Tag Archives: fairsquare comics

FairSquare Comics Celebrates Fifth Anniversary with Rebranding

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FairSquare Graphics

FairSquare Comics has announced their transition into FairSquare Graphics. The rebranding will continue the publisher’s mission of celebrating immigrant and minority voices as they celebrate their fifth anniversary today, June 20, 2024. The anniversary also celebrates the announcement of an all-new imprint and more, with five additional exciting announcements to come. While FairSquare Graphics will retain the use of the name FairSquare Comics for conventions and crowdfunding, future titles will be under the FairSquare Graphics name. 

Horny Dolphin

Joining the current catalog lineup, starting this summer, FairSquare Graphics will debut several ManFra titles (French manga) and Manhua titles. And in addition to a new name, this year will bring considerable changes to FairSquare Graphics with the inclusion of Horny Dolphin, a new imprint dedicated to NSFW with original and licensed titles. As with the primary FairSquare Graphics line, Horny Dolphin will focus primarily on immigrant and minority voices with the release of a flagship title in Fall 2024. 

FairSquare Graphics, formerly FairSquare Comics, is the brainchild of Fabrice Sapolsky, Kristal Adams, and Ethan Sapolsky and came onto the scene June 20, 2019  and launched their debut graphic novel, Noir is the New Black, which sold over 7000 copies in July 2020. Since then, Noir is the New Black has had three editions printed.

The flagship single issue series for FairSquare Comics, Mutiny: Black Girl Magik #1 was revitalized via Kickstarter in April. The “mascot” of the company, Mutiny is the culmination of pure Black femme effort with the writing, illustration, and editorial work of Black femme creatives. Issue two will debut on Kickstarter late summer 2024. 

Currently, FairSquare Graphics has shared that Lady-Bird, written by Fabrice Sapolsky and Dawn J. Starr with art by Daniele Sapuppo, is being adapted as a television series in Europe. Additionally, A Boy Named Rose by Gaelle Geniller is currently nominated for an Eisner Award in the Best U.S. Edition of International Material category. During their time on the scene as a small, independent publisher, FairSquare Graphics has released more than 40 titles since the start via Diamond Distributors and has attended more than 100 conventions, bringing their graphic novels direct to the readers and fans.

Representing FairSquare Graphics, Fabrice Sapolsky and Kristal Adams will be attending this year’s American Library Association conference from June 28th through July 1st in San Diego, California. They will be located at booth #119 in Artist’s Alley near the Pop Top Stage B off of the Exhibit Hall F entrance. 

Crowdfunding Corner: FairSquare Comics’ Mutiny returns!

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Backer Beware: Crowdfunding projects are not guaranteed to be delivered and/or delivered when promised. We always recommend to do your research before backing.

FairSquare Comics has announced the return of their flagship character (previously seen in Mutiny Magazine) with the arrival of Mutiny: Black Girl Magik. The Kickstarter campaign ends Tuesday, March 26 at 9:02 AM EDT.

Initially launched on Kickstarter in 2021, Mutiny Magazine was then offered as a bimonthly magazine through Diamond, featuring the titular flagship character, Miss Mutiny. Now back and better than ever, Miss Mutiny finally receives her due with Mutiny: Black Girl Magik launching with an all-Black femme team featuring Kristal Adams, writer, comedian, and co-owner of FairSquare Comics, as lead writer, Asiah Fulmore as illustrator, and Amanda Meadows as co-editor. 

In the updated Mutiny: Black Girl Magik, Moriyah Pleasant is a charismatic and witty queen with the magic touch. As a successful NYC dating coach with a reputation as an “incel whisperer,” the results don’t lie –– until her latest matchmaking gig goes awry, leading to some irreconcilable differences.

The whole operation goes left when Moriyah discovers her client’s love interest is on the run…but from who? Moriyah’s dragged through spacetime and confronted with the tyrant Ezek, an Alchemist consumed with his murderous pursuit to destroy all magik in the universe. But now she’s trapped and wanted for a crime she didn’t commit— and she’s not having that!

The Kickstarter campaign includes six covers in total, including main cover, drawn and colored by talented artist Alitha E. Martinez, a digital deluxe edition, and more. 

Exclusive Preview: I Run To Make My Heart Beat

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Nina was born in a multi-cultural and multi-ethnic family. A mixed young woman with many questions about herself and her space in the world. Track and field competition will help her overcome her doubts. She runs, not to escape reality, but to be the champion of her own life!

It’s the mid-1990s. Nina is 18. She’s trying to find her place in a world constantly throwing her differences back at her face. Her father is black Muslim of Gambian origins, and her mother is of Polish-Jewish descent. But Nina will turn her differences into strength as she embraces track and field. She runs to escape injustice, history, the big and small things in her life.

By Rachel Khan and Aude Massot, I Run To Make My Heart Beat comes to shops February 14 from FairSquare Comics.

Get an exclusive look!

I Run To Make My Heart Beat

Joseph Illidge and Chriscross team for The Winterfields, a no-holds-barred crime noir story set during the historic Harlem Renaissance

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The Winterfields

Writer and editor Joseph P. Illidge and artist Chriscross are teaming up to craft a no-holds-barred crime noir story set during the historic Harlem Renaissance, titled The Winterfields. The two creators, both Milestone Comics veterans, will debut their new historical project with a short story that opens the Expanded Edition of the bestselling FairSquare Comics anthology Noir is the New Black, which goes on sale on January 31 at comic book shops and February 14 at bookstores, in celebration of Black History Month. The short story serves as a prelude to the upcoming full-length graphic novel The Winterfields to be published in 2025 by FairSquare Comics, under the company’s Noir is the New Black imprint.

1920s Harlem: a time of culture, art, and free enterprise. This is the backdrop for the saga of The Winterfields. Cain Winterfield is a former World War I soldier who returned home to a nation that discriminated against him, forcing him to fight once again to survive. Now he makes a living as a bodyguard, putting himself in harm’s way for whomever can pay his price. Taking punches and giving them back. Carver Winterfield is his 10-year-old son, a handsome boy with a good heart, bruised knuckles…and too many secrets for someone his age. When a client’s wife goes missing under Cain’s nose, her merciless husband wants answers, even if he has to get them through bloody violence. 

The six-page prelude short story about the Winterfields, which will also feature colors by artist Morby, will be highlighted as the opening tale in the new Extended Edition of Noir is the New Black. The sold-out bestselling anthology is coming back to print with even more additional material, also including the new short story “Systemic Rise,” by Victor Dandridge and Jean Paul Deshong, as well as additional pinups and behind-the-scenes content never seen before. The fan-favorite book will now feature 18 noir stories crafted by 47 of the finest Black creators from all around the world, such as Brandon Thomas, Gary Phillips, M.D. Bright, Melody Cooper, Brandon Easton, David F Walker, comedian Roxxy Haze, and many more, with a foreword by Shawn Martinbrough.

The Winterfields

Graphic Policy’s Top Comic Picks this Week!

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INTERTWINED LAST JEWISH DAUGHTER OF KAIFENG

Wednesdays (and Tuesdays) are new comic book day! Each week hundreds of comics are released, and that can be pretty daunting to go over and choose what to buy. That’s where we come in

Each week our contributors choose what they can’t wait to read this week or just sounds interesting. In other words, this is what we’re looking forward to and think you should be taking a look at!

Find out what folks think below, and what comics you should be looking out for this week.

Animal Castle Vol. 2 #2 (Ablaze) – The series has been a fantastic adaptation and take on the classic Animal Farm.

Battle Chasers #10 (Image Comics) – After such a delay, Battle Chasers is back after a Kickstarter promising its return. Joe Madureira isn’t providing art so without that, such a long time, and more, will the return be worth it?

Black Panther #1 (Marvel) – It’s a new era and new creative team for the character and the status quo is an intriguing one.

Captain America: Cold War Omega #1 (Marvel) – The event wraps up and we have no idea how it’ll shake out when it’s over.

Dead by Daylight #1 (Titan Comics) – The video game gets a comic adaptation.

The Ghost of Kyiv #1 (Tokyopop) – The war propaganda gets a comic series. It’ll be interesting to see how this gets spun.

Haunt You to the End #1 (Image Comics) – A ghost story set at the end of the world. The concept of ghost hunters plus an unstable time period should make for an interesting read.

Intertwined: Last Jewish Daughter of Kaifeng #1 (Fairsquare Comics) – In time for Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month as well as Jewish American Heritage Month, fan-favorite series Intertwined is back with a 64 page special dedicated to the only Asian Jewish character in comics: the new Spirit of Water!

Klik Klik Boom #1 (Image Comics) – Meet Sprout, a mute assassin who communicates exclusively through polaroid pictures. Sprout is heading to New York City to avenge her grandfather’s muder.

Magic Planeswalkers: Noble #1 (BOOM! Studios) – A new set of releases that’ll take us to different realms in the Magic Multiverse from different creators and featuring different creators.

Night Fever (Image Comics) – A new graphic novel from Ed Brubaker, Sean Phillips, and Jacob Phillips. Enough said.

Nuking Alaska (Graphic Mundi) – A graphic novel about the threat of nuclear war in the 80s.

Spider-Man: Fake Red (VIZ Media) – Yu’s new high school is kind of awful. He’s failing his classes and striking out socially. Everything changes when he finds one of Spider-Man’s costumes abandoned in an alleyway

Spider-Man India #1 (Marvel) – The cult favorite character gets a miniseries shining the spotlight.

Void Rivals #1 (Skybound/Image Comics) – Kicking off “The Energon Universe,” the comic is the official start of Transformers and G.I. Joe at Skybound!

Waller vs. Wildstorm #2 (DC Comics) – The first issue waw fantastic, again bringing together the Wildstorm universe with the DC Universe with Waller at the center doing her shenanigans.

WildC.A.T.s #8 (DC Comics) – The series has been so much fun delivering a new mix of the classic characters and really bringing them into the DC Universe.

Xino #1 (Oni Press) – A new sci-fi anthology series featuring some fantastic creators.

Preview: Photonik: Man of Light #1

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Photonik: Man of Light #1

(W) Ciro Tota (A/CA) Ciro Tota
In Shops: Mar 08, 2023
SRP: $12.99

All his life, he was bullied and sometimes called a monster. But when hunchback Thaddeus Tanterhook becomes the flawless Photonik, the Man of Light, people only see the hero. Will his powers change the man he is inside?

This is the new series you don’t want to miss! Written and drawn by Ciro Tota, Photonik: Man of Light has achieve cult status in France where hundreds of thousands of readers have followed his adventures through the years. It has the charm and classic feel of X-Men, Spider-Man and Hulk. It stars a trio of outcasts ready to save the day while society rejects them… Sounds familiar?
Next to Photonik, a stray kid who never misses a shot, Tom Thumb, and an Holocaust survivor with psychic powers, Dr Ziegel are going to help Thaddeus defeat major threats such as the Minotaur. Buckle up! And get ready to fall in love with this feel good action series with a big heart!

Issue #1 comes with three fabulous covers from series creator Ciro Tota, artist extraordinaire Stephane Roux (Zatanna, Star Wars, Harley Quinn…) and rising star Ivan Fiorelli (X-Men, Venom, One-Hit Wonder).

Photonik: Man of Light #1

The Silver Age is back with Photonik: Man of Light #1

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Calling all classic comic lovers! FairSquare Comics has announced a first-time American release of the cult-classic French comic sensation Photonik: Man of Light!

Written and Drawn by Ciro Tota, Photonik: Man of Light stars a trio of outcasts ready to save the day while society rejects them, so if you love classic comic hero stories from the silver-age that are just as relevant today, buckle up and get ready to fall in love with this big-hearted, feel good action series!

Photonik: Man of Light may have been written and drawn in the early 1980s by a French creator of Italian descent, but it’s still shockingly relevant and universal. The book explores a variety of themes through its hero’s adventures: Thaddeus Tenterhook, who suffers from Kyphosis (hunchback), and his acolytes Dr. Ziegel (a Holocaust survivor with superpowers) and Tom Thumb (a stray kid who rarely misses any shot he takes).

Now offered for the first time in the United States, Photonik: Man of Light #1 comes with three fabulous covers from series creator Ciro Tota, Stephane Roux and Ivan Fiorelli. In stores this week, February 22nd!

Photonik: Man of Light #1

FairSquare Comics and Alien Books Join Forces for American Distribution

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Immigrant and minority owned publisher FairSquare Comics has announced a partnership with newly formed international studio Alien Books, bringing dozens of high profile creators and titles to the American market!

English, French, Spanish… They may sound different, but when it comes to comics, the two companies are speaking the same language: quality, variety, diversity and a true passion for sequential art. 

Per the multi-year agreement, Alien Books will be added to the FairSquare Comics catalogue, distributed worldwide by Diamond Comics and Diamond Book Distributors, bringing a new color to the family: FairSquare Gold!

The Alien Books comics and graphic novels will debut in April, 2023 with an art book: The Art of Ariel Olivetti. The Argentinian maestro delivers an incredible opus displaying some of his most amazing pieces created for Marvel Comics, DC Comics, Dark Horse, BOOM Studios and more over his 25 year career. Discover or re-discover Batman, Superman, Spider-Man, Venom, Cable, Space Ghost and many others like you’ve never seen them before, commented by Ariel Olivetti himself. The Art of Ariel Olivetti will be available, starting April 5th (Direct Market) and April 18th (everywhere else) in both Hardcover and softcover editions. 

But that’s not all! On April 12th, Alien Books will present a never published before horror anthology from best-selling writer and artist Damian Connelly. Blood, Love, Ghosts and a Deadly Spell packs 4 short horrific tales and a poem from the mind of the hit series You Promised Me Darkness and Follow Me Into Darkness creator. Only available in comic book stores, Blood, Love, Ghosts and a Deadly Spell features three stunning covers from Damian Connelly himself. 

That, of course, is only the beginning. 

International talents such as Leandro Fernandez, Howard Chaykin, Eduardo Risso and many more, all have projects with Alien Books.

Preview: Noir is the New Black Presents: Watson & Holmes Vol. 1

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Noir is the New Black Presents: Watson & Holmes Vol. 1

(W) Karl Bollers
(A) Rick Leonardi, Larry Stroman, Paul Mendoza
(CA) Khary Randolph and Walter Pereyra

Harlem, Now. A missing girl case brings together the most famous dynamic duo in the world for the first time!

Created by Brandon Perlow and Paul Mendoza, NOIR IS THE NEW BLACK: WATSON AND HOLMES, VOL. 1 reinvents the classic detective team from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in a bold and diverse way. This reinterpretation features a mostly-black cast of characters in the neighborhood famously known as the beating heart of Black American culture for over a century.

Jon Watson is an Afghanistan war vet and works in an inner-city clinic. Sherlock Holmes is a local P.I. who takes unusual cases. Together, they race against the clock to find Trina, a missing girl tied to a web of drugs, guns, gangs and even a conspiracy!

Written by Eisner Award nominated author Karl Bollers (Marvel’s X-51, Muties, Emma Frost but also a respected editor at Valiant and Bad Idea) with art by legendary artists Rick Leonardi (X-Men, Spider-Man 2099,…) and Larry Stroman (X-Factor, Alien Legion), WATSON & HOLMES: Vol. 1 is a true gem of a graphic novel, and it comes with a brand new cover by superstar Khary Randolph (EXCELLENCE, Image Comics)!

First published by New Paradigm Studios, it won Glyph Comics Awards, was nominated at the prestigious Eisner Awards in 2014 and has been hard to find for a long time.

This new remastered edition brings the world of WATSON & HOLMES to a bigger worldwide audience through FairSquare Comics and the NOIR IS THE NEW BLACK label, distributed by Diamond Book Distributors. It comes with a brand new cover by superstar Khary Randolph (EXCELLENCE, Image Comics).

Launched in 2021 with the eponymous graphic novel anthology, NOIR IS THE NEW BLACK is now morphing into a full line of publications created by Black and African American talents. NOIR IS THE NEW BLACK PRESENTS: WATSON & HOLMES VOL. 1 is the first graphic novel in the collection and certainly not the last!

Noir is the New Black Presents: Watson & Holmes Vol. 1

Graphic Policy’s Top Comic Picks this Week!

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Traveling to Mars #2

Wednesdays (and Tuesdays) are new comic book day! Each week hundreds of comics are released, and that can be pretty daunting to go over and choose what to buy. That’s where we come in

Each week our contributors choose what they can’t wait to read this week or just sounds interesting. In other words, this is what we’re looking forward to and think you should be taking a look at!

Find out what folks think below, and what comics you should be looking out for this week.

Breath of the Giant (Fairsquare Comics) – Legends say the North is the home of Giants whose breath can bring the dead back to life. Sisters Iris and Sophia, decide to go on a quest to steal this breath in order to resuscitate their dearly departed mother

Dark Web: Ms. Marvel #1 (Marvel) – The event has been interesting so far and we’re intrigued to see how Ms. Marvel fits into all of it.

Dead Seas #1 (IDW Publishing) – Ghosts are real and dangerous. Their ectoplasm is also able to cure diseases. The concept is unique and original and we already have a glowing review of it.

GCPD: The Blue Wall #3 (DC Comics) – Writer John Ridley has been exploring the tough job that is the GCPD as well as its corruption. It’s like the best television cop show in comic form.

Ghost Planet (Scout Comics) – A family of deep space explorers rushes to solve the mystery of Ghost Planet before their recently-dead loved ones return to kill them next!

I Hate Fairyland #2 (Image Comics) – The first issue is exactly what we were expecting with violence, rudeness, and some great art. It’s Looney Tunes violence in a fantasy world and a perfect comic to escape in to during these cold months.

Junior #1 (Scout Comics) – What’s a young space marine supposed to do when a rogue asteroid slams into the space station she was sent to repair? Well, she grabs her alien, hippo-like sidekick and she crash lands on a dinosaur-infested planet-that’s what she does!

Les Miserables Omnibus Vol. 1 (Seven Seas Entertainment) – We’re suckers for anything Les Miserables.

Traveling to Mars #2 (Ablaze) – The first issue was fantastic, about the first man to go to Mars. He was chosen because he has terminal cancer and it’s a one way trip anyways. The series does a great job of mixing sci-fi and satire.

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