Convention announcement + plus interview with comic publisher Tyler Martin
Plus Comic Book Reviews & Crowdfunded Recommendations
Welcome to another edition of The Comic Book Squares Talk Comics! Below you’ll find interviews with comic book creators Nicholas Friesen and Tyler Martin, as well as reviews and crowdfunded comic recommendations - one of which features Boris Karloff!
Our comics marketing workshop at the Flights of Foundry convention went really well! The feedback was amazing, so if you know of any conventions that could use a workshop like that, let us know.
Phoenix Fan Fusion is coming soon, and we’re excited to start announcing our special guests at our live interview panel! First up, we have Georges Jeanty! Georges is a comic book artistwho has worked on everything from Green Lantern to Bishop: The Last X-Man to Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
We’re excited to have Georges join us to talk all things comics! Find out more about Georges at his website, and see our full schedule at the Phoenix Fan Fusion site.
OK, let’s get this show started!
Last Week on Comic Book Squares …
In this episode, we talk to comic book creator Nicholas Friesen about his multimedia project "Olivia Sea"! With this project, Nicholas is mixing music, animation, and comics to create an immersive storytelling experience. We talk to Nicholas about "Olivia Sea" as well cassette tapes, the Simpsons, Kim Deal, Amazing Spider-Man, and creating an animated band. We even get into marketing comics and what it's like attending comic conventions as a creator.
Indie Comic Reviews
Insane Jane
Review by Shane Walsh
Writer: Zach Hunchar
Penciler: Mendoza
Colorist: Mindwinder
Letterer: Johnny Lowe
Publisher: TidalWave Productions
Jane has a few issues to deal with and I’m all in for the ride.
I’m a sucker for characters that have some issues to work through. I was a big fan of Badger back in the 80’s and Jane has a similar feel. This first book really sets up the world that all the characters live in as well as the relationships. I get that sense that everything in the book is going to come back at some point.
The artwork by Mendoza is fun and energetic. I absolutely love the artistic choice to keep Jane in color and the rest of the characters in black and white. I wonder if I’m reading too much into it, but I get the sense that Jane feels like she is an outsider and not connected to anyone. By keeping her in color and then rest in black and white it emphasizes her distance from everyone else.
The writing is really tight and not a line of dialog is wasted. The characters are interesting and distinctive even when they are only on a page or two. I’m excited and engaged to keep reading to see where the story goes.
Read “Insane Jane” now on GlobalComix!
Daughters of Albion
Review by Ben Rojek
Writer: Denis Phan
Additional Writing: Beanie White
Artist: Matt Timson
Additional Colors: Marco Lesko
Letterer: Jim Campbell
Publisher: Immortal London
In the “Letters of Albion” section at the end of the second issue of this comic series, a fan wrote, “I can see this as a Netflix series or film.” And I wholeheartedly agree!
“Daughters of Albion,” which takes place in a futuristic London, follows young hacktivist Hashani and grizzled Detective Shaw as they both try to uncover what’s behind mysterious events that seem to defy both reality and time. This expertly mixed world science fiction and fantasy at times reminded me of the work of Tad Williams in its intricate yet well-paced world building.
The entire team behind this series deserves praise for the cinematic quality of both the storytelling and artwork. Denis Phan and Beanie Aurora White’s writing allows us to be quickly immersed into this not-quite-dystopian London, with its overly powerful corporations and brutal secret agencies. But what is lurking behind the shadows? This is expertly teased in each issue so that we’re left wanting more.
We are also immediately endeared to protagonist Hashani and her robo-sidekick Bee. She’s an idealistic genius whose family loves her even if they don’t always get her. She’s got both the snark and the heart that make for a hero you can’t help but root for.
By issue 2, we still don’t know much about Detective Shaw beyond his drive to do the right thing. But the creative team leaves visual breadcrumbs about who he might have been before we meet him. This helps create sympathy for the hard-nosed detective and makes us wonder why he’s so cynical yet driven.
And finally, the artwork! Roy Allan Martinez and Fahriza Kamaputra join forces to create a London that is both recognizable and alien. A full-page spread in issue 2 really highlights this: shoppers walk hurriedly near Shaftesbury Memorial Fountain while police drones hover near a holographic police officer surrounded by the words “We protect you from yourselves.” And amongst the fray is a giant ancient spirit searching for its prey.
Only two issues are out, but this world feels fully polished and complete, even with all of its mysteries to be solved. I cannot wait to read more!
Read “Daughters of Albion” now on GlobalComix!
9 Questions with Tyler Martin
(Tyler Martin is the founder, CEO and creative director of Godhood Comics. Godhood Comics is one of the largest and fastest growing black comic book publishers in the U.S. They focus on telling stories with 100% BIPOC leads, committed to showcasing that black and brown IP is needed, appreciated and essential.)
How did you get into working in comics?
Comics were always an escape from the pressures of reality. I’ve been drawing and creating stories since I was a little kid. Stuck at dead-end job, I decided that I wanted to make comics full time, and discovering the online community of comic creators thankfully sealed my fate!
What is your current comic all about?
“The Antagonists” is our top-rated series which tells the story about married and retired supervillains struggling to raise their children years later, but even though they’ve moved on the rest of the world hasn’t and this presents a series of problems for the family as foes new and old come from every direction.
Who is everyone on the creative team?
The book is written and created by me - Tyler F. Martin - and edited by Pat O’Malley, with art from many amazing and talented artist like Giacomo Guida, Heubert. M. Khan and more!
If you were to compare your comic to any two movies/shows/books, what would they be?
Oh, this is easy. We always say “The Antagonists” is a love child of “The Boys,” “Invincible,” “Project Power” and “Ozark.” As for music, you could read it to anything from Kanye, Jay, or any 80s metal band.
Who are your biggest creative inspirations?
George Lucas, Stan Lee, George R.R. Martin, Tyler Perry, Jamie Foxx, Spike Lee, Ye, and more!
What was the first comic you remember reading?
I grew up in a loud house, so comics were an escape and a focus point. My first comic ever was X-Men, and to this day I can’t think of the issue or publication date.
Besides yours, what are some comics you’re currently reading?
“Harriet Tubman: Demon Slayer” by David Crownson, “Magnus” by Frederick Littles, “Kisha Demon Eater” by Newton Lilavois, “Action Comics 1054” by Dorado Quick, “Milestone” by Charlie McElvy, “Popscars” by Pat O’Malley, “Acolyte” by Lonzo Starr, “BRZRKR” by Keanu Reeves and “The Brotherhood” by Woody McClain Jr. (stay tuned for that one!).
Where do you fall on the pineapple on pizza debate?
Pineapple always. Anything anti that is an abomination, lol.
Crowdfunded Comics Recommendations
Magic Powder
“Magic Powder” is a fantasy-crime epic comic series!
The Magic Powder saga continues in Issue #4, as each crew attempts to put the pieces back together following the fallout of Issues 1-3. We'll go deeper into the city of Thesz, and meet some of the characters who are living in the thick of the Magic Powder action. Will the Dwarvfather's system recover from their in-fighting long enough to find the elf who pit them against one another, or is it already too late?
Back “Magic Powder” now on Kickstarter!
Animals
A hunter in Olympic National Park dies from what an eyewitness insists was a long-dead elk coming back to life to exact revenge. Next, a bear stalks a camper with human intelligence and determination. Animals are killing people, and it's up to Sheriff Jack Bertrand to figure out why.
“Animals” is the debut of a new horror comic from the twisted mind of Keith Foster, the creator of both the "giant monsters meet HP Lovecraft" comic “Kodoja,” and the "kung fu in space opus" “Three Protectors.” In this book, Keith goes full-on horror, and the results are grisly.
Issue #1 is 32 pages of atmospheric, grisly, gut-churning horror that will make you think twice the next time you're alone in the woods, in the park, or even looking at your favorite pet.
Back “Animals” on Kickstarter!
Boris Karloff: Gold Key Mysteries
Sixty years after its inception, Gold Key Comics has resurrected! The iconic publisher of beloved titles like “Magnus Robot Fighter,” “Turok Son of Stone,” and “Boris Karloff’s Tales of Mystery” is rising from its crypt with a plethora of new cutting-edge stories to tell. Gold Key has teamed up with the most talented artists and writers on the planet to bring you compelling new stories wrapped in amazing art in the classic Gold Key tradition.
Thanks to an exclusive arrangement with the Boris Karloff estate, Gold Key Comics is proud to reunite with the legendary Boris Karloff, to launch its first title of the modern era: “Boris Karloff’sGold Key Mysteries.” A horror anthology, “Boris Karloff’s Gold Key Mysteries” is packed with all new stories (no reprints). Titillating tales have been carefully crafted by several of today’s most talented comic creators.
Back “Boris Karloff: Gold Key Mysteries” on Kickstarter!
