Creator-Owned Update & Bloody Pulp Announcements!

Another crazy day 

My mailbox is filled with creator-owned books that I can feature in my creator-owned column-which I think starts next week!

I got a few seriously pissed off people come at me, but once I sat back and thought about it, I could see they would be mad about anything. Today, I just happen to set them off.

The gist of the most venomous email was that I didn’t back Eric Powell’s video enough. Er, I posted it and I wrote exactly how I felt about it in my last blog so we’ll skip it.

Also, throughout all of this, the blogs and the video, Eric and I have been working on a Criminal Macabre/Goon crossover. That’s how we show support for each other.

Have to admit, this guy was name-calling and I started to get in that debating-hating-I’ll-show-this-@#*&!-frame of mind…and then stopped myself. In the end we just exchanged, somewhat heated, but much more civil emails. He's a fan, frustrated by what's happening to the comics he loves. I get that.

I know it’s hard not to fight, but man it feels good not to.

And the BEST news to report...people are talking: creators, retailers, publishers and fans alike. If it only lasts a little while, I have to say it’s been really nice having everybody be so nice.

I’ve been having lots of talks with creators. Now instead of whining, we’re discussing and trying to offer solutions.

Best examples I can give is something I’m doing with Scott Morse. We talked and basically realized we can do a comic with just the two of us. We can self-publish or maybe talk to a publisher, but the book is happening.

We have no idea what will happen with CRIME & TERROR but we’re doing it. We’ll figure out how to get it to readers, and how to maybe make some cash, but right now at least we’ll have a book.

Scott’s Blog: http://scottmorse.blogspot.com/2011/02/its-been-awhile.html

For their privacy (and I’m too lazy to write them all) I’d say I’m having a running conversation now with around twenty some odd creators working in comics today. There are some very exciting ideas being offered up and I think the end result is going to be some very cool, very new comics in the next few years.

We may all starve to death, but we’re going to have some great reading!

I hinted last week about actors Jeff Combs and Lance Henriksen and how they might fit into creator-owned.

Now I can talk…

For Bloody Pulps Books second publication, Alex and I will be publishing a biography of Henriksen with illustrations by Bernie Wrightson, Eric Powell, Tim Bradstreet, Mike Mignola, Ashley Wood, Bill Sienkiewicz and many others. The line-up may change. Everything does. 

Art Bill Sienkiewicz

We’re making it ourselves and selling it ourselves. I am deeply indebted to Lance Henriksen (who just met me last week) for allowing us to publish his book. It’s going to be a real challenge but will give me first hand experience selling in various markets with grassroots marketing. People love his films. He's been in some of the greatest genre films of all-time. Our hope is that by combining Lance's book with some of comics top talent, then maybe we can each find new fans.

The other project, the one with Jeff Combs has been in the works for over a year but is now locked. Combs and I are producing a comic book version of his one-man show about Edgar Allan Poe called NEVERMORE. Stuart Gordon who directed the show is also helping. IDW will be publishing.

I met with Mr. Henriksen early in the day and spent the afternoon breaking down the Nevermore play script with Jeff. Believe me, my inner-fan was having a fucking daylong heart attack, but it was a good day.

So...three new creator-owned projects, all completely different and all being created in different ways.

With creator-owned, we have diversity on our side so I want to try everything possible.

Creators in general, we have imagination on our side. Let’s use it.

Again, overall the response has been positive. Let’s keep it up. I’ll try, if you try.

 You guys rock.

-Steve

Other Creator-Owned Posts

Origins of this Creator-Owned Support Thing and Updates

What’s all this Creator-Owned Talk?

Creator-Owned Comics: Not Whining Yields Results

 

Comments

[Alexander]

All sounds great Steve. Jeff's show is awesome. We recorded some Poe and Lovecraft audiobooks with him last year for which he did a sterling job. Can't wait to see how the comic book turns out and best of luck with all the projects.

[Marc]

Very excited about the Lance Henriksen book. However, whenever talking about Mr. Henriksen you have to at least mention his tv series Millennium. His starring role as Frank Black with the X-Files connection (Chris Carter) really created a new (and very loyal) fanbase for him. Anyways, can't wait for this book!

[Marc]

Btw this fansite trying to get Millennium made into a movie mentions a Lance Henriksen book in the works.
http://www.backtofrankblack.com/

[Mark]

I have an idea Steve, why don't you pick random indie (and I really mean small press) books you enjoy and post reviews (or just recommended readings on this site about the?

[Michael Moreci]

I'd like to see you take an non-traditional route with Crime and Terror, and see how it works out. It would be cool to see a different approach, especially from someone of your caliber, and get a sense of what worked and what didn't.