So you want to impress the powers that be over at Marvel comics by showing them you’re the next great Michael Turner? It takes more than talent alone to attain a dream job working for the house that Stan & Jack built. You’ll need a killer portfolio, the right attitude, and someone to hand deliver you to the editorial board.

Luckily, Marvel “Scout” Jim McCann braved the horrors of driving alongside 70-mph death machines piloted by oblivious soccer moms (a.k.a. Nashville Traffic) to share his advice for aspiring creators this weekend at the Nashville Horror Convention. He’s also there talking to fans, answering questions, and reviewing portfolios that could end up on the desks of Marvel editors.

It’s not hard to see why McCann knows what editors are seeking in an artist. He has over four years experience in the sales, marketing, and communications side of Marvel, 20 years of dedication as a Marvel fanboy, and will soon debut his first full-length comic What If? House of M co-authored by Brian Reed. And while McCann can’t reconcile the fan reaction to Spider-Man‘s marital situation, he can offer plenty of tips for aspiring creators trying to break into the industry.