ZOMBIE-PROOF

Zombie-Proof, The Story of Billy Bob Driwahl by Vincent Spencer and yours truly. Fall 2007.

Billy Bob (above, left) and Rufus T. Spalding, also known as Icon (above, right).

More news soon!

The EC Archives - Weird Science

The second volume in The EC Archives - Weird Science line is scheduled to reach comic shops on Wednesday, April 25, 2007. With a foreword by DC Comics President and Publisher Paul Levitz, this latest EC Archives volume features Weird Science #7-12, 24 stories from the early days of the title. Working from distinctive Al Feldstein scripts, artists Jack Kamen, Harvey Kurtzman, Joe Orlando, Wally Wood and others helped carve out the EC style. The original stories, covers and text pages are accompanied by historical notes from Gemstone's Russ Cochran and veteran EC historian Roger Hill, too.

The Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide #37 on sale 4/25/07

Next week is scheduled to mark the arrival of the new edition of The Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide. Traditionally the day the Guide arrives is a big day in comics, and this year it falls on Wednesday, April 25, 2007, allowing stores to be fully stocked in advance of Free Comic Book Day, May 5.

This year's edition features a choice of covers: New Avengers by Mark Sparacio (Heroes For Hire, Shi) and Supergirl by Billy Tucci (Shi, Heroes For Hire), and the limited, spiral-bound version, The Big, Big Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide is expected to be on sale the same day. That edition features a recreation of Daredevil #1 by John K. Snyder III.


This year marks the first year that the spiral-bound version has been released with the standard hard cover and soft cover editions.In addition to the usual diverse assortment of market reports and the latest pricing, this edition includes feature articles on Daredevil (by novelist and noted comics historian Will Murray), Captain America (by celebrated designer and comics historian Michael Kronenberg), CGC (by CGC's own Steve Borock), and "The Semi-Secret Origins of The Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide" (an interview with Bob Overstreet by yours truly).



Last year saw the return of The Overstreet Hall of Fame, and this year sees a major expansion of its roster in the pages of the Guide's color section. As always, The Guide remains the most complete listing of comics from the 1500s to the present.

24: NIGHTFALL #5 Now On Sale

The fifth and final issue of the 24: Nightfall mini-series is on sale now. This prequel to Season One of the Fox TV series 24 spells out just what happened on Jack Bauer's ill-fated mission to tale out mass murderer Victor Drazen. It's written by Mark L. Haynes and me with art by Jean Diaz.

This series, and our previous 24 work, was written up this week in Beau Smith's "Busted Knuckles" column on the Silver Bullet Comicbooks site.

We're looking forward to doing more 24 with IDW in the near future, and I'm presently at work on the Season 5 trading cards for Artbox Entertainment.

Two-Fisted Tales - Volume One

THE EC ARCHIVES: TWO-FISTED TALES - Volume One

This first volume of the critically acclaimed Two-Fisted Tales showcases the work of writer-artist-editor Harvey Kurtzman, writer-artist-editor Al Feldstein, and artists Wally Wood, Johnny Craig, John Severin, Will Elder and Jack Davis. It also sports an introduction by Steve Geppi.

If you think you know war comics but haven't read Two-Fisted Tales, you definitely don't know war comics.

Like the rest of the volumes in the EC Archives series, it's $49.95, full-color, 212 pages.

JCV Interviews SALVADOR's Sebastian A. Jones

A couple of weeks ago, I interviewed writer Sebastian A. Jones, who collaborated with filmmakers Michael and Mark Polish (The Astronaut Farmer) on their upcoming comic book Salvador, for Scoop.

Check it out!

Beau Smith's COBB: OFF THE LEASH

The great thing about having really good friends is that they don't have to do anything remarkable to keep being your friend, but when they do, you really get a chance to celebrate.

Right now, that's the case with my amigo Beau Smith.

His comic book mini-series Cobb: Off The Leash has been collected into the graphic novel size Cobb Magazine, and it's superb. Here's my review, combining elements of what I wrote for Scoop and some new thoughts on the subject:

When the story collected in this magazine-sized graphic novel was first serialized, the first issue grabbed us, put us in a chair, slapped us around and bit and made us confess it was a really great comic book story. In other words, it had Beau Smith written all over it. Now, with the story complete in one publication, it reads like a great action-adventure story should. There isn't much in the way of posing, there aren't any stupid catch phrases, and the action isn't over the top. Instead, what readers get is a well-paced story packed with pragmatic bad guys in the form of Russian mobsters, relentlessly solid good guys who don't have a lot of contrived angst for doing the right thing, and circumstances spiraling out of control when the two sides meet. The action is spectacular, but not unbelievable. Likewise the plot, and Cobb and his friends are people you would definitely want to have your back in a fight.

In a career marked thus far by diverse characters from a variety of publishers, ranging from The Black Terror at Eclipse Comics to Guy Gardner at DC, Smith has established himself as a writer with a distinct take on things. Whether he's been working on someone else's characters, such as Wildcat, or his own, like Wynonna Earp, his characters have had a certain rough-and-tumble directness to them, a straight forward honesty akin to John Wayne's Rooster Cogburn in True Grit. That said, even Smith's diehard fans might not find themselves ready for Cobb. Matched with the fluid linework of artist Eduardo Barreto, Smith has poured himself and his sensibilities into this story and the results are outstanding, a real page turner of a read.

Earlier Interview with Beau Smith

Cobb #1 Picked as #3 Comic of 2006 by Scoop

A couple years ago...

In October 2005, Baltimore Smart CEO named Steve Geppi as their CEO of the Year. I hadn't thought about that party in a while, but recently I was forwarded some photos from the evening Steve received his award.

John K. Snyder, Jr. (my boss at Gemstone Publishing and President of Geppi's Entertainment Museum) and I were among the attendees who saw Steve receive his award. It was a pretty cool evening and I'm glad to have it as a memory.

John K. Snyder, Jr., JCV, and Steve Geppi

STAN LEE GUESTS STARS IN ANTIQUES: THE COMIC STRIP

STAN LEE GUESTS STARS IN ANTIQUES: THE COMIC STRIP

Joins with Creators for Hero Initiative Benefit

Stan Lee, comic book creator, spokesman and living legend, is adding another to his illustrious list of credits: comic strip guest star. The entertainment industry icon, who recently was a comic book co-star in Marvel Comics’ STAN LEE MEETS... series, drops in on the regular cast of ANTIQUES: THE COMIC STRIP in the February 28, 2007 cover date issue of Antique Trader to help raise both money and awareness for the Hero Initiative, the first 501(c)(3) not-for-profit group dedicated to helping comic creators in need.

ANTIQUES: THE COMIC STRIP is a Sunday-size comic strip that runs in each issue of Antique Trader, the weekly journal which has served collectors for more than 50 years. The creation of writer J.C. Vaughn and artists Brendon and Brian Fraim, Antiques features an intriguing romantic triangle set against the backdrop of the largest collectibles auction ever held.

Lee, Vaughn and the Fraim brothers will sign the one-of-a-kind original art, which will be then auctioned off at the Baltimore Comic-Con (September 8-9, 2007) with all the proceeds going to the Hero Initiative. Additionally, Vaughn and the Fraim brothers will donate their fee for that strip as well.

“Helping out our fellow creators is a totally worthwhile cause and it’s something that really means a lot to me," Lee said. “When Brendon, Brian and J.C asked if I’d mind appearing in ANTIQUES I was flattered and glad to do so, but when it turned into a chance to assist the Hero Initiative, I was really excited; it was sort of like grabbing the brass ring! The Hero Initiative is something to which all True Believers should give their wholehearted support. Nuff said!”

“One of the main reasons we came up with Antiques was to help get comics outside of their traditional venues. No individual has done more of that than Stan Lee, and we’re thrilled to combine efforts with him to call attention to comic strips, comic books, and the Hero Initiative,” Vaughn said.

“We’re glad that Stan Lee, Brendon Fraim, Brian Fraim and J.C. Vaughn have come together to create this special opportunity through ANTIQUES: THE COMIC STRIP to raise both awareness and money for The Hero Initiative,” said Jim McLauchlin, the organization’s President.

Additional information about the auction and other Hero Initiative events at the Baltimore Comic-Con will follow.

Stan Lee set the standard for how generations have perceived superheroes when he created or co-created Spider-Man, the Fantastic Four, the X-Men, the Incredible Hulk, Iron Man, Daredevil, Doctor Strange, and many other characters for Marvel Comics. In addition to permanently changing the comic book world, he helped facilitate the multi-media acceptance of comic book characters. Most recently he created and hosted the hit reality series Who Wants To Be A Superhero?, the second season of which will debut in Summer 2007 on the Sci Fi Channel.

J.C. Vaughn is the Executive Editor/Associate Publisher of Gemstone Publishing, home of The Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide, Hake’s Price Guide To Character Toys, The Official Price Guide To Disney Collectibles, The EC Archives, Disney comics and other projects. He is the co-writer of the comic book incarnation of the hit Fox show 24, and co-created Antiques: The Comic Strip with Brendon and Brian Fraim.

Brendon and Brian Fraim are the artists of the acclaimed online daily comic strip America, Jr. Their work has been seen regularly in the long-running Knights of the Dinner Table, as well as the Random House novel Wolf Boy, the benefit anthology ACTOR Comics Presents, and Sean McKeever’s The Waiting Place Vol. 1.

Published by F+W Publications, Antique Trader has been a prominent voice in the antiquing and collecting worlds for 50 years. With a combination of feature articles, interviews, and news, it is printed weekly and is available by subscription.

For additional information on Stan Lee, visit www.powentertainment.com.

For additional information on J.C. Vaughn visit www.welldefined.blogspot.com.

For additional information on Brendon & Brian Fraim, visit www.brosfraim.com.

For additional information on the Hero Initiative, visit www.heroinitiative.org.

For additional information on Antique Trader, visit http://www.antiquetrader.com/.

JCV on MySpace.com

Slave to trends or just a really slow pioneer? I don't know, but I do indeed now have a MySpace page. Visit me!

24 Signing and Discussion at GEM

The 24 discussion and signing at Geppi's Entertainment Musuem is scheduled for 1 PM to 4 PM on Saturday, January 13, 2007, the day before the first night of two-night season premiere of 24 on Fox TV (September 14-15, at 8 PM ET).

We'll be talking about 24: Nightfall, the five-issue mini-series from IDW Publishing, as well as the new season of the show.

New Regular JCV Column

In addition to the weekly installments of ANTIQUES: THE COMIC STRIP and various feature articles, I'll be contributing a new monthly column to ANTIQUE TRADER. Details soon!

JCV & MLH at GEM 1/13/06

In advance of the new season of 24, which starts January 14 - 15, 2007 with the two-night premiere, Mark Haynes and I will be appearing at Geppi's Entertainment Museum on Saturday, January 13. I'll post the hours soon.

We'll be talking about the upcoming season of the show, and our mini-series, 24: Nightfall.

ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY Loves the EC ARCHIVES!

I'm very happy to be associated with just about every project we undertake at Gemstone, but I'm really happy to be Executive Editor/Associate Publisher of The EC Archives. The first two volumes, Weird Science - Volume 1 and Shock SuspenStories - Volume 1, sold very well on initial orders, but the real surprise has been the re-order activity. It's been amazing.

We started with great material, got forewords by George Lucas and Steven Spielberg, respectively, and produced some seriously cool collecitons. The reviews, in places like USA Today, have been wonderful.

And now we've made Entertainment Weekly's "Must List." How cool is that?
Check it out!

24 NIGHTFALL #2 on sale this Week

24: NIGHTFALL #2, the second issue of our five-issue mini-series, is scheduled to go on sale this week!

24 Signing a Success

Our signing at Cards, Comics & Collectibles was great. We heard those magic words, "I've never been in a comic shop before, but..."

Anytime you get even one of them it's a success.

Thanks to Marc Nathan for having us in and for arranging the TV coverage!

24 & JCV at CARDS, COMICS & COLLECTIBLES

Update: Mark and I are scheduled to be on Fox 45, WBFF TV in Baltimore, at 7:55 AM, Friday, December 1, to promote the signing and the comic. If you're in the area, tune in!


24: NIGHTFALL #1 went on sale 11/22/06.

On Saturday, December 2, from 2 PM until 5 PM, I'll be signing at Cards, Comics & Collectibles in Reisterstown, Maryland. If you haven't ever been there, Marc Nathan, the store's owner, is also the same man behind the Baltimore Comic-Con.

Cards, Comics & Collectibles is located at 100-A Chartley Drive, Reistesrtown, MD 21136. Call (410) 526-7410 for more information, or email cardscomicscollectibles@yahoo.com.

ZOMBIE-PROOF in BUSTED KNUCKLES

Beau Smith, often spoken of in hushed tones as "the last real man in comics," turns his attention in this week's edition of his "Busted Knuckles" column to Zombie-Proof. We gave Beau a sneek peak at Zombie-Proof #1 and he let everyone in on it.

Check out what he had to say!

NON SPORT UPDATE

Non Sport Update (Volume 17, #6) features a great look at the 24 Season Four trading cards from Artbox Entertainment. I wrote these cards (and just completed the expansion set that will follow them) and they're going to be great.

Wizard #182

Wizard magazine covered 24: Nightfall in issue 182 (December 2006 cover date). Mark and I had a nice interview with them, since we're not Michael Turner or Brian Michael Bendis we didn't imagine they'd give us a whole page... but they did!

Check out the issue at your local comic book shop. We're on Page 56.

Thanks to Wizard's TJ Dietsch for writing the article!