First Issue of Comic Book Squares Talk Comics!
Check out what's happening in indie comics
Hey comics fans, welcome to the official Comic Book Squares newsletter!
As you’ve probably heard us say, we started our show to give back to the comics community. We’ve wanted to help comics creators get the word out about their books, and we feel this is yet another way for us to do so.
So what will you get with this newsletter?
The plan right now is to provide comics reviews and creator interviews, plus let you know what the Squares are up to. Of course, we’ll continue to solely focus on indie comics and their creators - we’ll never stray from that. But this will allow us to help even more comics creators beyond having one guest per week on our show.
We’re always open to hearing your feedback and suggestions, so please let us know what you think or ideas you might have for additions to this newsletter. Oh, and help us grow our subscriber list by sharing out our Substack!
OK, let’s get this show started!
Last Week on Comic Book Squares …
Indie Comic Reviews
Prospects
Review by Ben Rojek
Writer: Max Majernik
Art/Colors/Lettering: Jean Franco
Publisher: Band of Bards
What if two rival mad scientists discovered the secrets to immortality and forced it upon a small town … and everyone was excited about it?
That’s the premise of “Prospects,” a nine-issue miniseries that follows two very different characters who have one thing in common – they both want the heck out of this crazy town! It’s Twilight Zone meets Adult Swim, with some families celebrating their loved ones going missing while other folks drink “brown Russians” (chocolate milk and vodka) in their grandma’s basement to escape their dystopian reality. And just when you think you know where the story is going, a mysterious figure arrives to challenge the status quo!
There’s a Cartoon Network aesthetic to the artwork, which definitely works here. It plays into the humor, but also allows for creepier scenes a la “Courage the Cowardly Dog.” They’re only three issues into the series, and I can’t wait to read more.
Read “Prospects” now at GlobalComix.
Arks
Review by Ben Rojek
Writer: R.J. Collins
Art: Andrew Morris
Publisher: Clicky Sprout Wife
If you enjoy sci-fi like James S.A Cory’s “The Expanse” books or David Weber’s Safehold series, and the show “Raised by Wolves,” you’ll love “Arks.”
In the distant future, people have figured out how to encode bacteria with the DNA of animals, plants and humans. We use this technology to try to terraform and colonize distant “Goldilocks” planets. But when two scientists are awoken to see if everything is working, they find out things are NOT going according to plan.
Series writer R.J. Collins uses real-world theories and research to build the detailed science of this world, to the point where you ask yourself, “Why aren’t we already working on this?” But at the same time, he injects religious symbolism and mythology into the mix to address the frailty of the human mind, gender roles, and the ethics of colonization.
The artwork starts out more like Martin Simmonds’ work on “The Department of Truth” or Liam Sharpe’s work on “Starhenge” – both of which I love. By the third book, though, the artwork gets less dreamlike without losing any of its impact. There are some truly beautiful and grotesque images that I won’t soon forget. Don’t pass up this series!
Read “Arks” issues 1-3 now at GlobalComix!
9 Questions with Jaylen Christie
(Note: Each issue of The Comic Book Squares Talk Comics will feature an interview with a comics creator. We’ll ask each person the same nine questions as a way of getting to know their current projects and a bit about them as well!)
How did you get into working in comics?
All of my life, I wanted to be a writer. As a kid that grew up in the 90s, there was a significant lack of representation in the superhero cartoons I consumed, which inspired me to create homemade comic books and short stories featuring people of color. The tone of my stories was always comedic and campy. I’d share them with family members and friends. Now that I’m an adult, I’ve taken the super-powered characters I created in my childhood and put them into an independent comic book. I’m really excited about it! It’s been receiving a lot of positive buzz!
Given everything that transpired in 2020 along with recent current events, I felt now was the ideal time to revisit these characters and bring them to life. Representation matters – and not just with ethnic diversity. I’ve incorporated characters across several dimensions of diversity, including LGBTQ representation, those that are disabled, and people of different ages and body types. My hope is that younger readers will see themselves reflected in the pages and will feel inspired.
What is the name of the project you’re currently working on/promoting?
Stink Bomb Man and The Brain Kids: Vol. 1
What’s it all about?
The storyline follows Brittany and Jesse McBrilliant, siblings with exceptionally high IQs, as they balance fighting crime while attending James Baldwin High School in the fictional city of Princeton Bay. Brittany and Jesse come from a family that’s produced an excellent pedigree of scholars, researchers, scientists, and engineers. When their father disappears under mysterious circumstances, all clues point to Nicodemus Graves, the billionaire industrialist CEO of GraveCorp Technologies. To that end, the siblings team up with their grandfather, Dr. Beaumont McBrilliant, to develop a wrist-worn device called a Brainerator, which gives Brittany and Jesse the ability to shift into The Brain Kids, superheroes without traditional superpowers, yet use their smarts and aptitude to fight crime with science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
Keeping Princeton Bay safe is no easy feat though. Luckily, The Brain Kids have Stink Bomb Man to lend them a helping hand. Following his accidental crash landing on Earth after settling a trade dispute on planet Venus, Stink Bomb Man, a super-powered alien and intergalactic peacekeeper from the planet Stinkapolis, uses stink bombs to subdue super-villains. A bit daffy and unapologetically upright, he’s also a prince and is working to become acclimatized to Earth’s strange customs. Hilarity will ensue.
Together, Stink Bomb Man and The Brain Kids ward off a bevy of baddies while working to unravel the mystery surrounding the disappearance of Brittany and Jesse’s father — and the possible involvement of Nicodemus Graves, who may or may not be behind the city’s rise in super-villains. The miniseries is aimed toward teens and is filled with lots of humor. Kids may find interest in it as well. It embraces diversity, equity and inclusion, and has a little bit of real world issues thrown in too. Check it out, folks!
Who is everyone on the creative team?
I wrote it, illustrated it and created it. No one gets anywhere without a little help, amirite? To that end, the amazing Matias Zanetti served as letterer; and Rodrigo Reyes and Rashadart provided wonderful coloring. Dr. Tameka King, who taught me many years ago when I was a high school student, volunteered to edit it all.
If you were to compare your comic to any two movies/shows/books, what would they be?
That’s tricky. I’d say it’s Power Rangers meets Black Lightning meets the camp of the 1960s Batman TV series with a little bit of Jonny Quest thrown in. More than two, I’m sorry!
Who are your biggest creative inspirations?
I absolutely love Ty Templeton’s art style and am also a very big fan of Francis Manapul. I recently re-read Batgirl: Year One and fell in love with the storytelling all over again. Scott Beatty and Chuck Dixon are geniuses. I was a big fan of the serialized storytelling of the Black Lightning TV series on The CW. I think they did outstanding work, so I’ve taken some of that as inspiration — especially when it comes to coming up with an overarching plot. I’ve planned Stink Bomb Man and The Brain Kids as a miniseries, so I cooked up a mystery for the characters to unravel over the course of six issues.
What was the first comic you remember reading?
If I remember correctly, I think it may have been a 90s issue of Robin that focused on Tim Drake. My mom bought it for me at a gas station and I promptly became enamored with it.
What was the first original character or story idea you worked on?
The characters featured in my comic book are the first original characters I worked on. I created The Brain Kids when I was in the first grade and I created Stink Bomb Man when I was in the third grade. I’m 36 years old now and they’ve stuck with me. Friends kept constantly asking me to do something with them, so after all of these years I finally did.
Where can people go to learn more about and buy your comic?
Stink Bomb Man and The Brain Kids: Vol 1 is available for purchase on my website — jaylenchristie.com. To learn more, folks can follow me on Instagram at thesuperflynerd where I provide regular updates and news regarding the comic book.
Crowdfunded Recommendations
Like Father, Like Daughter
A father with superpowers, leaves his wife and daughter to become “Invulnerable” - the world’s only superhero. Ten years later his daughter discovers that she has inherited the very superpowers that made her father leave their family.
Invulnerable isn't the only person keeping secrets! Casey's mom has been a villain this whole entire time as a lifelong KGB agent. But is being a villain or hero as black and white as we paint them out to be?
This is the 21 page grand finale of Like Father, Like Daughter. Don't worry Casey and friends will be continuing their adventures, but the book is going to look very different following the ramifications of this issue. YOU DON'T WANT TO MISS IT!
And for new readers, we have plenty of tiers to help you jump into our superhero drama.
Back “Like Father, Like Daughter” on Kickstarter!
Decay
Jess brings her brother DK back from the dead when he gets shot at a house party but after he starts a murderous rampage for revenge, she may come to regret that decision.
Decay is a 5 issue comic book series written by me, illustrated by Marc Oliver, and lettered by Es Kay. The funds for this campaign will be used on art, lettering, and printing physical copies.
Morality plays have been a part of stories since the beginning of time. Putting characters in no-win situations and watching the consequences of their actions is timeless and I'm excited to show my take on it. I've always been a fan of mature comics that felt adult but aren't gratuitous. There's no excessive nudity, cursing, or gore just an adult story with mature themes.
Decay is a gritty grimy revenge thriller set in New Orleans. It is inspired by Frankenstein and The Crow.
Back “Decay” now on Kickstarter!
