Check out the Indie LGBTQ Pride sale, featuring the acclaimed Fresh Romance @rosypress, Smut Peddler @ironcircuscomics, Heathen by Natasha Alterici and dozens more!
A comiXologist Recommends:
Molly Brooks recommends
Broken Telephone
Broken Telephone is a complex international crime story that I won’t go into in detail for fear of spoiling too much. It involves the resourceful employees of an Indian call center, a chipper YouTube terrorist and her accomplice (someone else’s grandmother), a few hit men at various points along the moral grayscale, a self-important hostage negotiator really just doing his best, a popular uprising on an island nation which is NOT an American tourist’s coming-of-age redemption story, a prison guard in over his head, and a little boy trying to get more minutes on his phone before the murder guys come back.
This story would be a sinister drama if told from any one perspective, but when told from EVERY perspective it becomes a fascinating comitragedy of errors. Like the (I assume eponymous) game of telephone, important information gets lost every time the characters try to communicate, and watching the consequences of those missing pieces play out is super entertaining.
The entire book was written by Ryan Estrada (ryanestradadotcom), but each chapter is drawn by a different artist. The 18 contributing artists work in a wide range of styles, making some chapters feel slapstick, some dreamlike, some gritty and noirish. That could have made the project as a whole seem really disjointed, but each artist was clearly matched to each specific story with care, and instead the diverse styles work to reinforce the different filters through which each character is perceiving events as they unfold. The chapters that take place in the antiseptic call center, far removed from the action, are drawn with clean lines and light colors. Gecko (the environmental terrorist) lives in a world of fuzzed edges and richly saturated pinks and oranges. The more absurd a situation becomes, the more cartooned it is.
Each chapter stands alone fairly well, but the real strength of the piece is how they all fit together, and how new facets of the whole are revealed bit by bit while the reader gradually figures out how they all intersect.
The worry with a tangled narrative of multiple storylines like this is always that it won’t all come together in the end, but i thought this one did so in a really surprising and satisfying way. I really really enjoyed this book, and I highly recommend picking it up!
[Read Broken Telephone on comiXology]
Molly Brooks is an artist from nashville currently living in brooklyn. she works at comixology as a digital editor.
ComiXology @ SXSW 2015
ComiXology’s Submit Self-Publishing Platform Kicks Off Its Third Year With a Special Offer: 30 Books For 3 Bucks
March 15, 2015 – New York, NY / Austin, TX –To celebrate comiXology’s return to SXSW and to kick off comiXology Submit’s third year, comiXology is offering a 30 Submit book bundle for only 3 bucks, beginning today and running through Monday night on comixology.com. The bundle contains titles from both known and unknown creators with books normally priced at $75 for only 3 bucks. It’s the perfect way to discover new comics, graphic novels, and manga, and the future star creators and cartoonists of comics publishing.
“For the last two years, comiXology Submit has seen the introduction of a ton of great new titles from prolific and up-and-coming creators and cartoonists,” said comiXology co-founder and Director of Submit John D. Roberts. “We love shining the comiXology spotlight on books that otherwise wouldn’t get their rightful exposure. As Submit enters its third year, we are attracting even more amazing talent and books, and I’m excited to share them with even more readers everywhere.”
ComiXology returns to SXSW this weekend sponsoring the GEEK Stage at the Gaming Expo — the same place where comiXology Submit was announced in 2013. Co-founder and Director of Submit John D. Roberts will be in attendance appearing this Sunday at 4:15PM on the GEEK Stage panel “ComiXology Recommends Comics for You.” Joining Roberts will be comiXology co-founder and CEO David Steinberger and The comiXologist podcast co-hosts Matt and Kara, ready to give personalized comic, graphic novel, and manga recommendations to the audience. Panel attendees will be offered a free limited edition poster and t-shirt while supplies last commemorating the event.
The GEEK Stage can be found inside the Gaming Expo during SXSW at the Palmer Events Center 900 Barton Springs Road, Austin, Texas 78704 where comiXology will also be at booth #121. Free and open to the public, the Gaming Expo is happening from Friday, March 13th to Sunday, March 15th from 12pm to 8pm CST.
Creators and cartoonists interested in submitting works to comiXology Submit should visit submit.comixology.com. Once the work is uploaded and approved, comiXology transforms the work with their immersive Guided View reading technology and then makes it available across comiXology’s buy once, read anywhere cloud-based digital comics platform. “Submitters” and comiXology split profits equally with submitters maintaining full ownership of their work.
ComiXology Submit enables comic creators and cartoonists, running the gamut from promising new talent to established veterans, the ability to easily reach comiXology’s long established global audience of comic, graphic novel and manga fans.
Comic book, graphic novel, and manga fans interested in finding works by creators and cartoonists available through comiXology Submit can visit www.comixology.com/submit.
You can find the full list of the 30 Submit titles being offered for 3 bucks and the creators and cartoonists behind these titles below:
- Leaving Megalopolis written by Gail Simone, art by Jim Calafiore
- Doc Frankenstein #1 written by Andy Wachowski & Lana Wachowski, pencils & inks by Steve Skroce, colored by Jason Keith
- Snipe, written by Kathryn Immonen, art by Stuart Immonen
- Dayglow #1 art & writing by David Hahn
- Punk Rock & Trailer Parks by Derf Backderf
- Revenger #1 by Charles Forsman
- Expecting to Fly #1 by John Allison
- The Brothers James #1 written by Ryan Ferrier, art by Michael Walsh
- Lady Mechanika #1 by Joe Benitez with colors by Peter Steigerwald
- Harold by Antoine Cossé
- Lionheart Tales #1 by Thomas Stazer
- Exterminite #1, written by Mikey Neumann & Len Peralta, pencils by Len Peralta, & colored by Tim Switalski
- Radical Guardian Skater X #1 written by Chris Sims, art by Joe Hunter
- Jack Zero: Crackerjack Shot #1 written by Joel Blumsack & Arnold Pander, art by Arnold Pander
- The End is Totally Nigh #1 written by Kara Barrett, art by Vinnie Rico
- Silver #1 by Stephan Franck
- Animals #1: Chickens written by Eric Grissom, art by Claire Connelly
- House Party, art & writing by Rachael Smith
- Andrew Jackson Throws a Punch by Andrea Tsurumi
- Sanity & Tallulah: Plucky Teen Girl Space Detectives #1 by Molly Brooks
- Dash #1 by Dave Ebersole, art by Delia Gable
- Golden Age written by Robert Harrington & Giulie Speziani, art by Cecilia Latella, colored by Dustin Evans
- Love Machines #1 written by Josh Trujillo, art by Ryo Kawakami & Michael Schisler
- Rum Row #1 written by Andrew Maxwell, art by Michele Bandini, colored by Derek Dow
- Kid Code #1 written by Damian Duffy, John Jennings & Stacey Robinson, pencils by Stacey Robinson, inks and colors by John Jennings
- Dragon Slayer #1 art & writing by Devin Kraft, colored by Jake Ekiss, Devin Kraft, Vinh Luan Luu & Matthew Warlick
- The Intergalactic Nemesis #1, written by Jason Neulander, art by Tim Doyle
- Outcasts of Jupiter #1,written by Shobo Coker, art by Shof Coker
- Lit Brick #1 by John S. Troutman
- Frankie Holliday #1 by Nic Lawson
ComiXology Returns To SXSW With Comics For Everyone
ComiXology @ SXSW 2015
ComiXology Returns To SXSW With Comics For Everyone
Revolutionary digital comics platform to once again sponsor the SXSW GEEK Stage, offer full social media and podcast coverage, host a panel with special edition t-shirts & posters giveaways, and offer free video game-based comics on comiXology!
March 11, 2015 – New York, NY –This March, the third time’s the charm as comixology returns to SXSW in Austin, Texas this weekend sponsoring the SXSW GEEK Stage at the SXSW Gaming Expo and arriving on the scene recommending comics for everyone Friday, March 13th through Sunday, March 15th.
“We have amazing giveaways and events planned during our sponsorship of the SXSW Geek Stage that are aimed at getting you the perfect comic, graphic novel, or manga you’ll love,” said comiXology VP of Communications & Marketing Chip Mosher. “And don’t forget to attend our panel at the GEEK Stage on Sunday to get limited edition SXSW GEEK Stage posters and t-shirts!“
The weekend begins and ends with comiXology’s sponsorship of the SXSW GEEK Stage at the Palmer Events Center in Austin, Texas where giveaways will happen throughout select panels. Next to the stage, fans will be able to stop by the comiXology booth (#121) where we’ll be giving away 30,000 promo codes for free comics from DC Entertainment. The DC Comics and Vertigo titles being given away at the comiXology booth are sure to excite gaming fans as the giveaway includes tie-in comics to today’s hottest games: Batman: Arkham Knight #1-2, Mortal Kombat X #1-2, and Fables: The Wolf Among Us #1-2.
Those not attending the event will want to stay tuned to comiXology on Twitter, Tumblr, Facebook, and Google+ for the “All Access Austin” coverage of all the amazing SXSW happenings and online free giveaways. Fans shouldn’t miss the special The comiXologist podcasts featuring recommendations and SXSW commentary.
The weekend wraps up with a Sunday afternoon panel entitled “ComiXology Recommends Comics for You” where comiXology co-founders David Steinberger and John D. Roberts are joined by The comiXologist podcast co-hosts Matt and Kara with personalized comic, graphic novel, and manga recommendations for the audience. Live from the GEEK Stage at 4:15pm CST, attendees of this panel will be offered a free limited edition t-shirts and poster by comiXology Submit creator Molly Brooks while supplies last.
The SXSW GEEK Stage powered by comiXology takes place at the Gaming Expo during SXSW interactive and is free and open to the public. All weekend long, in addition to comiXology’s panel, the public can catch all the hottest names and rising stars in geekdom speaking on the latest and greatest news in videogames, comics, and gaming tech.
Here’s a list of all the comiXology events and giveaways happening at the SXSW GEEK Stage & Gaming Expo:
SXSW GEEK Stage & Gaming Expo
Palmer Events Center
900 Barton Springs Road, Austin, Texas 78704.
Friday, March 13th – Sunday, March 15th
12pm – 8pm CST every day.comiXology SXSW Gaming Expo Booth #121
Join us at the booth where we’ll be giving away 30,000 codes for Free DC comics for everyone that stops by all weekend long!All Access Austin
Stay tuned for coverage from SXSW and the Gaming Expo with special comic giveaways happening all weekend long across comiXology’s Twitter, Tumblr, Facebook, and Google+ social channels.comiXology Recommends Comics For You
Sunday, March 15th – 4:15-5:00pm CST
SXSW Gaming Expo – The GEEK Stage
Free and open to the public, ComiXology wants everyone on the face of the planet to become comic fans and at SXSW we’re making it happen one recommendation at a time! Attendees will receive a free SXSW-only limited edition poster & t-shirt, available while supplies last.
With over 50,000 comics, graphic novels and manga from more than 75 publishers, comiXology offers the widest selection of digital comics in the world. ComiXology’s immense catalog and cinematic Guided View reading experience make it the best digital platform for comic and graphic novel fans worldwide.
Find your favorite comics and graphic novels at comixology.com and try the comiXology app available on all major mobile platforms.
A comiXologist Recommends:
Mike Isenberg recommends
Sanity & Tallulah: Plucky Teen Girl Space Detectives #1
Last year at Small Press Expo, I ran into my co-worker Molly Brooks, who was exhibiting at the show. I asked her what her comic was about, and she managed to get out about five words, “Plucky Teen Girl Space Detectives,” before I enthusiastically shouted “SOLD!” and shoved some bills across her booth.
If those five words aren’t as instantly exciting for you as they are for me, let me add that Molly is an incredibly talented artist and storyteller.
Sanity and Tallulah, the comic’s titular characters, are two teenage girls on break from school, using their free time to travel around local space, clocking experience on Tallulah’s space-pilot learner’s permit by taking on basic courier jobs, doing some amateur salvage, and generally just exploring the world around them.
The story follows Sanity and Tallulah as they discover a distress beacon hidden amongst an asteroid belt. This leads them on an adventure involving a mysteriously-abandoned derelict warship and its robotic inhabitants.
The characters are wonderfully fleshed out. Tallulah is gung-ho for adventure and the joy of piloting her little bubble ship, while Sanity is eager for the adult responsibilities that come with the new-found independence they’ve been granted by Tallulah’s learner’s permit. The excitement that the characters take in their exploration is evident in the very first page, and reminded me perfectly of the summer after my friends and I all got drivers licenses. But, y'know, in space.
Speaking of space, the setting here is also surprisingly well fleshed out. Little details about the world are scattered throughout the book, subtly enough not to get in the way of the story while still developing a believable science-fiction setting alive with its own history and rules.
All of these elements join together with Molly’s beautifully expressive art to tell a gripping sci-fi adventure tale with some real peril and emotion. And really a lot of fun. Pick this one up!
[Read Sanity & Tallulah: Plucky Teen Girl Space Detectives #1 on comiXology]
Mike Isenberg is an Associate Production Coordinator at comiXology, and the co-writer of First Law Of Mad Science. He lives in Harlem with his cats, Tesla and Edison.
A comiXologist Recommends:
Molly Brooks recommends Copperhead #1
In Copperhead #1, Clara Bronson and her son Zeke relocate off-planet to the remote little mining town of Copperhead, so that Clara can to take over as sheriff. It’s hinted that some recent event— a tragedy? a scandal?— forced the two of them out of their previous situation, and that Copperhead is both a major step down and the best they could have expected in the circumstances. From a law enforcement perspective, at least, Copperhead immediately proves itself to be far more interesting than Clara had anticipated or hoped for.
The art and writing are both great, and work really well together to convey the disjointed sense of being ill-fitting in an unfamiliar place, while making that place feel very real. As Clara attempts to insert herself into her new role, there’s an abrasive awkwardness to every social interaction; no one is ever totally smooth or entirely in the right, and clearly absolutely no one— including Clara herself— wants her to be there. All the characters come across as fully-developed personalities with histories informing their actions, and it makes everyone super fascinating. I already care about what happens to each of them in the next issue.
Clearly the town of Copperhead is hiding many secrets, and I can’t wait to find out what they are. This is a great first issue, and I highly recommend picking it up!
If you’re into sci-fi/western genre mashups, you may also enjoy Six Gun Gorilla and East of West.
Molly Brooks is an artist from nashville currently living in brooklyn. she works at comixology as a digital editor.
A comiXologist Recommends:
Molly Brooks recommends Six-Gun Gorilla by sispurrier & jeffstokely
The framing genre of this comic is science fiction– a futuristic couch potato society sending armies to fight a war off-planet– but most of the action takes place in the territory being fought over: a pseudo- old western frontier called the Blister, governed by dream logic and populated by bandits, monsters, and deadly sunlight.
The society fueling the war in the Blister has forgotten the value of crafted fiction in favor of pure spectacle; in a ghoulish extension of reality tv, suicide troops with recording equipment implanted in their brains are sent in with the regular soldiers to capture their (hopefully gruesome) deaths for the audience back home. Wartime tactics are determined by the ratings and advertising figures they’re likely to draw.
The main character, Blue-3425, is one of these suicide troops. Blue is a heartbroken former librarian who thinks he has nothing left to live for, until he gets to the Blister and his brain camera records something it shouldn’t. Suddenly, caught in a warzone in a half-imaginary place, he has a mission again, and a mysterious laconic gorilla commando companion to help him see it through to the end.
Six Gun Gorilla’s strength lies in its worldbuilding; this is a story about story, flipping genres and spitting nonsense at every turn, and it could have easily collapsed into an incoherent mess. But seamless exposition, interesting characters, and a strict adherence to internal logic make it work well as both a sci-fi-cowboy-spy adventure, and as meta-commentary on the value of a good yarn. I enjoyed it immensely, and I highly recommend picking it up!
For more adventures about the nature of storytelling, try The Unwritten.
For more surreal and intriguing takes on the western genre, try Pretty Deadly and East of West.
For fans of: western, science fiction
molly brooks is an artist from nashville currently living in brooklyn. she works at comixology as a digital editor.