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.

ZOMBIE-PROOF: Good Morning, Dallas!

Just finished edits on Zombie-Proof: Good Morning, Dallas!, a prose prequel short story to the Zombie-Proof comic book series. It's fun and reminded me of how enjoyable it is when you really know your subject and just let loose.

I think it means I have to write a novel.

At any rate, more details -- such as where and when it will appear -- soon.

We'll see.

UPCOMING WORK

Wednesday, July 20, 2011 - The Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide #41
October 2011 - Vampire, PA Limited Edition Hardcover
November 2011 - Zombie-Proof Limited Edition Hardcover

More to come!

VAMPIRE, PA Collected Edition Mini-Preview

The Vampire, PA collected edition hardcover will include four previously unpublished story pages, the original prose short story "Vampire Hunter Dean" that inspired the series (from the anthology Vampires: Dracula and the Undead Legions), character designs and more...

More details soon.

VAMPIRE, PA Collected Edition Coming Soon

Details to follow...

Another ZOMBIE-PROOF Preview Page

A Few More FREE COMIC BOOK DAY PHOTOS

HERO and GEMSTONE OFFER LIMITED EDITION of OVERSTREET #41

What happens when penciler John Romita, Sr., inker Tom Palmer, and colorist Dean White team up and use their powers and Marvel Comics characters for a good cause?

The answer is simple: magic!

Romita, Palmer and White have created The Hero Initiative’s exclusive, limited edition cover for The Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide #41, which will debut at The Hero Initiative booth at Comic-Con International: San Diego on Preview Night, Wednesday, July 20, 2011.

It features Spider-Man, Mary Jane, the Incredible Hulk, Captain America, Thor, The Thing, Daredevil, Wolverine and Iron Man.

Limited to only 500 copies and available only in hardcover, this edition of the Guide will serve as an important fundraiser for Hero. It carries a $35 retail price.

This marks the second year the Guide has done a limited edition for Hero. Last year, John Romita, Jr.’s recreation of Conan #1 inked by Klaus Janson and colored by White proved to be a nearly immediate sell-out. Given Romita, Sr.’s long association with many of these characters, we’re expecting good things this time around, too.

“When Gemstone Publishing approached us last year at the behest of Steve Geppi about doing the first special fundraiser limited edition in the Guide’s long history, it sounded like a really good idea. Once we actually received copies of the book, we knew it was actually a great idea. I called Gemstone’s J.C. Vaughn and said, ‘I don’t want to say can we do this next year, but… Can we do this next year?’” said Jim McLauchlin, President of The Hero Initiative.

The answer, of course, was yes.

“Raising awareness serves a purpose, but what we really wanted to do was raise money for this great cause,” said Steve Geppi, President and C.E.O. of Gemstone Publishing. “Like last year, I’m very pleased that we are able to donate the full print run of 500 copies to Hero because, also like last year, everyone really came together to help out this great cause. Starting with the awesome creative team, our friends at Marvel, and Quad Graphics, everyone donated their services and just look at the results!”

First published in 1970, The Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide has been the Bible of serious comic book collectors – and those just starting out – for 41 years. As does every edition, this 41st volume includes all new insights, feature articles, Overstreet Hall of Fame entries, and tons of comic book data along with the most comprehensive listing of comics you’ll find.

“We’re very happy to be able to do this limited edition with Hero,” said author and publisher Robert M. Overstreet. “The reaction to last year’s limited edition was very gratifying, to say the least. Hero helps people who have brought enjoyment to so many, and helping them do that is a tremendous privilege.”

The Hero Initiative Limited Edition Hardcover version of The Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide #41 is scheduled to go on sale at The Hero Initiative booth at Comic-Con International: San Diego on Preview Night, Wednesday, July 20, 2011 and afterward through a limited number of Hero affiliates. This version will be available in hardcover only and is limited to 500 copies. The retail price is $35. Information on special signings during the show will be released at a later date.

The standard editions of the Guide featuring Thor by Walter Simonson and Supergirl and Batgirl by Amanda Conner will also go on sale at the convention and at comic shops everywhere that same day.

FLASHBACK: HERO EDITION of OVERSTREET #40

John Romita, Jr., Klaus Janson and Dean White labored on this killer recreation of Conan The Barbarian #1, which celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2010 just as did The Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide. This version was limited to 500 hardcover copies with all the proceeds going to The Hero Initiative.

Here's what I had to say at the time about the effort to make this one a reality:

“This was truly a collaborative effort. Mark Huesman, the Guide's Creative Director, suggested the idea of a recreation of Conan The Barbarian #1 for the cover, since that landmark issue is also celebrating its 40th anniversary. Jim McLauchlin and the Hero Initiative secured the services of John Romita, Jr., Klaus Janson, and Dean White to provide the fantastic art.

Since John is exclusive with Marvel, Jim also got Marvel’s permission for him to do the project.

Dark Horse’s Mike Richardson arranged the permission to do the cover with the folks at Conan Properties International, LLC. Angelo Messina at WorldColor [now Quad Graphics] arranged for his company to donate the plate change and the limited edition portion of our print run. If any one of these things hadn’t happened, we wouldn’t have been able to do this project in this way.”

And of course none of it would have happened without Steve Geppi giving it the go-ahead or Bob Overstreet starting the Guide 40 years earlier!

FLASHBACK: ANTIQUES for HERO

Other than covering them in Scoop, The Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide and other publications, one of the first things I got to do for The Hero Initiative was donate the Week 33 original art from Antiques: The Comic Strip for a fundraiser auction. Artists Brendon and Brian Fraim and I signed the piece, as did special guest star Stan Lee. My biggest thrill was that Stan did not change my dialogue for him!

MORE PREVIEW PAGES from ZOMBIE-PROOF: ZOMBIE ZOO