I meant to post part of this entry last week, but have been busy at work and with the writing. I have been really good about sticking to my goal of writing four pages a day, and the result is amazing. I reworked parts of Black Jack issue five, and am nearly complete with the first full issue of Freedom Guard.
Some of you may remember Freedom Guard from a blurb in the first issue of Bloods Own or through the prints we sell at cons. This book has been through more rewrites and revamps than anything else I have ever done. I at one time had seven different word docs saved on my computer all with a different version of the first issue. One showcased only the villain while another took place fifty years ago and spotlighted a completely different team roster. The concept began simply enough as a homage to some of the classic characters from old stories like Weird War Tales with classic characters like GI Robot and the Creature Commandoes. Over the past few years it has slowly evolved and taken on a life of its own. I feel I finally have a good grasp of who these characters are, and why they are a part of this book. Along with rewriting the first issue for the last time (I swear) I have been busy plotting future issues. I have a multiple page outline consisting of about sixty issues. That’s five years worth of stories, and I haven’t even reached the end yet!
One unique aspect of Freedom Guard that I am striving for is to bring back the try monthly serial. To echo the sentiments of Grant Morrison, most comics these days have become a story board for movies. The comic book medium is completely unique and I feel a part of is becoming lost. Why make Kick Ass a comic first, when it was obviously intended to be a movie? At the rate Kick Ass hits the stands the movie will be on DVD before the first story arc is even completed. I am not trying to knock Kick Ass as a story because I am enjoying the shit out of it. I am simply trying to state that you will probably never see a Freedom Guard movie, and that is entirely the point.
For the most part Freedom Guard is good to go; all I need is an artist willing to draw that many pages. Anyone out there want to draw 1,320 pages for free?
A new JLA creative team? I read a rumor about the possibilities of a new creative team for what should be DC’s flagship title on Rich Johnston’s column, “Lying in The Gutters” at comicbookresources.com. According to Rich, Geoff Johns and Jim Lee will be an upcoming creative team on the book. This has the potential to be awesome! Geoff Johns is one of the best Super Hero writers in comics today, and Jim Lee was a major player in revolutionizing the comics industry back in the early nineties with the launch of Image Comics.
Remember Jim Lee and Chris Claremont’s X-men #1 from back in 1990. It still remains the best selling single issue of all time by selling about five million copies.
A high profile comic these days will sell about hundred-thousand copies. Last years the big seller was Marvels secret Invasion #1, which sold about two-hundred and fifty thousand copies. Of course cover prices are very different as well X-men #1 came with a cover price of $1.50 where as Secret Invasion #1 had a $3.99 cover price. Besides the variance in cover price, comics seemed to be a different beast back; it was not uncommon for hot first issue to sell a million plus copies. That bubble burst back in the mid nineties for better or worse (that’s a topic for a different day).
Do I think A JLA relaunch with Jim Lee and Geoff Johns will sell five million copies? God do, but I do think it will kick major ass. I think it will give the JLA the juice it needs to be the company’s flagship title it should be. I know I’d be in line to purchase my copy.
Look for a copy of Black Jack at a retailer near you very soon. We just reprinted about a thousand copies and are in the process of getting them into stores around the Des Moines area. I am even branching out to other retailers across the state and (hopefully) even regionally. I have put together a new order form and sending that out along with a complimentary copy of the book. I will start doing this next week. I have no idea what the response will be like, but am optimistic. If anyone stumbles across this from out there in the wide open US of A and is interested in getting a copy of the book, please drop me a line.
We are working on having them available to order through the website as well, but as with everything else regarding our website, it is a slow and tedious process.
One of my favorite days of the year is fast approaching and that is Free Comic Book Day. FCBD is the first Saturday in May, and is a great opportunity to introduce new generations to the medium as well as re-enlist older readers. Some retailers throw huge parties, with giveaways, contests, guest creators on site signing books. As far as I know the local retailers around here have never really put much effort into FCBD in the past, but hopefully that can change this year. I have been speaking at length with my friend and comic shop owner, Jason Shreve is going balls out this year with a live radio feed, discounts on merchandise, and local talent on hand signing books, and doing sketches. I will be there as well with copies of both Black Jack and Bloods Own. Aside from the comics we will have some shirts made specifically for this event. Depending on how well they sell, we may produce more with different images on the. I think the first is a Black Jack wanted poster. Anthony Lucia will be there along with his new pinup gallery he’s been working on. They look amazing and are definitely worth checking out. I may try and hit up another local retailer as well, but have not yet finalized those plans, so there will more details to follow as we get closer to the big day.
So X-men Origins: Wolverine will be hitting theatres soon, which I am quite excited for. Even more so now that Hasbro has released their new toys based on the movie. These toys have great articulation and are about the same size as the old school GI Joe figures I grew up obsessing over. So far I have picked up a Wolverine, Maverick (one of my favorite characters), and a bizarre Deadpool figure that I pretend is a new character all together. I thought about calling him X-assin.
Aside from the figure Marvel has released its new Wolverine series called Wolverine: Weapon X. The series is written by fan favorite, Jason Aaron (Scalped, Ghost Rider), and illustrated by the wicked talented Ron Garney. The two creators previously worked together on a very popular Wolverine Arc titled “Get Mystique” where Wolverine set out across the world to do just that. The run was chock full of intrigue, action, and awesome surprises. A beautiful variant cover by Adam Kubert was released as well, and since I couldn’t decide between the two covers I bought both despite the 3.99 price tag. Needless to say I loved it, and can’t wait for the next issue.
Aaron does a great job in this issue with setting the stage, introducing us to a new group of high-tech mercenaries with a secret, but bloody agenda. When we meet Wolverine in this issue we are quickly reminded why he is such a timeless character. Aaron reintroduces us to Maverick, one of wolverine’s old allies from his Weapon X days who sets wolverine on the path to tracking down these Mercenaries.
I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention Garney’s art, which always impresses me. I first took notice of his work on the “Get Mystique” arc in Wolverine, and that left me simply wanting more. I guess this book is like a wish come true.
The issue itself follows a standard first issue process, though that is not a bad thing by any means. There is great set up for the story and its plot points, introduction to the players, and plenty of action. The issue is easily accessible to those looking to get into a Wolverine Book for the first time. And those that feel Wolverine is overexposed and does not need another ongoing title would truly be missing the beginning of something great by passing on this. For any fan of the character or fan of the creative team this book is well worth the cover price.
Some of you may remember Freedom Guard from a blurb in the first issue of Bloods Own or through the prints we sell at cons. This book has been through more rewrites and revamps than anything else I have ever done. I at one time had seven different word docs saved on my computer all with a different version of the first issue. One showcased only the villain while another took place fifty years ago and spotlighted a completely different team roster. The concept began simply enough as a homage to some of the classic characters from old stories like Weird War Tales with classic characters like GI Robot and the Creature Commandoes. Over the past few years it has slowly evolved and taken on a life of its own. I feel I finally have a good grasp of who these characters are, and why they are a part of this book. Along with rewriting the first issue for the last time (I swear) I have been busy plotting future issues. I have a multiple page outline consisting of about sixty issues. That’s five years worth of stories, and I haven’t even reached the end yet!
One unique aspect of Freedom Guard that I am striving for is to bring back the try monthly serial. To echo the sentiments of Grant Morrison, most comics these days have become a story board for movies. The comic book medium is completely unique and I feel a part of is becoming lost. Why make Kick Ass a comic first, when it was obviously intended to be a movie? At the rate Kick Ass hits the stands the movie will be on DVD before the first story arc is even completed. I am not trying to knock Kick Ass as a story because I am enjoying the shit out of it. I am simply trying to state that you will probably never see a Freedom Guard movie, and that is entirely the point.
For the most part Freedom Guard is good to go; all I need is an artist willing to draw that many pages. Anyone out there want to draw 1,320 pages for free?
A new JLA creative team? I read a rumor about the possibilities of a new creative team for what should be DC’s flagship title on Rich Johnston’s column, “Lying in The Gutters” at comicbookresources.com. According to Rich, Geoff Johns and Jim Lee will be an upcoming creative team on the book. This has the potential to be awesome! Geoff Johns is one of the best Super Hero writers in comics today, and Jim Lee was a major player in revolutionizing the comics industry back in the early nineties with the launch of Image Comics.
Remember Jim Lee and Chris Claremont’s X-men #1 from back in 1990. It still remains the best selling single issue of all time by selling about five million copies.
A high profile comic these days will sell about hundred-thousand copies. Last years the big seller was Marvels secret Invasion #1, which sold about two-hundred and fifty thousand copies. Of course cover prices are very different as well X-men #1 came with a cover price of $1.50 where as Secret Invasion #1 had a $3.99 cover price. Besides the variance in cover price, comics seemed to be a different beast back; it was not uncommon for hot first issue to sell a million plus copies. That bubble burst back in the mid nineties for better or worse (that’s a topic for a different day).
Do I think A JLA relaunch with Jim Lee and Geoff Johns will sell five million copies? God do, but I do think it will kick major ass. I think it will give the JLA the juice it needs to be the company’s flagship title it should be. I know I’d be in line to purchase my copy.
Look for a copy of Black Jack at a retailer near you very soon. We just reprinted about a thousand copies and are in the process of getting them into stores around the Des Moines area. I am even branching out to other retailers across the state and (hopefully) even regionally. I have put together a new order form and sending that out along with a complimentary copy of the book. I will start doing this next week. I have no idea what the response will be like, but am optimistic. If anyone stumbles across this from out there in the wide open US of A and is interested in getting a copy of the book, please drop me a line.
We are working on having them available to order through the website as well, but as with everything else regarding our website, it is a slow and tedious process.
One of my favorite days of the year is fast approaching and that is Free Comic Book Day. FCBD is the first Saturday in May, and is a great opportunity to introduce new generations to the medium as well as re-enlist older readers. Some retailers throw huge parties, with giveaways, contests, guest creators on site signing books. As far as I know the local retailers around here have never really put much effort into FCBD in the past, but hopefully that can change this year. I have been speaking at length with my friend and comic shop owner, Jason Shreve is going balls out this year with a live radio feed, discounts on merchandise, and local talent on hand signing books, and doing sketches. I will be there as well with copies of both Black Jack and Bloods Own. Aside from the comics we will have some shirts made specifically for this event. Depending on how well they sell, we may produce more with different images on the. I think the first is a Black Jack wanted poster. Anthony Lucia will be there along with his new pinup gallery he’s been working on. They look amazing and are definitely worth checking out. I may try and hit up another local retailer as well, but have not yet finalized those plans, so there will more details to follow as we get closer to the big day.
So X-men Origins: Wolverine will be hitting theatres soon, which I am quite excited for. Even more so now that Hasbro has released their new toys based on the movie. These toys have great articulation and are about the same size as the old school GI Joe figures I grew up obsessing over. So far I have picked up a Wolverine, Maverick (one of my favorite characters), and a bizarre Deadpool figure that I pretend is a new character all together. I thought about calling him X-assin.
Aside from the figure Marvel has released its new Wolverine series called Wolverine: Weapon X. The series is written by fan favorite, Jason Aaron (Scalped, Ghost Rider), and illustrated by the wicked talented Ron Garney. The two creators previously worked together on a very popular Wolverine Arc titled “Get Mystique” where Wolverine set out across the world to do just that. The run was chock full of intrigue, action, and awesome surprises. A beautiful variant cover by Adam Kubert was released as well, and since I couldn’t decide between the two covers I bought both despite the 3.99 price tag. Needless to say I loved it, and can’t wait for the next issue.
Aaron does a great job in this issue with setting the stage, introducing us to a new group of high-tech mercenaries with a secret, but bloody agenda. When we meet Wolverine in this issue we are quickly reminded why he is such a timeless character. Aaron reintroduces us to Maverick, one of wolverine’s old allies from his Weapon X days who sets wolverine on the path to tracking down these Mercenaries.
I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention Garney’s art, which always impresses me. I first took notice of his work on the “Get Mystique” arc in Wolverine, and that left me simply wanting more. I guess this book is like a wish come true.
The issue itself follows a standard first issue process, though that is not a bad thing by any means. There is great set up for the story and its plot points, introduction to the players, and plenty of action. The issue is easily accessible to those looking to get into a Wolverine Book for the first time. And those that feel Wolverine is overexposed and does not need another ongoing title would truly be missing the beginning of something great by passing on this. For any fan of the character or fan of the creative team this book is well worth the cover price.
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