I got a question on Tumblr about the representation of Native Americans in the new TUROK comic that debuts on February 5.
Comics
Give to Stan Sakai, get free Code Monkey stickers and signed bookplate
Hey, friends. I recently had bookplate stickers made (thanks to everyone who chimed in with design advice!) and I figured it’s time to start giving some away. So here’s the deal…
Stan Sakai, the brilliant creator of the USAGI YOJIMBO comic book series, has had a heartbreakingly difficult winter, which you can read about here. His family is currently dealing with medical bills for his wife Sharon’s cancer treatment. The Cartoon Art Professional Society is collecting donations via Paypal here.
If you donate to Stan, I will send you a signed bookplate and a sheet of Code Monkey stickers. Here’s a direct link to the Paypal donation form:
After you make your donation, just email me at vm at pakbuzz dot com with your mailing address and I’ll send you the bookplate and stickers. Please note that you can donate ANY AMOUNT and I’ll hook you up with the bookplate and stickers.
We’re working on the honor system here, so be cool, which I know you are.
Thanks so much for considering helping out Stan Sakai, and please feel free to spread the word.
Retailers! TONIGHT is final order cut-off for TUROK #1!
Hey, comic book retailer friends! Please take note – TONIGHT is final order cut-off for my newest book, TUROK DINOSAUR HUNTER, written by yours truly with gorgeous art from Mirko Colak. The book is a revival of the classic Gold Key character and is published by Dynamite Comics.
I’m super proud of the book and hope you’ll considering ordering big. The huge incentive: Dynamite is offering FULL RETURNABILITY on issue #1! So go big!
Below is a bit more about the book, and check out all the preview pages!
From the ComicVine interview:
This is a story about a Native American fighting dinosaurs. THAT IS ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW.
I’m not even really kidding, here. This is great high adventure, alternate history stuff. We’re doing some really fun worldbuilding that should appeal to anyone who gets a kick out of historical fiction in particular. But the core of the story is about a young man grappling with a life-and-death struggle that threatens his entire world. WITH DINOSAURS.
From the CBR interview:
“First off, ‘Native American fighting dinosaurs’ is one of the greatest four-word pitches in the world!” Pak told CBR about what it was that attracted him to launching “Turok: Dinosaur Hunter” for Dynamite. “It’s so evocative and so much fun, and it asks so many questions in that one phrase!”
From the Comicsbeat interview:
…we’ve got a new angle on Turok, entering his story at an earlier stage than most previous tales. He’s a young man, an exile from his tribe struggling to survive in a brutal world. So even before the dinosaurs hit, he’s had to learn how to survive by the skin of his teeth. But does that set him up to be his people’s savior — or the ultimate predator?
2013.01.08 – “Action Comics” #27 and “Batman/Superman” #7 out today!
Hey, friends. Get to your local comics shop or make with the clicking, ’cause “Action Comics” #27 and “Batman/Superman” #7 both hit stores today!
“Action Comics” #27 continues the story of Superman’s encounter with the monster child Baka and the mysterious Subterraneans. Lana Lang and the Ghost Soldier continue to play huge roles as well. Art by Aaron Kuder, with assistance from RB Silva and Mike Hawthorne. Check out the preview here and buy it digitally at Comixology here!
And here’s an early rave review from Too Dangerous For a Girl that says, “Pak writes the warmest, smartest Superman we’ve seen since the 2011 reboot, an appealing combination of open-hearted country boy, investigative reporter and straight-up superhero.”
Aaaand here’s an interview with me about the book at the 13th Dimension!
“Batman/Superman” #7, drawn by Brett Booth, is the climax of the Toymaster/Mongul storyarc. The over-the-top action continues apace, but I’m really happy with the emotion in this one. Dontcha dare miss it! Preview here — buy it at Comixology here.
Feedback on this bookplate design?
UPDATE: Based on awesome advice from Alex De Campi on Twitter, I turned the black ink red. Here’s the latest:
Hey, friends. I’m making a bookplate sticker that I can sign and mail to readers. And here’s the latest design. I’ve gone with a sketchy, handmade feel. With this version, I’ve added a parchment-like background.
I’m pretty pleased with it and close to placing the order, but this being the internet, I figured I’d toss it out there and see if y’all had any thoughts/comments. Thanks much!
2014.01.08 – “Action Comics” #27 – check out the preview!
“Action Comics” #27 hits stores on Wednesday — please ask your local retailer to hold you a copy or buy it digitally via Comixology!
There’s a four page preview up at Hero Complex with beautiful art by Aaron Kuder, RB Silva, and Mike Hawthorne and words by yours truly.
Read on for a couple of pages below!
Thinking about making bookplates – wanna give me your 2¢ about a possible design?
For a few months I’ve been thinking about having some stickers printed up that I can mail out to people as signed bookplates. It’s a nifty thing that people like Ursula K. LeGuin and Eric Carle have done over the years, and it looks like fun.
So I’ve been thinking over designs and I’ve come to the conclusion that a very simple, hand-made feel might be the best. Below is the design I’m mulling over. It would be printed as a 4″x6″ sticker, and signed by yours truly. The idea is that there’s enough room in there for a little personalization or even possibly a sketch.
If you have any thoughts, I’d love to hear ’em!
2013.12.04 – “Action Comics” #26, “Code Monkey Save World” #2, and “Batman/Superman” #6
Hey, friends! It’s a huge New Comics Day for me — with “Action Comics” #6 and “Batman/Superman” #6 hitting stores and “Code Monkey Save World” #3 available on Comixology! I’m super proud of all of these books and really hope you’ll check ’em out. Here’s why:
ACTION COMICS #26 features Superman taking on a mysterious invader from below the Earth with the help of childhood friend (and present-day adventuring electrical engineer) Lana Lang. Also introducing a brand new adversary called the Ghost Soldier! Aaron Kuder pencils and inks, and he’s just amazing. Aaron and I are working hand-in-hand on this book every step of the way. I’m writing the scripts plot-first, meaning I send him a detailed, panel-by-panel outline with no dialogue. Then he does layouts and we get on the phone to talk through the whole thing image by image. In the end, I write all the dialogue while looking at the finished art. It’s an intense, intimate, and hugely fun way of working and I like to think it’s helping us tap into something special. Hope you agree!
Check out the preview here. Then ask your local retailer to hold you a copy or buy it digitally at Comixology!
Here’s an excerpt from Aaron Long’s review at Comicosity:
Pak took the reins of the iconic Action Comics with the issue 25 Zero Yeartie-in and gave the young Man of Steel a great voice that we haven’t seen in the Superman books of the New 52. That voice continues in issue 26 as Superman fights an unknown alien creature from the depths that hits his empathy buttons, which Pak explores brilliantly. Pak skillfully introduces a new threat worthy of Superman, introducing intrigue and a lot of plot threads to play with going forward. Pak’s voice for Superman, as both Clark & his super-half, is absolutely fantastic and there was an overwhelming feeling that struck me as I read this comic: I want to read this guy. I *like* this guy.
BATMAN/SUPERMAN #6 continues the Mongul/Toymaster storyline that began last issue, with art by the brilliant Brett Booth. The story involves an alien conquerer using a networked fighting game to tap into the strategic skills and fighting spirit of millions of gamers in order to defeat our heroes. Brett’s doing a spectacular job of capturing the mighty mayhem as well as the underlying humor of the scenario. We’re also doing a crazy horizontal layout thing that you don’t want to miss. Check out the preview, then ask your local retailer to hold you a copy or buy it digitally at Comixology!
Finally, CODE MONKEY SAVE WORLD #2 is the second issue of the Kickstarter-funded graphic novel based on the songs of Jonathan Coulton. A supervillain/monkey team up — and in this issue, we get the Skullcrusher’s secret origin! YOU WANT THIS. Art by Takeshi Miyazawa, colors by Jessica Kholinne, letters by Simon Bowland. Check out the preview and buy it digitally at Comixology!
Russ Burlingame at Comicbook.com calls it “a beautifully-rendered, cleverly-written comic that’s as much fun as anything else you’ll read this year.”
Thanks for reading – hope you enjoy the books!
2013.11.20 – “Eternal Warrior” #3 – check out the reviews!
“Eternal Warrior” #3 hit comic shops on Wednesday. Buy it from your local retailer or pick it up digitally at Comixology!
And check out these reviews:
“…an engaging story with mesmerizing artwork.” — Josh Gillam, Drunk on Comics
“The writer’s creativity is on overdrive as he continues to grow the fantasy world around Gilad” — Gregg Katzman, ComicVine
“Pak is creating a mythos with Eternal Warrior that will stand the test of time among some of the greatest in comics history and this issue definitely proves it.” — Francisco Rodriguez, The Broken Infinite
“With intricate storytelling and engaging visuals, Eternal Warrior is just one cog in the larger machine that is bringing Valiant back to the forefront of comics today.” — ComicHype
2013.11.06 – “Action Comics” #25 and “Batman/Superman” #5 in stores now!
“Action Comics” #25 and “Batman/Superman” #5 hit stores on Wednesday!
Here’s what the critics say:
ACTION COMICS #25
“Damn, this is one super comic.” — IGN
“Pak and Kuder are a great choice for ‘Action Comics’.” — CBR
“One of the best single issue stories of any Superman-related comic in recent memory.” – Multiversity Comics
BATMAN/SUPERMAN #5
“This is a great issue, and is a throwback to what we loved about Worlds’ Finest of yesteryear.” – Weird Science
“Pak shows us what makes them so different yet illustrates the friendship they’ve formed.” – ComicVine