Zub Tales

A week and a half ago Samurai Jack #1 was released and last Friday I posted up reviews we’d received. Since then I’ve been sent a bunch of links to other reviews for the first issue. All of us on the creative team are energized by the outpouring of excitement. Thank you!

• Ain’t It Cool News: “Jim Zub upheld my impeccably high standards for cartoons turned comics and I am very excited to read more”

• ALBOTAS: “This baby is authentic. I mean that. Samurai Jack #1 honestly feels like Genndy Tartakovsky created this comic book himself.”

• Comics Gutter: “Everything that made the cartoon great is preserved and adapted to the comic page, the explosive action and signature cinematic style of Samurai Jack making a comeback thanks to Suriano’s art.”

• Comixverse: “Zub and Suriano do right by Samurai Jack by playing to the comic book format’s strengths, instead of turning the comic into nothing more than a collection of storyboards.”

• Elephant Robot: 4/5 For those who were fans of the Cartoon Network show Samurai Jack or those who have never heard of the show, this is a great place to jump in and read. “”

• Geek Native: “It’s with great relief that I found myself enjoying the first couple of pages of Samurai Jack #1.”

• Good Comics For Kids: “Just within the first issue, Jim and Andy were able to recap the original premise of the show and start Jack on the first part of a quest that included plenty of the action, humor, and adventure that helped make the show one of the highlights of modern cartoons. As a fan of the show I can’t ask anything more.”

• Nerd Machine: “The story is tried and true and the characters are all familiar, welcoming readers with open arms. Samurai Jack hasn’t lost any of his steely calm and combat prowess…”

• Quick Comic Reviews: “…the best part of the issue is that it throws us right back into the life of Jack like no time has gone by.”

• Razorfione: 4/5 “Jim Zub captures the tone of the original cartoon, and I was also very impressed with the art by artist Andy Suriano”

• SciFi Pulse: A+ “Masters Zub, Suriano, and Lee have done great honor to this samurai on his quest to get home. They are continuing his saga with a fantastic tale and incredible art. Highest possible recommendation!”

• Travelling Man: “What this is, without a doubt, is a tremendously assured, funny comic début for one of the greatest cartoon characters in years. Jack’s back. Evil time travelling demons beware.”

Andy Suriano, artist on the Samurai Jack comic (and character designer from the original show), posted up this teaser from Samurai Jack #3 yesterday.

A new character I can’t wait for you to meet. 🙂

Issue #3 arrives in December.

Samurai Jack #1 arrived in comic shops on Wednesday and it’s been a whirlwind since the launch. The praise from readers and reviewers has been overwhelmingly positive and I’m blown away by all the kindness shown to the comic. Thank you to everyone who has been sending messages, emails, and tweets about the first issue.

• IGN Comics: 8.8/10 “Writer Jim Zub and artist Andy Suriano work in perfect harmony to deliver a comic that captures the distinct tone of the series to the point where you might wonder if this is secretly a lost script from Tartakovsky himself.”

• Newsarama: 8/10 “Samurai Jack is more than just a trip down memory lane. Zub and Suriano may be nostalgia surfing, but they’re also shredding new and exciting waves.”

• Alpha Comics: “Zub’s wit and hilarious imagination is put to good use with this crazy plot and opportunity to invent some really cool enemies for the chiseled jaw of Jack to growl at.”

• Big Planet Comics: “It matches the style of the show perfectly.”…”If you’re a fan of the cartoon it’s a ‘must have’.”

• Comic Bastards: 5/5 “Samurai Jack: the comic book shows promise and its first issue is a sterling example of an adaptation done right.”

• Comic Book Bin: 9/10 “Of all the comic books that have debuted this year, Samurai Jack is the purest of them all. It is so free of pretension, yet is still bright and imaginative.”

• Comic Book Communicast: “You open it up and it’s like you’re watching another episode of the TV series.”…”It’s perfect.”

• Comic Book Therapy: 5/5 “Samurai Jack fans rejoice, Zub and Suriano have presented an excellent first issue. IDW is two for two on their Cartoon Network adaptations. Whether you’re a longtime Jack fan or someone who’s curious what all the fuss is about, check this one out.”

• Comicosity: 8/10 “Jim Zub and Andy Suriano bring a lot of the same imaginative character design and the over-the-top mix of action and humor that made the cartoon work.”

• Fanboy Comics: “Suriano’s art is such a dead ringer for the original art that I found myself missing the soundtrack and the effects during my read.”

• Fellowship of the Geeks: “Zub and Suriano have really knocked this one out of the park. It’s original where it needs to be, but it’s still familiar like an old friend.”

• First Comics News: “…my mind was seeing animation flow from panel to panel, which shows how good the comic is!”

• Flickering Myth: “Jim Zub’s writing is pretty spot-on in terms of authenticity, the comic feels like a genuine continuation as opposed to trying to sell paper off the back of a decent franchise.”

• Geek Smash: 8.8/10 “There are so many fantastic things to say about this comic, even if I wasn’t fueled on pure nostalgia.”

• Geeked Out Nation: 8.5/10 “There is so much good in this issue. Huge kudos to the writer and artist for making this series feel exactly like the show. “…”I’m really, really, really, REALLY looking forward to the next issue.”

• Moar Powah: 4/5 “Between the dead-on accurate artwork, to the quick wit and well written dialogue, every inch of this book just SCREAMS Samurai Jack. “

• Nerd Span: “This was honestly one of my most anticipated comics of the last half of the year, and it did not disappoint. It’s a nice new chapter in Jack’s journey and is wonderfully presented.”

• Nerdlocker: 5/5 “This one seems like it’s gonna be fun. I’m on board. You guys should be too.”

• Nerds on the Rocks: 7/7 “This comic offers everything I want in a number 1 – A feel for the characters and the world, a complete story and a dangling carrot that makes me want to continue reading without feeling cheated. Samurai Jack #1 is a worthy follow-up to the animated series and can’t wait to see what the future holds.”

• Omnicomic: “Fans of the Samurai Jack show will feel right at home here. Zub and Suriano do a great job picking up where it left off, offering up continuity in the way of story and art that will appeal to new fans as well as old.”

• Outhousers: “This is an amazing debut issue from Zub and Suriano. It’s the perfect pairing for a book like this. Given the genius source material and the creative team, the possibilities are endless.”

• Pop Culture Maven: “Solid story and fantastic art make this one of the few adaptations that really works. Very Recommended!”

• Reading Pictures: “If you miss Jack and his samurai ways, go pick this up. If you never watched the show, buy the book anyway because it’s just plain fun.”

• Shadowhawk’s Shade: 10/10 “Jim Zub has done a great job of capturing that same sense of wonder and charm that was there in the cartoons.”

• Sound On Sight: “This issue IS an episode of Samurai Jack, from the set-up, to the battles, every panel knows its origins and doesn’t shy from its roots. A wonderfully fun read that’s perfect for the whole family.”

• This Is Infamous: “…the motion and movement necessary to make the fight sequences sing are all there, and Jack’s magic sword swings right off the page.”

• Unleash the Fanboy: 4/5 “Samurai Jack #1 is a great beginning to something that’s bound to be memorable. Recommended.”

• What Culture: “Samurai Jack #1 is a really fun comic that gets the series off to a good start – fans of the show have definitely got to give this one a look!”

I started working on the Samurai Jack comic back in April. It feels surreal and wonderful to finally have the first issue released today.

Thank you to Andy Suriano for collaborating so well and illustrating the heck out of the comic.

Thank you to Carlos Guzman, our Editor, and the rest of the IDW team for their support and enthusiasm.

Thanks of course to Genndy Tartakovsky and the crew at Cartoon Network for giving me the chance to contribute to such a great property.

I know it can sound a bit corny, but I really mean it – Thank you for supporting my work. It means the world to me.

If you get a chance to buy a copy today, please let me know what you think and, if you enjoyed it, spread the word: Jack is back!