Jim Zub's Blog, page 112

Dungeons & Dragons Comics Return in April!

I’m thrilled to announce that DUNGEONS & DRAGONS comics make their triumphant return in April and I’m writing the new series! The gang at Wizards of the Coast have been incredibly supportive and we have tons of great stuff planned. Make sure you pre-order it from your local comic retailer.

Here’s the solicitation to the first issue:

Dungeons & Dragons #1

Writer: Jim Zub

Artist: Nelson Daniel

Cover: Max Dunbar

MINSC AND BOO ARE BACK and things have never looked more dire, as mysterious forces draw the legendary ranger and his crew of adventurers to RAVENLOFT, the Realm of Terror… where they find themselves face to face with undead horrors in the land of eternal night!

Full Color • 40 pages • $4.99

• Jim Zub (Wayward, Samurai Jack) returns with a perfect jumping-on point, continuing the adventures of the team introduced in the hit Legends of Baldur’s Gate!

• Introducing the dramatic style of artist Nelson Daniel (Judge Dredd)!

• Minsc and Boo are cult favorite characters from the best-selling Baldur’s Gate video game series which has sold millions of copies around the world.

• Variant cover of amazing Ravenloft art featuring Count Strahd von Zarovich!

It’s Been Quite a Journey…

Yesterday saw the arrival of Figment 2 #5, the final part of the Legacy of Imagination mini-series, wrapping up my story of Dreamfinder, Figment, and their new friends.

When Bill Rosemann first contacted me back in December 2013 to see if I’d be interested in brainstorming material for a possible comic based on Epcot’s Journey Into Imagination attraction, I had no way of knowing how enjoyable a ride we were about to embark upon. Working with the Disney Imagineering team, collaborating with amazing artists Filipe Andrade, Jean-Francois Beaulieu, John Tyler Christopher, and Ramon Bachs to build a new mythology for Disney World’s gleeful adventure-seeking mascot…It’s been a blast.

Between the two mini-series we utilized almost all the story material I brainstormed for my initial pitch to Bill. Having both stories be so well received by Disney fans, the Imagineers, and the original creators and actors of the attraction has been incredible.

Thank you to Bill Rosemann, David Gabriel, Mark Basso, and Emily Shaw at Marvel and Brian Crosby, Tom Morris, and Josh Shipley at Disney for their support and guidance.

Putting together a whimsical adventure story like Figment that can be enjoyed by kids and parents alike pushed me as a writer more than I expected. Underneath my pragmatic and cynical defenses I found my own well of creative inspiration. I won’t soon forget that.

There aren’t any current plans for more Figment comics, but the hardcover collection of the second series arrives in March. I’m hoping continued interest in the story from Disney and the Disney World fan base will keep both books in print for many years to come. Thank you for supporting the series so enthusiastically and sharing it with your loved ones.

Year In Review

Here we go again, a look at my year in review. I’ve been doing this on my blog for the past few years (2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014). It’s a nice way to sum up my thoughts on the year that was and take in the ups and downs that came with it.

2015 was a bit bumpy in spots, but on the whole things are rolling along. It felt like a transitional year, building momentum for new things to come in 2016.

Stacy and I are doing really well. Having a bit of time over the holidays to step back and realize how fortunate we are was really nice. Our marriage is strong and that stability permeates so many other aspects of our life.

Throwing my back out in October (after struggling with aches and pains through August and September) was a wake up call on my health. Physiotherapy and regular stretching is helping a lot and it doesn’t look like I’ll need back surgery. I need to make sure I don’t ignore my body in the future. I’m turning 40 in 2016 so it’s something I need to pay a lot more attention to. Message received.

Over at Seneca we rolled out the biggest curriculum change since I took over as Coordinator of the Animation program back in 2006 and, barring a few equipment/technical glitches it seems to be going really well. The faculty are easing into the adjusted schedule and students seem to be enjoying the new options we have available to them. I’m teaching the new Portfolio Development course for the first time starting in January, so that should be a neat challenge.

On the creative front it was all about wrapping things up. The final issue of Skullkickers arrived in August (though it will keep serializing for free online until March 2016), completing a five year journey with Edwin, Misty, and Marshall that’s really changed my life. Building that body of work and proving I could deliver a professional quality comic has lead to dozens of other freelance opportunities and been an incredibly creatively fulfilling experience. It felt strange to finally finish it off, but also very satisfying.

Samurai Jack also wrapped up with #20. At the time it looked like that issue might be the last that people saw of the time-traveling samurai, but earlier this month Cartoon Network surprised everyone with an announcement of a new season coming next year. What that means for the comic stories or my involvement is still up in the air but, as both a fan and a small contributor to the whole, I’m excited to see what Genndy and company has planned.

Wayward continues at a good pace and all of us on the team are pumped for people to see what we have planned in the new year. The story is a roller coaster ride of ideas, the hardest thing I’ve written so far, and knowing that we’re building this without the safety net of an established property is scary and exciting. Although I have an end in mind as we work away on the series, I don’t have a set number of issues for the middle. Our fingers are crossed that reader support continues and we can have a long and healthy run.

I have a new creator-owned project that’s been percolating since September and is now gaining momentum. The story and mood are something really different from what I’ve done before and the artist I’m working with (a newcomer) is going to knock people’s socks off. I also have a couple work-for-hire commercial projects in development and I’m pretty sure one of those will be announced in the next few weeks. Good stuff coming in the spring and summer.

Otherwise, Stacy and I are planning a major trip for the summer. Every fourth year at the college I get a sabbatical term, four months to step away from teaching. We’re planning to head to Japan for over a month, doing research and working on our creative projects, but also settling in a bit and enjoying the day to day life in one of our favorite places. There’s a ton of work to get done before then, but I know in the back of my mind I’ll be quietly counting down the days.

Two goals for the new year:

• Focus on what I can do instead of things out of my control. It’s so easy to get pulled into a whirlwind of frustration and regret wondering why things aren’t going the way I expect or wishing things were different, but it’s not productive. Next year I want to make an even greater effort to stay focused on my own growth and let the rest roll on.

• Make sure my family, friends, and collaborators know they’re valued. I work and spend time with so many amazing people and it’s important to let them know how important they are to me. I always feel it but next year I want to make greater efforts in expressing it.

Pencil and Ink Interview

The gang at Pencil and Ink Reviews interviewed me about Wayward, creator-owned comics, and what’s coming up in 2016. It was a nice way to wrap up the year. Give it a listen!

Wayward and Skullkickers on ‘Best Of’ Lists for 2015

As 2015 comes to a close it was a real pleasure seeing some of the comics I worked on this year pop up on annual ‘Best Of’ lists. Here are a few standouts:

• Comics Alliance nominated WAYWARD in two categories for their Best of 2015 awards: ‘Best Fantasy Comic‘ and ‘Best Comic For Teens‘. SKULLKICKERS was nominated for ‘Best Comedy Comic‘.

• Comic Attack nominated the WAYWARD creative team for ‘Best Indie Artist‘, ‘Best Indie Writer‘, ‘Best Ongoing Indie Series‘, and ‘Best Colorist‘, the end of SKULLKICKERS for ‘Best Comic Moment‘ and SAMURAI JACK for ‘Best Licensed Series‘.

• Bleeding Cool included WAYWARD Volume 1: String Theory on their ’11 Best Graphic Novels of 2015′ list.

• Review aggregator Comic Roundup listed their 20 Highest Reviewed Comic Series for 2015 and WAYWARD made the list at #9.

WAYWARD #12 Reviews

Wayward #12 arrived in comic shops on December 16th and the excitement for our third story arc continues…

• Big Glasgow: 9.5/10 “Wayward is a series that reserves tons of surprises – all positive. Get into it!”

• Bleeding Cool: “This was a truly exciting issue filled with just the right amount of action and emotion.”

• Comic Bastards: 8/10 “Wayward is a rare book these days that is very clear on its strengths.”

• Comix I Read: 10/10 “it’s compelling to see such an insightful and well told story “

• Fandom Post: “This installment gives us some solid material all around”

• Geeked Out Nation: 8.4/10 “Wayward #12 gets back to why this series is an acclaimed supernatural spectacle.”

• Living Myth: “Buy the book. Buy it. Buy it and love it forever.”

• Multiversity: “This is still one of the best and most unique ongoings happening right now and each month”

• Omni Jer Bear: “Really captivating. I’m curious where this is going in this arc.”

• Pop Optiq: 9/10 “Jim Zub’s fast paced, witty script continues to read very comfortably, proving Zub’s voice as one to really consider as one of the more refreshing and confident creators in comics today.”

• Pulp Media: “I would argue that this is one of the best issues of Wayward that have been produced.”

• Snap Pow: 8.5/10 “buy this comic because it’s awesome and cherish its contents for the brilliant visual worked locked in with its expanding narrative.”

• TM Stash: 9/10 “…one of the very best titles of 2015, never letting the reader go”

• Under the Comic Covers: “I love this book and love this issue.”

Panel Audio: Creators Own Worlds

Over on Image Comics they’ve posted up audio from the Image: Where Creators Own Worlds panel at New York Comic Con with Declan Shalvey (Injection), Marjorie Liu (Monstress), Antony Johnston (The Fuse), Bryan Hill (Postal), and me, hosted by David Brothers.

WAYWARD #15 Arrives in March!

Arriving in March, pre-order now!

WAYWARD #15

STORY: JIM ZUB

ART / COVER A: STEVEN CUMMINGS & TAMRA BONVILLAIN

COVER B: ILYA KUVSHINOV

MARCH 23, 2016 / 32 PAGES / FC / M / $3.50

END OF STORY ARC!

The third story arc’s explosive finish. All paths lead to war.

COVER A is part five of a five-part panorama. Buy all five cover A issues of this arc to fit them together into a massive WAYWARD illustration.

COVER B is by renowned illustrator Ilya Kuvshinov.

Figment 2 Hardcover in March!

Arriving in March…Pre-order now!

FIGMENT 2: LEGACY OF IMAGINATION HC

Written by JIM ZUB

Penciled by RAMON BACHS

Cover by JOHN TYLER CHRISTOPHER

The legendary Dreamfinder and unforgettable Figment return in an all-new adventure! Together, they saved the world — but now they find themselves in a time and place not their own! As the pair adapt to a new era, steampunk adventure collides with modern technology as a shadowy threat emerges. Mysteries unfold, old friends return, and fresh challenges present themselves — but Dreamfinder’s greatest test lies ahead. Will his own legacy be his undoing? While the creative minds of the Academy Scientifica-Lucidus fall under a cloud of doubt, a new dreamer joins the journey. Together, can the imaginative team save the school and free their friends, or will the world fall into darkness for all eternity?

Don’t miss this sequel based on the beloved “Journey Into Imagination” attraction at Walt Disney World! Collecting FIGMENT 2 #1-5.

136 PGS./All Ages …$24.99

ISBN: 978-0-7851-9847-5

Trim size: oversized

Figment 2: Legacy of Imagination
(issues #1-5)
Figment and Dreamfinder have saved the world but now find themselves in a time and place not their own! Out of time for over 100 years, old friends reunite, new challenges are met, and a brand new mystery unfolds. Dreamfinder’s greatest challenge lies ahead but will his own legacy be his undoing?

PRE-ORDER

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Barnes & Noble

Book Depository

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comiXology

Chatting on Comic Booked

I was a guest on the Comic Booked podcast talking about Figment, Wayward, Skullkickers, and more. Click and listen!