As with many people, my year typically starts with a promise for certain things to happen. Some years it’s exercise, others it’s to drink less caffeine, and others it’s a promise for some sort of shift on cosmic levels to make life easier. This year, none of those… I accomplished more in 2009 than I could have even dreamed on Jan 1, 2009, so for Jan 1, 2010, all I could hope for was a good year, nothing more, nothing less…. And we’re off to a great start.
If you don’t already know, I was made the Editor-in-Chief for SP! Nexus Magazine, which we re-launched last month to widespread praise. When I took it over, I had a few things in my head I wanted to accomplish and the end product was well over what I expected. Working to get the January issue out pretty soon here, which is, of course, a lot of work. I have to thank the vast array of people submitting reviews and articles to the magazine, though, because without their help and quality of work, the magazine would fall pretty flat. If you haven’t checked out the December issue, it’s not like there’s an expiration date on it, so go head over and get some entertainment and education out of it ~ http://www.selfpubmag.com.
On to other things… Faction, my little project that could, won Small Press Idol 2009. During and following the competition, there have been significant changes to the creative team for various reasons. KT, the original artist from Rounds 1 and 2 of SPI, had to drop out, so he was replaced by Arnie Gordon in rounds 3 and 4. Because of the work-load, in round 4, we added Michael Nelsen (co-founder of Carpet Bomb Comics) for colors (with plans to get help co-plotting from him later on). After winning SPI, however, we quickly realized that if we wanted to meet our personal goals for the book, we needed to get more hands in the project. So… Jon was brought on to help with inks, which was a no-brainer. I have to say, when I met him in person for the first time at So Cal Comics in San Diego, I was blown away by both his professionalism and his skills… The guy knew how to talk to talk and, obviously, how to walk the walk. His time working for Wildstorm has done wonders for him, believe me. Soon enough you’ll see what that steady hand is doing for Faction. Giuseppe was brought on recently because Michael and I have too many other things we need to be working on. We have a secret project that was picked up by a larger publisher we’re working on and have so many different things going, taking a ton of his time to color didn’t make much sense. Now, if we hadn’t found the “right” colorist, he would have done it, but Giuseppe is simply an awesome colorist, so we’re excited to have him on board. So, a little over a year ago, Faction was just a concept I had written out… at this time last year, I wasn’t even signed up for Small Press Idol! Now, it’s a four person team, we have an ongoing series planned, and we’re very excited to be moving forward.
On the Small Press Idol note, SPI 2010 is getting ready to start! Over at http://www.smallpressidol.com you can read about the rules and regs for the 2010 season, which you’ll see again in the latest issue of SP! Nexus in the next handful of days. If you haven’t done it before or even if you have, you should really check it out this time around. Unlike last year, this time it’s going to be in full color, which is great! Ian, the MC and owner of Dimestore Productions has landed some amazing color rates, so having the contest and the results in color makes perfect sense. There are also some great prizes for the winners of the competition… read about it… think on it… go do it! I learned a TON in the competition and you have simply no idea just how many people are watching what goes on in the competition.
That’s it for now!
