Charles Forsman @charlesforsman also drew me this sketch of Elliott Gould from my favorite movie, The Long Goodbye. HeroesCon rules!
BFFs and comic geniuses Charles Forsman (Revenger, TEOTFW) @charlesforsman and Michel Fiffe (Copra) @zegas pal it up at HeroesCon 2016!
Michel Fiffe @zegas is a Brooklyn-based cartoonist who’s made a name for himself over the past few years with his rigorously produced self-published comic Copra, as well as for his work for Marvel (All-New Ultimates, Secret Wars: Secret Love), Dynamite (Captain Victory and the Galactic Rangers), Image (Twisted Savage Dragon Funnies) and Valiant (Bloodshot Reborn Annual 2016).
This week, he launches a new self-published title, Copra Versus, and I got the chance to chat with him about it…
CX: Greetings, Michel. Care to introduce yourself and your work to our readers?
MF: Michel Fiffe is my name and Copra is the comic book series that I write, draw, color, letter, publish & distribute. It’s a violent team book that’s about 26 issues in.
CX: Tell us a bit about your latest book, Copra Versus.
MF: It’s an all-villains limited series featuring the roster of enemies that the Copra team has built. Since the regular book is already pretty jam packed, I wanted more elbow room to spotlight some of these creeps one issue at a time.
CX: One creator we’ve talked about a lot, who we both love and who I know is a big influence/inspiration on Copra, is original Suicide Squad writer John Ostrander. What do you think it is about Ostrander’s writing that attracts you?
MF: Ostrander is technically brilliant and in complete control of the 22 page comic book structure. More importantly, he’s excellent about making you give a shit about the characters he’s writing. A difficult and rare task in comics.
CX: Favorite Ostrander comic?
MF: Suicide Squad #10, “Up Against the Wall”, the quintessential Squad story. Deadshot #1 is a close second, but just barely.
CX: Have you ever gotten to meet Ostrander?
MF: I haven’t! I’ve interviewed him before and e-mailed him a few times but never in person. I would love to.
CX: You’re part of a group of creators, along with Chuck Forsman (Revenger), Ben Marra (Terror Assaulter) and Rich Tommaso (Dark Corridor), whose work is both influenced by and feels, in some ways, like a response to, action movies and comics from the 1980’s. What is it about that particular moment in popular culture that is currently resonating so much?
MF: It all stems from a desire to build and maintain a visceral momentum in our work, I think. Marra was ahead of the game on that one and he’s certainly an influence on me, at least in terms of approaching genre in a personalized way. Whereas before, I was resisting my instincts in the name of some nebulous ideal. It’s something I still wrestle with, but that’s what makes Copra fun and challenging to work on.
CX: Follow up question, are you, Forsman, Marra and Tommaso in a gang? What is your gang called? Can I join your gang?
MF: To tell you the truth we’re not even friends. We despise one another. On a strictly professional level, we had a summit in Vegas years ago and field-tested tons of ideas. We came to the conclusion that, to further our careers, we should all talk about [filmmaker Abel Ferrara’s ultimate anti-catcalling/urban revenge movie) Ms. 45 as often as possible.
(edtior’s note- since Michel didn’t answer, everybody please contact these guys and tell them to let me join their gang).
CX: Finally, can you give us any hints of what Copra Versus has in store for us, and what you plan on doing next?
MF: On top of the regular Copra issues, which are still coming out, the Versus mini will feature Klaus and his gang of cyborg mercenaries, last seen in Copra #4… the Latin-American death squad known as Los Asesinos… the Vitas crew who ambushed Copra in the very first issue… and the four individuals (see Copra #s 11 & 12) who were sacrificed/transformed by a government cult trying to bring forth the Age of Ochizon. Don’t miss an issue!
Read Copra and Copra Versus on comiXology!
GET REVENGERED
Charles Forsman’s Revenger ( @charlesforsman ), the vigilante who makes the Punisher look like a little wussy baby, is on sale now! Pinups by Benjamin Marra @traditionalcomics, Michel Fiffe @zegas, Josh Bayer @joshbayer and Alex Schubert
A comiXologist Recommends (their favorites from 2015)
by Harris Smith
There were too many comics this year to pick one favorite, so here’s just a bunch of my favorite things that happened in 2015:
1. Stories from a comic I published, Felony Comics #1, were featured in Best American Comics 2015, so that was pretty cool.
2. Ben Marra, cover artist for Felony Comics #1, published his first graphic novel, Terror Assaulter: One Man War on Terror, from Fantagraphics. That was also cool.
3. Chuck Forsman’s self-published Revenger continued to channel the spirit of 80′s action movies like Death Wish 3, combined with the stark, deadpan sensibility that made his previous comics, like TEOTFW and Luv Sucker so powerful.
4. Future Shock Zero- If you want to get an overview of the best of today’s indie/art comics scene, Josh Burggraf’s sci-fi anthology is the perfect place to start, with comics by some of my favorite artists, including Lala Albert, Alex Degen, Sophia Foster-Dimino, Victor Kerlow, Jasoph Murphy, Aleks Sendwald, Pete Toms and Ben Urkowitz.
5. Every moment of Transformers Vs. G.I. Joe
6. Antisocial gorilla bikers in The Humans
7. Upping the indie quotient on comiXology like wow with the digital debut of MOME from Fanagraphics
8. We got my favorite book by my favorite cartoonist, The Freddie Stories by Lynda Barry, on comiXology, thanks to the digital launch of Drawn & Quarterly
9. Another one of my favorite indie cartoonists, Michel Fiffe, took on Ann Nocenti-era Daredevil (possibly the best creative run on a superhero comic of all time) in Marvel’s Secret Wars: Secret Love #1
10. Good superhero shows on TV- Jessica Jones, for its emotional complexity; Gotham, for being a noir-ish soap opera with Batman characters; and Supergirl, for being smart and fun.
11. DC Comics in general, for giving us a Giffen/DeMatteis Justice League book, teaming up Gilbert Hernandez and Darwyn Cook on the Twilight Children, the new PREZ book, launching the old Joe Simon PREZ on comiXology, launching Jack Kirby’s OMAC on comiXology, and I know it isn’t out yet, but a new Swamp Thing book by Len Wein and Kelly Jones? Too good to be true.
Harris Smith is a senior production coordinator and the editor of comiXology’s Tumblr, as well as the publisher of Felony Comics and a film programmer at the Spectacle Theater in Brooklyn. His New Year’s Resolution is to read and make more comics in 2016.
Check out the first 3 pages of REVENGER IS TRAPPED!!!
Get yourself a paper copy at https://gum.co/Trapped
And digitally on comixology
ComiXology @ New York Comic Con 2015
Limited edition comiXology Submit variant comics to be given away at NYCC 2015 in celebration of Artist Alley sponsorship
Limited edition variants of comiXology Submit digital hits include Fresh Romance, Gamma, Revenger, Heathen and Aw Yeah! Comics
Weekend schedule also includes signings with Submit creators, panels, giveaways and a Saturday night party open to all!
October 8th – 11th
Artist Alley B11 – B14
October 5th, 2015 – New York, NY – ComiXology Submit is sponsoring Artist Alley at this week’s New York Comic Con, October 8th – 11th at the Javits Center. To celebrate, comiXology is giving away special limited edition print variants of hit comiXology Submit comics each day during creator signings in Artist Alley tables B11 – B14. In addition, comiXology will host panels and giveaways throughout the weekend and a Saturday night party open to all.
The limited edition comiXology Submit variant comics include Janelle Asselin’s anthology Fresh Romance #1 with cover by Kevin Wada, Ulises Farinas & Erick Freitas’ Gamma #1 with cover by Ulises Farinas, Charles Forsman’s Revenger #1 with cover by Charles Forsman, Natasha Alterici’s Heathen #1 with cover by Natasha Alterici and Art Balthazar and Franco’s Aw Yeah Comics #1 with cover by Faith Erin Hicks. These special comiXology Submit edition comic giveaways are limited to 500 copies, and will be handed out on a first come, first served basis.
“ComiXology Submit continues to be the place for fans worldwide to sample the widest array of self published comics in the world,” said John D. Roberts, comiXology co-founder and Director of Submit. “It’s so much fun to offer some of our top digital hits in print via these limited edition comiXology Submit editions.”
ComiXology Submit will also host a number of creators whose work is sold on the platform throughout the convention.
In conjunction with Amazon Video, Ted Naifeh will be at the comiXology Artist Alley tables signing his special limited edition posters for the Amazon Original Series The Man in the High Castle, available November, 20th on Amazon Video.
On Saturday October 10th, comiXology invites all fans to come to The comiXologist Podcast Party hosted by Matt and Kara from the comiXologist podcast. The party kicks off at 8pm at Tir na nÓg, 315 West 39th St., New York, NY 10018 and goes on until midnight with an open bar and appetizers available to all who stop by. Attendees will receive limited edition giveaways at the door while supplies last. Matt and Kara will be podcasting live from the event. ComiXology and WACOM will also be raffling off prizes throughout the evening.
ComiXology Submit, comiXology’s digital self-publishing portal, enables comic creators and cartoonists the ability to easily reach comiXology’s global audience of comic, graphic novel, and manga fans.
Those interested in submitting work to comiXology Submit should visit submit.comixology.com.
Comic book, graphic novel, and manga fans interested in finding works available through comiXology Submit can visit www.comixology.com/submit.
Read below for all the details of comiXology’s location and events at this week’s New York Comic Con:
Artist Alley: Tables B11 – B14
Panels:
ComiXology: Ask Me Anything
Date: Thursday, 10/8/2015
Time: 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Location: Room 1A18
ComiXology spills the beans on everything you’ve ever wanted to know about digital comics, publishing, & more! From how to publish your own comic on comiXology Submit to how to begin your own successful start up, just like comiXology co-founders & panelists David Steinberger (comiXology CEO) & John D. Roberts (director of comiXology Submit). Moderated by comiXology’s marketing maven Chip Mosher, this panel will answer all your burning curiosities in a no-holds-barred Q&A of epic proportions!Comics 101: Where to Begin?
Date: Friday, 10/9/2015
Time: 12:15 PM - 1:15 PM
Location: Room 1A01Just getting into comics but not sure where to start? We’re here to help! Join some of the industry’s biggest professionals as they impart their vast comic knowledge and personally recommend series just right for you! ComiXology co-founder and CEO David Steinberger is joined by Marcus “djWHEAT” Graham (Twitch Director of Programing), Aroop Sanakkayala (co-founder & COO, Strange Turn Entertainment), Jen Vaughn (cartoonist), Kara Szamborski (co-host, The comiXologist Podcast), Matt Kolowski (co-host, The comiXologist Podcast), as they become your guides through the awesome world of comics! Moderated by Ivan Salazar (comiXology).
ComiXology Submit: The Future of Self-Publishing
Date: Saturday, 10/10/2015
Time: 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Location: Room 1A18To date comiXology Submit has released over 5,000 independent comic books, graphic novels & manga from celebrated indie creators like Shannon Wheeler, Becky Cloonan and more. Join John D. Roberts (comiXology co-founder & director of Submit) along with self-publishing greats & breakout Submit superstars like Jimmy Palmiotti (Abbandon, Denver), Natasha Alterici (Heathen), Jody Houser (Cupcake POW!), Eric Palicki (Orphans), Joe Glass (The Pride,Stiffs), and Hope Nicholson (Publisher, Brok Windsor) for a tell-all discussion on how you too can create, submit, and reach the ranks of comiXology Submit stardom! Moderated by comiXology’s marketing maven Chip Mosher.
Artist Alley Creator Signings & Giveaways:
Thursday, October 8th
11:00am - 12:00pm — Submit Creator Signing — Eric Palicki (Orphans, Red Angel Dragnet, Corduroy Road) @ AA Table B13
1:00pm - 2:00pm — Submit Creator Signing — Lonnie Mann (Thoughts from Iceland) @ AA Table B13|1:00pm - 2:00pm — Submit Creator Signing — Jerome Walford (Nowhere Man) @ AA Table B14.
2:00pm - 3:00pm — Signing & Giveaway — The Man in the High Castle Posters: Three free exclusive posters by Ted Naifeh with signing by artist @ AA Table B11
3:00pm - 4:00pm — Submit Signing & Giveaway – Heathen #1 (Exclusive Con Variant): Free exclusive variant cover by Natasha Alterici with signing by Alterici @ AA Table B11
Friday, October 9th
1:00pm - 2:00pm — Submit Creator Signing — Enrica Jang (Angel with a Bullet, The Cask of Amontillado, The House of Montresor, Killer Queen) @ AA Table B13
1:00pm - 2:00pm — Submit Creator Signing — Deron Bennett (Quixote) @ AA Table B14
2:00pm - 3:00pm — Signing & Giveaway — The Man in the High Castle Posters: Three free exclusive posters by Ted Naifeh with signing by artist @ AA Table B11
3:00pm - 4:00pm — Submit Creator Signing — Alison Wilgus (Apartment Hunting, A Stray in the Woods) @ AA Table B13
3:00pm - 4:00pm — Submit Creator Signing — Vera Greentea (Nenetl of the Forgotten Spirits, Papa) @ AA Table B14
4:00pm - 5:00pm — Submit Signing & Giveaway – Revenger #1 (Exclusive Con Variant): Free exclusive variant cover by Charles Forsman with signing by Forsman @ AA Table B11
5:00pm - 6:00pm — Submit Creator Signing — Mike Isenberg & Oliver Mertz (First Law of Mad Science) @ AA Table B13
5:00pm - 6:00pm — Submit Creator Signing — Natasha Alterici (Heathen) @ AA Table B14.
Saturday, October 10th
11:00am - 12:00pm — Submit Creator Signing — Enrica Jang (Angel with a Bullet, The Cask of Amontillado, The House of Montresor, Killer Queen) @ AA Table B13.
11:00am - 12:00pm — Submit Creator Signing — Joey Esposito (Footprints) @ AA Table B14.
1:00pm - 2:00pm — Submit Signing & Giveaway – Fresh Romance #1 (Exclusive Con Variant): Free exclusive variant cover by Kevin Wada with signing by editor Janelle Asselin and creators Kevin Wada, Sarah Vaughn, Taylor Esposito and Arielle Jovellanos @ AA Table B11.
1:00pm - 2:00pm — Submit Creator Signing — Jerome Walford (Nowhere Man) @ AA Table B13.
1:00pm - 2:00pm— Submit Creator Signing — Joe Caramagna (The Further Adventures of Wyatt Earp) @ AA Table B14.
3:00pm - 4:00pm — Signing & Giveaway — The Man in the High Castle Posters: Three free exclusive posters by Ted Naifeh with signing by artist @ AA Table B11
3:00pm - 4:00pm — Submit Creator Signing — Ray Chou & Vincenzo Ferriero (Skies of Fire) @ AA Table B13.
3:00pm - 4:00pm — Submit Creator Signing — Vera Greentea (Nenetl of the Forgotten Spirits, Papa) @ AA Table B14.
5:00pm - 6:00pm — Submit Signing & Giveaway – Gamma #1 (Exclusive Con Variant): Free exclusive variant cover by Ulises Farinas with signing by creators Ulises Farinas and Erick Freitas @ AA Table B11.
5:00pm - 6:00 pm — Submit Creator Signing — Joe Glass (The Pride, Stiffs) @ AA Table B13.
5:00pm - 6:00 pm — Submit Creator Signing — Eric Palicki (Orphans, Red Angel Dragnet, Corduroy Road) @ comiXology AA Table B14.
Sunday, October 11th
12:00pm - 1:00pm — Submit Signing & Giveaway – Aw Yeah Comics! #1 (Exclusive Con Variant): Free exclusive cover by Faith Erin Hicks with signing by creators Art Baltazar and Franco @ AA Table B11.
12:00pm - 1:00 pm — Submit Creator Signing — Rachel Ordway (Art School Adventures) @ AA Table B13.
12:00pm - 1:00 pm — Submit Creator Signing — Lonnie Mann (Thoughts from Iceland) @ AA Table B14.
2:00pm - 3:00pm — Signing & Giveaway — The Man in the High Castle Posters: Three free exclusive posters by Ted Naifeh with signing by artist @ AA Table B11
2:00pm - 3:00 pm — Submit Creator Signing — Alison Wilgus (Apartment Hunting, A Stray in the Woods) @ AA Table B13.
2:00pm - 3:00 pm — Submit Creator Signing — Mike Isenberg & Oliver Mertz (First Law of Mad Science) @ AA Table B14.
Party:
ComiXology Presents: The ComiXologist Podcast Party
When: Saturday, October 10th, from 8PM to Midnight
Where: Tir na nÓg - 315 West 39th St.,
Between 8th & 9th Ave., New York, NY 10018
