17th January 2012 / On Sale / Wasteland
Issue #33 of WASTELAND goes on sale tomorrow.
This issue kicks off a new story arc, “Under The God”, where we rejoin Michael, Abi and Gerr as they make their way to A-Ree-Yass-I. On the way they stumble upon the pilgrimage town of Godsholm, devoted to an archaic religion…
This is also where we say hello to new artist Justin Greenwood, best known for his sterling work on Marc Guggenheim’s RESURRECTION. Justin has been previewing his design sketches for this story arc since December, and you can now see them all on his work blog.
We also have a “new” cover artist in the form of series co-creator Christopher Mitten! I have to say, it’s great to have Chris involved with the book again, and when you see the covers we’ve got coming up I think you’ll agree.
As always with a new issue, the official site will be updated tomorrow with all the info; and, because this is a new arc, we’ll also release a new song for the Official Soundtrack. This one’s entitled “March of the Sand-Eaters”, a pleasant little ditty (*cough*) that makes full use of the Boss HM-2 I recently scored on eBay…
So, here’s the issue solicit:
Michael and Abi continue their journey West, through the wasteland — with the assassin Gerr secretly at their side. But after a mysterious midnight encounter in the desert, they reach the Cross Chains town of Godsholm… and Michael finds himself on the wrong side of the devout!
And to get the arc off to a flying start, this issue is only $1. As Justin from Thirteen Minutes suggests, why not buy three, give two away, and still come out a dollar less than regular price? <Insert smiley here>
The order code is NOV111062, and you can read a 6-page preview at Comic Book Resources.
29th November 2011 / On Sale / Wasteland
WASTELAND #32 goes on sale this week. This is an interlude issue, featuring art from my esteemed collaborator on JULIUS (and Eisner nominee) Brett Weldele, and a story that wraps up two loose ends in one go…
Standalone issue featuring Eisner nominated guest artist Brett Weldele (SURROGATES, JULIUS, SOUTHLAND TALES)! After the Dweller attack, Sultan Ameer’s caravan left behind a field of corpses. But one of them wasn’t dead. Now former slave Rechyll must learn to survive as a free woman — and her unlikely teacher is a familiar-looking Sun-Singer…
This is also the last issue to feature Ben Templesmith‘s lovely covers. We’ve been very fortunate to have Ben on board since the start of WASTELAND, and we’ll miss him. But the silver lining is that original series artist Chris Mitten is taking over covers from #33, and already doing great work. Just when he thought he was out, we pull him back in…!
The order code for this issue is SEP111194, and you can read a 6-page preview at Comic Book Resources.
16th November 2011 / Appearances / On Sale / Wasteland
WASTELAND Book 06, “The Enemy Within”, goes on sale today. This collects issues #26-31, the most recent story arc, which is of course the one that was horribly delayed over the past eighteen months. But here it is at last, and now we can get back on track. Here’s the solicit:
After the Sand-Eater attack, the city of Newbegin is in turmoil as the Sunner rebellion gathers strength and Marcus seems to lose interest in the council. Follow the next six months through the eyes of Jakob, Skot, Yan, Dexus and Golden Voice, with a chapter dedicated to each point of view in this latest collection of the series that Comics Should Be Good called, “A masterpiece”!
This arc was somewhat of an experiment, with each chapter covering the same period of time in Newbegin, but through a different character’s eyes — including Yan, who has never been a POV character up till now. I’m very pleased with how it all came out.
If your store doesn’t have the book in stock, you can order it with the comic store code AUG111159, or you can find it through a book store with the ISBN 978-1934964309.
More Thought Bubble details
As mentioned in the previous post, I’ll be at Thought Bubble in Leeds again this year. The convention has grown so much, and so quickly, that this is the first year it’s being held over two days, both Saturday and Sunday. Success that’s well-deserved, I’m sure everyone would agree.
As previously noted, my table is #34 in Saviles Hall (that’s the same hall as previous years, if you’re a regular). Turns out I’m at the back-right of the hall, on a row with Emma Vieceli, Kieron Gillen, Jamie McKelvie, Adam Hughes and Jeff Lemire. That’s one hell of a line-up, and should at the very least ensure people can find me — just look for the enormous Adam Hughes line, and the rest of us will be hidden somewhere behind it…!
Don’t forget to pick up your copy of the first Thought Bubble Anthology while you’re there, and remember that I’ll be donating 20% of my takings to Movember. Of course, if you want to make a separate donation, just click the ‘tache over there on the right…
10th November 2011 / Appearances / Interviews / Wasteland
There’s a new interview with me at Comic Book Resources, talking about WASTELAND. Think of it as an adjunct to the previous press release concerning the $1 issue, new schedule, and so on. This interview goes into more detail on the whys and wherefores, and gives some hints as to what’s coming up in the future. Worth reading.
Next weekend, November 19-20, I’ll be at the Thought Bubble Festival in Leeds. I’ll have a table throughout the weekend — #34, in Saviles Hall — and will be donating 20% of all takings to Movember, which I’m taking part in this year. (Warning: link contains dodgy moustache pics.)
I’m also on a panel, “The Best Thing I’ve Read All Year” with Kieron Gillen, Paul Cornell and doubtless whoever else we can drag up on stage. That’s 1pm Sunday @ Bury Theater.
Don’t forget you can also pick up a copy of the Thought Bubble Anthology at the show.
Oh, and if you’re attending the Saturday night party, bring your earplugs because I’m also DJing there. And I have a very special setlist lined up. Muahahahaha, etc.
4th November 2011 / Pre-order / Wasteland
So that big news I promised a while back has finally hit.
WASTELAND issue #33 will begin a new era for the series, as detailed on the Oni Press blog:
WASTELAND #33 hits store shelves on January 18th with a brand new arc, brand new artist and covers, and a special retail price of $1.
And, more to the point, with a new monthly schedule. I mentioned already that Justin Greenwood has been beavering away on art duties since last year, and I’m well ahead on scripts — in fact I finished writing #38, the last issue in this next story arc, months ago — so that we can avoid any more horrible delays like we’ve suffered over the past eighteen months. Justin has been awesome throughout, and is turning in some of his best work ever.
(Plus, I believe there are plans to accelerate the digital issue releases on Comixology, but I don’t know the details yet.)
Also as mentioned before, Chris Mitten is taking over covers. While this is awesome, it means we wave a sad, but fond, farewell to Ben Templesmith with issue #32 (out later this month). Ben has been a real trooper since the start of the book, fitting in cover paintings even as his career and increasingly peripatetic lifestyle exploded. We’ll miss him.
So, once again in summary: new monthly schedule, new story arc, new artist, new covers, only $1.
Read more (including my own hand-wringing apologies) and see previews of Justin’s fantastic art at the Oni Press blog.
28th September 2011 / On Sale / Shang-Chi / Wasteland
WASTELAND #31 goes on sale today (at last!). This is the final issue of the Enemy Within arc, in which all the different perspectives come together, and Golden Voice’s rebellion falters. Also, we finally learn what happened between him and Michael outside Providence. For reals! Here’s the solicit:
The explosive conclusion of the “Enemy Within” story arc! Golden Voice is captured, and bound to be executed for leading the Sunner rebellion. But who betrayed them? How did they find him? And can Skot and the others save the Singer from certain death… or are there more important truths to be told?
Schedule-wise, this is the last issue affected by the horrible delays we’ve been suffering; issue #32, an interlude issue with art from Brett Weldele, is already drawn and will be out in November. And next month we’ll make an announcement revealing our plans and schedule for 2012 and beyond (spoiler: it’s very good news).
The order code for this issue is JUL111192, and you can read a 5-page preview of the book at Comic Book Resources.
While you’re at the store, why not pick up SPIDER-ISLAND: THE DEADLY HANDS OF KUNG FU #2, which is also out today?
DEADLY HANDS #1 received an incredible response, and overwhelmingly good reviews, even from people who aren’t reading the rest of the Spider-Island event. As a big martial arts fan myself, it’s great to see so many others out there eager to get their hands on an all-action kung fu book. My thanks to everyone who bought and/or wrote about the first issue. So here’s the solicit for #2:
Harrowing horror and kung-fu kicking! Guest-starring Iron Fist, the Immortal Weapons, and more! The spider-powered infestation of Manhattan is in full disgusting swing… and in the midst of the outbreak, Shang-Chi discovers that even if we all survive Spider-Island, humanity itself faces the doomsday threat of an abominable monster!
The order code for this one is JUL110626, and once again you can read a preview at CBR.
14th July 2011 / Appearances / Shang-Chi / Wasteland
As predicted last year, I’ll be attending San Diego Comic-Con next week. I’m looking forward to catching up with a whole bunch of people I haven’t seen since 2009, and propping up the late night bar as ever.
I’ll be signing for both Oni and Marvel, and also sitting on Marvel’s SPIDER-MAN panel on Friday, to talk about Shang Chi’s role in SPIDER-ISLAND.
N.B. I’m going to be running round like a madman all weekend, and by Sunday I’ll be on my way back to Blighty — so to get something signed, or just have a chat, the appearances listed below are the only times you can be certain to catch me.
Here’s my schedule, with times and booth/room numbers.
Thursday
12.00-12.45: Oni Press, #1833
4.00-5.00: Marvel, #2329
Friday
11.00-12.00: Marvel, #2329
1.45-2.45: Marvel Spider-Man Panel, Room 6DE
6.00-6.45: Oni Press, #1833
Saturday
10.00-10.45: Oni Press, #1833
3.00-3.45: Oni Press, #1833
…And that’s about all you’ll hear from me until after I return. Hope to see you there!
16th June 2011 / On Sale / Pre-order / Shang-Chi / Wasteland
At last! I’ve been pushing for this for literally years, so I’m very happy to finally announce that WASTELAND is now available digitally through Comixology. That means you can read it in your web browser, in the Comixology app for iOS, and even on Android devices.
Currently, the first two issues are available — the double-length #1 is free, #2 (and subsequent issues, natch) is just $1.99.
And the backmatter is included, by the way; so you’re getting everything the regular issue readers get, but for almost half the price. Bargain. I don’t know the exact schedule for issue releases, but I do know it’s going to be regular, at least monthly. [ADDENDUM: Two weeks after launch we're already up to #4. At that rate the entire series so far will be up before the end of 2011.]
I’m very excited about this — like I said, it’s something I’ve advocated for years — and the Comixology guys have done a good job putting everything together with Oni. Nice.
And speaking of WASTELAND… yes, issue #31 is still horrendously late. But it’s being finished, and will be out soon, promise. After that comes an interlude issue with art by Brett Weldele, which is already drawn.
And after that, starting with issue #33, comes a new arc (‘Under the God’) drawn by Justin Greenwood, with covers by Chris Mitten. Justin is drawing issue #35 right now, so we’re already well ahead of ourselves. And, starting with that arc, we’re going to arrange the schedule to make sure we never ever face delays like this again.
I, and Oni, will have more to say about all that soon, before the next arc starts. For now, keep the faith.
…And on a slightly happier note, Marvel’s September solicitations are up; check out that cover for THE DEADLY HANDS OF KUNG FU #2. Seba’s on fire.
8th May 2011 / Musings / Videogames / Wasteland
Yikes. Just noticed that I haven’t posted here in over a month. The fact that I hadn’t even realised says all you need to know, really — I’ve had my head down, busy as hell and loving it.
In the past month I’ve started two new miniseries for Marvel (one is due to be announced at the end of next week, I’ll post again then); written an issue of WASTELAND (new issue coming soon, promise!); delivered a version of my Comics to Consoles talk at Black Rock Studios (went well); started some more work on Binary Domain (Nagoshi-san isn’t kidding about how much dialogue the game has); been out to Slovenia (lovely place); worked on concept and narrative for a couple of new games; and scripted a bunch of lines for a sports/exercise game.
Of course, the problem as it relates to blogging is that 99% of this stuff I can’t talk about yet. But that should change in the months to come. And the Marvel stuff, in particular, should make people who enjoyed my previous work for them pretty happy.
6th March 2011 / Admin / Wasteland
You may have noticed that, for the last seven days, this website wasn’t here. We’re hosted by the rather excellent Joyent; but we were on a legacy Textdrive server, and, well, last weekend it finally choked on its own motherboard and collapsed into a flaming heap.
This necessitated a complete migration onto a new server — a simple and invisible process when everything is alive and well, but not so much when the old server is coughing up linefeeds and dying in a pool of its own silicon.
Luckily, everything migrated over successfully, with all data intact, which I’m assured by people who know about these things is pretty damn rare. So we’re back, and hurrah.
As for news I couldn’t post while the site was down… well, actually, there wasn’t any from me. But there was some from Chris Mitten, who finished his first WASTELAND cover…
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