SHAHRAZAD #5
Kim Hutchison; Kari Castor – Story / Mike Krome – Art / Nei Ruffino – Colors
The epic first volume reaches its thrilling conclusion!
The Sirens have returned for revenge against the captor, Janus, and unfortunately for Shahrazad and her crew—they’re all caught in the middle! Don’t miss the thrilling end to this first chapter in this tale of adventure and danger!
SHAHRAZAD #5 is in stores August 5th, 2015!
ONIBA: SWORDS OF THE DEMON #0
Vince Hernandez – Story / Paolo Pantalena – Art
From creators Paolo Pantalena (Jirni) and Vince Hernandez (Fathom: Kiani) comes this all-new action-adventure series hundreds of years in the making!
When the actions of her feudal lord begin to lay the seeds of doubt within her, Yukiko, a samurai with exceptional swordplay and even far greater courage, must make a bold decision that forever changes her fate—along with the history of Japan itself!
This special debut zero issue of ONIBA: SWORDS OF THE DEMON features a brand-new 12-page story that sets the stage for the upcoming premiere of ONIBA: SWORDS OF THE DEMON #1 coming next month! Also including a comprehensive sketchbook section and never before seen designs and artwork, make sure you don’t miss out on ONIBA: SWORDS OF THE DEMON #0!
ONIBA: SWORDS OF THE DEMON #0 is in stores October 14th, 2015!
LEGEND OF OZ: THE WICKED WEST #1
Tom Hutchinson – Story / Allison Borges – Art / Kate Finnegan – Colors
Take a trip back over the rainbow to an Oz you never knew existed!
Dorothy Gale slips on her ruby spurs after falling out of the sky and is sent off to follow the Yellow Brick Road to the Emerald City. The only problem is the road is gone! Oz itself has been transformed into a wild west landscape: Flying monkeys and scarecrows still walk the plains of Oz, but in ways you would never have imagined!
Featuring re-mastered content, an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the making of Legend of Oz, a special foreword by L. Frank Baum’s great-great grandson, Marc Baum,
creator commentary and more! Don’t miss out on the start of Aspen’s newest BDI launch with the premiere of LEGEND OF OZ: THE WICKED WEST #1!
LEGEND OF OZ: THE WICKED WEST #1 is in stores October 7th, 2015!
JIRNI vol 2 #3
JT Krul – Story / V Ken Marion – Art / Juan Fernandez – Colors
When Boro leads Ara to a strange new land, she finds a special clue to finding her kidnapped mother—however, will she be able to stay on that path or will another road call out to her?
Creator J.T. Krul, artist V Ken Marion, and colorist Juan Fernandez are proud to present the follow-up volume to Aspen’s smash hit series – JIRNI!
JIRNI vol 2 #3 is in stores October 7th, 2015!
ETERNAL SOULFIRE #4
JT Krul – Story / Alex Konat – Art / Federico Blee – Colors
Michael Turner’s classic action-adventure series re-emerges with a brand new era of mystery and magic!
Miya’s secret desire to reconnect with the ghost of her father may spell trouble for her tribe of warriors, and if that wasn’t bad enough, Cassidy and the others find themselves in the crosshairs again!
The first all new Soulfire series to make its debut since Michael Turner introduced you to his incredible magical adventure over 10 years ago, is ready to take you on the ride of your life and explore the world of Soulfire as you’ve never seen it before!
ETERNAL SOULFIRE #4 is in stores October 14th, 2015!
CRITTER #4
Tom Hutchison – Story / Fico Ossio – Art
The first CRITTER volume reaches its conclusion!
The life of a super hero is one of constant checks and balances, and Critter is feeling the heat from all sides as a rampaging beast tears through town and she runs smack dab into the In Crowd!
Featuring re-mastered content, an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at Critter, creator commentary and more! Don’t miss out on the second of Aspen’s all new BDI launch titles with the return of CRITTER!
CRITTER #4 is in stores October 14th, 2015!
FATHOM BLUE #5
Vince Hernandez – Story / Claudio Avella – Art / Colors – Erick Arciniega
Elia attempts to discover more of Eries’ past and his reasons for seeking the genocide of the Human race. However, their tenuous encounter could prove to undo the Blue’s existence altogether. Meanwhile, the team puts into motion their plan to extract the Grey Matter from The Rig but run into a fatal flaw in their plan of attack—one that could cost all of them their lives!
FATHOM BLUE #5 is in stores October 21st, 2015!
Mike Krome is relatively new to the field of comics but he has already made his mark. Working for a variety of companies he has proven his ability to make stunning covers, but perhaps his best work yet was on the visually impressive Shahrazad. Originally from Big Dog Ink, this series was republished by Aspen after having purchased the rights. This gave Mike’s art a second chance to shine. We got a chance to talk with him about the series.
Graphic Policy: Can you tell us your inspirations for comic book art?
Mike Krome: They come from everywhere…mainly other great comic books I grew up with, but also just the infinity of fantastic art being pumped out all over the world in the form of graphic novels, game art, concept art, fantasy illustrations, etc. It’s hard to spend 5 minutes on a social network of other artists and not be inspired.
GP: In the case of Shahrazad, the character is one based off of a variety of genres. How did you come up with the idea for her appearance with everything that she is associated with?
MK: A lot of that was already planned out by the writers and creators, with the exception of some costume ideas. For that, you just sort of play around with the genre you’ve chosen until you have something that looks good, and also that you can easily draw multiple times.
GP: When you are drawing an already established character, what do you do to put your own spin on them? And is it easier to start with a pre-established character or to create a brand new character?
MK: Both are fun…I enjoy creating stories and characters from scratch, but it’s a enjoyable challenge to bring someone else’s world and concept to life, too. That’s mainly what you’ll be doing anyway, when starting off in comics. I don’t really give much thought to “my own spin”…I just try to make the illustrations look as good as possible, and within that, like with most artists, eventually a recognizable uniqueness comes through.
GP: Some of your female character could be said to be a bit over-the-top, but what do you do to make sure that you have not gone too far with them?
MK: Ha, depends on what I’m working on, or who it’s for. Be it Pin-up, Erotica, Book covers, or Posters, there’s not really any generic “female character”, but you do have to use your head and think about what it’s going to be used for and who you’re targeting. You get much more savvy at this as you go, learning to diversify your work too, because much as I enjoy them, everything cant be a curvaceous pin up. Aesthetically, I’m still very much learning too, so feedback from other artists and friends is valuable.
GP: You are also known for creating some eye catching covers. How do you approach cover design considering the story inside?
MK: It doesn’t always relate to the story, but I prefer it when they do. I’ll generally get a loose description from the editor, and then come up with a bunch of thumbnail ideas. The ideas aren’t the hard part but picking one out of half a dozen definitely can be. I try to think of what would make me stop and have a second look if I saw that cover in a row of others.
GP: If you know that you are designing a variant cover, does it give you more freedom in your choices?
MK: Sometimes. Again, I’ll often get a loose description, as usual, but when the words “do whatever you like” are used, that can be fun.
GP: Are there any characters that you would like to get a chance to draw?
MK: Characters like Dejah Thoris and Red Sonja are a lot of fun to draw, and I’d love to do some cover work for them some day!
Aspen Comics and Big Dog Ink been around for a while now, and I can honestly say I have never read any of their series, until now. The story focuses on a young lady, who I can only describe as a “female Captain Nemo from the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen”. In the opening scene of issue #1, she faces the evils that only siren mermaids can bring, as she loses crew members to the siren calls, she ultimately deploys plane and giant fighter bats to battle the ensuing dangers of the mermaids, as the second in charge. Her memory and her present intertwine through a series of flashbacks, as events happening remind her of seemingly unconnected events .
Her ship is destroyed and crew marooned on a remote island, and not to give anything away, she ends up becoming captain before the end of the 1st issue due to an unfortunate trap. In the 2nd issue, they face a conundrum, on whether to exact revenge, or help those who killed their first captain. Shahrazad decides to get in the middle f this war, and gets into a dogfight with out of all things, clouds. In the third issue, we are introduced to Janus, a Thanos type villain, who hosts fights for his own pleasure.
He kidnaps our heroine and makes her a gladiator while her crew drudges through the jungle. bickering amongst themselves before facing a armadillo type monster. In the 4th issue, Shahrazad faces a menagerie of opponents, as Janus, fails to see her future, while her crew fights through to the arena to try and save her. The villain, finds out a secret about her that was unknown to the reader until now, and probably makes even more sense in the finale, which is the next issue. The creative team behind the story, definitely have their feet firmly in the sands of high fantasy, and one would not be remised to say that there are hints of Robert Howard throughout the series, which is a great thing, while adds a few sprinkles of steampunk throughout.
The writing is definitely good and would love to see more from this writing team in the future. The art by all means, seems to the prevailing style at Aspen, but serves the story well. The combination of talents, in addition to the notes and essays at end of each issue, makes this a great series to read. Overall, a fun read.
Story: Kim Hutchison, Kari Castor, Tom Hutchison, Aaron Castor and Brett Cate Art: Mike Krome, Nei Ruffino, HDE
Story: 9 Art: 8 Overall: 9.2 Recommendation: Read
Aspen Comics and Big Dog Ink provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
CRITTER #1
Tom Hutchison – Story / Fico Ossio – Art / Fico Ossio – Colors
The newest re-mastered debut from Aspen’s Big Dog Ink imprint has arrived!
As a young girl, Cassia grew up as a tomboy who learned karate, ran track and took gymnastics. One day when a little girl is kidnapped for ransom, she finds out that she might have what it takes to be a superhero. But, little does she know that being a hero was always in her blood!
Featuring re-mastered content, an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at Critter, creator commentary and more! Don’t miss out on the second of Aspen’s all new BDI launch titles with the premiere of CRITTER #1!
CRITTER #1 is in stores July 8th, 2015!
SHAHRAZAD #4
Kim Hutchison; Kari Castor – Story / Mike Krome – Art / Nei Ruffino – Colors
The first re-mastered debut from Aspen’s Big Dog Ink imprint concludes!
Shahrazad finds herself in a life-or-death battle for the ages, as she must not only prove that she can survive—but, also, that she can kill!
SHAHRAZAD #4 is in stores July 1st, 2015!
Aspen Comics is set to bring together their largest gathering of creators all year in celebration of San Diego Comic Con 2015. The Aspen Comics Booth #2320 will feature signings throughout the weekend and will also be hosting the annual Official Aspen Comics Panel 2015 on Friday at 11:00AM in Room 9. The full events schedule for Aspen Comics is listed below:
Appearing at the Aspen Comics Booth #2320 all weekend long:
Frank Mastromauro (Shrugged, Overtaken)
Peter Steigerwald (The ZooHunters, DC’s Convergence)
Vince Hernandez (Fathom Blue, Damsels in Excess)
Mark Roslan (BubbleGun, Broken Pieces)
Josh Reed (Letterer, Aspen Comics)
Heather Finley (Executive Assistant: Iris Annual)
Tom Hutchison (Big Dog Ink Publisher)
David Wohl (Executive Assistant: Iris) Friday – Sunday only
Scott Lobdell (The Four Points) Friday – Sunday only
THURSDAY 07/09
11– 12PM:
Paolo Pantalena (Oniba: Swords of the Demon, Jirni)
Siya Oum (Lola XOXO, Wasteland Madam)
Eric “Ebas” Basaldua (Michael Turner’s Fathom Blue, Eternal Soulfire)
Lori Hanson (Lola XOXO: Wasteland Madam, EA: Assassins)
Alex Konat (Michael Turner’s Eternal Soulfire, All New Fathom)
Ken Marion (Jirni, Michael Turner’s All New Soulfire)
12:30 – 1:30PM
Agnes Garbowska (Fathom Kiani, Psycho Bonkers)
2-3PM:
Paolo Pantalena (Oniba: Swords of the Demon, Jirni)
Siya Oum (Lola XOXO, Wasteland Madam)
Eric “Ebas” Basaldua (Michael Turner’s Fathom Blue, Eternal Soulfire)
Alex Konat (Michael Turner’s Eternal Soulfire, All New Fathom)
Ken Marion (Jirni, Michael Turner’s All New Soulfire)
4PM:
Ale Garza (Michael Turner’s Fathom, Psycho Bonkers)
Dawn McTeigue (Lola XOXO: Wasteland Madam)
FRIDAY 07/10
11– 12PM:
Paolo Pantalena (Oniba: Swords of the Demon, Jirni)
Siya Oum (Lola XOXO, Wasteland Madam)
Eric “Ebas” Basaldua (Michael Turner’s Fathom Blue, Eternal Soulfire)
Alex Konat (Michael Turner’s Eternal Soulfire, All New Fathom)
Ken Marion (Jirni, Michael Turner’s All New Soulfire)
12:30 – 1:30PM
Nei Ruffino (Shahrazad, Critter)
2-3PM:
Paolo Pantalena (Oniba: Swords of the Demon, Jirni)
Siya Oum (Lola XOXO, Wasteland Madam)
Eric “Ebas” Basaldua (Michael Turner’s Fathom Blue, Eternal Soulfire)
Alex Konat (Michael Turner’s Eternal Soulfire, All New Fathom)
Ken Marion (Jirni, Michael Turner’s All New Soulfire)
4PM:
Ale Garza (Michael Turner’s Fathom, Psycho Bonkers)
Dawn McTeigue (Lola XOXO: Wasteland Madam)
SATURDAY 07/11:
11– 12PM:
Paolo Pantalena (Oniba: Swords of the Demon, Jirni)
Siya Oum (Lola XOXO, Wasteland Madam)
Eric “Ebas” Basaldua (Michael Turner’s Fathom Blue, Eternal Soulfire)
Alex Konat (Michael Turner’s Eternal Soulfire, All New Fathom)
Ken Marion (Jirni, Michael Turner’s All New Soulfire)
2-3PM:
Paolo Pantalena (Oniba: Swords of the Demon, Jirni)
Siya Oum (Lola XOXO, Wasteland Madam)
Eric “Ebas” Basaldua (Michael Turner’s Fathom Blue, Eternal Soulfire)
Alex Konat (Michael Turner’s Eternal Soulfire, All New Fathom)
Ken Marion (Jirni, Michael Turner’s All New Soulfire)
4-5PM:
Nei Ruffino (Shahrazad, Critter)
SUNDAY 07/12:
11– 12PM:
Paolo Pantalena (Oniba: Swords of the Demon, Jirni)
Siya Oum (Lola XOXO, Wasteland Madam)
Eric “Ebas” Basaldua (Michael Turner’s Fathom Blue, Eternal Soulfire)
Alex Konat (Michael Turner’s Eternal Soulfire, All New Fathom)
1-2PM:
Paolo Pantalena (Oniba: Swords of the Demon, Jirni)
Siya Oum (Lola XOXO, Wasteland Madam)
Eric “Ebas” Basaldua (Michael Turner’s Fathom Blue, Eternal Soulfire)
Alex Konat (Michael Turner’s Eternal Soulfire, All New Fathom)
Ken Marion (Jirni, Michael Turner’s All New Soulfire)
The Official Aspen Comics Panel 2015 will be on Friday at 11:00AM in Room 9, and will feature Aspen creators Frank Mastromauro, Peter Steigerwald, Vince Hernandez, Mark Roslan, Josh Reed, David Wohl, Scott Lobdell, Siya Oum, Paolo Pantalena, Alex Konat, V. Ken Marion, Beth Sotelo, Hannibal Tabu, Heather Finley and BDI’s Tom Hutchison. The Aspen team will reveal upcoming new series from the publisher including a new project from creator Wohl and Giuseppe Cafaro, along with other reveals. As well, all fans in attendance at The Official Aspen Comics Panel 2015 will receive a free copy of Critter #1 featuring an exclusive cover by Alex Konat and Peter Steigerwald only available to panel attendees.
This year’s full list of Aspen Comics exclusives for San Diego Comic Con 2015 has been announced to be available at the Aspen Comics Booth #2320. The publisher will feature two world premiere series launches for Michael Turner’s Eternal Soulfire #1 and Critter #1, in addition to featuring two new oversized art books, The Art of Aspen: Volume 2 and The Art of Big Dog Ink: Volume 1, as well as the prestige format century editions of Michael Turner’s Eternal Soulfire and Fathom Blue #1. Aspen’s new con-exclusive releases also include Michael Turner’s Fathom Blue #2, Shahrazad #4, and the first offering of Oniba: Swords of the Demon with a special con-exclusive sketchbook featuring artwork and concept designs for the new upcoming series from the publisher. Aspen will also be offering a rare Critter #1 SDCC 2015 Official Aspen Comics Panel exclusive variant cover that will only be available at The Official Aspen Comics Panel 2015 on Friday at 11:00AM in Room 9.
The full list of Aspen Comics’ SDCC 2015 exclusives available at the Aspen Comics Booth #2320 is as follows:
The Art of Aspen Comics: Volume 2, limited to 500 editions.
The Art of Big Dog Ink: Volume 1, limited to 500 editions.
Michael Turner’s Eternal Soulfire #1 SDCC 2015 exclusive cover by Alex Konat & Peter Steigerwald, limited to 200 copies.
Michael Turner’s Eternal Soulfire #1 SDCC 2015 Century Edition exclusive cover by Michael Turner and Peter Steigerwald, limited to 100 copies.
Critter #1 SDCC 2015 Retro Edition exclusive cover by Owen Gieni, limited to 200 copies.
Critter #1 SDCC 2015 Official Aspen Comics Panel exclusive variant cover by Alex Konat and Peter Steigerwald.
Oniba: Swords of the Demon Limited Edition Convention Exclusive Sketchbook, limited to 200 editions.
Michael Turner’s Fathom Blue #1 SDCC 2015 Century Edition exclusive cover by Michael Turner and Peter Steigerwald, limited to 100 copies.
Michael Turner’s Fathom Blue #2 SDCC 2015 exclusive cover by Paolo Pantalena and Ula Mos, limited to 200 copies.
Shahrazad #4 SDCC 2015 exclusive cover by Nei Ruffino, limited to 200 copies.
Aspen will also be offering an SDCC 2015 exclusive series of ten new art prints featuring popular covers from Michael Turner’s Eternal Soulfire and Fathom Blue, BDI’s Critter and Shahrazad, and classic covers by company founder Michael Turner.
In anticipation of this year’s Official Aspen Comics Panel 2015 at Comic-Con International: San Diego, the publisher has revealed several of its upcoming new series and projects set to debut as early as this Fall.
This October, the publisher will debut the action/adventure saga set in Feudal Japan, Oniba: Swords of the Demon, by Paolo Pantalena and Vince Hernandez. This all-new Aspen series will center around Yukiko, a deadly ronin on a quest to eradicate the ancient demons plaguing her land, as well as her past. The zero issue will feature two covers by Pantalena, and the series will include covers by Pantalena, as well as Mahmud Asrar, Joe Benitez, Laura Braga, Eric “Ebas” Basaldua, Mirka Andolfo, Sabine Rich and more to be announced. This will be Aspen’s first standalone zero issue released in over three years.
Aspen will reveal a new series from creator and writer David Wohl featuring art by veteran Aspen artist Giuseppe Cafaro. This all-new Aspen title will be Wohl’s first new series since the popular Executive Assistant: Iris property debuted. The story centers on a young woman given a rare and powerful gift that soon turns out be something far more dangerous than she could ever imagine.
This Fall, Aspen will further expand Siya Oum’s hit title, Lola XOXO, with the anticipated second volume from creator Oum. Following the conclusion of the first spin-off mini-series, Lola XOXO: Wasteland Madam, Oum will hint that the series will see even more expansion in the upcoming year, with new spin-offs and other Lola XOXO products in the works. November will also see the trade paperback releases of Lola XOXO: Volume One and Lola XOXO: Wasteland Madam Volume One.
2016 will also see the introduction of Aspen E-Book Novellas, beginning with the release of a new Executive Assistant story by writer Heather Finley featuring a young assassin named Zinnia, and her love affair that threatens her future—as well as her present.
Aspen Comics is expanding upon the first two releases from their Aspen Novels line of prose novels, “The Lost Spark” and “Seven to Die,” with a third new novel, “The People Vs. Planet Earth” by writer Vince Hernandez. This intergalactic drama will feature an alien forced to defend the planet Earth from imminent extermination at the hand of a much more advanced planet.
Aspen’s planned graphic novel release schedule for the final quarter of 2015 and into 2016 will see over eleven new and returning out-of-print trade paperbacks released via the publisher’s commitment to bolster their trade paperback shelf presence, beginning with the Lola XOXO trades, Jirni: Volume One, Charismagic: Volume One, Michael Turner’s Soulfire and Fathom sold out volume one and two reprints, as well as Soulfire: Volume Two for the first time ever. New trade paperback releases include Psycho Bonkers: Volume One and The Four Points: Volume One.
Aspen will be premiering new Aspen Convention Exclusive Hardcover Editions of their popular series at this year’s Comic-Con, beginning with the release of Michael Turner Presents: Aspen The Extended Edition hardcover by Geoff Johns and Michael Turner and the Damsels in Excess hardcover edition by Vince Hernandez and Mirka Andolfo. These convention-exclusive editions will be highly limited to 50 copies each.
Aspen’s Big Dog Ink imprint will see the conclusion of the re-mastered Shahrazad, Critter and Legend of Oz: The Wicked West series this year and the publisher will begin debuting the all new Aspen-BDI titles in 2016, as well as the first ever BDI Annual Issue featuring a selection of new stories from various BDI properties and creators. The publisher will debut the first ever Art of BDI: Volume One at this year’s Comic Con at the Aspen Comics Booth #2321, featuring artwork from Big Dog Ink’s large assortment of talented artists including J. Scott Campbell, Jen Broomall, Mike Debalfo, Eric “Ebas” Basaldua and more. BDI publisher Tom Hutchison will be on hand at the Official Aspen Comics Panel 2015 to discuss the imprint’s future titles and more.
On the merchandise side, Aspen Comics will release an all-new Aspen Comics T-Shirt for both men and women available exclusively at the Aspen Comics Booth #2321, and the publisher will reveal a sneak peek at their long-awaited line of Aspen apparel and products at their panel featuring many of Aspen’s popular characters and titles. This new line will emphasize both men and women’s fashion, providing options for all fans of Aspen Comics. Comic Con 2015 attendees will also be able to purchase Aspen’s new string-back tote bag directly from the publisher’s booth #2321.
Fans attending the Official Aspen Comics SDCC Panel 2015 will also receive a one-of-a-kind panel-exclusive variant copy of Critter #1 featuring an Aspen Comics/Big Dog Ink jam cover by artist Alex Konat. Aspen strongly encourages fans to arrive early to ensure their copy.
A contingent of Aspen Comics will be at Amazing Las Vegas Comic Con next weekend, June 19th to the 21st, concurrent to Aspen’s appearance at Supanova Sydney.
Editor-in-Chief Vince Hernandez, letterer Josh Reed, Big Dog Ink’s Tom Hutchison, Eternal Soulfire and Fathom Blue cover artist Eric Basaldua, and The Four Points series artist Jordan Gunderson will be in attendance at booths #317 and #416. With them, they’ll have two Amazing Las Vegas exclusive variant covers: Fathom Blue #1 by Eric Basaldua and Psycho Bonkers #2 by Valentina Pinto.
The latter book is making its official debut at the convention, and will not be available in stores until the following Wednesday, June 24th. Hernandez, the writer of both series, will be available for signing throughout the weekend.
Aspen will also have a selection of their industry-leading prints with them, including a full-size version of the Amazing Las Vegas Con Fathom Blue #1 exclusive. Visit the booth for official run numbers and other convention exclusive prints.
