Comic Book Journal

Let’s get going on the dailies!

First off, Dominic Deegan wowed four of five days in its impressive storyline. Dominic may have saved the life of a prostitute by distracting his dark necromancer brother Jacob with scientific curiosity, but the same caveat leads Jacob to perform a twisted experiment on the troublesome shapeshifter Neilen. Jacob’s mother, Headmistress Miranda, also rebukes two successor candidates - Runcible, who constantly played into Neilen’s games and lost his temper, and Cassaflinn, who didn’t listen to Dominic’s warnings of a militant orc clan during a rescue mission to the orc nation, resulting in a shameful failure. Its pretty clear both Cassflin and Runcible are out of the job - though its pretty obvious they were never in the running, as I have a feeling the statuesque orc warrior Melna has the job. Also, Dominic attempts contact with the leader of the militant orcs, and is met with the same response - magic isn’t the problem, humans are!

Least I Could Do takes a break from the storyline and focuses on more Rayne-centered madness, like getting banned from Subway, using a computer after loss of limbs, and most recently a rejected 300 parody. I’d go on in further detail on each of these events, but I have a feeling I’d be banned altogether if I went into too much detail.

And on Arthur King of Time and Space, Lancelot may have conceived a child with the duplicitous damsel Elaine. The webcomic immediately takes a break from the storyline. There’s also an Arachnia-Spider-Man parody as well as a My Name is Earl parody. We also see Arthur’s good will in action when gives Morgan the benefit of the doubt - admitting the possibility that she “accidentally” resurrected a golem which terrorized a planet in her name.

That’s all for this week. In another note, last I checked, Pierced was up to 46 votes! Thanks for all your help on the Dimestore front!

The second round of Dimestore Production’s Small Press Idol ends today, and as a contestant myself, I still don’t know which way it will go. All entries are in now, which means the playing field is at least open to view ALL the entries.

As I previously wrote, the current Round focuses on character design. There were many stellar last minute entries, including East, To Catch a Human and Mid-Ground, but these additions are at a slight disadvantage - with only a week left in the voting, these newest competitors will have to pick up plenty of steam in order to break through the top ranks of the Top 30.

The Top 5 change so many times a day I’m not even going to try reporting on it. Previous hits like Retriever and Sky Pirates have been interrupted by newcomer Thieves. The forum is currently locked down for a vote count, so unfortunately I can’t provide links or stats right now, but I’ll be sure to do so whenever I am able.

As for myself, Pierced was holding steady in 19th place, although last night was probably our lowest vote count ever. I have a feeling we’re going to start slipping, so the question isn’t really when the cookie will crumble, but where. But the pieces will fall where they may, and I promise more coverage of this contest even if my piece Pierced is no longer apart of the proceedings.

Still, a couple of votes wouldn’t hurt.

If you want to vote, you’ll have to register for the forums first. After you’ve activated the account, you can vote by replying “Yes” to a topic like, oh say, Round 2: Pierced. Make sure you vote for the right round - obviously, votes four Round 1 of the same project don’t count.

And though I loathe aiding the competition, my journalistic integrity forces me to make mention that you can vote for as many projects in the contest as you like . . . so long as Round 2: Pierced is the first one you vote for!

The best Image comic isn’t “Spawn”, isn’t “Savage Dragon”, isn’t “Invincible”. Its “Fell” by Warren Ellis and Ben Templesmith. You’d think you’d be hearing about this title more with a creative team like that, and while I suspect it does okay in sales, I’m still shocked I don’t hear more rants and raves about it.

“Fell” is the story of Richard Fell, a detective transferred from “over the bridge” for unsavory reasons unknown. Rich now works in Snowtown - a place with a crime rate so bad, it almost seems like a third-world-country. People are poor and desperate. Shipments of food have to be escorted by police sharpshooters to prevent snipers from halting the food supply altogether. There’s a creepy nun in the background soliciting prostitutes and mugging homeless people!

But for all its dark and gruesome crimes - ripped from the headlines - “Fell” is ultimately a story of hope - for both Snowtown and Rich. Each self-contained mystery finds Rich, one of 3.5 detectives in Snowtown (one is paraplegic), solving crimes not only through his intuition, but especially, through his own determination, taking on challenges no one else in Snowtown will.

Let’s talk about format. Each issue is only 16 pages (most mainstream comics are at least 22), but one issue of “Fell” is more whole and complete than 4 issue story arc. The panel design is perfectly mired with both Templesmith’s extreme artwork and Ellis’ brillant handling. Less is definitely more here, in a comic which is more moving and compelling in a span of basis than most mainstream titles are in an entire run!

And the best thing is the price: $1.99! The reduced length means you get a reduced price for one of the best comics around! So you now have no execuse not to pick it up now!

How it works - at least at my store - is everyone gets to pick 3 free comics. I don’t know if this limit was imposed by the store or by the FCBD folks. If this was done differently at your store, let me know.

First pick was Image’s The Astounding Wolf-Man, done by comic’s resident horror buff Robert Kirkman (The Walking Dead, Marvel Zombies). First off, this book looks great. The style is very cartoon-like, very stylized, with gray-on-red coloring scheme that gives it a very unique flavor. Its one of those few comics that doesn’t wuss after the turn the cover page. I’m curious where this thing is going - our hero gets savagely mauled and turns into a werewolf. Yet the kinetic style and proportioned pencils seem to be more indicative of a superhero book rather than a straight-up horror. And lastly, how does a vampire just stroll into someone’s house? I thought they had to be invited! Regardless, I’m really looking forward to seeing what this one has to offer.

Next, we have Dynamite Entertainment’s Lone Ranger/Battlestar Galactica flipbook. For clarification, no, this isn’t a crossover (but how cool would that be?), but half a comic devoted to one title and another half - flipped over - centering on the other title. The Lone Ranger absolutely rocks. Its packed with great art, humor, pathos and everything else we read comics for. Battlestar Galactica, not so much. Its not bad, but it ends on a cliffhanger, and there’s not really much in the immediate characterization or interaction that keeps us coming back for more - especially since its a prequel.

And finally, there’s Twomorrow’s Comics 101: How-To & History Lessons from the Pros. This one’s the most meaty - you learn a lot in a short amount of time about everything from proportion and perspective to story and style. It’s extremely informative - though perhaps too centered on superheroes in its history to be considered a bias portrait of comics. Still, it acts as a window to a number of comic book magazines - including Alter Ego and Write Now! - which I was never aware of.

And really, that’s what Free Comic Book Day is all about - exposing ourselves to different titles, different publishers, and different genres.

So does anyone else have any Free Comic Book Day picks or stories? My local store went all out - with a Stormtrooper standing outside with an Imperial Officer and a working R2-D2 droid (operated by remote control instead of by vertically-challenged individuals).

And when I left Batman was standing with them, skulking in the shadows.

I, or rather, my schedule, still isn’t up to 100 percent, so I had something a little different in mind for these week’s list - mixing some much needed research with the feature today.

Maybe you are a writer. Maybe you are an artist. Maybe you are both - in which case I’m very jealous. Here’s the hypothetical - you have a finished project, and you want to get it out to a major comic book publishers. Unfortunately, never mind the many, many, many hardships it took to get that project on paper - the journey to publication hasn’t even begun yet. Don’t get me wrong - submitting can be a both uplifting and humiliating process - but if you’re a first-timmer, please leave all your well-founded dreams of doing Daredevil or Detective Comics on the first try behind - comic book submissions aren’t quite that easy, as seen below.

10) DC Comics: The comic book juggernaut provides a Talent Search for sharp-eyed artists. If you are not of the artistic inclination, however, you’ll find absolutely nothing here for the writers. The website bluntly states the process is only able to review artists, not writers. Keep in mind these policies are in place for their acquisitions, including DC’s Vertigo and Wildstorm.

BOTTOM LINE: “At this time, DC Comics does not accept unsolicited artwork or writing submissions.” The unsolicited part does bring up the option of perhaps finding an agent to represent you, but please be wary. The comic book industry is plagued with scams and fradulent agents. Always ask agents of previous works. The best way to find agents is to read the acknowledgements section of the books you read, be it fantasy, graphic novels or just plain fiction. Though this process does add a whole new layer to the submission process, you might find a bold ally in getting published with the big boys.

9) Aspen MLT: Michael Turner’s company has seriously the best looking comics out there. Not only does he have a talent for drawing beautiful women - a linchpin in the comic biz - but he also draws everything else beautiful in my opinion. To slip into Aspen would be a comic book geek’s dream, as well as a huge asset on a professional resume - even if the invitation is only open to artist
.

BOTTOM LINE: While we writers have to sulk about in the corner once again, it’s a huge opportunities for artists regardless. The submissions page - at the bottom of company info - breaks guidelines down for pencillers, inkers and colorists. The instructions tell you exactly what they are looking. If you are artistically-inclined, this is a breakthrough position.

Marvel: The company does offer avenues for both writers and artists. It requires no more than 5 pages of sample artwork or an inquiry letters from writers. Keep in mind, however, you probably won’t get that winning pitch published here - at least not at first. If you do land a job here, as writer or artist, it will be on one of their pre-existing titles, which, let’s be honest, is a helluva breakthrough. But since the company doesn’t read unsoliticed writing materals, you might consider taking that dream project you’ve been penning for years somewhere else.

BOTTOM LINE: If you do send them either artwork and inquiry, read the directions. The instructions call for a self-addressed stamped envelope as well as a completed Marvel Idea Submission Form. This is standard procedure - so get used to it - to stop lawsuits from people who “claimed” to have written some idea they submitted to Marvel. I error on the side of Matt Albie from Studio 60 - if they would have written it, they would have written it. But if you don’t trust the people you’re sending it to - don’t send it to them, simple as that.

7)Dynamite Entertainment: I picked up their Battlestar Galactica/Lone Ranger flip book on Free Comic Book Day and I was deeply impressed. Plus, they also write “Army of Darkness” and “Red Sonja” - two of the hottest titles in the biz right now. For their part, they request an inquiry letter from writers (as well as samples from colorists, pencillers and painters), which is pretty much the same as Marvel’s submission process above, with one added bonus - they may request proposals after hiring. This is a major bonus over Marvel - you can not only get your foot in the door, but you can also get your dream project possibly published as well.

BOTTOM LINE: Given the number of steller licenses this company owns, it will need to prove its caliber in originals sooner or later. This creates a demand, and its a demand YOU, the creator, should certainly take advantage of.

6) Dimestore Productions - This company might not have much in the way of razzle and dazzle as the other companies listed above, but Dimestore offers creators a yearly contest known as Small Press Idol. The contest has competitors vying for a chance to publish a mini-series with the imprint after several rounds on public voting. Not only isn’t is it downright fun to see what other creative teams are doing, but it also offers a much-needed forum for feedback to creators. The judges all provide great critque of each Round - be it premise and cover art, character designs, sequentials or the ultimate Issue #0 sell-off. I don’t care what anyone says; that Simon Cowell has nothing on Roger Foucault!

BOTTOM LINE: There’s only so much your family and friends can tell you about your work. While Dimestore might not have the vast resources of other publisher, it does offer a way to refine your work over and over again, even if you don’t win the big prize. In addition, the company offers many other publishing opportunities year-long!

5) Image - The company revolutionized the comic book industry - showing a little guy (albiet comprised of the best of the best) could withstand direct competition with the big two. But that was the 90’s, and Image has fallen into uncertain times. Though core titles like Savage Dragon and Spawn still run strong, much of their original universe has been fractured, and the company is certainly looking for new creators to pick up the pace. BUT make sure you read the fine print before you submit. There’s a reason the submission guidelines read “WE DON’T PAY PAGE RATES.” This means they are not the ones paying you - like an agent, they take a flat fee from the sales, but unlike an agent, it is possible for the creators to endure losses just as well as profits.

BOTTOM LINE: Don’t let this deter you from submitting to Image - it’s a huge opportunity. But conceptualize a marketing plan before you submit. Don’t just assume “It’s their job to sell this” - because its also your job if you want to make any money - especially with some responsibility for losses. Another comic company I explored - Too Hip Gotta Go Comics - runs by a similar system and explains it better than I ever could. Consider them in the same vein as Image - there are advantages and disadvantages to each company. Give both a good thought if you chose this route.

4) Antarctic Press - This company’s Free Comic Book Offering was called Pirates vs. Ninjas. Did you hear me? Pirates and Ninjas! Brilliant! That’s not all that’s brillant about this company. Though best known for more manga/anime style ventures such as “Gold Digger” and “Ninja High School”, the submissions page of this comic publisher contains a State of the Industry address at the bottom which YOU MUST READ if you want to work in comics.

BOTTOM LINE: Never submit to a comic publisher unless you know the general look of their line. Antarctic Press has a very colorful adventure feel to it, but the honesty of the submission guide combined with the loose and fun feel of their publishing line creates a very inviting atmosphere. They accept both inquiries for writers and artists.

3) Arcana Studios: Some publishers have submissions down to an art form, or at least, an on-site Internet form. Expediancy is something one must consider in comic book submission. After all, why send a comic submission out for three days through the mail, plus postage, when you can send it for free through the wonders of the Internet. Arcana, the publishers of “100 Girls”, “Starkweather” and “Dragon’s Lair”, makes it pretty easy to send your work - provided its completed with at least 5 pages of art.

THE BOTTOM LINE: Definitely one to consider. They have a strong line, and their titles span a wide range of weird and wild, and they’ve risen to top ranks of new comic book publishers because of this. There are a couple of things, however. First off, there are some holes in their website - including dead links and spelling/grammar errors - which are worrisome to the eye. Secondly, the submissions guideline seems more promise than pitch. It doesn’t read with the honesty of Too Hip Gotta Go or Antarctic - and while I’m sure they intend to deliver on their word - its just a bit odd when the publisher is selling to the creator and not the other way around.

2) Ape Entertainment: We’re down to the last two, and both publishers have one thing in common: versatility. Ape Entertainment offers quite a lot outside of the gorilla marketing (yes, that’s a pun, not a mispelling) assoicated with Silver Age Comics. Their titles span from classic pulp (Black Coat) to modern day everymen (Bizarre New World) and an indie terror (Horrorwind). The publisher wants both artists and writers, but is only accepted completed creative teams for the latter. Still, the sheer variety of their submission guide is a comic book creator’s dream.

BOTTOM LINE: They’re pretty much looking for something of everything. Unlike most companies, they accept all genres and all age-groups. In fact, not only do they consider comic book publications, but also role playing games. And they can be reached by web-link (preferred), e-mail and snail mail. Their submission guidelines are very thorough and very clear - they even explain what artistic position fill easier than others. Ape Entertainment also alternates between the role of publisher and packager. They are more on the market for one-shots and mini-series, so this might not be the place for that magnum opus ongoing you’ve been penning for so long. Still, it should rank high on any submission list regardless.

1) Dark Horse Comics: Dark Horse is proving to be a giant in the industry, and stable one that. Those are two qualities usually mutually exclusive with here-today, gone-tomorrow status of comic book companies - one company I reviewed on Free Comic Book Day just wanted to last six months in the industry! Dark Horse got its start the same way Dynamite - by picking up licenses such as Star Wars, Aliens/Predator and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. But Dark Horse Comics would proved its own versatility in later years with in-house hits like “Hellboy”, “Sin City” and most recently “City of Others”. What amazes me is, for as long as I’ve been a comic book fan, Dark Horse Comics has always been open to submissions. The merit of a company company is often judged in how it treats its submissions, and Dark Horse certainly stands above them all.

BOTTOM LINE: There of good to go around. Dark Horse is among the only companies I’ve encountered which still ask for a full script - giving writers a change to strut their stuff with some page length. The company looks for sequential quality over pin-up power for artists, though it accepts submissions of both. And all submissions must include - you guessed it - a Submissions agreement. Did I mention they have page rates - although unknown at this time - a huge bonus over Image!

HOWEVER, just because Dark Horse is the No. 1 Best Bet for Comic Creators, there are some disadvantages to these publishers just like all the rest of the list. The biggest disadvantage for Dark Horse is time. First off, they only accept snail mail. Secondly, due to the huge volumes of submissions they receive (don’t blame them, comes with the territory), they only send responses to people they wish to hire. But just look at their New Recruits Program - they’ve just narrowed down their 2005 list to 20 (admittedly the list was in thousands) and their 2004 New Recruit winner is just now going to the printer.

BOTTOM BOTTOM LINE: Patience is a virture, and Dark Horse is worth the wait, but if your project could be in limbo for a very very very long time!

Plenty of going-on’s in the web dailies, so let’s hope right to it!

First, in Dominic Deegan, Dominic is able to convince his dark necromatic brother Jacob to help him solve the mysteries surronding the plains of Maltak, the storm-ridden homeland of the orcs. His girlfriend Luna stays in the kitchen - afraid of Jacob - and with good reason, as the elder Deegan has ripped off half o his face already. Sparks, Deegan’s talking cat, reminds Luna that if anything happens to Dominic, it will be on her hands - all in a ploy to eat all the muffins. Luna bursts into find Dominc on the verge of a breakthrough - but Jacob has disappeared, boding potentially darker developments on the horizon.

Then, in Least I Could Do, Rayne has an economic idea - giving all the money charged to him to put on a poverty benefit directly to the homeless, and then using any leftovers to give the guests a real eye-opening look in poverty - in the streets of the city. The guests aren’t all happy, but will surely never forget the experience. Even though, Rayne ends up cancelling out all his good deeds with plenty of bad - namely his many, many, many obscene pick-up lines to co-charity organizer Emma, who still refuses Rayne’s many, many, many advances.

And in Arthur, King of Time and Space, Lancelot saves a princess from imprisonment in a bath tub (not making this up, this is how things went down in the legends!). Now the grateful king - the descendant of Joseph of Arimathea (who brought Christianity to England) wants to “merge” his bloodline with Lancelot - himself a descendant of Jesus Christ - in a way that involves plenty and plenty of wine. And modern day Arthur moons a crowd to keep up with female flashers. We live in such intense times!

That’s all for today. Expect a list (hopefully) over the weekend.

Its 4:17 AM as a I write this. I just got done recounting my Spider-Man 3 experience for another site, so I’ll make this brief.

I always worried just how Spider-Man 3 would incorporate Harry Osborn’s final chapter into the storyline, and as I live and breathe, I was not disappointed

In addition to an awesome new look entirely different from Norman’s Spider-Man 1 costume, the New Goblin seems to match Spider-Man in every power - from agility to tricks - save possibly for experience.

But the key moments in Spider-Man outline Norman and Peter’s relationship, and Spider-Man 3 didn’t just meet my expectations - it totally blew them out of the water!

How exactly? Well, you’re just going to have to see the film!

Expect Webcomic Recaps later today!

Spider-Man 3 opens at midnight tonight . . . errr . . . early tomorrow morning I guess. Anyway, here everything I’ve learned about the sequel and its franchise future.

There are at least three villains. Obviously, Peter’s conflict with Harry Osborn comes to a head as he takes on the mantle of the Green Goblin - I believe he’s just called the Goblin in this, and thank goodness they did away with the Power Rangers mask! I hope they use the Harry-centered Spectacular Spider-Man #200 as the basis for this confrontation!

There’s also Flint Marko, or as we know him, the Sandman, played by Thomas Hayden Church. Sandman is somehow connected to the murder of Uncle Ben, with some indication that he might even be the one responsible for Uncle Ben’s death. But unlike other such movie recons (such as Joker in Tim Burton’s Batman), Sandman seems to be portrayed with a great deal more humanity and family life in the movie. This isn’t totally unreasonable - in the comics, Sandman turned a new life as an associate of international do-gooder Silver Sable. Though complications due to a battle with Venom (perhaps prudent here as well) lead an unstable Sandman to burn many of these bridges, Sandman put himself back together (no pun intended) and remains one of Spider-Man’s only enemies to denounce extreme violence.

Venom is definitely a major figure in the movie. At first, speculation from the trailers amounted to Venom only having a cameo role - right the film’s credit. This is definitely not the case, as later versions show Venom actually in combat with Spider-Man. It’s interesting that Sam Raimi actually detest Venom at first, given his horror background, but was implored by Avi Arad to include Venom given the latter’s fanfare. This is probably because Raimi has more a traditional fandom for Spider-Man, and I think it will be interesting to see Raimi try to incorporate the Todd McFarlane-invented Venom into that fandom.

I said at least three villains. There were rumors Mysterio might appear, voiced by Bruce Campbell - I can’t imagine how fishbowl head is gonna appear in this film - but I’ve been wrong before.

Gwen Stacy, played by Bryce Dallas Howard, is a major character in the film, as is her father, Captain Stacy, played by James Cromwell. Gwen and Peter seem to be involved following the disintergration of his relationship with Mary Jane during the symbiote subplot. Gwen’s fate, though known by many in comics, is still a mystery in the movie, as rumors persist she might appear in the fourth film.

And yes, finally, they are planning a fourth film. Given the expected box office numbers, Sony and Avi Arad insist there is a fourth film in the works, even though Sam Raimi, Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst (i.e. most of the people who made the first Spider-Man films good) are ambigious about continuing the franchise, having just made three major Marvel movies. It seems Sony is hellbent on making a third, even if these three leave the fold altogether (Raimi might involved in the Hobbit, Maguire has spoke against making an immediate fourth flick, and Dunst doesn’t want to return if Raimi isn’t attached), Sony will probably make a Spider-Man 4 . . . for better or worse.

In case you forgot - which I did until someone mentioned it yesterday - Saturday is Free Comic Book Day.

No, I’m not kidding. This isn’t some piece of comic book fanspeak or obscure lexicon. Free Comic Book Day is what it says it is - walk into a comic store and get free comics!

What comics you get depends a variety of factors, including the size and resouces of your local store, and whether they receive Gold or Silver sponsor comics.

Gold sponsors include a bevy of mainstream picks. I mean, can you get more mainstream than Archie, Spider-Man and Mickey Mouse? There might also include a Transformers movie prequel, Dynamite’s Lone Ranger and Battlestar Galactica, as well as Robert Kirkman’s plain cool Image title Astounding Wolfman.

Silver sponsors seem to represent a larger mixture of industry leaders as well as rising forces in the indie world. In addition to selections from Marvel, DC and Wizard Entertainment, there will also be comic represented by Virgin, Digital Webbing, Comic Genesis, Ape Entertainment, Devil’s Due, Fantagraphics, Boom! Studios and Antarctic Press. The latter’s entry is called “Pirates vs. Ninjas” . . . how much more awesome can you get!

The comic industry implosion in the early 90’s - the end result of No. 6 in “Top 10 Accidental Comic Book Discoveries” - left comic book retailers struggling to find a way to reach the public. Free Comic Book Day was one such attempt, and it has, on the whole, been successful, especially in garnering mainstream media attention as well as large crowds to the comic book shop!

Check it out this Saturday, May 5th.

Two issues into Buffy: Season Eight, Newsarma is reporting IDW will pursue a similar trend with Angel, in a comic series which will showcase Joss Whedon’s intended stories from the never-seen sixth season.

Several mini-series taking place during and after the final season ofhave already appeared, centering on either Angel or his popular rival/comrade Spike.

Joss Whedon has said he plans the season six series to be at least twelve issues long, to keep the action “tight and intense”. And while Buffy’s season eight has been entrusted to a vartiable who’s who of comic book writers - including Brad Meltzer and Brian K. Vaughan - Whedon has entrusted Brian Lynch, who worked on the Spike book Shadow Puppets.

Angel was cancelled just days after its 100th episode and strongest ratings victory over Smallville, so plans for a sixth season were already in motion when the announcement came.

I’m excited for the development - there’s been a post-finale comic developments already in IDW, but I always wanted something a bit more definite, and this looks to be very definite. Although I would have wanted some more pomp and circumstance over this development - like the kind seen for Angel’s more popular sister series Buffy - I’ll definitely up to date on any developments or release dates on this project.