Wes Locher's Blog, page 5
July 14, 2015
Unit 44 physical issues up for pre-order!
Word rolled in that the single issues of Unit 44 #1-4 have been shipped from the printer and are en route to my door!
If you’ve grabbed past issues at conventions/signings or if you’ve just had an interest in my silly comic about Area 51, government conspiracies, aliens and rednecks, head on over to my webstore where you can grab the issues for just $4 each or the whole 4-issue mini series for $15!
Get a preview of each issue by clicking over to www.unit44comic.com.
The books are scheduled to arrive later this week and as orders come in I’ll be dropping them in the mail and getting them to your doorstep. Each comic will be signed by me and I’ll even toss in a few other goodies!
Consider supporting me, artist Eduardo Jimenez and publisher Alterna Comics by grabbing the issues while they’re available.
If you are an early adopter of new technologies and don’t mind reading your comics digitally, you can save a little bit of scratch and get each issue for just $1.99 on ComiXology!
I’ll also have remaining copies of the entire series at the Panama City Creative Con (in Panama City, FL) on Saturday, Aug. 1.
While you’re at my webstore, consider checking out/picking up my other comic offerings including The Temporal (sci-fi one-shot), The Undoubtables (heist graphic novel) or Chambers (crime-fiction graphic novel). All proceeds go directly to keeping my self esteem in working order.
July 6, 2015
Unit 44 print issues coming soon!
For those of you who have messaged me about grabbing single issues of Unit 44 in print format, the wait is almost over!
A huge thanks to everyone who already picked up issue #1, issue #2 (or both, ideally) over the past year at various conventions, signings, etc. For those readers who many not be ready to embrace digital comics through ComiXology (along with other platforms) and prefer to do their reading in the physical form (aka in the bathroom) I’m excited to get the books into your hands soon enough!
The order went to the printer late last week and as soon as I receive shipping confirmation I will go into the Ye Olde Web Store and switch all the issues (plus the Unit 44 bundle where you can snag all 4 issues for one price) will go into pre-order mode!
Any copies I have left over from what I anticipate to be a Jingle all the Way-esque rush will be available at the Panama City CreativeCon (in Panama City, FL) on Saturday, Aug. 1!
Oh, by the way… tickets are now on sale for that shindig, so if you’re planning to go, get ’em while you can! Come say hi and meet some talented creative minds from around Northwest Florida.
June 26, 2015
Interview: Alterna Podcast
For those of you who were clamoring to hear another podcast interview with me, I was recently a guest on the Alterna Podcast with host Tim Browning!
As the official podcast of Alterna Comics, who published my irreverent sci-fi comedy series Unit 44, together Tim and I dug in on the genesis of the project, how I linked up with the talented Eduardo Jimenez (who provided art, colors, talent, moral support, laughs, etc.) and some of the classic comic tales from my personal library that helped to inspired the story.
I think it was a pretty darn good interview, myself. Even my pal Doug said it was one of the most coherent interviews I’ve ever given, so you know it has to be good.
You can download the podcast on iTunes/Stitcher under the Casual Heroes radio show, or keep it simple and listen online here: http://alternapodcast.com/2015/06/24/unit-44/
It’s guaranteed to keep you entertained for at least 40 minutes!
I really appreciate Tim for not only reading the series and sharing his honest feedback, but giving me the platform to reach a wider audience.
Once you’ve given it a listen, surf over to ComiXology and pick up issues #1-4 of Unit 44!
June 24, 2015
Unit 44 #4 now on ComiXology!
Today is the big day! The fourth (and final) issue of the sci-fi comedy comic book Unit 44 has hit the digital shelves today on ComiXology!
The best part? You can get this digital dreamboat for just $1.99 by clicking here!
In this installment readers will find out what happens when the alien invasion begins at Area 51 and Agent Hatch, along with rednecks Chester and Ike, must stave off the invaders long enough for Agent Gibson to recover the Freedahken crystal from madman Lance Albright. I mean, c’mon… it’s only the future of humanity at stake!
Huge thank yous go out to publisher Peter Simeti at Alterna Comics for supporting artist Eduardo Jimenez and I in this irreverent comic book journey. Maybe you should tune in just to see if Ed and I can stick the landing, eh?
Did you give it a read? Drop a comment and let us know what you thought!
(Of course, if you didn’t read issues #1-3 yet, you may want to start there. Grab ’em by clicking here!)
So what’s next for Unit 44? Fantastic question!
We’ll have a collected edition hitting ComiXology around September of 2015 and we’re getting together the deets on when the physical collection will hit comic stores in trade paperback form. For all you anticipators out there, anticipate sometime in early 2016 for that.
Ed and I have introduced you to our silly world of aliens, government agents and rednecks and we both hope it won’t be the last you see of them! We have lots of ideas, scripts and even new concept art created and we hope to revisit the Unit 44 universe in the not too distant future. Want to help us expedite that process? Tell your comic-lovin’ friends about Unit 44 and encourage them to give us a download on ComiXology. The more support we get, the faster we can bring you a volume 2!
So you want print copies of Unit 44, huh?
Of course you do!
So here’s the deal, I spent my weekend at the Ocala Comic Con where I met tons of nice people who were kind of enough to exchange their hard-earned money for print editions of Unit 44. So many, in fact, that I have a whopping ZERO copies of them left.
Don’t fret — I will be ordering copies new print copies of #1-4 very soon and I anticipate having them in stock in my web store in early July. I’ll even be selling a bundle where you can get all the issues for one insanely low price. I’ll drop a post once they’re in my hands so you don’t miss out.
A big thanks to everyone keeping the print tradition alive. I’m excited to get the latest installments to your mailbox!
If you have questions, just drop a line.
Thanks for reading Unit 44 and thanks for being awesome.
June 17, 2015
Ocala Comic Con this weekend!
For those in the Central Florida area who might be looking to get out and about this weekend to take in some nerd culture, I’ll be a guest at the third annual Ocala Comic Con in (where else) Ocala, Florida.
The two-day show, being held Saturday June 20 and Sunday, June 21, will take over the Hilton Hotel and feature comic creators, artists, vendors, voiceover actors and more!
Card and video game tournaments, costume contests, raffles will be held throughout the day… you know… if that’s your thing.
I believe I’ll also be taking part in the Indie Artist Panel on Sunday. I can’t wait to see the looks on everyone’s face when I have to come clean that I’m not an artist! I’m joking of course. It’s going to be awesome.
The city of Ocala has always been generous to me and my creativity, so I’m anxious to return with some crazy comics. With nearly 2,000 tickets sold, I’ll be excited to see just how comic book crazy Ocala can get!
Since I was sort of a last minute addition to this show I don’t have full stocks on everything, but will have copies of Chambers, The Undoubtables, Musings on Minutiae, The Temporal, RDSL Chronicles #1 and very limited supplies of Unit 44 #1 & 2 (if you want Unit 44, make my table your first stop!).
Come hang out, meet like minded people and celebrate what you dig.
Get all the info by clicking over to www.ocalacomiccon.net.
June 15, 2015
Adrift now available on ComiXology
June has been a busy month!
Even though my short comic Monster Day was released last week and the final issue of Unit 44 hits next week, in a strange twist of fate I had another story hit the digital shelves today! It’s been a busy couple weeks!
This time out you can grab my 4-page comic Adrift, co-created with artist extraordinaire Alex Diotto for FREE on ComiXology.
Adrift is the lead story in the Titan Comics “Lost in Space” anthology. It features six shorts from up-and-coming talent from around the world and an absolutely awesome cover by artist Sean Phillips!
The winners of the anthology were announced during Lancaster Comics Day 2015 held June 14 in the UK. If you’d like to read the official press release (and learn a bit more about some of the talented people involved) give this link the old clickity click.
This anthology is the culmination of last year’s Titan Comics Undiscovered Talent Competition.
PREVIOUSLY…
Last year Titan Comics teamed up with the Lakes International Comic Art Festival to search out new talent. Artists, writers and writer/artists were invited to pitch 4-6 completed comics with the theme of (you guessed it) lost in space. The entries were judged first by the Lakes International crew and the finalists were sent on to the editors at Titan Comics for the final decision.
In September 2014 Alex and I learned we had been one of the winning strips, but it’s exciting to finally be able to share it!
What’s it all about? Good question!
After becoming lost in space, two astronauts must stop and ask directions from a group of aliens aboard a nearby warship.
It’s silly, it’s irreverent and it’s absolutely gorgeous.
Grab it on ComiXology! Did I mention it’s FREE? Probably!
Do I know how long it will be available for free? No I do not!
Click here or on the cover above to get it!
Hurry!!
June 5, 2015
Monster Day now in print!
Last year I contributed to another anthology from the fine folks over at GrayHaven Comics, and today the book has finally hit the shelves.
Consider picking up the new Li’l Kaiju anthology, an all ages comic, which features the work of some awesome and talented folks. My story is a 4-page short called Monster Day, which features art by Randy Z. Ochoa and colors by Jeremy Treece. The book was edited by James O’Callaghan and the steadfast Erica Heflin, one of the nicest people in indie comics.
Monster Day tells the story of what happens when instead of a snow day, students at an elementary school experience their first monster day. Much hilarity ensues.
Forget for one moment that I have a story in this collection… you’ll also get tales by my pals Chip Reece and Marc Lombardi and a cover by Donal Delay (who contributed a great Unit 44 pinup that appeared in the back of issue #3).
How could you pass this up?
I’ve read a few of the stories and I think this volume will really shine. I’m looking forward to grabbing the finished product.
Get your hands on a print copy of this 33-page collection for just $3.99 over at the GrayHaven Comics webstore.
Grab some other books while you’re there. You can’t go wrong. (If it helps, I also contributed shorts to their Public Domain, Spies, Survival, Crime and Sci-Fi 2 anthologies.)
Comics!!
May 29, 2015
Unit 44 #3 now on ComiXology!
Have you heard the news? The third issue of the sci-fi comedy comic book Unit 44 is rocking digital shelves today on ComiXology!
Readers can check out the second issue of the four issue miniseries for just $1.99 by clicking here!
In this installment readers will find out what happens when needy aliens decide to invade Earth, how to deal with an insane elderly fella and they’ll see if Gibson and Hatch can finally work as a team. WARNING: Gratuitous use of jetpacks within!
As always, a huge thanks goes out to our publisher Peter Simeti at Alterna Comics for supporting artist Eduardo Jimenez and I in this silly, over-the-top endeavor. The silly gets cranked up to 11 for this installment (and it just might be my favorite chapter of the series).
Did you give it a read? Drop a comment and let us know what you thought!
(Of course, if you didn’t read issues #1 or 2 yet, you may want to start there. Grab ’em by clicking here!)
May 26, 2015
Unit 44 #3 releases Wednesday!
Ready for round 3?
Keep your eye on ComiXology on Wednesday because Unit 44 #3 will be hitting digital stands courtesy of Alterna Comics!
What happens in part 3?
With the extraterrestrial invasion of Earth imminent, Agents Gibson and Hatch make a final play to recover the Freedahken crystal from Lance Albright. To no one’s surprise, the agents wind up in over their heads as the former Area 51 agent uses the crystal to launch a counter attack on the alien who ruined his life.
WARNING: This issue contains gratuitous use of jetpacks!
A huge thanks to everyone who took the time to read issues #1 & 2 of my silly sci-fi/comedy series with artist Eduardo Jimenez. We’re pleased to have unleashed it upon you and from what we’ve heard, people are thoroughly enjoying them!
If you haven’t had the chance to check out the issues yet, you can download ’em on ComiXology for just $1.99: https://www.comixology.com/Unit-44/comics-series/42720
Last week I chatted with Aaron Sullivan at ComicCrusaders.com about Unit 44, writing comedy and what readers can expect from issue #3. It was a fun chat. You can give it a read by clicking here.
“One thing’s for certain… if the series ever got a film or animation treatment I would lobby as hard as I could for Patrick Warburton to play Agent Hatch.” – Me discussing which actors could bring Unit 44 characters to life on the big screen.
Those with a ComicsFix subscription (it’s like the NetFlix for indie comics) can now read Unit 44 #1 & 2 on the platform. Let me know what you think! https://comicsfix.com/books/unit-44-1 and https://comicsfix.com/books/unit-44-2
Want to check out a 3-page preview of the latest issue? Surf over to www.unit44comic.com for a sneak peek!
May 15, 2015
Unit 44 #2: Review Roundup
Since the release of Unit 44 #2 on ComiXology, Kindle, Nook and ComicsFix, we’ve been treated to some wonderful review of the the silly sci-fi so far.
Below are a sampling of the kind words reviewers have shared. Haven’t read it yet? Grab the issue on ComiXology for just $1.99!
“This is a fun book and I have no problem giving this to my kids to check out.” – The Gravy Age
“Locher maintains the slapstick-style comedy of buddy agents Gibson and Hatch, which easily keeps the pace of the comic moving and this reader chuckling incessantly.” – FanboyComics.net
“There’s a real story being told and it’s a good one. It had me in stitches by the third page.” – Small Press Comics Review
“Unit 44 remains an out of this world story that offers up a lot of laughs.” – ScreenGonzo.com
“Unit 44 #2 manages to take the joke-a-minute style of the first issue and streamline it into an engaging story.” – CC2KOnline.com
Click the links provided to read the full reviews! If you’ve read our second issue, be sure to share your thoughts with myself and Ed! We’d love to hear what you think.
Issue #3 of Unit 44 hits ComiXology on Wednesday, May 27!
