DeviantArt Update - Mahfood colors and more!

Hey, just got a chance to work up some colors for the Jim Mahfood future Super Real variant cover, and though I may touch them up a bit, I posted the pic on DA HERE
I also did a fan art/pin up for Josh Howard's Black harvest after reading issue four!
I dug the pencils on this, but don't really like the way the colors worked out...
I may go back and fix that.
Check it out HERE

SUPER REAL NOTES - Pin-Up Contest update

In addition to a couple great new entries, I've also added comments to each of the entrants.

Please feel free to leave comments on the Pin-Up Contest blog, but please keep them positive.

I've asked the artists to leave comments if they'd like constructive criticism, otherwise, just keep it positive for the ones you'd like to comment on.

IN CASE U MISSED IT: Lindsay is no Wonder Woman...

No sir, she should be Holly Hood, aka participant #1, in the Super Real movie.

The Beat is linking to a report that young actress Lindsay Lohan is hoping to land the Wonder Woman role in the just scripted by Joss Whedon film due next year.

I've often thought, for whatever reason, she'd make a great choice for the title role in the Super Real film. Others come to mind, but she seems to have the right vibe for the character, the right starpower to be a good fit, and is likely to be looking for more mature roles to break out into (as the press release confirms). Call me crazy...
Anyone?
Now if I could only get to that treatment I'm supposed to be working on...

I SAW IT ON TV: Roundup 3/23

Time to check in with the boob tube...

Speaking of boobs...

Hooray!!! Chicken Little is dead!
In perhaps the most surprising American Idol results conclusion yet, the much maligned contestant best known as Chicken Little finally got what was coming to him, the ax!
If only they'd have pulled a real stunner and had the sky fall on him and Bucky...
(Yes, I'm ashamed, but it's true, I'm watching Idol this time... and enjoying it! Go ahead, let me have it!)

Next up
Lost returns

Not a bad little episode, Sun's got more secrets, and the mystery man in tha hatch may just be an "other", or he may not, guess we'll have to tune in next week.

Big Love
Finally caught the first episode of the new HBO paligamy series with Bill Paxton on-demand this week. It was interesting, but not enough. We won't be back for more.

Amazing Race
Amazing Race 9 equals number 1 for me - as in the first time I've watched.
I'd caught bits of it before, and was intrigued, but never the first episode, and since this show really hits the ground running (literally), it took catching it from the start to get into it. Fun stuff.

The Real World
This looks like one of the better seasons, from the cast with some real standouts, to the location, and the weather. I've missed the last 2 weeks, but hope to catch up today.

Heist
This had an interesting cast, a great director behind it (Doug Liman - Mr. & Mrs. Smith, Bourne Identity, Swingers, etc), and an interesting premise - one big heist planned and executed throughout the season, with the thieves and the cops out to get them as the focus.

The first episode last night (reruns on Friday) lived up to most of the promise, but at times the dialogue came off a bit too zingy (either overwritten, or under-acted).
I look forward to more.
Give this one a shot.

Surreal Life 6
This show is hit or miss, when the chemistry is right, as this season appears to be, it's quite entertaining. How can you go wrong with Sherman Hemsley (Mr. Jefferson) and Florence Henderson (Mrs. Brady) sharing space with burnt out rockers, playmates, and hollywood transgenders?
The reality-tv stud pageant selection was a nice touch for the final cast member selection (with Real World's Ace and AI's Paula-humper coming up short as usual).

And last...
Battlestar Frakin Galactica baby!

WOW!
I'm a little late to talk about the season 2 finale, but wow!
They really flipped the script (I'm not 100% on board with the direction, but will certainly give them the benefit of the doubt here, if nothing else it's ballsy), and left us with a big cliffhanger.
The bad thing? Frakin' October for season 3?!?
Fuck, er, I mean... no, I mean FUCK!
Good television, sci-fi or in any genre, it's just that good.

If I'd only learned French

There are so many incredible European Graphic Albums that never make it to the states, it's a crime.

I want to stockpile them, language barrier be-damned, at San Diego this year, but I'll likely not have the funds.

Anyway, that's an image from the Humberto Ramos penciled album that's just out from Soleil.

I really don't understand why more of this stuff doesn't get translated and see release here.

IN CASE U MISSED IT: The Rey VS Buzzscope

Okay, so it's not a fight, and I don't think they're officially called Buzzscope anymore, but over HERE there's a lengthy interview with one of comics more exciting young talents, who's all about the fight comix, Corey (The Rey) Lewis.

Sharknife and Peng were a couple of the highlights from last year, so dig on his stuff if you haven't, or learn more if you have.

IN CASE U MISSED IT: Wizard World LA, a story told with pictures

Here's the one pic of myself you'll likely ever find on my website...
Damn I'm handsome! (an rockin' some new Super Real threads)

The always awesome Jonah Weiland photo parade is up on CBR.cc HERE
It's must see TV for the comic book kids!

IN CASE U MISSED IT: Tilting at Indies

A column that came out over the con weekend, that I haven't made comment on yet, but really want to, was Brian Hibbs Tilting At Windmills on Newsarama.

I follow the column regularly, and generally agree with Brian's assessments of the industry, and comic book retailing. However, this time, I think his summary of a quick study of some market numbers is a bit short sighted, or perhaps misleading.

In the column he takes a look at a Diamond order form from 1989 and compares publishing numbers to today:

it looks like Diamond was soliciting a grand total of 685 items back in '89. That includes comics, books, magazines, all merchandise like videos, shirts, games, and so on. The '06 order form has 4390 items with MAR06 codes - some six times as much.

In 1989, DC offered 60 items, Marvel comics offered 65. That's 125 books from the two publishers. Every other publisher combined offered 262 new titles.

Flash forward to 2006. Same criteria for counting. Marvel and DC are each offering 105 new comics/TPs for sale, for a total of 210 between the two. Every other publisher? 462 new titles.

From this he concludes that the big publishers aren't really crowding independent publishers out, as is often theorized in today's market, and that smaller publishers shouldn't blame bigger publishers for their struggles.

While I'm not sure his first conclusion is entirely correct (I'd at least like to see some more comprehensive data to come to that conclusion), I agree with the last part, I certainly don't look to blame the big publishers for conducting themselves as a business. I do wish the industry leaders weren't just tiny arms of large corporations that are forced to execute short-sighted business plans that do more overall harm then good, but I understand why they do, and I can't blame them for it. It's just an unfortunate truth of today's US comic book industry, the industry leaders have no ability to actually lead the industry.

Any way, he goes on to make the point that independents are their own worst enemies, and that if there is overcrowding, it's at the hands of the independent publishers.

Again, there's truth there.
In the last year we've seen several startups, all dump multiples of titles on the market:
Speakeasy
Alias
Narwain
and more spring to mind.

I guess the part of his argument that really falls down for me is this one:

In much the same way, there are certainly retailers who pretty much only carry Marvel and DC books – but it is a fallacy to believe that if there were less Marvel and DC books that these stores would magically start carrying indies. Not going to happen, chief. They’re limiting their racks choices not because they’ve somehow been brainwashed by the dazzling array from the “Big Two”, but because either that’s the type of material they want to focus on (and like it or not, it is their choice to make) or because they believe that they have to (and long-held beliefs are the hardest to change).

He's keying in on volume here, arguing stores wouldn't likely spend more time or money on smaller publishers if the volume from the big guys decreased is, which is debatable, or certainly questionable, but I think beside the point. I think retailers really ARE dazzled by the big two's current event-driven, big book, reprint, variant heavy output, and it can't help but impact their focus on smaller publishers, irregardless of the ratio of big to small publishing. (And again, I'm not faulting anyone here, just making a logical conclusion)

I think it's up to the independent publishers, as Brian also suggests in the article, to come up with their own solution. To take the fight to the big guys, and not just let them divert everyone's attention from our creative fair to their latest business-driven offerings. We have quality, true creative vision, and if there really are so many of us, and our output does vastly outnumber the big guys, numbers too. So of course there's strength in those numbers, if we utilize it.

It's something I've thought on a lot, and why I jumped at the idea of the Independents Day Campaign.

Also, aside from multitudes of independent publishing resources that could be pooled together, there are tons of disparate indie-publishing-centric websites and associations working to bring attention to smaller publishers. We just need to perhaps tie them together.

Okay, I'm rambling, it's late.
It's just that there really is a growing call to arms, and a need for it in independent publishing, for many reasons.
Hopefully someone, or something, can leverage that.

I'll keep doing my part.

IN CASE U MISSED IT: Super-silly

Apparantley the case between Marvel/DC and Super-Hero Happy Hour (a late great indy book of a couple years back) has closed or something because the suits suddenly all over the news.

Like HERE

It's a weird case, and one that hits kind of close to home...

IN CASE U MISSED IT: Pin-up pile-up

Hey, just updated the Pin-Up-and-Coming Contest entrants blog - HERE

We had some entries come in in the last few days while I was away.

We've got Kit in costume, and out, we've got baggy clothes, and er, lack of clothes...
Have a look

Keep them coming in folks!

SUPER REAL NOTES - WWLA wrap up

I'm back from La-La-Land.

Traveling to conventions, especially alone (as the case may be sometimes for me), is kind of like stepping into a giant blender... you wake up early one morning to catch a flight, and things start moving really fast.
You lug your luggage (loaded to bear with show supplies), check bags, make flights, catch cabs or shuttles, check into hotels, drag your luggage to the con hall, check in, find your space, set up, and get it all done in time for the show. All in the space of a few hours.
Some times there's connecting flights, sometimes there's lines at the con to get your credentials/etc, sometimes there's items shipped to your hotel to wrangle, rental cars, valets, cell phones to keep hold of, information to have handy...
the list goes on and on...
Then the show starts, bam!
You meet your neighbors, catch up with friends, network, fans start to trickle, or sometimes rush in, sales begin, questions, sketches, more networking, panels, more friends, lots of new friends, more networking, more fans, more sketches.
You get the picture.
This goes on for 1 to 5 days, with varying levels of speed and sound (man the PA was all kinds of f'd up in LA). Sometimes things come to a crashing halt, artist alley gets no traffic, your aisle placement may be at the back and get very few people for a while. It messes with your mind, you become almost bi-polar, riding high on the peaks, and ebbing low on the valleys.
Then it's over, time to pack up and make another flight, lug more luggage, wrangle more transportation, etc, etc
It's a 2 hour flight from LA to Portland, but it took over 6 hours to get home, just to give an example of all the drawn out steps.
It's a marathon... (speaking of marathons... how bout that LA marathon going by Wizard World on Sunday? Cool cool!!! Nothin' like holding a con at the center point of an event that shuts down the city!).
It's a marathon.

But you know what?
It's great!
Sure it's a challenge of the body and spirit.
Sure it can be difficult, or frustrating at times, but it's ultimately exciting, and rewarding.
Meeting fans, making new fans, talking to fans about your book, doing sketches for them, meeting fellow creators (aspiring and pro alike), making friends, making contacts, meeting retailers, seeing celebrities (comic or Hollywood), and taking in the spectacle that is a comic book pop culture event (dj's spinning on 2 level booths, karate chicks performing, camera crews filming).
It's a blast!! A real fucking blast!
I love it!

Oh, and oftentimes, being a creator at a comic show is a lot like being locked in a candy store... you're surrounded by all of this stuff you love 24/7, only problem is, it's like you have diabetes! You can't take it all in, that's not why you're there. You've got a long list of things to accomplish, and checking out the con floor is last on the list. Damn!
Any ways...
The consensus on the floor for the 2006 Wizard World LA con was that it was generally underwhelming, not too heavily attended (did I mention the marathon?), and not too profitable. Lucky for me it was perhaps my best con yet! I debuted issue 2 at the show, and sold lots of copies (people seem to really like the Edward Pun variant!), and continued to sell many copies of the 2006 sketchbook (less than 10 remain, looks like I'll have to print up something new, just for SDCC) and issue number 1.
I had a great show, and want to thank every one who stopped by!
THANKS!
It was a pleasure meeting and talking with everyone who stopped by my table!!

And a big thanks to my pal Javier for helping me out on Saturday and taking me to little Tokyo. It was good times! (alas, the manga bookstore was already closed) How can you beat talking about the craft, industry, and love of comics into the early AM at a Japanese kareoke bar, after a kickin day at the show?! (El Muerto number 3 is looking really good btw! I got a peek at the in process pages over dinner. Check out the advance of it at APE Con next month!)

Whoops, and how can I forget the rain?!?
I've done WWLA 2 years in a row, and it's rained both times!
What's up with that?!
And let me just tell you, from all to real, all too funny experience, it's very true about Los Angelino's in the rain... Let me just say, HA!
Next year it better be sunny!


Now it's only 2 weeks to the big NW show, Emerald City Comic Con on April 1st and 2nd. This time, the wife and chihuahua are going, and we have a nice hotel with extra nights. So it should be a much more relaxing affair.


See you at the shows!!
jason

SUPER REAL NOTES - misc

I'm off to LA tomorrow AM, 6:30 to be precise.
Means I have to get up at 4AM.
Last year for my trip to WWLA, I skated in to PDX about an hour before the flight, and was greeted with a horror show... it was spring break-ish, and packed. Lines here, lines there, lines everywhere.
It took a sprint the length of the airport to make my flight.
So tomorrow, I'm trying to avoid that.

The reason I'm flying early?
Well the show opens at 1PM, and I want to get to the convention hall early to set up.

I really like to spend as much time on the show floor as possible, to maximize my opportunities. So the perpetual tardy, last minute guy that normally operates my body, turns into one punctual dude. Go figure.
I must love the shit out of this stuff.

Hope to see some friendly faces in La-La-Land, and make some new ones.
I know my good buddy Jav (Javier Hernandez to all who haven't met the good man), creator of El Muerto:
http://www.elmuerto.com/
will be helping me out Saturday (what a stud!).

I also plan on picking up the original from Mr. Mahfood for his swanky Super Real cover.

Here's the info: Wizard World LA - Friday March 17th thru Sunday 19th, artist alley 1315B (link on the side)


ISSUE TWO FROM ME TO YOU!

Yes, it's here.
After taming the waves of the mighty Pacific ocean, and getting shuffled off to a Seattle warehouse, the copies of our exciting second issue were boosted today by yours truly!

See, long story short, I needsed thems like yesterday times 10, so I trucked up I5 to get em, so's I could ships em out to you fine folk at the comic shops round the world (and still meet my contractually obligated distribution schedule thingy).
Plus, BONUS, I now have them in my hands for WWLA!!!

Otherwise the books would've made their way down to Portland, and Super Real Graphics.com (aka - my house) on their own next week.

I'm dedicated.
Besides, after driving to San Francisco last month for Wondercon, 175 miles each way was nothin!

So yeah, issue two is now in the online store, en route to Diamond (should reach shops Wednesday the 29th), and available from me, in person, at Wizard LA tomorrow!

I'm off to bed to get 5 hours rest...
STAY TUNED!
jason

300 POSTS!!!

Here we are, almost on the one year anniversary of TSL (it kicked off April Fools of '05), and I've reached a huge milestone in blogging... 300 posts!!!

Okay, it's no huge accomplishment, but I would like to take this chance to say thank you to all the readers, and especially those who take the time to comment!

So from all of us here at TSL...

CRISIS IN INFINITE COMIC SHOPS! 3/15

There's a crisis going on in comic shops across America, and indeed the world, the big two publishers are releasing infinite spin-offs, crossovers, and variant covers to squeeze every last hard-earned dollar out of the existing fanbase. It's up to people like me, in our tireless crusade to bring you something different, something independent, something good. This is a list of such items.
Read on, explore, and enjoy!

NOW WITH LINKING, FOR EXTRA-EASE!

BOOM STUDIOS
Planetary Brigade #2 - I've never really read any Giffen/DeMatteis books, they were big durning my dark period. I have signed up for Hero Squared, and if I like that, I'll give this one, their team book, a shot.

DEVILS DUE
Black Harvest #4 - You've gotta give it up to Josh Howard. Not only does he have style, and storytelling chops, but he's also reliable. His books come out on a regular basis, and at a good pace.

DIGITAL NOIXE
Delete #3 - It's a top-heavy chick in a comics-of-the-90's vein, but with a little something extra to make it worth checking out (though it's taken about 2 years for 3 issues...)

FENICKX
Archaic #2 - Met the creators of this interesting goth-tech fantasy title at last year's WWChicago. Check this one out.

IMAGE
Body Bags: 3 the Hard Way One-Shot - Oh yeah, new Pearson baby! Sound the trumpets!!!
Girls #11 - I'd missed 9 and 10, but just picked them up, and it's still a fun read...
Looking Glass Wars: Hatter M #2 - My wife loves the book this is based on, and from what I've seen of the website, this concept is very cool.

IN CASE U MISSED IT: Distribution, where for art thou?

As had been widely reported on comic news sites, and now Newsarama, FM International appears to have closed down. FM being the last distributor to offer new comic books material to direct market comic shops, outside of Diamond.

I'd met Wayne, the owner/operator of FM at some cons, and was looking forward to working with him on Super Real, but as my book came out, their troubles escalated, and nothing ever happened with them.

I've heard talk of various other services that exist, but really only ever heard of FM and COLD CUT as actually doing any real kind of business (outside of Diamond) to the direct market.

I recently, a bit late, sent a pack of books to Cold Cut to potentially set up distribution with them, they offer books that have already been released to their accounts, but I've not heard back from them.

Two groups or services come to mind, as potential new distribution into the DM:

1) Self Publishers Association - they've built, worked on, or been working on a catalog/system to offer product to direct market accounts, but in the going on 3 years I've been aware of them, it's an endless cycle of rebuilding/retooling.

2) ComiXpress and/or Ka-Blam - Both are print on demand (POD) services that offer either stores, or talk of models of distribution in their future. Recently, Ka-Blam was created, and has driven the costs of POD down. Perhaps POD can keep improving and becoming more cost effective, giving it a real shot at a new distribution model into shops. It really needs to develop either a broad and strong list of products to offer shops, or a big title to force retailers to use them though, to have any real chance at making an impact. At this point, they're really just a means for web creators to get in print, or aspiring creators to generate con or online sales.

Hmmm, perhaps one of these POD services would be interested in printing a fully distributed book, along with prominent ads for their service, as a loss-leader to attract more sales (from both creators, and retailers)??

SUPER REAL NOTES - Pin-Up Contest update

Through the magic of Blogger, and our first submission for the Pin-Up-and-Coming Contest, we now have a page to easily view, and comment, on all of the submissions!

HERE

Take a look, and get those pin-up submitted!

IN CASE U MISSED IT: Dead@17 the movie?!?

This is scary folks
Looks like there's a film that borrows the premise of Dead@17, and uses the trademark (not literally) image from the book to sell it...
without giving any credit to, or being associated with it's creator, Josh Howard.
If what Josh is saying is true, what's a guy to do, sue?
Yikes.

Go HERE for the full details.

SUPER REAL NOTES - Want to be published?

Okay, I know how I recently had my first work published...
Super Real #1?
Well yeah, sorta, but the same week issue one hit, so did Dead@17 Rough Cut number 3, and well, I had a pin-up in that book. The first thing published of mine, in this case by someone other than me. It was pretty cool, and I know there are plenty of other artists out there waiting to get their break, or foot (or toe even) in the door...

That's why when I started the book I'd always planned to include at least one pin-up per issue. Thing is, I wanted it to be special. I'd thought up different approaches, unique themes, wild fantasies of luminary talents contributing, but I settled into a different approach (maybe if I'm lucky, I can get to these other ideas too). Now when I say settle, I don't mean compromise, I mean nestle gently into an idea that fits perfectly, like an old baseball glove...
Okay enough with the flowery prose...
I chose to feature an unpublished artist each issue. Now, I don't profess to be the only one to do this, heck, most books likely feature mainly unpublished talent on pin-ups. I just made it my direction.
Initially, it was to fit the center "pull-out" section of the book. You see I say it fit perfectly, because I'd already decided to have rising and indy talent provide the variant cover each issue, and run that variant art as a center 2-page poster in every copy of the book. Along with an interview with the artist. Covering three of the four center pages of the book. The pin-up-and-coming artist was to fill the fourth page (the backside of the poster).
Perfect.

Well, wouldn't you know it, reality got in the way (no pun intended), and I was short on ad space for issue one and two, and the pin-up-and-coming artists got shuffled off to the editorial page, in an embarrassingly small postage stamp sized feature (sorry fellas, I'll make it up to ya). So, with issue three I've vowed to change that. The pin-up-and-coming artist is back to page four of the center section, a full page! How do I know I'll have space? Because I just told the world...

Check out the new CONTEST PAGE on the website for details if you haven't, but I've got an open call to any and all upcoming talents striving to break into the biz... Give me your pencils, your inks, give me your Photoshopped masterpieces, and I'll give you a printed page in a comic book. Your very own pin-up in my fine publication! Your very own opportunity to ride.

So there you have it.
Sure, I could keep filling the page with cool folks I meet at cons, but I thought I'd step it up for issue 3, shake some trees, beat the bushes, what the hell. You never know what might fall out.

Now don't let me down!
jason

INDEPENDENTS' DAY CAMPAIGN - Join now!

I had highlighted Jason Berek-Lewis' (or JBL as we like to call him, cuz his name's a mouthful) call to arms, Independents Day, last week in light of Speakeasy's collapse. Basically, JBL (BrokenFrontier.com columnist, and aspiring writer) was inspired to take the news of another failing independent publisher as a chance to highlight the need for fans to be sure and give smaller books a shot, with an idea called "independents day". Basically offering that everyone take a look at the new books released last week and seek out something from someone besides the big four publishers.

I thought it was a great idea, borderline ingenious, but not so much the actual proposed action, that's great, but it's been done, in different versions around the web, and it's not enough. What I thought was so promising, was the spirit of the idea, capturing the zeitgeist of concern for small press, and tying it to a perfect name, and the potential that had. I took it one further and suggested Independents Day should be a movement, an event or cause, for fans, creators, publishers, and retailers to rally around, or build on. Other folks chimed in, and JBL promised to run with it.

Well one week later, Wednesday, new comic book day, and JBL is back, with a brand new blog INDEPENDENTS' DAY CAMPAIGN A blog dedicated to the idea of creating a movement to raise awareness for independent comics.

Pretty kick ass hunh?
A man of action, in one week it's a start, pretty cool.
Now, I haven't spoken with JBL, and he’s slim on details, so I don't know what exactly he's got cookin’, and I know there are other independent publishing initiatives, but like I've said to him, and made clear here on TSL, I'm fully down with the cause. It's exactly the kind of thing I've been looking for. As a new creator, releasing my first self-published comic, in today's market, the direct comic book market of NOW, I know all to well the challenges smaller publishers and creators face, and I've quickly recognized we need a tool to help penetrate the marketplace.

I urge anyone who's a fan of comics to bookmark the IDC website, again HERE, and jump on board to help start this movement. The time is now. If we can gather up all the bloggers, columnists, creators, and publishers posting online, already highlighting the small press, and work towards a goal, we can acheive it with ease.

I know there are already websites like Buzzscope/PopCultureShock, ComicAvalanche, and TheComicsReview etc, or associations like SPA (Self Publishers Assoc.) making noise, and working plans of action, but I don't know of any one thing that has the reach we need, like a Free Comic Book Day or an indy Previews. We need something big, a way to get this idea, or something related, in front of everyone.

Even if we just build a network that brings all of these parallel activities together, it's a start.

Let's do it!

SUPER REAL NOTES - Mahfood!!!!!!

Yes, it's true, the great indy artist sensation Jim Mahfood was cool enough to agree to a cover for the book, and here's a peek at the artwork, straight from my inbox to you, my TSL friends...
We got some go-go action goin on there... Yayyyyyyy!!!!

CRISIS IN INFINITE COMIC SHOPS! 3/8

There's a crisis going on in comic shops across America, and indeed the world, the big two publishers are releasing infinite spin-offs, crossovers, and variant covers to squeeze every last hard-earned dollar out of the existing fanbase. It's up to people like me, in our tireless crusade to bring you something different, something independent, something good. This is a list of such items.
Read on, explore, and enjoy!

IMAGE COMICS
Bomb Queen #2 - It embraces and plays with the edge, and has lots of fun along the way. Not nearly as superficial as it appears, issue one was a solid read. Check this one out.

Hysteria: One Man Gang #1 - Mike Hawthorne's a great artist. He oozes storytelling off every page, and every shot he renders. I'm looking forward to this one.

Invincible #29

Socom: Seal Team 7 OGN - This looks like a good action flick through a comic book lens. I'll be at least peeking at this one if I can... (seems like I signed up for it though, back when it was solicited through AIT).

ILLUSIVE ARTS
Dorothy #5 - I was neighbors with them at the recent Wondercon, and I was literally blown-away by the photo-artwork in the current issues! This is a lush visual treat, well worth the price of admission!

DeviantArt update - Issue 3 page 4

Here's the latest page from issue 3, not sure it's 100% finished, but close...
I'm goin a little slow, but I've already got a jump on page 5...

IN CASE U MISSED IT: More Daughters of the Dragon

TheComicFanatic.com has a brand new preview for Marvel's butt-kickin bail bondswomen - Daughters of the Dragon. I'm really enjoying this series, the whole package, story, characters, and especially my man Khari Evan's artwork!

Looks like issue 3's a mere 3 weeks away, go HERE to check it out!

IN CASE U MISSED IT: Body Bags!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jason Pearson is one of my all time favorite artists!

and the original Body Bags series one of my all time favorite books!

New Body Bags material is almost upon us!
At last!

Click the pic for a link to the 3 the Hard Way one-shot preview on Newsarama.com

IN CASE U MISSED IT: Bookstores at what cost?

An interesting column on Newsarama.com today, the current installment of Moonstone publisher Joe Gentile’s HOWLING @ THE MOON looks at smaller publishers having to deal with bookstore returns, something one doesn’t have to consider in the comic book direct market.

So much is said online about the growing graphic novel market in bookchains and mainstream retail, but little is said about how fundamentally different that market is in terms of how it works, and the potential impact that has on any future publishing landscape. Returnability is a different animal.

You can read the column HERE

This all brings up an important point, yes bookstores offer an in to a potentially infinitely larger market, a real tool to grow the industry, but it does come at a price, the bookstore market is a completely different business model. It may be more beneficial to retailers, and buyers, giving them the opportunity to offer/see a wider range of product, at little to no risk, but it definitely has an impact on the publisher. Specifically, can the little guys play in this market?

Or, does this drive a completely different pay model for creators who partner with publishers moving in this market, and take away from the creator rights the comic book market has acheived? And is that a bad thing, or a necessary evil (see TokyoPop OEL contracts etc.).

Lot's to think about...

As I do think about it though, in terms of a self-publisher, and how brutal the direct market is... How would eating returns in the bookstore channel compare to the problems faced in the direct market? One of the biggest hurdles to the direct market is getting retailers to stock you book, and take a chance on it, you have to spend time and money to claw your way in. Perhaps with bookstores, there would be less of that and more opportunity to offer your product to a wider audience, with all of the risk being on the back end. That is to say, instead of killing yourself for sales in the direct market with a product you feel can acheive if only given the chance, and most likely coming up short of your potential (at a high cost), you have maybe an easy in at the bookstore market, and if your product is as strong as you think, less of a concern about the back end (returns)...
Hmmmm

IN CASE U MISSED IT: Another Speakeasy take...

Another interesting take on the Speakeasy situation on Steven Grant's CBR.cc column, Permanent Damage/Master of the Obvious
HERE

IN CASE U MISSED IT: Independents Day

Jason Berek Lewis is an online columnist, aspiring creator, and stand up guy (I mean hell, he loves Super Real, he's aces). He's got a weekly column on BROKENFRONTIER.com - Industrial Evolution. This week's topic is the recent news of Speakeasy's demise, but he takes the publishers bad news, and spins it into a positive outreach for the industry, calling for an "indepents day":

On Independence Day, take a stand. This coming New Comics Day, give up your copy of Uncanny X-Men or Adventures of Superman and consider instead Coffee and Doughnuts Graphic Novel, Elsinore, Free Fall, Lexian Chronicles Full Circle, Red Sonja or Wall After Wall.

All these books are shipping this week!

If you like any of these books, tell a friend, tell 10 friends. Jump on the net, go to 10 different message boards, and start a thread explaining why you enjoyed the book and why you think others should give it a go.

If you have a blog, or you write for a website, or you are a popular person with plenty of friends, spread the word. Most indy companies don’t have a lot of money to splash around on promotion; they rely on word of mouth (these days, do we call it “word of keyboard”?).

If you hate the book you tried, pass it on to someone who might like it.

Try to do this every week. If you can’t, do it once a month.

The point is folks, just make an effort, if you don't already, to give small stuff a shot, there are indeed scores of quality books deserving of more attention. And by all means SPREAD THE WORD!(this can not be stressed enough)

Don't get me wrong, I love mainstream comics too, but with the "big 2's" current dollar sucking initiatives, and Diamond's new thresholds, it's not just about over-aggressive mid-level publishers failing, the independent comic book itself, as we know it, is on watch. It would really be a shame to lose that facet of the medium. It's up to all of us to ensure that doesn't happen.

Check out the full article HERE

I SAW IT ON TV: Reality round-up

One of the perks of having a small TV in my office now, is I can have it on while I work, so consequently I've been seeing more reality fare.

THERE AND BACK - MTV - This one has surprised me, it's actually been a decent watch. Of course that it deals with a young man's struggle to balance real life (domestic/financial) and an upstart personal creative endeavor is naturally something I can connect with, but Ashley Parker Angel comes of as genuine even in the face of what must be some staged (or at least production driven) situations. Not bad.

GAUNTLET 2 (REAL WORLD/ROAD RULES) - MTV - This season of the MTV reality show stars head-to-head money grab has been better. Mostly because they finally got rid of some of the "regualars" who'd become infinitely annoying. This week's epsisode exposes the main flaw of the season, when Beth declined to compete in a heated "beach brawl". Clearly the host (and production) frown on this behavior, but it's happened time and again, where contestants simply bow out instead of throw down in the gauntlet. And this after MTV promted the heck out of the cast's growing disdain for Beth. Let down.

FLAVOR OF LOVE - VH1 - I don't generally put this on, even when flipping around for something, but have caught some of this hoochy momma Flavor Flave version of The Bachelor. Basically, the casting is such that most if not all of the girls are questionable, and the last episode, it really pays off with a face spitting and hair-grabbin camera-bustin cat fight...

AMERICAN IDOL - FOX - Yes, I'll admit, I've watched most of this season. It started off, as I said earlier, just putting something on in the office for background, but this season seems to really have some good/interesting talent (which seemed lacking since season 2, the last time I watched) and I now, embarassingly, look forward to it. Curse you Idol!!! That one dude with the chin-strap is pretty good...

SURVIVOR - CBS - Never miss it. This season "Exile Island" has been pretty good. Hasn't stood out yet. Always with new wrinkles though in format to keep things fresh. And where else can you find a woman afraid of leaves, and an obnoxious dude quitting 2 packs a day cold turkey island style?

REAL WORLD - MTV - This one starts tonight. I'd likely give up completely on this if not for the "office tv" factor, but this cast looks like they could be interesting. If not, there's 3 hurricanes pointed at them over the course of the season, so there's that...

IN CASE U MISSED IT: Speakeasy and the industry

A great summary of the Speakeasy situation over at Buzzscope.com, taken from Guy LeCharles Gonzalez article on the publisher's closure:

When Atomika #1 hit the stands and Speakeasy was officially born, almost a year ago to the day, Countdown to Infinite Crisis was still four weeks away, and House of M was just being teased. One year later, the direct market has been dramatically transformed as the return of the corporate mega-crossover has eaten up market share and retailers' budgets, and independent comics have taken a hard hit as order numbers have dropped across the board, with few exceptions. Even Marvel and DC's mid-list titles that weren't fortunate enough to be tied in to the big crossovers have suffered. In some cases, it's been a deathblow.

Much like the creation of the Direct Market back in the early 80s was the beginning of the end for young readers as comics became progressively harder to find, today its continued retraction, focusing primarily on fans of long-established superheroes and licenses, is to the detriment of the kind of variety publishers like Speakeasy have admirably attempted to offer. Any independent publisher with an aggressive plan for growth that's relying solely on the Direct Market for its survival these days is doomed to failure, and to having that failure hammered mercilessly. Too many independent publishers have no clue who their audience is, or how to reach them, so instead, they continue to target that narrow 5-10% slice of the Direct Market that's willing to take a chance on an independent publisher and hope they can somehow stand in the sea of titles that populate the back pages of Previews every month.


And every time a CrossGen, Dreamwave or Speakeasy comes along with a bold plan that fails, it makes it that much harder for the publishers who are left behind as retailers justifiably become less and less willing to take chances on non-returnable inventory. While Speakeasy's failure can primarily be laid at Fortier's feet, the old "buck stops here" maxim in effect, it is but a symptom of a larger and steadily growing illness in the comics industry.


The times are a'changing, and it's only going to get tougher out there. The publishers who find a way to break out of the superhero-driven direct market, to carve their own niches out of the much larger audience of general readers who never step foot into a comic book shop are the ones who will survive. For the rest of them, fighting over Marvel and DC's leftovers, it's only going to get uglier.

As a self-publisher in today's market, I can attest to just how brutal things are. Super Real started off with relatively strong numbers, but is seeing the requisite drop off from the debut issue, it's now in a seriously tenuous state, where it must bridge that gap and start building on the positive critical buzz, and realize the potential the series is built for. Fortunately, everything about the book is designed to appeal to today's direct market, whether they know it or not (and also coincidently, these are the elements I'm passionate about working with). It's just a matter of continuing to communicate that to the market. Which is, regrettably, my main focus.

All of the creative work I can muster would be for not, without an intense, time consuming, and never-ending focus on promotion. It's just a fact of the market right now, but it's a challenge I'm well aware of, and totally committed to. Speakeasy's demise is bad for the industry, but it's also good for those independent publishers left standing. So hopefully some good can come of it.

The key, as I focus TSL, and indeed Super Real, is taking an active part in maintaining the diversity that the US comic industry affords. It's on all of us to do our part to keep diversity part of the industry, and not let it slip away.

SUPER REAL NOTES - This one I'll tell...

This is a little piece, a pin-up I commissioned a while back from Dave Alvarez, creator of the webcomic (and briefly an Alias comic at least) Yenny. Dave is/was an animator, and I just love that animated style...

AWESOME!

He did the full piece, lines and color, but I did some color correcting to get it more into line with the book.

You can check out his stuff HERE

MORE GUEST ART NOTES:
The Jim Mahfood cover is still a couple weeks out. Just checked in with Jim, he's a busy busy man. Can't wait!

I also have a couple other mystery covers in the works, 1) is from a friend, that's been a long time in the works, he's finally out from under deadlines and I previewed the "color rough" here the other day 2) is a nasty new artist for Marvel that hopefully can work it into his schedule in the coming weeks and months...

ISSUE TWO:
Well, finally got confirmation on the Hong Kong ship date, and it's not good. Books left a week behind schedule, and the US dock date somehow slipped a full 10 days. This puts it into the distribution pipeline a lot closer to the end of the month of March as opposed to the middle.
Sorry folks.
No one is more upset with this fact than yours truly. It's just supremely frustrating to know it was done, printed, and advance copies in hand on 2/14, but I can't get it stateside for a whole month more. The downside to printing overseas. I accept full blame though, cause I took too long to get it finished up in the first place (darn seasonal job from-hell!).
It should still hit within the magic 30 day window from original solicit that Diamond requires before it's officially late.
I REALLY hate that the books even late at all, let alone just under the wire in terms of policy. Makes me really wish I hadn't solicited number three when I did, so I could ensure this didn't happen again. An 8 week turnaround from the printer really bites, I was hoping it'd be closer to 6 weeks, but that's the reality of printing overseas. If I wasn't so hung up on color, black and white would be better for the book in so many ways. Any thoughts on that? (At this point, it's the only way to get the book printed domestically, and it would be much more cost effective too.) I'm seriously considering it... (Well either that, or charging $5 an issue for color!)
It's a tough balancing act, keeping a decent schedule in the face of all the responsibilities. I'm learning. Please bear with me.
I'll just bust my hump double-time on number three...
back to the drawing table for me!

In the meantime can't wait to get issue two on the racks and get everyone's response. That's still really exciting, and coming soon! So hang in there!!
Hopefully I'll still be able to debut it at Wizard World LA on 3/17!!!!

As always, STAY TUNED,
jason

SUPER REAL NOTES - things that make you go hmmm...

I'm not telling...
Any guesses?

DeviantArt update

Here we have one I posted a few days back and forgot to put up here...

Page 3 from issue 3
Uh, lotsa boobs on this page hunh?
...but it's all for the story folks, enjoy it while you can.
Actually this issue will have the cast sportin their nano-skin suits for the first time, so you can expect all of them to be decked out in their rubber nano jumpsuits from here out.

SUPER REAL NOTES - Fun with collation!

Check this out!

At a printing press somewhere in Hong Kong, this photo was taken, as proof that issue two of Super Real is indeed collated in a 1 to 4 ratio. That's one Edward Pun variant to every three standard covers by me.
So why the photo?
And why do I care?
Cuz issue one had two covers that were supposed to be collated by the printer in a 50/50 ratio, but there was a misunderstanding and they simply packed one stack of each cover in each carton. Since Diamond requires collation is taken care of prior to delivery, that meant I had to hand collate all the copies myself. Opening each carton and arranging the covers in an even ratio throughout (then placing them back, and repeating). A rather daunting task, and one I wouldn't like to repeat!
So, the printer, going the extra mile to make things right, offered to send pictures of the collation this time round.

That's the good news.
The bad news, I still don't have confirmation that the books have actually left Hong Kong yet, which was supposed to have happened on 2/20.
Hopefully everything's fine there, because the books are already behind schedule as it is.

STAY TUNED,
jason

IN CASE U MISSED IT: DotD deus previewed...

Buzzscope's got the latest round of Marvel advance look books up, and I spied this little ditty.

Daughters of the Dragon 1 was a killer book, so I'm really looking forward to the rest of the series. And keen TSL observers will know there's even more behind my enthusiasm here...

Those Khari Evans pencils are lookin nice!

Jump on over HERE to see the preview.

SUPER REAL NOTES - Previews today!

SUPER REAL issue 3 is solicited in the March Previews Catalog in stores today, Wednesday February 22nd, in the Comics & Graphic Novels section, page 321.

Make sure and get those pre-orders in via Diamond Order Code MAR06 3379!!

For full solicit info please see the NEWS section of the website proper!

COMICS REVIEW: 2/8-2/15

Look, I'm not a comics reviewer, I'm not going to break down books via some structured formula or what not, and I don't have time to sit around and write crafted responses to them, but I can tell you if I liked them or not... or rather if I recommend them, or not!

BATMAN YEAR 100 #1 - Paul freaking Pope people! Aside from that, this was just great.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

BOMB QUEEN #1
RECOMMENDED

THE NEW AVENGERS #16 - McNiven leaves me cold, he's good, but his faces are funny to me mostly...
MILDLY RECOMMENDED

NEW MANGAVERSE: Rings of Fate #2 - Unfortunately, this is only for the die-hards... Tommy Ohtsuka's artwork, while tasty, could use some more refinement (different inking perhaps).

NOT RECOMMENDED

SUPERMARKET #1 - I heart Wood.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

X-STATIX PRESENTS: DEAD GIRL #2 - What a fun romp, and more of the old team appear...
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

CRISIS IN INFINITE COMIC SHOPS! 2/22

There’s a crisis going on in comic shops across America, and indeed the world, the big two publishers are releasing infinite spin-offs, crossovers, and variant covers to squeeze every last hard-earned dollar out of the existing fanbase. It’s up to people like me, in our tireless crusade to bring you something different, something independent, something good. This is a list of such items.
Read on, explore, and enjoy…

Folks, it's a light week, what can I say.

Previews - make sure you pick up this catalog every month, not just the months that Super Real is solicited (like the March copy in shops tommorrow)! Pre-order!!

ALIAS - Lullaby Wisdom Seeker TPB - This is a re-offer, I believe of the first run. I recently got around to this and really enjoyed it. (and Hector Sevilla, artist/co-creator, is a Super Real variant cover artist!)

IMAGE - Freshman #6 - I picked up the first few issues, but haven't read them yet. I have heard good things about this one though, so it's worth a look (and I think this is the last issue).

IMAGE - Portent #1 - I didn't sign up for this, but I've seen some solid previews, and may pick one up if it's on the rack (anyone wanna lay odds on that?).

TOKYOPOP - Battle Club Vol.1 - From the same creator as Battle Vixens, a shirt ripping, boob bouncing, fight manga. It is over the top T&A, but it's also a fun read with some amazing art, and plenty of bone crunching throw-downs, so I'd expect nothing less of this series.

MAKE MINE MANGA: MBQ 2

A little birdy tol me volume 2 of the massive manga that is MBQ is all finished up, and even pointed out this pic of the final cover...

If you haven't checked out this book yet, do yourself a favor and give it a look.

IN CASE U MISSED IT: Wondercon Video

G4TV's Attack of the Show is television at it's finest for the tech/geek, and better yet, they feature comics once a week in their Fresh Ink segment (still haven't gotten Super Real on there yet!).

The resident AOTS comic guru, Blair Butler, was at Wondercon and you can link to her video from the floor HERE (but alas, again, no love for Super Real to be found... we will woo her yet)

You can also grab her reviews weekly from that link if you're without the digital cable packaging required for television viewing at home.

IN CASE U MISSED IT: New Challenges In Self-Publishing

Hey all,

Comicon.com/pulse recently posted my panel report from WonderCon!
HERE

It's notes from the New Challenges in Self-Publishing panel featuring five prominent self-pubbers discussing the keys to their success, both starting out, and more importantly, in today's volatile direct market!

Go ahead and check that out if you have any interest in publishing, or enjoy a peek behind the curtain of our beloved industry! And be sure and leave some comments!

Super Real Variant contest!!

Hello TSL readers!

Here's the first ever Super Real contest, anyone who reads this fabulous blog can participate!

Up for grabs? How bout an advanced autographed copy of the second issue exclusive variant (the 1 in 10 website exclusive pictured on the left)?
That's right, you can get your hands on the second issue weeks before it hits shops, and it's even the limited exclusive cover version!

What's the catch? Well, you need to guess our next two variant cover artists!
We've got the super cool Josh Howard on issue 1.
Edward Pun contributed an awesome pic of Kityana for issue 2 that will hit shops next month in a 1 in 4 ratio...
and issue 3 will be solicited in the Previews catalog out next week, a fabulous piece by Lullaby's Hector Sevilla!













But what you may not know, is some of the fantastic, jaw dropping, amazing, perfect-for-the-book artists I've got lined up after that!!!

It's a bit early to spill the beans, but I'm so excited, I thought I'd see if anyone could guess who it is.
We'll start off with some harder clues and go from there.
Basically the first person to guess the two future cover artists correctly, scores the swell signed swag mentioned above! Just post your guesses right here as comments (anyone can post comments), and I'll let ya know if you're the winna!

Oh, what's that? The clues?
Okay, like I said, harder at first, and I'll help out if need be...

Artist #1, clue #1 - This artist was recently featured on TV, G4TV to be exact, oh say about 3 weeks ago...
Artist #2, clue #1 - This artist's clue can be found in the Wondercon wrap up report in TSL a couple days back, where I make mention of artist alley...

So there ya go! Fun. My first contest!!
Now kids, keep in mind, these aren't gonna be super-mega-star artists like oh say Joe Mad, or J Campbell, but they are people ya know, or have heard of, and I think really kick ass! So let's hear it!

Self-Publishing Challenges Wondercon Panel hand-out

Here is the hand out received at the self-publishing panel from last weekend's Wondercon.

Click each page to see full size...
It starts out a bit basic, but moves on to some good info for one just starting out...

IN CASE U MISSED IT: Wondercon photos

Over on CBR.com they've got a great photo parade from the con (Jonah always gets some good shots, with fun commentary, but alas, he did not capture Super Real!).
Just click HERE

TSL UPDATE

Just added a couple new resources to the links list...

First, a new print on demand (POD) service I read about on Brant Fowler's ComicAvalanche.com column, KA-BLAM.com. Looks like their pricing is virtually the same as ComiXpress.com, so I'm not sure how that's too exciting, except that there's now more options for POD comic book services. Wish they would've had better pricing though.

Second, Warren Ellis' TheEngine.com
It's a wealth of knowledge from industry insiders. Meant to link this a while back...

SUPER REAL NOTES - misc

WODNERCON WRAP UP
Okay, so just wrapping up from Wondercon, the big San Francisco con hosted by the folks who do San Diego, Comicon International. It was my first time at this event, and man was I impressed. Though it was much smaller than San Diego, they had some solid guests, a decent exhibition floor (up there with the bigger cons I've seen outside of San Diego), and quite an array of local events that tied in with the show in the evenings. To top it off, the weather was unseasonably warm, high 60's to high 70's!

We rode the trolleys, cruised the wharf, shopped, hit the Golden Gate, curved down Lombard, but most of it was like the speed metal version of SF tourism, cuz we only had one day off to take it all in...

We missed out on two smashing parties at the Isotope, the Frank Miller hosted screening of Sin City and after party, the V for Vendetta sneak preview, and the Chinese New Years parade to name a few!

Met lots of great fans, it's neat to have a space with a book out in shops for the first time, and actually get people who've already read and enjoyed the book! Not to mention meeting and converting new fans!

Networking is always key to the cons, and I saw many publishing friends and got to talk shop, meet new great folks like our neighbors Illusive Arts Entertainment (publishers of the very impressive Dorothy), and many more. It's so much fun to peek at aspiring artists portfolios and sketchbooks, and cruise artist alley and see what the pros are up to. I tried to snag a moment from J Scott Campbell at the DC booth, but he had a good sized line and I my wife wasn't around to watch the booth at the time... drats! Didn't realize he was going to be there or I would've planned that one better. However, I did meet one artist I was looking to track down, a certain newcomer with a recent impressive debut over at Marvel, so hopefully something will work out there for maybe a Super Real cover... this guy is perfect for the book folks, and sure to be a rising star!

The 06 sketchbooks came in on time, and they were a hit at the show, with a good percentage of the run of 50 already gone, looks like I may need a new volume before con season is up...

I also attended a panel on self publishing, and hopefully I'll get those notes sent out to ComicCon.com/thepulse soon and will cross link that here for those interested.

I highly recommend this show to anyone in the area, or who can afford to travel to the bay area. It's great! And getting better every year...

ISSUE TWO
UPS stopped by the house yesterday AM and dropped off the advance copies overnighted from the printer in China. The books are printed, and will be hitting the pacific any day now. This leaves the in store date for issue two at either 3/15 or 3/22. A couple weeks late, but the book looks great.

I'll be sending some of the copies out for review shortly, to time with the release!

NEXT CONS
Portland Comic Book Show 3/5 - Think I'm a guest at this one, and I may be able to debut issue two here, but it will most likely not be available til the following week...
Wizard World LA 3/17-3/19 - Still trying to get confirmation from them regarding my space here... stay tuned.
Emerald City Comicon 4/1-4/2 - Edward Pun, our issue two variant artist/interviewee, will be at the show too (along with a metric TON of guests), so perhaps he'll hang out a moment or two at the booth... but if you're there, it's your chance to get his signature and peep his cool swag!
Eugene Comic Book Show 5/21 - I will be a guest at this show.

SAN DIEGO COMICCON INTERNATIONAL 2006 HOTELS
We got one!!

As you may or may not know, today at 9AM PST the hotels for this July's big con became available at the con rates, and it took both my wife and I calling and plugging away online to secure the room we wanted before they all booked up within minutes of opening the availability.

We managed to score the Embassy Suites a few blocks down the road. I was tempted to do the Hilton again this year, as we did it last year, and it's about as close as you can get, but Embassy Suites offer complimentery made-to-order breakfast, and Hilton offers nada in the AM food department. So, ya know, at the same price, I'll walk a few blocks for a free meal every day (and not that complimentary day-old danish and muffin crap we had in San Francisco!).

Anyway, I had the reservations all set on our home pc when pop up blocker wiped out the whole shebang upon clicking to enter credit info... luckily my wife was mirroring everything at her work and we were able to book on her pc, because when I went back to re-enter the info myself, the rooms were gone...
Crazy!

STAY TUNED!
jason

CRISIS IN INFINITE COMIC SHOPS! 2/8-15/06

Crisis in Infinite Shops is a new weekly feature where I highlight a selection of books from each week's shipping list that deserve more attention, but may be eclipsed by the current mega-crossover-stunt-marketing-blitz of from the "big two"!

IDW
Supermarket #1 Brian Wood's on a hot streak with books like DMZ and LOCAL, Supermarket may even be more fun!
IMAGE
Bomb Queen #1 Over the top and lovin' it, at least that's how it appears, haven't read it yet...
Girls #10
Invincible #28
Strange Girl #6
VIPER
Middleman Vol2 #1

Because I care...

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Cool stuff...

I'm mid con, and I don't have time to write about that yet (gotta head down Powell street about 10 blocks to the Moscone Center stat), but I did see a couple cool cats featured on the web today...

Brandon Graham - awesome artist with a unique underground style, with MAD creativity... has a TPop manga in the works that got the write up on Newsarama.com HERE

Josh Howard - Indy super sensation, did a cover for Super Real, has an interview over on ComicsReview.com HERE

Might try and pick up a pass to the V for Vendetta screening this PM, but I also wanted to make it to the Isotope...
Then there's the Frank Miller hosted Sin City Screening tomorrow night....
Good stuff!

Super Real 2006 WEST COAST TOUR - stop #1

WONDERCON
February 10-12
San Francisco CA
Moscone Convention Center West
SMALL PRESS AREA space SP1

We're hitting I5 south for a 10 hour tour to the Bay City and the first big con of the year!
The 2006 convention sketchbooks are supposed to meet us at the hotel tomorrow via UPS 3day, but the printer hasn't confirmed with tracking info, so you never know.
We will have all 3 covers of issue 1, and a full preview mock-up of issue 2 (due in shops mid March).

I'll try and blog updates about the show, but may have to wait until our return...
See you there!

2006 WEST COAST TOUR (full schedule)

San Francisco CA 2/10-2/12 WONDERCON
Portland OR 3/5 PORTLAND COMIC BOOK SHOW
Los Angeles CA 3/17-3/19 WIZARD WORLD LA
Seattle WA 4/1-4/2 EMERALD CITY COMIC CON
Eugene OR 5/21 EUGENE COMIC BOOK & COLLECTIBLE SHOW
San Diego CA 7/19-7/23 COMIC-CON INTERNATIONAL

COMICS REVIEW: Scott Pilgrim VS The World

Knives Chau attacks!
Romona Flowers battles for her man!
Scott defeats the second of seven evil ex-boyfriends!
Plus cooking instructions, song lyrics, and an ever expanding web of love!

Scott Pilgrim Volume 2: Scott Pilgrim vs. the World has all that and the trademark quirk, humor, and emotional kick creator Bryan Lee O'Malley brought in spades to the first volume.

If you're not reading Scott Pilgrim, what the hell is wrong with you!?

Now, where is volume 3?
That hasn't come out yet right...
?

IN CASE U MISSED IT: Ultimate DVD

I'm really looking forward to the ULTIMATE AVENGERS DVD movie due out February 21st.

Hopefully it follows THE ULTIMATES as close as it looks, not just because I love THE ULTIMATES, but I really think that is exactly what the industry needs, cartoons that are in direct synergy with the source material, just like manga and anime!

DeviantArt update

Just put up the latest version of issue 3's main cover...

As you can see, I've changed it around a bit from the initial first pass that was used for solicitation.
Let me know what you think!

IN CASE U MISSED IT: Comics Economics

Over on CBR.com, Steven Grant waxes about the economics of comics, or rather, how an article in Scientific American touching on "stationary state" economics can be applied to the comic book industry.
You may say wha hunh, but it makes sense, as he says, especially in today's market, but you can read all about it HERE
See really it's all pretty straightforward, simple, and logical once you dig into it...

Basically, he surmises that companies with a sustainable economic approach, one of a smaller more controlled focus, are better positioned than those with an economic growth model, such as companies like Alias, Speakeasy, Crossgen, etc.
Anyway, it all made sense to me and is in line with my perceptions about the market, so I thought I'd share...

PIPE DREAM OF THE DAY - If only the bigger companies could adopt a sustainable approach, as opposed to the oversaturation mode they're forced into to maintain corporate performance requirements.

INTERESTING SIDE NOTE - Just realized, if you look at my list above of examples for publishers with a growth model, they all announced plans for penetration outside the direct market, with little to no talk of what they intended to do, or actual results. So at least they were perhaps cognizant of the fact that the direct market couldn't support their approach, but ultimately failed in their attempts (and I realize the jury is still out on that somewhat).

IN CASE U MISSED IT: The Pope does Batman comic

BrokenFrontier.com's current EYECATCHER feature is none other than BATMAN - YEAR ONE HUNDRED. Why is it an eyecatcher? Paul Pope is one of the best artists in the medium, and well Bats is one of the biggest characters, but mainly cuz it's Paul's fast forward version of the caped crusader, a similar formula created one of the greatest comics in history...
But, I'm just glad to have more Paul Pope comics genius in any form (while excited to see what he'll do with a comic landmark)!