Hey!  So END TIMES OF BRAM & BEN #1 is out NOW from Image Comics!  We’ve got the best reviews of anything I’ve written (proving Jim Festante is the real talent here) – and SEVERAL SIGNINGS coming up!

At all these, we’ll definitely be promoting End Times… but these signings are for GAMBIT and/or THIEF OF THIEVES fans, too!  (Or Generation Hope, etc…)  I’ve got TWO MORE issues of THIEVES coming next week and late next month.  Thief of Thieves vol 2 collection is due in March!

Gambit vol. 1 features issues #1-7 of the series for only $19 – out on March 20th!  (Less on Amazon, of course.)  It’s a great way to jump on

2/13 – ANAHEIM, CA @ BEACH BALL COMICS w/ Jim Festante
the release of End Times Of Bram & Ben #2!

2/16 – LAS VEGAS, NV @ MAXIMUM COMICS  w/ Jim Festante

2/27 – PORTLAND, OR @ THINGS FROM ANOTHER WORLD

3/1 – 3/3 – SEATTLE, WA @ EMERALD CITY CON w/ Jim Festante

3/29 – 3/31 – ANAHEIM, CA @ WONDER CON

4/26 – 4/28 – CHICAGO, IL @ C2E2

And People Love It!:

“This book is AWESOME! It’s been a while since we’ve seen an original concept like this and executed so brilliantly, with this level of great writing.” – Bleeding Cool

“Freaking hilarious! The kind of book everyone is going to be talking about… an early contender for best mini-series of 2013!” – IGN

“A breath of fresh air. It’s original, funny with some killer art. 5/5stars!” – Major Spoilers

COMING SOON:

2/13/13  END TIMES…#2 Cover art by J.A.W. Cooper

3/13/13  END TIMES…#3 Cover art by Juan Doe!

The COMIC BOOK LEGAL DEFENSE FUND is a fantastic resource defending the free speech and livelihood of many a comic creator and cartoonist.  And I’m honored and delighted to have been asked to contribute to this year’s LIBERTY ANNUAL (#5)!!

It’s a collection of short pieces by amazing creators like Robert Kirkman & Charlie Adlard (Walking Dead!), Johnathan Hickman (Fantastic Four, Manhattan Projects), Kieron Gillen (Uncanny X-Men, Phonogram), Joe Keatinge (Glory), Andy Diggle (The Losers), Ben Templesmith (30 Days of Night), and TONS more wonderous pros!!

CBR has a kind review of the book in general, and my story with Takeshi Miyazawa  in particular! Check it: http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=user_review&id=5329

The book should be available at your local comic shop, or you can buy it digitally through Comixology!  Proceeds go to the Legal Defense Fund!

Also: I don’t say this enough – but a big shout-out and thanks should go to Crank! who kindly donated his awesome skills as a letterer.  I’ve worked with Crank on everything independent so far, and he’s really a tremendous professional and collaborator! You can follow him on Twitter, too.

I still won’t be sitting at an artist alley table – but here’s WHERE YOU CAN FIND ME if you’d like something signed – or just to meet and chat!

Friday 10/12

11:30AM – Marvel LIVE! video cast – streaming at Marvel.com  You can ask questions live for me to answer.

12:00-1:00 PM – SIGNING at the MARVEL Booth

Thief of Thieves #9 OUT NOW!

1:00-2:00PM – SIGNING Thief of Thieves with artist Shawn Martinbrough & colorist Felix Serrano @ SKYBOUND Booth – #1229

2:45-3:45PM – SKYBOUND on the Rise PANEL – Room 1A14

There’s no limit on what to expect from SKYBOUND, Robert Kirkman’s imprint at Image Comics. THIEF OF THIEVES is a breakout hit and already been optioned by AMC, GUARDING THE GLOBE supplies another monthly fix for the Invincible universe, the all-ages smash SUPER DINOSAUR is about to blow up in a big way… so what’s next? Join Robert Kirkman as he discusses the imprint’s future with his stable of creators!

Saturday 10/13

5:00-6:00PM – SIGNING Thieves with artist Shawn Martinbrough, & colorist Felix Serrano @ SKYBOUND Booth – #1229

* * AND IN OTHER NEWS * *

My INTERVIEW about THIEF OF THIEVES with ComicBookResources.com!

THIEF OF THIEVES #8 now available on ComiXology.com & the ComiXology app for $1.99!

]]> https://jamesasmus.wordpress.com/2012/10/09/where-to-find-me-at-nycc/feed/ 0 0.000000 0.000000 0.000000 0.000000 jamesasmus https://jamesasmus.wordpress.com/2012/09/03/thief-of-thieves-anaheim-signing-wclay-mann-this-wednesday/ https://jamesasmus.wordpress.com/2012/09/03/thief-of-thieves-anaheim-signing-wclay-mann-this-wednesday/#comments Mon, 03 Sep 2012 09:00:33 +0000 jamesasmus http://jamesasmus.wordpress.com/?p=453 ]]> QUICK UPDATE / REMINDERS:

NEW SERIES (for me): THIS WEDNESDAY (9/5) sees the release of my first issue of THIEF OF THIEVES with Robert Kirkman (creator/writer Walking Dead, Invincible), Shawn Martinbrough (penciler Detective Comics), & Felix Serrano (colorist Generation X).

I’m deliriously proud to be a part of this awesome book from Image Comics / Skybound (and to be taking over this arc after the first by the bad-ass Nick Spencer) – and I think this issue is one of the strongest comics I’ve written!

The first collected volume (issues #1-7 scripted by Nick Spencer) will be available Wed in your comic shops –  or you can order it from Amazon HERE.  I genuinely recommend the book if you like cool, smart crime character pieces.

SIGNING IN ANAHEIM w/ CLAY MANN! – ALSO this Wed, I’ll be signing comics (or whatever you want, really) at Beach Ball Comics in Anaheim.  GAMBIT artist extraordinaire, Clay Mann, will be there too!  This is a very rare west-coast appearance by Clay – so you should make your way over (or get someone to come by on your behalf).  He’s even taking commissions for a few sketches if you can beat the cut-off HERE.

GAMBIT issues #1 AND #2 are OUT NOW.  If you haven’t picked them up yet, come by (or send a Southern California friend) and get a signed copy of the sexy cool goodness we’re cooking up

And while we’re at it, here’s some preview art from issue #3 – out 9/12!!

First off: THANK YOU infinitely to all those who picked up GAMBIT #1 and/or recommended it to Remy-loving friend and/or came out to say hi and offer enthusiasm at one of the signings or on Twitter! (!!!)

*  *  *  * INTERVIEWS *  *  *  *

Now if you have read it, and wanted to hear some behind-the-scenes thinking, teases for the future, and/or my thoughts on other stuff – you’re in luck!! I’ve been talking to a lot of folks lately:

• an hour-long chat with the wonderful Kieron Gillen (writer; Uncanny X-Men, Generation Hope, Phonogram) for his podcast Decompressed.  This one really centers on the choices and process of creating the book.
• a brief interview I did with ComicVine.com
• a long-form interview podcast with Cultural Wormhole (with plenty of Gen Hope talk, too)
• a more moderate length discussion with LairCast (includes Thief of Thieves talk)
• and a quick riff with Comixology’s podcast

*  *  *  * SIGNING with CLAY MANN in ANAHEIM *  *  *  *

On SEPTEMBER 5th I’ll be in Anaheim signing at BEACH BALL COMICS – WITH ARTIST CLAY MANN!

Also, by virtue of the later date, that means Gambit #1, #2 AND my first issue of THIEF OF THIEVES should be available!

More details soon…

*  *  *  *  HOW & WHY TO GET GAMBIT #1 *  *  *  *

If you can’t make the signing – you can still get a copy from: your local retailer, read it on your computer through ComiXology.com, on your iPad/Android tablet/KindleFire through the ComiXology or Marvel apps, or just dive in with a subscription to 12 months delivered to your door!

And if you’re still on the fence about getting the book, here’s:

• 3 preview pages (with slight spoilers)
• Newsarama telling you to pick up the book
• ComicVine telling you to pick up the book
• MajorSpoilers telling you to pick up the book

]]> https://jamesasmus.wordpress.com/2012/07/24/gambit-signing-more/feed/ 0 0.000000 0.000000 0.000000 0.000000 jamesasmus https://jamesasmus.wordpress.com/2012/07/01/where-to-find-me-at-sdcc/ https://jamesasmus.wordpress.com/2012/07/01/where-to-find-me-at-sdcc/#comments Sun, 01 Jul 2012 02:43:06 +0000 jamesasmus http://jamesasmus.wordpress.com/?p=436 ]]> It’s that time of year again! San Diego Comic Con.  And it’s a zoo. So if you’re hoping to run into someone specific, you better know where to to find them.

Here’s my hand-shaking, book-signing, question-answering schedule as it stands now…

THURSDAY: 4:30-5:30pm – MARVEL COMICS: Next Big Thing Panel, Room 6DE

SATURDAY: 3:00-4:00 Take to the Sky: Skybound and the Next Generation of Independence— Things continue to look up for Skybound, Robert Kirkman’s imprint at Image Comics. The premiere original Witch Doctor has sold out nationwide, the all-ages hit Super Dinosaur continues to soar, and Kirkman’s first-ever writer’s room-driven crime drama, Thief of Thieves, is a critical success…what’s next? Join Robert Kirkman as he discusses the future of the imprint with his stable of creators, including the creative teams behind Witch Doctor, Thief of Thieves, and more! Expect only AWESOMENESS. Moderated by Sina Grace. Room 25ABC

FRI- SUNDAY: SIGNINGS @ MARVEL BOOTH – #2329

Friday – 12-1pm

Saturday – 2pm- 3 pm

Sunday - 3 to 4 pm

Awesomely – word is that Marvel will be giving out a comic with first previews of several books, including GAMBIT!  So bring stuff you already have of mine for a signing – or just come up and I’ll have this sneak peek jam comic!

There’s even an interview about the book over at Marvel.com and some unlettered preview pages!  Like THESE…

PSYCHONAUT LIBRARIANS is a trippy, pulpy, heartfelt comedy that I co-wrote with the award-winning New York playwright (and friend) CRYSTAL SKILLMAN!

The show was developed with director (and concept creator) Sean Kelly and with The New Colony.  We were invited to devise this one-act play version of the concept for COLLABORACTION‘s annual SKETCHBOOK festival.  It’s been a wonderful chance to experiment and play in creating a madcap piece of pop theater for the broad and energetic crowd that Collaboraction cultivates.

I had a blast working with this  incredible cast.  New Colony starts its process by letting the writers work through improv and character-exploration workshops with the actors.  And this crew was particularly hilarious and emotionally genuine.  I like to think that Crystal and I captured some of their best qualities and worked them into the piece.

Anyway – if you’re in Chicago (or will be) and you like theater (or you’re willing to give an un-stuffy set of new works a try) YOU SHOULD GO GET TICKETS FOR OUR SHOW!!

RANDOM ADDITIONAL FUN-FACTS! :

• Tickets are really affordable, but there might be REALLY CHEAP tickets on GOLDSTAR.com
• Crystal also has a full length play running in Chicago right now!  WILD! <- (that’s the name)
• “Psychonaut” is a REAL WORD!
• Crystal Skillman is the wife of fellow (awesome) comic book writer – FRED VAN LENTE!

In fact, you can read the initial announcement in The Hollywood Reporter with some great quotes & info about the series.

The book is the latest smart, surprising, and utterly cool comic from Robert Kirkman (creator/writer of Walking Dead & Invincible among others).  He created the world, characters, and story – and he’s co-plotting the series with a few of us rotating writers.

The current arc (available digitally or in your local comic shop) was written with Nick Spencer (creator of the hit comic Morning Glories).  I can tell you that it’s working up to a truly classic (and for me – narratively rich) finale through issues #6 & 7.  If you haven’t been reading it – you really should catch up or get the trade in September.  I also have to mention that Shawn Martinbrough is doing art for every issue of the book and absolutely delivers a cinematic cool that brings the characters and the danger to life.

I was surprised and thrilled to be asked to work on the book around the end of last year.  And one of my favorite days of my career so far was the January day spent with Kirkman and another fantastic and well-respected creator-to-be-announced-later brainstorming and fleshing out concepts and story arcs through the next three arcs of the book.  It really was like the TV writer’s room approach that Kirkman had envisioned for the series.  And it was a blast.

Both because of that brain-trust approach and the more grounded, realistic nature of Thief of Thieves – this book is going to be unlike anything I’ve written in comics.  And I am so excited for it to come out!  There’s still plenty of my instincts in the book – but I’ve been excited and inspired by both what Kirkman & Spencer have already done with the book and the concepts flying around our writer’s room.

I couldn’t be happier about getting a chance to work with Image Comics and such phenomenal collaborators.  I hope you’ll dig it, too.

The big thing to expound on (for today…) is GAMBIT! (And how you can get your hands on him…)

As announced at C2E2 – I’m writing an all new comic book series for the sexy, thieving Cajun mutant.  This book is designed to be COMPLETELY NEW-READER FRIENDLY.  We’ll be unfolding a whole new odyssey of heists, seduction, and globe-trotting high adventure for everyone who is, was, or could be interested in Gambit.

The main artist on the book is Clay Mann – who’s already won a legion of fans for his sexy and cinematic art work on X-Men: Legacy and Age of X.  He’s been doing a phenomenal job of crafting a completely engulfing world and sophisticated characters.  He’s also providing the covers for the first four issues – so you can get a sense of the world we’re building in the book:

The first TWO issues will come out in August – and if you’re interested in giving us a try – there’s THREE ways you can get the book:

1. You can reserve your copies NOW from your local comic shop! (Find yours here.)
2. You can get a year’s SUBSCRIPTION for home delivery (like a magazine) from Marvel.com for 25% off the cover price!
3. Or – the comics will be available through ComiXology or Marvel Comics apps for iPad and Android devices on the same day as publication. (Stay tuned for those links when the book is released.)

I really think this book will be something that appeals to an incredibly wide audience.  Our hope is to make this book something that a lapsed comic fan – or your girlfriend who’s just dipping her toe into comics can get hooked on (and understand the plot!).

I hope you’ll give us a shot.  There’s is a LOT of sexy cool fun coming down the pipe.

And if you’re anxious to hear more particulars about what we’ve got planned – here are some of the interviews I did around the announcement:

http://www.newsarama.com/comics/c2e2-2012-marvel-next-big-thing.html  (replay “the next big thing” panel from C2E2)
http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=38181
http://www.newsarama.com/comics/c2e2-2012-gambit-asmus-mann.html
http://www.comicvine.com/news/c2e2-interview-james-asmus-deals-gambit-a-new-deck/144571/
http://marvel.com/news/story/18542/c2e2_2012_gambit
http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=38203

More of Clay Mann’s sexy Gambit. (And Rogue. Who will make a dramatic appearance in the book a little later in the year.)

If you’re interested to know more, I talk about it all over at ComicBookResources.

From the get-go, they asked me to write 5 issues leading up to April’s big cross-over event (Avengers vs. X-Men).  I approached the gig as a chance to wrap up the major stories of the series’ first year (while also tossing in some new elements I was interested in playing with).

This did not blindside me in the least.  We’ve talked sales numbers and the fate of the book for months, so I knew this was coming before the first issue came out in shops.  I got to tell the stories that I wanted to tell as I wanted to tell them (my editors Jordan White and Nick Lowe were AWESOME collaborators).  So I am nothing but grateful!

ANYWAY – the final two issues pack a TON of pay-off into their pages!  Not just of my issues, but for folks who have been reading the whole way through.  So I hope you’ll stay on board till the end (or grab the trade).  And page 16 of the final issue is maybe the single comic moment I’m most proud of so far. {happy face emoticon}

^ Some preview art from GENERATION HOPE #16 with pencils by Takeshi Miyazawa! It’s out mid-February with the final issue (#17) out mid-March.  And they are CRAZY-COOL comics.

THANK YOU! to all the folks who have been so kind an enthused from the moment I took over through the announcement today.  Since I’m not working in live theater anymore, it’s really nice to still hear people’s responses to this stuff and know that I’m connecting.

I’ll be back SOON with some VERY BIG non-Marvel related comics news!!!  So hang tight, cool cats. {kissy face emoticon}