Jim Zub's Blog, page 66
June 13, 2019
“The Ultron Agenda” Begins in Iron Man This September
Newsarama has an advanced solicit for Tony Stark: Iron Man #16, which begins a story called “The Ultron Agenda.”
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TONY STARK: IRON MAN #16
DAN SLOTT & JIM ZUB (W)
VALERIO SCHITI (A)
COVER BY ALEXANDER LOZANO
“THE ULTRON AGENDA” STARTS HERE!
Watch out, Iron Man! The Robot Uprising of the Marvel Universe has begun! But it’s NOT Ultron leading the charge… it’s Machine Man?! The A.I.’s are on the attack – and they might be in the right. Battle lines are being drawn, and it’s time for Tony Stark, Jocasta, Andy Bhang and the rest of the cast to pick sides.
32 PGS./RATED T+ …$3.99
June 10, 2019
Speech Bubble Podcast
Aaron Broverman and I chatted up a storm about all things, comics, games, and writing in this podcast interview recorded a few weeks ago. It’s a pretty extensive rundown of my career so far. Lots of good stuff. Give it a listen!
http://neversleepsnetwork.com/podcast-player/16680/jim-zub.mp3
Download file | Play in new window
June 4, 2019
Raised By Dragons
On May 2nd I participated in the TEDx St. Mary event held in Oshawa and had the opportunity to present to a crowd of over 800 students. I talked about my creative journey and how the tabletop games I played when I was young sparked my creativity, taught me empathy and gave me confidence, skills I use every day as both a comic writer and teacher.
The video is finally live-
TEDx – Raised By Dragons:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVhnpZf2EVs
I’ll be honest, I was incredibly nervous in the lead up to the event and just wanted to make sure I didn’t embarrass myself up there. Thankfully, it turned out well and I’m really glad I did it. Having the chance to talk about games, comics, teaching, and storytelling in this way to an appreciative crowd was really special.
If you get a chance to watch the video and share it, that would mean a lot to me.
Big thanks to Craig Zimmer for setting up this event and offering valuable feedback throughout the process and, of course, a huge thanks to my family for their love and support all these years.
June 2, 2019
I Made A Comic – Now What?
I haven’t posted up any tutorial material in quite some time. My work schedule has been absolutely bonkers, so it’s been hard to find time to dedicate to talking about the craft.
This post isn’t a dedicated article, it’s a slightly refined version of an email reply to one of my students who just completed a short ‘zine comic and exhibited at a comic festival. She had questions about where to take her work from there and how to approach publishers. I realized the advice I sent her would be good to post here as well. So, here it is-
Do research on publishers who are putting out work in the same aesthetic range as what you want to produce. Compare your work to it, not in terms of the exact style, but in terms of polish and presentation. Check to see who the editors are, since they’re typically the people hiring creators. You’ll probably see patterns among particular editors in terms of story/art choices and that means you can start to build a contact list of people worth approaching, either online or in person.
Don’t be afraid to send out your portfolio. Publishers expect creators to give them samples at conventions. Even better if you can drop it off for specific editors rather than into a general submission pile. Be friendly and approachable and make contacts all over the industry with creators and editors, even if they’re not at the exact spot where you want to be. You never know when a conversation at a show can turn into an unexpected opportunity or when a friend will be able to put you in direct contact with the people you want to be working with.
There are a ton of comic publishers out there and, though I know many of the larger ones, there are a lot of new/small ones I’m not as aware of. The field is changing all the time. A quick rule of thumb is that if a publisher has an equal/smaller social media following to you or doesn’t have visible work you recognize, they’re probably not going to be able to advance your career any more than you could just by working away on your own. If a publisher wants to pay you minimum wage (or less) to produce work (the hours you’ll spend per page VS the pay per page they’re offering) then you might as well work away on your own and fully control your work until such a time as a publisher with an actual budget/clout comes along worth working with.
There are more avenues for independent production than ever before. Social media and crowdfunding has completely changed the way creators create. Whether you’re creating on your own and posting online or crafting a book specifically for a publisher, building up a body of work is the key. The more you create and promote your work, the bigger your audience will get and the easier it will be to turn that into opportunities. The internet has completely changed the game – you don’t need to toil away for poor pay and give away all your rights. Build up your own following and then use crowdfunding (Kickstarter, Patreon, etc.) if that’s what it takes to get your work out to a wider audience. Exhibit at zine festivals and cons and see how they do for you.
At first your goal should be on quality, not speed. First get good, then get fast. Until you’re able to consistently create pages that stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the kind of published work you want to be making, you shouldn’t fret over speed. No company is going to pay you to produce for them until you can show that you can make work worth paying for. A publisher needs to know that its investment in you makes sense when they compare your work to other established pros they could hire.
Off the top of my head, with more refinement your work could be a good fit at places like [list of publishers]. Again, I’m sure there are many others out there. Go to [local comic shop that stocks deep on indy titles] and ask them to show you comics in a similar style/aesthetic, then do research on publishers and editors. Once you have a sample you feel stands equal to that published work in terms of quality, reach out online with a polite introduction email and either send them a PDF or point them toward a site where they can easily see what you’re capable of (not just your Instagram or Twitter, a focused/organized series of samples posted online).
The first few paying gigs you get will probably be extremely difficult to track down, but with each one you’ll build up your skills and contacts. It really is a creative journey. As stressful as it can be, enjoy the process and celebrate your accomplishments.
If you found the above helpful, feel free to let me know here (or on Twitter), share the post with your friends and consider buying some of my comics to show your support.
May 26, 2019
Six Storytelling Lessons You Can Learn From ‘Dungeons & Dragons’
Stacy and I are both quoted in a new article up on Forbes by Goldie Chan all about ‘Six Storytelling Lessons You Can Learn From Dungeons & Dragons.’
Click through and check it out for advice and information about the resurgence of roleplaying games.
What Makes a Great Dungeon Master?
Over on Geek.com, Tres Dean has a new article about “What Makes a Great Dungeon Master” compiled from people who were in attendance at D&D Live last weekend, and I’m one of the people quoted. Check it out for some broad advice on skills used to run enjoyable and entertaining RPGs.
May 23, 2019
Dungeons & Dragons VS Rick and Morty: A Tabletop Roleplaying Game Adventure!
As reported on Variety, this Fall Wizards of the Coast (in partnership with Adult Swim) will be releasing Dungeons & Dragons VS Rick and Morty: The Tabletop Roleplaying Game Adventure!
The world’s greatest roleplaying game meets television’s most dysfunctional family! What could possibly go wrong? Coming this fall, D&D has partnered with Adult Swim to bring this boxed set blending the world of Dungeons & Dragons with the mad narcissistic genius of Rick Sanchez’s power-gaming sensibilities, and it includes everything a Dungeon Master needs to channel their inner mad scientist and run a Rick-rolling adventure for up to 5 players, levels 1-3.
I’m working with developer Kate Welch and a crew of Wizards of the Coast game designers on this crazy RPG set, annotating the D&D basic rules as Rick Sanchez and helping build an adventure that warps some of our favorite gaming tropes while punishing players as they try to survive Rick’s homebrew version of the world’s most popular role-playing game.
Here’s Kate Welch and I talking about the boxed set at D&D Live:
Zub Marvel Comics in August!
MARVEL COMICS #1000
VARIOUS WRITERS • VARIOUS ARTISTS
THE GREATEST TALENT EVER ASSEMBLED FOR ONE STORY!
THIS IS THE BIG ONE! In celebration of Marvel’s 80th Anniversary, we have gathered together the greatest array of talent ever to be assembled between the covers of a single comic book! Names from the past, from the present, and even the future! Every page is filled with all-new work from this cavalcade of comic book luminaries!
There is a mystery that threads throughout the Marvel Universe — one that has its origins in MARVEL COMICS #1 and which unites a disparate array of heroes and villains throughout the decades! What is the Eternity Mask, and who is responsible for the conspiracy to keep it hidden? And what new player will make their startling debut as these secrets are peeled away?
Featuring the entirety of the Marvel Universe of characters!
96 PGS./ONE-SHOT/Rated T …$9.99
PERFECTBOUND FORMAT
CHAMPIONS #8
JIM ZUB (W) • STEVEN CUMMINGS (A)
Cover by KIM JACINTO
• Fear, doubt, and deception…The Champions’ ideals are about to be tested, and not everyone will make the grade.
• Plus, the return of the Freelancers and the fate of Sam Alexander!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99
TONY STARK: IRON MAN #15
DAN SLOTT & JIM ZUB (W) • VALERIO SCHITI (A) • Cover by Rod Reis
Bring On The Bad Guys Variant Cover by Mark Brooks
Reality is in the eye of the beholder, as Tony Stark questions his humanity… while Jocasta is making the choice to leave her robotic body behind and upgrade to biological parts. A turning point is coming to the Marvel Universe as robotic and A.I. rights are being threatened in America. Guest starring the Vision. And featuring the return of one of the Avengers greatest threats!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99
SAVAGE SWORD OF CONAN #8
JIM ZUB (W) • PATCH ZIRCHER (A)
Cover by MARCO CHECCHETTO
Variant Cover by LEONARDO MANCO
NEVER DWELL ON THE HAND YOU’RE DEALT – EVEN IF IT’S DEATH!
“CONAN THE GAMBLER” PART 2!
• CONAN’s job as a bodyguard in Shadizar lands him in a deadly game of SERPENT’S BLUFF!
• But if the cards are in Conan’s favor, will this absolve his debt or land him in further danger?
• It’ll take more than luck to win the prize this time!
• PLUS: The next chapter in the all-new CONAN novella “THE SHADOW OF VENGEANCE”!
32 PGS./Parental Advisory …$3.99
May 22, 2019
15 Canadian Comic Book Creators You Should Know – on CBC
I’m thrilled to have been included in the CBC profile article on 15 Canadian comic book creators you should know. Thanks for the support!
Stone Star Interview on Hollywood Soapbox
Max and I spoke to Jon Soltes at Hollywood Soapbox all about developing Stone Star, our new creator-owned space-fantasy series. There’s lots of good info about how the series came about.
