AICN on Elk’s Run #4

Ain't It Cool News: The best in movie, TV, DVD, and comic book news.:

"ELK’S RUN #4 Speakeasy Comics I first heard about this book after reading Vroom Socko’s excellent review of issue #3 last summer. Since then, I have digested every issue of this series and found it to be one of the most spine-tingling reads I have read in ages. Never have I been more invested in the outcome of a story than I am with this one. The secluded town of Elk’s Run is threatened with interference from the outside world. Recognizing that their parents are a little bit of bat-shit crazy, four kids decide that they need to get out of town…and fast. This book has a tempo, a heartbeat that is ever-present. And as each issue goes by, the beat gets faster. Search out the first three issues of this series and buy issue #4 released last week. You won’t be sorry. - Ambush Bug "

Thanks for the love guys.

ELK’S RUN #4 REVIEW - comiXtreme

ELK'S RUN #4 REVIEW - comiXtreme:

"Now that Speakeasy has released a “bumper edition” of the first three issues (and you can read number three for free online - check the Hoarse and Buggy website for details), there’s no excuse not to pick this up. And you should, because it’s comics like this that give me hope for the medium. "

Thanks for the kind words, Andy!

Ninth Art Lighthouse Awards 2005 - Best Debut

Over at the phenomenally thoughtful and well written NinthArt, Elk's Run got on the Honor Roll for Best Debut book. Here's what they had to say: Ninth Art Lighthouse Awards 2005:

"ELK'S RUN: Let's set the record straight. There are no elk in this comic. If there were, they would not run, unless it was to escape from the pseudo-moral militia who are building up to unleash tragedy in a tiny American town in this tense, slow-burning series. Fialkov, Tuazon and Keating have created a story that's genuinely foreboding, chilling and creepy. It is most assuredly not a funny animal book."

Comics Should be Good names Elk’s Run…

Best Comic Book That No One is Reading:Elk's Run. Okay, according to Jason, maybe 150 people are. But that's not nearly enough. This is a bracing, intense look at a generational war played out in small-town America with enough secrets to stymie the CIA. It's a gripping adventure story but also a insightful psychological piece. The bumper edition (collecting the first three issues) and the fourth issue should still be around. The only excuse you have for not reading it is not being able to find it, which, I admit, is a reason, but people can help. Ask Jason where you can get it. Ask Joshua, the writer. Or, you know, go here."

Click Here for the Rest of Their Picks

And much thanks guys!

Cellar Door Reviews Calls Elk’s Run One of the Best of ‘05

Cellar Door Review Column:

"Elk's Run (Speakeasy Comics) This is a title that had to jump from one publisher to another, but well worth it to find (or ask your retailer). This is quite simply a story of town which has drawn back away from the rest of society. In the hills of West Virginia, this sleepy town is on the verge of an uprising.Joshua Fialkov keeps the story moving with each issue being told from a different character's perspective. Instead of ‘rehashing' events, this style of story telling actually opens up the story more than I expected it too. Motivations, ideas, dreams, and hopes are all expressed by these characters who find themselves in a town like no other. The age old battle of the younger generations ideals vs. their parents ideals gets a whole new spin, as some of the local children realize that what their parents are doing ‘for their protection' seems to do more harm than good. Check out this book for a tale of a town slowly realizing that their way of life is about to get turned on its ear. "

Pop Thought Interviews Me!

Alex Ness Spends Way Too Long Letting me ramble, but this interview's probably my favorite that I've done. It vastly different from ever other interview I've done and really feel like it's a good read. So, go check it out.

They Did It Before, but This Time for Real!

Our pals over at Buzzscope made it official. We made it on to EIC Guy Gonzalez Best of the Year list, and now we made it onto the Official Best of the Year. Read on! And go check out their other picks, there's really and truly the cream of the crop there, and we're honored to be in such wonderful company.BUZZSCOPE :: Buzzscope Comics: Best of 2005:

"ELK’S RUN, by Joshua Hale Fialkov, Noel Tuazon and Scott A. Keating (Hoarse & Buggy/Speakeasy): Imagine a compelling combination of Shirley Jackson's 'The Lottery' and Stephen King's 'The Body,' with a healthy dose of M. Night Shyamalan's The Village, and you'll have a good idea of the overall tone of Elk's Run, the critically acclaimed mini-series from writer/creator Joshua Hale Fialkov that you're most likely not currently reading. Then, imagine the resultant story being told from multiple viewpoints, Rashomon-style, and you'll realize that you're missing out on THE sleeper hit of the year. Noel Tuazon's art is perfectly suited for the eerie but grounded tone of Fialkov's story, reminiscent of Craig Thompson's impressionistic work in the way he excels at making the ordinary interesting and distinctive, while Scott A. Keating's coloring complements him with a simple, but subtly varied palette. A suspenseful blend of familiar genre elements whose sum is far greater than its individual parts, Fialkov has crafted the kind of story that stretches the definition of 'comic book' and is deserving of the superlative tagline: Instant Classic. – Guy LeCharles Gonzalez"

Andrew Foley on Elk’s Run!

HH Skewed Perspectives - Elks' Run Bumper Edition

While each issue of the series provides an interesting read, I’m glad I read the first three issues in this collected edition, as it let me better appreciate the unusual structure Fialkov’s chosen to tell this story. Even though the first story page cleverly foreshadows the plot’s progression, read on its own, the first issue could give a misleading impression of what the book’s about--it appears to be a story of teenage rebellion. While that element is certainly a part of the tapestry ELK’S RUN’s creators are weaving, the story is much larger than that. It’s only by the end of the third issue that we get a sense of exactly how bad things are going to get for everyone in Elk’s Ridge.

Elk’s Run Art

Elk's Run Art Originally uploaded by Joshua Hale Fialkov.

Elk’s Run Art

Elk's Run Art Originally uploaded by Joshua Hale Fialkov.

Viral Marketing, eh?

BUZZSCOPE on Elk’s Run #4

BUZZSCOPE :: Weekly Review Roundup: December 21, 2005:"ELK’S RUN #4 – BUZZSCORE: A

By Joshua Hale Fialkov, Noel Tuazon and Scott Keating * Speakeasy, $2.99

If there were any reservations about declaring an 8-issue mini-series one of the best of the year based only on its first three chapters, Elk’s Run hits the halfway point with a bang, cementing its status in my mind as THE sleeper hit of the year. After last issue’s shocking turn of events saw two state troopers killed for prying too deeply into town affairs, Fialkov switches perspectives again, showing the immediate aftermath through the eyes of the four teenagers charged with disposing the bodies as they come to grips with what’s happened and debate their escape. “Who knows what else they’ve done…?” Flashing back periodically to a hunting expedition, Fialkov continues to unfold his story of a tightly knit community coming apart at the seams, deftly fleshing out motivations and balancing even the most extreme actions within a very human context. Tuazon and Keating complement the story’s mounting tension with atmospheric visuals that will look great when some smart director brings Elk’s Run to theaters, Sin City-style, in a couple of years. Don’t let the ghost of Christmas past pay you a visit and make you regret missing out on the source material. --Guy LeCharles Gonzalez"

Livejournal Directing Comics Discussion

Over on my LJ there's a little piece I wrote about my background in directing, and how much I miss it. It's growing into a little conversation about film directing being a great bridge into comic writing. Chime in comic writers!

Marc Mason Reminisces about Western Tales…

Right here are some mighty kind words from Marc Mason about WToT. To answer his question of "When is there going to be a trade?" We're actually talking to some people right now. Chris Arundel (publisher and business partner extraordinaire) will read this and then IM me saying "What people?" cause I haven't told him yet.

David Welsh on Elk’s Run #4

When something like the Speakeasy situation happens, I usually just sit back and look at what smarter people have to say on the subject. Because really, what I know about the economics of comics publishing and anything resembling high finance could comfortably fit in half of a hollowed-out Skittle, with plenty of room left over. (And to anyone who got a good chuckle out of the use of “comics” and “high finance” in the same sentence, you’re welcome.) But reading the updates and analysis and noting that the fourth issue of Elk’s Run is due out today, I find myself a little more wistful than I would normally be at yet another industry implosion.

Click Here for the Rest

Happy Holidays from H&B

ER 4 Review/Preview Round Up

BUZZSCOPE Previews ER4 Fossen Reviews ER4

More to come...

Elk’s Run #4 Out Today And….

LOS ANGELES, CA 12-19-05 – Independent Sensation Hoarse and Buggy Productions Updates the World on Elk’s Run! “Hello comic fans, retailers, and creators! This is Elk’s Run creator Joshua Hale Fialkov writing to give a quick update on the status of the book, in light of Speakeasy’s recent announcement.

First and foremost, the book will be continuing in print, through the full run of the series. We have Speakeasy’s assurance that come hell or high water, the rest of the book will absolutely see print. The first all new Speakeasy issue, #4 (Diamond Order #SEP05 3086), is in shops this week. Issue #5 (OCT05 3177) will follow in January, with issue #6 in February or March. Make sure to get your orders in for Issue 6 (DEC05 3188) as they’re due this week!

In addition to all of this, we’re offering something special for fans and new readers during this holiday of giving, We’ve already offered the first issue of Elk’s Run for free at Newsarama (link: http://www.newsarama.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=41646 ), now we’re offering the third issue for free o hoarseandbuggy.com ! With these two free issues available, you know everything you need to know to dive in with this week’s issue 4! You can view the book, for free, here: http://hoarseandbuggy.com/news/release/38

Finally, we wanted to send a big thank you and a happy holidays to all of our fans and supporters! It’s been a hell of a year, and we’re eternally grateful for all of your supports, and we promise there’ll be some great stuff from the whole H&B team in 2007!

Have a happy new year and enjoy your free Elk’s Run!

--

Hoarse and Buggy Productions is an independent comics studio and production company focusing primarily on comics, but with forays into filmmaking, music, and animation. Founded by Joshua Hale Fialkov and Christopher Arundel in 2003, H&B was responsible for the Cult Hit Western Tales of Terror, featuring the biggest and brightest creators in comics, and the Critical Success Elk’s Run. You can visit them online at http://www.hoarseandbuggy.com for more information!

In case you need another reason to order Elk’s Run #6…

Elk's Run #6, Page 1 Art by Noel Tuazon and Scott Keating Order #DEC05 3188

More Tits Than Any other Issue of Elk's Run Yet.

IGN’s Year End Award Noms Are In!!!

IGN.com's year end awards are up, and Elk's Run is nominated for Best Indie Book, and H&B is nominated for Best Indie Publisher! Go team!