Tag Archives: chris ryall

Get ready for two Tales of Syzpense in June

Posted on by

The split-book revival is under way at Syzygy! Beginning in June, Tales Of Syzpense will present two titanic, 12-page tales of shock and awe, plus additional bonus material, published by Image Comics.

Up first—courtesy of Lore co-creators T.P. Louise and Ashley Wood—the lead-off mystery of “Les Mort 13” plays out on the surreal and mysterious island of Southport after a run-in with Eris, the goddess of strife…

Next, Chris Ryall and Nelson Daniel will present readers with the story “Dreamweaver,” about an aging adventurer with a mystical secret who looks to pass on his abilities to the next generation of hero… until they have much greater success than he did, and he decides he wants those abilities back at any cost.

Each issue will also feature two “Les Mort 13” covers by Wood, a “Dreamweaver” cover by Daniel, and a Syzpenseful tribute cover to famous split books of the past.

Tales of Syzpense #1 will be available at comic book shops on Wednesday, June 21:

  • Cover A by Wood – Diamond Code APR230091
  • Cover B by Daniel – Diamond Code APR230092
  • Cover C 1:10 copy incentive Daniel Tribute – Diamond Code APR230093
  • Cover D 1:25 copy incentive Wood – Diamond Code APR230094
Tales of Syzpense #1

Discover Onyx by Gabriel Rodriguez, Jay Fotos, and Chris Ryall this September

Posted on by

Locke & Key artist and co-creator Gabriel Rodriguez, colorist Jay Fotos, and writer Chris Ryall bring readers the complete, extra-length tale of a cyborg warrior who calls herself Onyx. The exciting Onyx one-shot story will land on shelves this September and be published by Image Comics and Syzygy.

Onyx arrives in a near-future Nigeria beset by overpopulation and food shortages alongside another alien entity that corrupts all lifeforms in its presence. Is Onyx here to save the planet or, in its final throes, will she help hasten its destruction?

Onyx one-shot (Diamond Code JUL220072) will be available at comic book shops on Wednesday, September 28.

Onyx

Sam Kieth and Chris Ryall’s The Hollows arrives in July

Posted on by

Critically acclaimed artist Sam Kieth and writer Chris Ryall team up for a science fiction adventure in the upcoming The Hollows. This dystopian one-shot story will hit shelves from Image Comics in July.

In this specially priced, extra-length comic, readers are transported to a near-future Japan, where spectral, once-human husks prey on the unfortunates who couldn’t find salvation in the skyscraper-like trees that now dominate the decimated landscape. A discredited scientist works furiously to find a cure, until a one-eyed orphan girl and her pet, uh, Urp, force him to rethink everything he knows…

The Hollows one-shot will be available at comic book shops on Wednesday, July 27:

  • Cover A by Kieth – Diamond Code MAY220038
  • Cover B by Ashley Wood – Diamond Code MAY220039
The Hollows

Zombies vs. Robots Returns to Print in March 2022

Posted on by

The original Zombies Vs. Robots title is back to reclaim its turf and introduce itself to a new world! Eisner Award nominated duo Chris Ryall and Ashley Wood take the reins with a lineup of four classic adventures—each loaded with automaton-versus-automaton action—in ZvRC: Zombies Vs. Robots Classic. These remastered issues will hit shelves in March from Image Comics and Ryall and Wood’s Syzygy Publishing imprint.

Each issue of ZvRC will present an iconic tale and feature new Wood covers, and new stories and additional material, too, as well as the multi-part, entirely untrue Secret History of Zombies Vs. Robots. In the premiere issue, readers will be treated to a 26 page “Which Came First?” origin story, an all-new back-up tale in the spirit of a Kanigher/Kubert war comic, and more!

ZvRC: Zombies Vs. Robots Classic#1, which will feature three new covers by Wood as well as a blank sketch cover, will be available at comic book shops on Wednesday, March 30.

Joe Hill’s Rain Launches Chris Ryall and Ashley Wood’s Syzygy Publishing

Posted on by

 A graphic adaptation of Joe Hill’s Rain will serve as the debut offering from Syzygy Publishing, Chris Ryall and Ashley Wood’s new publishing venture. This first, five issue miniseries will kick off the new line of comics, graphic novels, and art books—from the Zombies vs Robots co-creators—beginning in January 2022. 

The award-winning creative team consisting of writer David M. Booher, artist Zoe Thorogood, colorist Chris O’Halloran, and letterer Shawn Lee will come together to bring Joe Hill’s Rain to sequential form. Ryall and Wood contribute editorial and logo/production design, respectively.

Rain first appeared in author Joe Hill’s acclaimed novella collection Strange Weather, and tells the story of a seemingly normal August day in Boulder, Colorado—the skies are clear and Honeysuckle Speck couldn’t be happier. She’s finally moving in with her girlfriend, Yolanda. But their world is literally torn apart when dark clouds roll in and release a downpour of nails—splinters of bright crystal that shred the skin of anyone not safely under cover. 

Rain makes vivid this escalating apocalyptic event, as the deluge of nails spreads across the country and around the world, threatening everything young lovers Honeysuckle and Yolanda hold dear. 

Rain’s debut issue features a primary Klimpt-inspired cover illustrated by Thorogood; while Elizabeth Beals offers up a vibrant variant cover. Wood also pays tribute to Klimpt in a special painted 1:25 copy incentive cover. 

As an added highlight, each issue of Rain will feature a bonus story from Unnamed, an upcoming series by Ryall and Wood following immortal hunters in pursuit of a fanged creature and set during swingin’ ’60s London. 

Rain #1 (of 5), a 32-page, $3.99 comic, will hit shelves on January 12, 2022:

  • Cover A by Thorogood – Diamond Code NOV210023
  • Cover B by Beals – Diamond Code NOV210024
  • Cover C Blank cover – Diamond Code NOV210025
  • Cover D 1:25 copy incentive by Wood – Diamond Code NOV210026
  • Cover E 1:50 copy incentive De Liz – Diamond Code NOV210027
  • Cover F 1:100 copy incentive Thorogood sketch – Diamond Code NOV210028

Review: ROM: Dire Wraiths

Posted on by
Rom: Dire Wraiths

The first season of the epic Right Stuff on Disney+ is more than good television. The show gives us a behind the scenes look at some iconic figures, astronauts. Hearing these names growing up, and especially in school, we tend to give them a reverence that makes them infallible. The series shows them as very much human. It also showed what made them so heroic, embracing that indomitable spirit that we all aspire to. ROM: Dire Wraiths uses those iconic space explorers for a new twist on history.

Going into space seems so farfetched for so many of us that we often tether it to science fiction stories. We often think about aliens and unidentified flying objects. This is often met with skepticism and never really with actual thought. In ROM: Dire Wraiths we get a story that uses the real-life events of the Space Race and asks what if “we ran into a dangerous alien race while exploring space?”

We’re taken to 1969, where three astronauts are on the Adventure One, a secret mission that monitors alien life when they detect traces of life on the Moon, which looks to be more than they could ever imagine. Wraith soldiers are holding camp and look to send a message to any humans from Earth, as they ascend on the astronauts right before they plant the flag. From there, a battle with ROM and other forces begins in a battle to end the Wraith threat.

Overall, ROM: Dire Wraiths is a nice story that is an interesting prequel to a well-established hero. The story by Chris Ryall has echoes of Harlan Ellison and Richard Matheson, which is both exciting and scary. The art by the creative team is gorgeous. Altogether, a story that should bring this character a bigger fan base.

Story: Chris Ryall Art: Sal Buscema, Guy Dorian Sr., Ron Joseph, and Luca Pizzari
Story: 9.0 Art: 9.0 Overall: 9.0 Recommendation: Buy

IDW Publishing provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: comiXology – Amazon – Kindle – Bookshop

Preview: Rom: Dire Wraiths

Posted on by

Rom: Dire Wraiths

(W) Chris Ryall (A) Guy Dorina Sr., Sal Buscema (A/CA) Luca Pizzari
In Shops: Jan 20, 2021
SRP: $15.99

July, 1969. Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin are about to become the first humans to set foot on the moon, but something inhuman is waiting for them!

Seeking to conquer everything in their path, the Dire Wraiths wield powerful dark magic and can infect other creatures transforming them into more of their kind. The only thing powerful enough to oppose them is Rom the Spaceknight. But, with Rom nowhere in sight, can even the Earth Corp help prevent one giant leap for Wraithkind or is there no way to stop an invasion of Earth? Only the crew of Apollo 11 and some unexpected guest-stars stand in their way! Plus, a special back-up story with art by Guy Dorian, Sr. and Rom legend Sal Buscema!

Rom: Dire Wraiths

Preview: Rom: Dire Wraiths #3 (of 3)

Posted on by

Rom: Dire Wraiths #3 (of 3)

(W) Chris Ryall (A) Ron Joseph (CA) Luca Pizarri
In Shops: Dec 30, 2020
SRP: $4.99

1969: The secret Earth satellite safeguarding the moon landing is infested by Dire Wraiths! Worse, the Wraiths now have transport to Earth. And the crew of the first moon landing can only stop them by making the ultimate sacrifice! Plus: the special ROM back-up with art by Guy Dorian Sr. and Rom legend Sal Buscema concludes in explosive fashion!

The thrilling conclusion to the return of ROM!

Rom: Dire Wraiths #3 (of 3)

Breaking: Chris Ryall Leaves IDW To Start a New Publishing and Entertainment Venture with Ashley Wood

Posted on by
Chris Ryall

IDW Publishing and Chris Ryall have jointly announced that Ryall is stepping down as President, Publisher and Chief Creative Officer to pursue new business opportunities. Although he is stepping aside from his current roles at IDW, he will continue as an Executive Producer on the Netflix series, Locke & Key, and remain the sole editor on any Locke & Key publishing ventures going forward.

In partnership with Ashley Wood and many of the talented creators he has worked with at IDW, Ryall is launching a new storytelling venture focused on the disparate worlds and characters that he brought to life at IDW Publishing. 

Ryall said in the announcement:

Change is often hard, and I will miss this extended family I have worked with for more than 15 years. In the past year alone, we brought on some amazing hires, expanded the scope of many of the departments, and re-focused the foundation of the business to best support the integrated multi-media company that IDW has become. Our collective success with the entertainment team on ‘Locke & Key’ has been a crowning moment for the entire company.  I’m so proud of this special place and the incredible people who work here. I know that I leave IDW perfectly poised for continued success.

During Ryall’s tenure as President and Publisher, IDW Publishing signed a multi-year publishing initiative with the Smithsonian Institution, launched a major program to produce Spanish-language graphic novels for the North American market, transitioned its foreign book distribution business to Penguin Random House and led IDW Publishing to 15 prestigious Eisner Award nominations in 2020, the most of any publisher.

IDW Announces 60-day No Fee Returnable Items, Suspension of May Releases, and Publishing Line Reduction

Posted on by
IDW Publishing

Publishers are stepping up with the ever-changing situation around the world. IDW Publishing President, Publisher, and Chief Creative Officer Chris Ryall has penned the below letter to retailers and partners:

To Our Partners Throughout the Comics Industry,

Last week, we sent out a statement to the comics community in which we pledged our support for the Direct Market during the current health and economic crisis. We’ve been keeping a very close eye on the public discussions taking place in forums and on social media, and the sentiment from retailers is abundantly clear:

It’s time to take action.

In light of Diamond’s statement today, our immediate steps to offer relief for our retail partners are:

  • For the next three months, IDW will be offering 60-day no-fee returnable terms for all items on Final Order Cutoff (FOC) corresponding to the weekly on-sale dates from March 18th to June 24th.
  • IDW is announcing the suspension of May releases corresponding to OSD dates from May 6th to May 27th.
  • IDW will reduce its overall publishing line for products originally scheduled through July, with a focus on releasing our biggest projects in special editions to help drive traffic to stores through the summer.

 With these measures, our hope is that we can lessen the immediate financial risk that retailers face for IDW products, and give retailers a much-needed break for their monthly budgets.

These are first steps. As the situation continues to unfold, we’re certain to initiate additional programs to help our retail partners. It’ll take insight from and coordination with shop owners, Diamond, and our publishing peers to shape a comprehensive strategy for the industry to move forward.

As a special note to our Creative Partners:

We know that you’re likewise feeling the pain of the current circumstances. Trimming our line through the summer in support of the Direct Market retailers will undoubtedly impact creative workflow for the short term. We fully appreciate the difficulty that this presents to freelancers. It’s our expectation that — in the long term — the Direct Market will bounce back as a result of these steps, and we can all continue the good work of making quality comics on the other side. Our Editorial team has been reaching out to creators and licensors with these latest updates, and we’re here to help in any way we can: answering your questions, listening to your ideas, etc.

« Older Entries