Messages from Marz

C2E2 Postgame

Ron Marz — Sun, 19 May 2013 23:55:05 +0000

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

In Stores This Week (Week of 8th May)

Ron Marz — Wed, 15 May 2013 05:36:02 +0000

Two releases this week, one that’s more than 140 pages, the other checking in at a slim eight pages. The trade paperback of my seven-issue Prophecy crossover for Dynamite Comics is out today. The story features a disparate cast of characters, including Red Sonja, Sherlock Holmes, Vampirella and Dracula, who come together in order to thwart Hyborian Age sorcerer Kulan Gath’s plan to destroy the world. Art is by Walter Geovani, who did a phenomenal job all the way through the series, capturing varying eras and an unlikely group of characters.

The TPB includes all the character bios from the individual issues, as well as my complete script for issue #1 (though it’s bizarrely credited to Chuck Dixon for reasons I can’t begin to guess). A sizable preview can be seen here: http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=preview&id=16392

Also in stores this week is Creepy #12, featuring a short story by me and artist Richard P. Clark, wrapped in a Richard Corben cover. Our story, “Fishing,” is a Depression-era tale about two brothers lured into basement of an abandoned house, and what lies in wait for them there.

Cheers,

Ron

Due to technical issues with the site, this post couldn’t be published on time last week (week of 8th May)

FCBD This Saturday, May 4

Ron Marz — Thu, 02 May 2013 05:35:35 +0000

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

In Stores This Week

Ron Marz — Wed, 01 May 2013 06:59:04 +0000

I’m happy anytime I get to write Magdalena. This week brings Artifacts #27, which stars my favorite monster hunter/supernatural enforcer for the Catholic Church, along with defrocked priest Tom Judge. It’s an interesting pairing to write, one I hope to return to even after this two-part storyline is finished. In this issue, Tom seeks out Magdalena to convince her to aid him in tracking down the missing Glacier Stone. Their quest leads to them a spooky mansion above the arctic circle.

This is artist Marco Turini’s second published issue of Artifacts, though it’s actually the first one that he drew. There’s also some very nice color work by Andy Troy and Bill Farmer, all wrapped in covers by Stjepan Sejic and Marco Turini.

A preview of the issue can be seen here:

http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=preview&id=16323

Cheers,

Ron

That’s the Chicago way

Ron Marz — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 16:35:32 +0000

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

Athleta Comics at C2E2

Ron Marz — Sat, 13 Apr 2013 08:14:45 +0000

Woodstock Day School Comic Con, April 13

Ron Marz — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 16:37:03 +0000

In Stores This Week

Ron Marz — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 08:09:16 +0000

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

Radu’s Coffee

Ron Marz — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 06:26:46 +0000

Yes, that’s Radu’s Coffee Shop, from my Green Lantern run with Darryl Banks, looking very much like a real place.

The photo was snapped by my buddy (and letterer) Troy Peteri while he was visiting Six Flags Magic Mountain in California. The signs, unfortunately, are merely for atmosphere; the coffee shop is only a facade, not actually open. As you can see, there’s also a sign for Coast City around the corner, all window dressing near the Green Lantern ride. Troy reported there were also signs for Ferris Air, Big Belly Burger from the Superman titles, and Planet Krypton from Kingdom Come.

I had no idea such a thing existed before Troy sent me the photo. The signs appear to be taken directly from the original design created and drawn by Darryl and inker Terry Austin. Would be pretty cool to have one to hang in my office…

Cheers,

Ron

Convention Appearances This Month

Ron Marz — Sun, 17 Feb 2013 23:24:46 +0000

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