Round Robin

Alright, so, it's been a whirlwind couple of weeks, and I apologize for being off the radar.  Highlight and lowlights below.

• Punks is in Previews, and we're doing all kinds of press and stuff for that.  Keep your eyes open for it.
• Free Comic Book Day was a blast at The Comic Bug, and yet again I forgot to take pictures.  The Punks FCBD issue of Digital Webbing was gone before I could even grab a copy for myself.  It looks GOOOOOD tho.
• Just got hired on a couple of very cool jobs I can't really talk about, one is a big licensed property comic thing, one is a TV movie.  I just sent in an outline for Vampirella 4-6, so, here's hoping that the sales keep up, and that gets to come to fruition.  There's at least one other book that hasn't been announced, but it will be relatively soon, I think.
• Got engaged to the most wonderful girl in the world.
• Been wrestling with some major occular problems, leaving me semi-blind for days at a time.  It's still problematic (I try not to drive unless it's dire circumstances), but it seems to be improving considerably.
• Thanks to that, Three Rivers the webcomic has sort of fallen off schedule.  Yes, I've been having these problems for THAT long.   Noel's about two months ahead of what's posted, so once I get the next script turned into him, I'll probably begin to post them.  The actual submission was sent off to prospective publishers this week, so, here's hoping.
• Got two other creator owned books being developed right now.  Pages are in on the first one, and the second one is being completed as we speak.   One's a 50's Cops and Monsters book, the other is my tribute to gangsters and the 70's.  Hopefully have more on those shortly.  I'm also developing a bunch of comics with Screenwriting partner Mark Wheaton (he of The Messengers, Friday the 13th, etc. fame.) It looks like one of those might see publication relatively soon. We shall see though.

End of update.

Digital Otaku on Princess Resurrection

This is the Manga I did the adaptation of. First volume is on it's way to stores soon. Here it is on Amazon if you're interested. It's really, really good if you're into the whole Buffy/Evil Dead thing. Digital Otaku

Princess Resurrection has an interesting, developing storyline and a couple of strong characters to support it. I’m pretty sure this manga is going to do well and for fans of the genre (like myself), anyone with the slightest interest in all things dark, supernatural and macabre should definitely check out this manga.

Comic Book Bin on Punks

Q&A: Joshua Fialkov Talks Punks the Comic

CBB: If there is a selling point or something about the project that you want to get across to readers, what is it?

FIALKOV: It's funny, it's different, it's smart, it cures cancer*, it has laser blasting alien robots, and more head wound jokes per page than any other book on the stands**,

*Does not in fact cure cancer. **Not including Head Wound Joke Monthly

The Washington Post Express on Elk’s Run

Express: A Publication of The Washington Post

» EXPRESS: Do you see your book as a criticism of small-town America or what it's like to live in the Midwest? » FIALKOV: I really don't think it is. What I tried really hard to do in the book, and I hope I succeeded at, is show nobody's wrong. The methodology is wrong. The situation is wrong. The rationale — why everyone is doing the things they're doing — is not. It's just that sometimes that life becomes a powder keg.

Aint-It-Cool Interviews Me About Elk’s Run

AICN COMICS

How on earth did Random House get involved with comics? Did they call you, or...Random House has been doing comics in a couple different forms for a while. There's the Del Rey Manga line (which has some astonishingly good stuff in it), and then they've done comics here and there in the past. I think the idea of doing an adult graphic novel push (adult meaning mature, not porno, obviously), just suited the business at the time. Graphic Novels have never been as high profile as they are know, and with the success of things like THE END OF VIOLENCE and 300, it's no longer just about superheroes. There's a certain natural connection between pop culture and the sequential narrative form that seems to be cinched into just about everybody's brains.

Newsarama on Vampi

BON ALIMAGNO ON VAMPIRELLA QUARTERLY - NEWSARAMA

NRAMA: Writing this is Joshua Hale Fialkov, best known for his work on Elk's Run and Western Tales of Terror. Why'd you seek him out to help you bring Vampirella back?BA: I'm always on the lookout for fresh voices and talent. I'd been in some contact with Joshua after Vampirella Comics Magazine reviewed his Western Tales series. It was very interesting to see someone act as a writer and editor on a horror anthology -- it demonstrated that he knew how horror -- good horror -- should work.

Out of curiosity I'd gotten issues of Elk's Run at my local comic shop and just enjoyed the hell out of them. It was a very different kind of comic than what was normally being put out there -- something very real and extra-ordinary at the same time. In the meantime he'd sent me some pitches and I was impressed with his ideas and take on Vampi. He has the kind of approach I'm always looking to bring to the character so when I was looking to start a new series I immediately thought of him.

Rest of the article at the link.

Punks the Comic in Previews, Breaks New Records of Awesomeness

April 26th, 2007 - Los Angeles, CA -- Independent sensation PUNKS THE COMIC makes its debut in the May issue of Previews, on stands today. This beloved before it's existence book hits stands after a year of perfecting. It turns out that this was time well spent, as the book has been awarded the AWESOME PRIZE FOR AWESOMNESS from the purely fictional AWESOME SOCIETY OF STUTTGART. The A.S.S. (NO LAUGHING! THIS IS SERIOUS) chariman, Freidrich Von Rafaelson said in a funny fake German accent, "Ve are VERY EXCITED about ze release of Punks. It is purely awesome." At the time of press, his accent sounded more Belgian than German. Due to the staggeringly overwhelming coolness of the book, it has been listed in Diamond Previews FOUR times. You will find it under Digital Webbing on Page 294, with a black and white ad (due to restraints on the amount of free kickassitude allowed in Previews), as a part of the Diamond Staff Picks (which contrary to popular belief does not involve open sores), and as a part of the Indie Spotlight (take that Blankets!). It has also been awarded a certified cool, which, while not an actual 'prize,' in the parlance of press release etiquette, Josh and Kody will pretend it is.

"It's an honor, and a privilege, to be certified cool," Kody Chamberlain answered from his Lousiana based sanitarium, "Thus far, the things I've been certified in have mostly been on the... uh... tantric side of things." He was then fed his pills and promptly returned to his 'soft and cushy day room' which those of us not flinging poo and touching ourselves in public would recognize as a padded cell.

If that is not enough, breaking laws in at least 58 of the 50 states (You probably still haven't heard of Kiwupitatatas, it's just north of New Mexico), PUNKS will be given out Free as a part of Free Comic Book Day on May 5th. Featured prominently in the Digital Webbing Free Comic Book Day Jam 2007. This exclusive three page story will not be featured anywhere else (until someone asks for content, and we're running out of time, so we offer them the reprint anyways), and is a MUST GET!

Both Josh and Kody will be making appearances on Free Comic Book Day to promote Punks. Chamberlain (the long haired artist one) will be a guest at CAPE in Dallas, TX, and Fialkov (the hairy writer one) will be at The Comic Bug in Manhattan Beach, CA. Come by to have whatever portion of your body you reserve for being signed, signed.

The Punks the Comic Summer Special 2007 #1 is 48 pages, featuring a huge amount of story, plus interviews with Independent Comic Superstar Rick Remender and Punk Art Master Art Chantry. All of that in a digest sized, squared bound, full color package will cost you just $4.99.

The Diamond Order Info is MAY07 3402 PUNKS THE SUMMER COMICS SP (MR) SRP: $4.99

For more information, please visit the newly launched www.PunksTheComic.com for previews, news, contests, and poorly told dick and fart jokes.

If you'd like to support the book by pre-ordering (which we highly encourage), please print this order form and drop it off at your local comic book shop.

Josh and Kody are available for follow up questions, interviews, shoe fittings, and embarassing noises.

Jive Magazine.com on Elk’s Run

JIVEMagazine.com

A chillingly lyrical tale, rendered in starkly beautiful, visceral artwork, Elk’s Run is an unforgettable and unrelentingly powerful graphic novel event not to be missed.

Kryptographik Interviews Me

I talk about Elk's Run, Vampi, Punks, and a slew of other stuff.  It's a pretty long interview, so give it a listen, and enjoy.

Kryptographik Episode 10 arrives and to celerbrate we have a special episode.

We are joined by Joshua Fialkov who gives us his insite on the industry from the fall of Speak Easy to becoming the new writer for Vampirella. We talk about Elks Run and it's sequel and everything else in between he has down with his comic career.

26.6 Meg's for a whole 66 Minutes

Here are the download links.

http://www.lordshaper.com/kryptographik/ http://www.comicspace.com/kryptographik/ http://www.myspace.com/kryptographik/

Forum: http://www.cgspodcast.com/forum2//index.php?showforum=143

Podcatcher feed: http://kryptographik.libsyn.com/rss

iTunes Link: http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore...st?id=213352477

Direct Download: http://media.libsyn.com/media/kryptographi...graphik0010.mp3

Also remember to Digg our podcast here: Digg Kryptographik And Vote for us on Podcast Alley: Vote for Us

Vampilore on Vampirella

Vampirella Quarterly - 2007

A really clever story by Joshua Hale Fialkov combined with eye-popping artwork from Stephen Segovia make this an absolute pleasure to read, with a promise of a fascinating, must-have story arc to follow.

Click the link to read the rest.

Elk’s Run Toronto Release Party!

The Beguiling presents: Industry Night @ The Vic Celebrating the release of Elk's Run with artist Noel Tuazon, and Nick Cardy: Comic Strips, with editor Sean Menard Thursday, April 26th at 7PM The Victory Cafe, 581 Markham Street (Near West of Bathurst and South of Bloor) FREE Elk’s Run: Nominated for seven Harvey Awards, this groundbreaking series has finally been collected by New York publishing entity Random House/Villard.

The town of Elk's Run's fanatical survivalist founders have sealed it off from the rest of the world, transforming it into a twisted hybrid of Mayberry and the Branch Davidian compound. When a fatal accident leads to a revenge lynching and a series of murders, the town's teenagers try to escape only to have their own parents hunt them down. The ensuing cat-and-mouse game involves a mine fire, a stockpile of napalm and a rash of terrorist plans.

In cooperation with Random House of Canada, artist Noel Tuazon will be on hand to discuss the genesis of Elk’s Run via an audo/visual presentation, and sign copies of this wonderful new collection.

"Damn fine comic making"

Brian Michael Bendis

"Really, really good"

Warren Ellis

--

Nick Cardy: Comic Strips: Nick Cardy has been a dynamic artistic force within the comic book industry for over 60 years. Beginning in 1939 with the Eisner/Iger shop through a number of important newspaper strips, a 25 year association with DC Comics and an extensive stint in advertising (TV Guide), magazines (Crazy, National Lampoon) and numerous movie posters (Star Wars, The Bad News Bears), 85 year old Nick Cardy continues to delight his ever-growing legion of fans with a multitude of commissions and special projects to this day.

While his work at DC has been often lauded, Cardy’s short, but bright career in newspaper strips has received minimal attention.

Nick Cardy: Comic Strips reviews Cardy’s entire strip catalogue beginning with Lady Luck (1942) through Batman (1972) and includes an archive of previously unpublished artwork. Frecklebean Press editor/publisher Sean Menard has put together the definitive look at Cardy’s diverse newspaper strip work including his refreshing interpretation of Tarzan.

--

Come on our and support local Toronto comic authors, network with illustrators, artists, and more, and maybe even have a pint or two.

- Chris @ The Beguiling

More info: http://www.beguiling.com/ 

Pop Thought Interviews Me About Vampirella

Pop Thought -- Land Of Frost Interviews

 The clothing, the body, the character's obvious appeal to boys makes me question its validity as anything but a whacking material object. Is it softcore porn?

Unlike Powergirl or Spiderwoman or Supergirl or Batgirl or Wonder Woman or... C'mon. That's a cop out question. This is a medium FILLED with unrealistic over-sexed half naked women (and men for that matter.) The only difference between Vampi and any of them from that stand point is that you're familiar with the others. Vampi, in fact, stood as a BIG departure from that bullshit back in the day. She was a feminist icon, one who stood on her own two feet, managed to tell the men in her life what to do, and do it with a laugh.

Phillip Clark Interviews Me

Vampirella Quarterly #2 In Previews Now

Let me know what you thought of issue 1, and if you dug it, you can order issue 2 using the following codes. I'll add the covers once I get them.

SPOT	MAY07 3154	VAMPIRELLA QUARTERLY SUMMER 2007 CVR A	SRP: $4.95	 = $

SPOT	MAY07 3155	VAMPIRELLA QUARTERLY SUMMER 2007 LTD B&W CVR A	SRP: $19.95	 = $

SPOT	MAY07 3156	VAMPIRELLA QUARTERLY SUMMER 2007 CVR B	SRP: $4.95	 = $

SPOT	MAY07 3157	VAMPIRELLA QUARTERLY SUMMER 2007 LTD B&W CVR B	SRP: $19.95	 = $

The Comic Waiting Room on Elk’s Run

Review by Marc Mason

What makes the book so gripping is the banal evil at its heart. No one in Elk’s Ridge believes that they’re an evil or bad person at first; they’re solely trying to protect their personal utopia. It’s only when pressed that each character begins to discover who they truly are and what they’re made of. But it’s the struggle of the kids that gives the book its “oomph”; many books and films with teenagers at the core lack depth, because the kids don’t dream about things of importance. Not so with ELK’S RUN, as the kids must take a stand and risk their lives for the chance to lead any sort of life with meaning. This is really a very fine effort, and the book was worth the wait. Congratulations to the creative team for finally seeing their vision completed.

Click the link for the rest.  Thanks for the kind words, guys!

Vampirella Quarterly #1 In Stores and…

Hey Gang,Vampirella Quarterly #1 is out in stores tomorrow, so please, stop by your local shop and grab a copy. It's got a new story by me plus a classic Archie Goodwin story. I'll paste all of the order info etc below.

In other news, it's been an eventful few months, obviously, but I finally have something to top it all.

About a week ago, I asked Christina to marry me, and, foolish though it may sound, she said yes. The sweetest, sexiest, smartest history librarian of them all and I will be tying the knot later this year. I've never met anyone like her, and my life has never been better than with her. Who knew that happiness was just down at the Central Library filed under History?

Alright, enough warm and fuzzies. Here's the Vampi Ordering Info:

New York (March 20, 2007) - It's not too late to order Vampirella's return! Get your fix of the hottest, sexiest horror in comics right here, starting this April in Vampirella Quartlery: Spring 2007 #1! Final order cut-off is March 30. Each issue of the ongoing Vampirella Quarterly series comes jam packed with at least two Vampirella tales.

Seven page preview here: http://vampirella.com/issues/spring07banner/index.html

First up: Part 1 of "Vengeance of Vampirella." Vampi's new quest has her following the bidding of an unwelcome master: The Blood Red Queen! Why is she in the thrall of her arch-nemesis? Has she turned to the dark side or is something even more sinister and shocking going on? Written by Joshua Hale Fialkov, Harvey Award nominated writer of Elk's Run, with spectacular art by rising star Stephen Segovia (Witchblade: Shades of Gray).

PLUS: Archie Goodwin's and Jose Gonzalez's classic Vampi tale "And Be a Bride of Chaos" is newly recolored and remastered by Glass House Graphics. Read one of the greatest Vampirella tales of all time as you've never seen it!

The issue sports two stunning regular covers by Joe Jusko, his first featuring the Blood Red Queen, and Stephen Segovia, re-imagining a classic Vampi cover by Sanjulian!

Deluxe Virgin Editions of the Jusko and a Black and White Edition of the Segovia covers limited to just 500 copies are also available. A signed and numbered version of the Jusko Virgin Edition, limited to 200, also available!

Each issue is 40 pages, full color and goes on sale April 25.

To order please use the following Diamond codes, also found on page 87 of the February 2007 Previews Order Form (V17#2): *Vampirella Quarterly SPR 07 Segovia Reg #1 FEB3130 $4.95 *Vampirella Quarterly SPR 07 Jusko Reg #1 FEB3131 $4.95 *Vampirella Quarterly SPR 07 Segovia B&W Cvr #1 FEB3132 $19.95 *Vampirella Quarterly SPR 07 Virgin Jusko Cvr #1 FEB3133 $19.95 *Vampirella Quarterly SPR 07 Virgin Jusko S&N #1 FEB3134 $29.95

And that's all she wrote, thanks for reading gang.

j.

Comics Should Be Good on Elk’s Run

Comics Should Be Good! » Buy Alice in Sunderland and Elk’s Run right now, just because I told you to!

Elk’s Run got a second chance when Villard picked it up and agreed to publish it, because apparently absolutely no one was reading the single issues. This is a marvelous comic that deserves all the accolades it gets (and deserves a better introduction than Charlie Huston’s, which is … odd, to say the least). There is no reason whatsoever for you not to buy this book. It’s a gripping story with wonderful characters and excellent art. It’s full of action but it also has some interesting things to say about our world and the way we run our lives. Do yourself a favor and buy it.

There's also quite a bit of analysis, and comparison to the just released Alice in Sunderland, in terms of themes and stuff.  Pretty interesting read, if I do say so myself.

Quick Stop Entertainment on Elk’s Run

Weekend Shopping Guide 4/13/07: Whither Booster Gold? » Quick Stop Entertainment

It’s a book like Elk’s Run (Villard, $19.95 SRP) that restores my faith in independent comic books. Originally published by a small distributor who went under before its 10-issue run finished, author Joshua Hale Fialkov and artists Noel Tuazon & Scott Keating have crafted a tense, nuanced bit of post-9/11 noir, about a small community with a lot of big secrets, whose tension-filled idyll is suddenly blown to pieces after an accident sets off a chain of events that tears the town - and families - apart. I’d go into more detail, but I’m really hoping that you pick up a copy in its mass-market form - which collects the entire run, with supplemental material - and experience it for yourself. It’s highly recommended.

Checking In

Yesterday's signing was a blast, and was well worth the trip down to Manhattan Beach (especially because Tony drove me.) We met a lot of fans, and sold a slew of books, and were then thoroughly entertained by Vaudeville, the band not the defunct theatercraft. I don't have their website anywhere, but if they read this, please send over a link, and I'll happily post it. Updated, I added their Myspace as a link up there. In other news, I've been having some interesting health problems of late that have been greatly limiting my work time. Luckily they seem to be resolving themselves somewhat, and I managed to get some writing done today.

And, of course, the passing of Kurt Vonnegut. Vonnegut was one of the guys I remember reading in like fifth or sixth grade and getting scolded by my teachers. "That's not for you," they'd say, and I'd just smile and keep reading. He managed to write sci-fi that wasn't, comedy that was, drama that had, and adventure that was full of the stuff. There was nobody better who did what he did. Although, to be fair, there was just plain nobody who did what he did.

And the guy has by far the best author cameo ever in Back to School.

So, thank you, Kurt for your inspiration and dedication. You'll be missed.

Don’t Forget: Signing at the Comic Bug Tomorrow…

the comic bug . comSPIRITS OF INDEPENDENTS on APRIL 11th

Next Wednesday will be Independents Day at The Comic Bug! Six area artists will be signing comics and introducing themselves and their creations. The list of creators appearing from 11-1pm & 5-9pm

Christian Berenak - Se7en: Lust

Philip Clark - Quantum: Rock of Ages

Joshua Hale Fialkov - Elk’s Run

Tony Fleecs - In My Lifetime

Stormcrow Hayes - Afterlife

Omaha Perez - Holmes

Live local band from 8-9pm - Vaudeville