Support the Things You Love

(The wall above my drawing desk featuring some of my all-time favorite comics. Clockwise, starting from bottom left: DC Comics Presents #47, Casanova #1, Amazing Screw-On Head, Batman Adventures Annual #2, Camelot 3000 #1, Action Comics #1, Batman #614, Hellboy: The Storm #1, Jack Kirby's The Demon #1)

I'd like to start with a confession: I'm the reason Roger Landridge and Chris Samne's Thor: The Mighty Avenger was cancelled. No, I didn't march into the Marvel offices with a bomb strapped to my chest demanding they immediately cease publication of their best book, but I wasn't buying it on a monthly basis. I bought the first two issues as they came out, immediately fell in love and knew I'd want the collected edition so stopped picking up the floppies. I wrongfully assumed that since it was a Marvel book, and of such obvious quality, there was no possible way it would be cancelled. I was wrong. Marvel cancelled the book somewhere around issue #6, and the team finished up at issue #8, four shy of their intended arc. Don't get me wrong, when I heard the book was being cancelled I pre-ordered the newly announced trade collection as soon as I could, and started picking up the monthly issues from my local comic shop. All this was too little too late, and we lost the finest super-hero book to be published within the last several years. To Chris Samne, who's art I love, and Roger Landridge, a cartoonist who inspires me, I am deeply sorry. And to all those other fans out there who didn't get to see the end of their amazing story because of losers like me, I'm so terribly sorry.

All of this is a round about way of reminding people to support the things they love. I try to present the illusion around here that I'm some big-time comic book guy, but in reality I (like most other independent comic book creators) have a day job. I draw Screamland in my incredibly misnamed "spare time" after the kids go to sleep or during my lunch break at work. I cannot emphasis enough just how much the people making independent comics LOVE MAKING COMICS, because they sure as hell aren't doing it for the money. The number 1 search term leading people to this blog over the past 3 months has been "Screamland 2011 download." Now we can squabble about the validity of the modern comic delivery methods or the merits of piracy as a way of spreading word of mouth, but comics need to make money in order for them to continue being made. It's a business after all; so buy the books you love and want to see made! If you like SCREAMLAND and want to continuing seeing it every month, buy issue #4 when it comes out, pre-order issue #5 and buy the first three issues online through comiXology.

I've learned from my mistake with Thor: The Mighty Avenger: you can't count on the general marketplace to have good taste. If you like something, support it.

Flash Gordon

Finally finished this Flash Gordon commission I've had on my "To Do" list for way too long. This also means that my commission schedule is totally wide open. If you're interested in a commission or original art you find all the pertinent information yonder.

Wizard World Chicago - Sketches

Here are those promised sketches from last weekend's convention in Chicago. I did a couple more, but didn't always remember to take pictures. Devil Fish seemed to be the consensus favorite SCREAMLAND character for sketches. I think I did four of that pathetic bastard.

I've got a little window of time here for anyone interested in getting your own commissioned sketch. You can find all ordering information at this page.

Dragon Lady Commission

Wizard World Chicago

There was a point in Buster Moody and I's 2 mile hike back to the hotel in the pouring rain where we considered that it might have been better to just pay the $13 for Wi-Fi at the hotel. But it was the principle of the thing, dammit! Other than that, it was a pretty great time. We shared an elevator with Bishop, talked about how amazing Eduardo Risso is with Brian Azzerello, snuck vodka into a theater with Nathan Fox and played an extended game of "Hipster or Cosplayer?" But the main thing we did was sell copies of SCREAMLAND. Wow, do you guys like this book! It was a bit of a revelation to hear from so many people who were currently reading the series, or others who were immediately attracted to the premise. Thank you to everyone who came by the booth, I will remember your kind words the next time I'm at the drawing board at 2 in the morning wondering why the hell I don't just go to bed.

And now, what you all came for: pictures.

I'll post all my sketches from the show tomorrow.

Thank You Chicago!

Thank you to everyone who stopped by the SCREAMLAND table this weekend in Chicago. I was really blown away by the amount of people who came by to say they liked the book, or who were immediately charmed by the book's very premise. I'll have a full report with photos and sketches coming soon, but until then, "THANK YOU!"

Wizard World Chicago

If you want to pre-order a commission for Wizard World Chicago this wekend, like the one above, you need to let me know today. After today you'll just have to get there early and put your name on the list, and it'll cost you $5 more. Send me an email to rigbythebarbarian (at) gmail (dot) com with your request.

Cheers!

Wizard World Chicago

Heads up denizens of Screamland and subjects of Sauria, I will be appearing at Wizard World Chicago this weekend along with Screamland colorist Buster Moody. We'll be at booths 3037 & 3039. I'll have copies of the Screamland # 1, 2, & 3, and RiGBY #1. So far the first two issues of Screamland have sold out, so I imagine they're getting harder to find.

I'll also have original pages for sale and some you can see original pages for upcoming issues filled with spoilerific goodies.

If you want a sketch at the show they'll be $25 for black and white on 9x12 bristol board. BUT if you send me an email [rigbythebarbarian (at) gmail (dot) com] and pre-order a sketch, I'll only charge you $20. I've already got a couple sketches lined up, so there's not a whole lot of space. If you want one, send an email now.

TODAY!

TODAY!!! Issue 3 of SCREAMLAND hits the stands, and it has some of my best work in it. Please go and buy it. You can read a ridiculous nine page preview over at iFanboy. I've selected a few of my favorite pages below.

SCREAMLAND #3 Tomorrow

I'm gonna be straight with you. Tomorrow, Issue 3 of SCREAMLAND hits the stands, and I think it has some of my best work in it. Please go and buy it. You can read a ridiculous nine page preview over at iFanboy. I've selected a few of my favorite pages below.

Hope to see you in the shops tomorrow.