ARTIST'S EDITIONS: Interview with IDW's SCOTT DUNBIER

A real treasure and a boon for collectors of original comic book art, the ARTIST'S EDITION books from IDW Publishing have just got to be seen to be believed.

You can check out the interview with Scott in Scoop.

I love what he's done so far and can't wait for the ones he has lined up!

If you're a Walter Simonson fan, don't miss the Thor book!

A COOL DAY: ZOMBIE-PROOF "ZOMBIE ZOO" ART is FINISHED!

Vincent Spencer, my partner on all things Zombie-Proof, sent me the final pages today on for the new, 46-page "Zombie Zoo" story that will go with the original mini-series in the collected edition.

There are some corrections, which he's already at work on, but we'll finish a couple days earlier than I expected. Getting to sit down and look at it, this is a cool story and the art is outstanding!

I'll post details as soon as possible on when it will be out.

OVERSTREET #41 for THE HERO INTIATIVE

How cool was this year for the Guide? Let me tell you...

First, I got to work with Walter Simonson, fulfilling a goal I've had for more years than I care to count. And he was as cool as could be (which was no surprise because, hey, he's as nice as he is talented).

Second, I got to work with Amanda Conner, who was also as cool as could be me (this was no surprise since she and Jimmy Palmiotti are really good people, but it's still enjoyable).

And third, I got to work with John Romita, Sr. and Tom Palmer on The Hero Initiative version of the book. Both of these tremendous talents influenced how I looked at comics over the years, and they both were terrific to work with, too.

In case you haven't heard, the Hero version is hardcover only and limited to 500 copies. If weren't at Comic-Con International: San Diego or Wizard World Chicago, you can still get one online from Graham Crackers Comics, who handle all the online stuff for Hero.

Seriously, what a year!

And I don't want to leave out the colorists either! Laura Martin, who plied her craft on Walter's Thor cover, was superb.

Paul Mounts, who worked with Amanda on the Supergirl and Batgirl cover, was equally awesome.

And Dean White -- the only repeat creator from last year's 40th anniversary editions (again The Hero Initiative exclusive) -- just once again rocked it.

Of course this makes next year very challenging... but that's a fun kind of problem to have!

THE OVERSTREET COMIC BOOK PRICE GUIDE #41 is NUMBER ONE for July!

The Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide #41 was the number one book distributed by Diamond Comic Distributors in July 2011.

The Supergirl & Batgirl HC by Amanda Conner sold out from Diamond on the day of its release (7/20/11) and the Thor HC by Walter Simonson is selling briskly, too. Gemstone still has a few copies of the Supergirl HC left but when they're gone they're gone.

At present the soft cover editions are still available.

Longer Preview from ZOMBIE-PROOF

BEHIND THE SCENES on ZOMBIE-PROOF

When we first started working on the Zombie-Proof story "Zombie Zoo," it was going to be an annual with different artists illustrating different chapters. The only part that worked out -- no surprise to anyone who has worked with them -- was the chapter supplied by Brendan & Brian Fraim, my artists on Vampire, PA and my abele collaborators on other projects, most notably Antiques: The Comic Strip.

Another frequent partner in crime, Gene Gonzales, posed for reference photos for the gruesome death at the hands (paws, actually) of the zombie chihuahuas. Here's one of the great pages by the Fraims. You'll see others in the Zombie-Proof collected edition when that eventually happens (it's getting very close now).

While we changed a bit of the pacing, you'll see we used the same "camera" direction and similar pacing with my Zombie-Proof co-creator Vincent Spencer took his take on this scene (see previous blog entry).

ZOMBIE-PROOF Four-Page Preview

VAMPIRE, PA Limited Edition Hardcover in August PREVIEWS

The Vampire, PA: Pittsburgh Noir limited edition hardcover is in the August 2011 issue of PREVIEWS from Diamond Comic Distributors; it's on Page 306 and is Item #AUG11 1133.

AMANDA CONNER's Overstreet HC Sells Out

At Comic-Con International: San Diego with Amanda Conner, celebrating the first day sell-out of her hardcover edition of The Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide #41.

It is seriously cool to work with nice people who are super-talented.