Author: admin

Talking Space Sadness & Kickstarter With Lee Milewski Creator Of ‘With The Earth Above Us’

by admin

Every so often, we either come across or are sent an independent project that we feel – being starving artists ourselves – deserves a little recognition. Recently, comic artist and writer Lee Milewski tipped us off about an independent comic beautifully titled With The Earth Above Us.

With The Earth Above Us is somewhere between Blade Runner and 2001: A Space Odyssey mixed with an oppressive air of isolation and rendered in grey scales.

Lee is currently seeking funding over at Kickstarter to help him complete this 70-page B/W graphic novel. It is really a beautiful tale of isolation and paranoia wrapped in the cold metal hull of an interstellar spacecraft. That said, check this book out, give Lee some support and head over to the official Kickstarter.

To help flesh out this comic a little more, we got together with Lee via the magic of email to talk about With The Earth Above Us and the perils and perks of self publishing.

Why did you choose Kickstarter over Indiegogo?

IndieGogo has many limits towards it’s overall presentation, though I’d say the primary reason is due to popularity. Kickstarter has so many projects going on at once, which means that you have tons of people who come to the site and check out your project as well. I also enjoy the “all-or-nothing” concept that Kickstarter goes by, which makes it a much more intense and exciting thing to be apart of.

Why did you choose to self publish?

Self publishing allows me to keep my identity, I guess. I love that my book can look, feel, and go exactly where I want it to; And the fact that my ideas are the only ones which affect the end result is great!

What are some of the difficulties you have encountered?

The main thing that I’ve found to be the most difficult for my own personal growth, which probably comes off as a little odd, is getting my name out into the wide world of independent comics. In fact, before this campaign, I hadn’t really shown my stuff around. It really was a challenge to get out of my comfort zone.

What do you think are the benefits of self publishing?

The benefits largely consist in being able to direct your project whichever way you choose, which is great. Unfortunately, you do lack advertising (unless you shell out your own money), but you can make that up by joining in on the many conversations that consist to help spread the word on independent comics. There are many forums to use, along with Facebook/Twitter/etc., which allows for a person like myself to reach a wide audience.

Interview With Marian Churchland

by admin

After a brief intermission, I AM BACK, with a wonderful interview with Marian Churchland.  You may have noticed her work in Elephantmen or Northlanders.  You could also just recognize the name from the awesome blog she has, hchom.  She is wonderful to speak with and one of my personal favorite artists.  We talked about everything from skipping classes to draw to future goals and aspirations (and a little bit of Skyrim as well).  I hope you all enjoy this wonderful interview with Marian and check out her blog (and be prepared to spend hours reading every detail).

-Eastyn

So my first question would be is there anything in particular that inspired you to start drawing/consider using your artistic talent for a career?

I guess I started drawing when people started giving me crayons – I suspect it was an easy way for an introverted kid to avoid attention and be left alone. I had various parents and teachers telling me I was going to be a “famous artist” (har har) long before I was capable of considering it as a career, so naturally I had to rebel against them when I hit my teenage years. I ended up studying English rather than going to art school, and in retrospect I’m glad it turned out that way, though I skipped a lot of classes to stay home and draw.

I can’t actually remember when I finally caved in and decided to make it a career. It still feels like something I’m skipping classes for.

 

Were there any specific comics or artists you found helped to inspire you and develop your style?

Most of my favourite artists (as a teenager) were videogame artists. I had really limited access to comics – I owned a few issues of X-men (Joe Madureira and the Kubert brothers were doing the pencils, back then), but I had a lot of trouble getting my hands on new issues. More often I’d flip through Gamefan Magazine (a great videogame magazine from the 90′s), and see stuff by Bengus, or Yoshitaka Amano, or Akihiko Yoshida, etc. That was my main source of inspiration, at that age, and the one that still resonates the most.

 

What steps did you take to start getting your work published once you decided to go down that road? Did you frequent conventions, send in portfolios? And did you ever try to do something like concept/character art for video games?

Hrmm. I guess I decided that I wanted to draw a graphic novel, and I just naively assumed that once it was done, I could send it in to publishers until I found one that would take it. I never did the conventions/portfolio thing. At that point, I didn’t know anybody in the comics industry, but within several months I met Brandon and Justin Norman (Moritat) and others, which was lucky timing. Even knowing people, getting a book published was far from straightforward, but I was probably spared a large share of uncertainty and disregard.

I showed finished sections of Beast around for about a year, and Image took it after I’d drawn three issues of Elephantmen (which was a job I got via Justin).

 

How did the process go for getting you into Elephantmen and Northlanders? Those are huge names. Was it a “Hey, guys. This girl’s art is awesome she will be drawing for us now.” Or did you still have to go through everything but you just had somebody’s name backing you?

My getting the Elephantmen job was entirely Justin’s doing. He was the artist on the series, and he convinced Richard Starkings to hire me for an 8-page backup, which was eventually upgraded to three issues. Richard was also extremely supportive in propounding me to Image, and once they took Beast, other opportunities followed – the Madame Xanadu and Northlanders issues.

I’m probably not the best example! I’ve taken a relatively passive role in my career (at least from a networking standpoint) mainly wanting to be left alone to do my own thing, and I’ve been lucky to have outstanding friends in positions to land me work.

 

That’s still awesome that you have had those opportunities.   I saw on your blog that you offer up “Packages.”  What else do you do with art between working on the bigger stuffs?

Hchom posts constitute most of my in-between work. I angst so much over the details of the bigger stuff – does this belong here, should I remove that, etc. – and having an outlet that’s less controlled and self-conscious helps keep me sane. I can draw the same loaf of bread seventeen times in a row, and it might not have any artistic merit, but piss if I care, because I’m just doing it to please myself!

And the big projects do take me a really long time, so the blog has some social importance as well. Left to my own devices I’m a complete hermit, so getting comments from a variety of awesome people who also like art, or videogames or tasty loaves of bread is probably good for my sanity as well.

 

Anything you would like to do in the future?  Big goal plans for your artwork?

Really my hope for the future is to be able to focus entirely on my own books, simple as that is. Staying at home and drawing (and having people pay me to do that) is already a fantastic scam, but I find that I have trouble juggling the side jobs with the longer projects I’m really passionate about. I’m not a creative multitasker.

Sometimes I think about what it would be like if I hunkered down, and worked on one thing – people would find me later, a skeleton at the bottom of a dungeon, surrounded by paper (pardon me, I’ve been playing Skyrim). My point is, if I could do that without starving to death, and somewhere that didn’t have giant rats, then life would be roses.

And big goals for the work, of course, but I’ve never been any good at talking about that stuff anywhere other than in the work itself.

 

What is some advice you could give to some aspiring artists?  Or advice you received from somebody that you really took to heart?

I was once complaining to my friend Sachiko Murakami, who is a poet, about some comics-related social terrors, or something I didn’t want to do, and she told me that I should view it as serving the work. I thought that was nicely put (well she is a poet, after all), so I often remind myself, now, to serve the work – that it’s not actually about me.

So if I had to give broad advice, it would be to put the work first. For me that means dialing back my panic about external pressures, emails, deadlines, publishers (whether you have one or not), etc. And it also means trying to disentangle my various anxieties (whatever they happen to be, that day) from the work, so that I can actually sit down and get on with it. (Not that I’m any good at either of these things, mind you, which is why I think it’s such good advice.)

[End Interview]

Thanks again to Marian for the interview you can check out a link to her blog below

Interview With Ray Friesen

by admin

Ray Friesen is the writer and illustrator of the comic compilation Pirate Penguin vs. Ninja Chicken currently being published by Top Shelf Productions. Ray is one of the funniest and open comic creators I have ever met. I spoke to him briefly at APE previous to this interview and in just a few minutes I felt we had been friends for a while. It’s this kind of attitude that had made Pirate Penguin vs. Ninja Chicken such a success among kids and adults.Pirate Penguin vs. Ninja Chicken is about well…a penguin who is a pirate and a chicken who is a ninja, it’s a love hate realtionship between the two hence the title of the book “Troublems with Frenemies”. I asked Ray about the openness he shares with his fans as well as where his ideas for this book first came about. I hope you enjoy the interview

 

Pirate Penguin vs. Ninja Chicken is one of the most creative all ages comics out in comics today. How did you first develop the idea for this completely wild project?

First of all, you said it, not me,I’ve been drawing penguins since forever; they’re my favorite creatures. I had a fairly normal penguiny penguin named Mellville, and he was always getting confused for other penguins. ‘Chilly Willy! Happy Feet! Madagascar!” people would say at me, so I began wondering at ways to make a penguin that was more distinctive. Simultaneously, I drew a book called Yarg! in which the major villains were Pirates. They were far more interesting to write than the quote unquote hero character, and had a lot more storytelling capabilities, it seemed to me. Jerks are funnier!

Simultaneously, I had been spending a while trying to get a comic strip into Nickelodeon Magazine. The editor Chris Duffy liked my work, but it wasn’t right for the magazine. He gave me some very good advice: “You’ve got 80 billion characters, with complex storylines. Can you write something with like, one or two people in it?” and my brain went BOOM! Pirate Penguin. I then figured he needed a friend to argue with, so a Ninja Chicken happened.

 

What process did you go through to get PP Vs. NC picked up by Top Shelf Productions?

Chris Duffy said he really liked PPvsNC, and I did a little dance, and then Nickelodeon Magazine was shut down. It was a strange roller coaster week. So I sat on the characters for a bit, started putting them on my website, and then I saw Top Shelf was publishing several collections of cartoons formerly of Nick Mag. I sent them a package, explained what was going on, and the next day, Chris Staros (are all my editors named Chris?) wrote me an email saying I was really funny and we should make some books. Books! I had been hoping for Book. It was surprisingly easy!

 

Did you use a traditional pitch when pitching to Top Shelf (high concept, sequential art, outline)?

I just sent them some of the comics I had already create, about a half dozen two pagers. They wanted to know if I could write a longer story to anchor the shorter ones, so I wrote a script. Since my characters do a lot of talking, that suited me fine. I had to punch up the adventure and plot a bit more, which I hadn’t done with these characters, but felt confident about from some of my other books.

 

What made you want to begin working with the all ages genre in general? 

I like all forms of comedy, but the best kind always appeals to adults, and kids. If done right, they’re just better, more jokes per square inch than the next leading brand. Think classic Looney Tunes, there are different tiers of laughs (which also means the kids can rewatch it when they’re older, and laugh at entirely different things!) I love the immediate reaction I get from kids, they laugh uproariously. Whenever I do a school visit, I get to be rockstar!

 

The relationship between pirate penguin and ninja chicken is something between Tom and Jerry and Spy vs Spy, a love hate kind of thing, was it always your intention to create this kind of rivalry between the two?

It’s definitely an Odd Couple kind of thing. When it started, the plan was to be much more spy vs. spy antagonism, but it mutated. I think I’m best writing comedy arguments for some reason, talking in addition to the sword fights. They kind of have a brotherly level of antagonism. They’ll punch each other, but then go out for ice cream. I just felt I had more storytelling possibilities, although that was probably a subconscious thing. I like Tom and Jerry, but they do tend to repeat themselves sometimes.

 

You manage to create a sense of competition between pirate penguin and ninja chicken, but keep it wholesome and generally silly to suit a younger audience, how did you find this great in-between spot of not to serious competition. 

I didn’t have to look too hard; I think it just comes naturally. Most writers find a sweet spot between writing what they know, and a writing challenge. I tried writing something completely different lately, and it didn’t work out all that great, because I was forcing myself to be something I wasn’t. Pirates who are also penguins are the sort of thing I’m good at, I’m gonna stick with them! Plus do a bunch of other things; I always like variety, even if I only write 3 basic personality types (The crazy one, the cranky one, and the responsible one.)

As an all ages creator you have made yourself completely open to the public, on your site (http://www.donteatanybugs.net) you have contact methods and personal responses everywhere. Have you found this attitude of openness and being a generally fun guy better for you as an all ages creator?

I live in a tiny cave full of art supplies, so I have to be real open to the public so I can have some social interaction! Seriously, I love hearing from fans, and I want them to contact me any way possible! And reversing that process, I’ve met a wide variety of cartoonists I admire, some are open and fun, some aren’t. I like the former much better! You always want the story of how you met the author you like to be a good one.

 

 As an artist do you ever consider working with a writer to collaborate on projects, if so what would be the best way for a writer to present you with a project in your opinion?

I’ve definitely considered it, and tried it a couple times! It hasn’t worked out all that great… I think I would do better writing something somebody else would draw, rather than me drawing something somebody else writes, I keep wanting to change things. There’s no specific way to approach me about anything, just email me ala paragraph seven!

 

What next for Pirate Penguin Vs. Ninja Chicken?

I’m working on Book Two for Top Shelf, and I think it’s gonna be even epicker (epiculent?) than the first one. It’s tentatively titled ‘Escape From Skull Fragment Island’ and yes, it does have hot air balloons in it. I *may* temporarily retire Pirate Penguin from being the weekly web comic on my site in favor of a different thing, while I draw the book (there’s no such thing as too much Pirate Penguin, but… it’s twice the normal amount of Pirate Penguin for my drawing arm.

 

Any last minute advice for aspiring all age’s comic creators?

DRAW! Draw all the time! Draw the sort of things you like to draw, draw the things you hate to draw (so you get better at them, for me its technology. I keep writing stories with motorcycles in them, and I hate drawing motorcycles!). Start doing a comic, and keep it up. Practice makes you soooooo much better. Show it to friends, show it to enemies, post it online! Make copies and sell them, and then draw the next issue! Figure out what you’re best at, and then do it times a bajillion, and that’s how you become King of whatever it is.

 

[End Interview]

I want to thank Ray again for taking the time to answer some questions, if you haven’t checked out Ray’s site yet I highly recommend you do, there are regularly updated web comics that Ray has created for free!!!! You can check out Links below.

Interview With Ray Friesen

by admin

Ray Friesen is the writer and illustrator of the comic compilation Pirate Penguin vs. Ninja Chicken currently being published by Top Shelf Productions. Ray is one of the funniest and open comic creators I have ever met. I spoke to him briefly at APE previous to this interview and in just a few minutes I felt we had been friends for a while. It’s this kind of attitude that had made Pirate Penguin vs. Ninja Chicken such a success among kids and adults.Pirate Penguin vs. Ninja Chicken is about well…a penguin who is a pirate and a chicken who is a ninja, it’s a love hate realtionship between the two hence the title of the book “Troublems with Frenemies”. I asked Ray about the openness he shares with his fans as well as where his ideas for this book first came about. I hope you enjoy the interview

 

Pirate Penguin vs. Ninja Chicken is one of the most creative all ages comics out in comics today. How did you first develop the idea for this completely wild project?

First of all, you said it, not me,I’ve been drawing penguins since forever; they’re my favorite creatures. I had a fairly normal penguiny penguin named Mellville, and he was always getting confused for other penguins. ‘Chilly Willy! Happy Feet! Madagascar!” people would say at me, so I began wondering at ways to make a penguin that was more distinctive. Simultaneously, I drew a book called Yarg! in which the major villains were Pirates. They were far more interesting to write than the quote unquote hero character, and had a lot more storytelling capabilities, it seemed to me. Jerks are funnier!

Simultaneously, I had been spending a while trying to get a comic strip into Nickelodeon Magazine. The editor Chris Duffy liked my work, but it wasn’t right for the magazine. He gave me some very good advice: “You’ve got 80 billion characters, with complex storylines. Can you write something with like, one or two people in it?” and my brain went BOOM! Pirate Penguin. I then figured he needed a friend to argue with, so a Ninja Chicken happened.

 

What process did you go through to get PP Vs. NC picked up by Top Shelf Productions?

Chris Duffy said he really liked PPvsNC, and I did a little dance, and then Nickelodeon Magazine was shut down. It was a strange roller coaster week. So I sat on the characters for a bit, started putting them on my website, and then I saw Top Shelf was publishing several collections of cartoons formerly of Nick Mag. I sent them a package, explained what was going on, and the next day, Chris Staros (are all my editors named Chris?) wrote me an email saying I was really funny and we should make some books. Books! I had been hoping for Book. It was surprisingly easy!

 

Did you use a traditional pitch when pitching to Top Shelf (high concept, sequential art, outline)?

I just sent them some of the comics I had already create, about a half dozen two pagers. They wanted to know if I could write a longer story to anchor the shorter ones, so I wrote a script. Since my characters do a lot of talking, that suited me fine. I had to punch up the adventure and plot a bit more, which I hadn’t done with these characters, but felt confident about from some of my other books.

 

What made you want to begin working with the all ages genre in general? 

I like all forms of comedy, but the best kind always appeals to adults, and kids. If done right, they’re just better, more jokes per square inch than the next leading brand. Think classic Looney Tunes, there are different tiers of laughs (which also means the kids can rewatch it when they’re older, and laugh at entirely different things!) I love the immediate reaction I get from kids, they laugh uproariously. Whenever I do a school visit, I get to be rockstar!

 

The relationship between pirate penguin and ninja chicken is something between Tom and Jerry and Spy vs Spy, a love hate kind of thing, was it always your intention to create this kind of rivalry between the two?

It’s definitely an Odd Couple kind of thing. When it started, the plan was to be much more spy vs. spy antagonism, but it mutated. I think I’m best writing comedy arguments for some reason, talking in addition to the sword fights. They kind of have a brotherly level of antagonism. They’ll punch each other, but then go out for ice cream. I just felt I had more storytelling possibilities, although that was probably a subconscious thing. I like Tom and Jerry, but they do tend to repeat themselves sometimes.

 

You manage to create a sense of competition between pirate penguin and ninja chicken, but keep it wholesome and generally silly to suit a younger audience, how did you find this great in-between spot of not to serious competition. 

I didn’t have to look too hard; I think it just comes naturally. Most writers find a sweet spot between writing what they know, and a writing challenge. I tried writing something completely different lately, and it didn’t work out all that great, because I was forcing myself to be something I wasn’t. Pirates who are also penguins are the sort of thing I’m good at, I’m gonna stick with them! Plus do a bunch of other things; I always like variety, even if I only write 3 basic personality types (The crazy one, the cranky one, and the responsible one.)

As an all ages creator you have made yourself completely open to the public, on your site (http://www.donteatanybugs.net) you have contact methods and personal responses everywhere. Have you found this attitude of openness and being a generally fun guy better for you as an all ages creator?

I live in a tiny cave full of art supplies, so I have to be real open to the public so I can have some social interaction! Seriously, I love hearing from fans, and I want them to contact me any way possible! And reversing that process, I’ve met a wide variety of cartoonists I admire, some are open and fun, some aren’t. I like the former much better! You always want the story of how you met the author you like to be a good one.

 

 As an artist do you ever consider working with a writer to collaborate on projects, if so what would be the best way for a writer to present you with a project in your opinion?

I’ve definitely considered it, and tried it a couple times! It hasn’t worked out all that great… I think I would do better writing something somebody else would draw, rather than me drawing something somebody else writes, I keep wanting to change things. There’s no specific way to approach me about anything, just email me ala paragraph seven!

 

What next for Pirate Penguin Vs. Ninja Chicken?

I’m working on Book Two for Top Shelf, and I think it’s gonna be even epicker (epiculent?) than the first one. It’s tentatively titled ‘Escape From Skull Fragment Island’ and yes, it does have hot air balloons in it. I *may* temporarily retire Pirate Penguin from being the weekly web comic on my site in favor of a different thing, while I draw the book (there’s no such thing as too much Pirate Penguin, but… it’s twice the normal amount of Pirate Penguin for my drawing arm.

 

Any last minute advice for aspiring all age’s comic creators?

DRAW! Draw all the time! Draw the sort of things you like to draw, draw the things you hate to draw (so you get better at them, for me its technology. I keep writing stories with motorcycles in them, and I hate drawing motorcycles!). Start doing a comic, and keep it up. Practice makes you soooooo much better. Show it to friends, show it to enemies, post it online! Make copies and sell them, and then draw the next issue! Figure out what you’re best at, and then do it times a bajillion, and that’s how you become King of whatever it is.

 

[End Interview]

I want to thank Ray again for taking the time to answer some questions, if you haven’t checked out Ray’s site yet I highly recommend you do, there are regularly updated web comics that Ray has created for free!!!! You can check out Links below.

Comic Writer Nolan T Jones Talks ‘Colonial Souls’ & Boring Manga That Is Actually Pretty Exciting [AUDIO]

by admin

We first met Nolan T Jones after he contacted us to write a little piece on “The Legend of Luther Strode.” Nolan wasn’t necessarily attached to the book in terms of art or writing he was actually just out there marketing the book.

Marketing in comics has, strictly speaking, been reserved for The Big Two as they send teaser pages to a handful of major comic publications online. Marketing and comics still to this day have a rocky relationship. There were at least a dozen different books announced at San Diego Comic Con this year that I still haven’t heard anything on since. No teasers or press releases, like they dropped right off the face of the Earth.

Nolan is looking to work around this problem by reaching out and contacting sites big and small to write, post, and talk about new projects. Nolan isn’t only marketing though, he also writes a wonderful independent book “Colonial Souls,” which is now on its first issue.

We caught up with Nolan via the wonders of the Internet to talk about his many comic projects, why manga about baseball isn’t boring, and — although we would never admit it – our borderline obsession with Brandon Graham.

10 Questions with Holly Golightly By Darrick Patrick

by admin

Holly Golightly (also known as Holly G!) is a professional artist and writer who mainly works within the comic book format.  She is the vice president of her husband Jim Balent’s company called Broadsword Comics as well as the colorist on Tarot, Witch of the Black Rose and the model for Tarot herself.  Her project titled School Bites is available as well.  Holly G! has also worked on characters/projects such as Vampfire, Cheryl Blossom, Josie And The Pussycats, Betty & Veronica, Cosmo Girl, and Sabrina, The Teenage Witch.  She consistently makes contributions to New Witch Magazine and has also done design work for the musician Thomas Dolby……

You can read the rest of the interview here 

10 Questions with Holly Golightly By Darrick Patrick

by admin

Holly Golightly (also known as Holly G!) is a professional artist and writer who mainly works within the comic book format.  She is the vice president of her husband Jim Balent’s company called Broadsword Comics as well as the colorist on Tarot, Witch of the Black Rose and the model for Tarot herself.  Her project titled School Bites is available as well.  Holly G! has also worked on characters/projects such as Vampfire, Cheryl Blossom, Josie And The Pussycats, Betty & Veronica, Cosmo Girl, and Sabrina, The Teenage Witch.  She consistently makes contributions to New Witch Magazine and has also done design work for the musician Thomas Dolby……

You can read the rest of the interview here 

Interview with Chris Eliopoulos

by admin

I spoke with professional illustrator, cartoonist, and comic creator Chris Eliopoulos about his career as an all ages comic creator. Chris is the creator of Okie Dokie Donuts out with Top Shelf currently. He has also worked with Oni Press, Yo Gabba Gabba!, Nick Jr., and Disney Animation Studios. There doesn’t seem to be anything this guy can’t do, we spoke about getting Okie Dokie Donuts published as well as his pitch styles for specifically all ages titles. I want to thank Chris again for taking the time for speaking with me. Enjoy the interview…

Read the rest of the interview here

Interview with Chris Eliopoulos

by admin

I spoke with professional illustrator, cartoonist, and comic creator Chris Eliopoulos about his career as an all ages comic creator. Chris is the creator of Okie Dokie Donuts out with Top Shelf currently. He has also worked with Oni Press, Yo Gabba Gabba!, Nick Jr., and Disney Animation Studios. There doesn’t seem to be anything this guy can’t do, we spoke about getting Okie Dokie Donuts published as well as his pitch styles for specifically all ages titles. I want to thank Chris again for taking the time for speaking with me. Enjoy the interview…

Read the rest of the interview here

Review: Penguins Vs Possums

by admin

When I first met Sebastian Kadlecik at the Southern California Creators Unite event, I was lucky enough to get a quick preview of the comic he had created with his partners John Bring and Lindsay Calhoon.  I was ecstatic over the idea of a comic featuring Penguins and Possums doing human things.

After reading the first as well as the second issue (which premires at Long Beach Comic Con this coming up weekend), I was conflicted.  I love the idea of this story.  The premise is Penguins and Possums have been eternally at war, for no reason other than they don’t like each other.  It is rich with a history that you know exists, but isn’t immediately shoved in your face, and characters that have potential to grow and expand.  However, I felt as though the relationships, the personalities and the story was a bit rushed.  It was difficult for me to take a definitive stance on whether or not I enjoyed this comic.

Technically speaking my only issue with the art was that the first issue was solely black and white and there was no grey scale, but was pleased to see that the second issue was in grey scale.  The black and white was very reminiscent of manga, and I found myself trying to read it right to left.  The grey scale helps to add to the over all mood of the comic.

What it does well is create a world and a situation that is so ridiculous and out there, but so serious and ernest in it’s mythos that it makes you forget that penguins and possums really haven’t been at war since the beginning of times.

As a huge fan of epic fantasy novels with strong tortured leads, I find myself wanting a more dynamic character with depth.  I am sure that as the story progresses each character will find their voice and they will start to develop naturally, but as of right now the character development feels a little forced.  This is something that can be fixed over time.

With an interesting concept that reminds me vaguely of Redwall and the potential to grow and improve, this comic has me interested.  I am genuinely excited to see how the writers and artists improve and grow within the stories.  The only thing I really hope I see is a slower pace in later issues.  These characters have a lot of potential, and I want to savor the development.

You can check out their website here:

Penguins Vs. Possums

And if you are going to Long Beach Comic Con, make sure to stop by and grab Issue One if you don’t have it, as well as Issue Two.

They will also be part of the Super Indie Comics Panel at noon on Sunday, so be sure to stop by and show some support.

Which side will you choose? 

Penguins or Possums?