Messages from Marz

The recent C2E2 convention in Chicago served as the launch for The Protectors #0 from Athleta Comics, the publishing company founded by longtime Chicago Bears player Israel Idonije. The Athleta booth was busy all weekend, thanks in large part (no pun intended) to the presence of Izzy himself, who signed autographs and posed for photos endlessly. Quite a few of Izzy’s Bears teammates put in appearances, including Brandon Marshall, Corey Wooten and others, as well Shea McClellin, who turns out to be a pretty serious comics fan. In addition to the #0 issue, the booth had Protectors T-shirts, lithos, and Bart Sears-drawn posters of Izzy’s teammates Brian Urlacher, Julius Peppers and Jay Cutler.

Both artist Bart Sears and I were on hand to sign the #0 issue, as was letterer Troy Peteri. Izzy, Bart and I also appeared at the Hero Initiative booth, signing an exclusive litho to raise funds for comic creators in need.

The weekend also featured an incredible launch party at Benny’s Chop House, complete with drinks themed to Protectors characters, an exquisite array of food, a jazz combo and a Protectors ice sculpture. I felt blessed to be able to share it all with friends and family.

We plan to have the #0 issue, T-shirts and posters available for sale on the Athleta Comics website soon: www.athletacomics.com

Right now, plans call for The Protectors #1 to be released in September.

Cheers,

Ron

This year for Free Comic Book Day on Saturday, May 4, I’ll be returning to Comic Depot in Saratoga Spring, NY, and Excellent Adventures in Ballston Spa, NY. They’re both, well, excellent stores, and in the area where I live, which enables me attend my son’s Opening Day ceremonies for the Little League team I coach.

I hope to be at Comic Depot, with is located in the Wilton Mall, by noon or so, and then rotate over to Excellent Adventures by about 2:30 p.m., and stay until 5 p.m. Other creators signing include Richard P. Clark, Matthew Dow Smith, Paul Harding, Jennifer Meyer, Christian St. Pierre and legendary Marvel inker Joe Sinnott.

In addition to some great sales, both stores will have the selection of FCBD titles that publishers have offered up, including the Liquid Comics FCBD title that features stories by me and artists Mike Oeming, Jim Starlin, Luke Ross, David Petersen and Bart Sears. Excellent Adventures and Comic Depot will also have a special FCBD comic that we’ve created, which will not be available anywhere else. There are two covers, one by Jennifer Meyer featuring Miss Depot, and one by Joe Sinnott featuring Captain E.A., at the respective stores.

The story inside is written by me, drawn by Paul Harding and Matthew Dow Smith, with tones and design by Richard Clark, and lettering by Troy Peteri. The pages take you through the step-by-step process of creating a comic, and present a meeting between Miss Depot and Captain E.A. The comic is free, but limited, so get to the stores early.

More info on Excellent Adventures here: http://www.excellentadventurescomics.com/

More info on Comic Depot here: http://comicdepotllc.com/shop/

FCBD is like Christmas for the comics industry. I hope you can make it out to one of the shops to say hi, and get some free comics!

Cheers,

Ron

I’ll be appearing at C2E2 at McCormick Place in Chicago on April 26-28. The con will be a debut of sorts for Athelta Comics, the publishing company founded by longtime Chicago Bears defensive lineman Israel Idonije. Athleta’s first comic, The Protectors #0, will be available at Athleta’s booth, #903 (which I’m told will be located fairly close to Marvel’s large booth).

The #0 issue features 32 pages of content, including the prequel story that was serialized on the Athleta website, a full preview of issue #1, bios of all the main characters, as well as interviews. There are two covers by series artist Bart Sears, one showcasing the Protectors team, and the other a very limited sketch cover of Idonije in uniform. I wrote about putting together the issue in my CBR Shelf Life column, which can be read here:

http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=45007

The Athleta booth will have limited-edition #0 issues available for $10, while they last. Once the print run is gone, it’s gone. There’s also going to be a signed lithograph of the Bart Sears wraparound cover to issue #1, a strict edition of 100; a few different styles of Protectors T-shirts; giveaway cards and bookmarks; and the first three releases in the Athleta poster series, featuring NFL stars Brian Urlacher, Julius Peppers and Jay Cutler. Israel Idonije, Bart Sears and I will be available at the Athleta booth to sign autographs.

The Athleta panel will take place 2-3 p.m. Friday, April 26, in Room W474, with Israel, Bart, me, letterer Troy Peteri and John Siuntres, of Word Balloon podcast, serving as moderator. There will be some special prize giveaways for panel attendees.

There will also be a ticketed signing with me, Bart and Izzy for Hero Initiative, the worthy charity that provides aid to elderly and in-need comic creators. The signing is 2-3 p.m. Saturday, April 27, at the Hero Initiative booth. Tickets are $25, and include an exclusive Bart Sears litho of Israel Idonije. More information here:

http://www.heroinitiative.org/newsdetail.asp?n=326&ti=Hero+Initiative+at+Chicago%2592s++C2E2

Athleta intends to make a big impression in Chicago. Hope you can join us there.

Cheers,

Ron

This week brings the release of Artifacts #26, the fourth and final part of “Progeny,” the Top Cow Universe crossover. The issue is by me, artist Marco Turini and colorist Andy Troy. This marks Marco’s first issue of Artifacts, as he settles in for a run after taking over art duties from Stjepan Sejic, who departs to launch Aphrodite IX as a monthly title (and to work on volume 2 of Ravine). Marco’s work shows some obvious sensibilities from his native Italy, so his art is an intriguing mix of European and American influences.

The issue brings the story threads of “Progeny” to a head, hopefully in an unexpected way, and sets the stage for ensuing issues of the title. More than that, I don’t want to say, for fear of spoiling the story.

Also released recently is the Blackburn Burrow #4, the final issue of the supernatural Civil War-era tale by me, artist Matthew Dow Smith and colorist Jordie Bellaire, based on Jay N. Levy’s screenplay for Amazon Studios. Go to the Amazon Studios blog Hollywonk, for more information, and links to read the issue as well as download it for free on Kindle:

http://hollywonk.com/post/45264984398

I also wrote an essay on “Three Rules for Writing Visually” for Hollywonk, with some thoughts on writing for comics. Have a look here:

http://hollywonk.com/post/45351125083/marz-3-rules-visual

Cheers,

Ron

I’m appearing at conventions on back-to-back weekends, something I usually try to avoid, but the shows involved were too enticing to pass up.

On Feb. 23-24, I’ll be at the London Super Comic Con, held at the Excel Centre in London. I believe I’ll be set up at the Top Cow booth, and if all goes as planned, I’ll hopefully have a few copies of Ravine Volume 1 for sale. I’ll definitely be bringing the Shinku TPB with me, so please send me home with lighter luggage.

More information on the show can be found here:

http://www.londonsupercomicconvention.com/

On March 1-3, I’ll be at one of my favorite shows, Emerald City Comic Con in Seattle, held at the Washington State Convention Center. I’ll be set up at table C-16, and doing a couple signings at the Dynamite Comics booth as well. I’ll also be joining the Dynamite Comics panel, held 6-7 p.m. Saturday in Hall B. I’ll have copies of both Shinku and Ravine at the show.

And the big news: Chicago Bears defensive lineman Israel Idonije will be joining me for a special signing from noon-1 p.m. Sunday. We’ll be in the signing area, giving away an exclusive mini-litho for The Protectors, the series Bart Sears and I are working on for Athleta Comics, the publishing imprint Israel has founded. We’ll have 200 lithos to give away, so come early!

More information on Emerald City can be found here:

http://www.emeraldcitycomicon.com/

My con schedule for the remainder of the year is taking shape. Be aware, this is a only a partial list, as a number of confirmations/announcements are still falling into place. But thus far, I expect to be at:

• Woodstock Day School Comic Con, Woodstock, NY, April 13.
• C2E2, Chicago, April 26-28.
• MCBA SpringCon, St. Paul, Minnesota, May 18-19.
• Albany Comic Con, Albany, NY, June 16.
• ComiCONN, Trumbull, Conn., Aug. 24.
• Baltimore Comic Con, Baltimore, MD, Sept. 7-8.
• North Carolina Comicon, Durham, NC, Nov. 9-10.

I expect to visit at least a few more shows, so I’ll update with additional appearances as soon as they’re confirmed. Hope to see you this year.

Cheers,

Ron

I’ll be appearing at the Albany Comic Con on Sunday, Nov. 11, in Albany, NY. The show is once again being held at the Holiday Inn on Wolf Road in Albany; the show has filled all the available space and continues to grow. Show hours are 10 a.m.-4 p.m., and admission is only $5.

Albany Comic Con is my “hometown” show, and easily one of my favorite events. It’s an entirely comic-oriented affair, put on for the purpose of growing the hobby and attracting new readers (especially kids) to our medium. As always, the guest list is long and impressive, including legendary inker Joe Sinnott, writers J.M. DeMatteis, Ben McCool, Charles Soule, David Rodriguez, artists Lee Moder, Tom Raney, Matthew Dow Smith, Fred Hembeck, Richard Clark, Mark McKenna and many more.

I’ll be doing a panel discussion in the afternoon with J.M. DeMatteis about writing fantasy in comics. It’s one I’m looking forward to, as I’m a real admirer of J.M.’s work, especially the fully-realized fantasy worlds he constructs.

I’m also happy to announce that Lee Moder and I will have copies of the Shinku Volume 1 trade paperback available at the show, prior to its release in comic stores on Nov. 14. The collection includes the first five issues of our creator-owned series, plus more than 35 pages of extras, including sketchbook pages, pin-ups and the original black-white-and-red ashcan, all for $15. I’m very proud of what we’ve put together.

I’ll be bringing other items for the table, so if you’re looking for something in particular, please let me know in the comments section. I’ll also have free promotional posters for Blackburn Burrow (the Amazon Studios series by me and Matthew Dow Smith), and free cards for The Protectors, the 2013 series by me, Bart Sears and Israel Idonije of the Chicago Bears.

Lastly, Albany Comic Con will also be conducting a silent auction of numerous pieces of original art to benefit Ronald McDonald House. Many of the artists attending the show contributed new Superman-themed pieces, including Joe Sinnott, Lee Moder, Matthew Dow Smith, Paul Harding, Richard Clark and others. How often do you get a chance to see Joe Sinnott draw Superman?

Complete information on Albany Comic Con can be found at the show’s website: http://www.albanycomicbookshow.com/

Hope to see you Sunday.

Cheers,

Ron

I’ll be appearing at New York Comic Con, held at the Jacob Javits Center on Manhattan’s west side, on Oct. 11-14. My signing time is fairly limited, as interviews, meetings and panels are eating up a lot of my schedule. Here’s my public schedule:

Friday

5-6 p.m., Top Cow signing at Image booth, #1229

Saturday

1:30-2:30 p.m., Top Cow panel, Room 1A14

3-4 p.m., Top Cow signing at Image booth, #1229

6:30-7:30 p.m., Israel Idonije and Ron Marz Tackle Graphic Novels panel, Room 1A14

I’ll be joined on the Top Cow panel by Matt Hawkins, Jeremy Haun, David Hine and Tim Seeley. We’ll be talking about what’s coming up in the new Rebirth-era Top Cow Universe, including my Artifacts title. For more information on the top Cow panel, go here:

http://nycc12.mapyourshow.com/5_0/sessions/sessiondetails.cfm?ScheduledSessionID=18AECC

There will be a NYCC Exclusive edition of Artifacts #21, with a new cover by Stjepan Sejic, available for sale at the Image booth.

The Tackling Comics panel is something new and different. Israel Idonije is a starting defensive end for the Chicago Bears, as well as a comics fan. He’s started his own company, Athleta Comics, which will be making its debut at NYCC. I’m writing the first project from Athleta, called The Protectors, with my buddy Bart Sears providing the art. You’ll be able to find out much more about Athleta and The Protectors at the panel, so I really hope you make the time to attend. For more information on the panel, which will also include Michael and David Uslan, and Aaron Feuer, go here:

http://nycc12.mapyourshow.com/5_0/sessions/sessiondetails.cfm?ScheduledSessionID=1BA8C7

The panel will also feature a free, exclusive art print by Bart Sears, T-shirt giveaways, and some pretty grand surprises that Israel has been planning. Definitely worth an hour of your time.

The Athleta Comics booth is #3032 on the NYCC floor. Please stop by for giveaway cards and stickers. You might even catch me and/or Israel Idonije at the booth.

A few more tidbits for NYCC:

My Shinku partner-in-crime, artist Lee Moder, will be set up in Artist Alley all weekend, taking commissions all weekend. He’ll be at table Z19B. cost is $100 for a full figure, and $40 for a head shot. Having seen the many commissions Lee produced at the Baltimore Comic Con, I can tell you first hand that his prices are a bargain.

Lee will also have copies of the long-delayed Shinku #5 for sale at his table. The issue doesn’t actually hit stores until Oct. 17, so this is your chance to get an early copy. I’ll be hanging out at Lee’s table when I have the chance, especially on Sunday.

Artist’s Alley is set up in the North Pavilion this year, which can be reached via a walkway. I would urge you to make the time to visit Artist’s Alley, despite the location not being completely convenient. Setting up for a show like NYCC is expensive, and the artists could use the support. An interactive map of Artists Alley can be found here:

http://www.mapyourshow.com/shows/index.cfm?SHOW_ID=nycc12&alt_entry=true&curr_pri=facility&curr_sec=OO

Cheers,

Ron

I’ll be teaming up with my buddy, writer/artist Matthew Dow Smith, to offer a Creating Comics class as part of the Project Lift Fundraiser to benefit the after-school programs at the Franklin Community Center in Saratoga Springs, NY. The class will be held at Comic Depot in the Wilton Mall in Saratoga Springs, date to be determined so it’s amenable to everyone who signs up.

A fundraising event will be held Thursday evening, Oct. 11, at Longfellows in Saratoga Springs. For $75, attendees are wined and dined, and have the opportunity to sign up for various classes and events (for varying fees). The Creating Comics class is $60 per person, and will include some special, autographed items. All proceeds benefit the Franklin Community Center. The class will provide a step-by-step tour of the comic creation process, from script to pencils, inks, colors and letters. There will also be a Q & A session.

If you’re not able to attend the Oct. 11 event, you can still sign up for the Creating Comics class, if any slots remain. Complete information can be had here:

http://www.franklincommunitycenter.org/fundraising-events/project-lift-university/

The flyer/invitation for the event (click on the images for the hires PDF version)

Hi-res PDF Flyer

I’m unfortunately not able to be at Longfellows, because of commitments at the New York Comic Con the same evening. But Matt and I are looking forward to the class, and raising some needed funds for a worthy program. If you have any questions, feel free to post them in the comments, and I’ll do my best to answer them.

Cheers,

Ron