Zub Tales

Wayward #20 Arrives in January!

Posted by Jim Zub on October 18, 2016 No comments

WAYWARD #20
STORY: JIM ZUB
ART / COVER A: STEVEN CUMMINGS & TAMRA BONVILLAIN
COVER B: AMANDA SCHANK
JANUARY 25 / 32 PAGES / FC / M / $3.99

END OF STORY ARC
The spirits lay their claim…

Paste Magazine Interview

Posted by Jim Zub on October 14, 2016 No comments

I chatted with Bobby Tutton at Paste Magazine all about Glitterbomb, fame, failure, and conventions. Give it a read!

New York Comic Con Panel Summaries

Posted by Jim Zub on October 11, 2016 No comments

I was on four panels at New York Comic Con this year and three out of those four were summarized online by comic journalists at the event. Read on to get a sense of what we covered if you weren’t able to make it:

Writers Unite: Writing and Pitching Comic Stories

Marvel Now: Divided We Stand

Image Comics: Spectacle

THUNDERBOLTS 20th Anniversary Arrives in February 2017!

Posted by Jim Zub on October 11, 2016 No comments

Announced at New York Comic Con over the weekend, in February it’s the 20th anniversary of THUNDERBOLTS and I’m writing the lead story alongside a special back-up tale by Thunderbolts creators Kurt Busiek and Mark Bagley!

Both Comic Book Resources and Newsarama have interviews with me where I go into a bit more detail about what we have planned and the drama ahead. It’s an absolute thrill writing this special chapter in the Thunderbolts story. Can’t wait for readers to see what we have in store.

WAYWARD #16 Reviews

Posted by Jim Zub on October 4, 2016 No comments

We’d been away for a while but finally Wayward is back with issue #16 now available! What did reviewers think of it? Read on…

• Big Glasgow: 9.6/10 “In 2015, I had defined Wayward the best ongoing series published by Image Comics (at least among those I have read). In 2016, my extremely high expectations about it are not being disappointed. Don’t miss it”

• Fandom Post: B+ “It’s a very good read and one that makes out a whole lot better by taking a slower pace with it all rather than barreling into a lot of new additions and expansions.”

• Flipgeeks: 9/10 “This issue is definitely worth your hard earned monies, mates.”

• Geeked Out Nation: 8.1/10 “anyone who hasn’t seen what’s so great about Wayward to now join in on the adventure. The past is never truly just the past and the future is rich with potential”

• God of Comics: “a whole new world of history, mythology, and culture awaits. This comic is impossibly good…”

• Pop Mythology: “I love the way that Zub capitalizes on these unfamiliar folklore elements to entice his readers into learning more and weaves them so proficiently into the story that it’s a decide pleasure to turn the page and see what lies on the other side.”

• Reading With a Flight Ring: “I’m infatuated with the work that Steven does on the interiors. His attention to detail is amazing to see come to life.”

• TM Stash: 10/10 “Just when you thought you couldn’t be more absorbed in the world of WAYWARD, the story takes a twist”

• Under the Comic Covers: “Absolutely worth the wait. So happy to have Wayward back.”

Zub at New York Comic Con 2016!

Posted by Jim Zub on September 26, 2016 No comments

October is here and that means it’s time for New York Comic Con! Once again I’ll be set up in Artist Alley and look forward to seeing friends and meeting readers. In addition, several of my collaborators will be at the show, so you’ll be able to get multiple signatures on some of my books!

TABLE S-03 = Edwin Huang (Artist on Skullkickers)
TABLE S-04 = Jim Zub
TABLE S-05 = Djibril Morissette-Phan (Artist/Co-Creator on Glitterbomb)

On top of the table set-up, you’ll also be able to find me on several panels over the weekend:

THURSDAY Oct 6
11:00am – 12:00pm Writers Unite: Writing and Pitching Comic Stories – ROOM 1A18
Comics have grabbed the imagination of the pop culture-loving public all over again and publishers are looking for fresh ideas from a new generation of talent. Listen closely as Charles Soule (Daredevil, Death of Wolverine) and Jim Zub (Thunderbolts, Wayward) discuss writing comics and pitching their work to publishers, along with comic writing techniques and amusing anecdotes.

FRIDAY Oct 7
12:15pm – 1:15pm Marvel NOW: Divided We Stand – ROOM 1A24
With the effects of Civil War II being felt across the Marvel Universe, how will our heroes pick up the pieces and move on? Learn about the landscape of Marvel Universe in this exciting panel showcasing the most exciting new series and stories launching in the aftermath of Civil War II! PLUS – Get the inside scoop on some of Marvel’s biggest break-out hits such as Squirrel Girl and Moon Girl! Panelists include Ryan North (The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl), Greg Pak (Totally Awesome Hulk), Amy Reeder (Moon Girl & Devil Dinosaur), David F. Walker (Occupy Avengers), Jim Zub (Thunderbolts), and other Mighty Marvel Guests!

SATURDAY Oct 8
11:00am – 12:00pm Let’s Make a Villain – ROOM 1B03
Creating great villains is essential for making great stories, whether you love their every appearance or just love to hate them. Award nominated duo Comfort and Adam, joined by Jim Zub and Dirk Manning lead this seminar in two parts: first, you’ll learn what makes great villains in both writing and in art. Then, Comfort & Adam will invite the audience to participate in creating a new villain which will be designed and drawn live.

SUNDAY Oct 9
12:00pm – 1:00pm Image Comics: Spectacle – ROOM 1A24
What is it that excites you about comics, that makes Wednesday the best day of the week? Whether it’s the idea of seeing a new world through someone else’s eyes or getting a look at reality from another angle, we’ve got you covered. Our Panelists, including Jim Zub & Djibril Morissette-Phan (Glitterbomb) and Brendan Fletcher, Cameron Stewart, & Babs Tarr (MotorCrush), know what you want and aim to please.

Some Thoughts on the DC Writers Workshop Results

Posted by Jim Zub on September 21, 2016 No comments

Lots of chatter about the DC Writers Workshop announcement.

I have no idea how many entries they received. In the press release they say “thousands” and that doesn’t surprise me.

When I posted I was looking for a colorist for a pitch I received hundreds of portfolios. With DC’s size and reach, thousands seems right.

So, with thousands to sift through, I can’t even imagine how hard it must have been to narrow the selection to 8. Just bonkers.

When you’re dealing with those kinds of odds, any tiny thing can demote a proposal just to try and get it down to a manageable number.

It sounds callous, but it’s true. I sort hundreds of portfolios each year for the Animation program where I teach. It’s a bit maddening.

You want to spend time with each one because they each represent a person – Their hard work and aspirations laid bare for you.

But then the sheer volume starts to overwhelm and you realize you have to filter. You have to start cutting. Dreams will be crushed.

You try to be as rational and fair as possible, and every little tidbit of information becomes a way to promote or demote a choice.

If I saw a bunch of established professionals in that mix, some award-winning, many quite accomplished in other fields, that would be tough.

It sets a really high bar but, given the massive amount of submissions, it makes sense.
I don’t envy anyone in that situation.

But, here’s the other important thing –
With that competition, it’s also hard to take it personal if you didn’t get in.

No matter how you feel right now, let me assure you:
A failed submission does NOT define your creative career unless you let it.

I’ve worked on amazing projects and worked on crapola.
I’ve been hired, fired, and black listed.
I’ve screwed up and been screwed over.

What matters is that I kept my integrity and kept creating.
I’m not the best writer, not by a long shot, but I do not give up.

That doesn’t mean I’ll get what I want when I want it (does anyone?) but it does mean I’ll keep creating and be ready for opportunities.

It’s 100% fine to feel crappy because something you wanted didn’t go the way you hoped. That’s real.

But, after you finish that browbeating and regret, decide what’s the next best step to creating work you’re proud of and build toward that.

(Taken from my Twitter thread and archived here because Storify went kaput.)

Wayward #19 Arrives in December!

Posted by Jim Zub on September 21, 2016 No comments

Arriving in December, our fourth arc continues…

WAYWARD #19
STORY: JIM ZUB
ART: STEVEN CUMMINGS & TAMRA BONVILLAIN
COVER A: STEVEN CUMMINGS & TAMRA BONVILLAIN
COVER B: SUPERLOG

DECEMBER 28 / 32 PAGES / FC / M / $3.99

Death looms over Tokyo. Loyalties are strained.

Glitterbomb #4 Arrives in December!

Posted by Jim Zub on September 21, 2016 No comments

Arriving in December, the first arc of Glitterbomb wraps up with issue #4 and it’ll be memorable…

GLITTERBOMB #4
STORY: JIM ZUB
ART: DJIBRIL MORISSETTE-PHAN & K. MICHAEL RUSSELL
COVER A: DJIBRIL MORISSETTE-PHAN
COVER B: TREVOR “ROVE” JAMEUS

DECEMBER 7 / 32 PAGES / FC / M / $3.99

On stage. In the spotlight. There’s no escape.

“Sharply written and drawn, with deft insight into the trappings of celebrity culture, Glitterbomb just might be the ultimate Hollywood horror story.”
– Karen Berger (Founder of DC’s Vertigo Imprint)