Andrew Ardizzi at Comic Book Daily conducted an extensive interview with me at Fan Expo Canada a couple weeks ago and has just posted the article transcribed from it. Click on through to read about my thoughts on Skullkickers, Pathfinder and creator-owned comics.
The gang over at eXpert Comics asked if I’d put together a few words about Jack Kirby during the week celebrating what would have been his 100th birthday. Here’s what I wrote for them:
With no trade paperback program to speak of and minimal reprints available, I had no idea growing up how much of the “modern” Marvel Universe was derived from Jack Kirby’s creations.
His hard-edged bodies, chisel-topped fingers and black bubbles of cosmic energy stood out as distinctive to me even before I started collecting books based on creators instead of characters, but it wasn’t until years later that I had a chance to really dig in to classic comics and appreciate how much he blazed the trail.
What I thought were original ideas coming from current creators were actually Kirby creations retooled for a new generation.
While other artists were creating distracting yarns, Jack was building worlds that inspired. In his prime he pulled the camera back to bring a sense of epic scale to his stories like no one else. His environmental artwork had a mythic quality to it, a bold approach that couldn’t be contained by the panels they were placed in.
Best of all, he populated those stunning vistas with heroes and villains just as distinctive. His characters struggled against impossible odds, emoting through their entire bodies in a way that was instantly clear and engaging.
Unconstrained, unfettered, impossible – a strange and wonderful fusion of geometric forms mixed with pop art power. The work always stressed drama over realism, and the more comics I create, the more I realize how important that was (and still is).
In short – if Marvel is the ‘House of Ideas’, then the stirring imagination and stunning output of Jack Kirby is the fertile ground that house was firmly built upon. They called him “The King” for a reason. That crown isn’t going anywhere.
Major Spoilers: “5/5. Skullkickers was a great book when the violence and crazy antics drove the book, but now that we are getting that on top of a deep back-story with a complex storyline, Skullkickers has entered the realm of ‘must-buy'”
Forces of Geek: “This is the most fun I have had reading a comic book all year.”
Image Addiction: “…one of the most consistently entertaining comic books in the free market”
Fellowship of the Geeks: “I will happily admit to some bias toward high fantasy, but even so, this book is a delightful read.”
Silver Snail: “4/5. I have to applaud the courage it must have took to end the current arc the way it did”
Futile Position: “Skullkickers remains one of the most beautiful comic books week-in and week-out”
Nerdlocker: “4/5. Really innovative in its sense of using high fantasy and high comedy at the same time.”
Skullkickers #17 is in stores now! I’m incredibly proud of this third story arc and our fans seem to agree that we’ve delivered the goods once again.
Here are links to some of the reviews rolling in:
Comic Buzz: “9/10. The Skullkickers are at their best when things are at their most insane and this arc is a boat full of crazy.”
Fanboy Comics: “Skullkickers is perfect for fans of fantasy adventure or just anyone looking for a fun, violent read that will leave them in stitches.”
First Comics News: “…very good for a final chapter of an arc while also leaving an exciting cliffhanger.”
Geeks of Doom: “…there are few comics on shelves right now that match Skullkickers in terms of pure unfiltered insanity. This is why comics are made and why we love reading them so much.”
One Geek Nation: “5/5. The story itself flows so damn smoothly, you’d think you’re going down a waterslide. Jim Zub is quickly becoming the next best thing in comics.”
Product of my Dreams: “10/10. This is my second time reading Skullkickers and my excitement for this series hasn’t left yet.”
Unleash the Fanboy: “4½/5. Whether it’s the death of a character or the development of the current ones, the actual narrative itself is sustainable without all the jokes and humor; but it’s the funny take that makes it so refreshing.”
This weekend I’m at PAX Prime 2012 in Seattle, set up with the UDON crew. 3 conventions in 3 weeks. It’s an exhausting end to the summer, but I’m riding through it on quite a high mentally, if not physically.
Gen Con had record-breaking sales for me with lots of interest in both Skullkickers and Pathfinder. This past weekend’s Fan Expo Canada broke Gen Con’s records from the week before, which was really surprising and amazing. The advantage of being in Toronto where I could restock books from home made all the difference. If I would’ve traveled for Fan Expo and shipped what I thought I could sell I would’ve had an empty table by Saturday morning.
The “webcomic effect” on my convention sales is distinctive and pronounced. Putting out a consistent comic, both in print and online, is breaking down resolve people have for trying something new. They see it, they keep seeing it and eventually they try it. At shows this summer I’ve been hearing a lot of “I’ve heard of Skullkickers, but haven’t read it yet” and “I heard it was really good”, which makes it even easier to get people on board when I’m right there ready to autograph a copy for them.
Contrary to what fans may think about Image based on the massive success of its founders, the Skullkickers creative team isn’t riding atop a mountain of money. I joke around that Skullkickers is the most expensive hobby I’ve ever had, but it’s actually quite true. I’ve never been paid to write SK. Practically every dollar I get from Image or make at conventions goes right back into the “warchest” to pay for art production on current/upcoming issues. Every time I have a really solid show, it keeps us moving forward bit by bit.
It’s an exciting time. My fingers are crossed that it all continues to roll onwards and upwards.
Over on Comic Book Resources they’ve posted a 6 page preview of Skullkickers #17, the finale of our third story arc ‘Six Shooter on the Seven Seas’, which arrives in comic book shops tomorrow.
It’s going to be epic!
The Pull List Comic podcast crew reviews Pathfinder #1 and they’re really happy with the opening of our fantasy tale. The review starts off at the 11:16 mark of the podcast. Give it a listen.
“I like the back and forth between all the characters.”…”He manages to make this feel different from Skullkickers.”
This weekend I’ll be exhibiting at Fan Expo Canada, the largest convention in the country!
You can find me set up at Artist Alley Table P34A where I’ll be with Skullkickers and Pathfinder comics galore, along with convention-only goodies like the Gen Con Goblin Pathfinder Variant cover, SDCC Skullkickers Kitten Variant cover and Skullkickers World Map poster.
I’m also moderating a panel all about pitching creator-owned comics:
FRIDAY 3pm ROOM 703
WRITERS UNITE! PITCHING YOUR CREATOR-OWNED COMICS
Creator-owned comics have grabbed the imagination of the comic-reading community all over again and publishers are looking for fresh ideas from a new generation of talent. Listen closely as creators Ed Brisson (Comeback), Ray Fawkes (One Soul), John Layman (Chew) and moderator Jim Zub (Skullkickers) discuss pitching their comic series to publishers and offer advice on how to climb to the top of the treacherous submission mountain along with comic writing techniques and amusing anecdotes.
Over on Bandai-Namco’s ShiftyLook website, a brand new webcomic series has just launched.
Jim writing fantasy comics? Shocking, I know, but believe me when I say this one feels different from both Skullkickers and Pathfinder.
Dragon Spirit: Legendary Tales of Mythical Adventure Chronicles is a sarcastic and ridiculous approach to the kind of old school sword & sorcery story that permeated fantasy video games of the 80’s. It’s self aware and self deprecating.
With beautiful line art by Steven Cummings (Uglies Graphic Novel, Vent) and moody coloring by Espen Grundetjern (Street Fighter) it’s going to slay monsters and gather treasure with a new strip posted up every Sunday!
Click on through and check it out!
The Ain’t It Cool News Comic podcast crew (known affectionately as the Pod Tards) reviewed Pathfinder #1 in their latest episode. Everyone on the podcast enjoyed our first issue and talked up both the writing and art.
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