CE alum Paul Allor's "Strange Nation" to be published by Action Lab Entertainment!

Comics Experience alum and staff member Paul Allor recently announced his first creator-owned mini-series, with artist Juan Romera.

Strange Nation, a four-issue mini-series, will launch later this year through Action Lab Entertainment.

But before that, an advance copy of issue #1 will be available from Paul at Emerald City Comic Con and Fabletown and Beyond.

According to Action Lab, Strange Nation is a madcap tale of tabloid myths. The story stars Norma Park, a reporter who discovers a bizarre conspiracy, tying together aliens, Sasquatch and mad scientists.

The book is already receiving great advance reviews, including this one from Multiversity Comics! You can also read an interview with Paul and see more pages over on CBR's Robot 6.

Paul is a graduate of the Comics Experience writing, lettering and editing classes, and is a longtime member of the Creators Workshop.

His previous works include Clockwork, Vol. 1, a collection of five-page comics, many of them workshopped through Comics Experience; Orc Girl, a one-shot with artist Thomas Boatwright; and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Fugitoid, a one-shot for IDW Publishing.

Congrats to Paul and Juan on this upcoming mini-series!

---

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

IDW Editor John Barber Discusses "Breaking In" and more!

IDW Senior Editor John Barber joined the Comics Experience Creators Workshop recently, to discuss breaking in to comics, and the state of the industry.

Several of the questions revolved around the best way to break into the industry, and Barber repeatedly noted that putting out your own comics -- even if they are self-published -- can help gain attention and help pave the way for future success.

"As a writer, it's extraordinarily hard, if you don't draw, to get a comic done," Barber said, in terms of wrangling talent, financing the book and producing the final product. "Once it's done, you're ahead of the pack, because a lot of people drop off. So if you can get it done, it puts you in another tier."

Barber was the first editor at Marvel to hire writers Jonathan Hickman and Keiron Gillen, and said their previous comics were a big part of what convinced him to bring them on.

"I picked up Nightly News by Hickman, and I was just blown away," he said. "It was like nothing I'd ever read. But it was just enough to see that he could write a Marvel genre comic. Keiron (Gillen), it was the same thing, I read all of Phonogram, and started talking to him.

"In both those cases, they did something in their own comic that clearly wasn't writing what they thought somebody wanted to see. It wasn't, 'zombie comics are selling, so we should do zombie comics.' They were doing their own thing."

Making your own comics also allows you to build up your skills, and take advantage of opportunities that come your way. Barber noted that Marvel writer Brian Michael Bendis spent nearly a decade writing and drawing his own comics, before being introduced to editorial staff at Marvel. Once he had that opportunity, Barber said, he was able to show them great comics that didn't read like anything else on the market.

"Breaking into comics successfully requires a lot of luck," Barber said. "It requires you to be in the right place at the right time. But the better you get and the more ready you are to shine at that moment, the more likely you are to get lucky."

Other topics John discussed included:

* What the comics industry could do to capitalize on the success of licensed books
* What it takes to be successful in comics
* The most important things for people to know about the comics craft
* Working with comics writers from other media
* Whether it's better to work on individual issues or graphic novels
* Using comics internships to advance your career
* Finding an editor for your self-published/small press project
* Choosing the right artist for a project
* Why most comics companies don't have open submissions for writers
* The difficulty of launching a comic strip
* Price points of digital comics
* How the disappearance of comic shops would affect the industry
* Whether editors' careers are influenced by finding the "next big artist."

Creators Workshop sessions take place every month, giving members real-world knowledge that will help them succeed in their comics career. Additionally the 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 things.

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

-- Posted by Paul Allor

John Barber - Upcoming Guest on Creators Workshop! (7/26/12)

On Thursday, July 26, 2012 at 9pm Eastern Time, the Creators Workshop will be joined by special guest John Barber!

John Barber is Senior Editor at IDW comics as well as the writer of Transformers: Robots in Disguise and other comics. He is also a former Marvel editor.

He started his career self-publishing and making webcomics before joining the Marvel Comics editorial staff in 2004.

He worked on the Ultimate line of comics at the height of their popularity, and worked on the first Dark Tower series Marvel produced in cooperation with Stephen King.

Soon after, Barber moved to the X-Men comics, where he edited the best-selling X-Force relaunch and the Wolverine line of comics, including the Eisner Award-Nominated Old Man Logan series.

He helped bring the alternative-centric Strange Tales anthology to fruition before leaving Marvel to pursue a freelance career, including writing for the X-Men: Nation X series and penning several of IDW's Transformers limited series, as well as writing and drawing the (now completed) webcomic Outside Infinity. But he was also the editor of the creator-owned hits Kick-Ass and Superior for Marvel's Icon imprint, and Turf at Image Comics.

There's still time to join us at the Creators Workshop before this session! We hope to see you there.

---

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

Greg Pak & Alejandro Arbona Discuss "Red Skull Incarnate" Tomorrow Night!

Tomorrow night, July 17, 2012 at 9pm ET, we'll be holding a live, online Book Club session at the Creators Workshop with writer Greg Pak and editor Alejandro Arbona on Marvel's Red Skull Incarnate

Red Skull Incarnate tells the secrets behind the origin of how Johann Schmidt -- orphan, thug, urchin -- became the Red Skull.

As Berlin descends into chaos and ruin, sinister forces are on the rise...and the men who will form the Nazi Party ascend to power. Greg, along with breakout artist Mirko Colak (Secret Warriors) bring to life the twisted birth of the Red Skull.

Greg Pak is a filmmaker and comic book writer best known for directing the award-winning feature film Robot Stories, writing the epic Planet Hulk and World War Hulk comic book storylines, and co-writing (with Fred Van Lente) the fan favorite Incredible Hercules series for Marvel Comics. He was named one of 25 Filmmakers to Watch by Filmmaker Magazine, described as "a talent with a future" by the New York Times, and named "Breakout Talent" of the year by Wizard Magazine.

Alejandro Arbona is a former editor for Marvel Comics, where he edited Invincible Iron Man, Osborn, Casanova, Legion of Monsters, and more. Before joining Marvel, Alejandro spent two years at Wizard, writing and editing news and feature articles, interviewing the likes of Alan Moore, and overseeing a sprawling retrospective by Brian Michael Bendis and Mark Bagley on the first hundred issues of Ultimate Spider-Man. Today, Alejandro continues to edit Casanova as well as the mini-series Sacrifice created by Sam Humphries and Dalton Rose.

There's still time to join us at the Creators Workshop before these two great discussions! We hope to see you there.

---

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

Greg Pak, Alejandro Arbona, John Barber - Upcoming Guests on Creators Workshop!

In July, we'll have two great live, online sessions at the Creators Workshop: a Book Club discussion on Marvel's Red Skull Incarnate with writer Greg Pak and editor Alejandro Arbona; AND a Workshop session with IDW editor and writer John Barber on his writing, editing, and topics such as how to break into the comics industry!

On July 17, 2012 at 9pm Eastern Time, we'll be discussing Red Skull Incarnate with Greg and Alejandro.

Red Skull Incarnate tells the secrets behind the origin of how Johann Schmidt -- orphan, thug, urchin -- became the Red Skull.

As Berlin descends into chaos and ruin, sinister forces are on the rise...and the men who will form the Nazi Party ascend to power. Greg, along with breakout artist Mirko Colak (Secret Warriors) bring to life the twisted birth of the Red Skull.

Greg Pak is a filmmaker and comic book writer best known for directing the award-winning feature film Robot Stories, writing the epic Planet Hulk and World War Hulk comic book storylines, and co-writing (with Fred Van Lente) the fan favorite Incredible Hercules series for Marvel Comics. He was named one of 25 Filmmakers to Watch by Filmmaker Magazine, described as "a talent with a future" by the New York Times, and named "Breakout Talent" of the year by Wizard Magazine.

Alejandro Arbona is a former editor for Marvel Comics, where he edited Invincible Iron Man, Osborn, Casanova, Legion of Monsters, and more. Before joining Marvel, Alejandro spent two years at Wizard, writing and editing news and feature articles, interviewing the likes of Alan Moore, and overseeing a sprawling retrospective by Brian Michael Bendis and Mark Bagley on the first hundred issues of Ultimate Spider-Man. Today, Alejandro continues to edit Casanova as well as the mini-series Sacrifice created by Sam Humphries and Dalton Rose.

Then, on Thursday, July 26, 2012 at 9pm Eastern Time, we'll be joined by IDW editor and comic book writer John Barber!

John Barber is Senior Editor at IDW comics as well as the writer of Transformers: Robots in Disguise and other comics.

He started his career self-publishing and making webcomics before joining the Marvel Comics editorial staff in 2004.

He worked on the Ultimate line of comics at the height of their popularity, and worked on the first Dark Tower series Marvel produced in cooperation with Stephen King.

Soon after, Barber moved to the X-Men comics, where he edited the best-selling X-Force relaunch and the Wolverine line of comics, including the Eisner Award-Nominated Old Man Logan series.

He helped bring the alternative-centric Strange Tales anthology to fruition before leaving Marvel to pursue a freelance career, including writing for the X-Men: Nation X series and penning several of IDW's Transformers limited series, as well as writing and drawing the (now completed) webcomic Outside Infinity. But he was also the editor of the creator-owned hits Kick-Ass and Superior for Marvel's Icon imprint, and Turf at Image Comics.

There's still time to join us at the Creators Workshop before these two great discussions! We hope to see you there.

---

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

CE Alum Jody LeHeup Joins Valiant Entertainment!

Comics Experience alum Jody LeHeup was recently named to the position of Associate Editor at Valiant Entertainment.

In his new role, Jody will contribute to Valiant's relaunched line, which includes X-O Manowar, Harbinger, Bloodshot, and Archer & Armstrong.

LeHeup joins Assistant Editor Josh Johns and Executive Editor Warren Simons on the Valiant editorial staff.

"Valiant is already off to a roaring start and I'm thrilled to be joining such a talented team," said LeHeup.

Jody previously spent four years as a Marvel editor where he managed many bestselling and critically lauded titles during his tenure, including Uncanny X-Force, Age of Apocalypse, Deadpool, and X-Factor. His work on the acclaimed anthology Strange Tales garnered him a Harvey Award nomination in 2011.

"When we began our search for a new Associate Editor, Jody's name was at the top of my list," said Simons. "I had the opportunity to share an office with Jody at Marvel, and I saw firsthand how dedicated he was to creating amazing, innovative stories. He has a tremendous love for our medium, and I know he'll be an exceptional addition to our hardworking team at Valiant."

In 2007, prior to his time at Marvel, Jody took the Comics Experience writing class, when it was still being taught in person in New York City. (Courses are now taught live, online.)

“The Comics Experience writing class is a fantastic environment in which to hone your
storytelling skills and I recommend it to anyone looking to learn more about the craft of comic book writing. Whether you’re looking to begin or improve your work, Comics Experience has something to offer you. Not to mention the fact that the networking I did there played a part in getting me my first interview for work in the industry.”

Valiant Entertainment is a character-based publishing and licensing company that owns
and controls some of the most cherished comic characters ever created across all media worldwide. Since their creation in 1989, Valiant characters have sold 80 million comic books and have been the basis of a number of successful video game franchises.

We want to congratulate Jody on his new position!

COMMUNITY NEWS: CE Alum Joe Sergi Edits and Contributes to Iconic II Anthology!

The recently released ComicBook Artists' Guild (CAG) anthology, Iconic II was edited by CE alum and Workshop member Joe Sergi. Joe also contributed two stories to the anthology.

The Iconic anthology series takes well-known public domain characters, and twists and turns them in new and interesting ways. For example, Joe's story contribution, Cinderfella, is a gender-bending take on the classic Cinderella fairy tale. Joe's other story in the anthology is called The Impossible Dream, based on the Don Quixote character.

The Iconic II anthology is a 192-page, 6x9 inch paperback, available for $9.99 right here. The book also includes a Foreword by Comics Experience founder Andy Schmidt.

Joe is a graduate of several Comics Experience classes, including both the inaugural online Introduction to Comic Book Writing course in 2009, as well as the very first Editing and Project Management course last year.

Joe writes both prose (Sky Girl and the Superheroic Legacy) and comics (Great Zombies in History, Armed & Fabulous, and the forthcoming Aliens Among Us from Elevator Pitch Press).

Joe was also selected as a semi-finalist in the Who Wants To Create A Superheroine contest sponsored by the Shadowline Imprint of Image Comics, and received the 2010 Haller Award for Best Writer from the ComicBook Artist' Guild at the 2010 New York ComicCon.

You can follow all of Joe's work at his Cup of Geek website.

Congrats on the release of Iconic II, Joe!

---

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

CE Staffer Paul Allor Talks Comic Writing on "Vodka O'Clock" Podcast, Ep. 1210!

Episode 1210 of the Vodka O'Clock podcast, hosted by CE alum and Workshop member Elizabeth Amber-Love, recently featured CE Book Club Manger and alum Paul Allor discussing his projects, comic book writing, and Comics Experience!

It's a fascinating interview for anyone interested in making comics, and covers a wide range of topics.

For example, at one point, Paul discusses a death row inmate whose story he covered as a journalist and the incredible impact of that article on the people in that inmate’s life.

As Amber explained in the accompanying article on her website:

"This story later inspired one of Paul’s comics in 'Clockwork.' The story 'X-Row' was illustrated by Aaron Houston.

It’s one of the stories that shows how Paul tried to think outside the box and in comics that means outside the panel. He wrote panels that are not linear in a form typically structured around sequence."

Paul's artist-collaborators have included people such as JM Ken Niimura (I Kill Giants), Brett Weldele (The Surrogates), and Matthew Wilson (Wonder Woman), and he talks openly about his experience producing Clockwork and reaching out to industry editors.

In addition to his writing, and the release of his anthology, Clockwork, Paul also discusses his recent work as an Editor on upcoming or released projects such as Girls' Night Out, Gutter Magic, Deluge, and Rex, Zombie Killer.

Check out the full interview 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

iFanboy's "Making Comics" Podcast with Andy Schmidt, Episode #21 posted!

Episode #21 of the iFanboy's Making Comics with Andy Schmidt podcast has been released!

Take note! The Make Comics Podcast is moving to its own feed, which you can subscribe to in iTunes, or here manually.

In this episode, iFanboy host Josh Flanagan and former Marvel and IDW Editor (and Comics Experience founder) Andy Schmidt discuss a listener question on trying to make the transition "From Editor to Writer."

As explained over on iFanboy:

"What’s appropriate in terms of working for one publisher, and then freelancing for another?"

Check out this new episode, plus all of the previous ones on iTunes, or follow the links right here:

Listen to Episode #21, "Question: From Editor to Writer"

Listen to Episode #20, "Page Turns"

Listen to Episode #19, "Where Should I Live?"

Listen to Episode #18, "Comic Book Coloring with Chris Sotomayor"

Listen to Episode #17, "Art Portfolio with Robert Atkins"

Listen to Episode #16, "Conventions and Critique"

Listen to Episode #15, "Pitching"

Listen to Episode #14, "Making Time for Making Comics"

Listen to Episode #13, "Story"

Listen to Episode #12, "Marketing"

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

GUEST BLOG: Bobby Curnow on Learning, Inspiration, and Comics Experience

In this guest blog, Bobby Curnow, IDW Editor, Comics Experience alum, and Creators Workshop member, shares his thoughts on learning and Comics Experience.

Bobby's creator-owned miniseries, Night of 1,000 Wolves, which he produced in collaboration with Eisner-nominated artist Dave Wachter is solicited for pre-order in the current March 2012 Diamond PREVIEWS catalog and will be in stores in May.

Bobby also wrote Godzilla Legends #5, which hit comic shops last week! On Godzilla, Bobby collaborated with Eisner-nominated artist Dean Haspiel. Both books are being published by IDW. Here's what Bobby had to say:

I've just spent the past five minutes staring at a blank page, trying to think of a smart or funny opening to this guest blog. As you can tell from this sentence, I wasn't successful.

This is one of my biggest weaknesses as a writer--waiting for inspiration to hit. Which is stupid, because inspiration won't come to you. You have to go out and find inspiration and then throw rocks at it until you piss it off. Then inspiration will start throwing rocks at YOU. And those rocks will have a gooey center of good ideas. So when you get hit in the head, the rock breaks and the ideas seep into your brain via head wound and...

Holy crap, this is a terrible introduction. I'm talking about inspiration rocks and head wounds. Okay.

But you know what? That's fine. Because this is a key technique I've learned from Comics Experience. Just start. Don't worry about the terrible, terrible drivel that comes out. Start typing on that blank page. Get going and don't stop. You can always go back and edit. Just start.

Seven years ago, I knew I wanted to make comics but I didn't know where to start. I lived a couple blocks from the Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art in NYC, and saw that some guy named Andy was teaching classes there about how to write for comics. Intrigued, I signed up. The first thing I learned? I didn't know ANYTHING about what goes into writing comics.

But I started to learn. I learned that you can't show two different actions in one panel. I learned what editors look for in a pitch (unmarked bills, ideally). I learned that creating comics is a genuine collaboration between everyone involved and if you don't respect your co-creators you will crash and burn.

From there, I learned that I wanted to learn more. So I did. I took the writing class. Again. I took the advanced writing class. And so on.

Each step I learned more. Learning about making comics is an addiction. There's ALWAYS more to learn. This is what I tell aspiring creators... your first goal should be to just get better. Don't worry about being published. You won't, not for a while. Just start. Learn. Get better. Keep on getting better. Fail a bunch (that's key!). Get so good you can't be ignored. But keep learning.

I started interning at IDW Publishing so I could learn more, first-hand, from people who lived and breathed comics. Now I'm a full-time editor and a published writer. Well, almost published. Godzilla Legends #5 comes out this month! My creator-owned project, Night of 1000 Wolves with artist Dave Wachter comes out in May!

I may not have learned how to plug subtly yet.

But maybe I'll be better a year from now. I'll keep trying, keep learning.

I started learning about the comic book industry with Comics Experience. In the time since that first class with Andy, Comics Experience has grown leaps and bounds. Want to know how to letter your own comics? Take the Production class. Want to get your script workshopped immediately? Go to the Creators Workshop. Want to ask Scott Snyder a question? Book Club. There is a staggering wealth of knowledge at Comics Experience, ripe for the plucking. If you want to learn how to make comics, you are living in a golden age.

So go ahead, get started. Who knows what awful rock-throwing metaphor awaits?

-- Bobby Curnow

COMMUNITY NEWS: CE Alum Bobby Curnow's Godzilla Legends #5 on Stands Today!

Writer Bobby Curnow has a new book on the stands today: Godzilla Legends #5!

Bobby is both a Comics Experience alum and a member of the Creators Workshop, where he offers members pro critiques on their work.

Godzilla Legends #5 has a story written by Bobby with art by comics great Dean Haspiel. In the story, an old adventurer comes out of retirement to climb Godzilla!

The issue is on stands right now with covers by both Art Adams and Bob Eggleton.

Bobby's new creator-owned miniseries, Night of 1,000 Wolves, is solicited for pre-orders in the current March Diamond PREVIEWS catalog and will be in stores in May. That title features artwork by Eisner-nominated artist Dave Wachter.

Bobby is also an editor at IDW where he 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.

Congrats on your Godzilla tale hitting the stands, Bobby!

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