Jim Zub's Blog, page 125
February 19, 2015
Geek Nerd Net Interview
Chris Doucher at GeekNerdNet interviewed me about comic writing, Conan-Red Sonja, my upcoming Vertigo short story, convention season, tutorials, and more, all in 15 minutes. click on through and give it a listen.
Totoro-Inspired Wayward Variant Cover
Our pals at Third Eye Comics in Annapolis, Maryland are putting together a special event to celebrate International Tabletop Day on April 11th and I’ll be there signing and sketching up a storm. To help commemorate the event they’re also putting together a store-specific variant cover of WAYWARD #6 you can only get at their shop.
When Steve at Third Eye contacted me about the event and variant, he had a specific concept in mind – Since Wayward is focused on Japan, let’s do a playful riff on a Studio Ghibli image using Wayward. As soon as he suggested it, I knew what we should do.
The original My Neighbor Totoro poster is beautiful, iconic, and wonderfully cute. I asked Steve Cummings and Tamra Bonvillain to do up a version with Ayane and a giant cat waiting at a bus stop in the city and here’s the amazing result:
The Japanese on our cover loosely reads “My Neighbour Wayward”.
If you live anywhere near Annapolis, Maryland make sure you mark Tabletop Day on your calendar and come out for the big event. You can get this Ghibli-inspired special cover, meet me, and try out board games and card games aplenty. A day full of games, comics, and tons of fun!
February 18, 2015
Skullkickers Interview on Dynamic Forces
The gang at Dynamic Forces interview me about the final arc of SKULLKICKERS. We talk a bit about five years of fantasy fun and what comes next.
Samurai Jack #20 Solicitation
Arriving in May. Pre-order now!
You can read more about my thoughts on the comic series ending HERE.
SAMURAI JACK #20
Jim Zub (w)
Andy Suriano (a & c)
FINAL ISSUE.
A scribe named Mako has heard many strange stories of the great hero known only as “Jack.” Mako’s journey to record the truth of the samurai reveals a fascinating look at his legacy and possible future: Jack the King. Jack the General. Jack the Legend.
FC • 32 pages • $3.99
February 17, 2015
Skullkickers #33 Solicitation
Arriving in May. Pre-order now!
SKULLKICKERS #33
story: JIM ZUB
art: EDWIN HUANG & MISTY COATS
cover: EDWIN HUANG & JEFF “CHAMBA” CRUZ
MAY 27 / 32 PAGES / FC / T / $3.50
“INFINITE ICONS OF THE ENDLESS EPIC” Part Three
Double, double, toil and trouble… heroes burn and dimensions bubble!
This issue has the second of two connecting gatefold covers by Edwin Huang and Jeff “Chamba” Cruz. Get this one and the previous month’s issue to put together the ultimate Skullkickers battle panorama!
Wayward #8 Solicitation
Arriving in May. Pre-order now!
WAYWARD #8
story: JIM ZUB
art: STEVE CUMMINGS & TAMRA BONVILLAIN
cover A: STEVE CUMMINGS & TAMRA BONVILLAIN
cover B: KEN NIIMURA
MAY 27 / 32 PAGES / FC / M / $3.50
IMAGE’S SUPERNATURAL SENSATION CONTINUES!
Ayane’s strange feline origin is revealed in the most unlikely of places.
“Wayward is the best new comic of the year.” – Cold Beer and Comics
Cover A is part 3 of a 5 part panorama by Steve Cummings and Tamra Bonvillain. Buy all 5 issues of this story arc to fit them together into a massive Wayward illustration.
Cover B is a variant by acclaimed illustrator Ken Niimura (I Kill Giants).
February 14, 2015
In The Comix Interview
Over on In The Comix I was interviewed all about Wayward, our upcoming trade collection and exciting tidbits about our second story arc, both starting in March. Click on through and give it a listen.
February 13, 2015
Conan – Red Sonja #2 Reviews
Conan Red Sonja #2 arrived in comic shops this week, continuing our epic meeting of these two legendary sword & sorcery characters. Let’s see what critics thought of the second chapter…
• All-Comic: 4/5 “Gail Simone and Jim Zub have seamlessly blended these two characters together into, arguably, one of REH’s greatest Conan adventures and you can’t help but give them a round of applause for a job well done.”
• Comic Hype: 4.5/5 “Definitely one of the most exciting adaptations I have recently read with these characters, it pulls no punches and is highly recommended.”
• Fandom Post: “The pacing is excellent, the characters are true to themselves, and the themes they play with are interesting.”
• Fangirl Nation: “Gail Simone and Jim Zub continue to bring tremendous energy and sword-and-sorcery fun in Red Sonja Conan #2.”
• Geeks of Doom: “Artist Dan Panosian should draw every issue of Conan. And Red Sonja. And, just about every other book that I read. His art is unbelievable!”
• Newsarama: 9/10 “Don’t miss out on one of the best comics of the week.”
• The Pullbox: “Gail Simone and Jim Zub have a great handle on the personalities of two of pulp fictions greatest heroes. The dialogue between Conan and Sonja shows the camaraderie of two kindred spirits.”
• The Read Pile: “Still just as fun as the first issue. It fills me with a sense of glee.”
• TM Stash: 10/10 “The real deal here is that we have a story worthy of these characters, and a tale that lives up to the high expectations one should have when bringing together such an all-star group of creators”
• Super Team AU: 8.2/10 “For two writers and one artist, there is a lot of synergy felt between the two mediums here. Panosian draws the scenes beautifully and rustically, each page stained with a parchment-yellow.”
February 9, 2015
Creator-Owned in 2015
Just posted a comment on Heidi MacDonald’s new article about Image creator-owned financials in 2012 VS 2015: http://www.comicsbeat.com/comics-pay-how-much/
Once I get the financial breakdown for Wayward #5 I’ll post a comparison of Wayward #1-5 + Skullkickers #1-5. The short version: Five years has changed a LOT.
Image is in a completely different place with a much bigger market share and footprint in comic shops, book stores, and digital sales. The audience for new creator-owned series has expanded thanks to the Walking Dead, Saga, Sex Criminals and a host of other Image hits. On top of that, my own career/visibility has grown along with my retailer and press contacts, making it easier to get the word out.
Put that all together and Wayward is much, much more financially viable/stable than Skullkickers has ever been. That’s not a knock on SK. Skullkickers is the bedrock of my comic writing career and established the path I’m now on. It’s O.Z. (Original Zub).
Wayward is not making dump trucks of money but it’s financially viable right from the get-go and hopefully grows from there with TPB/digital. Steve Cummings gets to make Wayward his day job and we build on strong reviews and retailer support hoping to find Chew-like stability.
100% control, 100% ownership + the best possible pay day if a series succeeds.
Image has the creator-owned deal to beat, especially in 2015.
When some people read my original financial article they get the misinformed idea I don’t like the Image deal. Not true at all. I say it right in there:
“Writing/Creating Skullkickers and being published by Image Comics is a thrill and an honor.”
I entered the market in 2010 as a virtual unknown with a sword & sorcery-comedy in a market that was playing grim, serious, and superhero-y. Even against those odds we garnered good buzz and have slowly built a following, especially in long tail digital and TPB sales.
Skullkickers was/is an investment in myself and the incredible opportunities that have come from doing it have been overwhelmingly positive. Those charts/figures don’t translate that. They don’t tell the story of establishing writing credibility and owning something I’m proud of. Legends of the Dark Knight, Samurai Jack, Pathfinder, Dungeons & Dragons, Figment, and a bunch more all because that ball started at Image.
But even if those work-for-hire opportunities didn’t come along, it was (and is) still worth it because it’s my story brought to life. When someone says Skullkickers or Wayward is great I know they wouldn’t exist at all without our team’s dedication. It’s hard for me to express how proud that makes me.
I post about the financial realities and difficulties because I don’t want creators to go in starry-eyed and expecting insta-riches.
Be informed, roll up your sleeves and get to work. Make something you’re proud of and learn from each new project, successful or not.
Okay, went a bit buck there., Thanks for listening.
Also, pre-order Wayward Vol. 1 so I can keep on keeping on. 
February 2, 2015
Comic Book Informer: Samurai Jack, Wayward, and More
I was interviewed by Vince and Roger of the Comic Book Informer podcast for their 200th episode. We talk all about current comics I’m working on, including wrapping up Samurai Jack with issue #20. Here’s a quick run down of major topics covered with timestamps for easy navigation:
0:05:40 Interview start – Wayward
0:18:03 Rori’s cutting and depression
0:24:29 Zack’s essays in Wayward
0:36:15 Influences and Japanese culture
0:46:25 Samurai Jack
1:09:17 Andy Suriano working on Jack
1:11:51 Ending Skullkickers
1:17:00 Other projects – Munchkin, Ultimate Spider-Man, Amanda Waller
1:26:50 The #fourcomics hashtag
1:47:32 Wrap-Up
