Messages from Marz

Releasing this week is Artifacts #24, a stand-alone issue that catches up with the current Angelus host in the Top Cow Universe, the singularly-named Finch. The story brings Finch, as well as her girlfriend and NYPD detective Danielle Baptiste, to the Angelus dimension, which is under attack from … well, I won’t spoil the details.

The art, of course, is by my usual partner in crime, Stjepan Sejic. The story is self-contained, but plants some seeds that will bear fruit in the upcoming “Progeny” storyline, starting in Artifacts #25, and continuing in Witchblade #164 and Darkness #111 before concluding in Artifacts #26.

A preview of Artifacts #24 has been released, and can be found at Comic Book Resources, as well as other sites. Here’s a link:

http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=preview&id=14771

The first review of the issue has already been posted, ReadComicBooks.Net rating it 9 out of 10, calling it “…simply another great installment in a standout fantasy series.” The full review can be seen here:

http://readcomicbooks.net/home/artifacts-24/

Cheers,

Ron

This week, Artifacts #23 hits stores, concluding the two-part “Blood Rites” storyline, focusing on everyone’s favorite defrocked priest, Tom Judge. It’s got a demon, it’s got an exorcism, it’s got Tilly Grimes in some cool pants. The issue’s art is, as always, by my Croatian brother in arms, Stjepan Sejic. (He hates it when you call him the Croatian sensation.)

You can view a six-page preview of the issue here:

http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=preview&id=14517

Some nice reviews of the issue have already been published.

ComicBooked:

http://www.comicbooked.com/book-review/review-artifacts-23/

Comic Hype:

http://www.comichype.com/2012/12/10/artifacts-23-let-the-exorcism-begin/

Unleash the Fanboy:

http://www.unleashthefanboy.com/comics/artifacts-23-review/36804

Comic Attack:

http://comicattack.net/2012/12/artifacts23rev/

One Geek Nation:

http://www.onegeeknation.com/2012/12/13/review-artifacts-23/

Read Comic Books:

http://readcomicbooks.net/home/artifacts-23/

I also did an interview with Newsarama about Artifacts past, present and future. That can be read here:

http://www.newsarama.com/comics/witchblade-vs-darkness-artifacts-25-ron-marz-interview.html

Cheers,

Ron

This marks the third year for what’s become known as Comics for Tots. I offer up signed comics in exchange for donations to Toys for Tots. All the money collected (after shipping costs) is spent on toys donated to the Toys for Tots drive. Last year’s drive resulted in donations of more than $500.

Yes, there are many worthy causes that need donation, especially at this time of year. I chose Toys for Tots because my own childhood memories of Christmas are so fondly held, that I hope in some small way, this effort helps make magical memories for those who might not otherwise have them.

We have a couple of unique sketched/signed items this year that are still being prepared, but I can tell you they include artwork by Darryl Banks and Dan Jurgens. I’ll post an update as soon as they’re ready, and then set up an auction (likely on Twitter) to maximize the donation. Check back for updates soon.

Postage is included in the price of each book (or set of books). All books are signed by me, and can be personalized if you desire. Here’s what’s available this year:

*Shinku Vol. 1 TPB, signed by me and artist Lee Moder, who has also sketched a head shot of Shinku inside each volume. The accompanying photo shows the general type of Sketch Lee has done. There are only six of these available, and they’re first come, first served, $50. Mature readers.

*Green Lantern #49, also signed by penciler Darryl Banks. There are only six of these available, and they’re first come, first served, $25.

*Shinku #1-#5, the single issues of my creator-owned book with Lee Moder (mature audiences), all five issues for $30. Mature readers.

*Mystic Volume 2 TPB, art by Brandon Peterson and George Perez, cover by Phil Noto. This is the original CrossGen printing, collecting issues #8-#14, plus CrossGen Chronicles #5. There are five of these available, and they’re first come, first served, $30.

*Scion #6, #7, #8, #9 set, art by Jim Cheung and Rick Leonardi, all four issues for $25.

*The Path Prequel and #1, art by Bart Sears, both issues for $20.

*Friday the 13th: Bad Land #1, #2, art by Mike Huddleston; not exactly a holiday tale, but at least it’s set during a blizzard, both issues for $20. Mature readers.

*Magdalena #1, art by Nelson Blake 2nd, with one of my favorite covers ever by Ryan Sook, $15.

*Broken Trinity #2, art by Phil Hester and Stjepan Sejic, $10.

We also have a unique item donated by my pal, sculptor and artist Paul Harding. Paul has signed and donated a Fables Snow White bust, designed by series artist Mark Buckingham and sculpted by Paul. The first donation of $60 takes it.
SOLD!!!

Payment details and shipping notes

The easiest method of donation is PayPal, so please PayPal your order to: kmarz@nycap.rr.com

On the PayPal form, please include the address to which you want the issues sent. If you’d like the books personalized, please include that info as well. I try to have issues in the mail within 24 hours of the order being received. All comics will be sent via USPS.

For anyone who doesn’t have a PayPal account, please use the Contact button on this website and drop me an e-mail; we’ll figure out something. Also, I WILL mail out to international addresses, but there will be an additional postage charge. If you let me know your location, a postage quote will be sent.

We’ll accept donations right up through Christmas. However, many Toys for Tots drop-off locations are collected by the middle of December (as the Marines need time to sort and deliver donations). So ordering as soon as possible is appreciated.

Thank you all. Your generosity makes this possible. Hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season.

Happy Holidays,

Ron

After last week’s barrage, just one new release for this week, Artifacts #22 from Top Cow/Image. The issue begins a new two-part storyline, featuring Tom Judge and Tilly Grimes investigating a ritual murder in Washington, D.C. As always, my artistic partner is Stjepan Sejic.

The “Blood Rites” storyline brings together Tom Judge’s present work as special investigator for the F.B.I., with his past as a defrocked Catholic priest. Though Artifacts regularly touches upon other characters in the Top Cow Universe, Tom Judge is the spine that runs through the series.

Originally, we had planned a Magdalena storyline for these two issues, but some timing issues caused us to delay that storyline until after the “Progeny” crossover that will run through Artifacts #25-#26 and respective issues of Witchblade and Darkness. That Magdalena story will now appear in Artifacts #27-#28. It’s also worth mentioning that Nelson Blake II and I will soon begin working on a five-issue Magdalena/Tom Judge series that was announced at New York Comic Con.

So what’s coming up in Artifacts #24, you ask? Angelus.

Cheers,

Ron

This week brings Artifacts #21 by me and artist Stjepan Sejic to store shelves, the third and concluding chapter to the “Phantoms of the Heart” arc. Our new Heartstone bearer, Dr. Rachel Harrison, has returned to her hometown in search of a simpler life. However, she didn’t count on the supernatural complications of the Artifact she has inherited, much less horrific hauntings at the hospital where she’s taken a job.

As I was creating Rachel’s hometown, I was very conscious of the kind of cozy, yet somehow menacing small towns Stephen King writes to such great effect. We’re seeing only a bit of the town in these three issues. I have more characters and deeper mysteries percolating, so I hope we get a chance to return and tell further stories featuring Rachel.

Cheers,

Ron

After skipping last year’s show, I’m heading back to Comic-Con International: San Diego, know to the rest of the world simply as Comic-Con or SDCC. It’s big, it’s crowded, it’s noisy, and yes, it’s about a lot more than just comics. None of which is necessarily bad, but it does make the show a bit of an ordeal to be endured, rather than enjoyed.

My public schedule is pretty slim this year, so I have time to take meetings and do the behind-the-scenes business that is such a part of the show. I have a signing block on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, as well as a panel on Saturday. Details below. There will be a San Diego-exclusive edition of Artifacts #19 available at the Top Cow booth, with a great Michael Broussard cover, limited to 500 copies.

Thursday
10 a.m.-noon, signing at Top Cow, Booth #2629

Friday
Noon-2 p.m., signing at Top Cow, Booth #2629

Saturday
11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Top Cow panel, Room 8
4-6 p.m., signing at Top Cow, Booth #2629

Otherwise, I hope to be hanging out at Trickster, which is at 795 J Street, close to the convention center, and eating every meal I can at my favorite restaurant in town, El Vitral.

If you’re going to San Diego, hope you can come by to say hi.

Cheers,

Ron

Two new books on shelves this week (to go along with last week’s Magdalena Vol. 2 trade paperback collection). First up is Artifacts #19 from Top Cow/Image, which kicks off a new storyline, featuring an Artifacts bearer we’ve met before, albeit briefly. Dr. Rachel Harrison appeared in issue #14, finding a corpse that was ultimately traced to a gangland execution, Jackie Estacado style.

In issue #19, Rachel takes center stage, setting up her life as an emergency-room doctor, and now bearer of the Heart Stone. The three-issue arc will take Rachel to some unexpected places, and bring her face to face with Tom Judge once again. Art is my Stjepan Sejic, as usual, and you can see a preview here:
http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=preview&id=12867

My other work out this week is the introduction I wrote for Tarzan: The Jesse Marsh Years Vol. 11 from Dark Horse. I suppose my love for Tarzan is no secret at this point, but I’m thankful for the opportunity to wax poetic about one of my favorite characters ever in the intro. I’d work on a Tarzan comic in a heartbeat.

Of course, I don’t think anybody’s crazy enough to shell out 50 bucks just to read my intro. This volume contains a big chunk of Marsh’s simply powerful and powerfully simple Tarzan work. Plus, the cover has Tarzan fighting a shark. A shark! A preview of the interiors, though not my intro, can be found here:
http://www.darkhorse.com/Books/18-004/Tarzan-The-Jesse-Marsh-Years-Volume-11-HC

Kreegah!

Ron

It’s not new, per se, but it is a new edition. In stores this week is a new pritning of the previously sold-out First Born trade paperback, now branded as part of an Artifacts line of collected editions. The volume contains the First Born mini-series as well as the tie-in Witchblade issues, featuring art by Stjepan Sejic, as well as the incomparable Kevin Nowlan inking over Luke Ross, Stephen Sadowski, and Rick Leonardi, plus a gorgeous Magdalena short story by Ryan Sook.

The storyline is one of my favorites, both because of the gorgeous art, and because we were able to bring a permanent of status quo-altering change to Sara Pezzini’s life. Even if you’re not familiar with the Top Cow Universe or characters, everything you need to know is within the pages of First Born.

Cheers,

Ron

I thought I should start a monthly feature on what’s currently being solicited, to give you a chance to place pre-orders with your retailers. Pre-orders are the lifeblood of all titles, really, but especially independent titles like those from Image. Literally every sale is important to keep the titles afloat. There are no deep corporate pockets to keep Image titles going; the live and die only on their sales.

In June, I have four different books coming out from Image:

*Shinku #8, my creator-owned, contemporary vampire-samurai thriller, with Lee Moder, Matthew Waite and Mike Atiyeh on art.

*Artifacts #19, introducing the new bearer of the Heart Stone, with Stjepan Sejic art.

*Artifacts Vol. 4 TPB, collecting issues #14-#18.

*Witchblade Compendium Vol. 3, which collects the bulk of my Witchblade run, issues #101-#150, in both hardcover and softcover versions.

The complete solicitations for Image’s June books can be seen here:

http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=37614

Also debuting in June is Prophecy #1, from Dynamite, which kicks off a seven-issue crossover by me and regular Red Sonja artist Walter Geovani. The story will bring together a host of Dynamite characters, including Sonja, Vampirella, Dracula, Alan Quartermain, Pantha and more. You can read more about Prophecy in an interview I did with CBR:

http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=37567

I’ll also have a story in a special “Monster Massacre” issue of Heavy Metal magazine that debuts in July. It’s the debut of a new creator-owned property that Tom Raney and I are doing together. The specifics are still under wraps, but you can find a little more information on the project here:

http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=37581

Remember, pre-order!

Cheers,

Ron

The event that was a maxi-series that turned into an ongoing series goes on this week. Artifacts #15 by me and Stjepan Sejic hits stores Wednesday, continuing the exploration of the “new world” we’ve set up. Disgraced priest-turned-Artifact bearer Tom Judge has realized all is not well in the new world, and all roads lead to Jackie Estacado, host of The Darkness.

You can see a preview of the issue’s opening pages here: http://www.newsarama.com/php/multimedia/album.php?aid=45813

Cheers,
Ron