Featured Post
Now Available: The Brutal Blade of Bruno the Bandit Vol. 6!
Brutal Blade Vol. 6 is live and on the air! With this book, we reach the midpoint of the Bruno the Bandit archives, and also reach a turni...
Wednesday, September 14, 2016
Wednesday, May 25, 2016
Now Available: The Journals of Simon Pariah #3!
Available now in print and download options is "The Journals of Simon Pariah" #3. The story this time around is "Dust and Bones", in which Simon travels to the mountains of Tibet to attempt to rescue the inhabitants of a Buddhist monastery from the onrushing tide of Chinese Communism. What will he find there, and will he be in time? You will have to read it to find out.
Warning: This issue is not for the squeamish. Not for violence as such but for...well, you'll see.
Issue 3 is available at all the usual outlets. Choose your option below to order your copy. As always, comments and criticisms are tremendously welcome, either here or by email at info@aimcomics.com.
Get Simon Pariah in print at Amazon.com.
Get Simon Pariah in print at Amazon.ca.
Get Simon Pariah in digital download at DriveThruComics.
Click below to get buy issue 3 in pdf format right now!
Buy Issue 3 on Gumroad!
Warning: This issue is not for the squeamish. Not for violence as such but for...well, you'll see.
Issue 3 is available at all the usual outlets. Choose your option below to order your copy. As always, comments and criticisms are tremendously welcome, either here or by email at info@aimcomics.com.
Get Simon Pariah in print at Amazon.com.
Get Simon Pariah in print at Amazon.ca.
Get Simon Pariah in digital download at DriveThruComics.
Click below to get buy issue 3 in pdf format right now!
Buy Issue 3 on Gumroad!
Saturday, May 14, 2016
R.I.P. Darwyn Cooke
Darwyn Cooke left the party today. Like too many creative people this year, he was shown the door by cancer, far far sooner than should be possible.
If it's possible that as a comics fan you don't know Darwyn's work, you really should make an effort to seek it out. My personal favorites are his adaptations Donald Westlake's Parker novels, but his other work is equally fantastic and influential on comics and films. Darwyn was an artist's artist, with a skill and style to be as much envied as admired.
Darwyn's passing hits me particularly hard because he was a contemporary of mind. I don't mean that my skill is anywhere near his (and maybe never will be), but that he was from my city, and a little more than my age, and someone who's work I respected but could also just speak to without sounding like a fanboy.
I've had the good fortune to meet Darwyn on several occasions, whether it was behind a table at one of our local conventions or just hanging out at Strange Adventures comic shop. He had an undeniable celebrity but wore it well, being open to approach by young artists and fans, and generally just a good person to talk with. Although I did not know him extremely well, he always seemed to me to be more interested in the art of comics than in the status his celebrity conferred. He was a craftsman in the finest sense of the word.
Fortunately, my favorite story about Darwyn comes from personal experience. To tell it, let me show you one of my favorite things.
I have a sketchbook that I take to comic conventions with me to commission work by the artists I meet who are open to that sort of thing. It's got work by some famous names, and some people you've probably never heard of. It's also got this.
This drawing came from meeting Darwyn at Hal-Con a couple of years ago, where he was signing some books at the Strange Adventures table. I asked if he would do a sketch, and offered to pay for one. He said he wasn't really doing much sketching that day, but would do a quick one, and wouldn't charge for it. He took my sketchbook and knocked out the drawing in, literally, less time than it took me to ask for it.
Just look at that. To my mind, it's the perfect convention sketch. The artist's style is immediately recognizable, even without his signature. You can immediately identify the character, who is drawn in a way that references one of the finest works to come out of comics in recent years, "New Frontiers". And all executed in seconds.
I have never seen a more precise example of an artist who has his craft down cold.
The comics industry is going to miss Darwyn Cooke. I know I'm going to miss ever seeing another one of his Parker adaptations. Selfishly, I'm going to be sorry that I didn't get a chance to have my copy of "Slayground" signed.
I'm going to miss seeing Darwyn around.
Good night, Darwyn Cooke. Thanks for everything.
If it's possible that as a comics fan you don't know Darwyn's work, you really should make an effort to seek it out. My personal favorites are his adaptations Donald Westlake's Parker novels, but his other work is equally fantastic and influential on comics and films. Darwyn was an artist's artist, with a skill and style to be as much envied as admired.
Darwyn's passing hits me particularly hard because he was a contemporary of mind. I don't mean that my skill is anywhere near his (and maybe never will be), but that he was from my city, and a little more than my age, and someone who's work I respected but could also just speak to without sounding like a fanboy.
I've had the good fortune to meet Darwyn on several occasions, whether it was behind a table at one of our local conventions or just hanging out at Strange Adventures comic shop. He had an undeniable celebrity but wore it well, being open to approach by young artists and fans, and generally just a good person to talk with. Although I did not know him extremely well, he always seemed to me to be more interested in the art of comics than in the status his celebrity conferred. He was a craftsman in the finest sense of the word.
Fortunately, my favorite story about Darwyn comes from personal experience. To tell it, let me show you one of my favorite things.
I have a sketchbook that I take to comic conventions with me to commission work by the artists I meet who are open to that sort of thing. It's got work by some famous names, and some people you've probably never heard of. It's also got this.
Just look at that. To my mind, it's the perfect convention sketch. The artist's style is immediately recognizable, even without his signature. You can immediately identify the character, who is drawn in a way that references one of the finest works to come out of comics in recent years, "New Frontiers". And all executed in seconds.
I have never seen a more precise example of an artist who has his craft down cold.
The comics industry is going to miss Darwyn Cooke. I know I'm going to miss ever seeing another one of his Parker adaptations. Selfishly, I'm going to be sorry that I didn't get a chance to have my copy of "Slayground" signed.
I'm going to miss seeing Darwyn around.
Good night, Darwyn Cooke. Thanks for everything.
Friday, May 13, 2016
Cover Preview: Journals of Simon Pariah # 3
Here's a preview of the lineart for "The Journals of Simon Pariah" #3, coming up (very likely) in the next week.
This issue finds Simon in the mountains of Tibet just ahead of the Communist invasion. Originally published as a webcomic, this was the first story accepted by Diamond Comics for distribution, right around the time that I decided that I didn't like their terms and would rather forge ahead without their help.
I've reworked the cover slightly for this edition, but the story still works as it is. The issue will have a bibliography and several pages of notes on the creation of the story.
Look for more details and the full issue coming up soon.
This issue finds Simon in the mountains of Tibet just ahead of the Communist invasion. Originally published as a webcomic, this was the first story accepted by Diamond Comics for distribution, right around the time that I decided that I didn't like their terms and would rather forge ahead without their help.
I've reworked the cover slightly for this edition, but the story still works as it is. The issue will have a bibliography and several pages of notes on the creation of the story.
Look for more details and the full issue coming up soon.
Thursday, April 14, 2016
Now Available: The Brutal Blade of Bruno the Bandit Vol. 6!
Brutal Blade Vol. 6 is live and on the air!
With this book, we reach the midpoint of the Bruno the Bandit archives, and also reach a turning point in the career of Bruno the Bandit. If the cover below doesn't give you a clue as to what that is, you'll just have to get the book and read it for yourself!
Sporting 6 complete Bruno the Bandit stories and a glorious pinup of Ella the Fame Vampire by Silphy the Blue, all wrapped up in a fantastic new cover by Ian McDonald (colored by me, humble Mike Dominic), this is a collection to treasure!
From the back cover:
The Return of the King! The rightful king of Rothland, that is. Meanwhile, Bruno and Xantippa find one ring to bind them...much to our hero's dismay. While it doesn't lead to good fellowship, the situation does make Bruno's daughter even MORE precious! Plus, when Bruno conquers the Seven Deadly Sins, he is immortalized in statuary so that he too towers over the Stuff of Legends! Indulge your reading hobbit (ok that was REALLY a stretch) once again, as some of the best comics on the web become some of the funniest comics in self-publishing!
This one, like all the Bruno the Bandit books from AIM Comics, is available right now in handy print and digital formats. Just click the "Buy Now" button below to grab your digital copy (pdf) directly for only $1.50 via Gumroad, or follow the links below to your choice of retailers to grab your copy right now!
As always, we'd love to hear from the readers. Drop us a line at info@aimcomics.com or drop by our Facebook page and share your thoughts. If you're a reviewer, I'd be happy to send you a complimentary pdf copy; just send me an email address and a link to the site where you will be posting your review. We look forward to hearing from you!
With this book, we reach the midpoint of the Bruno the Bandit archives, and also reach a turning point in the career of Bruno the Bandit. If the cover below doesn't give you a clue as to what that is, you'll just have to get the book and read it for yourself!
Sporting 6 complete Bruno the Bandit stories and a glorious pinup of Ella the Fame Vampire by Silphy the Blue, all wrapped up in a fantastic new cover by Ian McDonald (colored by me, humble Mike Dominic), this is a collection to treasure!
From the back cover:
The Return of the King! The rightful king of Rothland, that is. Meanwhile, Bruno and Xantippa find one ring to bind them...much to our hero's dismay. While it doesn't lead to good fellowship, the situation does make Bruno's daughter even MORE precious! Plus, when Bruno conquers the Seven Deadly Sins, he is immortalized in statuary so that he too towers over the Stuff of Legends! Indulge your reading hobbit (ok that was REALLY a stretch) once again, as some of the best comics on the web become some of the funniest comics in self-publishing!
This one, like all the Bruno the Bandit books from AIM Comics, is available right now in handy print and digital formats. Just click the "Buy Now" button below to grab your digital copy (pdf) directly for only $1.50 via Gumroad, or follow the links below to your choice of retailers to grab your copy right now!
- Print version from Amazon.com
- Print version from Amazon.ca
- Digital version from DriveThru Comics.com
As always, we'd love to hear from the readers. Drop us a line at info@aimcomics.com or drop by our Facebook page and share your thoughts. If you're a reviewer, I'd be happy to send you a complimentary pdf copy; just send me an email address and a link to the site where you will be posting your review. We look forward to hearing from you!
Wednesday, April 13, 2016
Feature Artist: Silphy the Blue
While we're waiting on the latest volume of Brutal Blade of Bruno the Bandit, due any day now, let me take a moment to introduce you to our latest pinup artist, Silphy the Blue!
The length of some of the Bruno stories in the last couple of issues has meant that we have had very little space for pinups. As much as I love featuring Bruno interpretations by different artists, the stories come first. In fact, the current issue comes in at 4 pages longer than previous volumes, with only one page available for pinups.
I've had a pinup piece from Silphy the Blue on tap for quite a while now, and I'm pleased to say that it will be gracing the pages of the current issue.
I met Silphy at a convention a few years ago, and was immediately impressed by a vivid, dynamic art style with a fantastic sense of color. Since I'm always keeping an eye out for artists who I think will bring a new perspective to the characters, I knew I had to get something by this artist for Brutal Blade and commissioned something on the spot. I also bought an original sketch card that currently graces the bookshelf in my studio, but that's just for my own satisfaction.
I think what I like about Silphy's art is that it combines a clear Image Comics influence with a clear line style (possibly coming from animation?) and a good sense of form, with the result being a bold, confident style that has a sense of fun and communicates the artist's passion for the work. I find it's always best when the artist clearly enjoys what they do, and that enjoyment shines through in Sliphy's work.
We've only got one piece of work by Silphy to share with you (for now...), but you should definitely check out the eye candy at DeviantArt and Tumblr. Come for the art...stay for the animated cat gifs!
The length of some of the Bruno stories in the last couple of issues has meant that we have had very little space for pinups. As much as I love featuring Bruno interpretations by different artists, the stories come first. In fact, the current issue comes in at 4 pages longer than previous volumes, with only one page available for pinups.
I've had a pinup piece from Silphy the Blue on tap for quite a while now, and I'm pleased to say that it will be gracing the pages of the current issue.
I met Silphy at a convention a few years ago, and was immediately impressed by a vivid, dynamic art style with a fantastic sense of color. Since I'm always keeping an eye out for artists who I think will bring a new perspective to the characters, I knew I had to get something by this artist for Brutal Blade and commissioned something on the spot. I also bought an original sketch card that currently graces the bookshelf in my studio, but that's just for my own satisfaction.
I think what I like about Silphy's art is that it combines a clear Image Comics influence with a clear line style (possibly coming from animation?) and a good sense of form, with the result being a bold, confident style that has a sense of fun and communicates the artist's passion for the work. I find it's always best when the artist clearly enjoys what they do, and that enjoyment shines through in Sliphy's work.
We've only got one piece of work by Silphy to share with you (for now...), but you should definitely check out the eye candy at DeviantArt and Tumblr. Come for the art...stay for the animated cat gifs!
Julia the Strange
by
Silphy the Blue
Monday, April 11, 2016
Make it RAINN!
For a limited time, you can get the first issue of The Journals of Simon Pariah along with a whole host of other fine comic work as part of the RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) Bundle through DriveThruComics!
"RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) is the nation's largest anti-sexual violence organization and was named one of "America's 100 Best Charities" by Worth magazine.
RAINN created and operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline (800.656.HOPE and online.rainn.org) in partnership with more than 1,100 local sexual assault service providers across the country and operates the DoD Safe Helpline for the Department of Defense. RAINN also carries out programs to prevent sexual violence, help victims and ensure that rapists are brought to justice."
Simon Pariah joins,among others, Dork Tower, Dungeons & Dragons, and Alan Moore's "Future Shocks" in a bundle that brings you $100 worth of comics for just $20, in convenient digital download format. There's some good stuff in here, and I'm proud to stand among them, especially with proceeds going towards such a worthy cause. Check it out, and lend a hand, won't you?
"RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) is the nation's largest anti-sexual violence organization and was named one of "America's 100 Best Charities" by Worth magazine.
RAINN created and operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline (800.656.HOPE and online.rainn.org) in partnership with more than 1,100 local sexual assault service providers across the country and operates the DoD Safe Helpline for the Department of Defense. RAINN also carries out programs to prevent sexual violence, help victims and ensure that rapists are brought to justice."
Simon Pariah joins,among others, Dork Tower, Dungeons & Dragons, and Alan Moore's "Future Shocks" in a bundle that brings you $100 worth of comics for just $20, in convenient digital download format. There's some good stuff in here, and I'm proud to stand among them, especially with proceeds going towards such a worthy cause. Check it out, and lend a hand, won't you?
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