comicsexperience.com

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Pro Editor Bobby Curnow Offers Critiques on the Creators Workshop!

Comic book editor and writer Bobby Curnow is yet another professional providing critiques to members of the Creators Workshop. The Creators Workshop is an on-going community of writers, artists, colorists, and letterers all dedicated to getting published and improving their craft.

Workshop members are already familiar with Bobby's detailed, helpful script critiques, as well as his posts that give insight into the industry, from pitching to the development of major projects.

But not everyone may know that Bobby is also a Comics Experience alum!

Bobby graduated from the film program at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, after which he spent time focused on script writing. After school, but while still living in NYC, Bobby took one of Andy Schmidt's early Intro to Comic Book Writing classes, followed by the Advanced Writing class, before they were offered online. Eventually, this led to an internship at IDW (in San Diego), which developed into his current gig at IDW.

At IDW, Bobby began by editing titles like Robert Bloch's That Hellbound Train and John Layman and Alberto Ponticelli's Godzilla: Gangsters and Goliaths before moving on to his current position working on both the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Godzilla franchises.

But Bobby has also continued to write comics!

In the current Diamond Previews March catalog, his new creator-owned IDW series, Night of 1,000 Wolves is available for pre-order, with art by the Eisner-nominated Dave Wachter. Wolves is a classic horror tale, set in the Dark Ages, about a family with dark secrets who find themselves under siege by hordes of wolves.

Bobby also wrote the upcoming Godzilla Legends #5 with art by comics great Dean Haspiel, in a story in which -- get this -- an old adventurer comes out of retirement to climb Godzilla! That issue will be on stands in March.

As busy as Bobby is, he still takes the time to help fellow creators in the Workshop. As Bobby put it himself:
"Comics Experience was the first step on a long road that ultimately led to a rewarding career in the industry. I learned a lot in the classes I took, met some great people, and had tons of fun. I continue to be a part of the forums because I think it is a truly unique and amazing resource--a fantastic place to hone your skills in any part of comics creation, as well as gain insight from professionals on how the industry really works. Truly a place where the more effort you put in, the more you get out of it."
Thanks for being part of the Workshop, Bobby! We'll see you on the forums!


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 #11 posted!

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

In the eleventh episode, iFanboy host Josh Flanagan and former Marvel and IDW Editor (and Comics Experience founder) Andy Schmidt discuss the "Artist Portfolio".

As explained over on iFanboy:
"An artist trying to break into comics relies on their portfolio, either physical or digital,...But what should the portfolio highlight?...Andy breaks down what editors are really looking for."
Check out this new episode, plus all of the previous ones on iTunes, or listen to them right here:

Listen to Episode #11, "Artist Portfolio"

Listen to Episode #10, "Inspiration"

Listen to Episode #9, "Online Networking"

Listen to Episode #8, "Building A Page"

Listen to Episode #7, "Professionialism"

Listen to Episode #6, "The Comic Book Script"

Listen to Episode #5, "Convention Networking"

Listen to Episode #4, "Good Feedback"

Listen to Episode #3, "Long Stories or Short Stories?"

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

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Comics Experience Staff on Digital, Creativity, Courses, and Community

Comics Experience staffers have been out and about lately, discussing everything from digital comics to how to revive your creativity. Here's some highlights and links!



On the Revive Your Creativity blog, Comics Experience founder Andy Schmidt, as well as staff members Rob Anderson and Paul Allor, explained how they try to "stay creative on a consistent basis."

Andy offered several thoughts including seeking inspiration from outside of comics, and experimenting with new approaches in your writing you've never done before. Rob discussed the importance of relaxing your mind, while Paul seeks inspiration in art (among other places) and uses structure to drive himself forward even when he's not in the mood.

The article features tips from 12 writers in all. You can read it right here:

Keeping the Creative Juices Flowing



Book Club Manager Paul Allor was recently interviewed on the Graphicly blog and he discussed Comics Experience, his anthology Clockwork Volume 1 available on Graphicly and the merits of creators trying their hand at short comic scripts.

Check out that interview here:

Interview: ‘Clockwork’ Writer Paul Allor and the Art of the Short Comic


Paul also did an interesting guest column over on Graphicly, analyzing the benefits of digital comics for creators.

As Paul put it, "Print comics can be a cruel mistress, especially for a self-published creator," whereas with digital, "...the needs of your story [can] dictate format and length."

Paul offers several tips for comic creators considering entering the digital realm.

Read the full article here:

Guest Commentary: Paul Allor on Embracing the Freedom of Digital Comics



General Manager Rob Anderson was recently interviewed on the Comic Book Fury podcast.

Rob first discussed his upcoming book, Rex, Zombie Killer, but then went on to have a fairly in-depth conversation with host Tim Robinson on Comics Experience courses and the Creators Workshop community.

Rob pointed out that not only was the Rex, Zombie Killer story started in a Comics Experience course, and then subsequently workshopped in the Creators Workshop, but every member of the creative team had some connection to Comics Experience as well.

Check out the podcast interview here:

CBF Interviews #2 : Rob Anderson on Rex, Zombie Killer and Comics Experience




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

Monday, February 27, 2012

Drew Gaska Joins Creators Workshop LIVE tomorrow night! (2/28/12)

Tomorrow night, Tuesday, February 28, 2012, writer Drew Gaska, will be joining us for an online Creators Workshop discussion!

Drew is the founder and creative director of BLAM! Ventures, a guerilla design studio that produces print and digital media for the comic book and science fiction industry.

Drew’s novel, Conspiracy of the Planet of the Apes, and his science fiction graphic novel epic, Critical Millennium, are both published by Archaia Entertainment, and have both been released to critical acclaim.

Conspiracy is an illustrated novel set during the classic 1968 film and was the first prose novel from Archaia, and the first Planet of the Apes offering from the joint venture of BLAM! Ventures, Archaia, and FOX.

In addition to his writing work, Drew has spent over a decade as a freelance consultant for Rockstar Games on such hit titles as Grand Theft Auto, Red Dead Redemption, and all other major Rockstar Games releases.

Mr. Gaska is currently writing and directing a Space: 1999 revival graphic novel and digital media series, as well as working on other comic and science fiction novel projects. Look for SPACE: 1999 Book 1 – Aftershock and Awe, available Fall of 2012.

SPACE: 1999 Aftershock And Awe has been called "a perfect introduction to sci-fi’s lost gothic space odyssey."

Aftershock takes place in an alternate universe where JFK was never assassinated, mankind has already suffered through World War III, unified in a world government, and built a base on the moon by the year 1999.

And the story continues in Awe, which adapts the pilot episode of SPACE: 1999 "Breakaway," from the point of view of the heroes of Moonbase Alpha -- expanded to include both new and unfilmed material, and utilizing the remastered art of comics legend Gray Morrow as a basis for this revolutionary retelling.

Join us at the Creators Workshop to take part in what's sure to be a great discussion with Drew!


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

Friday, February 24, 2012

Paul Cornell Joins Creators Workshop LIVE Saturday, March 10th!

On Saturday March 10, 2012 at 3pm Eastern Time, writer Paul Cornell, will be joining us live from London for an online Creators Workshop Book Club discussion of Knight and Squire published by DC Comics!

As Paul said on his own blog when the book was set to be released:
"[Knight and Squire] is a very British one....they come from a deliberately over the top, tremendously fun DC Britain that had previously been only slightly explored.

If Captain Britain was a more realistic take on British superheroics, Knight and Squire delights in Mary Poppins absurdity, in what I think is a quite 2000AD way. The artist on this six issue miniseries is the great Jimmy Broxton.
"
The miniseries also had an interesting and unusual structure, as previously discussed by our Book Club Manager, Paul Allor, in the article "Knight & Squire: A Study of Structure."

In addition to writing comics, Paul Cornell is a novelist and TV writer, notably for the television show Doctor Who.

Most recently, he has written both Demon Knights and Stormwatch for DC Comics.

Coming soon is his new creator-owned series from Vertigo entitled Saucer Country, where Paul and artist Ryan Kelly tell the story of a U.S. presidential candidate and her alcoholic ex being abducted by aliens.

Join us at the Creators Workshop to take part in what's sure to be a great discussion with Paul!


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

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

WORKSHOP GUEST: Scott Snyder on Narrative Captions!

In this month's Comics Experience Creators Workshop Book Club, special guest Scott Snyder discussed his work on the DC/Vertigo Comics title American Vampire. He also shared his thoughts on several aspects of the comics-writing craft, including the use of narrative captions.

Snyder comes from a prose background; before his comics career began, he earned an MFA in fiction from Columbia University and wrote a collection of short stories called Voodoo Heart. Snyder said that early on in his comics career, he realized that narration could be used to carry his writer's voice and sense of wordplay over from prose to comic books. It also allowed him to use unreliable narrators, and create a conflict between the words and images on a comics page.

Most of Snyder's prose writing is done in first-person, from "narrators that were very unreliable," he said. "So there was often a discrepancy between what they would be telling you, and what would really be happening. They'd be telling you, 'this person is in love with me,' and you'd be hearing dialogue from that person, or someone else, that would imply (the narrator) is not right."

But in prose, there are no images, and the entire story is communicated through narration. By contrast, in a comic book the narration and the images are separate, allowing creators to provide contradictory information in a single panel.

"That conflict of what you're hearing in the narration and what you're seeing is something that was so exciting about comics," Snyder said. "It's something I'd like to do in prose, but in prose it's so tricky whereas in comics it's so glaringly fun."

Snyder said that in his Batman work, "Bruce (Wayne) is a totally unreliable narrator, which is fun. Bruce keeps everything close to the vest. He doesn't tell you anything that he's feeling." By contrast, Snyder said that Dick Grayson "is not very unreliable, Dick is very open and confessional."

But Snyder said that aside from having an unreliable narrator, there is another, more important reason to use narration.

"Make it personal," he said. "It doesn't get any more personal in comics than a character talking to you." And yet, he noted, narration is often used for exposition; for characters to provide backstory or fill in the plot.

"Use it to try and tell stories or give confessional details or things that surprise people. Use it to establish character," Snyder said. He noted that in Bruce Wayne's narration, "he tells you things that are metaphorically very personal, even if he's talking about a tripwire, or even if he's giving you an information lesson about the history of a building in Gotham. He's really telling you something about how he's feeling."

Most importantly, Snyder said, narration can be used to build a link between the character and the readers; to make the reader emotionally invested in the characters from page one.

"If you tell an emotionally gripping, or at least an emotionally enveloping story, if you get the reader to love that character on the opening pages, they'll follow you through the rest of the book, even if it doesn't have explosions and vampires and all that stuff, because they'll know it's coming, and they'll feel a sense of engagement with that character," Snyder said. "So for me, narration is a really powerful tool for that. Not for exposition, not for catching up the reader – but to be incredibly intimate."

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 Scott Snyder can check out some of his other work, including Batman and Swamp Thing from DC Comics, and Severed (with Scott Tuft) from Image Comics and Iron Man Noir from Marvel Comics, as well as Voodoo Heart, a collection of prose stories.

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.

Our next live Workshop will be held Tuesday, February 28, 2012. We'll be joined by special guest Drew Gaska to discuss how he single-handedly acquired licenses to Planet of the Apes and Space: 1999 from Fox.

Read more about this great upcoming guest 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, Episode #10 posted!

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

In the tenth episode, iFanboy host Josh Flanagan and former Marvel and IDW Editor (and Comics Experience founder) Andy Schmidt discuss "Inspiration".

As explained over on iFanboy:
"Where do you get your inspiration? It’s a question asked of almost all artists, writers, and creators alike, but we take a moment to explore where we have heard inspiration springs from. "
Check out this new episode, plus all of the previous ones on iTunes, or listen to them right here:

Listen to Episode #10, "Inspiration"

Listen to Episode #9, "Online Networking"

Listen to Episode #8, "Building A Page"

Listen to Episode #7, "Professionialism"

Listen to Episode #6, "The Comic Book Script"

Listen to Episode #5, "Convention Networking"

Listen to Episode #4, "Good Feedback"

Listen to Episode #3, "Long Stories or Short Stories?"

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

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Drew Gaska Joins Creators Workshop LIVE February 28, 2012!

Next Tuesday night, February 28, 2012, writer Drew Gaska, will be joining us for an online Creators Workshop discussion!

Drew is the founder and creative director of BLAM! Ventures, a guerilla design studio that produces print and digital media for the comic book and science fiction industry.

Drew’s novel, Conspiracy of the Planet of the Apes, and his science fiction graphic novel epic, Critical Millennium, are both published by Archaia Entertainment, and have both been released to critical acclaim.

Conspiracy is an illustrated novel set during the classic 1968 film and was the first prose novel from Archaia, and the first Planet of the Apes offering from the joint venture of BLAM! Ventures, Archaia, and FOX.

In addition to his writing work, Drew has spent over a decade as a freelance consultant for Rockstar Games on such hit titles as Grand Theft Auto, Red Dead Redemption, and all other major Rockstar Games releases.

Mr. Gaska is currently writing and directing a Space: 1999 revival graphic novel and digital media series, as well as working on other comic and science fiction novel projects. Look for SPACE: 1999 Book 1 – Aftershock and Awe, available Fall of 2012.

SPACE: 1999 Aftershock And Awe has been called "a perfect introduction to sci-fi’s lost gothic space odyssey."

Aftershock takes place in an alternate universe where JFK was never assassinated, mankind has already suffered through World War III, unified in a world government, and built a base on the moon by the year 1999.

And the story continues in Awe, which adapts the pilot episode of SPACE: 1999 "Breakaway," from the point of view of the heroes of Moonbase Alpha -- expanded to include both new and unfilmed material, and utilizing the remastered art of comics legend Gray Morrow as a basis for this revolutionary retelling.

Join us at the Creators Workshop to take part in what's sure to be a great discussion with Drew!


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

Friday, February 17, 2012

COMMUNITY NEWS: Douek on Graphicly, Sergi on Comics Law, and Groah talks DoubleFeature!

We're had LOTS of news this week from the Comics Experience community, and we wanted to share three more items as we enter the weekend!



Comics Experience alum and Creators Workshop member, Rich Douek's comic book Gutter Magic has been released on Graphicly.

The Gutter Magic one-shot tells a tale of sword, sorcery and sixguns in three interconnected tales of an alternate history where a magic-fueled World War II drove the world to the brink of apocalypse.

The book features art by Craig S. Yeung, Jason Baroody, and JC Grande, along with colors by Paul Little and lettering by Creators Workshop member E.T. Dollman!

Purchase a digital copy of Gutter Magic for only 99 cents on Graphicly:

Gutter Magic One-Shot on Graphicly!




Comics Experience alum and Creators Workshop member, Joe Sergi, also happens to be a Legal Eagle, and in the past has appeared on various podcasts and shows discussing law cases related to comics.

So, it's no big surprise that Joe recently appeared on the Comic Geek Speak podcast to chat about two cases very much in the news -- the Robert Kirkman/Tony Moore contract dispute over The Walking Dead, and the Marvel Comics/Gary Friedrich suit related to Ghost Rider.

To hear a discussion of the issues from the perspective of an attorney (who also happens to be a comic book creator) check out:

Comic Geek Speak: Episode 1191 (February 15, 2012)
Legal Brief Edition with Joe Sergi




We've previously talked about Creators Workshop member Joey Groah's podcast, In Production. In each episode, Joey has "conversations with people making things," whether it's origin story, process, workflow, or the overall business of being creative.

And in Episode 19, Joey had an in-depth chat about DoubleFeature Comics with Four Star Studios members Sean Dove, Josh Emmons, Mike Norton, and Tim Seeley. You can hear about how these guys got together and began putting out digital comics by top creators for 99 cents.

Episode 19: DoubleFeature Comics with Four Star Studios


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

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

COMMUNITY NEWS: Amy Chu Writes Comic for MOCA Museum!

Comics Experience alum and Creators Workshop member Amy Chu recently wrote and produced a comic book with artist Louie Chin for the Museum of Chinese in America (MOCA).

The comic book, A Visit to the Museum of Chinese in America, was produced by Amy and Louie for the museum's 2011 gala event.

According to Amy, the co-chair of the museum was looking for something different to put in the goody bags for their annual black tie fundraiser.

"I suggested that they do the history of the museum in comic format," Amy said.


"I had seen Louie Chin's work at MOCCAFest earlier this year [in 2011] and thought his style would be great for this project. He was a gem to work with, even insisting on hand lettering it himself."

You can read the full comic book on Louie Chin's website right here.

Congrats, Amy and Louie!


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

iFanboy's "Making Comics" with Andy Schmidt Podcast, Episode #9 posted!

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

In the ninth episode, iFanboy host Josh Flanagan and former Marvel and IDW Editor (and Comics Experience founder) Andy Schmidt discuss "Online Networking".

As explained over on iFanboy:
"Online networking is perhaps the greatest tool prospective comics creators have ever had...If you’re going to use social networking to forward your comics career, there’s much to consider, including how you present yourself to the world as a creative professional."
Check out this new episode, plus all of the previous ones on iTunes, or listen to them right here:

Listen to Episode #9, "Online Networking"

Listen to Episode #8, "Building A Page"

Listen to Episode #7, "Professionialism"

Listen to Episode #6, "The Comic Book Script"

Listen to Episode #5, "Convention Networking"

Listen to Episode #4, "Good Feedback"

Listen to Episode #3, "Long Stories or Short Stories?"

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

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

COMMUNITY NEWS: James Babbo Colors for Dynamite Entertainment and others!

Comics Experience alum and Creators Workshop member James Babbo has been doing coloring work for a number of publishers recently.

In fact, on February 15th, his second issue as colorist for Dynamite Entertainment goes on sale! That issue is Warehouse 13 with art by Robert Gill, shown here. This is James' second issue coloring the book, with #3 being his first.

At the same time he's worked on those books, James has been doing "flatting" color work for various pro colorists at Marvel, Image, and Top Cow.

For those unfamiliar with the process, flatting is an essential step where every shape (buildings, bodies, costumes, etc) is filled with color so the colorists can select those sections to change color and provide the finished rendering.

James, a graduate of Soto's coloring classes, had this to say about the courses at Comics Experience:
"Chris Sotomayor's coloring class was an immense help in learning the skills necessary to do digital coloring. While I had learned the technical steps in Photoshop through books and tutorials, Soto provides an understanding of color theory that explains how color is viewed in reality. Temperature, atmosphere, environment - all these need to be observed in the process of coloring anything, be it comics or painting.

I highly recommend Soto's class for those wanting to be a professional colorist as well as the independent creator (in my case) who wants to self-publish."
Thanks for the kind words, James, and CONGRATS on all your coloring gigs! We hope to see more!


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

Thursday, February 9, 2012

WORKSHOP GUEST: Paul Tobin's Tips for Writing "All-Ages" Comic Books!

Comics writer Paul Tobin is known for his extensive work on the Marvel Adventures’ "all-ages" line, along with a wide variety of other genres and publishers.

During last month’s Comics Experience Creators Workshop, Tobin shared some tips on writing comics for all ages.

Write for Your Inner 12-Year-Old
When asked if there are any children who read Tobin’s all-ages work in advance, Tobin replied that he relies heavily on his "inner 12-year-old."

"If my inner 12-year-old is excited by a story, then I know that I’m doing okay," Tobin said. "If it’s something that I want to read, if it’s something that gets me up in the morning and really wants me to hit the computer and get the story out then I know I’m doing okay."

Make Your Story About Characters
Tobin noted that when working on all-ages material, there are often restrictions on the level of violence and the use of weapons. But, he said, this is easy to work around if you focus on character.

"I consider myself a character writer, and I was really more interested in telling the character’s story, the interweaving of what people were trying to do, rather than the gunfire aspect," Tobin said. "...In the mainstream, I see a lot of writers who just open the story with a knife and a gun fight, and it closes on page 22 and nothing much has happened. So I really think a lot of writers should try to think about the characters behind them, and that’s really what I try to do."

Write for All-Ages
It’s no secret that the "all-ages" label is often used for books aimed exclusively at children. Tobin said that by contrast, he believes all-ages books should be exactly that.

"To me, all ages means a seven-year-old should be able to pick it up, and also a 70-year-old should be able to pick it up," Tobin said. "The 70 year old might say, ‘Oh, the construction of this story and the interaction between these two characters was really cool,’ and the seven year old might say, ‘Oh, that was the mostest coolest thing ever when the Hulk knocked Thor through the wall,’ which the Hulk would do, because he’s the strongest there is."

Tobin also said that writing for all ages helps ensure that you are not writing down to children.

"I don’t think you can appeal to kids by talking down to them," Tobin said. "I know that when I was a kid, if you wrote a comic specifically for a seven-to-ten-year-old age group, then I could have been five years old and felt like I was too old for it. So I really tried to avoid that."

Those interested in learning more about Paul Tobin can visit his Web site at www.paultobin.net. In addition to his all-ages work, Paul has written for Marvel, DC, Dark Horse and Top Shelf, among other publishers.

Creators Workshop sessions take place every month, and feature special guests giving members real-world knowledge that will help them succeed in their comics career.

Additionally, monthly Creators Workshop 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.

Our next live Workshop will be held Tuesday, February 28, 2012. We'll be joined by special guest Drew Gaska to discuss how he single-handedly acquired licenses to Planet of the Apes and Space 1999 from Fox.

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

-- Posted by Paul Allor


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!

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

iFanboy's "Making Comics" with Andy Schmidt Podcast, Episode #8 posted!

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

In the eighth episode, iFanboy host Josh Flanagan and former Marvel and IDW Editor (and Comics Experience founder) Andy Schmidt discuss "Building A Page".

As explained over on iFanboy:
"How a reader experiences a sequential story is determined by the layout and the storytelling skills of the artist. What does any of that mean to a newcomer? What works best? What is the grid, and how can you become proficient at building effective comic pages?"
Check out this new episode, plus all of the previous ones on iTunes, or listen to them right here:

Listen to Episode #8, "Building A Page"

Listen to Episode #7, "Professionialism"

Listen to Episode #6, "The Comic Book Script"

Listen to Episode #5, "Convention Networking"

Listen to Episode #4, "Good Feedback"

Listen to Episode #3, "Long Stories or Short Stories?"

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

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Pro Writer David Gallaher Offers Critiques on Creators Workshop!

We're pleased to announce that comic book writer David Gallaher has joined the Creators Workshop, providing script critiques to members. David has already provided his first script critiques to several members he selected.

David was named "Breakout Creator of 2008" by Comic Foundry Magazine.

He's received multiple Harvey Award nominations and won the "Best Online Comic Award" for his work on High Moon, a high-energy, deeply researched fusion horror/western webcomic for Zuda Comics, a part of DC Comics.

David is currently a Manga and graphic novel editor at Random House, where he edits many titles for the Random House / Kodansha Comics Manga line, including the popular Sailor Moon.

David has also written for Marvel Comics on both Hulk: Winter Guard and the Darkstar & the Winter Guard miniseries.

In addition to his work for Marvel, Random House, and Zuda/DC Comics, David has written Box 13 for comiXology / Red 5, and both Johnny Dollar and Vampire: The Masquerade: Blood and Shadows for Moonstone Books, among other titles.

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!

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

Welcome to the Workshop, David!



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

Monday, February 6, 2012

Brian Wood Joins Creators Workshop LIVE Wednesday Night! (2/8)

Just a reminder that this Wednesday night, February 8, 2012, writer Brian Wood, will be joining us for an online Creators Workshop Book Club discussion of Northlanders, Book Four from Vertigo/DC Comics!

Set in Viking Russia in A.D.1020, and with story elements from crime, history and survival fiction, Northlanders, Book Four: The Plague Widow follows the life of a remote settlement under siege by a contagious outbreak.

The residents of the village are so focused on shutting the outside world out, that they don't consider who they're shutting themselves in with...

Brian Wood has focused his career almost entirely on creator-owned work, with such original series as DMZ, Northlanders, Demo, and Local. He released his first series, Channel Zero, in 1997 to critical acclaim and has continued to produce comics and graphic novels ever since.

He’s become one of the most notable creators of the last decade, earning multiple Eisner Award nominations. Editions of his work have been published in close to a dozen foreign languages.

This year, Wood kicks off the second major phase of his career with the original series' The Massive, Anthem, and Mara, as well as Conan for Dark Horse Comics and The X-Men for Marvel.

Join us at the Creators Workshop to take part in what's sure to be a fascinating discussion with Brian!


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

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Rob Anderson's REX, ZOMBIE KILLER hits Previews Today!

Comics Experience founder, and former Marvel and IDW Editor Andy Schmidt wrote up today's post. Why? Well, because...

Rob's too embarrassed to write this himself... So it falls on me, Andy, to write it up. Hi. Good to type with you all again.

I believe we've talked a lot recently about many of the successes that Comics Experience members have been having in the comics field. And it's pretty awesome, to be sure. I've now filled a long box worth of material from CE alumni -- totally awesome. And I'm THRILLED to add Mr. Rob Anderson's name to the list.

Rob is the Comics Experience General Manager, as some of you probably know. He started here as an inaugural member of the first ONLINE writing course.

Rob's skills as a creator, combined with his strange obsession with animals, really made him stand out in the class. And his eagerness to continue to learn with Comics Experience and his fellow classmates was a huge factor in getting the Comics Experience Creators Workshop off the ground.

The guy's passionate about everything he does. And it shows. Did I mention his strange obsession with animals? We'll come back to that.

Rob self-published his first couple of comics quickly after his first course. He's since taken the Advanced Writing course and the Editing and Project Management course, and now he's being published by Big Dog Ink with his latest creator-owned book Rex, Zombie Killer!

So back to his strange fascination with animals...

I first learned about this when I read his first creator-owned book: Animal Control: Special Creatures Unit. A totally awesome book about hybrid animals run amok. Sorry, I just butchered your concept, Rob. That's what you get for being too modest to write this yourself!

And now with Rex, he's created a book about a hyper-intelligent Golden Retriever, a gorilla with a baseball bat, and a small pack of animals trying to cross the country after a zombie apocalypse.

Now, let me be honest. I'm zombied out. Still love The Walking Dead and all, but I've had enough. So when Rob asked me to read it, he was wise enough to only talk about the dog and the gorilla. (Well played, sir.)

And this book really sings! It's got a fun concept, a great execution (fantastic art by Comics Experience's own DaFu Yu!) and it's got heart. And that's what a lot of comics today seem to be missing -- a good story, well told, with a reason to exist.

Rob and DaFu are actually telling a story that's about the human spirit (despite the fact that all the humans are zombies). And it's wrapped up in this really super-fun story. Congratulations, Rob, you've given me a zombie tale I didn't know I wanted and I really enjoyed it!

Also of note, from the Comics Experience angle, colorist Kevin Volo is currently enrolled in Chris Sotomayor's Introduction to Coloring class and letterer/designer ET Dollman is a member of the Creators Workshop. And wouldn't you know it, the book is being edited by Comics Experience alum and Book Club Manager, Paul Allor. A very nice showing by Comics Experience alumni and networking!

Now, let me be serious for a second here.

Rob has honestly become a close friend to myself and my wife over the past few years since we began working together. And it is my sincere pleasure to congratulate him on such a great creative work with great creative partners. I'm really happy for all of you guys. And since it is a great read that I am more than comfortable endorsing whole-heartedly, please order a copy from the February 2012 Diamond Previews catalog! Here is the correct order information:
Publisher: Big Dog Ink
Title: Rex, Zombie Killer
Diamond Order Code: FEB12 0806
Please pre-order the book if you can! It goes to a good cause -- Rob has a lot of animals to feed...

Congrats again.

Andy

You can check out the audio promo for Rex, Zombie Killer right here:


Or visit www.RexZombieKiller.com for more info.

iFanboy's "Making Comics" with Andy Schmidt Podcast, Episode #7 posted!

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

In the seventh episode, iFanboy host Josh Flanagan and former Marvel and IDW Editor (and Comics Experience founder) Andy Schmidt discuss "Professionalism".

As explained over on iFanboy:
"If you want to make a career in comics, you want to be a comic book professional, and that means acting with professionalism. Andy and Josh take some time to talk out exactly what that means in the comic book industry. "
Check out this new episode, plus all of the previous ones on iTunes, or listen to them right here:

Listen to Episode #7, "Professionialism"

Listen to Episode #6, "The Comic Book Script"

Listen to Episode #5, "Convention Networking"

Listen to Episode #4, "Good Feedback"

Listen to Episode #3, "Long Stories or Short Stories?"

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

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