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See you on the other side!
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.
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
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.)
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:
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.
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:
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:
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!
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!
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