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.

Why is This Bandit Smiling?

Maybe Bruno is looking so happy because he knows what's in store for him in the 6th volume of "The Brutal Blade of Bruno the Bandit", coming very soon from AIM Comics.  Of course, his smile could also be the result of knowing that we've got a brand new cover for this issue from no other than Bruno's daddy, Ian McDonald himself!  This is just a preview of that cover, with colors by my own humble self, but you'll soon be able to see the full thing for yourself.  Keep an eye on this blog, or on our Facebook feed for more information as we get closer to the release date.

Publishing News!

It's been a slow year, both sales-wise and in terms of output.  I have only myself to blame, as I've allowed myself to become distracted with other projects.  Nevertheless, as December rolls in, there is some good news to share regarding upcoming publications.

First of all, The Brutal Blade of Bruno the Bandit will be available early in 2013, now that we've nailed down a fantastic new cover artist for the book. I'm not saying yet who we've managed to capture, but let me just say that it's someone whose work both Ian and I are mad about, and who's been an inspiration to both of us through his art and through is approach to self-publishing.  Heck, he even gave me advice on my computer setup! 
Now that we've got him signed on to do some work for us, it's time for me to get to work formatting the new book.

Secondly, I have just this minute submitted my files for the first issue of "The Journals of Simon Pariah" for review.  If all goes well, the book should be live very shortly, ready for you to (hopefully) devour.  Frankly, this has been so long in coming that I just can't wait to kick off the title and get the work out there again.

While I'm waiting, I'm going to post some previews of the first issue, starting with the pencils below, just to give you a taste of the good things to come.

So, it looks like 2013 is going to get off to a rolling start, and I hope it'll help me build a little more momentum for some of the other projects I want to take on (no details, but there may be some public domain work involved).  Now we just need you, dear reader, to get out there and make it worth our while to do this by buying the books we publish. 

You can start by grabbing any of the three volumes of Brutal Blade of Bruno the Bandit published so far; just click the links to the right to go to the various stores and buy either the print or digital versions of the books. 

Or, if you want to get the whole story so far, I've just updated the Brutal Blade Bundle over at DriveThru Comics to include the 3rd volume.  Even better, the bundle offers discounted prices on all the books, so you can get all three volumes to date for just $3.00.  That's almost $2.00 off the price of the individual issues!  What are you waiting for?  Go get 'em!

Brutal Blade vol. 2 At the Starting Gate!

Yesterday, I received the proof of Ian McDonald's "The Brutal Blade of Bruno the Bandit" Vol. 2 from Createspace, which means that as soon as I approve it and turn the digital copies live, the book is ready to go.

I know I'd be expected to say this, but I think it looks great.  I'm really pleased with the way these books are turning out, and with knowing that when I'm done, I'm going to have a sharp-looking set of collected Bruno the Bandit lining my bookshelves.  Whatever other rewards I may or may not get from AIM Comics, I'll at least have the reward of having brought some of my favorite comic strips to life in this way.  I hope the rest of you agree.

Unfortunately, it's not all roses.  I'm not going to be able to do a limited edition of the second volume like I did for the first one.  Granted, that was great for promotion, but frankly, I'm paying for all this out of my own pocket, and costs such as customs and postage on that first edition got a little ridiculous.  As much as I'd like to get Ian to do another round of sketched books, I would have to price them too high to effectively sell them.  Maybe if this volume sells enough copies (wink wink nudge nudge), I'll be able to do a limited edition for a future volume.

Meantime, don't forget that Ian and I will be appearing at Hal-Con this November, so if you really want your book signed and/or sketched, and you're in the Halifax area, drop by our table and I'm sure Ian will be happy to oblige.
Also, don't forget that our illustrious cover artist for volume 2, Geof Isherwood, will also be at Hal-Con, so if you score a copy of this book, be sure to bring it to him as well for an autograph.  From my correspondence with him, I think Geof's a great guy, and he's done a bangup job with the cover.

Speaking of which...I think I've held the suspense long enough.  Here's the original drawing Geof sent us for the cover of Brutal Blade Vol. 2.  I've colored this up for the actual book, but I thought you'd all appreciate seeing the work in its original form.  Click the pic to view it in a larger size.  The drawing illustrates Ian's story "The Babe"...one of the shining moments of comedy in Bruno the Bandit's catalog, in my opinion.  Be sure to leave a comment or drop me a line and let me know what you think!

The Brutal Blade of Bruno the Bandit Vol. 2...watch for it VERY soon!

Cover Preview and a Contest

Looks like a few of you are finding your way here from the Bruno the Bandit Facebook page.  Welcome!  I hope you Bruno fans are looking forward to the release of "Brutal Blade..." as much as I am.
Just to move things ahead, here's a small preview of the cover art for the first book.  I'm not gonna give it all away, and I'm not gonna say who just yet, but I will make a contest of this.  If you think you can identify the artist who'll be doing a guest spot on our first cover, send me an email with your guess, and one lucky winner will receive a free pdf advance copy of the first issue of "Brutal Blade of Bruno the Bandit".  The book is nearing completion, and any advance copies will be sent out about a week before the actual publication date.
You've got until Hallowe'en, that's 31 October, to get your guesses in.  Good luck!

 

EDIT:  OK, I'm getting some visitors, but not a lot of guesses.   Let me see if I can help out with a little hint.  Our guest cover artist is a longtime comics pro, with credits on Batman, Jonah Hex and Conan the Barbarian.  He's known for a heavy inking style and is tremendous at drawing large, complicated battle scenes.  Does that help?

EDIT 2:  For the record, email addresses will be discarded once the contest ends.  We will not harvest, sell or reuse contact information in any way.   All above board, and notice that at no time do my hands ever leave my wrists.