up and contribute a tiny part to the Top Cow Universe.”

These winners and runners-up will join the ranks of industry juggernauts that have reached critical acclaim like Isaac Goodhart (Catwoman), Tini Howard (X-Men), and Stephanie Phillips (A Man Among Ye).

Details for the 2021 Top Cow Talent Hunt will be released in the fall.