It's that time again - SDCC is here. For anybody wading in the madness, make sure you stop by ASP's booth - 2231. We've got bitchin' placement this year, right next to the Marvel booth and adjacent'ish to DC.
But, you know, we're way cooler than those guys.
Alex and I will be there all week, Wednesday night through Sunday so be sure to stop by and say something.
Anything.
We'll be hanging out with only the coolest of the cool all week, including everyone's favorite Chandraand the infamous S. Snyder, not to mention up-and-coming manga-ka Santiago the Jaqueline.
Just a reminder: Find the first four issues of Awakening in their entirety on MyEbook for your previewing pleasure:
And for my last trick, a recently posted interview between me and the ever gracious Matt Grant over at Project Fanboy. Normally I link folks over to the interview site only but, since I don't have any new and exciting art to post, I'll put it up here in its entirety. BUT, I still encourage everyone to check out the site and become a part of its growing community: http://www.projectfanboy.com/vb/showthread.php?t=1154
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If you aren't familiar with the concept of zombies, there's a good chance you've been living under a rock. Lately, just about every medium out there has caught the zombie plague in one form or another.... but if you think Zombies are a tired concept, that there's nothing new to be said about them, well, you just haven't read Nick Tapalansky's Awakening! Nick's 10 part series offers a whole new take on the Zombie genre, and just to show he means business, Nick took the time to tell project fanboy all about it... Matt Grant: Nick, first off, thanks for taking the time to answer a few questions with Project Fanboy!
Nick Tapalansky: I'll do my best. Some of these look pretty grueling – almost 'Saw' like in their complexity and razor-sharp danger quotient….
"Comic scribe – I want to play a game…"
MG: So going back a ways, how did you get interested in comics in the first place?
NT: Comics entered my life at an early age, always bullying me and taking my lunch money. Kids, take that as a lesson: buy milk and not comics or you'll grow up to be short and have a penchant for touching your middle and index fingers to the base of your hand in the hopes that webs will fly out from an as-yet unseen orifice. Hopefully the orifice will turn out to be on your hand also.
I started reading comics when I was about 4, my first being an early Web of Spider-Man that, regrettably I no longer own. It's my life's mission to track it down though:
He's still in the black costume (though obviously it's post-symbiote)
I think it's an issue earlier than the 20's, though I could be wrong.
The back cover has an ad for the original Metal Gear on the NES. I have to confess that originally I thought the ad was the coolest part of the book. After all, I had a wind-up swimming Spider-Man to play with – what the hell did I need some comic for?!
If anybody has any information regarding the whereabouts of this issue (or an issue number) e-mail me at Nick.Tapalansky@gmail.com. You can e-mail for other stuff too but I'll be your extra special friend if you help me out. MG: When did you realize that you wanted to write comics yourself?
NT: I spent the back half of my teenaged years writing really terrible prose fiction by way of short story. At the time I had serious discipline issues and could never get, or maintain, the momentum to write all the novels I had in mind. Add to that the fact that in the folly of my youth my descriptions were extra cold; very detailed but almost detached and script-like… 'Hmm…,' I thought to myself. Why not WRITE A SCRIPT THEN?!
Voila. MG: Who would you call your influences or inspirations?
NT: Well, Jeff Smith taught me what a sequential story truly is. Bone is what made me realize I didn't just want to write comics, I had to.
After that the list gets long but I'll toss a few out there: James Robinson, who's Starman changed the way I look at a superhero story (you'd think Watchmen would get the nod for that but, surprises abound, it was Robinson and Harris for me) Go pick up the first omnibus volume and tell me it isn't amazing. I'll wait.
Brian K. Vaughan and Y: The Last Man – huge impact and, not unlike Starman, challenged the norm by having a firm beginning, middle and end in what would be considered a mainstream book. Epic is a word that comes to mind.
Stephen King, whom I started reading at what was probably far too early an age, demented my psyche beyond repair. The result is the shattered man-horror you see before you.
Todd Dezago, who wrote some of my favorite Spider-Man stories growing up.
Alan Moore's Swamp Thing was, by far, one of the most groundbreaking things I'd ever read, especially given the time in which it was released. Even compared to current books, it still holds up magnificently. Tottleben's art created an unmistakable atmosphere of constant dread and horror, even during the happiest of scenes. Love it. MG: How did you get hooked up with Archaia Studios Press?
NT: Alex and I were wandering about our first convention, just trying to get feedback on a pitch-in-progress and his portfolio. We weren't even ready to start pitching, really. We had the finished first page of issue 1, some character sketches, my written pitch, and his portfolio. We'd hit a few booths and had little to moderate success just in getting feedback – it's surprising how few people are willing to just give their opinion if it's not something that directly does anything for them.
Enter Mark Smylie: mad scientist, artist, publisher. In seeking his feedback on the book he took it one step further, asking us to keep in touch as we developed the first issue. He went on to unofficially edit that chapter, offering us a contract at the conclusion of the process.
It's such a bizarre Cinderella story when you think about it: two rubes wandering around what, at the time, seemed like a giant hall of comic insanity finding sanctuary on ASP island, having fought off elephant men, a guy dressed as Jesus, and Lou Ferrigno with nothing but our wits and a spatula. But nobody breaks in the same way as the last guy so I guess this was our way through the door.
MG: The big project right now is Awakening, which I'm in the process of reviewing (fantastic, by the way). Can you tell our readers a little bit about it?
NT: Thanks, glad you're digging it so far.
Our letterer, Thomas Mauer, came up with one of the best short form descriptions for the book I've ever heard so I'll lead with that:
Awakening is a zombie noir which may or may not involve zombies at all, taking place in a town which seems to be slowly marching towards the apocalypse.
Eh? Eh? You're intrigued, aren't you?
Ours is the story of Park Falls, a small city in upstate New York which has found itself caught in the throes of violence. A string of murders and missing-persons grips the city. Derrick Peters, an early retiree of the Park Falls Police Department and current private investigator receives a visit from town crazy Cynthia Ford one frosty January afternoon. She's frantic, rambling on about they did it and it's Cline's fault!, claiming to have information about the murders. To Derrick's disbelief she utters one word:
Zombies.
Not believing the accusation but agreeing that the circumstances surrounding the accused Cline Pharmaceuticals, and their recent upheaval from their location outside town, appear suspicious, Derrick begins an investigation in an attempt to find answers to the mysteries beginning to swallow his city whole.
Meanwhile….
Dr. Daniel Howe, a federally sent scientist arrives in Park Falls. Who sent him remains a mystery but he, too, is there to investigate the recent rash of murders and missing-persons. The problem is, even he doesn't know what he's looking for.
As the months go on and the situation slowly escalates, our steadily growing cast must work together to first come to grips with what's happening, try to find a cause, and then discern a solution as Park Falls begins to feel the pressure of the mounting crisis.
MG: I'm a zombie fan myself, I grew up with the Romero films and whatnot, which were sort of niche at the time, but today the entertainment market, certainly including comics is saturated with zombies. I'm sure you were aware of this, were there any reservations about Awakening competing in such a saturated market? What makes Awakening different?
NT: Absolutely, zombies are the new black. Vampires are coming back into vogue this summer though so keep your fingers crossed that all those decaying, fleshless husks you've been clinging to will still be 'hip' in the fall.
I think the market is funny, in that once books like The Walking Dead and movies like 28 Days Later (and let's not forget my favorite movie of all time, Shaun of the Dead) became huge successes in their respective industries, publishers and studios just started assuming that re-animated corpses were an easy paycheck, never once stopping to realize that the aforementioned titles were popular because they were both unique and of a quality much higher than your average gore-porn "five stereotyped survivors fight for survival against unending undead hordes" zombie schlock. Now, that's not to say there's anything wrong with the classic zombie model. Give me Return of the Living Dead or the original Romero trilogy any day. But the endless throng of copycats that have tried to capitalize without offering something new or different to the equation are what's causing the glut and, as a fan, a real pain in the ass to have to sift through. Classics are classics for a reason, we don't need something that apes it to the point of owing Romero a royalty check – we need something different, something new that speaks to the spirit of the thing but offers a new perspective and a reason for that perspective. That's what I've set out to do with Awakening.
With Awakening I began by removing a key element – the overwhelming odds. From day one the cast is faced with a dilemma centered on the belief that this isn't a monster movie, this is real life damnit! One town crazy is claiming that zombies are to blame for a recent slight, though noticeable spike in the murder/missing-person rate doesn't make it a true statement. From there the changes domino, approaching the situation from a multi-faceted and, as the series moves on, existential point of view all set against a noir/mystery backdrop.
In short, the question of zombies is just that – a question. Whether or not they truly exist, or exist in such a way as we, the reader, are familiar with them is something we find out as we continue forward.
My only fear in terms of competing in the market is getting the word out that our book is different from the standards and making sure it doesn't get lumped in with the glut of body parts. Once we get the book into people's hands, I feel pretty confidant that it stands on its own.
MG: I find the cop drama/mystery aspect of Awakening a refreshing addition to the zombie genre. Are there any non-zombie influences feeding into the mystery aspect of the book?
NT: Truthfully, no not really. I wish I had something more to offer here! I'm only just recently getting into the noir/mystery genre as a reader myself. I just picked up The Chicago Way by Michael Harvey and I'm hoping to start that on my flight to California for SDCC this coming week. Film wise one of the most enjoyable and gripping noir films I've seen was Brick: a modern-day noir, complete with classic dialogue and delivery, set against a high school backdrop?! Absolutely fantastic, not to mention incredibly unique.
I'm a big Chris Nolan fan and loved Memento, a truly fantastic yet very modern mystery movie.
My next step is to work backwards and try to dive into some classics, both book and film. I'm way open to suggestions so if anybody has some I'm all ears.
MG: Alex Eckman-Lawn's art is brilliant, and also a very unique collage of photos, mixed media, digital effects, and traditional drawing. How did you come about deciding that he was a good match for the story?
NT: I can't stress enough that seeing Alex's artwork was all it took. Forget how debonair and suave he is – when I came across his illustration work it was all that I'd imagined and more. I honestly can't imagine anybody else capturing Park Falls in the way he has. He's truly a gifted artist.
MG: The vibe of the artwork is very loose and crazy, fitting for the story. Very often things switch from drawn, to very blurry, to photographic. How much input for the artwork comes from your side?
NT: A lot of that is Alex and how a certain sequence hits him and fits into the scope of the issue. I do write full scripts, panel by panel, and when I have a very specific idea of how something should look I share it. As we've gotten further along though, I've gotten to know pretty well how Alex will interpret a page and so I've had to be less stylistically specific and focus instead on more of the environmental details.
MG: Of all the horror/supernatural sub-genre's zombies seem like the most plausible. What do you think? Are you prepared for a zombie epidemic?
NT: Get out of your car and onto a bike!
Unfortunately, a lot of Max Brooks' very sound advice isn't applicable in Awakening. Poor Park Falls has to figure out what's happening before it can try to fix the situation, let alone try to survive in spite of the 'awakenings.' And a lot of those standard conventions we all know and love don't seem to be holding water…
MG: I saw that Awakening was nominated for four Eagle awards! How does that feel?
NT: Pretty damn cool. You always think it's a cliché when people say "it's just an honor to be nominated," but it really was. In various categories our lil' indie book was up against the giants: Y: The Last Man, Hellboy, Captain America, All-Star Superman, The Umbrella Academy. Hell, I was up against Matt Fraction and Jason Aaron for Favourite Newcomer Writer! That's intense, and that the fans who read Awakening hold it, and us as creators, in that esteem is incredibly humbling.
MG: Awakening is set for a ten issue run. Are there any plans or projects in the works after that?
NT: Quite a few plans indeed. I'm currently developing a number of projects with quite a few talented artists, not to mention a work-for-hire gig I'm this close to being able to talk about.
On top of that I have a few solo ventures I'm working on, a novel and a screenplay respectively.
Unfortunately it's way too early to talk about anything – next time we catch up I should have at least a lot more to share. MG: Are there any pre-Awakening projects that we should know about?
NT: Not a thing – Awakening is my first published project, something I'm insanely proud of. MG: What about Kat Man?
NT: Oh man, I love it when Kat Man comes up.
I was in third grade happily not paying attention in class and stapling together oversized index cards to approximate a comic book. Take a little Daredevil, toss in some TMNT (which was in itself a Daredevil spoof, something I was blissfully unaware of at the tender age of 8), and voila – you have Kat Man.
Sadly, that infamous first issue has been lost in the annals of time, something which plagues me every night as I fitfully search for solace in the twilight hours. MG: I heard a rumor that you were raised by wolves! What's up with that?
NT: All hearsay – they were a family of well adjusted, only slightly rabid, wolverines. MG: Alright, time for the Fanboy question: If you could work with any creators on any book, who, what, and why?
NT: Wow, this is a tough one... Hmm…
I would love to co-create/co-write something with Joss Whedon or Brian K. Vaughan. Original property, nothing licensed or for the big two here. I feel that, and this is purely based on what I've seen from them and what I know of my own conceptual process, we'd jive well together. Whedon has a sense of the fantastic that I hope to exhibit in one of those developing projects I mentioned before and Vaughan manages to mix that with stories that speak very directly to current societal conflicts and plights. Developing a project with either of them seems like it'd be an amazing experience.
If I wouldn't be shaking like a leaf through the entire process, doing something with Jeff Smith and Steve Hamaker over at Cartoon Books would make my lifetime. I have no idea what – that's the "anything they want" category.
Cloak & Dagger with Alex – I've got the perfect concept and he's got the perfect art to finally bring these two back into the spotlight, not unlike what Fraction's done for Iron Fist.
Spider-Man is my comic grail – when I'm ready and I have my story to tell it's going to kill. Right now, not to get repetitive, but Alex would be my first choice for art chores. You haven't seen Spidey until you've seen his.
Swamp Thing – I need a go at Swamp Thing. Nobody's had any luck with him over the past few years but I would kill for a crack at it, something that might hearken back to that good ol' Alan Moore run.
House of Mystery – I'd love to have at one of those rooms…
And all of that is just a start. I've got big plans buddy. MASSIVE. MG: If I ran into you in a comic shop, what would you be buying?
NT: Dark Tower, Perhapanauts, RASL, Echo, House of Mystery, catching up on old trades (classic Spidey, Starman Omnibus, etc).
MG: Before we wrap it up here, are there any plugs, shout-outs, or anything else you'd like to mention?
NT: I definitely have to give a big thanks to my good buddy Todd Dezago for giving myself and Alex a shot at a Perhapanauts back-up story! I just finished writing it and Alex can't wait to dive in. Look for it towards the end of this year. Other than that, keep an eye out for issues 4 & 5 of Awakening soon, followed by a beautiful hardcover collection of the first five issues.
Beyond that there's some really exciting stuff from both Alex and I, together and separately, on the horizon. As soon as we've got details you will too. MG: Well thanks for taking the time to chat with Project Fanboy, we all really appreciate it here!
NT: Thanks, Matt – looking forward to doing it again soon!
First things first - how's everybody doing out there? I know these updates have been few and far between but I feel like we hear from you folks less and less - speak up! What're you guys and gals up to these days? How's life? What're you reading? Watching? Sound off!
Alright, let's hit some updates then shall we?
Where, oh where, are issues 4 & 5? And by extension, where's that sweet ass hardcover? Two good questions, and to wit, I have good answers. I mentioned it in the last blog, but in case you missed it I'll mention it here again: ASP is going through some adjustments and, as a result, printing has halted for the time being. Luckily, long-term solutions are well on their way to being implemented and as soon as the company is ready to make a full announcement I'll have more info.
In short though, lemme just say thanks to everybody reading who's stuck by us while we wait this out. It means the world that you guys are willing to wait for the book while all this gets sorted and really REALLY can't wait to get the book in your hands.
In the meantime, perhaps you've heard of this little guy we call MyEbook. If not, head on over to MyEbook.com and check it out. It's an interesting site that allows its users to, well, publish their own e-books. The format is perfectly suited for streaming comics and as such, Alex, Thomas, and I have taken it upon ourselves to put the first four issues up for you to enjoy. In fact, it looks as though there's even some kind of embedding option... why don't we give that a try here, hmm?
After you sign up for a free account, you can find issues 1 - 4 at the following links: Issue 1 Issue 2 Issue 3 Issue 4
Sign up for an account, check out issue 4, and let us know what you think. It's not as cool as having them in your hands but it'll hold you over until issues 4 & 5 are out, not to mention the sweet hardcover.
And then spread the gospel - if you've ever wanted an easy way to tell your friends about the book, this is it! Link 'em to the site or just send them the embedded issue(s). Then, of course, make sure you send 'em out to buy the real deals.
To all our left coast friends - get down to SDCC from 7/23 to 7/27! Alex and I will be merrily peddling our wares to any and all who happen by the booth. Come by and say hi, hang out with us for a bit, and have fun.
I don't know if I've every talked about it here, but if anybody out there isn't reading Perhapanauts you'd best update your pull lists stat. It's written by my buddy Todd Dezago (Spectacular Spider-Man, Tellos, Impulse et al) and illustrated by the phenomenal Craig Rousseau (tons of DC stuff like Impulse, Batman Beyond and, for Marvel, the forthcoming Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane). Todd and Craig were recently kind enough to offer us a shot at doing a back-up story for the 'Haps and I'm happy to report that I've just finished writing it and Alex is all set to get started! Look for the two-part "A Grim's Haunt" to appear around the end of the year. More on that, including previews and sketches, as we get there.
I think that's all I had waiting in the queue. 'Til next time then -
We love you.
- Nick
AWAKENING Vol. 1 – In stores SOON!
HARRRRRRDCOVER!!!! (PREVIEWS ORDER CODE APR08 3552 - get to your local comic shop STAT!)....
Philly! Eagle Award Results! Wowio! 4 & 5 Coming soon...
Wow, it's been a month since our last update - LOTS to cover, huh? Let's get to the dirty.
First and foremost, let's talk business. By now, you've no doubt had time to read the press release ASP put out last week. If not, check it out HERE - I'll wait 'til you're done...
Ready?
Just to put to bed any concerns reading that may bring about, don't worry - this isn't a publisher announcing that it's done for, it just so happens that Mark Smylie is a stand-up guy who likes to keep everyone in the loop. We're sticking with ASP until the restructuring is complete, something mirrored by fellow creator A. David Lewis and friends HERE as well as David Petersen of MOUSE GUARD fame HERE. We're all speaking out to make sure that readers, retailers, and the interweb in general don't get the wrong idea from the ASP release. Everyone is still working on their books and loads of them are ready to hit printers, not the least of which being AWAKENING 's 4 & 5. Between those and the hardcover we've got loads of undead noir ready for you with plenty more on the way.
Short version: ASP isn't going anywhere; it's just getting its shit right. Don't panic, keep those books on your pull list and keep an eye out - they may show up sooner than you think...
Speaking of ASP, they finally got around to setting up a MySpace page! Head on over, friend up, and keep tabs on your favorite publisher - http://www.myspace.com/aspcomics
I'm sure all of you are waiting, breath held, for the Eagle Award results. Some of you MAY have been holding said breath for a month of more. Not only do we commend your efforts but appreciate your sacrifice.
The final results were posted about two weeks ago and we were soundly thwacked across the board. HOWEVER, I speak for all three of us when I say that we really meant it when we said that just being nominated was amazing for us. To have Matt Fraction take me down for Favourite Newcomer Writer was a privilege and for HELLBOY to take us out in Favourite Colour Comic - American is okay in all our books.
In short, congrats to all the winners - you won't be so lucky next year...
Meanwhile, back at the ranch... NYCC was a fantastic time for us. Getting to hang out with our buddies at the ASP table is always a treat and this trip was no different. Of course, Alex and I did finally get to hang out with our boy from Germany, Thomas Mauer! Finally, Team AWAKENING all together. It was great spending time with him - hopefully something that'll happen more often when he finally moves his ass over here.
Speaking of, while we were there the three of us did a great podcast with comiXology as a part of there special NYCC coverage - http://www.comixology.com/podcasts/34/NYCC-Special-5-Awakening
And in other con news, Alex and I both will be in Philly this weekend! It was last minute so we don't even have our table number yet but we will be appearing in Artists Alley along with Jason Becker and Jon Rea of KILLING PICKMAN infamy and David Petersen (MOUSE GUARD). As soon as I have table info I'll post it in a bulletin but until then, plan to wander the aisles calling our for your favorite book.
In order to help spread the AWAKENING gospel I've been inspired to hook up with Wowio.com to get issues of the book up for FREE DOWNLOAD! In the next week or two you'll have access to free, high-quality digital copies of the book. We'll have updates on how you can help spearhead the movement to bring AWAKENING to the uninitiated, beginning with Wowio, soon...
And lest you think we'd leave you hanging, issues 4 & 5 will be immediately available online alongside issues 1, 2, and 3 before hitting stores, thus completing the first half of the series. Just something to help whet your appetite before picking copies up. For now, go sign up for an account and check out some of the amazing books already up there, including ARTESIA, SHADOWGIRLS, STARKWEATHER, CORPUS CHRISTIE, and tons more!
Did I mention it's free? Expect an update as soon as the issues are up and available.
There's going to be one of these puppies prior to every issue, further expanding the first half of our year in Park Falls, filling in some of the time gaps and presenting some new clues and insights into the plight of a city that may or may not be on a slow march towards the apocalypse.
This weekend is your last chance at hitting up the Eagle Awards to vote for your favorite existential horror comic! Make sure you head on over and vote before tomorrow night, lest your valued opinion not be counted.
Last, though certainly not least, Dave Baxter fromBroken Frontierrecently satdown with Alex and I to talk about the first five issues, the upcoming hardcover collection, piles of diamonds and gold encrusted toilets.
ASP'S AWAKENING NOMINATED FOR 4 EAGLE AWARDS Including Favourite New Comic Book
Kearny, NJ -- Apr 11, 2008 -- ASP is thrilled to announce that its series of existential horror written by Nick Tapalansky and illustrated by Alex Eckman-Lawn has been nominated for four Eagle Awards, the comics industry's longest established awards.
Here is the rundown of AWAKENING's nominations: **Favourite Newcomer Writer: Nick Tapalansky **Favourite Letterer: Thomas Mauer **Favourite Colour Comicbook - American: AWAKENING **Favourite New Comicbook: AWAKENING
"It's been a dream come true for Alex, Thomas, and I to work on AWAKENING over the last year," said writer and nominee Nick Tapalansky. "Now to be nominated for the Eagle Awards…what can you say? The dream continues. Thanks to everyone who has supported the book and thanks to those new readers willing to give it a try."
Introduced in 1976, the Eagles are acknowledged as the pre-eminent international prizes and have been featured on the covers of leading US and UK titles across the last 30 years. Results will be announced at the Bristol International Comic Expo in England (May 9-11, 2008).
AWAKENING tells the story of Derrick Peters, a former member of the Park Falls Police Department, who receives a visit from Cynthia Ford one January afternoon. Cynthia, well known as the town crazy, seems to have finally lost her mind. She claims to have information about a series of gruesome murders…but does she hold the key to unlocking the mystery or has she truly gone insane? To Derrick's disbelief she utters one word: Zombies.
Ordering Info
A 10-issue bi-monthly series, each 24-page issue of AWAKENING retails for $3.50. A 144-page hardcover collection (Diamond Code: APR08 3552, $19.95) is set for release in June collecting issues 1–5 plus additional material never before published. Issues currently available or soon to be released include:
"Eye-catching artwork… Tapalansky and Eckman-Lawn have awakened within the realm of the zombie world a new direction to take what could have easily been another retread of tired material." —The Geeks of Doom
"The coolest and most original zombie piece since The Walking Dead got under way." —Lee, Broken Frontier
"If it needs to be classified somewhere it would still be zombie book, but like 28 Days Later, which wasn't technically a zombie movie, it blazes its own path." —Justin, Wednesday is My Sabbath
"For anyone who sincerely wants to find the next horror concept comic that should be mirrored by writers and artists everywhere for years after its done, aping such an original thing until it's no longer anything of the sort, then AWAKENING will prove a unique experience, and an immensely satisfying one at that." —Dave, Broken Frontier
"AWAKENINGis the type of storytelling achievement you often find yourself reading in trade format a year after-the-fact, wondering why the hell you didn't hear more about it at the time of its publishing. The type of book that goes on to achieve eventual cult status and terrible film adaptations that wholly miss the point. Tapalansky and Eckman-Lawn increasingly prove themselves with each successive release. These men deserve a future in this industry, though perhaps it can be said even more-so that the industry deserves a future with them." —Tom, Newseed Comics
All ASP titles are available worldwide at finer comic book shops, bookstores, amazon.com, Indie Press Revolution (www.indiepressrevolution.com) and electronically at DriveThruComics.com.
Moving on, let's chat about NYCC for a minute. I am so freakin' excited for this show - it's the first one Alex and I ever promoted at and we had an absolute blast last year, even though all we had was a copy of issue 1 printed on a photo printer and shoved into a binder for people to flip through. We got to meet so many amazing people, all of which were hugely supportive of what we had to show. Now we get to come back with books in tow to see everyone again.
For anybody planning to hit the show, Alex and I (and at some point, even Mr. Thomas Mauer: Lettering Samurai) will be at booth 1713. We have specific signing times, but odds are on we'll be hanging around the booth even if we're not "on duty" since we're that kind of nerd.
Next on the agenda...Ah, yes - we've got links galore for your reading pleasure. First up, a lovely interview with Revenant Magazine, the internets premiere zombie magazine:
If you follow the links to reviews that get posted in here, some of you may have read the press release above and said "That's funny, I don't remember any of those nice quotes," or even "My word, something smells like cheese." The former is because those are from brand new reviews about to be linked below. The latter may be due to my four cheese alfredo pasta I just finished making.
We're building to some big love here. I know it's up above in the press release, but this quote absolutely floored us - "...The coolest and most original zombie piece since The Walking Dead got under way." Read the rest of Lee's review over at Broken Frontier: http://www.brokenfrontier.com/reviews/details.php?id=1813
Gotta show some love to our friend Tom at Newseed Comics. His review for issues 4 & 5 almost had us in tears. Truly, he is a man who knows quality. "Awakening is the type of storytelling achievement you often find yourself reading in trade format a year after-the-fact, wondering why the hell you didn't hear more about it at the time of its publishing. The type of book that goes on to achieve eventual cult status and terrible film adaptations that wholly miss the point. Tapalansky and Eckman-Lawn increasingly prove themselves with each successive release. These men deserve a future in this industry, though perhaps it can be said even more-so that the industry deserves a future with them."
Alright, you've made it through and now you're looking for some new art, huh? Feelin' the itch, need a hit, and you come here digging for something, ANYTHING to hold you over.
Well here you go:
What's it for? What's it mean? Are those footprints? Hmmm....
More on this later. In the meantime, we're off to NYCC - while we're gone remember the following:
Remember when all you folks were good enough to show your love by shooting over to The Eagle Awards and giving a quick vote?
IT PAID OFF! Now AWAKENING and its team is nominated for four Eagle Awards!
Favourite Newcomer Writer: NICK TAPALANSKY
Favourite Letterer: THOMAS MAUER
Favourite Colour Comic - American: AWAKENING
Favourite New Comic: AWAKENING
Head over and vote now! We’re up against some stiff (and humbling) competition in all areas and every vote counts! Of course, it’s really just amazing to see the book in the running against Y: THE LAST MAN, UMBRELLA ACADEMY, and myself against names like Jason Aaron and Matt Fraction. Holy shit, right?!
If it isn’t too much trouble, please tell EVERYONE YOU KNOW!! Alright, kidding there but seriously - if there’s anybody you know that digs the book (or might be interested in the book) please send this along to them or, if you have one, maybe a quick mention and link on your blog, website, or forum of choice. It’d mean the world to Alex, Thomas, and myself.
I’d be remiss if I didn’t take note of the fact that Alex is missing on that list. Shenanigans I say! With pages like this?!
Page 16, Issue 5
In any case, we ALL share in the glory here regardless of the ballot - VOTE AWAKENING IN ’08!!
A quick note: For those of you attending NYCC don’t forget to visit Alex and I at the Archaia Studios Press booth (1713) with special international guest, Thomas Mauer: Lettering Samurai! Pick up copies of issues 4 and 5 while you’re there too.... Oooo, fancy.
Sure you all already love the book but isn’t fun seeing what other people who love it have to say? Have a look at some bits of Lee Newman’s advance review of Issue 5:
"The most original zombie piece since The Walking Dead got under way..."
"Eckman-Lawn is an enigma. This guy, who could clearly be displaying his work on broad canvases in art galleries around the world, has chosen to tell serial stories of the fantastic." <---- Couldn’t agree more.
"Awakening is not your average horror book. It is something more complicated and special. It is the kind of thing that needs to happen more often. It is the mark of a change in the medium and is quite simply the next level to which everyone else should be aspiring."
Light spoiler warning for the review - if you’re keeping your reading experience 100% virginal stay back and check it out after picking up issue 5. Otherwise, go read the whole thing here: AWAKENING 5 @ Broken Frontier
Last but certainly not least, don’t forget to get those pre-orders in for the hardcover (PREVIEWS ORDER CODE APR08 3552 - get to your local comic shop STAT!). Of course, some of you may be looking at other options if you don’t have a local comic shop so check out the hardcover at Things From Another World and pre-order it for 20% off, making it a scant $15.96! That’s LESS than the individual issues cost and you’re getting supplemental material to boot! More details on that later. For now, head on over and place those pre-orders!
Free digital copies of issues 1 - 4 are still available for another week or so - if you’re curious what all the fuss is about, or maybe just plain sick of waiting on issue 4, e-mail AwakeningComic@gmail.com with the subject "I <3 AWAKENING" and the issues you’d like to check out in the body. And maybe some more poetry - we got a sweet, sweet haiku the other day.
Just to prove we’re not liars, with pants constantly on fire, below is a sweet 8-page preview of issue 5. Most of you know I tend to bounce around the issue in my previews to give you an idea of what story threads are hanging around but to do so here would spoil too much. Besides, this is the end of volume 1 - you wouldn’t want me to ruin that for you. Now might even be a good time to remind you about our awesome hardcover coming out in June that even got the Spotlight in the April PREVIEWS! PREVIEWS ORDER CODE APR08 3552 - get to your local comic shop STAT!
Don’t forget - the post below is still true, issues 1 - 4 are available for FREE until issues 4 and 5 hit stands. E-mail AwakeningComic@gmail.com with the subject "I <3 AWAKENING" and the issue numbers you’d like in the body (feel free to include love notes as well - they make us happy on the inside). Digital PDF’s of the issues will be delivered into your hot little hands.
And no, you can’t get issue 5 just yet my greedy little lovelies.
Shipping update: both issues 4 and 5 are completed and have been handed in to ASP as of this past weekend with plans to release them on the same day prior to NYCC. Get ready...
Issue 4... Free?! Hardcover Order Info! Preview Art! Advance Reviews!
Here we are - it’s March 26th and issue 4 hasn’t hit stands yet. BOOOO!! I’ve been assured we’ll have both issues 4 and 5 before New York Comic-Con in a few weeks which is super exciting.
BUT...
Issue 4 is shipping extra late and both Alex and I feel awful about that. Plus, it’s time to really get this thing building to a fever pitch in celebration of our first HARDCOVER COMING OUT IN JUNE!! (PREVIEWS ORDER CODE APR08 3552 - get to your local comic shop STAT!).
SO...
It’s time to make it up to everyone. From now until it finally hits stands I’m offering issue 4 FREE to anybody who wants it. Hell, lets go crazy – if you really want to know what the fuss is about and don’t want to take a chance on the issues for $0.99 at DriveThruComics, picking them up at your LCS or ordering them through Indie Press Revolution, I’ll hook you up with issues 1 – 4. Limited time offer, only until issue 4 hits stores. Granted, the digital PDF format isn’t the most fun way to read a comic but apparently it’s catching on with the kids these days. You want it? E-mail us - AwakeningComic@gmail.com - with the subject "I <3 AWAKENING" and the issues you’d like in the body of the e-mail. It’s the least we can do. All we ask in return is that you spread the word about the book, even pass on those digital copies once you pick up the real deal like, I dunno the HARDCOVER IN JUNE!!! (PREVIEWS ORDER CODE APR08 3552 - get to your local comic shop STAT!)
OF COURSE...
We need your help too. Spreading the word about the book is the biggest open-mouth kiss you could give us. Because we’re published by a smaller press (though no less awesome) some shops are less likely to order the book and give us shelf space over the 279th Secret Invasion crossover title - hit your local shops and recommend the book! Make sure they know the hardcover is coming! Tell your friends about it! Post about it in your blog! In a few weeks you’ll even be able to pre-order the HARDCOVER!!!! (PREVIEWS ORDER CODE APR08 3552 - get to your local comic shop STAT!) from Barnes & Noble and Borders if you don’t have a LCS and don’t like to shop online.
Of course, the interweb is our friend too - stop by the following forums and share some love about the book!
If you aren't familiar with the concept of zombies, there's a good chance you've been living under a rock. Lately, just about every medium out there has caught the zombie plague in one form or another.... but if you think Zombies are a tired concept, that there's nothing new to be said about them, well, you just haven't read Nick Tapalansky's 
