Zestworld launches commission tool with Amanda Conner and Serena Williams

Zestworld is a digital media platform that launched a few months ago with a combination of newsletters and NFTs and also $9 million in funding. And they have just announced a new feature: a digital commission tool. And it’s launching with an NFT with art by Amanda Conner featuring Serena Williams, and her daughter, Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr, as superheroes. Williams is also the wife of Alex Ohanian, who is a Zestworld investor…and father of Alexis. Keep it all in the family!

As for the tool, it enables “delivery of a print quality digital file with verified authenticity via minting on the environmentally-friendly Polygon blockchain, enabling artist royalties on secondary sales across all platforms where Polygon NFTs are sold.”

So basically, one of the supposed “benefits” of NFTs is just this – allowing for resale royalties when artwork is resold. Zestworld will also get a 2.5% commission from resales. And yes, I know, NFTs are bad. But if they’re going to be around (and they are) at least find something useful for them to do.

They say the tool will allow artists to sell commissioned artwork year round, without relying on the convention circuit. Zestworld artists currently taking commissions include Jim Mahfood, Joëlle Jones, Phil Jimenez, Tania del Rio, Amanda Conner, Eric Canete, and Josh Adams.

Conner had more to say about the project in an LA Times article announcing the project

“First of all, when I was asked to do this I was scared to death,” said Conner. “All I could think of was ‘I’m going to do this … but I really hope she likes this!’ So my first emotion was fear.”

Ohanian, also an investor in Zestworld, wanted a classic superhero. He wanted something “very Kryptonian.”

“I think Alexis mentioned that she was a Supergirl fan, so he wanted something like that,” said Conner.

More quotes:

“Commissions are a vitally important part of the comic artist’s business, and to collectors, they represent the holy grail fan experience,” said Zestworld co-founder Chris Giliberti in a statement. “Between the pandemic and broken supply chains, artists and fans need an improved solution. Our commissions tool not only streamlines ordering and fulfillment, it allows fans to support artists not just when they buy art, but also when they sell it.  Programmed royalties ensure your favorite artist profits as their work appreciates in secondary markets.”

“As a lifelong comics fan and avid collector, I was so personally excited about Zestworld Commissions, I wanted to put in an order right away,” said Alexis Ohanian. “The opportunity to receive a personalized piece of art from one of the industry’s foremost creators did not disappoint.”

Zestworld is also adding a new slate of creators including:

• Jim Mahfood – Known for his his creator-owned comic book series Grrl Scouts and his comic strip Stupid Comics, he’s also done work for Marvel Comics on various Spider-Man titles, including Ultimate Marvel Team-Up and Spectacular Spider-Man.

• Joëlle Jones – Eisner-nominated artist known for Lady Killer and her recent work on Batman. Jones has also sketched for fashion designer Prada, and illustrated for Marvel, Boom, Vertigo, Oni Press and The New York Times

• Josh Adams – Winner of the 2022 Pulitzer Prize in Illustrated Reporting and Commentary for his work on “I Escaped a Chinese Internment Camp,” Adams is an acclaimed, Ringo-nominated comic book artist who has drawn for Marvel Entertainment, DC Comics, Syfy, Random House, and more.

• Tania del Rio –  Known for her work with Archie Comics, Dark Horse, and Marvel, del Rio is best known for her work writing and drawing the 42-issue manga-inspired run of Sabrina the Teenage Witch: The Magic Within.

They join existing Zestworld creators Peter J. Tomasi, Alex Segura, Eric Canete, and Amanda Conner & Jimmy Palmiotti. Phil Jimenez’s OTHERWORLDS series will debut exclusively on Zestworld in July.

Love ’em or hate ’em – and there seems to be no in-between – people are set on finding new ways to use NFTs.

Here’s more artwork of the Zestworld projects: