CE Alum Rob Anderson Named Runner-Up in Skullkickers Contest

Rob Anderson, CE Alum and Comics Experience General Manager, was just named as a runner-up in the "Tavern Tales" writing and art competition in Jim Zub's Skullkickers from Image Comics.


The results were announced in Skullkickers #15 which just hit stands this week.

The "Tavern Tales" contest encouraged readers to submit their writing and art for the chance to appear in the upcoming short stories issue, Skullkickers #18. The winners were Aubrey Sitterson (writing) and Ivan Anaya (art), but four writing runners up were also named, including Rob!

Jim Zub received more than 300 entries in the contest, and more than 250 of those were writing pitches.

"All our writing Runner-Ups had great ideas and Skullkickers-worthy humor layered into their entries," Jim Zub said in Skullkickers #15. "It was excruciatingly difficult picking a winner."

In addition to being General Manager of Comics Experience, Rob Anderson is the writer of the comic book Rex, Zombie Killer, recently published by Big Dog Ink.

Rex, Zombie Killer, along with CE alum Bobby Curnow's Night of 1,000 Wolves from IDW, were the first stories "workshopped" at the script stage in the Creators Workshop to be distributed via Diamond Previews to comic shops.

In addition, the entire creative team on Rex consists of CE alums and/or Workshop members, including artist DaFu Yu, colorist Kevin Volo, letterer/designer E.T. Dollman, and editor Paul Allor.

Congrats to Rob on placing on the shortlist!

And congrats to all the Creators Workshop writers and artists who submitted to the contest. Keep making comics!

CE Staffer Rob Anderson Talks Comics Experience with Decapitated Dan

Comics Experience General Manager and writer Rob Anderson recently appeared on the Discussions with Decapitated Dan podcast, Episode #90, and discussed Comics Experience, in addition to his recently released comic book, Rex, Zombie Killer.

During the show, Rob discusses how he got involved in creating comics, joined Comics Experience as a student, and eventually became part of the staff. He also gives an overview of the history of Comics Experience, talks about Andy Schmidt's background in the industry, and the Comics Experience curriculum.

Plus, if you've ever wanted to know more about the Creators Workshop community -- how it works, the professionals involved -- Rob gives a run-down of that as well.

The interview begins with Rob talking about his new comic book, Rex, Zombie Killer. Published by Big Dog Ink, the comic hit shops yesterday, May 2, 2012.

In addition to Rob, the creative team includes artist DaFu Yu (CE alum), colorist Kevin Volo (CE alum), letterer/designer ET Dollman (CE Workshop member) and editor Paul Allor (CE staffer and alum).

Although Comics Experience members' books appear in comic shops on a regular basis, Rex, ZK marks the first time that a creative team on a book solicited in Diamond Previews (and available to comic shops) is made up entirely of Comics Experience Workshop members, alumni and staff.

Listen to the podcast interview with Rob right here.

Discussions with Decapitated Dan is a weekly podcast where host Dan Royer interviews horror comic creators, publishers and fans. His recent guests have included creators such as Terry Moore (Rachel Rising), Kurtis Wiebe (Green Wake), and Creators Workshop member Brandon Seifert (Witch Doctor).

Dan's podcast is available on iTunes, and is also syndicated through other comics news sites such as Comic Related, Comic Attack, Chicago Comic Vault, Drive Thru Comics, and more.

Dan is also the founder of the Chicago-area DanCon convention, as well as the founder of the Ghastly Awards, which recognizes outstanding achievements in Horror Comics over a range of 15 different categories. Ghastly Awards nominees are chosen by other horror comic book professionals and winners are chosen by a panel of judges.

Comics "Workshopped" in the Creators Workshop Coming to Comic Shops Soon!

The Comics Experience Creators Workshop hit an important milestone recently, when two workshopped comics appeared in Diamond Distribution's Previews catalog, making both titles available to comic shops across the country.

Comics Experience members and alum appear in Previews on a regular basis, as writers, artists, colorists, letterers and editors for companies including Marvel, DC, IDW Publishing, Dynamite Entertainment and more.

But this marks the first time Previews has featured comics based on scripts that were workshopped through the Creators Workshop.

The Creators Workshop is an online community where aspiring and professional creators can critique each other's work, offering feedback and serving as a sounding board for creators seeking to hone their skills.

The Diamond Previews March catalog features Night of 1,000 Wolves #1 from IDW, written by Creators Workshop member Bobby Curnow, with art by the Eisner-nominated Dave Wachter.

Night of 1,000 Wolves is a Dark-Age horror tale about a family ripped apart by unthinkable tragedy – and a horde of wolves set on their destruction.

Night of 1,000 Wolves is a three-issue mini-series, and Curnow workshopped all three issues through the Creators Workshop.

Meanwhile, the February Previews catalog featured Rex, Zombie Killer from Big Dog Ink, written by Comics Experience General Manager and workshop member Rob Anderson.

Rex, Zombie Killer is a double-sized one-shot issue, and tells the story of a small pack of animals – including a bat-wielding gorilla -- who seek safety in the wake of a zombie apocalypse.

Rex marks the first time that an entire creative team on a book in Previews is made up of Comics Experience Workshop members, alumni and staff.


In addition to Rob writing the book, the team includes artist DaFu Yu, colorist Kevin Volo, letterer/designer ET Dollman and editor Paul Allor.

Both Night of 1,000 Wolves and Rex, Zombie Killer are available now for pre-order through comic shops.

Comics Experience founder Andy Schmidt said he is certain these will not be the last workshopped comics to appear in the Previews catalog.

"The Creators Workshop was designed as a place where people could come together to learn from comics professionals, as well as each other; where they can support one another, collaborate and create something new," Schmidt said.

"I am incredibly proud of the community our members have formed, and as a comics reader, I look forward to seeing what they come up with in the coming months and years."

-- Posted by Paul Allor

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!

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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

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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

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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

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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
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