Messages from Marz

Voodoo #1 hit stores Wednesday. The hysterics about it started last week, before anyone had even read the issue. Now that it’s out, and in people’s hands, the reactions have been all over the map.

Review links are below, if you’d care to peruse. I’m really pretty fascinated by the diverse reactions: two people read the same issue, and each comes away with a drastically different view of what was just read. Doesn’t make either on right or wrong — ultimately, any of it is just one person’s opinion. We all bring our experiences and predilections to the table with us, whether we want to admit it or not.

And really, that’s fine. Not every book is for every reader, nor should it be. As I’ve said before, comics are not a one-size-fits-all medium. Thanks to everyone who picked up Voodoo and gave it a chance.

1. IGN: http://comics.ign.com/articles/119/1196930p1.html
2. Captain Comics: http://captaincomics.ning.com/profiles/blogs/52-reviews-52-part-four
3. Comic Vine: http://www.comicvine.com/voodoo-/37-293584/staff-review/
4. The Fandom Post: http://www.fandompost.com/2011/09/28/voodoo-1-review/
5. Wildstorm Addiction: http://www.wildstormaddiction.com/2011/09/voodoo-1/
6. The Review Sofa: http://thereviewsofa.wordpress.com/2011/09/28/comics-review-voodoo-1/
7. Cosmic Book News: http://comics.cosmicbooknews.com/content/voodoo-1
8. iFanboy: http://ifanboy.com/articles/reviews-dc-comics-52-pick-up-week-four/
9. Multiversity Comics: http://www.multiversitycomics.com/2011/09/review-voodoo-1.html
10. Newsarama: http://www.newsarama.com/comics/best-shots-rapid-reviews-110929.html
11. NY Times: http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/09/29/rating-the-no-1s-aquaman-flash-and-more/
12. USA Today: http://www.usatoday.com/life/comics/story/2011-09-29/Grading-Week-4-of-DC-Comics-New-52-relaunch/50607686/1
13. Grumpy Old fan: http://robot6.comicbookresources.com/2011/09/grumpy-old-fan-new-52-week-4-across-the-finish-line/
14. Comic Book Resources: http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=user_review&id=3971
15. Panels on Pages: http://panelsonpages.com/?p=43884
16. All Things Fun vidcast: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzRcT0v5LjI&feature=share
17. A Comic Book Blog: http://acomicbookblog.com/2011/09/voodoo-1-review/
18. Major Spoliers: http://www.majorspoilers.com/new-52-review-voodoo-1
19. Forever Geek: http://www.forevergeek.com/2011/09/the-voodoo-that-you-do/
20. The Occult Detective: http://authorbobfreeman.wordpress.com/2011/09/29/scoring-the-final-week-of-dcs-new-52-1s/
21. MTV Geek: http://geek-news.mtv.com/2011/09/29/new-52-reviews-all-star-western-voodoo-i-vampire-and-the-fury-of-firestorm/
22. i09: http://io9.com/5844876/dc-relaunch-snap-judgments-week-4-alien-burlesque-and-angry-cowboys

Cheers,

Ron

Last week, my new creator-owned series, Shinku, debuted from Image Comics. Short version: it’s a modern-day tale of vampires vs. a lone samurai. The series is intended for mature readers, since I’ve always thought vampires were about sex and violence, not sparkling. The art is by my buddies Lee Moder, Matthew Waite and Mike Atiyeh, with letters by Troy Peteri and edits/design by Phil Smith.

The reception has been gratifying. Reviews have been great, and many of the comic sites have been kind enough to throw some coverage our way. The links below include preview pages, features, reviews and podcasts.

If you’ve taken the plunge and picked up the first issue, thank you. If not … what are you waiting for?

Cheers,
Ron

Preview pages:
http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=preview&id=8203

Feature articles:

1. Westfield Comics: http://westfieldcomics.com/blog/interviews-and-columns/interview-ron-marz-on-images-shinku/
2. MTV: http://geek-news.mtv.com/tag/shinku/
3. CBR: http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=31610
4. Newsarama: http://www.newsarama.com/comics/marz-moder-shinku-more-albany-con-110422.html
5. USA Today: http://www.usatoday.com/life/comics/2011-05-19-Shinku-pits-female-samurai-vs-Japanese-vampires_n.htm
6. CBR (again): http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=32606
7. Cedar Rapids Examiner: http://www.examiner.com/comic-books-in-cedar-rapids/shinku-more-blood-no-sparkles-review

Reviews:

1. Rawnzilla blog: http://www.rawnzilla.com/post/6048602424/shinku-1-review
2. Newsarama: http://www.newsarama.com/comics/best-shots-advance-reviews-110531.html
3. Comic Attack: http://comicattack.net/2011/05/shinku1/
4. Image Addiction: http://imageaddiction.net/?p=3509
5. Newsarama (again): http://www.newsarama.com/comics/best-shots-extra-110601.html
6. Quarter Bin: http://thequarterbin.com/2011/06/02/shinku-1/
7. MyComicNetwork: http://www.mycomicnetwork.com/v2/?p=1557
8. Comic Related: http://comicrelated.com/news/12176/nerd-girls-eye-view-27
9. Popgun Chaos:  http://www.popgunchaos.com/2011/05/26/preview-for-shinku-1/
10. Player Affinity: http://playeraffinity.com/comic-reviews/shinku-1-review.html
11. IGN: http://comics.ign.com/articles/117/1171969p1.html
12. Comic Related/Nerd Girls Eye View: http://comicrelated.com/news/12176/nerd-girls-eye-view-27
13. Comic Buzz: http://comicbuzz.com/shinku-1-review
14. Daily Blam: http://www.dailyblam.com/news/2011/06/04/erics-image-comics-reviews-reed-gunther-1-50-girls-50-1-shinku-1-the-darkness-91-hal

Podcasts:

1. Ideology of Madness: http://ideologyofmadness.spookyouthouse.com/archives/18045
2. iFanboy: http://www.ifanboy.com/content/audio/DON_T_MISS__Shinku__1_with_Ron_Marz
3. Image Addiction: http://imageaddiction.net/?p=3518
4. Retcon Podcast: http://retcon.podbean.com/2011/06/03/retcon-19-interview-with-ron-marz/

Analysis:

1. Comic Related: http://comicrelated.com/news/12164/samurai-from-marz

As with the past two issues, here’s a collection of the reviews I’ve come across for Artifacts #3. If you happen to know of any reviews that aren’t linked below, feel free to post a link in the comments. Artifacts #4 should be in stores in a few weeks, bringing the first act of the storyline to an explosive conclusion. Literally.

REVIEW SCORECARD

1. Comic Geek Speak : http://www.comicgeekspeak.com/episodes/comic_geek_speak-1231.php
2. Image Addiction : http://imageaddiction.net/?p=1794
3. Weekly Comic Book Review: http://weeklycomicbookreview.com/2010/11/23/artifacts-3-review/#more-14787

Newsarama: http://www.newsarama.com/comics/damn-dirty-comics-2-101122.html

4. Comic Attack: http://comicattack.net/2010/11/artifacts3rev/
5. Crave Online: http://www.craveonline.com/entertainment/comics/article/artifacts-3-review-117061
6. Behold the Geek: http://beholdthegeek.blogspot.com/2010/11/my-week-in-comics-november-19-2010.html
7. Newsarama’s Best Shots: http://www.newsarama.com/comics/best-shots-advance-reviews-101116.html
8. Graphic Policy: http://graphicpolicy.com/2010/11/16/review-artifacts-3/
9. Panelramic View: http://panelramicview.wordpress.com/2010/12/04/review-artifacts-3-taking-sides/#more-68

Cheers,

Ron

Reviews of Artifacts #2 are still trickling in, but the list below is the bulk of ‘em. First up is a video review from Sara Lima at Comic Vine. The most gratifying aspect to it all is that reviewers and readers seem to be finding the series accessible, even if they’re not regular readers of the Top Cow Universe (yet).

We’re planning to send issue #3 off to press late this week, so it should be in stores a few weeks after that.

REVIEW SCORECARD

1. Guerilla Geek : http://www.guerrillageek.com/2010/09/review-artifacts-2/
2. Crave Online : http://www.craveonline.com/entertainment/comics/article/artifacts-2-review-112751
3. Graphic Policy : http://graphicpolicy.com/2010/09/27/review-artifacts-2/
4. Newsarama : http://www.newsarama.com/comics/best-shots-advance-reviews-100928.html
5. Comic Book Revolution : http://comicbookrevolution.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=586
6. Techland : http://techland.com/2010/09/30/panel-of-the-week-92910/
7. Comic Attack : http://comicattack.net/2010/09/artifacts2review/
8. Comic Impact : http://comicimpact.com/2010/09/review-artifacts-2/
9. Weekly Crisis : http://www.weeklycrisis.com/2010/09/comic-book-review-power-rankings-for_30.html?
10. Behold the Geek : http://beholdthegeek.blogspot.com/2010/10/my-week-in-comics-october-1-2010.html
11. Player Affinity : http://playeraffinity.com/comic-reviews/Artifacts2Review.html
12. CBR : http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=user_review&id=2719
13. Boutiques & Geeks : http://boutiquesandgeeks.wordpress.com/2010/10/03/comic-pick-of-the-week-artifacts/
14. PsychoRelik Studios : http://psychorelikstudios.blogspot.com/2010/10/comic-reviews-for-week-of-92910-pt.html
15. The Comic Addiction : http://thecomicaddiction.com/?p=405
16. Newsarama : http://www.newsarama.com/comics/best-shots-comic-reviews-101004.html
17. Comic Vine : http://www.comicvine.com/review-artifacts-2/112-1222/
18. Phoenix Lantern Corps : http://phoenixlanterncorps.blogspot.com/2010/10/and-you-better-hope-that-not-single.html#more
19. Weekly Comic Book Review : http://weeklycomicbookreview.com/2010/10/05/artifacts-2-review/
20. Comic Related : http://comicrelated.com/news/8775/artifacts-1-2

In case you missed it earlier, here’s the Artifacts #1 Scorecard

Quick update from Comic Vine — A video review of Magdalena #3:

The comic-shop release of Artifacts #1 this past Wednesday was the culmination of a lot of planning, conversation, brain-storming and … well, work. Top Cow managing editor Phil Smith, and colorist Sunny Gho both damn near killed themselves getting the last bits of the issue together in time to get issues printed to make the planned San Diego Comic Con debut. And everybody was up until the wee hours proofing the issue to get it just right.

Thus far, looks like all the effort was worth it. I’m very happy with the finished product – not something I always say – and issue #1 has already sold out at the distributor level. That means your local shop might still have a few copies on the shelf, but there are no more in the warehouse. A second printing is being rushed to press, with Michael Broussard’s interior spread, in glorious black and white, used as the wraparound cover.

Reviews for #1 have also been great. Especially gratifying to have so many reviewers comment upon the issue’s accessibility for those unfamiliar with the Top Cow Universe. That was the goal all along, to come up with a story that is satisfying for long-time readers, and welcoming to new ones. Some review links:

1. Broken Frontier : http://www.brokenfrontier.com/reviews/p/detail/artifacts-1
2. Crave Online : http://www.craveonline.com/entertainment/comics/article/artifacts-1-review-107731
3. Nfamous Gamers : http://www.nfamousgamers.com/reviews/books/preview-artifacts-1
4. Battlemouth : http://www.battlemouth.com/2010/07/20/top-cow-unleashes-artifacts/
5. Newsarama : http://www.newsarama.com/comics/best-shots-advance-reviews-100727.html
6. Westfield Comics : http://westfieldcomics.com/blog/interviews-and-columns/fifth-degree-ron-marzs-artifacts-1/
7. Ideology of Madness : http://ideologyofmadness.spookyouthouse.com//archives/14088
8. Multiversity Comics : http://www.multiversitycomics.com/2010/07/advance-review-artifacts-1.html
9. Comic Vine : http://www.comicvine.com/news/review-artifacts-1/141740/
10. CBR : http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=user_review&id=2496
11. Techland : http://techland.com/2010/07/29/panel-of-the-week-72810/
12. Techland (again) : http://techland.com/2010/07/27/comics-on-our-pull-list-72810/
13. Gin and Comics : http://www.ginandcomics.com/reviews/review-artifacts-1
14. Comic Book Revolution : http://comicbookrevolution.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=469:artifacts-1-review&catid=57:image&Itemid=71
15. Kitty’s Pryde : http://kittyspryde.forumotion.com/image-comics-f4/review-artifacts-1-t1176.htm#8059
16. Cosmic Book News : http://cosmicbooknews.com/reviews/artifacts1_review
17. League of Comic Geeks : http://leagueofcomicgeeks.com/review/17/artifacts-1
18. Comic Attack : http://leagueofcomicgeeks.com/review/17/artifacts-1
19. Newsarama’s Best Shots : http://www.newsarama.com/comics/best-shots-comic-reviews-100802.html
20. Ideology of Madness (podcast) : http://ideologyofmadness.spookyouthouse.com//archives/14135
21. iFanboy (podcast): http://www.ifanboy.com/podcasts/audio/08_01_2010_-_Episode__245_-_The_Flash__4
22. The Quarter Bin: http://thequarterbin.com/2010/07/19/artifacts-1-2/
23. Major Spoilers :  http://www.majorspoilers.com/archives/49826.htm/
24. Flames Rising :  http://www.flamesrising.com/artifacts-1-comic-review/
25. Hollywood Jesus : http://live.hollywoodjesus.com/?p=5865
26. Comic Impact: http://comicimpact.com/2010/08/review-artifacts-1/
27. Image Addiction: http://imageaddiction.net/?p=975
28. 11 O’Clock Comics (podcast): http://bullpenbulletinspodcast.com/2010/08/11-oclock-comics-episode-120/ (Artifacts discussion begins at 1:06 mark.)
29. Pop Matters: http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/129094-graze-anatomy-artifacts-1/
30. Comic Book Masters USA: http://www.comicbookmastersusa.com/witchblade-broken-trinity/

[EXTRA] Comic Geeks Speaking Podcast

The excellent Comic Geek Speak podcasts are undertaking a series of shows dedicated to the Artifacts event series. The plan is for the guys to discuss the issues as they are released, so this inaugural episode takes on issue #1. Chris Partin, from Image Addiction, joins the conversation, and then my pal Filip Sablik, who also happens to be Top Cow’s publisher, also stops by. Enjoy.

Link to the podcast: http://www.comicgeekspeak.com/episodes/comic_geek_speak-1137.php

Cheers,
Ron

Get thee to a comic store today! Angelus #4 and Velocity #1 both appear in shops today. If you didn’t catch the previews for each, you can still do so. The Velocity preview is here

And the Angelus preview is here.

There also a Velocity interview with me, by Josh Wigler, at CBR here.

Velocity is the payoff to the character’s win in Top Cow’s first Pilot Season contest. I didn’t write that Pilot Season one-shot, and Kenneth Rocafort didn’t draw it. “Creative differences” led to the departure of that creative team from the ensuing mini-series. Eventually, the assignment was offered to me, and then Kenneth’s schedule opened up enough for him to sign on. I’m really pleased with the finished product, thanks to Kenneth’s amazing work. And it gets even better. Trust me, there’s a spread in issue #2 that is just stunning.

The critical reaction to Velocity has been very gratifying thus far. I set out to tell an accessible superhero story – a fun story – that wasn’t mired in continuity or over-the-top, get-your-heart-ripped-out violence. If the reviews are any indication, we at least got close to that mark. A sampling:

1. Graphic Policy: http://graphicpolicy.com/2010/06/29/review-velocity-1/
2. iFanboy: http://www.ifanboy.com/content/articles/REVIEW__Velocity__1
3. Newsarama: http://www.newsarama.com/comics/best-shots-advance-reviews-100629.html
4. Battlemouth: http://www.battlemouth.com/2010/06/29/im-in-love-with-a-girl-called-velocity/
5. Multiversity Comics: http://www.multiversitycomics.com/2010/06/advance-review-velocity-1.html
6. ComicNews: http://comicnews.info/?p=11184
7. Player Affinity: http://playeraffinity.com/comic-reviews/Top-Cow-Velocity-1.html
8. First Comics News: http://www.firstcomicsnews.com/?p=9775
9. Ideology of Madness: http://ideologyofmadness.com/archives/13427
10. Hollywood Jesus: http://live.hollywoodjesus.com/?p=5775
11. Geekvine: http://www.geekvine.net/2010/06/this-week-in-comics-for-63010/
12. Quarter Bin: http://thequarterbin.com/2010/06/30/velocity-1-2/
13. League of Comic Geeks: http://leagueofcomicgeeks.com/review/12/velocity-1
14. CBR: http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=user_review&id=2387
15. Broken Frointier: http://www.brokenfrontier.com/reviews/p/detail/velocity-1
16. Newsarama/Best Shots Rapid Reviews: http://www.newsarama.com/comics/best-shots-rapid-reviews-100701.html
17. True Believer : http://truebelieverreviews.com/wordpress/?p=265#more-265
18. Comic Attack : http://comicattack.net/2010/07/velocity1rev/
19. Comics Bulletin: http://www.comicsbulletin.com/reviews/127817683364489.htm
20. Comic Related: http://comicrelated.com/news/7180/velocity-1
21. Newsarama’s Best Shots … Again : http://www.newsarama.com/comics/best-shots-comic-reviews-100705.html
22. Comic Vine : http://www.comicvine.com/news/review-velocity-1/141532/
23. Panels on Pages : http://panelsonpages.com/?p=25557

Cheers,

Ron