Secret Empire: United Interview on Marvel.com

Posted by on May 8, 2017 No comments

I spoke to JK Parkin for Marvel.com all about the Secret Empire: United one-shot special arriving in June. It’s all about Hydra versus mutantkind, with surprises aplenty. Check out the interview.

Introducing the DANGER DICE GANG!

Posted by on May 8, 2017 No comments

I’m happy to announce the arrival of THE DANGER DICE GANG RPG playcast with me and some pals!

I’m DMing this crew through some of my favorite 1st edition Dungeons & Dragons modules using 5th edition rules. First up is U1 – The Sinister Secret of Saltmarsh!

Let me introduce you to our party of adventurers, going from left to right corresponding with the announcement art (illustrated by Kean!)…

Kean Soo (creator of Jellaby and March Grand Prix) is playing KETH, a young and headstrong Half-Orc Paladin.

Stacy King (writer/editor of UDON’s Manga Classics line) is playing ARLEN, a Human Wild Mage (with pyro tendencies) raised by dwarves.

Tory Woollcott (creator of Mirror Mind) is playing TUGRA, a Gnome Ranger (with violent tendencies) also raised by dwarves.

Andrew Wheeler (writer of Another Castle and co-writer of Freelance) is playing OLEG, a dashing Tiefling Rogue who studies plants.

It’s been a weird and wonderful ride digging back into old adventures, experiencing them with a fresh eye and new cast of players. We’ve never done anything like this before, so forgive the minor technical/audio hitches as we get up to speed.

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Issue Zero Podcast with Fred Kennedy

Posted by on May 1, 2017 No comments

I spoke to Fred Kennedy from the Channel Zero podcast about a whole slew of different stuff – conventions, pitching stories, Thunderbolts, Secret Empire, the importance of Image Comics, my favorite character, and more! Give it a listen!

Zub at Calgary Expo 2017!

Posted by on April 25, 2017 No comments

Another year, another wonderful Calgary Comic & Entertainment Expo and I’ll be there! It’s the 12th anniversary of the show and I haven’t missed one yet.

I’ll be set up at TABLE X-10 with a slew of great books, new and old. I’ll be sketching and signing throughout the weekend.

I also have a new pin-up in the annual artbook, Fairy Tales and Monsters. This year I did my take on Puss In Boots.

If you’re in the Calgary area and can make it out to the show, I hope to see you there!

Calgary Expo 2017 Pin-Up: Puss In Boots

Posted by on April 24, 2017 No comments

Each year the Calgary Comic & Entertainment Expo puts together an art book with pin-ups done by artists who will be exhibiting at the show. Proceeds from the art book sales and original art auction go to charity. This year the charity of choice is the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Southern Alberta.

The theme of this year’s art book was ‘Fairy Tales and Classic Monsters’, so I decided to illustrate my version of Puss In Boots. Here’s how it progressed from concept to final:


STEP 1-Sloppy Gesture: This is where I’m just playing around with shapes, trying to find a really basic pose and silhouette that will work for my initial idea – Puss swinging in with a swashbuckling flare. It’s sloppy and loose and doesn’t look like much, but that’s how it starts.

STEP 2-Initial Sketch: From there I sketch right over top, building in the form and attitude of the character, trying to keep a sense of energy while also adding a bit of volume and consistency. Still pretty rough, but at least now we can tell what it is and see some potential.

STEP 3- Refinement: Fading back my previous digital layers, I take another attack on it, refining my choices and adding details. I wanted to add a bit more of a sense of ‘drag’ on his clothing and pushed the expression a bit more.

STEP 4- Final Lines: With the gesture and structure defined, I’m ready to finalize the line work with a tight digital ink layer. While I’m working away on this I try to balance the structure and gesture and add thick to thin lines or gaps to help visually separate areas and add a bit of extra weight to the final look.

STEP 5- Flat Colors: This is where I work out the base palette of colors for the piece. These flats also become easy to select areas when I’m rendering the illustration. I also added a simple pattern behind Puss to give the background a bit of texture.

STEP 6- Final: Shadows, highlights, and all around rendering is added along with my signature to finish it off. Our courageous swashbuckling feline is ready for adventure!

If you’re heading to the Calgary Comic & Entertainment Expo you’ll be able to pick up your own copy of the 2017 Artbook and I’ll be thrilled to sign a copy for you.

Word Balloon: Thunderbolts, Glitterbomb, and More!

Posted by on April 19, 2017 No comments

John Siuntres and I get caught up on the Word Balloon Podcast after almost two years since our previous conversation. We cover Thunderbolts, Secret Empire, Wayward, Glitterbomb, fan pairings, working with continuity, events, and the state of creator-owned comics. Lots of great material here. Give it a listen!

0:00:00 John’s Introduction
0:05:56 Jim Interview Start: Thunderbolts
0:09:09 Marvel special projects division
0:11:40 How Thunderbolts came about and its ties to Secret Empire
0:19:21 Taking over Uncanny Avengers
0:21:23 Thunderbolts #11 revelations
0:29:34 Superior Spider-Man and shocking stories
0:33:40 Character “shipping” and fandom
0:42:51 Secret Empire: United and tie-ins
0:49:24 Continuity and the Thunderbolts Anniversary
0:56:14 The state of Wayward
1:01:57 Glitterbomb and modern entertainment
1:15:09 Glitterbomb back matter essays
1:26:15 The state of Skullkickers
1:29:22 Creator-owned at Image
1:30:40 Upcoming conventions and travel
1:39:43 Tutorials and my Patreon site

Thunderbolts #12 Letter

Posted by on April 19, 2017 No comments

Today sees the release of THUNDERBOLTS #12, wrapping up our “Return of the Masters” 3-parter as the series heads into SECRET EMPIRE, Marvel’s big summer event. I’m not sure if Thunderbolts will return after Secret Empire or not, so I penned this letter for the back of the issue and wanted to share it here, just in case:

Hey Gang,

Thank you for joining us on this new-but-also-old school run of Thunderbolts! As my first monthly Marvel superhero series, it holds a very special place in my heart.

Right from the start when I was brought on board I knew that Bucky and Kobik’s story from Avengers Standoff would eventually lead to Secret Empire, but building the bridge between those two events as a fun and frantic story that stood on its own was an absolute blast each and every month. Our creative team (Jon Malin, Matt Yackey, and Joe Sabino, with Sean Izaakse in to pinch hit for a couple issues too) delivered their best and it really showed in every messed-up mission and sarcastic quip. From plot to printed page, it was a really fun ride.

Deep thanks to Tom Brevoort and Alanna Smith for entrusting me with this fan favorite series. I enjoyed reading Thunderbolts when it first hit the stands 20 years ago, and now, being a small part of the team’s legacy makes it even more incredible.

Where do we go from here? Well, Secret Empire, of course! Hydra’s greatest machinations are fulfilled and everyone in the Marvel Universe will be tested in ways you’ve never imagined. The ramifications of Secret Empire will reverberate for many years to come, especially with our team of criminals trying to be heroes except when they’re not.

What happens after that? I can’t say for certain. There are all kinds of wonderful plans still being percolated as I type this, and I’m hopeful we’ll see more of Justice, Like Lightning in one form or another before too long. (After all, we can’t just leave Songbird, Ghost, and Jolt out in the cold, can we? 🙂 )

In any case, please know that your support and excitement for this series has meant the world to me and that, on behalf of our whole creative team, we look forward to entertaining you again, whether that’s here or somewhere else in the mighty Marvel Universe.

Make Mine Moonstone!
Jim Zub
March 20, 2017

If you’ve enjoyed the work I’ve done on THUNDERBOLTS and want the series to continue in the Fall, please send an email to MHEROES@MARVEL.COM and let Marvel know!

Arriving in July- UNCANNY AVENGERS #25

Posted by on April 18, 2017 No comments

Arriving in July…pre-order now!

UNCANNY AVENGERS #25
JIM ZUB (W) • KIM JACINTO (A)
Cover by R.B. SILVA
X-MEN TRADING CARD VARIANT COVER BY JIM LEE

SECRET EMPIRE TIE-IN!
• Manhattan is under siege! In order to survive this endless night, the Avengers must face darkness without and darkness within.

40 PGS./Rated T+ …$4.99

Savage Land Podcast Interview

Posted by on April 13, 2017 No comments

I spoke to Jason, Matt, and Rachel from the Savage Land Podcast all about breaking into comics, working on corporate characters, the importance of creator-owned comics, and a whole lot more. Give it a listen!

Arriving in July: WAYWARD Deluxe Book 2 Hardcover!

Posted by on April 12, 2017 No comments

Arriving in July…make sure you pre-order to ensure you get a copy!

WAYWARD, BOOK 2: DELUXE HC
STORY: JIM ZUB
ART: STEVEN CUMMINGS, TAMRA BONVILLAIN
JULY 05 / 320 PAGES / FC / M / $39.99

The new gods of Japan have arrived, and a clash with the myths of old will change the country forever.

JIM ZUB and STEVEN CUMMINGS combine the camaraderie and emotion of shows like Buffy the Vampire Slayer with Japan’s engaging culture and mythic monsters. Image Comics’ supernatural sensation continues in this over-sized hardcover collection that includes every stunning cover illustration, design sketches, and extensive essay material on culture and mythology by monster scholars ZACK DAVISSON and ANN O’REGAN.

Collects WAYWARD #11-20 and includes a special poster of the five-part WAYWARD connected cover illustration from issues #11-15!


Wayward Deluxe Book 2
(issues #11-15 plus extras)

The new gods of Japan have arrived, and a clash with the myths of old will change the country forever. Image Comics’ supernatural sensation continues in this over-sized hardcover collection that includes every stunning cover illustration, design sketches, and extensive essay material on culture and mythology. Includes a special poster of the five-part WAYWARD connected cover illustration from issues #11-15!		 PRE-ORDER
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