MAN's Machinery

Hunger Games: thoughts on the trailer.

2012-02-02T11:50:00.001-08:00

Read the second paragraph before watching.

Be aware, mild spoilers ahead.

Also, for the more musically educated, I use the word “notes” when I should probably be using the word “tones.” Sorry if it makes your heads explode.

I’m a bit late to the game (<--- ha ha! you see what I did there?), but I recently devoured Suzanne Collins’ The Hunger Games trilogy and found them thoroughly enjoyable (if you haven’t read the books, I highly recommend them). As to be expected, the first book has been adapted to film and will be in theaters sometime this year. For now, all we have to tide us over until it debuts on the big screen is the above trailer.

First, if you’re planning to read the books, don’t watch the above trailer until after you’ve read the first chapter. Ms. Collins did a nice job of playing with readers’ expectations and delivered a little curveball at the end of the first chapter. Most of you may have seen it coming, but I didn’t and I was pleasantly surprised. However, that curveball is pitched fast and straight in the trailer. So for those of you who might get a kick out of that first chapter, read it before watching the trailer.

Second, Cinna, my favorite character in the series, is being played by Lenny Kravitz. I can tell you that as I read the books, Lenny was not the image I had in my head for this character. But seeing him for just the few moments above, I’m really looking forward to seeing what he does with the role.

But what interested me most about the trailer were the final three seconds. The music of the trailer gradually builds to a climax that cuts out as a disembodied voice counts down from ten (that part gives me chills every time I see it). The countdown completes and we get a swell of music that crashes as the title and an image of the mocking-jay float onto the screen. As the crash of music fades, we hear someone whistling a haunting four note melody. And it’s this melody that really caught my interest.

For those of you who’ve read the books, you know what that melody is and why it’s important. Those four notes have a profound emotional resonance for the characters within the story. But here’s the thing…will it work in the film? Without giving too much away, the melody is supposed to be a call to workers that their day is done and it’s time to come in from the fields. However, for reasons I will not spoil here, the melody takes on a gravity far beyond “It’s quittin’ time!” It comes to represent sorrow, unity, and a call to arms. That’s a lot of responsibility for just four notes. And in prose, those four notes can handle it quite easily because the reader never actually hears the melody (except for whatever she imagines it to be). But in the film, those notes become a reality. And that’s where things get difficult. How do you create a melody that both sounds like a work whistle AND a haunting refrain that represents a cauldron of roiling, bittersweet emotions using just four notes?

Let’s look at a another cinematic melody that most of you are probably familiar with: the one from Close Encounters of the Third Kind. From my understanding, there was some debate over how many notes that melody should have (I think I heard about this from some DVD commentary, but I haven’t been able to find any corroborating evidence for this so for those of you more in the know than I am, please feel free to correct me in comments). Apparently, five notes weren’t enough to properly convey a melody. Of course, John Williams figured out how to do it because, well, he’s John f*cking Williams. But if it’s a struggle to compose an efficient melody with five notes, imagine what it would be like with only four.

Now, this is the moment when everyone starts giving me examples of popular, moving four note melodies (please do). But my point isn’t that it’s impossible, only that it’s extremely difficult. However, what I do find fascinating about only having four notes to work with is that it opens up multiple musical possibilities that may help capture the many-faceted nuances the melody is supposed to have. The four notes in the melody (G, A, A#, D) are shared by a variety of key signatures. So those same notes could elicit several different moods, depending on the music (if any) is being played underneath them.

Since this melody, and music in general, plays a big role in The Hunger Games, James Newton Howard definitely has his work cut out for him. It’s hard to tell from just those final three seconds if this melody can carry the weight it needs to, so I’ll reserve judgment until after I see the film.

In the comments, let me know which songwriter you would tap for writing the music for The Hanging Tree.

Valen the Outcast #3

2012-01-28T09:44:00.001-08:00

On Wednesday, February 1st, the 3rd issue of VtO hits stands. Head to your local comic shop to grab a copy. If there isn’t a shop nearby or for some reason they don’t have it, you can always order it online.

And don’t forget that if you have an iPad, Kindle Fire, or other tablet device, you can always read my comics digitally, including most of my entire back catalog. Although newer comics like VtO won’t show up until a month or two after the hard copy comes out (only VtO #1 is available on Comixology at the moment), they will get there eventually. There are several ways to do this, either through Comixology, Graphic.ly, or even through BOOM!’s own iPad app.

Below is a little preview of VtO #3. Enjoy.

Valen the Outcast #2 out today! 1/4/12

2012-01-04T08:31:00.001-08:00

I’m not going to say anything about what happens in issue #2 except that Valen takes a unique approach to battle preparations. See below for preview.

28 Days Later: Homecoming. The final arc.

2011-12-13T10:09:00.001-08:00

Tomorrow, the final trade paperback of my 28 Days Later series hits bookshelves. It collects the last 4 issues of the series and wraps the story up in a nice, neat little blood-soaked bow. Below is a preview for your perusing pleasure. Make sure to stop by your local comics shop, bookstore, or online retailer to get yourself a copy and complete your collection.

Live at the Comics Experience Creators Workshop

2011-12-12T10:25:00.001-08:00

Ever wanted to write comics or just curious about what goes into making a comic book? Then join me on December 20th live over at Comics Experience for their Creators Workshop. I’ve never done anything like this before, but it looks like it’s going to be a lot of fun. So join us!

Why we burned them.

2011-12-07T16:01:00.001-08:00

Earlier today, a video went up on the website Bleeding Cool, and in this video, you see me burning copies of my new comic series Valen the Outcast. If you haven’t seen it, take a look.

The video then made the rounds on various social media sites and I’ve since had numerous people asking me, “Why? Why would you do such a thing?” It’s a very good question and I want to take this opportunity to try and answer it as best I can.

First, let’s take a step back for a minute and look at the macro of the situation. Right now, the comics industry, along with the rest of the planet, is struggling. It used to be said that comics were recession-proof. Well, turns out they’re really more recession-resistant. The current global crisis is an equal opportunity money thresher and no industry is immune. Brian Wood had a great post the other day addressing this issue (re: day and date digital release). If a creator as talented and prolific as Brain Wood is struggling, what does that mean for guy like me?

Now, BOOM! and I are launching a brand new, original, ongoing comic book series titled Valen the Outcast. Pretty straightforward, right? That’s what comic book publishers do. But there are a couple of hurdles that we’re facing right off the bat. It’s new. It’s original. And I’m writing it.

On the best of days, a new series from an independent publisher is competing with hundreds of other weekly titles for readers’ attentions, the vast majority of that competition coming from DC and Marvel. And with massive storylines/reboots/relaunches like the New 52 and Fear Itself, you begin to feel like a juggling mouse vying for the audience’s attention while stuck at the bottom of a bear pit during the prize match between a mecha-riding Kodiak and a diamond-skinned rhino. It’s pretty easy to get stepped on.

And being that the Valen the Outcast is new and original, there isn’t an established audience or any character loyalty to rely on like you could with a licensed property or a new series for an established character.

Finally, I’m writing it. Why is that a hurdle? Even though I’ve been writing comics for seven years and have written over 120 single issues for dozens of series, most comics readers have never heard of me. Now, that’s not a woe-is-me-nobody-reads-me-wah-feel-sorry-for-me statement. Not at all. Let’s be honest. If you’re a customer and can only afford one comic, are you going with the book about a character you’ve been reading since childhood or a book by some guy who includes his middle name in his credit like some self-important twit? The math is simple. Childhood Hero > Self-Important Twit.

That said, I’ve been fortunate enough to have people take a chance on me and many of them can now be called my fans, for which I am incredibly grateful. I believe, as does BOOM!, that if you read one of my books, chances are you’re going to enjoy it and want to read more. The problem is getting enough people to pick up that first issue.

Which brings us to the situation at hand.

As I said before, I’m in competition for your reading dollars. And I’m up against names like Moore, Bendis, Morrison, Waid, Aaron, and Ellis. Mouse in a bear pit indeed. And since retailers have limited shelf space, they’re going to want to fill that space with books that have a greater chance of selling. So how do we convince a retailer to take a chance on a new, original, ongoing series written by someone like me? Well, one way is variant covers.

I know that a lot of readers have a visceral dislike for variants. I’m not sure exactly why that it, but I assume it’s because it feels as if a publisher is trying to get extra money out of you by selling you the same thing twice (or more). I disagree with that sentiment, because no one is forcing you to buy more than one copy. But I understand it. It can feel like a gimmick and that someone is trying to take advantage of you (BTW, we’re not). The thing is, variant covers sell more comics. If it didn’t, we wouldn’t do it. And selling more books is good for us, good for retailers, and I’d like to think good for readers because if enough buy a series, the longer that series gets to stick around for the readers to enjoy.

Yet, sometimes just printing variant covers isn’t enough. That’s where the Joe Jusko cover comes in. We needed an incentive for retailers to take a chance on our new series, and we wanted that incentive to be something special to reward them for taking that chance. So, if a retailer bought 200 copies of Valen the Outcast #1, they would get a 9.8 CGC rated and slabbed copy of Valen the Outcast #1 with the naked Joe Jusko cover.

That, in and of itself, isn’t terribly special since any book can be slabbed. And since most printers have a minimum print run, there were hundreds of extras beyond the slabbed copies that went to retailers. So, in order to make that incentive special and rare, we decided to destroy the remaining copies, making the Joe Jusko variant a very limited issue.

That’s why we burned them.

We burned them and recorded it to prove that the Jusko cover really is as rare and collectible as we said it would be. From my understanding, there are only 25. That’s it. So, if a retailer purchased 200 copies, they get one of those 25 slabbed variants. Because there are only 25, it is drastically more collectible and, in theory, more valuable and will net the retailer a greater profit. Good for them. And now they have 200 copies of the other variants they need to sell and will want to put in readers’ hands. Good for us. And it’s only $1.00 and a great frikkin’ read. Good for you. All the while garnering more readers and, hopefully more fans, more customers, and more enjoyment for everyone.

We’ve worked hard to make Valen the Outcast the best it can be. We believe in this series and are extremely confident that if you get a copy, you’ll enjoy it and want to make it a regular part of your monthly reading. We’re not trying to dupe anyone, swindle them, or live out some morbid fantasy of getting our hate on.* We’re simply trying to market this book as best as we can.

Even if that means setting the bear pit on fire.

*Just to be clear, I’m fully aware of the optics of burning books, but I hope that everyone can see the clear difference between what we’ve done here and the appalling actions of zealots and extremists. If you can’t see the difference, go fuck yourself in the neck.

What’s in a name: the cast of Valen the Outcast.

2011-12-06T10:37:00.001-08:00

For me, naming characters is one of the most difficult aspects of creating a story. Granted, I could just go to the Big Book of Baby Names and pick one at random (I’ve done it many times before), but most writers prefer to have the name really speak to who the character is, either through its meaning or its phonetic quality. When it’s done wrong, well, a name is just a name. But when done right, the perfect name can tell you everything about the character before you even meet her on the page.

Coming up with ‘Valen Brand’ as the name of our hero in Valen the Outcast was a group effort, and not an easy one. We bandied about nearly 50 possibilities, and while many of them were good names, none of them were quite right. We wanted a name that sounded regal and strong without coming across as too guttural. If the name sounded too harsh, the character would come across as brutish; just a big guy with a big sword who kills things. Which is certainly what Valen is, but he also used to be king. He’s a thinker. He knows strategy, diplomacy, law, and history. We had to make sure that his name reflected his intelligence as well as his strength. Or, at the very least, sounded strong and intelligent.

I think Ross was the one who eventually brought Valen Brand to the table. Phonetically, it works on all levels. Its strong but not brutish. But the meaning behind this choice of name really made it click.

Valen = fallen

Brand = branded, marked

Once we saw this, we knew that this was his name. And it looks good on the page, too. We even used it in the title (more on that farther down).

Now we move on to our bad guy, Korrus Null. His name actually came to me rather easily. I wanted something that was dark and ominous without sounding like he came from one of my D&D campaigns I ran when I was twelve. His name needed to have a sense of gravity, of size and scope. So, I came up with this:

Korrus = chorus

Null = well, null

He is the silencer of many voices. Pretty straight forward. I just changed the spelling of his first name to make it not quite so obvious and voila! Baddie named.

Next is our resident femme fatale: Zjanna. Now, I chose her name simply based on phonetics (if you’re unsure of how to pronounce it, it’s zhah-nah). It sounds (and looks) exotic without being a mouthful (there’s nothing worse than coming across a name that has eighteen syllables and only one vowel). And it fits with her fictitious native tongue that she speaks from time to time (it’s a mix of fake Russian and Old English—I knew my English degree would come in handy someday). Her name also lends an air of mystery about her, which is perfect for the mysterious nature of her character.

And lastly, we have Alexio Cordovan. I chose Alexio because it has a suave, Mediterranean flavor to it, but Cordovan is the name that tells you everything you need to know about him. If you aren’t familiar with men’s shoes, there is a type known as shell cordovan. They are very expensive, look wonderful, and are made from the shell (muscle) beneath the hide of a horse’s rump. And that is this character to a T. He’s charming, elegant, handsome, but can be a real horse’s ass. Perfect.

As for the title change, there’s a good write up over at CBR that explains it best. And, to be honest, I really dig Valen the Outcast. Funny how things work out, isn’t it?

Issue #1 hits bookshelves tomorrow.

Valen the Outcast #1 available this week.

2011-12-05T23:25:00.001-08:00

This week begins a new ongoing series of mine titled Valen the Outcast, drawn by Matteo Scalera and colored by Archie Van Buren. Normally, I’d post a preview of the series here, but since you can find the preview of this first issue elsewhere already, I thought it’d be fun to show you the evolution of one of my favorite pages from this issue instead (and you won’t find this one in the preview, so bonus!).

Take a look at these…

What I love about this page is how Matteo creates such a sense of dangerous motion. You can almost hear the fire raging and the timbers cracking and you share the character’s sense of urgency. Oh, and that last panel is just sick. Also notice what a great job Archie does in the lower half of the page, creating a sense of atmospheric density as if the smoke is getting in your eyes, clouding your vision yet still keeping everything clear and visible. The farther down the page you go, the thicker--and metaphorically more dangerous--it becomes. Metaphor through color! Seriously, how awesome is that? It’s all just so damn good. And the art gets even better from here.

And here are some nifty original character sketches of our main characters.

One of the best things about this job is seeing the artist bring your characters to life. It’s such a unique feeling to see something born inside your head materialize into something tangible. This series is looking better than I could have ever hoped.

Issue #1 hits bookshelves this Wednesday, so make sure to go to your local comics shop and pick up a copy.

Interview with Nerd Girls Eye View

2011-10-27T15:59:00.001-07:00

I had a wonderful conversation with the lovely ladies over at Nerd Girls Eye View. Our conversation goes over everything from comics to the craft of writing to my fear of cornfields. Give it a listen!

Interview at SciFiPulse

2011-10-24T14:32:00.001-07:00

I chat with Wayne Hall about my new series OUTCAST. Give it a listen!

OUTCAST

2011-10-10T12:05:00.001-07:00

The King is dead. Long live the King.

If you were to ask anyone familiar with my work what my favorite genre is, they’d probably say horror. And they wouldn’t be entirely wrong. But the truth is, I’ve been a fantasy fan even longer than I’ve been a horror fan. I can talk for hours about the political machinations found in A Song of Ice and Fire, I can still name all twelve swords from Fred Saberhagen’s Book of Swords series by heart, and I’ve been playing D&D for nearly 30 years. So you could say I’m a fan of the genre. And OUTCAST brings my love of horror and fantasy together.

The press release describes the series thusly (yes, I used the word “thusly”):

“OUTCAST tells the story of King Valen Brand. He was a just king and a great warrior until he was killed by a Necromancer in battle and resurrected as one of the walking dead. Now he’s considered an abomination in his own realm, an outcast with only one purpose: to restore his lost soul…”

I don’t think it’s possible for me to express to you just how epic this series is going to be. Think about it. An undead king with only a massive sword and a grudge in his possession, searching for his stolen soul across a land that no longer wants him? I was BORN to write this series.

Issue #1 comes out in December for only $1.00. Yes, you read that right. A buck. And we’re NOT talking about 16 pages of story with a bunch of ads to fill in the gaps. I mean a full, 22 page story. For a dollar. I’m telling you, folks. You. Are. Not. Prepared.

I’ve attached the #1 cover images below to whet your appetite. Gor…geous! Oh, and we’re doing something REALLY cool with the Joe Jusko limited variant cover so stay tuned.

28 Days Later Vol. 5: Ghost Town

2011-10-04T11:20:00.001-07:00

This is the 5th of 6 volumes in my 28 Days Later series and collects chapters 17-20. Ghost Town finally reveals the enigmatic man who’s been following Selena since way back in issue 6 and ties the story back to the original film in, what I hope, a fun and interesting way. Ale Aragon really comes into his own in this arc and does a superb job with the art (with Ron Salas doing great work on Chapter 17). And, as always, Nolan Woodard’s colors really brings the perfect tone to the story.

Below is a ten page preview for your perusal. The book hits stands tomorrow (10/15/11) and is available at your Local Comic Shop, Book Seller, Amazon, the Boom! Studios website, Comixology and, if you’re looking for some nifty reading material for your iPad or similar tablet device, you can buy all the singles at Graphically or through the Boom! Studios Comics app at iTunes.

San Diego Post-Game

2011-07-26T11:01:00.001-07:00

I am only now just recovering from this past weekend. I spent most of yesterday passed out on the couch catching up on some much needed sleep and allowing my brain to clear itself of cobwebs spun from five days of lack of sleep and overstimulation. But now that another San Diego Comicon marches off into history, I can look back and honestly say that, for me, Comicon 2011 was the best convention I’ve ever attended.

What made this con so special? Where do I even start? I had several career-building opportunities present themselves throughout the show, had a chance to actually talk with people whom I had previously only been able to see for small amounts of time on the show floor (had a great conversation til the wee hours—okay, wee hours to me, anyway—about guitars), and I know that several of my books are being read by artists whom I admire and highly respect.

But the absolute greatest moments of this show were meeting my readers. I can’t tell you how wonderful it was whenever someone would stop by the booth just to say they enjoyed my work, or brought their own issues for me to sign, or tell me how much they wanted to see one of my books continue beyond what’s already been written. But the greatest moment of the show, and I might even say of my career so far, had to have been this.

I have never been so flattered or humbled before in my life (for those of you who don’t recognize the symbol, pick up a copy of Hexed). It was so moving that I almost couldn’t handle it. I had created a character that had so much of an impact on a reader that she chose to permanently alter her body to reflect her love of that character. That is, without a doubt, one of the coolest things I’ve ever seen and was the cherry on top of an incredible Comicon sundae.

Can’t wait to see what this next year brings.

San Diego 2011

2011-07-12T10:30:00.001-07:00

Yes, it is that time of year again: San Diego Comicon. It is the time when fans and creators alike all descend on the coastal city to celebrate popular culture in comics, tv, film, and games. If you’re attending the show, make sure to stop by the BOOM! Studios booth #2743 and say hi, get a book signed, or offer up a small sacrifice (certainly not expected but always appreciated). I’ll have two panel appearances during the show as well:

H.P. Lovecraft in Comics and Film: Thursday, 8:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. in Room 9.

Editing Comics the BOOM! Studios Way: Sunday, 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. in Room 23ABC

And, as every year, you can find me amorously attached to a glass of scotch at the BOOM! Studios Annual Drink-Up. It starts at 9 (I’ll be getting there a bit later) and goes until the bartenders are forced to chase us out with tire irons. So stop by the Hilton Bayfront Odysea Bar Thursday night and hang with me and the rest of the amazing BOOM! crew. Hope to see you there!

28 DL #24 Reviews

2011-06-19T13:51:00.001-07:00

Here are some great reviews of issue #24 and the series as a whole.

Cammy’s Comic Corner

Horror Haven (1)

Horror Haven (2)

Weekly Comic Book Review

The Catalog

2011-06-17T18:02:00.001-07:00

Now that 28 Days Later is wrapped up, a number of people have been asking what other titles I have for them to read. Since I have quite a few, I thought I should write a post listing them for easy reference. Someday I hope to have an actual website that will make finding my books much easier, but for now, this will have to do.

First off, you can view my Author Pages here:

Amazon

Simon and Schuster

BOOM! Studios

They all have a fairly comprehensive list of all my work (BOOM! Studios has the only fully complete listing). I have written well over a hundred single issues of comics (yes, that many), but many of the single issues are no longer in print. They’ve all been collected (or will be) into trade paperbacks or hardcovers, but these sites still list many of these out-of-print singles, making a general search a bit tedious if you’re just wanting to browse instead of looking for a specific title. So the links below will send you to the collected work. However, some may be sold out. If it is or if you are looking for a specific out-of-print single issue, you’ll have to check the back bins at your Local Comic Shop.

Without further ado, here’s a list of what I’ve written so far.

COLLECTED ANTHOLOGIES

Zombie Tales
Cthulhu Tales
Pirate Tales (my first romance story! sadly, sold out)
Ninja Tales (sold out as well)
Fear the Dead (The single issue is sold out, but you can find the story in the back of Savage Brothers)

ADAPTATIONS

Hawks of Outremer (from the Robert E. Howard story of the same name)

COLLABORATIVE TITLES

X Isle (with Andrew Cosby—Eureka, Damn Nation)
Enigma Cipher (with Andrew Cosby—Eureka, Damn Nation)
Pale Horse (with Andrew Cosby—Eureka, Damn Nation)
Swordsmith Assassin (with Andrew Cosby—Eureka, Damn Nation)
Dead Run (with Andrew Cosby—Eureka, Damn Nation)
Last Reign: Kings of War (with Walt Becker—Van Wilder, Wild Hogs)
The Calling: Cthulhu Chronicles (with Johanna Stokes—Eureka, Death Valley, Mr. Stuffins, Galveston)
Insurrection V3.6 (with Blake Masters—Brotherhood, Law & Order: Los Angeles)
Malignant Man (with James Wan—Saw, Insidious)

ONGOING SERIES

Second Wave (a modern take loosely based on H.G. Wells’ War of the Worlds)
Dominion (sold out, sorry. I think this one is truly gone everywhere. hey, collector’s item!)
Fall of Cthulhu Vol. 1: The Fugue (sold out at BOOM!, but available at Amazon. An omnibus collection of all 6 volumes of FoC will hopefully be coming out soon.)
Fall of Cthulhu Vol. 2: The Gathering
Fall of Cthulhu Vol. 3: The Gray Man (sold out at BOOM! as well)
Fall of Cthulhu Vol. 4: Godwar
Fall of Cthulhu Vol. 5: Apocalypse
Fall of Cthulhu Vol. 6: Nemesis (sold out at BOOM!)
28 Days Later Vol. 1: London Calling (there are hardcovers of this volume floating around the ether. It’s really nice if you can get your hands on one.)
28 Days Later Vol. 2: Bend in the Road
28 Days Later Vol. 3: Hot Zone
28 Days Later Vol. 4: Gangwar
28 Days Later Vol. 5: Ghost Town
28 Days Later Vol. 6: Homecoming (available only in single issues right now. The TPB will be forthcoming)

OF MY OWN PURE INVENTION (and my two personal favorites)

Hexed (there is also a TPB version if you prefer, though the hardcover as a nifty easter egg)
Dingo

I’m currently working on another ongoing series for BOOM! which will be announced in the next month or so. Which means that right now I can’t say much about it other than I am REALLY excited about the project. I know, I know, you hear this kind of stuff all the time, but I promise to get you info as soon as I can.

And, as always, thanks for reading!

28 Days Later #24: the final issue.

2011-06-14T13:17:00.001-07:00

After 2 years, Selena’s story finally comes to an end tomorrow. It really is a bittersweet moment for me. I’m sad that I’ll never get to visit with these characters again, but I’m terribly happy with how well the series came together. I had such a wonderful time writing it and had a chance to work with some incredibly talented people along the way. And, of course, it was a singular thrill to hear how many of you have enjoyed the series as well. There’s nothing in the world quite like being at a show or reading a comment from a reader saying they enjoyed a scene or a character as much as I enjoyed writing it. And that’s what writing is all about; sharing stories. So thank you to all who read the series and for coming along for Selena’s journey. Below is a preview of the final issue that comes out tomorrow. Enjoy. I know I have.

28 Days Later #23

2011-05-16T08:20:00.001-07:00

So, we are almost to the end of the series, folks. Issue #23 comes out this Wednesday which means only one more issue left!

For those of you who are familiar with both films, you know that we’ve been leading up to the events in 28 WEEKS Later. Well, we’re here. This issue may be a little light on dialog, but it’s heavy on action. So buckle up, ladies and gentlemen. Things are about to go south in a big way.

I also want to say that Ale Aragon absolutely destroyed the art in this issue (that means it’s really, REALLY good!). There are so many damn good looking pages in this book that I don’t think I could pick out a favorite if you put a gun to my head. Seriously, from the stunning Sean Phillips cover to the jaw-droppingly incredible images inside, this book is gorgeous. Go get it on Wednesday. You will not be disappointed.

Below are a few pages to wet your whistle.

28 Days Later Vol. 4 Preview!

2011-05-04T13:24:00.001-07:00

The good folks over at Bloody Disgusting have posted a 21 page preview of 28 Days Later Vol. 4! Yes, 21 pages! That’s almost the entire first issue of the arc. For free! This is also the first volume featuring the stellar artwork of Alejandro Aragon so there’s another reason to go give it a look.

The book doesn’t go on sale until next week, so here’s your chance to get a taste of what’s to come. There’s sacrifice, heartbreak, and a vey twisted concept of monarchy. Oh, and of course, the Mannequin.

Malignant Man #1 out this week.

2011-04-19T09:02:00.001-07:00

I have to admit, I had more fun writing this series than I had originally hoped for. Thanks to the world James Wan created, I get to do some fun and nifty things. I know the opening of the issue (and pretty much all of issue #1) feels a bit depressing, but there are some real elements of fun coming up. Trust me.

In the meantime, check out this little preview below then head out to your LCS and pick up a copy. Click to enlarge.

The Reason Why.

2011-04-18T12:13:00.001-07:00

So this week issue #22 of 28 Days Later hits bookshelves and we finally learn the reason why Selena agreed to go back to London. If you’ve been following the clues with the flashbacks and the focus on Selena’s jewelry, it probably wasn’t hard for you to figure out. Either way, it’s revealed this week. And there are only 2 issues after this before the series concludes. We’re getting down to the wire, folks. Hope you’ve been enjoying the ride.

Below is a preview. Click images to biggify.

Weevil by Request

2011-04-06T20:49:00.001-07:00

I spent my day recovering from Wondercon by goofing around on xbox and doodling this requested little Weevil image for a friend.

28 Days Later #21 On Shelves Today!

2011-03-15T22:56:00.001-07:00

The final arc begins here! Clint and Selena have finally made it to London after all this time. Which means we’re in for 4 issues of happy denouement as the world rights itself and everyone lives happily ever after. Because those are the kinds of stories I write. Honestly. Why are you laughing?

Below is a preview of the issue to give you a taste of what’s coming. This arc takes place concurrently with the events of 28 Weeks Later, so if you’ve seen the film, you know that a happy ending is just right around the corner. No, seriously, stop laughing.

Click to biggify.

Much Goings On Today

2011-03-09T12:21:00.000-08:00

There are a few things of mine hitting bookshelves today. First off is the first issue of Insurrection V3.6 that I’m writing with Blake Master. Hit the link for a preview.

Also coming out is the trade paperback of The Calling: Cthulhu Chronicles that I wrote with the wonderfully talented Johanna Stokes. My only complaint about this series is that it was cut short. We had intended it to be an ongoing (you can tell by all the seeds we planted in the first couple of issues), but it ended up running for only four. I thought we wrapped it up pretty well, but if you think it reads bigger than a four issue mini, that’s why.

Like westerns? Gruff cowboys who hold nothing back? Tales of Frontier Justice? Then Pale Horse is for you.

And as an added bonus, here’s a nice review of the second trade papeback of 28 Days Later: Bend in the Road. I’m still adjusting to having finished writing the series (there are four more issues left to publish, but all the writing is complete). If you haven’t been reading it, the first trade is only 10 bucks. So go, buy (Amazon link here), read, and enjoy!

And since I’m pimping, don’t forget that DINGO and HEXED are available as well.

HEXED Released in Trade Paperback

2011-03-02T08:49:00.001-08:00

I’ve written well over a dozen different titles and close to a hundred single issues of comics since I started way back in 2005, from my very first series Second Wave to the current 28 Days Later. And though I am terribly proud of all the work I have done, there are two titles that stand out as my favorites: DINGO and HEXED.

Not only is HEXED one of my personal favorite stories, but I am just in love with the way it looks. Emma Rios and Cris Peter did a stellar job with the art and the Paul Pope cover is one of the best to ever grace one of my books (and I’ve had many amazing covers). Just take a gander at the pages below and you’ll see what I’m talking about.

HEXED is the story of a young woman named Lucifer who makes her living as a thief in a magical and mystical underworld, stealing bad things from bad people. Her pilfering hand is guided by her benefactor, Val, the curator of a prestigious art gallery and collector of things both dangerous and fantastical. In HEXED, Lucifer finds herself caught between a rock and a hard place when an old “employer” comes looking to rehire her.

You can find copies of HEXED at your local comics shop, bookstore, or online. Go and give it a read. I promise you won’t be disappointed.

Weevil: As if there was any doubt.

2011-02-23T09:27:00.001-08:00

Weevil: A Little Man in the Big House.

2011-02-16T11:18:00.001-08:00

Weevil: Minding His Own Evil Business

2011-02-09T11:14:00.001-08:00

I think the bird was the give away.

Weevil Wednesday: Mock at your own peril.

2011-02-02T09:52:00.001-08:00

Weevil #10

2011-01-27T08:31:00.001-08:00

For the days you wish you could hide form the world...

Weevil Wednesday #9

2011-01-19T10:08:00.001-08:00

Just a little cuteness to brighten your day.

28 Days Later #19 out today.

2011-01-19T09:52:00.000-08:00

In this issue, we finally learn why Captain Stiles is hunting Selena and get a tiny clue as to what might have happened to Jim and Hannah. Here's a little preview to get you going.

Weevil Wednesday #8

2011-01-12T14:38:00.000-08:00

It has been an incredibly busy year so far, so I apologize for the delay. Hence, I think this particular episode is rather appropriate.

Weevil Wednesday #7

2011-01-05T08:39:00.001-08:00

Originally, I pictured Weevil being more of a dog person, but I couldn't draw a cat to save my life. Hence the reversal. And I have to say, I kind of like the idea of Weevil having a faithful dog named "Dinner."

Weevil Wednesday #6

2010-12-29T09:50:00.001-08:00

I'm still in the land of dial-up, doing things with the family. I was hoping to draw a special Holiday Weevil greeting but time just is not on my side this week. Hope you all have been enjoying the final weeks of 2010. See you again in 2011.

Weevil Wednesday #5

2010-12-22T06:55:00.002-08:00

CMA

2010-12-19T10:20:00.000-08:00

No, not the Country Music Awards (though, don't I wish!). The good folks over at ComicMonsters.com have nominated me in 3 categories for their Comic Monster Awards of 2010. I'm up for Best Writer for 28 Days Later, Best Scene for The Calling, and Best Ongoing for 28 Days Later.

Obviously, competition is stiff and I'm up against some truly amazing talent (can the Kirkman Juggernaut ever be stopped?). But if you have the time, drop by their site and vote. Hell, just drop by the site anyway. It's a great place for all things horror.

http://www.comicmonsters.com/modules.php?name=Awards

UPDATE: And congrats to Steve Niles for winning their first Honorary Achievement in Horror Comics Award. Well deserved.

Interview with Newsarama

2010-12-15T10:03:00.000-08:00

David Pepose and I chat about the first 16 issues of 28 Days Later and what's in store for Selena. You can read it here.

Weevil Wednesday #4

2010-12-15T09:54:00.000-08:00

Weevil Wednesday #3

2010-12-08T08:47:00.001-08:00

Weevil Wednesday #2

2010-12-01T09:30:00.000-08:00

Weevil, like most vainglorious villains, is ruled by his appetites. His appetites are, however, a bit unusual.

Weevil Wednesday #1

2010-11-24T08:23:00.001-08:00

Weevil the Wee Evil is something I came up with several years ago while doodling in boredom. Eventually it evolved into, well, this. Whatever this is. So, for better or worse, I decided to share his evil cuteness with the world. Enjoy.

28 Days Later #17 Out Today

2010-11-24T08:06:00.000-08:00

This is the first issue of the "Old Ghosts" story arc. It isn't quite as action heavy as previous arcs because I wanted to focus more on Selena and Clint's relationship as well as emphasize the tension of uncertainty caused by what's happening to them. Admittedly, the metaphors are painted with a pretty heavy brush (I'm referring to my writing, not Ron Salas' wonderful art), but I don't think they're overwhelming enough to take you out of the story. Whether it all works or not is for you to decide, but I'm really proud of this arc.

Check out the five page preview below.

Interview with MTV Geek

2010-11-02T17:14:00.000-07:00

Here's a fun interview I had with the folks at MTV Geek during the New York Comic Con. You can see the video below and read the accompanying article here.

MTV Shows

28 Days Later #16

2010-11-02T09:41:00.000-07:00

28 Days Later #16 comes out tomorrow and wraps up the "Factions" story arc. So if you're curious how/if Selena makes it out of the Mannequin, grab the issue to find out.

Ah, the Mannequin. How I do love to make my protagonists suffer so.

Below is a preview of the issue. Head to your local comic shop tomorrow and grab a copy or I'll be forced to chase you all down with a rusty garden trowel.

28 Days Later #14 Out Today (9/8/10)

2010-09-08T09:16:00.000-07:00

Although I had these events percolating inside my head since I began the series, it was still a difficult issue to write. Writing the death of main characters is never easy, even for a writer as notoriously cruel to his protagonists as I am.

For those who read the full issue and are curious, "Farewell all joys" comes from Orlando Gibbons' "The Silver Swan." I feel the poem sums up nicely the tragedy within the issue.

Below is a preview of the first five pages. Enjoy.

My Interview for Comic Geek Speak

2010-08-23T13:31:00.001-07:00

In the run-up to Fan Expo, the good folks at Comic Geek Speak caught me at the BOOM! offices to chat about 28 Days Later and sundry. Give it a listen.

28 Days Later Interview with iFanboy

2010-08-20T11:23:00.000-07:00

The collection of the first story arc of 28 Days Later "London Calling" comes out in paperback next week, so the good folks at iFanboy wanted to chat a little bit about the series and my approach to writing the story.

You can listen here.

Bioshock Infinite

2010-08-18T15:24:00.001-07:00

I'm a little behind the curve since I just discovered this today, but DAMN! I'm looking forward to this almost as much as Portal 2.

Hawks of Outremer #3

2010-08-11T10:07:00.000-07:00

I have been having an absolute blast adapting this story. A big guy with a big sword killing things? How could I NOT have fun with it! But it has been challenging. The story wasn't written in a way to make adapting it into four equally engaging sections easy. I've had to add some scenes, extend others, and even add my own dialog. And trying to sound like another writer is a bitch. But if I'm lucky, only the hardcore Howard fans will be able to tell which parts are mine.

So if you're a Howard fan or if you just like bloodshed and mayhem, you should be reading this. I promise it will not disappoint.

The Calling #2 out Today 08/11/10

2010-08-11T09:40:00.000-07:00

Here's a little preview for your perusal. I am terribly pleased with the way this series has been turning out. Although I am very fond of my work on Fall of Cthulhu and believe it's one of the best long-form stories I've ever written, The Calling is shaping up to be one of the best horror stories I've ever done.

Heading to SD

2010-07-17T11:02:00.000-07:00

The annual San Diego Comicon is next week and it is on schedule to be...well, rather epic. SDCC is always an overwhelming event, but this year seems to be gearing up to the point of an almost apocalyptic threshold. Should be fun!

If you're at the show, stop by the BOOM! booth #2743. I will be there all week selling books and signing autographs. And if you're in town but can't make the show (tickets sold out months ago), stop by the BOOM! Studios drink-up on Thursday. It starts at nine which means you'll have to get there early before I head off for fear of turning back into a pumpkin.

ALA Post Game

2010-06-29T14:30:00.000-07:00

I spent the last five days in Washington DC for the American Library Association's annual conference. Unfortunately, I didn't have much of a chance to explore the city as I had hoped, but it was neat knowing the White House was just a five minute walk away from the hotel.

ALA is a different show from other conventions. First, it isn't a comics crowd, but rather a gathering of, you guessed it, librarians and educators all searching for books and ways of getting those books into students' hands.

Second, it's traditionally not a heavy selling show. Most attendees are scouting for materials on which to spend their (often extremely limited) budget. However, many convention-goers came to the booth looking to expand on their personal collections (I will say, however, that nearly 50% of people that purchased books said they were buying them as gifts. But the high volume of "gift buying" made me curious: Is there a sense of shame in proudly reading comics among academics?)

All of that being said, I sold out of everything. I mean EVERYTHING. I have never done that at a show before. I've sold out of specific titles and books (28 Days Later, HEXED, and Fall of Cthulhu: The Fugue often sell out at shows), but never have I sold out of everything so quickly. 28 Days Later was gone by the second afternoon. HEXED, the morning after. All six volumes of Fall of Cthulhu sold out by the third day. Also Zombie Tales and X Isle were gone by day three. It was surreal.

But the biggest benefit of the show is connecting with educators and exposing them to our books. There's a tremendous demand for reading material for Jr. High and High School students and educators are looking to graphic novels to meet that demand. For most, it's the graphic novel section of their libraries that is growing the most (and in several cases, seeing the most activity among readers). And I'm thrilled to be a part of that.

Interview with Dollar Bin

2010-06-26T04:22:00.000-07:00

Here's another interview that slipped under my radar.

Can. Not. Wait.

2010-06-24T08:07:00.000-07:00

Newsarama Interview at C2E2

2010-06-23T22:53:00.000-07:00

I just stumbled on this from a few months ago. With all of my convention appearances, I completely forgot about it. We talk about three of my favorite titles: Hexed, 28 Days Later, and DINGO. You can find the video here.

Light the Fuse Tour 2010

2010-06-23T08:33:00.000-07:00

This year's Tour continues apace. This weekend, I am of to D.C. for the American Library Association's annual conference. This will make the 8th (or is it 9th?) convention so far this year. I have been traveling so much that the TSA agents at LAX now know me on a first name basis. And the year isn't even halfway over!

For a complete list of where you can catch me, see the press release here.

Hexed Trailer

2010-06-21T13:27:00.000-07:00

I just realized that I never posted Cameron Dean's first trailer that he made for one of my books: Hexed. Enjoy...

DINGO TPB

2010-06-21T12:56:00.000-07:00

In addition to 28 Days Later #12 hitting shelves this Wednesday (06/23/2010), I also have the trade paperback of DINGO coming out as well.

This is the complete collection of the 4-issue mini-series of my adapted novel. If you enjoy my writing, but for some reason haven't read DINGO, I highly recommend that you do. There is no licensed material, no pre-existing mythos, and no one else's story concept. Just like Hexed, DINGO is all me.

Well, what's DINGO about, you ask? My very talented friend Cameron Dean created a little trailer to answer that very question for you...

This Wednesday...

2010-06-21T12:44:00.000-07:00

28 Days Later #12 hits the shelves of your local comic shop. This is the last issue in the current "Hot Zone" story arc. If you haven't been following the series, you may want to start at the beginning with the GORGEOUS hardcover that collects the first 4-issue story arc (and at $19.99, why wouldn't you?).

Here's a nice little preview of #12 to whet your appetite.

The Gears are Rusty

2010-06-21T12:25:00.001-07:00

I've been blogging (albeit sporadically) over at Kung Fu Monkey this year but, in doing so, have neglected my own blog. You'd think I'd have my act together by now, but no. So once again I will try to scour the rust from the gears and get the machine moving again.

Stay tuned...

Dead Run TPB out Today

2009-12-09T15:04:00.000-08:00

Dead Run comes out today in trade paperback. It's a cross between Road Warrior and The Transporter with a dash of Escape from New York thrown in for flavor. So, if like a little snark with your post-apocalyptic stories, this one is for you. Art is by Francesco Biagini, the rock star who is doing the art for my mini-series DINGO. It is a good lookin' book. Get a copy now. Available at your LCS or a major book store near you. Or, as always, you can purchase it through BOOM!'s website.

Released this week

2009-12-04T06:34:00.000-08:00

I'm still in Indiana trying to get my family settled so this announcement is a couple of days late. I have two comics that hit shelves this week. If you can't find them in your LCS, you can always order them (and any of my other titles) directly from the BOOM! website.

The first is 28 Days Later #4, the last issue in the opening story arc for this ongoing series. If you're a fan of the movie, you should really dig this book. Declan Shelvey is doing such an amazing job that I'm afraid they'll have to find a better writer to keep the story on a level playing field with the art.

The second book is DINGO #1, the graphic adaptation of my online novel of the same name (see sidebar). It's a four issue mini so I had to streamline the story, but that's a good thing. I like to think I've grown as a story teller since I first wrote the novel, so hopefully this adaptation will read even better than the novel.

Also, the final issue of Swordsmith Assassin came out last week. If you dig feudal Japan and legendary swordplay with a healthy dose of revenge, pick it up. You will not be sorry.

My Dad

2009-11-29T16:23:00.000-08:00

On my eleventh birthday, my dad took me fishing.

He loaded me and my younger brother into the back of his Pontiac and we headed to the river. For my birthday, I had received a brand new pole, a shiny new tackle box, and a rainbow collection of lures that I just could not wait to use. I was armed and ready to land a fresh water leviathan of truly epic proportions.

It was a truly beautiful day: warm with a few lazy clouds playing across the sky and early enough in the year that the humidity wasn't oppressive. The three of us spent the entire morning sitting on the riverbank, waiting for the fish to bite. They never did.

But I still had the time of my life.

When we finally began to head back home, we stopped to let a pack of Sunday bikers to pass before pulling out onto the lonely stretch of country highway. But when my dad finally turned onto the road, he didn't speed up to head toward home. Instead, he pulled off to the shoulder. I was confused at first until I saw three of the motorcycles lying on their sides in a dozen twisted pieces, their riders and passengers strewn across the highway like so many sacks of dirty laundry.

Very calmly, my dad turned to me and my brother and said, "Stay in the car." Then he left the car and ran to the closest person on the ground.

I won't get into any of the unseemly details, but suffice it to say, there was panic, there was pain, and, yes, there was blood. Yet my father ran into the chaos, calmly moving from person to person as he addressed their injuries (he had been an EMT for the local volunteer fire department for almost a decade). When the ambulance finally came almost half an hour later (we were in the sticks long before the days of cell phones), my dad quickly briefed the EMTs of the situation then directed traffic so that they could do their jobs without having to worry about dodging passing cars.

When the last of the injured had been put into the ambulance and the bikes were moved onto the side of the road, my dad came back to the car where my brother and I waited, riveted by the drama that had just unfolded before us. "You boys okay?" He asked. All we could manage were silent nods. "All right. Then let's go get some cake and ice cream."

No one died in that accident. I have no idea if that was because of my dad or not, but I can't imagine a scene as horrifying as that not resulting in at least one fatality. Yet as gruesome as it was, my dad was there, without a moment's hesitation, doing what he could to help.

He was, in a word, heroic.

If I hadn't been too grief-stricken, I would have shared this story at my father's wake. I wanted all those gathered to know why my father had always been, and always will be, my hero. And it's not just the way he helped those bikers nearly thirty years ago, or how he spent nearly 8 hours under constant fire from Viet Cong while he provided cover for medics trying to extract his fellow marines who were wounded and dying, all with his leg a tattered mess from bullet wounds, or the lives he saved as an EMT, or how he provided food and shelter for his family as a carpenter during Reagan's 80s, how he fell thirty feet and shattered his shoulder only to suffer through months of grueling physical therapy just so he could swing his hammer again, how he made my troubled friends always feel welcomed in his home, how he taught me to drive at 14, or how to build a fire, or how to cut down a tree, or how to read, or how to ENJOY reading, or how he inspired me to become a writer, or any of the other myriad reasons.

Dad is my hero because he is who I want to be when I grow up.

James W. Nelson 1948 - 2009
Photo by little Ary McKenna Nelson, age 3

Fall of Cthulhu: Nemesis TPB out today

2009-11-11T13:32:00.000-08:00

The trade paperback of the 6th and final story arc of my series Fall of Cthulhu hits shelves today.

I had finished the Fall of Cthulhu series with the Apocalypse story arc, wrapping up the story and finishing it in the way I had set out to do from the very beginning. But soon after I had finished it, I was asked to write one more four issue story for the series. It presented a bit of a problem since, well, the last arc was called Apocalypse for a reason. But there was one little loose end that I thought would be fun to tie off. That of Nyarlathotep's cat, Nemesis.

So this story arc is a nice little bookend to the complete series that I had a lot of fun writing. It has Cthulhu, Chaos cultists, Atlantis, Sysyphyx (in a much uglier guise than what readers are used to), and religious rebellion. Oh, and the cat of course. But you'll have to read it to see just how Nemesis fits into this ancient tapestry.

If you don't find the book in your local comics shop or neighborhood bookstore, you can always buy it online here.

Dingo #1

2009-11-09T07:51:00.000-08:00

Right after I graduated from college, I began writing a fantasy novel. It was, to say the least, crap (Okay, maybe it wasn't THAT bad, but it wasn't good enough that I'd actually let anyone read it). I struggled with it for years, honing it, rewriting, reshaping it, trying to get it to somehow resemble the story that was in my head. It wasn't working. So I asked a friend (an amazing writer in her own right) to give it a read and lend me her thoughts on how I could improve it.

The sweetheart that she is, she actually read all 70K grueling words of the thing. The verdict? It was okay, but I wasn't writing it in my voice. She suggested I step away and try something altogether new. That led to DINGO.

It was a complete sea change for me. Both in my ability to tell a story, but also for my career as a writer. It was my novel DINGO that caught the attention of BOOM! Studios and got me my first writing gig (in the very first Zombie Tales).

So now, here I am, five years later, and DINGO is coming out as a comic. It was a challenge to condense the story to four issues, but I think it works. I'll even go as far as to say that it's better (five years growing as a writer, I should hope so). Oh, and the art is spectacular.

The first issue drops in December. I will have some preview pages up as soon as I'm able.

Happy Carl Sagan Day!

2009-11-07T10:06:00.000-08:00

Yes, today is Carl Sagan Day. Go out and experience the universe.

And on a similar note, here's a little article on the space elevator that discusses the architectural challenges we need to overcome in order to actually build one. Can I has one now?

Voodoo Soup

2009-11-06T09:27:00.001-08:00

Happy Friday.

Hexed Trade Cover by Paul Pope

2009-11-04T09:51:00.000-08:00

This truly is a gorgeous book and the one I am most proud of.

The Gears are Turning Again

2009-11-03T10:50:00.000-08:00

After being gone for almost a year, there really isn't much to say other than, "I'm back." I spent some time earlier this year blogging over at Kung Fu Monkey (for which I am terribly grateful to John Rogers for allowing me play in his sandbox) until I, rather quickly, ran out of things to say. Hopefully someday soon I will return with some bon mots of newbie wisdom, but as of right now, I really only have elements of shameless self promotion to toss your way.

That being said, I have some titles coming out that may be of interest to readers.

First, the Hexed hardcover is now available. And it is a gorgeous book. The trade is only available in hardcover but it is very reasonably priced and well worth the money. If you were only able to find an issue or two, this hardcover collects the full run along with a cover gallery and a little Afterword. If you want to see more of Hexed, please go and buy. Let the good folks at BOOM! you want to read more.

My series Fall of Cthulhu is now completely wrapped and the final trade, FoC: Nemesis, will be hitting shelves very soon.

Swordsmith Assassin #3 is now available at all fine comics purveyors.

The surprisingly popular series Dead Run will be available in trade very soon.

My online novel, Dingo, is coming out as a 4 issue mini-series. Believe me, you are not ready. No, boys and girls, you are NOT ready.

Oh, and I'm writing a little ongoing series called 28 Days Later. You may have heard of it. If you're a fan of the film, you'll dig the series. Go and buy. Now.

I have also been nominated for the Project Fanboy Awards (link goes to voting ballot) in the Best Indy Writer category. Hexed was nominated for Best Indy Title and Best Rookie Title, Lucifer was nominated as Best Indy Character, and the wonderfully talented Emma Rios was nominated for best Indy Artist. So please go and vote.

I will periodically update with more info and images regarding my books as well as any convention appearances. You can also follow me on twitter here: http://twitter.com/roquesdoodle

MAN's Machine may be painfully slow, but it's gears never stops turning.

Signing

2009-02-04T19:32:00.001-08:00

Updates

2009-02-04T13:08:00.000-08:00

Sorry for being away for so long, but my blogging energies are being spent over at Kung Fu Monkey.

Anyway, a couple of quick updates. First, Fall of Cthulhu: Apocalypse #3 comes out today. We're there, folks. This is the second to last issue of the entire series * and it's the only issue where we actually see the big C himself. That's right. Cthulhu actually makes an appearance. It all comes to a head in this issue so make sure to pick it up and spread the word.

I'll be at New York Comicon this weekend. As always, I'll be working the BOOM! booth (#1313) so if you're going to be there and want to have anything signed, make sure to stop by and say hi. All of my current books will be for sale as well as many of the other awesome BOOM! titles we'll have there.

On Wednesday, February 11th, I'll be at Meltdown Comics on Sunset Blvd. signing copies of Hexed #2. Caleb Monroe will also be there signing copies of his excellent book The Remnant so you won't want to miss it.

I hope to have some big news in the next few weeks. For all intents and purposes, it looks like I will be the writer on a very exciting title. But since it's not official, I have to keep my mouth shut. However, as soon as it's official, I will let you know. Have a great weekend all and I hope to see you in New York.

* There is an additional 4 issue series following Apocalypse, called Nemesis, but it's more of an addendum to tie up a minor loose end. The proper Fall of Cthulhu story ends with issue 4 of Apocalypse.

Hexed #1 Out Today

2009-01-07T08:14:00.000-08:00

Yes, folks. Today is the big day. Hexed #1 hits shelves with a media splash that includes a special video by Mark Waid discussing the "5 for 500" promotion of the book and the issue debuting on Myspace Comics.

To say that we're all proud of this book would be an understatement. For my own part of the project, it is some of the best writing I've ever done. But that's not all. The art by Emma Rios and colors by Cris Peters are simply jaw droppingly beautiful. These lovely ladies brought their A Game to the book. It's gorgeous. Oh, and let's not forget the covers by Joe Pekar.

So if you aren't sure about picking it up, go over to Myspace and give it a read. If you dig it, head to your LCS and pick it up. I would love to see Hexed continue as a series long into the future, but the only way that will happen is if people buy it. So give it a shot. I think you're going to like it.

Godwar #4 out Today (12/17/08)

2008-12-17T08:38:00.000-08:00

This issue may seem a little out of character compared with the first three since it's more of a recounting of events (outside of the Fall of Cthulhu story) that helped lead up to this particular moment.

When Ross Richie approached me and said that he wanted an additional arc to follow Godwar, I had already written the first three issues and was prepared to wrap the entire story up in #4. Thankfully, the next arc, Apocalypse, gave me the space to end the main FoC story the way that I wanted to. So be patient. The story isn't over yet.

Guest Blogging

2008-12-12T10:21:00.000-08:00

I will be guest blogging over at Kung Fu Monkey so my posts here may be thinner than usual. I'll still post here regarding upcoming releases, etc. so don't go anywhere. My first post at KFM is here.

Speaking of releases, here's a preview of my Zombie Tale "Back Biter" that will be on shelves soon. The third Fall of Cthulhu trade paperback, The Gray Man, is now available for purchase. The book also has a nice preview of Hexed so it's definitely worth a look.

Speaking of Hexed, Project Fanboy interviewed artist Emma Rios about Hexed and some other projects she's working on. It's a great interview with some wonderful accompanying images so check it out.

The Harlot Returns

2008-12-03T09:11:00.000-08:00

As you can see by Emma Rios's Hexed #3 cover to the left, the Harlot has made her way from Fall of Cthulhu over to our new universe.

What I find simply amazing is how Emma Rios redesigned the Harlot in such a way that she remains recognizable but yet completely different. The inhumanly tall frame, the big hair, the seething sexuality and fearsome danger behind her eyes, it's all there. Emma has a blog post describing her approach to drawing the Harlot (it's in Spanish).

The Harlot's "rebirth" is actually quite appropriate given the events that befall her in FoC (sorry, you'll have to read it to find out). I really enjoy the serendipitous alignments of overarching story elements when they come together in such unexpected ways.

Although I do have to admit that I'm a little sad now. I wish I had written the Harlot into more of the story just so I could see more of Emma's masterwork with the character.

And folks, remember the name Emma Rios. Her star is rising fast and she will very soon be, I'm sure, gracing the pages of comics writers much more popular and talented than myself. Keep an eye out for her. You won't be disappointed, promise.

Hexed #1 will be hitting shelves at the end of this month/first week of January.

On Shelves This Week (11/11/08)

2008-11-13T08:24:00.000-08:00

The first issue of Walt Becker's Last Reign: Kings of War hits stores this week. If you like your medieval warfare cooked up with a sci-fi twist, pick this up.

Also hitting shelves this week is Fall of Cthulhu: Godwar #3, wherein our ragtag band of sanity seekers enjoy a parade and go on a little island getaway.

Get thee to a purveyor of comics and buy.

Podcast at Comixology

2008-11-10T08:04:00.000-08:00

Peter Jaffe was kind enough to ask me some questions about Hexed and how I got started in comics. If you have time, give it a listen.

Election Day

2008-11-04T09:17:00.001-08:00

I don't blog about politics because I don't want to alienate any of my readers who may disagree with my views (I need more readers, not less). I know it can be considered childish to refuse to read someone based on their politics as opposed to their writing, but I must confess that there are a few authors whom I no longer read for that very reason. Granted, their views are pretty extreme (I would go so far as to say toxic), but nevertheless, I can't read any of their work now without seeing it through that filter. It's ruined some pretty enjoyable stories for me.

All that said, I wanted to at least mention that I voted today. I've voted at this polling place three times before and I've never had to stand in line, let alone in a line that wound around the block at the time the polls opened. It isn't often that I realize when I'm being a part of something truly historic, but that's definitely what happened today. Once this election is over, we will have either the first African-American President or the first female Vice President ever. I've written quite a bit in my day, but never before have I ever helped write History.

It's a damn good feeling.

I am the Rad Hatter

2008-11-02T19:43:00.000-08:00

My friends and I love Halloween. For the past couple of years, we'd pick a theme, all make costumes relevant to that theme, and then go out and drink sinful amounts of alcohol while cursing ourselves for making costumes that are cumbersome.

Still, much fun is always had.

This year's theme was steampunk. So, I decided to go as a steampunk rock star, a character my friend kindly dubbed as the Rad Hatter.

This is the best costume I've ever made and certainly the most fun I've ever worn. It consists of three major components: the BOX, the steampunk guitar, and the HAT.

This is how it works. The box that I have strapped to my back plays music through its pipes, much like a pipe organ. My guitar is then routed into the box where it is transformed through a process of highly volatile alcehmy. The sound created is then routed out of the box and into my hat where it is then projected out into the aether.

And the great thing about it is that it all works!

Above is the side view. You can see how the ensemble is put together.

Above is the back view of the box. Though you can't tell in this photo, the objects in the window create a wonderful range of light. The objects are my flowsticks from flowtoys (I use them for spinning which is another post in itself). Inside the box is a small, battery-powered speaker system that my ipod plugs into. That's where the music comes from. I also have two guitar pedals, a distortion and delay, housed inside as well. i originally thought I would have the guitar run directly into the hat, but I wanted to affect the sound and pedals were the easiest way. The box was perfect for them.

The picture above is a pretty good close-up of the hat and the guitar (which I have named "Tetanus"). Inside the hat is a small Danelectro Honeytone amp. I had originally toyed with the idea of using a smaller amp, but I opted for the Honeytone since it allowed me clean sounds at a higher volume. That way I was able to use my pedals to affect the sound rather than the amp. The key sticking out of the side of my hat controls the volume.

But I honestly think that it's the guitar that makes the costume and it is the part that I am most proud of. I found a cheap "snake" guitar on ebay and then repainted it and created the rusted iron effect. I then added little touches like the copper tubing, the "furnace" light, and the red thing that used to be the end of a curtain rod. And it doesn't sound half bad. Not great, but not bad either. The pick-up position is just a little off so it doesn't produce that full, meaty humbucker tone you would expect. Instead, it's more of a 2nd position from a hum-single-single configuration (those of you who play guitar will know what I mean). And it can't stay in tune to save its life. Even so, it's a blast to play. there should be some video floating around on youtube. As soon as I find it, I'll link.

So now that this Halloween is finally over, we have to decide what to do for next year. To be honest, the time and money invested in this makes me want to go as the Rad Hatter for the rest of this decade so I can get my money's worth.

And in case you were wondering, my costume wasn't the best. Not by far. We also had a zeppelin mechanic, Miss Knick Knacks, a steampunk iron man, and the apothakitty.

Yes, the apothakitty. Frikkin' brilliant.

Halloween Apocalypse Preview

2008-10-29T14:32:00.000-07:00

Over at MTV Splash Page, they have an 8 page preview of my upcoming Fall of Cthulhu: Apocalypse which hits shelves in December. This is the arc that finishes what Godwar began, culminating in, well, an Apocalypse. Hence, the name. Yes, I'm clever that way.

What's interesting is that HEXED #1 comes out the same month as Apocalypse #1. Which means readers who are following both series won't know what I'm referencing when I mention that horrible things happened to poor Lucifer in Massachusetts (and reading FoC: Apocalypse is the only why you can find out--I'm clever that way, too). How I do love mystery.

I also want to mention that I will be a panelist at the Alameda Writers Group this Saturday, November 1st. So if you're not suffering from a hangover or a sugar coma and live in the Glendale, CA area, stop on by.

More delicious HEXED goodness.

2008-10-23T15:38:00.000-07:00

Sorry folks, but it looks like it's going to be all Hexed all the time here at the Machine for a while. First off, Hexed has a facebook page. For all you net-savvy denizens out there, go and make Lucifer your friend.

Next, Mark Waid sat down to talk with me, Emma, and Cris over at Newsarama about working on Hexed . It's great to get these talented young ladies' perspective on the project, so I highly recommend giving it a read.

Hexed preview at CBR

2008-10-22T16:53:00.000-07:00

Hexed is the lead news item on CBR right now. Hit the link for the article and first 8 pages. It's worth it just to see the amazing job that Emma Rios and Cris Peters have done. Gorgeous stuff.

There is something awesome in the state of Denmark.

2008-10-21T13:00:00.000-07:00

The first review of Hexed #1 is up, and from what Google translate tells me, the Danes really liked it.

Here's the translated version if you'd like to give it a read.

There's still a couple months to go before it hits stands, so be patient. In the meantime, you can get your MAN fix with Fall of Cthulhu: Godwar # 3, hitting stands soon.

(and I promise never to use "MAN fix" again)

Interview at Project Fanboy

2008-10-14T20:58:00.000-07:00

Sebastian Piccione from Project Fanboy asked me a few questions regarding the current Fall of Cthulhu arcs and the upcoming Hexed project. You can read it here.

Hexed

2008-09-25T20:43:00.001-07:00

I've been dropping hints about my "super secret" project for a while now. Today, I finally get to reveal it. So here it is: HEXED (advertised in this week's Previews catalog).

The tagline "Blood, Sex, Theft, Magic" pretty much says it all. It's a story about a young thief who operates in a world of magic. For those of you familiar with my writing, you know that it's going to be dark. But there will also be elements of humor and (I know this is a first for me) a happy ending every now and again. I know, radical departure for me, but I think it's a good idea to see the light at the end of the tunnel every now and again.

There are several reasons for my excitement about this project. First and foremost, it's the first project I've ever done that is, from top to bottom, my own creation. It's not a series based on someone else's concept or written in someone else's pre-constructed universe. This one is all me.

Granted, I've had substantial leeway and enormous (if not total) creative input with all of my other projects, but they still were all the brainchilds of someone else. Second Wave was loosely based on War of the Worlds, Dominion came from the concept originally hatched by Ross Richie and Keith Giffen, X Isle and Engima Cipher were conceived by the wonderfully talented Andrew Cosby, the rich world for Last Reign was designed by Walt Becker, and of course Fall of Cthulhu is told within the confines of Lovecraft's mythos (no matter how much I try to push those boundaries). Even all of my Tales stories are based on a pre-existing conceit: zombies, Cthulhu, pirates, ninjas. Not so with Hexed. For better or worse, this story, this universe, and the characters that inhabit it are all of my own creation.

What's interesting, however, is that the main character (and a few peripheral ones as well) come from Fall of Cthulhu. Hexed is Lucifer's story after the events of FoC (if you haven't read FoC, Lucifer is not the devil, just in case you were wondering). But here's the rub: this does NOT take place within the Cthulhu mythos. There is nothing Lovecraftian about this series. There is no Cthulhu, no Nyarlathotep, no Nodens. Don't worry, there's still horror and madness, but I'm taking Lucifer out of that world and putting her inside my own (if you're curious about the kind of world I'm talking about, read my online novel DINGO to get an idea). Even though the fact that Lucifer had a terrible past will remain intact within the context of this new series, the specific events of FoC will never be mentioned. They're not important. It's a new world for our darling thief.

Another thing that has me dancing in the streets over this series is the art. Here are the two covers for Hexed #1. The first is by the amazing Joe Pekar. He's doing a few covers for us and they are simply beautiful. Those of you who are familiar with his work know that this guy has a way with iconic poses.

This second cover is from the wickedly talented Emma Rios who is also doing the interior art for this first arc. Boys and girls, let me speak very plainly: Emma's art is chocolate-covered awesome on a stick. With the help of Cris Peter (who did some wonderful work for FoC as well), she is going to make this book something to talk about. This. Book. Is. GORGEOUS! I can't tell you how lucky I am to have such a talented team working on this. These girls are going to make me look good.

Check the Previews catalog or come back here to the blog in a few weeks for the exact date when the first issue drops. Seriously folks, I've never had more fun or been more excited about a project than I am with Hexed. And I'm confident you'll enjoy it just as much as I do. Check it out.

Godwar #2 in stores today 9/18

2008-09-18T09:32:00.000-07:00

I like to call this issue the "reunion" issue for reasons that will become evident in the last few pages of the book. The first reunion is one most readers would expect. The second, not so much. So pick it up if you have a chance.

Also, I will finally be able to talk about my "secret" project. I've never been more excited about a project than this and I think readers will feel the same way. The art that I've see so far is absolutely stunning, so even if you don't dig the way I tell stories, you will LOVE how this book looks. More details to come next week. In the meantime, Godwar beckons. Heed its call.

UPDATE: Forgot to mention that this amazing image of Nodens thrashing some Cthulhu spawn on the #2 cover was created by the immensely talented Nick Percival.

Ah, to be a kid again...

2008-09-10T09:16:00.001-07:00

For some reason, this just puts a huge smile on my face.

School Library Journal Review

2008-09-01T12:24:00.001-07:00

Now THIS is interesting. Fall of Cthulhu: The Fugue has been reviewed by the School Library Journal. You'll have to scroll on down to the High School section to find it (suitable for gades 9 and up), but it's there.

So what does this mean? It means that there's a good chance that my work is, or soon will be, in school libraries across the country. Yes, my creative tendrils will be needling their way into the easily molded minds of students everywhere.

Cue maniacal laughter as I scratch off one more item on my World Domination "to do" list.

In all seriousness, this is a great honor and a serious boon to my career. My goal as a writer is to be read by as many people as possible and, hopefully, entertain them for the few brief moments that I've captured their attention. I can't think of a better opportunity than to be introduced into school libraries.

Last Reign Interview

2008-08-16T21:24:00.001-07:00

The good folks over at the Comic Book Page Podcast talked with me about the upcoming comic series Last Reign and had some great questions regarding this project as a comic vs. this project as a film.

One thing I've noticed after listening to this interview and the Geekerati podcast last week is that I am a stuttering idiot. It's embarrassing (actually, it's pretty frikkin' horrifying). But if you can get past my "you know, um..uh-uh-uh-uh..." it's rather informative. So take a chance and give it a listen.

Fall of Cthulhu: Godwar #1 out today (8-13)

2008-08-13T11:35:00.000-07:00

Today the Godwar begins. Those of you who have been itching to see some of the bigger nasties get their day in the sun will want to read this arc. Don't worry, the little people you've come to know are still around (and we even see the return of an old friend), but there's no telling what will happen to them when all hell starts to break loose. Pick it up at your local comics shop or order it online here.

If you'd like to get a little taste, Ain't It Cool News has a preview.

Geekerati Tonight

2008-08-11T07:18:00.000-07:00

I will be on the Geekerati live podcast tonight at 7:00 p.m. Pacific, talking about Fall of Cthulhu: Godwar and other wonderfully eldritch things. So stop by and give a listen or even call in with questions of your own.

Delaying the inevitable.

2008-08-04T21:43:00.000-07:00

As of this moment, I am nearly done with Fall of Cthulhu. The final issue of Apocalypse will be the last chapter of the meta story I've been telling since we first saw Abdul Alhazred resurrected in issue #0 all those months ago. Almost done.

But I can't bring myself to finish it.

It's not that I don't have the story outlined and ready to go. It's that I don't want to finish it. Yes, FoC will be continuing on after Apocalypse, but it will be a different story. This story, with Cy, his crazy uncle, poor Jordan, that damn knife, Connor, Arkham, Sysyphyx, the Gith, the Masked Mute, the Gnruk, Sheriff Dirk, Lucifer, the Harlot, even the big C himself, will finally be over. And I don't like that very much.

I felt this way when I finished DINGO. I was so happy to type the words THE END, but there was that weird sadness that came with no longer being able to live in that world with those characters. Reading about them is one thing. Creating them quite another. Once the story is over, there is no more creation. That particular thrill is gone forever.

There's also the horrible knowledge that I'll never be able to make the story better. The story could always have its less than stellar moments, but even so, there's always the hope that the next issue or the next arc will be the one that really makes the story something to remember. Readers can forgive (usually) a lull in performance if there's some redemption later on. But if the story's over, that opportunity is gone. Carved in stone, as they say.

But the nice thing is that when this story is finally over, I get to move on to the next one. And the next one. And the next one. I can only hope I enjoy them as much as I have FoC.

Returned

2008-07-29T23:03:00.000-07:00

As always, San Diego Comicon was the event of the year. I wish I had some interesting stories to tell, but I'm afraid that nothing terribly odd or out of the ordinary happened. I met with friends, made some new ones, and had a great time signing autographs. Oh, and I scored some fantastic prints down at Artist Alley.

Now, it's back to work. I was able to crank out a Zombie Tale today so I'm hoping my momentum is back up and running. I'll be finishing the last issue of Fall of Cthulhu: Apocalypse this week and then moving on to the last couple of Last Reign scripts following that. Once those are complete, then it's on to project #4 LC. I received the final artwork for cover #1 and I have to say folks; it's stunning. I'll post it as soon as the BOOM! marketing director gives me the a-okay. In the meantime, here's my flickr stream from the con.

In stores this week (07/23/08).

2008-07-22T10:02:00.001-07:00

Fall of Cthulhu #14, "The Gray Man" part 4 (of 4)

This arc is my personal favorite of the series so far. Not only does it have my two absolute favorite creations (Lucifer and the Harlot, as seen in the cover image on left), but it is also the most enjoyable story (IMO) that I've written in a while. Obviously, opinions may vary.

Nevertheless, if you have a chance to pick it up, please do. You don't have to be a mythos fan or a Lovecraft scholar to enjoy these stories. I (try to) give you all the information you need to understand the context of the story. No prerequisite research necessary.

But if you've been following the story since the beginning, then hopefully this final chapter of "The Gray Man" will be even that more enjoyable. I'd love to hear what you all think about it.

After this arc, we move on to GODWAR which will then segue into APOCALYPSE. Get ready, folks. It's hitting the fan.

On another note, I will be in San Diego this week, working the BOOM! Studios booth (booth #2543). So if you're one of the hundreds of thousands of people crazy enough to brave this event, stop by and get some books signed. Hope to see you there.

Last Reign

2008-07-18T07:42:00.001-07:00

BOOM! Studios has just announced the new series I'm writing with director Walt Becker: Last Reign.

Here is the press release (via Newsarama) and here is an interview with Walt on CBR talking about the project.

Obviously, I will be writing more about Last Reign in the weeks and months to come, but I have a script to finish before San Diego. So in the meantime, enjoy this gorgeous cover art by Karl Richardson.

Dominion TPB

2008-07-17T07:42:00.000-07:00

The trade paperback of my five issue mini-series Dominion is now available for purchase. You can find it online or at your local comic book store (even the big bookstores might have it, or at least can order it for you).

This story is based on the Ross Richie and Keith Giffen concept of an alien virus infecting people with super powers. However, this is not a superhero book. Not even close. But it is a hero book. And the hero doesn't have any powers at all. He's just a man trying to save his city from something he can't understand.

This is perhaps the best thing I've written to date and I'm terribly proud of this story. So if it sounds like something you might be into (and what's not to like about watching Chicago being torn apart by an alien disease?), give it a read. I think you'll dig it.

Dr. Horrible

2008-07-16T19:01:00.000-07:00

This week and this week only, Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog is available for free viewing.

"It's curtains for you, Dr. Horrible. Lacy, gently wafting curtains."

Made. Of. Win.

Interview at Buried.com

2008-07-16T11:57:00.001-07:00

The good folks over at Buried.com decided to ask me a few questions. You can find the answers here.

"The Beach" Commentary

2008-07-15T10:07:00.001-07:00

Over at the newly designed BOOM! Studios website, they're posting a page a day of the first Cthulhu Tales anthology for your viewing pleasure.

The first story up is my "The Beach" which I've been adding a little writer's commentary in the comments of each page. They're up to page 5 so far. So if you want a little insight into how the story came about or if you've never even read the story and would like some quality Cthulhu goodness for FREE(!), head on over now.

Did I mention it's free?