Kicking It With Jim Zubkavich Part Two

It’s been a big week here at comixology HQ with lots of great books hitting the apps and big news from some awesome publishers. Earlier this week we brought you a few answers to the questions you’ve had about the totally awesome Image Comics series SkullKickers! now with issue six readily available from comiXology we’re bringing you the rest of those questions curtiousy of super star creator Jim Zubkavich! Skullkickers has quickly become a fan favorite comic worthy of respect and admiration all around. Now with the exciting conclusion to series first arc avaiable for download Jim is here with the low down on what’s to come.

comiXology: With the sixth and final issue out on comiXology this week, what has your experience working on the digital front been like?

Jim Zubkavich: It’s not our final issue! Don’t leave us yet! Believe me, we have more adventures to tell. Although Skullkickers was originally announced as a mini-series, we’ve been given the go ahead by Image for more monster mashy goodness and I assure you that we’re hard at work on the second story arc, which will be arriving late May/early June.

Having an easily accessible digital version of the book is wonderfully flexible. Having a free zero issue available to as a way to bring readers in the door and get them used to the Skullkickers style has been invaluable too.

Misty’s moody color palettes look fantastic, with bright magic effects and lush environments really popping well on screen.

Probably my favorite aspect of the digital issues has been playing with the formatting options that are possible. In our third issue there was a four page spread of the dwarf hallucinating that we had to split into two double spreads for the printed book. In the digital version it’s just one giant panoramic view that pulls in the reader that much more; Very satisfying and engaging.

comiXology: With the collected trade out in stores and the first story arc completed, what’s next for the guys as they continue on the road to fortune and glory?

JZ: We’ve played with some of the fantasy tropes I love but there’s a wealth of other material we can still poke holes in. The second story arc, called ‘Five Funerals and a Bucket of Blood’, is centered around the Skullkickers’ troubles in the capital city. They get themselves embroiled with politics, a thieves’ guild, nature spirits and plant monster. If you enjoyed our first adventure I know you’re going to be equally pleased with what we have planned in the coming months.

comiXology: On that note what’s next for The Skullkickers creative team, any new projects you can tease us with?

JZ:I’m working on a few other story pitches I’m hoping will solidify enough that I can announce them during the summer. Skullkickers is my main priority at this point though, and I want to make sure that we keep the momentum we’ve built so far.

Be sure to check out issues #1-6 right now in the image comics app, the comics by comiXology app. and our web store or you can pick up the trade paperback at your local comic shop. Keep an eye out for more cool news and creator interviews to come, it’s all right here on the comiXology blog!

Red Sonja Q&A With Luke Lieberman, Arvid Nelson and Eric Trautmann

Yesterday the creartive team behind the hit Dynamite series Red Sonja took over Reddit to answer questions, provide some insight, and generally have a good time in the name of everyones favorite She-Devil with a sword Red Sonja! The AMA/ Liveblog helped kick-off our two day Red Sonja Half-Price sale which is now in full effect. Those who missed out on the celebration can check out what fully transpired by following this link, but before you go here is a quick sampling of what went down:

Q:What is Red Sonja?

Eric: Red Sonja is a female warrior in the Hyborian Kingdoms — the same world that Conan the Barbarian lives in. She was originally introduced — in the most contemporary form — in a Conan The Barbarian comic in the 1970s (inspired by a much different character, Red Sonya of Rogatine, from a story by Conan’s creator, Robert E. Howard).

The Red Sonja we’re discussing here is an accomplished soldier, mercenary, occasional thief, in a sword-and-sorcery setting filled with strange and terrible magic, armies clashing, ancient treasures, and so on. In simplest terms, Red Sonja is an action/adventure comic, with a tough, smart, female protagonist.

Q: Any thoughts on Peter Bretts upcoming Red Sonia: Blue mini, and did you have the opportunity to work with him in it at all or is it all his baby with no influence in the current ongoing?

Luke: I have to approve everything that gets published under our banner so I gave it a gander – but generally speaking when we have a solid writer coming in from the outside I basically let him do his thing. The nice thing about Red Sonja is that she is wanders the earth and gets in adventures, so one offs do not need to tie into continuity

Q: Has anyone ever accused you of peddling smut? Serious question, my local shop guy is sometimes hesistant to carry Sonja/Grimm Fairy Tales because of the backlash from some of his more conservative customers.

Arvid: I’m all for content advisories on covers — people have a right to look before they leap. But! One person’s smut is another’s art, after all. In my opinion there’s no way Sonja could be construed as smut, but how can you draw the line objectively? Retailers are in a really tough spot, because they don’t have the collective bargaining power of the big chain bookstores or the publishers. “Crusading” politicians and religious leaders looove to bully independent shops for that reason. That’s why the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund is such a great organization. http://cbldf.org/ I named a character in a Batman story “Flip Felchensteiner”. I got in trouble for that, but I’m sort of proud.

Eric: Every retailer has to cater to his customers; one of the advantages of the multiple covers available for issues, though, is that some are more conservative than others. I would never classify, say, Walter Geovani’s work as “smut.” My experience has been the opposite. I am the guy who put pants on Vampirella and was called, among other things (and I WISH this was a joke), “a Hitler” for doing so.

Everyone’s mileage is different, and while my own tastes run less toward the cheesecake stuff (though I don’t have a problem with it), it is just that: cheesecake. It’s not porn or “smut.”

Q: Any plans to expand on the universe, maybe tying with more other Dynamite titles?

Luke: Actually we are doing a crossover with TopCow soon, but I better not say too much If there are other Dynamite characters that make sense for her to interact with I am open, but most of Dynamites titles are in very different worlds.

Arvid: Hah! One of the best things about writing Queen Sonja is getting to expand the world; Sonja’s kingdom and the surrounding powers.

Q: So if you could Travel Back in Time and meet Robert E. Howard, what project of his would you most want to collaborate on?

Arvid: Kull! I think Kull is very underrated. I think Howard wished it had been more successful in his lifetime, that he could have done more with it himself… really, I just wish Howard had lived longer, that he had had more time to collaborate with himself…

Eric: Conan, for sure. Solomon Kane or Kull. Frankly, I’m not too picky. Bran Mac Morn or fightin’ sailor Steve Costigan would be fun, too.

Luke: I imagine he would be a very raw personality – biggest regret is that he didn’t write more. Would have liked to create something original with him.

For the full Q&A session head on over to Reddit. The guys were also nice enough to offer advice about breaking into comics, their own experiences and influences, and a whole lot more! Bummed you missed out on all the fun? Don’t sweat it, just make sure you follow us on twitter and set your bookmarks right here for the latest info in the world of digital comics!

Oni Press Expands its Digital Comics collection on comiXology With Sixth Gun and Ghost Projekt

Today Oni Press announced its schedule to release two of their high-acclaimed titles Sixth Gun and Ghost Projekt digitally on the comiXology platform.

The first of the digital releases will hit the market starting today and continue over the coming weeks to complete the Ghost Projekt series and a large portion of the available Sixth Gun. The remaining Sixth Gun comic will be released over the next few months shortly after they come out in print.

The first issues of both series will be free with the subsequent issues priced at $1.99. The digital release schedule will be as follows:

May 11: Sixth Gun #1 and #2
May 18: Ghost Projekt #1 and #2
May 25: Sixth Gun #3 and Ghost Projekt #3
June 1: Sixth Gun #4 and Ghost Projekt #4
June 8: Sixth Gun #5 and Ghost Projekt #5
June 15: Sixth Gun #6

The first free issue of Sixth Gun can be found at https://comics.comixology.com/#/issue/9675/The-Sixth-Gun-1

A short description about the comics can be found below:

Sixth Gun:
By Cullen Bunn & Brian Hurtt

During the darkest days of the Civil War, wicked cutthroats came into possession of six pistols of otherworldly power. In time, the Sixth Gun, the most dangerous of the weapons, vanished. When the gun surfaces in the hands of an innocent girl, dark forces reawaken. Vile men thought long dead set their sights on retrieving the gun and killing the girl. Only Drake Sinclair, a gunfighter with a shadowy past, stands in their way.

Ghost Project:
Written by Joe Harris, Art by Steve Rolston, Colors by Dean Trippe

Russia is often remembered from the shadow cast during the Cold War-era when every stranger was a spy, but now that the Cold War is long over, some things left behind from that era may not stay lost. An abandoned Soviet research facility somewhere in Siberia has been home to a strange and dangerous weapon that is now in the hands of thieves claiming it for their own. U.S. weapons inspector Will Haley has been assigned to find out what dangers the weapon poses and with the help of Russian agent Anya Romanova they will find the answers, but it will be far from easy.

Marvel Monday 5/2 Half Price Loki and Balder The Brave

Hearken! The most mightiest of days is upon us once more. Marvel Monday is here and it tells thee save! As just in time for the big screen debut of Thor, Loki, Balder and Volstagg we’re offering half price issues of both Loki and Balder The Brave to those most eager for tales of heroics and treachery.

View Asgardian lore from new eyes as Loki rewrites the history of the golden city and its denizens! In this story, Loki’s insatiable lust for power, his conflicted sentiments toward Sif, his antipathy toward Balder, and the feelings of longing and resentment toward his older brother, Thor, and uncaring father, Odin, will take on new meaning.

Plus it’s a classic tale from the Asgard of old in Balder The Brave by master scribe Walter Simonson. While away from Asgard, Balder’s lord and master, the mighty Odin, perished. But for the gods, death is not the end… He’ll have to join Thor for a journey in the underworld realm of Hel! Not only have the Frost Giants besieged the realm of Nornheim, they’ve made off his beloved Queen Karnilla as well! The journey through the Nine Worlds begins!

Verily this sale won’t last long so take advantage of the savings while it lasts add these comics to your digital collection and don’t forget Thor hits theaters May 6th!

Saddle up with Cowboys and Aliens

A highly advanced alien race decides to invade a fledgling planet and conquer it’s native inhabitants. Sound familiar? It should. It seems there is no shortage of big budget blockbuster movies slated for release this summer, there’ll be more robots in disguise, more superheroes than you can shake a cape at and more than a few pirates and priests thrown in for good measure. Then there is “Cowboys and Aliens”. Excited for this one? Well you should be.

The premise is a simple one, seen a hundred times before in comics, movies, books and video games. A technologically advanced Alien society has come to earth intent on conquering it, leaving the fledging human race to fend off an invasion of galactic proportions or face utter extinction. It is the stuff that hollywood blockbusters are made of.

Only in ” Cowboys and Aliens” we see something different. Sure on the macrocosmic level it’s all there, Spaceships, battles, brutal alien invaders, and high octane excitement. Yet when you take a step back and examine this great graphic novel under the light of the microcosm, you get a story similar in themes as the above one only far more real. Set among the back drop of the old west this tall tale begins not with laser battles among the stars but instead with the all too real threat of european settlers out the stake their claim against native americans.

Last summer saw another western comic book hit the silver screen only to be quickly disavowed by fans despite the credibility of the source material. In fact while western comics in general have seen a rise in quality over the past few years with titles like High Moon and Scalped gaining both critical and fan acclaim, the western genre in film is only just beginning to get back on track thanks to a more realistic approach. So how will “Cowboys and Aliens” compare?  That’s still anyones guess one thing’s for certain though it does make for a pretty rad comic!

Here we get a cast of characters plucked straight from the dime novels of old. Two rough and tumble bodyguards intent on making their mark the only way the know how. A wayward holy man seeking to lead his people to paradise and of course a silver tongued con-man eager to make his fortune by any means necessary. Paired with a warrior tribe of apache indians intent on protecting what is theirs by rights the story opens with a bang! and then the aliens show up.

The classic invader theme is uniquely examined in the book’s prologue. However as the story progress under the masterful eyes of writers Fred Van Lente and Andrew Foley the book becomes an entertainingly fresh romp through a genre that can often feel as dusty as a tumbleweed. “Cowboys and Aliens” offers excitement, history and shot of rye whiskey to top it all off.

As more and more movie studios look to comic books for inspiration, more and more film people seem to be trying to their hand at comics. Wither this a good thing or not remains to seen, but if it’s books like “Cowboys and Aliens” leading the way then all we can do is saddle up and prepare for take off!

Marvel Monday The Ultimates 4/25

Re-imagined for a new generation of readers and comics fans The Ultimates are the premier superhero team of the Ultimate Marvel Universe. This Marvel Monday issues #1-14 are available at 50% off the normal price.

It’s Captain America like you’ve never seen him before! See the Sentinel of Liberty imagined in a whole new light during one of the biggest battles of World War Two!

The Hulk has been unleashed in the streets of Manhattan! As the body count continues to rise, The Ultimates continue to fall at the hands of the unstoppable Hulk. But a last minute save from an unexpected visitor may turn the tides of battle!

Find out what happens in this exciting series from legendary creators Mark Millar and Brian Hitch at half-off the normal price. They’ve pulled out all the stops in this no-holds bared slug fest of iconic Marvel Hero’s for a brand new era. No digital comics collection is complete without these modern classics and there has never been a better time to grab these issues than right now!

Who are The Warriors of Jarvath? Part Two

Now that Nate Simpson’s groundbreaking comic Nonplayer is officially available on comixology, we’re bringing you part two of our exclusive interview with the man behind the magic. This time we talk, comics, video games, the future, and even video games of the future! Check it out below along with part one a little further down this page:

comiXology: So as a game designer could you explain a little more about how the game “Warriors of Jarvath” works? How different is it from the MMO’s of our time?

Nate Simpson: I get into this much more in the second issue, but the key difference is that the non-player characters are unique and mortal. No two players ever have the same experience, and if an NPC dies, he’s dead forever. It isn’t an on-rails quest structure, like you find in WoW. Instead, there’s a much more generative experience — player actions have lasting effects on the way the world of Jarvath develops.

comiXology: Just for fun could you give us your top three favorite fantasy video games?

NS: If you’ll allow me to stretch the traditional definition of “fantasy,” I’ll say Katamari Damacy, Ico, and Shadow of the Colossus. That’s in no particular order.

comiXology: What about Sci-fi adventure games?

NS: Half-Life 2 and Portal are easily my favorites. As for the third… can I just say Katamari Damacy again? It’s got space shuttles in it. That makes it sci-fi, right?

comiXology: Now that the first issue is available to readers everywhere, what are you hoping fans will take away from the story?

NS: The key goal for issue one was to show Dana’s dual existence, and how her personality changed in different contexts. I also needed to push over the first plot domino by taking Queen Fendra away from Heremoth — that’s the event that propels the rest of the story. And behind all that, I wanted to reveal as much as I could about the setting and backstory without resorting to expository dialogue. Hopefully the takeaway is that Dana’s interests, problems, and flaws are not all that different from ours, and that there are some things going on around her that will challenge her world-view and her sense of herself.

comiXology: What are your plans for the series overall? got anything you can tease us with?

NS: Hm. All I can say is that the central premise of the story has yet to be shown, though there are hints in the first issue that I have not yet heard discussed online. It’s been tough to talk about Nonplayer’s plot in public, because the core of my original elevator pitch hasn’t been revealed yet. It’ll be interesting to see how people react to the second and third issues.

comiXology: What’s it like seeing your work on comiXology? and for that matter what are your thoughts on digital distributions so far?

NS: This is huge for me. Frankly, I feel like I came to comics at the last possible moment to see my work in print. It’s great to have something physical to flip through, but I’m also very excited about the democratization, decentralization, and format flexibility that’s coming with the movement of comics into iTunes territory. And with the advent of tablets, we’ve now got the comics equivalent of the iPod, as well. As soon as digital displays cross the 300dpi threshold, I’m going all-in. I fully expect the primary thrust of my next series to be digital, with physical copies becoming the comics equivalent of LPs. For readers who are comfortable with owning ones and zeroes, the digital version should be perfect, and that will allow us to focus on a nicer presentation for the physical version — perhaps in a European format, with larger pages and hardback covers. It’s a very exciting time to be making comics, and you guys are a big part of that!

Nate Simpson’s Nonplayer #1 is available for download on the Image app, Comics app, our web store and on Android. Be sure not to miss this incredible debut from one of the best new creator’s of 2011 and don’t forget to bookmark the blog at comiXology for all the latest in exclusive creator interviews and digital comics news!

Who are The Warriors of Jarvath? An Interview with Nate Simpson (Part 1)

With issue #1 selling out across the country comiXology is proud to present the latest hit from Image Comics; Nate Simpson’s Nonplayer. With gorgeous art and masterful storytelling, Nonplayer is quickly becoming one of the most talked about independent comics of 2011. In addition to offering the first issue through the image app, comics app and web store this week, we were also given the chance to ask Nate a few questions about the book and it’s creation. Check out the interview below (the second part of which will be posted soon) than go download the first issue.

comiXology: Thanks for your time Nate, So Nonplayer has been making waves across the internet as issue #1 continues to sell out in local comic book shops across the country. In your own words can you tell us what this series is about?

Nate Simpson: Sure. Nonplayer follows the not-so-spectacular life of Dana Stevens, a tamale delivery girl in the future who spends most of her time inside a full-immersion MMO called “Warriors of Jarvath.” In the real world, she’s a college dropout who still lives with her mom, but inside Jarvath she’s an elite assassin. Unbeknownst to her, the non-player characters within the game have recently achieved sentience, and they’ve realized they don’t like being hunted for sport. When she kills the wife of celebrity game character King Heremoth, she ends up on the receiving end of a major blood vendetta that may or may not be confined to the game.

comiXology: What do you make of all the buzz around this first issue? any chance you could tell us what the past few weeks have been like?

NS: It’s been a wonderful surprise — as you may have guessed from the size of the first print run, we were far from certain it would be well received! I’m especially glad that it seems to have struck a chord with some folks who don’t normally read comics. The medium has limitless potential, but I think there’s been a tendency for publishers to push what’s done well in the past, which in the West usually means men in tights or mopey autobiographical comics. So it’s nice that something that doesn’t fit neatly into either category has found a little audience. I’m very excited to see how comiXology readers respond to the book.

Of course, it’s a whole new challenge to focus on the second issue with so much hype flying around. It’s so tempting to start buying into it, but you still have to go to your studio every morning and face that blank page and ask your muse to come out, which can be tricky with all this commotion going on. I’m having to exercise some pretty extreme internet discipline.

comiXology: Much of the progress and development of Nonplayer #1 was charted online long before the issue hit store. What made you want to share your experience with the internet?

NS: Mostly, I needed to feel like I wasn’t making the whole thing in a vacuum. When you’ve spent your whole life working for other people, it can be a little strange to find yourself boss-less. I sort of turned my blog into a manager — I often found myself apologizing online when I took too long to finish a page, for example. I don’t think anybody who read the blog really cared, but I had to make believe that somebody out there was waiting for each post.

Of course, the blog later proved to have some educational value, as I learned new tricks from commenters who had more experience with digital art-making. And then at some point, after I’d posted the first few finished pages, the blog began to serve a promotional purpose, as well. It ultimately connected me with the people at Image.

comiXology: Now you worked in the gaming prior to dipping your toes into the comic world. What made you want to try your hand at comics in the first place?

NS: I’ve been attempting comics since I was a kid — I’ve tried several times to climb that mountain, but I’ve never had either the preparation or the stamina to make it over the top. This time around, it was a collection of storyboards for Hayao Miyazaki’s Nausicaa that got me fantasizing about storytelling again. And there were lots of other factors that made it easier to finally get through a project. Having a wife who was willing to support me both emotionally and financially was crucial — this just wouldn’t have happened without her. And I’d also saved up some money from my video game days, which kept us afloat when things got especially tight.

Working in games is great, but I think a lot of game artists wonder what they might accomplish if they didn’t have all of those technical, budgetary, and managerial constraints on their work. The medium of comics allows you to explore the outermost boundaries of your imagination. That’s pretty hard to beat.

comiXology: What was your biggest influence in creating the world of Nonplayer?

NS: Besides Miyazaki, my four biggest art heroes are Moebius, Geof Darrow, William Stout, and Arthur Rackham. Moebius, Rackham, and Stout all do incredible things with visual flow — the way foreground and background elements relate to each other, and the way the eye circulates naturally around a page. There are no dead ends in their drawings. And then there’s the Where’s Waldo-ness of Darrow’s work, which I’ve always loved. I’m nowhere close to any of these guys, but I’m sure they’ve had an effect on the way I think about illustrating a story.

We’ll be back with more from Nate a little later this week as we talk video games and the future of this incredible series. In the meantime go read Nonplayer! available for download today!

It Came Out On Wednesday! – Men and Elephantmen (and Women!)

Be you man or animal-man, this week’s podcast has something for everyone – Richard Starkings stops to talk about Elephantmen!  We take you on a comic book safari through the app to see the untamed Batman and Robin, the magestic Walking Dead grazing for brains, and Archie in his untouched habitat of Riverdale.  Then we bring it back around for some Wonder Woman, a bit of Avengers, and say our final goodbye to Jack of Fables.  Even John Merrick would be proud of this one.

Click Here for This Week’s Episode of it Came out on Wednesday!

Oh and also here’s a sneak peek at out upcoming interview with Ryan Sohmer of the often hilourious web comic The Gutters! Listen Here

Closing the Box: Part Two!

With the final chapter now available for download in the epic thriller Box 13: The Pandora Process we continue our talk with series creators David Gallaher and Steve Ellis. Earlier this week we brought the first part of our interview, and now as promised here is Part Two! In which David and Steve shine some light on the process involed in creating Box 13 as well as some of their printed work and give us a hint at what’s next. Read Below for more of our exclusive interview:

Now  Box 13 is a comic made to be read digitally, what where some the challenges for producing such a unique comic experience?

DG: I think the biggest challenge is constantly making sure that the story hits the high marks we set for ourselves and our projects. It is an amazingly fun project to work on – one that feels fluid, raw, and unique. It is very different than HIGH MOON, but our method of collaborating on BOX 13 isn’t very different than how we do our other projects.

What would you like readers to take away with them after reading Box 13?

DG: I hope we’ve opened readers up to an exciting story in an exciting new format. Steve and I put a lot of effort into telling the story in dynamic ways. I think the serialized format, combined with the ‘free’ price point, gave readers an incentive to try something new and unique. In the end though, I hope we were able to give readers a really positive experience with digital comics. I know we’ve certainly had a lot of fun.

Looking back at the project now, what are your thoughts on digital comics and the future?

DG: I think there is a real hunger for original digital content — and digital comics offer a lot of flexibility on how that content is delivered. With BOX 13, Steve and I had a tremendous opportunity to experiment and try some rather different approaches to our storytelling. I encourage more creators, readers, and publishers to take the time to discover the new frontier that digital comics provide.

Last year, you guys got to step into the Marvel Universe with the limited Series Darkstar & The Winter Guard. How did that project come about?

DG: I liked the Winter Guard and bugged editor Jordan D. White enough that he let me write something with them in it. That’s the short version of the story.

SE: The slightly longer version of the story is that David and I were up late talking one night about some new project ideas – and my work on the Crimson Dynamo came up. That led to David and I talking to Marvel. I think the original name for the project was “Crimson Dynamo & The Winter Guard.” I think the pitch was that they were the ‘red shirts of the Marvel Universe’ …

DG: … yes. And it gave me an opportunity to bring back the Dire Wraiths, which are always fun characters to play around with.

Now the Crimson Dynamo and the rest of The Winter Guard have been around a while, what was it like to work on something featuring characters with their own history?

DG: It was a blast doing research and building off the foundation that other writers and creators had laid down. Steve worked on the Crimson Dynamo limited series years ago – and it was a lot of fun to pay homage to that and everything else that had come before.

Given the history of comics in general, what in your opinion are the classic comics that everyone should read?

SE: Thor by Kirby and Simonson, Hellboy by Mignola.

DG: I don’t even think I have an answer to that question. Obviously, I like the work that Jack and Stan did, but ‘classic comics that everyone should read?’ – That’s tough, mostly because I know everybody’s tastes are so different.

In many ways your partnership represents a thing of the past in how many comic creators work today. How did the partnership come about? and what advice to you have for writers out there  seeking artists to collaborate with?

SE: A collaboration is like a marriage. There are good days and bad days, but when you are both working towards the good of the project, things tend to work themselves out.

DG: Pretty much what Steve said. In terms of advice for other writers looking to collaborate?  I think the biggest thing is just being open to new ideas and new ways of doing things.

So with High Moon continuing to deliver thrills and chills on comiXology, and projects like  Darkstar and the Winter Guard bringing your work to a larger audience, what’s next ? Are there any new projects your working on or would like to be working on?

SE: In June, we have DEADLANDS: THE DEVIL’S SIX GUN – a one-shot coming out through Image Comics and Visionary Studios.

DG: It’s an deliciously Faustian story. I encourage fans of HIGH MOON to absolutely pick it up.

Be on the look out for Deadlands soon and don’t forget to check all of David and Steve’s awesome work on comiXology. We’ll be keeping you posted as more news on this project comes in as well as all the latest on everything you need to know in the world of digital comics and beyond!