Twitter Event 1/4/12 on Breaking In & Making Comics!

On Wednesday, January 4, 2012, Comics Experience instructors will be answering questions about making comics and breaking in during a live Twitter Event.

You can ask our comic book writing, art, and coloring instructors your burning questions starting at 8pm Eastern Time!

Please use the hashtag #CMXEXP on all your questions, like so:

@Sotocolor Why are you so awesome? #CMXEXP

This "Tweet Event" leads up to the start of our three courses -- Intro to Comic Book Writing, Intro to Comic Book Coloring, and Advanced Comic Book Art -- all beginning in January and open for enrollment right now!

Starting at 8pm Eastern Time on Wednesday, just begin tweeting your questions to any of our instructors:

@ComicExperience -- Andy Schmidt
@SotoColor -- Chris "Soto" Sotomayor
@RobertAtkinsArt -- Robert Atkins

Don't miss this chance to ask comic book professionals your questions! Here's the full info on each of our instructors and their upcoming classes...

--------------------------
Intro to Comic Book Writing will be taught by former Marvel and IDW Editor and writer, Andy Schmidt.

During his time at Marvel, Andy worked on nearly every major character in the Marvel canon, and edited hit titles such as X-Factor, the Annihilation saga, Alias, and more.

At IDW, he managed major franchises like GI Joe and Transformers. He is also the author of the Eagle Award-winning book, The Insider's Guide to Creating Comics and Graphic Novels, published by Impact Books.

In this six-week course, not only will you learn comic book writing from a pro, but the course will be packed with practical, real-world advice on the industry and "breaking in" to help you pursue your career in comics!

That's why Comics Experience alum, Nick Spencer, tweeted:

"For all aspiring comic pros asking for advice on craft/breaking in, I once again highly recommend Andy Schmidt's @ComicExperience courses."

A few years ago, Nick had to move to New York City to take Comics Experience classes (check out his guest blog here to read that tale). But you don't have to move, now that the courses are online. This one will sell out fast!

Introduction to Comic Book Writing with Andy Schmidt
Begins January 16, 2012!

--------------------------
Advanced Comic Book Art will be taught by Robert Atkins, a professional comic book artist who has worked on G.I. Joe, Snake Eyes, Amazing Spider-Man, Heroes for Hire, Ultimatum Fantastic Four: Requiem and many others.

If you have already taken the Intro to Comic Book Art class (a prerequisite to enrolling for the Advanced class), then this is your next step toward a career in comics!

In this seven-week intensive course, you'll expand on the skills you've already developed with extended workshopping of your storytelling pages, and discussion of networking within the industry, finding good scripts to work from, how to pencil for inking and for coloring, and rendering textures and objects -- all with a focus on achieving a professional level of finishing and getting published!

You can read what one of Robert's former students had to say about his teaching skills right here. Or check out Robert's art and read his own thoughts on the Advanced Comic Book Art course in this recent Guest Blog right here.

Advanced Comic Book Art with Robert Atkins
Begins January 12, 2012!
--------------------------
Intro to Comic Book Coloring will be taught by Chris Sotomayor (aka Soto), professional colorist on countless Marvel titles (Spider-Man, X-Men, The Avengers, etc.).

In this six-week intensive class for colorists, you'll learn all the necessary tools and tricks for not only coloring with Photoshop, but also how to tell great stories through color. You’ll get access to all the tools of the trade, tips on how to break in, and you’ll be working with Chris on the pages you color for the class.
Plus, the class will have a session with special guest Rob Schwager, whose coloring credits include the current Ghost Rider, as well as Jonah Hex, Green Lantern, and Superman.

You can read Soto's own thoughts on the class right here...OR read why the class is even better than marriage right here!

Intro to Comic Book Coloring with Soto
Begins January 9, 2012!

--------------------------
Our courses are now offered LIVE, online, and you can attend from wherever you live. You'll be able to see your instructor and his desktop, interact with your classmates, and discuss your classwork in real time. And you'll be able to communicate with your classmates all week long in a special, dedicated online forum for just you and your class.

We hope to see you in our courses or as part of our Creators Workshop community. Sign up now!

---

If you want to make comics, write or draw comics, or improve as a comics creator, you'll find like-minded friends and colleagues in our online workshops and courses. We hope to see you there!

Posted by Rob Anderson
rob@ComicsExperience.com
Twitter / Facebook

iFanboy's "Making Comics" with Andy Schmidt Podcast Episode #2 posted!

The second episode of iFanboy's Making Comics with Andy Schmidt podcast has been released!

In the second episode, listen in as iFanboy host Josh Flanagan and former Marvel and IDW Editor (and Comics Experience founder) Andy Schmidt discuss "Finding Collaborators."

As explained over on iFanboy:

"This week, we discuss the challenge of finding collaborators, whether it be a comic book writer looking for an artist, or vice versa. The relationship is an important one, and it’s of the utmost importance to find the right partners when making comics. Andy and Josh talk about the right ways to go about the search, and what to look for in a partner, given both of their experience."

Listen to Episode #2, "Finding Collaborators"

Listen to Episode #1, "Start Writing"

---

If you want to make comics, write, draw, letter, and color comics, or improve as a comics creator, you'll find like-minded friends and colleagues in our online workshops and courses. We hope to see you there!

Posted by Rob Anderson
rob@ComicsExperience.com
Twitter / Facebook

Only a Few Slots Left in January Comic Book Courses!

We're getting close to selling out all of our comic book courses scheduled for January.

A new year is approaching and many people will be making resolutions. Will any of yours relate to flexing your creative muscles? Or to pursuing your dream of making comics?

If yes, then check out what some of our alums have said about Comics Experience -- both our classes and our online community -- right here.

Make 2012 YOUR year for breaking in or making comics, and sign up now...

Introduction to Comic Book Writing
with Andy Schmidt
Begins January 16, 2012!

Intro to Comic Book Coloring
with Chris "Soto" Sotomayor
Begins January 9, 2012!

Advanced Comic Book Art
with Robert Atkins
Begins January 12, 2012!

Read more about each course and our instructors right here!

Don't hesitate to contact me, Rob Anderson, at rob@ComicsExperience.com if you have any questions about our courses or our Creators Workshop!

---

If you want to make comics, write or draw comics, or improve as a comics creator, you'll find like-minded friends and colleagues in our online workshops and courses. We hope to see you there!

Posted by Rob Anderson
rob@ComicsExperience.com
Twitter / Facebook

Advanced Comic Book Writing Course coming in Spring 2012!

We have a full slate of classes open for enrollment for January 2012 -- so why mention the Advanced Comic Book Writing course now, before it's even open for enrollment?

The reason is simple: the Introduction to Comic Book Writing class is a prerequisite for enrollment in the upcoming Advanced Class. And January will be the last Intro class offered before the Advanced class opens for enrollment.

As soon as any Intro class ends, the first question we get is -- and we get it often -- "when will the next Advanced class be offered?"

Well, we generally offer the Advanced Courses only once a year...so if you want to join us for both Intro and Advanced Comic Book Writing in 2012 -- and you haven't previously taken our Intro course, NOW is the time to jump on board, before the Intro class sells out.

Make 2012 your year for pursuing your comics career!

Here's the full slate of courses for January:

--------------------------
Intro to Comic Book Writing will be taught by former Marvel and IDW Editor and writer, Andy Schmidt.

During his time at Marvel, Andy worked on nearly every major character in the Marvel canon, and edited hit titles such as X-Factor, the Annihilation saga, Alias, and more.

At IDW, he managed major franchises like GI Joe and Transformers. He is also the author of the Eagle Award-winning book, The Insider's Guide to Creating Comics and Graphic Novels, published by Impact Books.

In this six-week course, not only will you learn comic book writing from a pro, but the course will be packed with practical, real-world advice on the industry and "breaking in" to help you pursue your career in comics!

That's why Comics Experience alum, Nick Spencer, tweeted:

"For all aspiring comic pros asking for advice on craft/breaking in, I once again highly recommend Andy Schmidt's @ComicExperience courses."

A few years ago, Nick had to move to New York City to take Comics Experience classes (check out his guest blog here to read that tale). But you don't have to move, now that the courses are online. This one will sell out fast!

Introduction to Comic Book Writing with Andy Schmidt
Begins January 16, 2012!

--------------------------
Advanced Comic Book Art will be taught by Robert Atkins, a professional comic book artist who has worked on G.I. Joe, Snake Eyes, Amazing Spider-Man, Heroes for Hire, Ultimatum Fantastic Four: Requiem and many others.

If you have already taken the Intro to Comic Book Art class (a prerequisite to enrolling for the Advanced class), then this is your next step toward a career in comics!

In this seven-week intensive course, you'll expand on the skills you've already developed with extended workshopping of your storytelling pages, and discussion of networking within the industry, finding good scripts to work from, how to pencil for inking and for coloring, and rendering textures and objects -- all with a focus on achieving a professional level of finishing and getting published!

You can read what one of Robert's former students had to say about his teaching skills right here. Or check out Robert's art and read his own thoughts on the Advanced Comic Book Art course in this recent Guest Blog right here.

Advanced Comic Book Art with Robert Atkins
Begins January 12, 2012!
--------------------------
Intro to Comic Book Coloring will be taught by Chris Sotomayor (aka Soto), professional colorist on countless Marvel titles (Spider-Man, X-Men, The Avengers, etc.).

In this six-week intensive class for colorists, you'll learn all the necessary tools and tricks for not only coloring with Photoshop, but also how to tell great stories through color. You’ll get access to all the tools of the trade, tips on how to break in, and you’ll be working with Chris on the pages you color for the class.
Plus, the class will have a session with special guest Rob Schwager, whose coloring credits include the current Ghost Rider, as well as Jonah Hex, Green Lantern, and Superman.

You can read Soto's own thoughts on the class right here...OR read why the class is even better than marriage right here!

Intro to Comic Book Coloring with Soto
Begins January 9, 2012!

--------------------------
Our courses are now offered LIVE, online, and you can attend from wherever you live. You'll be able to see your instructor and his desktop, interact with your classmates, and discuss your classwork in real time. And you'll be able to communicate with your classmates all week long in a special, dedicated online forum for just you and your class.

We hope to see you in our courses or as part of our Creators Workshop community. Sign up now!

---

If you want to make comics, write or draw comics, or improve as a comics creator, you'll find like-minded friends and colleagues in our online workshops and courses. We hope to see you there!

Posted by Rob Anderson
rob@ComicsExperience.com
Twitter / Facebook

Stay Up-To-Date with the Comics Experience Email Newsletter!

Did you know that you can stay up-to-date on Comics Experience with our free twice-a-month email newsletter?

Each issue contains great advice from our regularly updated blog on breaking in and making comics.





Recently, we've had articles on:

• Mark Waid's thoughts on the digital future;
  
• Terry Moore on the importance of great characters;
  
• Jim Zub's tips on creating great fight scenes;
  
• Our art instructor, Robert Atkins, on cover homages;
  
• Jeff Lemire & Joshua Fialkov on lessons learned from their early work; and
  
• Comics retailers giving advice to new creators.

Plus, you'll receive updates on:

• our courses on comic book writing, art, coloring, lettering, and editing;
• our upcoming live, online guests on the Creators Workshop (like the fine folks listed above); and
• community news about the publications and accomplishments of our growing family of Comics Experience alums and Workshop members.

Whether you're a Comics Experience alum or just someone with an interest in making comics or breaking in, our twice-monthly email newsletter will keep you in the loop.

Sign up on the main Comics Experience website (http://www.ComicsExperience.com) or using the box below!

Get our FREE newsletter by entering your email address here!

---

If you want to make comics, write, draw, letter, and color comics, or improve as a comics creator, you'll find like-minded friends and colleagues in our online workshops and courses. We hope to see you there!

Posted by Rob Anderson
rob@ComicsExperience.com
Twitter / Facebook

WORKSHOP GUEST: Terry Moore on the Importance of Great Characters!

In this month’s Comics Experience Creators Workshop Book Club, special guest Terry Moore shared a wide range of knowledge about the craft, art and business of comics.

Moore’s work is known for its strong characterizations, and realistic, vividly-drawn protagonists. During the book club discussion of Echo: The Complete Edition, writer/artist Moore discussed the role characters can play in attracting new readers, and in creating a body of work that will stand the test of time.

"Katchoo is more famous than SiP," said Moore, referring to one of the protagonists of his legendary series Strangers in Paradise. "And that’s the point. Whether you read the book first or hear about Katchoo first, it all leads you to my book. And I want you to read my books."

During the session, one attendee asked if all of Moore’s stories take place in the same universe, and Moore replied that they do.

"The plan is that all my stories happen in the same country at the same time, in the same reality," Moore said. "Any of these characters could encounter the other."

Moore said this idea came, in part, from Robert Heinlen, who wrote more than 100 books all sharing the same universe. Even if the characters didn’t cross paths, Moore said, the events in one book might create ripples that would be felt in the next.

Even as a child, Moore said, he was attracted to serialized work, particularly the books of Ian Fleming, Enid Blyton and Arthur Conan Doyle.

"I realized that if someone can make a cast of characters that people love, those characters last longer than someone who writes 20 unrelated books," Moore said. "Harry Potter is a good example of that. What if JK Rowling had written seven unrelated books? It would be different than seven books chronicling one set of characters."

By leaving behind one huge universe, Moore said, it will be easier for future readers to discover and to enjoy his work.

"I’m just one guy trying to write as many books as I can before I die, and I want the world to read my stuff," Moore said. "If I leave a lot of miscellaneous books in my wake, it’s gonna be very hard for people to ever find one or get attached to my work. If I leave a set of characters, it’s a lot easier for readers to get attached to the characters."

This was just one of many topics in the 90-minute book club session. A recording of the full session will be available to Creators Workshop members for the next few weeks.

Those interested in learning more about Terry Moore and his work (including Strangers in Paradise, Echo and the currently-ongoing Rachel Rising) can go to www.terrymooreart.com.

Creators Workshop Book Club sessions take place every month, featuring guest writers and artists discussing the craft and art of comics, as well as the business side of the comics profession. Additionally, monthly workshop sessions feature special guests giving members real-world knowledge that will help them succeed in their comics career.

For our next live Workshop session on Tuesday, December 20, 2011, we'll be joined by special guest Michael Alan Nelson! Michael is the writer of the hot new BOOM! comic book, Valen the Outcast, which has been described as an "undead Conan" story filled with sword and sorcery action.

And our next Book Club guest, on Tuesday, January 10, 2012, will be writer Scott Snyder, discussing his work on American Vampire from Vertigo/DC Comics.

Read more about these great upcoming guests right here.

There’s still plenty of time to sign up before the next session. We hope to see you there.

-- Posted by Paul Allor

iFanboy's "Making Comics" with Andy Schmidt Podcast Launches!

We're pleased to announce that iFanboy has launched a brand new podcast segment, Making Comics with Andy Schmidt! The first show is live now, and available on the regular iFanboy podcast feed.

Each week, iFanboy host Josh Flanagan and former Marvel and IDW Editor (and Comics Experience founder) Andy Schmidt will be discussing all aspects of breaking in and making comics.

As Josh put it over on iFanboy:

"Whether you’re a writer, artist, writer/artist, colorist, or just someone who appreciates the craft, we hope there will be something for you, and if your dream is to make comics, that you find yourself one step closer to it."

Tune in each week for more great discussion and advice!

Read the full iFanboy announcement

or

Listen to the first episode, "Start Writing"

---

If you want to make comics, write, draw, letter, and color comics, or improve as a comics creator, you'll find like-minded friends and colleagues in our online workshops and courses. We hope to see you there!

Posted by Rob Anderson
rob@ComicsExperience.com
Twitter / Facebook

GUEST BLOG: Robert Atkins on the Advanced Comic Book Art course

In this guest blog, Robert Atkins, artist on Snake Eyes, GI JOE, and Heroes for Hire, and Instructor of the Comics Experience Advanced Comic Book Art class, shares his thoughts on the course. Classes will be held live, online, beginning January 12, 2012.

The Advanced Comic Book Art class is open for enrollment -- and I'm excited to be starting up a new class! We're filling up, but still have some positions available for those able and interested. The seven week course begins Jan 12th, so you still have some time to prepare.

While the Intro to Comic Book Art class is a bit more general, this Advanced class gets down to very specific rendering techniques and advanced storytelling methods that there isn't time to cover in the Intro class.

In the class, you will create an 8-12 page comic book story and "workshop" your storytelling pages. But in addition to that, you will learn how to:

• network within the industry;
  
• find good scripts that best suit your style;
  
• pencil for inking and/or straight to coloring, (which is becoming a much more essential skill); and
  
• render a wide variety of textures and objects.
  

Plus, you will receive very personalized and specific critiques of each assignment, all with a focus on a professional level of finishing and getting published!

The overall objective in the Advanced class will be to approach each individual student's needs, and taking into account their style, providing the means to make your portfolio as professional as possible.

The convention season starts back up in late February with Mega Con in Orlando and really starts rolling along mid-Spring with C2E2 in Chicago and Emerald City Comic Con in Seattle. Each of these conventions are fantastic opportunities to meet with editors and small publishers in a more laid back setting, as oppossed to the crazed frenzy of SDCC and NYCC later in the year. This class will end just in time to make the most of the coming con season!

For those who can't make the con circuit this year, it's still an opportunity to get one-on-one critiques of your work. With the extended time built into the schedule of the class, it allows me the opportunity to personally mentor each student. I will be able to address your assignment with specific, professional feedback.

I can't stress how much I wish I had a class like this available to me before I really started showing my portfolio around to get work! I get to share with you many of the techniques I have had to learn through trial and error and it's taken me years to put them all into practice. This doesn't mean the Advanced Class will be easy work for you, but it will definitely speed up your learning process.

Because the class will be made up of advanced students, we get to hit the ground running and really apply specific techniques over your solid storytelling foundation!

I hope to see you all in January!

Robert Atkins
Comics Experience Art Instructor

The next session of the live, online Advanced Comic Book Art course begins January 12, 2012. Enrollment is still open, but seats are limited, so sign up now!

Please note that past completion of the Comics Experience Intro to Comic Book Art class or demonstrated, significant comic art experience is a prerequisite for enrollment. If you have a question about your eligibility, feel free to send an email to Rob Anderson, Comics Experience General Manager, at rob@ComicsExperience.com

WORKSHOP GUESTS: Michael Alan Nelson & Scott Snyder Coming Soon!

We have two fantastic guests joining us LIVE at the Comics Experience Creators Workshop soon, and there's still time for you to join us at these online sessions!

For our next live Workshop session on Tuesday, December 20, 2011, we'll be joined by special guest Michael Alan Nelson!


Michael is the writer of the hot new BOOM! comic book, Valen the Outcast, which has been described as an "undead Conan" story filled with sword and sorcery action.

The first issue just debuted on December 7, 2011, even garnering some controversy in the comics media related to burnings of a Joe Jusko variant cover.

Valen the Outcast is a new, ongoing series from BOOM!, but Michael has been writing comic for seven years, having produced over 120 single issues for dozens of series, including 28 Days Later, Hexed, and Fall of Cthulhu.

Michael will be joining us to discuss his path into the industry, his new work on Valen the Outcast, as well as his experiences working on a popular, licensed property like 28 Days Later.

Michael will also be critiquing a winning script, posted in December by a lucky member of the Creators Workshop.

And, we're pleased to announce that on Tuesday, January 10, 2012, writer Scott Snyder, will be joining us for a Creators Workshop Book Club discussion of American Vampire, Volume 1 from Vertigo/DC Comics!

Volume 1 of American Vampire follows two stories: one written by Scott Snyder and the other by Stephen King, with art by Rafael Albuquereque.

In Scott's story, set in 1920's Los Angeles, we follow Pearl, a young woman who is turned into a vampire and sets out on a path of revenge against European Vampires who tortured and abused her.

Scott is the red-hot writer of Batman and Swamp Thing from DC Comics, as well as the horror title Severed from Image.

Join us at the Creators Workshop to take part in these sure-to-be great discussions with Michael and Scott!

---

If you want to make comics, write, draw, letter, and color comics, or improve as a comics creator, you'll find like-minded friends and colleagues in our online workshops and courses. We hope to see you there!

Posted by Rob Anderson
rob@ComicsExperience.com
Twitter / Facebook

Give (or GET) the Gift of Making Comics for the Holidays!

So, maybe you've had a goal of making comics for a while? Or maybe you're making comics right now, but want to raise your game? Or know someone who's trying to do the above?

If you want to make 2012 YOUR year for making comics, consider asking for (or giving) a Comics Experience Course or Creators Workshop membership for the holidays.

We have three classes starting in January -- and open for enrollment RIGHT NOW -- that will help you meet your New Year's Comics Resolution:

Introduction to Comic Book Writing with Andy Schmidt
Begins January 16, 2012!

Intro to Comic Book Coloring with Soto
Begins January 9, 2012!

Advanced Comic Book Art with Robert Atkins
Begins January 12, 2012!

Or, consider a monthly or 6-month membership in the Creators Workshop, and receive two monthly live, online meetings with creators like our recent guests Terry Moore and Mark Waid, plus access to our members-only forums where you can post your work, receive feedback from pros and colleagues, and read more than 10,000 posts on making comics!

Buying for yourself? Just follow the links above and use PayPal.

Buying for someone else? Still use PayPal, but just note it will be a gift in the "comments" section of your PayPal order, and we'll work with you to get the gift in place for your lucky recipient.

Don't hesitate to contact me, Rob Anderson, at rob@ComicsExperience.com if you have any questions about our courses, Workshop, or giving/receiving a "making comics" gift this year!

---

If you want to make comics, write or draw comics, or improve as a comics creator, you'll find like-minded friends and colleagues in our online workshops and courses. We hope to see you there!

Posted by Rob Anderson
rob@ComicsExperience.com
Twitter / Facebook

WORKSHOP GUESTS: Mark Waid on Digital & the Comics Industry

Legendary comics creator Mark Waid stopped by the Creators Workshop last month to share his thoughts on digital comics and the changing comics industry.

During the session, Waid laid out the economic forces that make it so difficult for a small publisher to make it with print comics, and make digital comics a more viable option. Waid noted that many forms of print media, including magazines and books, face declining sales figures, and comics are no exception.

“Sales continue to dwindle on monthly installments, even as they continue to rise on trade paperbacks, and even as they continue to rise on web comics,” Waid said.

And as sales go down, printing costs go up. The Big Two publishers print hundreds of thousands of books each month, and the economy of scale helps to keep their costs down. In other words, because they have far larger orders, they are able to negotiate a lower price.

But mid-list publishers pay 70 to 75 cents per issue in printing costs, while small publishers and individuals can pay between $1.00 and $1.20 per issue, said Waid, who noted that he was using ballpark figures.

On the other end, Diamond Distributors only returns about $1.60 on a $4 comic book.

“So, the physical cost of printing the comic has now become the single most expensive part of publishing for most guys,” Waid said. “It’s only going to get worse as print continues to suffer, as paper stocks dry up, as more and more guys get out of the printing business because there’s no real future in it. [Printing costs] are only going to go up.”

Waid described this as “the bad news.” The good news, he said, is that digital comics “are a way to eliminate the single greatest cost of producing stuff.”

He also noted that digital comics democratizes the medium.

“If I do a good webcomic or you do a good web comic or any of the [Comics Experience members] do a good webcomic, they can get equal coverage,” Waid said. “They can get equal exposure. The web levels the playing field.”

Web comics also don’t face the same issue of shrinking readership. “I guarantee Scott Kurtz’s PVP is read by more people than Deadpool,” he said. “I guarantee that Penny Arcade is read by more people than half the DC stuff.”

The full archive of Waid’s session will be available for several weeks to Comics Experience members. It includes his thoughts on monetizing comics on the web, and why digital creators should start creating in landscape format.

Waid is currently the writer and creator of Irredeemable and Incorruptible, a pair of ongoing titles from BOOM! Studios, set in the same superhero universe. He also recently began a critically acclaimed (and wildly-entertaining) run on Daredevil for Marvel Comics.

Creators Workshop sessions take place every month, featuring special guests giving members real-world knowledge that will help them succeed in their comics career. Additionally, monthly Book Club sessions feature guest writers and artists discussing the craft and art of comics, as well as the business side of the comics profession.

Later today, writer/artist Terry Moore, will be joining us for a Creators Workshop Book Club discussion of Echo, The Complete Edition. Terry Moore is a legendary creator who writes, draws and publishes comic books through his own imprint, Abstract Studio. Additional guests will be announced soon.

There’s still plenty of time to sign up before the next session. We hope to see you there.


-- Posted by Paul Allor

WORKSHOP GUESTS: Terry Moore LIVE on Tuesday, 12/6/11!

Tomorrow night, Tuesday, December 6, 2011, writer/artist Terry Moore, will be joining us for a Creators Workshop Book Club discussion of Echo, The Complete Edition!

Terry Moore writes, draws and publishes comic books through his own imprint, Abstract Studio.


Terry has also worked for Marvel, DC, Dark Horse, Image and others. His work has won many awards, including the Will Eisner and Harvey Awards.

His first series, Strangers In Paradise, was a 107-issue epic that ran from 1993-2007.

His current project is the on-going horror series, Rachel Rising, about a woman who wakes up in a shallow grave in the woods and discovers the murdered body in the dirt is her own.

Beginning in 2008, Terry launched Echo, a sci-fi series about atomic power and two women who share the same body.

We'll be discussing Echo with Terry, in total, at the next Book Club session!

Join us at the Creators Workshop to take part in this sure-to-be great discussion with Terry!

---

If you want to make comics, write, draw, letter, and color comics, or improve as a comics creator, you'll find like-minded friends and colleagues in our online workshops and courses. We hope to see you there!

Posted by Rob Anderson
rob@ComicsExperience.com
Twitter / Facebook

Convention Panel Notes on the Creators Workshop!

If you're like me, you learn a lot from comic convention panels, especially those on breaking in, craft, and process. But no one person can get to every panel or every convention.

And while many panels get recorded these days, not all of them do, and sometimes you just want to review the highlights rather than listening again from beginning to end.

Well, one of the many features of the Comics Experience Creators Workshop is a "Convention Panel Notes" thread where members share their notes from sessions related to making comics. In fact, going beyond conventions, we also have notes from various physical seminars and workshops from the past.

Want some examples? How about John Layman's Pitching Workshop, held in New York City in 2010? Or the Kickstarter panel from NYCC 2011?

We have notes from a Trickster writing seminar, held during SDCC 2011. And notes from panels on how to get news coverage for your comic from SDCC 2011 itself.

Plus, Breaking In panels, including the excellent one held by Scott Allie (Dark Horse) and Matt Gagnon (BOOM!) at this year's New York Comic-Con.

This is just one of the examples of a single thread from the Creators Workshop focused on breaking in and/or making comics.

If you want to make comics, write or draw comics, or improve as a comics creator, you'll find like-minded friends and colleagues in our online workshop and courses. We hope to see you there!

Posted by Rob Anderson
rob@ComicsExperience.com
Twitter / Facebook

Pro Artist Sean Chen Offers Critiques on Creators Workshop!

We're pleased to announce that comic book artist Sean Chen has joined the Creators Workshop, providing art critiques to members. Sean will be checking in on a regular basis, and has already provided detailed, helpful critiques to two members he selected.

Sean is a graduate of Carnegie Mellon University where he received a bachelor's degree in industrial design. He was discovered by Barry Windsor-Smith, and began his career at Valiant Comics, penciling their flagship title, X-O Manowar and others.

After Valiant, Sean worked with Marvel Comics where he penciled Iron Man for over three years and Wolverine for nearly as long. Sean wrapped up the 18-issue saga X-Men: The End before moving to DC Comics, home to such icons as Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman.

More recently, he returned to Marvel, penciling popular projects such as Dark Reign: Fantastic Four and Avengers Academy. Chen's penciling propelled Wolverine to the top of the sales charts and earned him a seat on Wizard's Top Ten Artists list.

The Creators Workshop is an on-going community of writers, artists, colorists, and letterers all dedicated to getting published and improving their craft. It's a community focused on making comics!

Our members post their work, critique each other, and discuss all aspects of creating comics in our members-only forums. But in addition to all that, members are eligible each month for critique by our instructors and special guests!

Sean Chen has now joined our regular line-up that includes working comic book editors, writers, artists, colorists and more.

Welcome to the Workshop, Sean!

---

If you want to make comics, write or draw comics, or improve as a comics creator, you'll find like-minded friends and colleagues in our online workshops and courses. We hope to see you there!

Posted by Rob Anderson
rob@ComicsExperience.com
Twitter / Facebook