Zub Tales

I talk to the gang at Comic Book Fury about Skullkickers, the comic book business and creating content for all kinds of different audiences. Click through and enjoy.

New York Comicon wrapped up yesterday afternoon and it went intensely well. In many ways NYCC was the show I was hoping San Diego Comicon would be; great networking, industry and fan outreach, solid sales and a lot of fun. Don’t get me wrong, SDCC was pretty good but in every department NYCC delivered a lot more this time out.

A year ago Edwin and I were signing copies of our sold out 1st print Skullkickers #1’s and a year later we were selling issues #11’s and trade paperbacks. We had some folks who came back, remembered us and got all caught up. A lot of others who brought their collections because they’d been buying the series ever since they met us a year earlier. It was amazing.

The Munchkin Skullkickers announcement on Saturday morning helped too. We had quite a few people beeline over to the table to ask about it and others who noticed the banner we had up and bought the book because they enjoy Munchkin. The more cross pollination we can get (gamers trying SK and our readers playing Munchkin, if they’re not already) the better.

Click for the MTV article on Munchkin Skullkickers!

I’m staying in New York an extra day to tackle some business meetings I have lined up and I’ve got my fingers crossed that they go well.

All in all New York was the perfect way to finish a very heavy convention schedule and remind myself why I’ve been burning the midnight oil so much for this crazy business.

Sold out on Sunday!

I’m very proud to announce Munchkin Skullkickers, coming from Steve Jackson Games in 2012.

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Munchkin is the classic card game of fantasy adventuring.

Skullkickers is the hit new Image comic of fantasy adventuring.

Munchkin Skullkickers, coming in 2012, combines both great flavors! The fans will be begging for more as the comic’s unnamed heroes tear through the World of Munchkin, destroying everything in their path as they help the players fight their way to Level 10.

Watch for more information at www.worldofmunchkin.com. Follow the adventures of the Skullkickers at www.skullkickers.com.

As with the end of our first arc, Skullkickers #11 (in stores starting today) includes a short letter. Here’s the text for all of you to check out:

Well, here we are, the second Skullkickers story arc is done. It’s been just under a year since Skullkickers #1 arrived in comic book stores and we’ve released eleven fun-filled issues. It’s been an incredible time crammed with creative fulfillment and excitement for everyone on the team.

Our third story arc will arrive next year starting with issue #13 and I’m hopeful it will provide the momentum to push Skullkickers to a whole new level. The ridiculous action and fantasy hi-jinks our readers love won’t be going anywhere, but building from the material we’ve created in this second storyline we’ll be revealing a much bigger story than just about anyone might expect. Weaved inbetween the bombastic violence and banter has been a series of subtle pieces moving into place bit by bit. With that third story arc you’ll start to see what they are and why.

Working on this series has been instrumental in pushing me to become a better storyteller. It’s also given me the confidence to pursue other ideas I’ve always wanted develop. In 2012 I’m looking at announcing a few other comic projects. They’re different from the material being explored here in SK, but none of them would have moved forward at all without Skullkickers paving the way. Working with such a fantastic creative team has bolstered my love of comics and energized me to try all kinds of new things. The fears I have about whether or not I can create something enjoyable and worthwhile still creeps up from time to time, but all I have to do is hold our latest issue in my hands and the evidence of it reminds me that I’m on the right path.

Thank you to Edwin, Misty, Marshall, Mike, Kevin, Saejin, Tom, and Espen. You’re some of the most professional and responsible people I’ve ever met. Thank you to the gang at Image Comics who have supported us all year long. Thank you also to the retailers who have promoted our book and continue to do so.

As always, I have to give my deepest gratitude to our readers, old and new, for their support. Creator-owned books need your encouragement and financial commitment in order to weather the turbulent economic times this weird and wonderful business finds itself in. If you love comics, Skullkickers or any others, please vote with your wallet and make sure you show your friends the titles you enjoy.

Okay, I better wrap it up before this little letter turns into a drunken weeping “I love you, man” kind of thing.

Sincerely,
ZUB

A couple weeks ago I sat down with the Guys With Pencils podcast and we talked up a storm. It was so extensive that they split it into two parts.

Click on through to listen to part two as we cover the creative gamut.

Part One is available here.

I told you it was a crazy week…

Zynga’s upcoming Mafia Wars 2 game is poised to take the Facebook game market by storm and the UDON crew was happy to help lend a hand.

A new online comic short story written by me with artwork by Omar Dogan helps set the stage for the Las Vegas-based crime game coming soon to a browser near you.

You’ll need to be signed in to Facebook and ‘Like’ MW2 in order to read the story. Let me know what you think of the comic if you get a chance to check it out!

Click here to check out the MW2 online comic

Comic Book Resources has a new interview with me that went up today. It’s a pretty extensive one, including my memories on growing up asa gaming/comic/anime nerd, how I started my webcomic, working in animation and the professional comic work I’ve done. Click on through to check it out!

This week has been completely bonkers in terms of things happening – projects on the go, possible future projects in development, teaching, Japanese language class and other responsibilities. I’m definitely feeling the crunch right now.

On the good side of that equation, we decided to post up 5 pages from Makeshift Miracle this week instead of our regular 2 as a way to build up extra momentum for the series and thank people for showing their friends the pages. Since I’m typing this on Wednesday that means 3 pages are already up and, unsurprisingly, they’re gorgeous. Shun Hong Chan’s artwork never ceases to impress.

Speaking of Makeshift, we got some fantastic press this week as well, including interviews at USA Today and Robot6. Check them both out as each one has different exclusive upcoming artwork.

A couple weeks ago I sat down with the Guys With Pencils podcast and we talked up a storm.

We covered a crazy range of subjects: animation school, creative careers, storytelling, comics, characters, life experiences. It’s a wild ride of subject matters and I was positive they would edit it down to something singular in terms of focus.

Apparently not. Click on through to listen to part one of two as we cover the creative gamut.