I recorded a quick interview piece for Comic Geek Speak while attending the Toronto Fan Expo over the weekend.

If you want to jump right to Skullkickers coverage you can fast forward to the 29:00 mark on the podcast and listen to the 7 minute interview segment.

-Zub

Fan Expo Canada has started off pretty strong. Getting the booth set-up on Thursday afternoon saved a lot of stress and having lots of local UDON-ers around to help man the booth gives everyone more time to chill. I was worried that our booth spot would hinder sales but so far we’re doing okay. Here’s hoping that Saturday keeps up the pace.

When I got home late last night from the show I was thrilled to see Skullkickers mentioned on Penny Arcade. That seems to have brought a slew of traffic to the website and hopefully will continue to do so over the weekend.

Tycho and I chatted about the book at SDCC and he really liked the printed out version I had there for friends to read. After watching their PATV episode about D&D I felt like they really “get” tabletop games and the culture in the right context, so having that extra nod of approval about SK from him means a lot. Having that many extra eyeballs on the title and a raised overall awareness is fantastic.

Okay, time to grab a shower and get ready for Fan Expo day 2.

With the launch of the brand new Image app on ComiXology, you can now read the original Skullkickers Popgun short stories for FREE!

If you have an iPhone/iPad, search for ‘Skullkickers’ on the Image app or look at the ‘New Releases’ or ‘Free’ sections.

For everyone else, read our special ‘zero issue’ by clicking right here or on the cover below!

Skullkickers #0

Retailers are either going to chuckle at or hate the latest Skullkickers solicitation from the new Previews catalogue. It does relate the plot, I just wanted to make it a bit more entertaining. 🙂

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SKULLKICKERS #3
story JIM ZUBKAVICH
art EDWIN HUANG & MISTY COATS
cover CHRIS STEVENS
NOVEMBER 24
32 PAGES / FC
$2.99

“ONE THOUSAND OPAS AND A DEAD BODY” Part Three

A pilfered poison pabulum has pickled pieces of our protagonist’s paunch while portentous poetic prophecies proudly parade apace, parlaying a perilous paradigm. Paraphrasing – Skullkickers is a particularly perfect packaged pamphlet of plucky pulp worth every precious penny in perpetuity. Purchase!

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“Zubkavich continues to be one of comics’ best fantasists. This rowdy action story has whimsy, charm and wit.”
– Gail Simone (Birds of Prey, Wonder Woman)

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I’ve had this simple red plastic cup as long as I can remember. Growing up, it was always mine. When I moved out on my own I took it with me and have brought it every place I’ve lived since then.

I have no idea why, but a glass of milk tastes better when it’s in this cup.

Do you have any oddly sentimental stuff like this?

Here’s Edwin (artist on Skullkickers) showing off the grand prize in our Image/Skullkickers Twitter contest:

Who wouldn’t want to win that original page art from issue #1?

PRESS RELEASE – WIN ORIGINAL ARTWORK FROM SKULLKICKERS #1

Follow Image Comics on Twitter for a chance to win an original page from SKULLKICKERS #1

Image Comics’ new series SKULLKICKERS, written by Jim Zubkavich and illustrated by profoundly talented newcomer Edwin Huang, will hit stands in September. Now, you have the chance to own original artwork from Image Comics next hit series!

To enter, follow @imagecomics on Twitter and retweet the following:

Win original Skullkickers artwork! RT and follow @imagecomics. Follow @zubkavich for a bonus prize! http://tiny.cc/3a2co

The winner will receive a page of original artwork from the first issue of SKULLKICKERS. The contest starts Tuesday, August 24 at 12:00 p.m. PST and ends on Friday, August 27 at 12:00 p.m. PST. Winner will be announced the evening of August 27. Entrants who also follow @zubkavich are also eligible for a special bonus prize!

SKULLKICKERS is fantasy action-comedy. Two mercenaries are entangled in a high-class assassination plot and nothing — not werewolves, skeletons or black magic — will stop them from getting paid. If you love movies like ARMY OF DARKNESS, SKULLKICKERS is the book for you!

SKULLKICKERS #1, a 32-page full color comic book for $2.99, will be in stores September 22, 2010. Readers can get a taste of Skullkickers in POPGUN, VOL. 2 (MAY082176) and POPGUN, VOL. 3 (JAN092368). Follow the Skullkickers blog at www.skullkickers.com.

Don’t miss your chance to own art from the upcoming hit Image Comics series, SKULLKICKERS! Visit www.imagecomics.com for a full description of contest rules and regulations.

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A quicker sketch for today’s post.

I don’t think I’ve drawn Batman since the summer that Tim Burton’s original Batman movie came out and everyone was obsessed with the Caped Crusader. Even though I loved the Batman Animated Series and was thrilled that comics had become more mainstream, I didn’t draw good ol’ Bats.

Anyways, this quickie falls somewhere between animated-looking and Frank Miller-ish in terms of proportions, especially with the blocky forearm tips and squared off bat symbol. I always liked the look of the black bat straight on the chest rather than in a yellow oval.

The Batarang looks a bit silly when he’s holding it like this, like he’s gonna shiv someone.

And here’s the rough sketch I use underneath:

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I think my digital inks on the final version are a bit too smooth and rounded. The rough sketch has an angular/jagged quality that seems more in character for Batman. Oh well. I’ll keep practising.

3 blog posts in one day, yeesh. Things are pretty nuts right now.

Anyways, Image Comics just sent out this Skullkickers teaser and I really wanted to make sure I posted it here ASAP. I’m really proud of the feedback we’ve been getting from advance reviews of the first issue. Check this baby out:

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Launching a new book like this is an uphill battle and having a quality product is the best way for us to break through the static. Once the first issue comes out on September 22nd and people see that it’s a great looking fun book we’ll be really rolling.

Have you pre-ordered your copy of #1 yet? 🙂

A brand new interview just went up on the Guerrilla Geek website discussing the many influences that go in to Skullkickers as well as video games, RPGs and superhero comics.

Go check it out!