Messages from Marz

This week brings the trade paperback collection “Conan and the Daughters of Midora and Other Stories” to shelves. Contained within is the “Island of No Return” storyline by me, Bart Sears, Randy Elliott and Mark Roberts, including the 8-page prequel story that ran in USA Today. The volume also offers Conan tales by Jimmy Palmiotti, Mark Texeira, Tim Truman, Marian Churchland and Mike Oeming, among others.

The 8-page USA Today story can still be accessed here:

http://www.usatoday.com/life/comics/2010-11-22-kissoftheundead22_ST_N.htm

I grew up on Conan, both the Ace paperbacks and the comics, especially Savage Sword magazine. Getting to write Conan, especially with my buddy Bart on art, was very literally the fulfillment of a dream for me. I love the character, I love the world he inhabits. The work of Robert E. Howard is one of the primary reasons I do what I do. So I’m very happy our tale is getting collected with some other “orphan” stories, and wrapped in a lovely painted cover by Tex. This was my first shot at Conan. I hope it’s not my last.

Cheers,

Ron

On the shelves of your fine local comic emporium this week, Artifacts #20, part two of the three-part, Heart Stone-centric “Phantoms of the Heart” storyline. It’s been an interesting task, building the character of Dr. Rachel Harrison from square one, into (hopefully) some the audience will care about. This issue portrays a fairly major turning point in Rachel’s life, and sets up a new status quo for her.

A hospital drama is certainly a change of pace for my artistic partner, Stjepan Sejic. I’m pretty sure he’d rather be painting dragons and armored warriors instead of hospital beds, but he rose to the challenge beautifully. You can see preview pages here:

http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=preview&id=13219

One more note: I’ll be doing a signing at the Comic Depot in the Wilton Mall, Saratoga Springs, NY, this Saturday, Aug. 11, from 1-4 p.m. It’s the annual “Depot Day” celebration, with numerous guests and even a Batmobile appearance. For more information, contact Comic Depot:

http://comicdepotllc.com/shop/

Cheers,
Ron