Jim Zub's Blog, page 97

DANGER DICE GANG Ep 2 – The Bravest Botanist

Here’s episode 2 of The Sinister Secret of Saltmarsh! In this episode, our gang of intrepid adventurers begin to unravel the secrets of Lassiter Mansion. Also, they heroically investigate a pile of garbage.

Just To Clarify – I’m Not Rich

Yesterday’s announcement about Wayward being optioned for TV development by Manga Entertainment was an absolute whirlwind. I received dozens of messages from friends, family, colleagues, retailers, long-time readers, and complete strangers congratulating myself and the rest of the team. It’s a big milestone and one I’m certainly not taking for granted. However, I do want to clarify some important things because I’m already noticing people making assumptions about what this means or where we’re at:

A media option does not mean a dump truck of money showed up at my place.

I’m not rich.

Creator-owned comics are still an uphill climb.

Let me clarify what an ‘option’ is and how it works in broad non-contract specific terms:

An ‘option’ means a company is reserving the opportunity to purchase media rights to a particular property in the future. They do this so they can confidently seek out possible production partners and financing without wondering if it will be worth the trouble or what it will cost later. The contract we’ve signed includes terms that specify what rights they would be able to secure, what it would cost, our particular involvement if that purchase is executed, and how long they have to do all of that before the option lapses and we’re free to negotiate with other parties. In short, they’ve paid to secure our interest for a set period of time. It’s a crucial first step in media development.

Most entertainment companies don’t option properties unless they feel they’re something worth investing in. There are stories of properties being optioned just to keep it out of other people’s hands or to bury it so it can’t compete with similar productions already in development but, thankfully, that’s not the case here. The gang at Manga are aggressively pursuing Japanese production partners and are using the extensive network of contacts they’ve built up over the past 26 years to make that happen. Once they’re able to get those details nailed down, ideally, they execute the option purchase and we go fully into production.

What’s immediately beneficial to us right now is the visibility boost that comes from this announcement. In a very crowded comic market, we’re able to stand out a bit more than before. That will hopefully lead to increased interest and sales so we can keep the book rolling and deliver the best story possible. Making Wayward the comic is our top priority.

Can this media thing fall through?

Yes, but so far all signs are moving in a positive direction. We wouldn’t have signed this deal if we didn’t think it would move forward and neither would Manga.

Have you been paid?

We’ve received a small amount of money for the option. The majority of that has been put into our ‘war chest’ to pay for future comic production.

So you’re not quitting your day job?

Correct. Still working away. Lots to do.

They didn’t bring a dump truck of money to your house?

Also correct. No dump truck.

Can you turn my idea into an anime?

No. I don’t even know how to do that. This is all new for me too.

Please?

No.

I can’t go into the specifics of our particular contract, but I will give some broad tips:

Every media development deal is different. If you’re fortunate enough to be approached about an option, don’t let anyone tell you there’s one boilerplate ‘media deal’ and you have to sign it as-is. Everything is negotiable. Seriously. There are elements I didn’t think would be possible that we put right in the deal in black and white.

Common sense and good intentions are not a contract. Everyone can get along well and want the same things at the start, but these kinds of deals are signed with companies, not people. Companies change. People leave. The only obligations a company has is what’s outlined in the deal you signed. Don’t make assumptions. Make sure the terms and obligations are clear for all parties involved.

Don’t sign anything without getting legal advice. Even if a contract looks straight forward, they can be surprisingly complex and have ramifications you never imagined at the time. The more I learn about this aspect of the business, the more thankful I am that I have good people helping me navigate these waters.

Be willing to walk away. If you can’t make the above work, you have to be willing to let a deal go rather than sign a bad one. Patience, persistence, and a level head are crucial when going into this kind of stuff. This particular conversation about Wayward media rights started in August of 2015 and didn’t really start coming together legally until about 6-7 months ago. It can take a while and you need to stay focused on what’s important.

I feel incredibly fortunate that we’ve made this step forward and I’m hopeful about where it’s all headed. As soon as I can reveal more about the future of Wayward the TV Show, I definitely will. Until then, please keep telling people about the series and if you’re not caught up on the story, consider snagging our collected volumes or catching up digitally on comiXology.

Otherwise, thank you for all the kind words and encouragement! None of this could have happened without support from readers and retailers like you!

WAYWARD Comic Series Optioned for TV by Manga Entertainment!

WAYWARD Comic Series Optioned for TV by Manga Entertainment UK Ltd.

Writer Jim Zub and illustrator Steven Cummings’ WAYWARD, an ongoing comic series published by Image Comics, has been optioned by UK-based Manga Entertainment for development in television as a Japanese animated or live action series. Zub and Cummings will act as creative consultants on the project, including development of the initial story treatment along with character and creature designs.

WAYWARD is an action-drama set in modern Tokyo where Yokai, Japanese creatures and spirits of legend, battle against teenagers imbued with newfound supernatural power. The series launched to critical acclaim in August 2014 and is currently available in monthly comic format and four collected trade paperbacks, with a new deluxe hardcover collection arriving in July. WAYWARD’s first volume, ‘String Theory’, made the Young Adult Library Services Association’s 2016 List of ‘Great Graphic Novels for Teens’ and has been favorably reviewed by many outlets, including Kirkus.

Zub is a Harvey and Shuster Award-nominated comic writer (AVENGERS, DUNGEONS & DRAGONS, SAMURAI JACK, FIGMENT). His other creator-owned titles, GLITTERBOMB and SKULLKICKERS, are also published by Image Comics, the third largest comic publisher in North America and publisher of The Walking Dead.

Cummings is an American comic book artist based in Japan (DEADSHOT, LEGENDS OF THE DARK KNIGHT, STREET FIGHTER, FORAGER).

Jerome Mazandarani, COO of Manga Entertainment, said, “We are very excited to be working with Jim and Steven to bring the characters and world of Wayward to life for the screen. Jim and Steven have managed to create a truly unique high stakes action-drama that feels fresh and authentic in its mixture of Japanese and Celtic mythology. We are very confident this story will connect with audiences across Asia and the rest of the world.”

Zub said, “As soon as Jerome and I started talking about a collaboration, I had a good feeling Manga Entertainment would be the right place to develop Wayward. The crew at Manga intimately understand the anime market and have helped popularize some of the biggest brands in that space. As Japanese art and animation continues to go global, co-producing Wayward at a Japanese studio with Manga taking the lead is a natural choice.”

Founded in 1987, Manga Entertainment began as a producer, licensor and distributor of Japanese animation in the United Kingdom, quickly earning its reputation as the UK’s largest anime distributor with revered anime brands including GHOST IN THE SHELL, DRAGON BALL Z, NARUTO, ONE PIECE, BLEACH and DEATH NOTE. Headquartered in London, Manga Entertainment continues to specialize in the licensing, marketing and distribution of Japanese animation and other beloved new/classic pop culture franchises like HALO, TRANSFORMERS, POKEMON and YU-GI-OH!

Zub and Cummings are represented by APA.

Uncanny Avengers Interview on Marvel.com

I spoke to Marvel.com about the upcoming UNCANNY AVENGERS #24, my first issue of the series, where I plunge the team deep into the darkness along with our incredible art team, Kim Jacinto and Tamra Bonvillain. Read on to find out more!

Zub at TCAF 2017!

It’s time for the Toronto Comic Arts Festival, a wonderful FREE event celebrating comics taking place at the Toronto Reference Library and select satellite locations on May 13th and 14th. I’m part of the big Image Comics 25th Anniversary Celebration crew who will be set up at the Masonic Temple (888 Yonge Street), a 2 minute walk up the road from the Reference Library:

I’ll be set-up at TABLE MT10 alongside Djibril Morissette-Phan, my collaborator on GLITTERBOMB. We’ll be there with plenty of great books…

…and I’ll be on several panels as well:

SATURDAY MAY 13th

12:15pm – The D&D Panel – Dungeons & Dragons!

The infamous tabletop RPG was controversial in the 80s and shunned by the mainstream, but now it’s back and more popular than ever! Join Jim Zub, Koren Shadmi, Ben Marra, Hannah Fisher, Megan Carter, and Tory Woollcott as they discuss what drew them to the gaming table and how D&D has inspired their comic storytelling.

LOCATION: Forest Hill Ballroom, Marriott Bloor-Yorkville

4:00pm – Image 25th: Glitterbomb vs. Monstress—Terrifically Terrifying Comics

Few things are as horrific as real horror! Few things are as felt as true feelings! So how do you convey both of those things in comics? Join the teams behind the terrific and terrifying MONSTRESS (Marjorie Liu and Sana Takeda) and GLITTERBOMB (Jim Zub and Djibril Morrissette-Phan) on how they go about imbuing their stories and characters with real emotion, while also scaring your pants off.

LOCATION: Masonic Temple, 888 Yonge St

SUNDAY MAY 14th

12:00pm – Image 25th: Finding a Balance

Day jobs. Everybody’s got one. But how do you go about paying the bills while creating hit creator-owned comics? How do you make sure you have enough creative energy for both? Marjorie Liu, Jim Zub, Ivan Brandon, and Jason Latour are no strangers to balancing projects they do for others and projects the do for themselves. Come and hear how they try to make it work.

LOCATION: Masonic Temple, 888 Yonge St

If you live in the greater Toronto area, you really need to come to TCAF! It’s one of my favorite shows each year, jam-packed with incredible guests from all over the world, tons of stunning art, engaging programming, and so much more.

Secret Empire: United Interview on Marvel.com

I spoke to JK Parkin for Marvel.com all about the Secret Empire: United one-shot special arriving in June. It’s all about Hydra versus mutantkind, with surprises aplenty. Check out the interview.

Introducing the DANGER DICE GANG!

I’m happy to announce the arrival of THE DANGER DICE GANG RPG playcast with me and some pals!

I’m DMing this crew through some of my favorite 1st edition Dungeons & Dragons modules using 5th edition rules. First up is U1 – The Sinister Secret of Saltmarsh!

Let me introduce you to our party of adventurers, going from left to right corresponding with the announcement art (illustrated by Kean!)…

Kean Soo (creator of Jellaby and March Grand Prix) is playing KETH, a young and headstrong Half-Orc Paladin.

Stacy King (writer/editor of UDON’s Manga Classics line) is playing ARLEN, a Human Wild Mage (with pyro tendencies) raised by dwarves.

Tory Woollcott (creator of Mirror Mind) is playing TUGRA, a Gnome Ranger (with violent tendencies) also raised by dwarves.

Andrew Wheeler (writer of Another Castle and co-writer of Freelance) is playing OLEG, a dashing Tiefling Rogue who studies plants.

It’s been a weird and wonderful ride digging back into old adventures, experiencing them with a fresh eye and new cast of players. We’ve never done anything like this before, so forgive the minor technical/audio hitches as we get up to speed.

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Issue Zero Podcast with Fred Kennedy

I spoke to Fred Kennedy from the Channel Zero podcast about a whole slew of different stuff – conventions, pitching stories, Thunderbolts, Secret Empire, the importance of Image Comics, my favorite character, and more! Give it a listen!

Zub at Calgary Expo 2017!

Another year, another wonderful Calgary Comic & Entertainment Expo and I’ll be there! It’s the 12th anniversary of the show and I haven’t missed one yet.

I’ll be set up at TABLE X-10 with a slew of great books, new and old. I’ll be sketching and signing throughout the weekend.

I also have a new pin-up in the annual artbook, Fairy Tales and Monsters. This year I did my take on Puss In Boots.

If you’re in the Calgary area and can make it out to the show, I hope to see you there!

Calgary Expo 2017 Pin-Up: Puss In Boots

Each year the Calgary Comic & Entertainment Expo puts together an art book with pin-ups done by artists who will be exhibiting at the show. Proceeds from the art book sales and original art auction go to charity. This year the charity of choice is the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Southern Alberta.

The theme of this year’s art book was ‘Fairy Tales and Classic Monsters’, so I decided to illustrate my version of Puss In Boots. Here’s how it progressed from concept to final:

STEP 1-Sloppy Gesture: This is where I’m just playing around with shapes, trying to find a really basic pose and silhouette that will work for my initial idea – Puss swinging in with a swashbuckling flare. It’s sloppy and loose and doesn’t look like much, but that’s how it starts.

STEP 2-Initial Sketch: From there I sketch right over top, building in the form and attitude of the character, trying to keep a sense of energy while also adding a bit of volume and consistency. Still pretty rough, but at least now we can tell what it is and see some potential.

STEP 3- Refinement: Fading back my previous digital layers, I take another attack on it, refining my choices and adding details. I wanted to add a bit more of a sense of ‘drag’ on his clothing and pushed the expression a bit more.

STEP 4- Final Lines: With the gesture and structure defined, I’m ready to finalize the line work with a tight digital ink layer. While I’m working away on this I try to balance the structure and gesture and add thick to thin lines or gaps to help visually separate areas and add a bit of extra weight to the final look.

STEP 5- Flat Colors: This is where I work out the base palette of colors for the piece. These flats also become easy to select areas when I’m rendering the illustration. I also added a simple pattern behind Puss to give the background a bit of texture.

STEP 6- Final: Shadows, highlights, and all around rendering is added along with my signature to finish it off. Our courageous swashbuckling feline is ready for adventure!

If you’re heading to the Calgary Comic & Entertainment Expo you’ll be able to pick up your own copy of the 2017 Artbook and I’ll be thrilled to sign a copy for you.