Robert Kirkman's Blog, page 56

Behind the Covers of Horizon

Last week we showed you what it takes to go from sketch to fully realized cover for Thief of Thieves. This week, we asked Horizon writer, Brandon Thomas, to share with us some thoughts on the first covers for the series. We’ve also got your first exclusive look at the cover for issue 6! See what Brandon has to say below and let us know which cover you like the most in the comments.

Brandon Thomas: It took us a while to get this one just right, but what we landed on exceeded my wildest expectations. The name that instantly came to mind when Jason Howard’s first sketches came in was Saul Bass. Cool, angular, sexy, and abstract weren’t words I imagined describing the covers for Horizon, but it seems like the most natural and obvious decision in the world now. This is an unconventional book with a premise and cast to match, and it needed something like this to really grab people’s attention and force them to dive into the glorious art by Juan Gedeon, Frank Martin, and Rus Wooton.

Since it’s the first cover, this will likely be the defining piece of promo artwork for the series, and it’s somehow simple and enormously complex at the same time. One woman against a world, armed with almost nothing but her own self-righteousness, standing on a planet of the dead with a survival state of mind. It tells you everything in one image, but it doesn’t explain it, which is our job once Jason has convinced you to crack open the comic and peek inside. Once we get to the point where this is getting blown up on posters, or on the side of the Skybound booth at shows, it’s going to be serious emotions all around.

But this got us off to an excellent start, didn’t it?

Brandon Thomas: Love, love, LOVE this cover, and it’s a clear reminder to never leave a good idea behind. A few of the roughs for #1 included a subtle skull shape resting on the image of Earth, but it seemed one tiny detail too many. So instead that idea mutated and exploded into what Jason delivered here, and I’m sure we can agree that it’s again amazing. Projecting the skull into the sky and contrasting that giant, ominous image over our smaller main characters gives this cover a cool double meaning. Does the skull refer to their adversaries on Earth, and the fact they’re hopelessly outnumbered and somewhat in over their heads, or is it more a subtle projection of their own will and intentions to tear our world down around us? Love stuff like that.

Brandon Thomas: I call this one “needle point” in my head, and it just makes me feel bad for some of the punishment heaped upon one of our main characters. Someone had to draw the short straw, and it’s definitely Finn in this case, so expect this image and the moments it’s alluding to to become an even larger aspect of the book going forward. His ordeal while captured by Earth’s forces changes the entire dynamic within the group, how he views himself and his team/family, and a host of other dramatic shifts. Every time I look at this cover what I really feel is dread, because the worst is not even close to here. Mild spoiler for this issue: major, major villain steps onto the scene for the first time.

Brandon Thomas: Another great image that can be “read” a few different ways. Is that a massive cloud up in the sky there, or a booming explosion? However it feels or looks to you absolutely works, and the circuitry filling the background is yet another nice detail that suggests something, without telling you outright what it really means. Big idea we’re always playing with in Horizon is that “nothing is as it seems,” and Jason keeps turning in covers that operate on multiple layers. More lovely work.

Brandon Thomas: Tide begins to turn here, and after getting separated, captured, beaten up, and chased around, our Valian insurgents begin to land their first solid blows. We’ve talked about propaganda ads and recruitment posters a lot, and this has that kind of feel to me, something triumphant and overly confident. We played with a couple different color combinations, but the white figure looked particularly striking coming through the red. Also, really love the purplish background and the scrolling text, which gives us another great bit of texture and provides a subtle clue to what’s going down during this issue.

Brandon Thomas: Can’t say too much about this one except that it’s my absolute favorite thus far. This came from another brilliant sketch by Jason, which was almost used much earlier. We decided to hold it back for a few reasons, most of them major spoilers, but ultimately because this is the end of our first arc and we wanted to end it with a serious bang. Everything about Horizon #6 is monumental and epic, and it’s by far the best issue yet, so it deserved a cover that raised eyebrows and demands to be picked up off the shelf. Just don’t skip to the end!

Thief of Thieves Cover Process

In honor of Thief of Thieves #34 being released this week, we asked series artist Shawn Martinbrough to share his process on creating the stunning covers for the series. Here’s your chance to see the progression from sketch to inks to colors by Adriano Lucas to final dressed version! Below are the covers for issues #32-#34 the first 3 parts of the current “Gold Rush” story arc. Click the images to enlarge for full detail!

Thief of Thieves #32:

         

Thief of Thieves #33:

         

Thief of Thieves #34

         

Red Flags Card Game at SDCC

American actor Zack Pearlman hangs out with Bree Essrig, Bonnie Gordon, and Xander Jeanneret on the Skybound Livestream as they play Red Flags with creator Darin Ross! Watch the players battle to find the perfect date for one another in the fun-filled card game!

Out This Week: Invincible #130! Outcast #20! Thief of Thieves #34!

Another week, another set of awesome comics for you guys from us here at Skybound! It’s a big week so let’s get to it:

Invincible #130 continues the story leading into our recently announced “The End of All Things”. We know you’re all bummed about the end of Invincible, but there’s still a ton of story to go. Don’t miss this issue!

Outcast #20 is also out this week. Time to check in on what’s happening while Kyle is indisposed. If you’re a fan of the tv show (wasn’t that season finale nuts?!) this’ll help hold you over til season 2.

Thief of Thieves has part 3 of Gold Rush. If you haven’t been reading this arc, now’s the time to catch up on all the action. See a preview of the book below!

INVINCIBLE #130

STORY: ROBERT KIRKMAN

ART: CORY WALKER & NATHAN FAIRBAIRN

COVER: RYAN OTTLEY & JEAN-FRANCOIS BEAULIEU

AUGUST 17 | 24 PAGES | FULL COLOR | TEEN+ | $2.99

Mark didn’t want to ever return to Earth… but now he finds himself face to face with Robot, and no matter how hard he tries he just can’t forget all the evil he has done. This could get ugly.

OUTCAST BY KIRKMAN & AZACETA #20

STORY: ROBERT KIRKMAN

ART/COVER: PAUL AZACETA & ELIZABETH BREITWEISER

AUGUST 24 | 32 PAGES | FULL COLOR | MATURE | $2.99

A POWER EXPOSED

Allison is learning that there is in fact something very special about her daughter. But where is Kyle?

THIEF OF THIEVES #34

STORY: ANDY DIGGLE

ART/COVER: SHAWN MARTINBROUGH & ADRIANO LUCAS

AUGUST 24 | 32 PAGES | FULL COLOR | MATURE | $2.99

“GOLD RUSH” Part 3 of 6

The world’s three greatest thieves beg, borrow and steal to infiltrate London’s Shard skyscraper in the first leg of their heist—where reputation has no value, and honor is disposable.



      

Superfight w/ Swiftor & Ezekiel at SDCC

Watch as Swiftor, Ezekiel III, Jeff Leach, and Peter Jaggard argue in a game of Superfight: The Video Game! Check out the interactive version of the super awesome card game, which is available to play on Steam now!

November 2016 Books Announced! Solicits!

August is almost over which means it’s time for new solicits! We’ve submitted our November books (no advanced solicits for December) for retailers to check out/order and that means we’re sharing them with you too. Lots of awesome comics for you this month including out first Outcast Hardcover!

DEMONIC #4 (of 6)

STORY: CHRISTOPHER SEBELA

ART/COVER: NIKO WALTER & DAN BROWN

NOVEMBER 16

32 PAGES | Full Color | Mature | $2.99

Scott Graves has no use for the law or his own soul. Not when New York’s Finest hunt him every night. Not when corruption and violence has become the only way to survive.

GREEN VALLEY #2 (of 9)

STORY: MAX LANDIS

ART/COVER: GIUSEPPE CAMUNCOLI, CLIFF RATHBURN & JEAN-FRANCOIS BEAULIEU

NOVEMBER 9

32 PAGES | Full Color | Teen+ | $2.99

“Then came a boy…”

Max Landis & Giuseppe Camuncoli’s epic adventure continues!

HORIZON #5

STORY: BRANDON THOMAS

ART: JUAN GEDEON & FRANK MARTIN

COVER: JASON HOWARD

NOVEMBER 16

32 PAGES | Full Color | Teen+ | $2.99

There’s an interrogation underway. The truth will be rewarded, and lies? Lies are expected. The Earth is full of liars and out of second chances.

INVINCIBLE #133

STORY: ROBERT KIRKMAN

ART & COVER: RYAN OTTLEY & JEAN-FRANCOIS BEAULIEU

NOVEMBER 16

24 PAGES | Full Color | Teen+ | $2.99

THE END OF ALL THINGS part 1 of 12

Ryan Ottley returns as THE END OF ALL THINGS begins. This twelve-part mega-story will touch every corner of the Invincible Universe and when it’s over… IT’S OVER. Every single story for the past thirteen years has been leading up to this.

OUTCAST BY KIRKMAN & AZACETA #23

STORY: ROBERT KIRKMAN

ART/COVER: PAUL AZACETA & ELIZABETH BREITWEISER

NOVEMBER 23

32 PAGES | Full Color | Mature | $2.99

“The Darkest Before”

What was once trapped in shadow is out in the open… and it is about to overwhelm Kyle Barnes.

OUTCAST BY KIRKMAN & AZACETA VOL. 1 HC

STORY: ROBERT KIRKMAN

ART/COVER: PAUL AZACETA & ELIZABETH BREITWEISER

NOVEMBER 2

296 PAGES | Full Color | Mature | $34.99

This hardcover features the first 12 issues of the hit comic book series, along with covers and a sketchbook, in one oversized hardcover volume. Perfect for long time readers and fans of the Cinemax TV show.

THIEF OF THIEVES #37

STORY: ANDY DIGGLE

ART/COVER: SHAWN MARTINBROUGH & ADRIANO LUCAS

NOVEMBER 23

32 PAGES | Full Color | Mature | $2.99

“GOLD RUSH” Part 6 of 6

The inevitable betrayal, an unexpected reward, and the moon landing of crime: the race to crown the greatest thief in the world crosses the finish line!

THE WALKING DEAD #160

STORY: ROBERT KIRKMAN

ART: CHARLIE ADLARD, STEFANO GAUDIANO & CLIFF RATHBURN

COVER A: CHARLIE ADLARD & DAVE STEWART

COVER B: ARTHUR ADAMS & NATHAN FAIRBAIRN

NOVEMBER 2

32 PAGES | Black & White | Mature | $2.99

THE WHISPERER WAR PART 4

The war rages on.

Critical Miss w/ Mike Falzone & Rooster Teeth at SDCC

Mike Falzone hosts the show Critical Miss on the Skybound Livestream as he plays the Star Trek board game with Youtuber Zombi Unicorn and Adam Kovic, Bruce Greene, and James Willems of Funhaus & Rooster Teeth! Critical Miss highlights tabletop games that didn’t quite hit the mark, and have been forgotten about… until today! Watch the gang play the vintage 1979 Trekky game and work there way through it!

Critical Miss w/ Mike Falzone at SDCC

Mike Falzone (super awesome funny dood) hosts the show Critical Miss on the Skybound Livestream as he plays the Dark Crystal board game with Mike Diva, Jan-Michael Losada, Sam Gorski, and Niko Pueringer. Critical Miss highlights tabletop games that didn’t quite hit the mark, and have been forgotten about… until today! Watch the trio play the old-school game and figure it out as they go!

The Heroes of Horizon

Have your hearts been captured by the characters of Horizon? Ours too. But just in case you need a refresher, here’s a breakdown of everything we know from the first two issues.

Zhia Malen

Commander

Although there are only two issues out so far, Zhia Malen is quickly setting herself up as a contender for favorite comic book heroine. If she’s not, then what are you reading? Because it’s not Horizon!

Zhia’s an alien on a mission to destroy the planet Earth, and stop it from invading her own planet Valius. We first meet her when her spaceship crashes in a frozen lake. Despite being stranded in a hostile environment, she never panics. As she navigates the human world we see that there’s very little that will stand in Zhia’s way. She’s willing to do whatever it takes in order to achieve her goals, and she’s not sorry about it. But her first goal is just finding her teammates. They’re the first thing on her mind once she comes out of a lake, and they’re her constant destination through the entire first two issues. Although she may never say it, Zhia’s motto is “no man left behind”.

But none of this would be possible without the high-tech suit that Zhia wears, as well as tech that Zhia is toting around in her head. The brain surgery, though dangerous, has left her with what seems like a computer in her brain. This allows her to do things like hack into peoples’ bank accounts as she passes them in the super market, as well as use a sort of internal GPS. Most importantly, the tech in her brain means that Zhia isn’t just an alien – she’s an alien cyborg. Which is awesome.

Mariol

Tech

 

Mariol is a woman of few words, but as the tech expert of the team she’s the one Zhia goes to first after they all land on earth. She’s the only one who is able to fix the computer in Zhia’s head – probably because she’s the one who put it in there in the first place – and her main function in their raid on the barn where they believe their teammate Finn is being kept is to control a reconfigured drone that she built.

But being the tech expert might not be the only reason Zhia seeks her out first. Mariol’s human disguise is that of an old lady, and while we know there’s something dangerous lurking beneath the surface, she does seem to fill in a family role for our stalwart commander. She held Zhia’s hand during surgery and is the only member of the team to receive a hug form Zhia. Yet Zhia still ranks above her – will this complicated relationship become a liability?

Sherrie

Muscle

 

We don’t know much about Sherrie yet as she’s only been around for one issue, but we do know she’s got muscles, and she’s not afraid to use them. Sherrie seems to navigate through the city by pure strength alone in a way your average parkour enthusiast could only dream of, and she takes down almost an entire gang of humans by herself while barely breaking a sweat. Her super human strength may come from a Valian advantage, but there’s no doubt that Sherrie is someone who puts in her time at the gym.

She also seems to be the most emotional member of the team, getting into fights with Zhia several times. When they track Finn’s signal to a barn in issue two, Sherrie is immediately ready to run in and save him, completely swept up in her concern for his safety and rage over his kidnapping. Despite the fact that Finn’s absence must weigh heavily on every member of the team, it is only Sherrie who breaks down when they don’t find him. Is Sherrie the heart of the team as well as the muscle?

Finn

???

 

At the end of issue two we meet the fourth and final dot on the map; Finn, who checked in red because he was taken hostage by the humans. But who is Finn? Ultimately, he creates more questions than he answers.

We know he’s an important member of the team. He’s only appeared in two pages without any lines, and yet he’s firmly been established as someone Zhia, Sherrie, and Mariol are willing to go to the ends of the Earth for. But if Zhia is the leader, Mariol is the tech support, and Sherrie is the tank, where does Finn fit in?

Finn gives us another insight to the team’s background when Zhia pacifies Sherrie with the knowledge that he’s had “training to survive” – just like the rest of them. What did this training consist of? What was exactly that called this group together, and set them off towards Earth? What were they prepared to find?

Of course the biggest question Finn raised – how did the humans know he was coming, and what do they want with him?

Thanks to series artist Juan Gedeon for the concept art in this article! Horizon #1 and #2 are now available wherever fine comic books are sold.

Superfight w/ Michael Rooker, Kyla Kenedy & Gabriel Bateman at SDCC!

Superfight: The Card Game on the Skybound Livestream with Michael Rooker, Kyla Kenedy & Gabriel Bateman! Watch the cast members from The Walking Dead & Outcast play the game of absurd arguments!