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LOOKOUTS #1 a sell out!

I'm delighted to say that issue one of LOOKOUTS has been released in comic stores to tremendous acclaim, even selling out at distribution level! This is fantastic news, and I hope that everybody who picked the book up had as much fun reading it as me and the team did putting it together.

And if you can't find a physical copy, fear not: issue one is available on ComiXology for a mere 99 cents! Buy it here: http://www.comixology.com/Lookouts-1-May-We-Die-In-The-Forest/digital-comic/ICO003414

Issue two of LOOKOUTS is scheduled for release on October 3rd, hitting both comic book stores and ComiXology on the same day.

As gorgeous as the book is on a tablet (or any electronic device, for that matter) it looks EVEN BETTER in print--the production values are superb. And the art... Boy oh boy. Even with my obvious bias aside, I'd say LOOKOUTS is one of the best-looking comics I've *ever* seen.

Here are just a few of the fabulous reviews issue one has collected thus far:

Wired magazine: http://www.wired.com/geekdad/2012/09/lookouts-comic/

Bleeding Cool: http://www.bleedingcool.com/2012/07/08/review-lookouts-issue-1-by-ben-mccool-and-rob-mommaerts/

Major Spoilers: http://majorspoilers.com/2012/07/06/review-lookouts-1/

The Outhousers: http://www.theouthousers.com/index.php/reviews/20265-lookouts-1-review.html

I'm flattered by the book's response, but can't stress enough that we're just getting started: the whole creative team on LOOKOUTS is seemingly going from strength to strength with each passing issue.

The world created by PENNY ARCADE's Jerry Holkins and Mike Krahulik is filled with mystery, wonder and adventure, and I'm very lucky to be developing it further with them. Also plugging away on the project is Cory Jones, Cryptozoic's President and Chief Creative Officer, who has worked on the story with me, Jerry and Mike, plus co-written the LOOKOUTS' handbook with Jerry Holkins.  (The bonus features in the book are worthy of the admission price alone.) Cory's dedication to the project is second to none!

And of course, a big shout out goes to our fantastic art team, Robb Mommaerts, Mike Norton and Rainer Petter, who are deserving of abundant acclaim. Check out the stunning sneak peek from issue two on the right!

(Also, thanks to editors Matt Hoffman and David Baron, both top blokes.)

I hear a few eyebrows were raised when it was announced that a gaming company was to publish LOOKOUTS, although I suspect any concerns were quashed the moment the book was released--Cryptozoic has done a stellar job packaging the book and getting it out there for all to enjoy. Now roll on October 3rd!

Penny Arcade: http://penny-arcade.com/

Cryptozoic: http://www.cryptozoic.com/

MEMOIR #6 out now!

Finally! MEMOIR #6 is out in comic stores now, and dare I say, Nikki Cook's incredibly creepy artwork has been worth the wait. (Below you'll see a drawing from the young Trent MacGowan's journal.)

It's clear that Trent can see the mysterious entities that roam Lowesville, the town without a memory. And he's certainly not the only one...

MEMOIR has been quite a ride so far, with ups and downs along the way. The ups include selling out of the first issue the same week it was released (not to mention having the rights to the property acquired by Warner Bros. for development as a TV show), while the downs were centred around the delay of issues 4-6. However, I am eternally grateful to those who stuck with us and supported this kooky little tale of ours, and very much hope that you enjoy issue six.

There are plenty of questions still to be answered upon conclusion of this arc, plus lots more stories waiting to be told--all part of my diabolical plan. (Insert maniacal laughter here.) Let's just say I'm far from done with the world of MEMOIR...

I hope to make some announcements soon!

San Diego Comic-Con schedule


It's that time of year again, folks: SAN DIEGO COMIC-CON, the craziest place on Earth. Here's (most) of my signing/panel schedule so far:

THURSDAY 

11am-1pm: Signing with Ben Templesmith at his booth (#1131). We'll be selling/signing copies of the CHOKER tpb, plus also flogging a San Diego Comic-Con exclusive print. But it's not just any print... Oh no. We'll both be painting/personalising this print with GUINNESS.  Real, delicious Guinness. Pic below:


It's a strictly first come, first serve print, limited to 25 copies. We'll be selling them for $30 a pop, and each print will be personally slathered in Guinness by me and Ben Templesmith. PAAAAAARTY!!

3PM-4PM: Signing copies of LOOKOUTS (with SDCC exclusive cover by Mike Krahulik) at the Cryptozoic Comic-Con store at 411 Market Street (between 4th & 5th Avenues). Details: http://www.cryptozoic.com/articles/special-guests-cryptozoic-comic-con-store

FRIDAY

3-5pm: Signing at Ben Templesmith's table--another opportunity to pick up the mental print seen above!

8-11PM: LOOKOUTS PARTY WITH THE PENNY ARCADE CREW! Me, PA Head Honchos Jerry Holkins & Mike Krahulik plus Cryptozoic CCO Cory Jones will be signing copies of LOOKOUTS a full month-and-a-half ahead of its scheduled print release, and it boasts a Comic-Con EXCLUSIVE cover by Mike Krahulik! It's an absolute beauty, too:


More info about the party here: http://www.cryptozoic.com/articles/special-guests-cryptozoic-comic-con-store

This party's likely to be absolutely nuts, so make sure you arrive early!

SATURDAY

2-3pm: Signing on the Image Comics booth with BEN TEMPLESMITH. We'll be selling the SDCC-exclusive print (Ben will have plenty of other prints available), copies of CHOKER, plus also telling appalling jokes. I'll have the first PIGS tpb, too, as well as the Katie Cook ultra-cute Con variant of issue one.

4-5pm: NEVSKY panel. Me, writer/director Scott Tuft (SEVERED), Eisner-nominated artist Ramon Perez (A TALE OF SAND), storyboard/comics artist Gabriel Hardman (INCEPTION) and film historian Steve Saffel (Spider-Man The Icon) talk about NEVSKY, the new IDW Publishing graphic novel by me and Mario Guevara, plus discuss the classic Eisenstein film and its influence on contemporary creators across a variety of different mediums. The panel's in room 23ABC.

5-6pm: NEVSKY signing at the IDW booth. Come say hi and pick up a copy of the book!

SUNDAY

1-2pm: Signing at Image Comics booth, again with Mr. Templesmith. Comics. Prints. Art. We'll be selling/signing 'em all.


MORE DETAILS TO FOLLOW--STAY TUNED!

LOOKOUTS on ComiXology now!

The first issue of LOOKOUTS, by me, Robb Mommaerts, Mike Norton and the fabulous PENNY ARCADE crew is now available on ComiXology for a mere 99 cents!

You can check it out here: http://www.comixology.com/Lookouts/digital-comic/25697?utm_source=Comics-iOS&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=share

Here's a very pretty panel from issue one:

And though it's not released in print until August 29th, the fine folk at Cryptozoic will have a limited number of copies available at San Diego Comic-Con next week, with a con-exclusive cover by PENNY ARCADE's Mike Krahulik! I'll be posting more details here (including my full SDCC schedule) over the next few days...

LOOKOUTS!

I'm absolutely delighted to announce that I'm writing a new series called THE LOOKOUTS based on the fan-favourite PENNY ARCADE webcomic. It's an unbelievable honour to take on a project as grand as this, and can't wait for you to see the actual book--it's one of the best-looking comics I've EVER seen. Below you'll see the San Diego Comic-Con exclusive cover by Mike Krahulik:

Stunning, I know. Check out the page on Penny Arcade's website detailing how Mike put it together: http://www.penny-arcade.com/2012/06/22/lookouts-comic-book

The book's interior art is by the ludicrously talented Robb Mommaerts (you can find examples of his work here: http://robbvision.com/), and I developed the story with Penny Arcade's Jerry Holkins and Cryptozoic CCO Cory Jones, scripting the book myself.

This ongoing series tells the story of a group of young boys who join the Lookouts, where they must learn the secrets of the magical Eyrewood Forest. Badges are earned by the Lookouts as they learn to survive and master their perilous environment. Each six-issue arc will focus on a new badge and an exciting journey for the young trainees, starting with the “Riddle” badge in the first arc. Additionally, each issue will contain a two-page spread from The Lookout’s Handbook, featuring an inside peek at this mysteries of Eyrewood Forest and information on additional badges.

Here's the official press release: http://www.cryptozoic.com/articles/lookouts-comic-series-coming-summer 

And issue one's cover by (series artist) Robb Mommaerts: 



THE LOOKOUTS is released digitally on July 4th, and the print edition hits stores on August 29th. More further info about the book, including a page of preview art from issue one, check out Cryptozoic's official website here: http://www.cryptozoic.com/comics/lookouts

One more piece of LOOKOUTS art by Mike Krahulik:


NEVSKY in the LA TIMES!

The LA Times' HERO COMPLEX recently ran a story about NEVSKY, the upcoming graphic novel by me and Mario Guevara. Even better, it made it into the Sunday print edition's CALENDAR section--the front page, no less!

Here's a link to the superb feature, expertly pieced together by Geoff Boucher: http://herocomplex.latimes.com/2012/05/31/nevsky-graphic-novel-was-770-years-in-the-making/#/0

A contemporary take on Sergei Eisenstein's classic 1938 film, the book's out on July 3rd through IDW Publishing. It's an absolutely gorgeous package, featuring an introduction by Howard Chaykin, an essay about Eisenstein and his work by Steve Saffel, plus some behind-the-scenes concept art.

For more about the book, here's its official website: http://nevskythegraphicnovel.com/

I'll also be at San Diego Comic-Con to discuss all things NEVSKY on a panel, and there'll be a signing to follow. I'll post the details as soon as I have them!