Tag Archives: matteo pizzolo

SDCC 2025: Black Mask announces a Calexit Benefit Comic Supporting Immigrant Families Impacted by ICE Raids

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Masked men snatching people off the street, innocent people shipped to third world prisons, parents and children separated with no way to reconnect – they sound like plots of a dystopian comic book, not reality. Now new comic, Calexit: Battle of San Onofre #1 from Black Mask Studios, is using its fictional story to help these victims and raise money for the families impacted by the Trump Administration’s ICE Raids.

Premiering at San Diego Comic Con, profits from the Battle of San Onofre will be donated to Alliance San Diego’s Immigrant Relief Fund. 

Writer Matteo Pizzolo teams with artist Butch Mapa to create the new Calexit story, which tells the story of friends radicalized by a DHS raid at their workplace – seemingly ripped from today’s headlines, the story was written last year before the current wave of deportations.

Calexit debuted in July 2017 and sold through seven-printings before launching a line of spinoffs. In addition to Calexit: Battle of San Onofre #1, San Diego Comic Con also marks the debut of new volume Calexit: The Battle of Universal City #1.

Calexit: Battle of San Onofre #1

Preview: CALEXIT: The Battle Of Universal City #1

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CALEXIT: The Battle Of Universal City #1

Writer: Matteo Pizzolo / Artist: Carlos Granda / Colorist: James Offredi / Letterer: DC Hopkins
Cover Artists: Luana Vecchio, Duski Loveless, Amancay Nahuelpan, Creees Lee
Mature / $4.99 / 36 pages

WHAT IF CALIFORNIA REFUSED TO BE RULED?
In CALEXIT, the citizens of the California Sovereign Republic struggle to seize power back from U.S. occupying forces. Jamil, a warzone courier (aka smuggler), and Zora, a young leader in the Mulholland Resistance, fight to escape Occupied Los Angeles — but it’s total war on the streets of Los Angeles as California attempts to seize freedom or die trying.

CALEXIT: The Battle Of Universal City #1

Crowdfunding Corner: Black Mask announces an anthology to benefit the WGA

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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.

A new comics anthology curated by the creators of Calexit aims to celebrate the Hollywood Labor Movement’s massive success and also support workers impacted by the dual Strikes as the WGA closes its historic new deal with the studios. General Strike: Calexit and Other Tales of Fighting the Good Fight is a collection of new stories dedicated to the struggle for economic equality is written by WGA members, and publisher Black Mask Studios is matching the writers fees with donations to the Entertainment Community Fund. 

With official pre-orders opening today, General Strike is hosted by a brand new comic book heroine (labor organizing badass Gen. Strike) and features stories by a roster of WGA-writers including writer/producer/WGA NBCU Lot Coordinator Judalina Neira, Rodney Barnes, Tamara Becher, Daniel Dominguez, Charley Feldman, Grant Morrison, and Brian Michael Bendis. The project is being run by WGA-member writer and publisher Matteo Pizzolo.

General Strike is an anthology comic of genre stories about characters fighting the good fight against injustice, linked by the theme of confronting economic inequality. All of the stories are written by striking guild members. In addition to paying Marvel/DC-level writers’ rates, Black Mask is also matching the writers’ rates with donations to the Entertainment Community Fund, and the creators retain ownership of the IP to their stories and characters.

Comics’ newest superhero Gen. Strike, a bubblegum-chewing labor organizer, comes to life in a set of covers by comic book artists Tyler Boss, Iolanda Zanfardino, Ben Templesmith, Ramon Villalobos, Creees Lee, Elisa Romboli, Amancay Nahuelpan, and Darick Robertson.

Artists illustrating the General Strike stories include Antonio Fuso, Jamal Igle, Butch Mapa, Tyler Jenkins, and Josh Hood.

General Strike: Calexit and Other Tales of Fighting the Good Fight is available for pre-order now on Kickstarter.

Matteo Pizzolo and C. Granda return to Calexit in July. Debuting at SDCC

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Theme parks have already become political battlegrounds, but what if they became actual battlegrounds? What if the culture wars became actual wars? As mass demonstrations consume Hollywood, the comic book Calexit considers the question: What if California refused to be ruled?

This is the world of Calexit: The Battle of Universal City, the new comic book series launching this July from Black Mask Studios. Together writer Matteo Pizzolo and artist C. Granda, the creators of Rogue State, have created a timely title about young rebels willing to risk it all for freedom of thought.

In Calexit: The Battle of Universal City, it’s total war on the streets of Los Angeles as rebel leader Zora rallies her Mulholland Resistance to seize freedom or die trying. The battle rages all the way to the iconic Hollywood theme park in Universal City where Zora’s Resistance fighters make a last stand against Homeland Security’s Occupying Forces. Warzone courier Jamil has been hired to spirit Zora away from the firefight to a Resistance stronghold, but Zora won’t be dragged to safety without a fight.

The first issue of Calexit: The Battle of Universal City is set for release from Black Mask Studios at Comic Con International, followed directly by your favorite local comic shop.

Calexit: The Battle of Universal City

Rogue State #1 and Godkiller: For Those I Love I Will Sacrifice #1 go back to print

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After immediately selling out at both Diamond Comics Distribution and Lunar Distribution, Black Mask is rushing new editions of two of its titles: Rogue State #1 and Godkiller: For Those I Love I Will Sacrifice #1.

Rogue State #1 hit the ground running by selling out of its First Printing on release day last November when it debuted as Black Mask’s all-time top-ordered book, and now both Second Printing covers by Jasmin Darnell have also sold out within days of release. The new Third Printing set for release on February 8th will feature a new cover by series artist C. Granda.

Godkiller: For Those I Love I Will Sacrifice #1 exploded onto shelves last week, with this newest launch from the Godkiller universe selling out immediately on its day of release. Its Second Printing is also planned for a February 8th release, featuring two covers (a standard edition and a bagged-NSFW edition) by Jasmin Darnell.

Rogue State is illustrated by C. Granda, written by Matteo Pizzolo, colored by Brad Simpson, and lettered by Jim Campbell.

Godkiller: For Those I Love I Will Sacrifice is illustrated by Anna Muckcracker, written by Matteo Pizzolo, and lettered by Jim Campbell.

Rogue State #1 is Black Mask Studios’ Highest Selling Premier Issue

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The first printings of Rogue State #1 sold out at both distributors Diamond and Lunar on its first day of release, breaking Black Mask‘s all-time record for bestselling comic. Black Mask is rushing Rogue State to second printing with two covers by Jasmin Darnell that will arrive in both standard and ‘gallery’ (no-text) editions.

While Jasmin Darnell’s cover art presents a powerful image of post-apocalyptic street artist Dust Girl, Ramon Villalobos‘ Tour Cover pays homage to the history of socially-engaged public art in San Francisco’s Mission District, where Rogue State is set.

Rogue State #1 reunites C. Granda and Matteo Pizzolo, who first collaborated on the acclaimed CalExit: San Diego. 

Rogue State combines Granda’s experiences coming of age amid political violence in Medellín-Colombia with Pizzolo’s street-politics, crafting the story of a near-future America overrun by political violence set in the embattled blue-enclave of ‘Occupied San Francisco.’

Political violence plunges America into turmoil. Local police forces join with the National Guard, but even their combined strength is unable to quell the rage. Filling the vacuum, militia groups rise into roving gangs of vigilantes.

In a strict interpretation of the 2nd Amendment, an embattled Supreme Court overturns two centuries of settled law by recognizing militias as Constitutionally protected. In an instant, every paramilitary gang in America is suddenly deputized, transforming the entire country into a vigilante police-state. Lockdowns set in. Fear spreads… and whispers of revolution.

Review: Rogue State #1

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Rogue State #1

What if a contested Presidential election plunged America into turmoil? What if political violence consumed the streets? And what if a raging Supreme Court, in a strict interpretation of the 2nd Amendment, legitimized and deputized all militias, transforming the entire country into a paramilitary police state? Rogue State #1 takes reality and moves it to the extreme so many of us are worried about.

Written by Matteo Pizzolo, Rogue State #1 is an interesting start but doesn’t quite have the hook that’s pitched. While I was provided the first three issues, I read what I believe is just the first (it’s one file, so wasn’t 100% sure) and there’s a lot of potential. The idea of a nation torn apart by an election is one that has so much potential for storytelling. Where this series is going is a mysterious figure eventually rising and whether that individual is a freedom fighter or a terrorist. Unfortunately, none of that is conveyed in the debut. Instead, we get an inept militia, corrupt cops, and a character who seems to be very acrobatic for unknown reasons. It all comes across as good ideas, but not meshed together well.

Where Rogue State #1 falls flat is that none of the crisis or danger feels felt. There’s little escalation from what we see every so often on television. BLM protests and Antifa/Proud Boy clashes have more danger, tension, and stakes felt around them. We get a main character who’s an unemployed architect that can scale buildings like Spider-Man and a clash between protestors and police. All of which feels a bit exaggerated or not exaggerated enough. There’s also something about drugs and bootlegging but none of that really feels relevant so far, it just fills space. In other words, the danger of the world is never really established. Pizzolo opens with an inept militia that can shoot something 20 feet away and come off more Barney Fife than Terminator.

Carlos Granda‘s art doesn’t help matters. Characters aren’t consistent in their look which at times distracts and moments that should have the feel of danger feel more like slapstick comedy. The art tone, and tone of situations as a whole, don’t match the pitch. Granda is joined by Brad Simpson on color and Jim Campbell on lettering. The color does stand out in its purples and pinks, a sky motif playing off the sunset and down of a new day. The lettering I noticed one issue where it looks like a word was cut off at the top of the word balloon, an odd mistake.

Rogue State has potential and maybe as it gets going things improve. But, as an opening issue, Rogue State #1 falls into the trap so many high concept comics have lately. The concept doesn’t match the execution and things fall short of what is promised. It feels a bit scattered in its focus overall. We’ll see if that continues to be true but for a first issue, this one stumbles.

Story: Matteo Pizzolo Art: Carlos Granda
Color: Brad Simpson Letterer: Jim Campbell
Story: 7.0 Art: 7.0 Overall: 7.0 Recommendation: Read

Black Mask Studios provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: TFAW – Zeus Comics

Matthew Rosenberg and Matteo Pizzolo announce an East Coast Signing Tour

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Tomorrow, in conjunction with what is perhaps one of the most important midterm elections in recent history, Black Mask publisher Matteo Pizzolo will appear alongside hip hop legend Chuck D of Public Enemy at Manhattan’s largest comic book retailer, Midtown Comics rewarding voters with an exclusive opportunity to have Chuck D’s cover for Pizzolo’s new creator-owned series Rogue State signed by the two in a one-time appearance for the launch of the series a full week before it hits stores around the country. This appearance will kick off nearly two weeks of appearances by Pizzolo and Matthew Rosenberg, who will be signing copies of his landmark relaunch of Jim Lee and Brandon Choi’s beloved WildCATS, 30 years after its initial introduction.

Full itinerary and details of the pair’s appearances can be found below:

Matthew Rosenberg and Matteo Pizzolo tour

Black Mask Studios’ Rogue State gets a variant cover by Chuck D of Public Enemy

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What if a contested Presidential election plunged America into turmoil? What if political violence consumed the streets? And what if a raging Supreme Court, in a strict interpretation of the Second Amendment, legitimized and deputized all militias—transforming the entire country into a paramilitary police state? What if a freedom fighter emerged from the chaos, raised a civilian army, and carved out a territory across the United States–pushing out police, militias, and National Guard… enforcing its own laws… sovereign. What if Americans refused to be governed?

This is the world of Rogue State, the new ongoing graphic novel series that marks writer Matteo Pizzolo’s return to comics for his first new series since 2017’s acclaimed CalEXIT, reuniting with artist C. Granda and CalEXIT cover artists Soo Lee and Ashley A Woods. Rogue State will launch with a special variant cover drawn by hip hop legend and higher thought leader Chuck D of Public Enemy. Together, Pizzolo and Granda have created a timely title about rebelling against tyranny, reconquering stolen land, punching fascists in the face, and building a better nation.

In addition to appearing as a cover, Chuck D’s illustration will also be inside the book itself as a street-art mural, in an homage to the Mission District’s history of socially-engaged public art.

In Rogue State, a crew of young vigilantes will rise against a paramilitary police state robbing Americans of their rights. The ongoing series tells the story of Vya of Brightstars, a mysterious figure rising from the unrest, and Clara Cruz (aka Dust Girl), who becomes activated in Vya’s movement when her fiancée Taylor Sanchez is disappeared as militias take over their Mission District neighborhood. But are Vya and Dust Girl freedom fighters or terrorists? Either way, their rogue state will not just blaze a path across America, it will also inspire others to raise their own armies… some in solidarity, others in opposition. 

The first issue of Rogue State will be available from Black Mask Studios on November 9, with a special variant pulled directly out of the pages of the comic and drawn by Chuck D himself exclusively from your favorite comic book shop in extremely limited quantities. Retailers, consult your Diamond rep to find out how to order ahead of the book’s Final Order Cutoff on October 17.

Rogue State Chuck D

Critical Role’s Laura Baily joins the Godkiller videogame adaptation

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Laura Bailey with art by Nen Chang & Liz Tecca
Laura Bailey with art by Nen Chang & Liz Tecca

Laura Bailey (Critical Role, Legend of Vox Machina, The Last of Us Part II) will take on the voice role of the massively popular, fan-favorite character Halfpipe in the narrative-videogame adaptation of beloved, bestselling comic series Godkiller by writer Matteo Pizzolo and artist Anna Muckcracker Wieszczyk.

Bailey joins previously announced castmember Aya Cash (The Boys, You’re The Worst) in the dark-fantasy videogame about a team of anti-heroes who’ve survived their world’s descent into dystopia and undertake a vendetta against the cruel men and strange deities responsible for the end of the world.

Bailey will be taking on the iconic role of Halfpipe, introduced in 2008’s self-distributed ‘Godkiller #1’ as a street kid buying herself out of slavery through organ stealing before joining a campaign through the savage land of Outer City to find a new heart for a dying girl. In the nearly fifteen years since her debut, Halfpipe has developed into a time-traveling sorceress appearing in crossover comics with other universes, adorning numerous tattoos and even vinyl record picture discs, and has been illustrated by guest artists including Ben Templesmith, Maria Llovet, Leila del Duca, Tim Seeley, The Wolf Maria, Natasha Alterici, Riley Rossmo, Alexis Ziritt, Jasmin Darnell, Amancay Nahuelpan, and more, most recently in a stunning set of paintings by Nen Chang and Liz Tecca.

Produced by Emmy-winner Brian Giberson (Power On: The Story Of Xbox), the project leads a new gaming initiative at Black Mask Entertainment, the busy production arm with more than two dozen features and series in development at studios and networks.

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