tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-338754342024-03-13T23:29:43.769-04:00Atomic Pulp & Other MeltdownsPersonal blog - and temporary home page until new website is built - of writer, editor and graphic artist Christopher MillsChristopher Millshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15978811373546110421noreply@blogger.comBlogger1211125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33875434.post-20012206590336875122019-01-06T01:45:00.000-05:002019-01-06T01:45:02.657-05:002019<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqcjHcadQCDmOC535UYqaloEkgjeuW3A7FAQ2EdTujkwvpg71aVCcV9dDaJIyNb-cAtTTD4aIkEU9r_nsKMkfEHy0rg1hG4NxQCGhefcst4N-Xw6CRu9zYEmzALq3shToIfSkLlw/s1600/ACTION_Ad2019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqcjHcadQCDmOC535UYqaloEkgjeuW3A7FAQ2EdTujkwvpg71aVCcV9dDaJIyNb-cAtTTD4aIkEU9r_nsKMkfEHy0rg1hG4NxQCGhefcst4N-Xw6CRu9zYEmzALq3shToIfSkLlw/s640/ACTION_Ad2019.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
I haven't updated this blog in a long time. Hopefully, sometime in the coming few months, I'll have my new <b>Atomic Pulp</b> website live with a blog incorporated into it, and will probably retire this one.<br />
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Most of my energies these days are devoted to my self-publishing projects, specifically, the <b>#AtomicAction</b> line of adventure titles starring a variety of updated public domain comics characters. The first of these, <i><b>Space Crusaders</b></i> #1, featuring <b>Dick Briefer's</b> <i>Rex Dexter of Mars</i>, will hopefully become available in a month or so, through IndieGoGo and then, IndyPlanet. I'm hoping to get several books in the line published this year.<br />
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I've also written a few more comics for an independent publisher I've worked with before, and hopefully, those will be out this year, too.<br /><br />Stay tuned.Christopher Millshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15978811373546110421noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33875434.post-24309629305825738992018-07-06T16:49:00.002-04:002018-07-06T16:49:41.647-04:00PERILS ON PLANET X - THE DEFINITIVE COLLECTION On Sale Now!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVX1-WsU7pW642ktJ0LQdT3v36POTmWSUcZExPyI2qydPuJWxIrmmBvi8ZscDxO1vX9C-wrJp3-GDu3q7vhtUl7o5BTgee8LG_CmODaktBLH_zjwsLgrOwvdzzkbt7ALNUcPuXdw/s1600/POPX_TPB_Ad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVX1-WsU7pW642ktJ0LQdT3v36POTmWSUcZExPyI2qydPuJWxIrmmBvi8ZscDxO1vX9C-wrJp3-GDu3q7vhtUl7o5BTgee8LG_CmODaktBLH_zjwsLgrOwvdzzkbt7ALNUcPuXdw/s640/POPX_TPB_Ad.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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<span data-offset-key="2g2b3-0-0"><span data-text="true">Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls... AVAILABLE AT LAST! The <i><b>PERILS ON PLANET X </b></i>Definitive Collection Trade Paperback!</span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="evsmc-0-0"><span data-text="true">This handsome 140-page tome contains the entire 2016 "Hawke of Terra" miniseries by Yours Truly & <b>Gene Gonzales</b>, all the original 2002 webcomics drawn by <b>Jon Plante</b>, a bonus story, sketchbooks and a pin-up gallery. All in Color on high-quality paper stock and available with two variant covers!</span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="522rh-0-0"><span data-text="true">Just $25 + shipping. Click on the links below to get yours TODAY! (Please SHARE and spread the word!)</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.indyplanet.us/perils-on-planet-x-the-definitive-collection-gonzales/" target="_blank"><span data-offset-key="40u6g-0-0"><span data-text="true">Gene Gonzales Cover</span></span></a></div>
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<span data-offset-key="40u6g-0-0"><span data-text="true"><a href="http://www.indyplanet.us/perils-on-planet-x-the-definitive-collection-barreto/" target="_blank">Eduardo Barreto Cover</a> </span></span></div>
Christopher Millshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15978811373546110421noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33875434.post-19112524560414072212018-05-29T18:49:00.001-04:002018-05-29T18:49:23.842-04:00Atomic Pulp/Atomic Action Presents: CROM THE BARBARIAN<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq49lmxsIuBMOrO3BI783EcN7IxtShTZZHk9Wm9QdCOOBn0Pr2Me3cn9NiINSsumc5b0fbqcTr9TO6P6zJbnWVGioZau73N8ONYDga2b_7c12yuArJRjMRTzfxFNZ9EyNMmj3cdA/s1600/CromModel1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1130" data-original-width="800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq49lmxsIuBMOrO3BI783EcN7IxtShTZZHk9Wm9QdCOOBn0Pr2Me3cn9NiINSsumc5b0fbqcTr9TO6P6zJbnWVGioZau73N8ONYDga2b_7c12yuArJRjMRTzfxFNZ9EyNMmj3cdA/s640/CromModel1.jpg" width="520" /></a></div>
The <i>Gravedigger </i>team reunites for the forthcoming "Atomic Action" title from my Atomic Pulp publishing label, <i><b>Savage Sagas</b></i>, featuring "Crom The Barbarian," based on the very first barbarian hero in comics, created by <b>Gardner F. Fox</b> and <b>John Giunta</b> in 1950. The <i>Savage Sagas</i> one-shot will feature Crom in "Where The Grim God Creeps," written by Yours Truly, penciled and inked by Eisner Award-winning artist <b>Rick Burchett</b>, and colored by industry veteran <b>Matt Webb</b>.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUD2bRcPdDupHdmdCQyYPRifHbN_wLly38xAm_nEBJIB0VNX2fLkXjqaQNDd_9DZ2S9uzBW_dKlXtu1-jhgysyLeR9Lth51sV57JjZFHynk6hSde4BMl2Q3tUf5-yTslo1Y1gASA/s1600/cromX2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="306" data-original-width="800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUD2bRcPdDupHdmdCQyYPRifHbN_wLly38xAm_nEBJIB0VNX2fLkXjqaQNDd_9DZ2S9uzBW_dKlXtu1-jhgysyLeR9Lth51sV57JjZFHynk6hSde4BMl2Q3tUf5-yTslo1Y1gASA/s640/cromX2.jpg" width="520" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vintage appearances of Crom and Cave Girl</td></tr>
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The back-up story stars <b>Gardner Fox</b> & <b>Bob Powell's</b> creation, "Cave Girl," in "The Devil Came Down The Mountain." This one is also written by me, with art by the great <b>Neil Vokes</b>, and colors by Matt. I've got a couple of terrific artists lined up for the cover(s) - I'll announce them when I'm ready to share the final cover art.<br />
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According to Rick, he always wanted to draw a sword & sorcery comic, but no one ever offered him one before. I can't wait to see pages on this! I'm planning a Kickstarter campaign for this book in the Fall, and hopefully, the book will be on sale in early '19.Christopher Millshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15978811373546110421noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33875434.post-14720864183384126002018-05-10T22:51:00.001-04:002018-06-05T16:13:58.039-04:00Atomic Pulp presents "Atomic Action" comics!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfZLAfu7h4Gfdur6aer9m1A25AYgeKmaa-GyW_hbI9yhThlzE9s1GNIuFN5a3B-y97VKXOwjGnQJtJjmz1p5KgrJvq23Ehg4h6R77_-6DZ2pHyAczXJVm2nxQqVVVwh24Q8eD_TQ/s1600/Mock-up2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfZLAfu7h4Gfdur6aer9m1A25AYgeKmaa-GyW_hbI9yhThlzE9s1GNIuFN5a3B-y97VKXOwjGnQJtJjmz1p5KgrJvq23Ehg4h6R77_-6DZ2pHyAczXJVm2nxQqVVVwh24Q8eD_TQ/s640/Mock-up2.jpg" width="500" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The "Atomic Action" version of the Black Owl in <i>Sleuth Comics</i><br />
Art by Rick Burchett</td></tr>
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<span data-offset-key="5cpf0-0-0"><span data-text="true">So, here's what's up...</span></span><br />
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<span data-offset-key="5cpf0-0-0"><span data-text="true">I'm currently planning a line of action-adventure comics featuring my own versions of some old, public domain comic book heroes. My goal is to take characters from the 1940s and re-invent them in a 1970s-1980s style -- which was my favorite era of comics. </span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="6bmej-0-0"><span data-text="true">I've been struggling in the comic industry with limited success for 30 years or so, and now I just want to make the kind of comics I loved as a kid. So I'm doing it - and self-publishing under the Atomic Pulp imprint.</span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="34sdn-0-0"><span data-text="true">The first of these titles is <b><i>SPACE CRUSADERS</i></b>™, which I've talked about a lot (for a lot of years) and is pretty well along. The first issue features "Rex Dexter of Mars," created by <b>Dick Briefer</b>, with art by <b>Peter Grau</b>. Issue #2 features "Star Pirate" from <i>PLANET COMICS</i>, drawn by my <i>Femme Noir</i> co-creator, <b>Joe Staton</b>. I'm hoping to do a third issue with <b>Basil Wolverton's</b> "Spacehawk."</span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="39bam-0-0"><span data-text="true">The second title - which I expect to be a one-shot - is <b><i>SLEUTH COMICS</i></b>™, featuring the "Black Owl" from <i>PRIZE COMICS</i>. Too early to announce the artist yet, but the guy I'm talking to is a great talent and would be a terrific choice for this. Fingers crossed.</span></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhh1VEkBPIY2aMw0BaYH-yD42O7nb9GUU7IZq5s7ypKveBTzeDS6ZjtQiSjuiEApUYmehub3FOXsMO3gNHMZWOjypKE_98ZQe8ks7Df3tNJLxnlLMf7IZY0w1m93WYo5tnHiqGSQ/s1600/prize%252Bcomics.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="939" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhh1VEkBPIY2aMw0BaYH-yD42O7nb9GUU7IZq5s7ypKveBTzeDS6ZjtQiSjuiEApUYmehub3FOXsMO3gNHMZWOjypKE_98ZQe8ks7Df3tNJLxnlLMf7IZY0w1m93WYo5tnHiqGSQ/s640/prize%252Bcomics.jpg" width="468" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The original 1940's version of the Black Owl</td></tr>
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<span data-offset-key="91hmg-0-0"><span data-text="true">The third (also a one-shot and the final one planned for now) is <i><b>SAVAGE SAGAS</b></i>™, featuring the very first comic book barbarian hero - <b>Gardner Fox's</b> "Crom The Barbarian!" The artist on this will be my <i>Gravedigger </i>collaborator, the great <b>Rick Burchett</b>, with a cover by former <i>Savage Sword of Conan</i> artist, my old <i>Shadow House</i> partner-in-crime, <b>Fred Harper</b>. This will also include a back-up story featuring Fox's "Cave Girl," illustrated by <b>Neil Vokes</b>!</span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="abe7g-0-0"><span data-text="true">These titles will be all-ages in the way that mainstream comics used to be. No swearing, no nudity, with PG violence. You'll be able to recognize them right away from the retro trade dress and the "Atomic Action" stamp of approval.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQwIIHo5dMrs1VAIgeEGdRljKbJIyyyqbVsaaJUBmt5Tmc47V9u9OqduQPljYyzreRmhuQSVzayACIZc5IUppctxkonwC_OYqv3NbUO6r1mAy3-5XHxIoIuOLhEm2YQjusvWGCDw/s1600/CodeLG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="627" data-original-width="500" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQwIIHo5dMrs1VAIgeEGdRljKbJIyyyqbVsaaJUBmt5Tmc47V9u9OqduQPljYyzreRmhuQSVzayACIZc5IUppctxkonwC_OYqv3NbUO6r1mAy3-5XHxIoIuOLhEm2YQjusvWGCDw/s400/CodeLG.jpg" width="318" /></a></div>
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<span data-offset-key="777c2-0-0"><span data-text="true">When will these books come out? Not for a while. But I'm hoping to have all of them written over the Summer and in production by the Fall. </span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="36a8b-0-0"><span data-text="true">And keep an eye out, because I'll probably be running Kickstarter campaigns for each of these titles, beginning in a couple of months. So, if you're a fan of my work, or these are the kinds of comics you want to read, you'll have an opportunity to help make 'em a reality. In fact, I need pretty every fan of my work to help back these, or they'll probably never see the light of day.</span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="cfcp9-0-0"><span data-text="true">Stay tuned...</span></span></div>
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Christopher Millshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15978811373546110421noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33875434.post-71437784738596306242018-04-13T03:24:00.000-04:002018-04-13T03:24:03.855-04:00PERILS ON PLANET X Collection Coming Soon<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH4D5yc9gBtnZ57REn5FSuib-snGMDKGTmmHvbXrOxHjBvhf6RZqtzf4pdrU5FuotMeVGRdyHn6Dc-VrQ7eHd97LNaDVsmwBtOAQ2tioublUX5xufKl-z-NqjSYXb7fw_ZZyflFg/s1600/POPX_TPB_CVR_B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH4D5yc9gBtnZ57REn5FSuib-snGMDKGTmmHvbXrOxHjBvhf6RZqtzf4pdrU5FuotMeVGRdyHn6Dc-VrQ7eHd97LNaDVsmwBtOAQ2tioublUX5xufKl-z-NqjSYXb7fw_ZZyflFg/s640/POPX_TPB_CVR_B.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="_5pbx userContent _3576" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="js_fc">
So,
I was hoping to have the <i><b>Perils On Planet X: The Definitive Collection</b></i>
trade paperback available for purchase this month, but I got sidetracked
by other projects (and my office has been uncomfortably cold for the last several weeks<span class="_47e3 _5mfr" title="smile emoticon"><span class="_7oe"></span></span> and I've been avoiding it). Now, I'm aiming for a late May-early June release. The book is
shaping up nicely - I just received <b>Gene Gonzales'</b> beautiful new cover art (the
book will also be available with a variant cover by the late <b>Eduardo
Barreto</b>) - and will include all three issues of the "Hawke of Terra"
miniseries, all of the 2002 webcomics by <b>Jon Plante</b>, sketchbook and gallery features... and more.<br />
<br />
So, if you're one of the three people who've been pestering me for a
collection for the past few years, start saving your pennies now! This
one's gonna cost you!</div>
Christopher Millshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15978811373546110421noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33875434.post-44520857154917214162018-03-25T05:00:00.000-04:002018-03-25T05:00:45.029-04:00Bar Harbor Comic Con 2018<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5LSux4Y_TroOry9AxoNybG9UeNubfgWY-xNeeR75cZ4yMKaQCrwFZkBZjjE-t96bPNnwZLFB9Vc7Am0LanGlBvwPfi5G3b4SrdkESqUmdUbCZTZQMci5fKniaiAWdvYP2lUbHvA/s1600/3_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5LSux4Y_TroOry9AxoNybG9UeNubfgWY-xNeeR75cZ4yMKaQCrwFZkBZjjE-t96bPNnwZLFB9Vc7Am0LanGlBvwPfi5G3b4SrdkESqUmdUbCZTZQMci5fKniaiAWdvYP2lUbHvA/s400/3_n.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
On April 28th, I'll be appearing at the second annual <a href="https://www.barharborcomiccon.com/" target="_blank"><b>Bar Harbor Comic Con</b></a> at the Atlantic Oceanside Hotel And Event Center in Bar Harbor, Maine, where I'm looking forward to seeing some of my old Alpha Productions cronies, as well as creator pals <b>Jay Piscopo, Amanda Kahl, Mort Todd</b> and <b>Paul Pelletier</b>, among others.<br />
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Last year's show was a blast - probably the best 1-day regional con I've
ever attended! Looking forward to heading back downeast in a few
weeks...Christopher Millshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15978811373546110421noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33875434.post-88716733381637754832018-03-18T14:41:00.002-04:002018-03-22T19:04:24.481-04:00Coming This Summer<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL-nvrQ5sEOLKFmXkvteZT5xKnTGwpXO-L_nsgWDNsJBBjdmWRWI0yOOoIGIYb6VSE7VZtHnHy9NlRNV00UcW-n29ecLto3SG8dz1cYCK4a8BiUEEnGx9Fl_0WDbLBVtARA09OGA/s1600/CarsonV1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="625" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL-nvrQ5sEOLKFmXkvteZT5xKnTGwpXO-L_nsgWDNsJBBjdmWRWI0yOOoIGIYb6VSE7VZtHnHy9NlRNV00UcW-n29ecLto3SG8dz1cYCK4a8BiUEEnGx9Fl_0WDbLBVtARA09OGA/s640/CarsonV1.jpg" width="416" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">Cover art by Mike Wolfer and Ceci de la Cruz.</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It's been a long time since I last updated this site. It's not because I haven't been working on things. I'm simply trying to not announce stuff that isn't complete or have a concrete print date anymore. Too many times I've announced projects that I was working on, only to never have them materialize. <br />
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I've written two <b>Edgar Rice Burroughs</b>-based comics for <a href="https://www.americanmythology.net/" target="_blank"><b>American Mythology Productions</b></a> - <i><b>Carson of Venus</b></i> #1 and <i><b>The Moon Maid</b></i> #1. The two
books make up the first two chapters in American Mythology's "Fear On
Four Worlds" ERB crossover event (tying in with their existing <i><b>Land That Time Forgot</b></i> and <i><b>Pellucidar </b></i>books), and if sales warrant, they will be
followed up by new miniseries. <i><b>Carson</b></i> is scheduled for June, and <i><b>Moon Maid</b></i> for July.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRralV5aZd2u0ptwOey7nQraem1Uleop_Dri9wvmwBihzuTNGHTPo4_3q5F7eQZPb6kb972PgRDfD8iuWMCE35J32MRmuxgjfIcnV5Lc4lcYlwyUDOYot1EApQEhZXKlQGzn_3wQ/s1600/MM_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="623" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRralV5aZd2u0ptwOey7nQraem1Uleop_Dri9wvmwBihzuTNGHTPo4_3q5F7eQZPb6kb972PgRDfD8iuWMCE35J32MRmuxgjfIcnV5Lc4lcYlwyUDOYot1EApQEhZXKlQGzn_3wQ/s640/MM_01.jpg" width="414" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">Cover art by Mike Wolfer and Ceci de la Cruz.</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
If you can, <b>PLEASE </b>pre-order these from your local comics shop -
otherwise, they may not stock them. Diamond Order Code for <i><b>Carson of Venus</b></i> is <b>APR181254 </b>for the Main Cover and <b>APR181255 </b>for the <b>Cyrus Mesarcia</b> variant cover.<br />
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Hopefully, sales on these will justify American Mythology following them up with new miniseries. I hope so, because I'd really like to write them (and could use the work!). In particular, I've already got some great ideas (I think) for a <i><b>Carson Of Venus</b></i> miniseries...Christopher Millshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15978811373546110421noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33875434.post-3036274395308363212017-09-30T23:27:00.002-04:002017-09-30T23:27:31.087-04:00TASK FORCE ALPHA @ Portland Comic Expo 2017<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjraTWOE_ooy9gGUxXlfMMIrIXRe27hWTJb83K4DKEHHlpG7gRiiqPHnUWfl61I0wLJvALlVWQ2t8T_BEDNHHdVPw0XXqBSMjxR587kR7nzr9phemOdIEUNnuPRQGdVLGyihwWqAQ/s1600/TFA_Trade_CVR_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="700" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjraTWOE_ooy9gGUxXlfMMIrIXRe27hWTJb83K4DKEHHlpG7gRiiqPHnUWfl61I0wLJvALlVWQ2t8T_BEDNHHdVPw0XXqBSMjxR587kR7nzr9phemOdIEUNnuPRQGdVLGyihwWqAQ/s640/TFA_Trade_CVR_1.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span data-offset-key="d1h0l-0-0"><span data-text="true">Here's the final cover to TASK FORCE ALPHA: FORGED IN FIRE, a superhero graphic novel originally written and drawn in the early 90s - but never published. It is getting a special, convention exclusive premiere at the <b><a href="http://www.portlandcomicexpo.com/" target="_blank">Portland Comic Expo</a>, Sunday, October 29th, at the Portland Expo Building in Portland, Maine.</b></span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="a6ntc-0-0"><span data-text="true">I wrote the main story, which was illustrated by the amazing <b>Paul Pelletier</b>. The volume includes a few back-up stories, too, with contributions from many talented creators..</span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="5712j-0-0"><span data-text="true">I am proud to be part of this, and want to thank publisher </span></span><b><span class="_247o" data-offset-key="5712j-1-0" spellcheck="false"><span data-offset-key="5712j-1-0"><span data-text="true">Leni S. Gronros</span></span></span></b><span data-offset-key="5712j-2-0"><span data-text="true"> for the opportunity to return to this project and help make it a reality after 25 years.</span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="d7kd5-0-0"><span data-text="true">Hopefully, the book will get a wider release sometime soon after the con.</span></span></div>
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Christopher Millshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15978811373546110421noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33875434.post-4095838884986494772017-08-08T00:31:00.000-04:002017-08-08T00:31:07.861-04:00Step One<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I'm currently outlining two comic book miniseries/graphic novels. Hopefully, I'll start writing the script for the first of them before the end of the month. Then, with luck, <b>Rick Burchett</b> will eventually draw them. Fingers crossed (even though it slows down my typing).<br /><br />And I haven't given up on my novel; I expect to get back to it in the Fall.Christopher Millshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15978811373546110421noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33875434.post-32235413898903456222017-03-29T18:43:00.000-04:002017-09-30T23:21:52.831-04:00Rising from The Ashes: TASK FORCE ALPHA<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Back in the early 90s, I wrote my first - and to date, only - traditional superhero comic. I was working on staff as an editor and production manager for Maine-based indy comics publisher <b>Alpha Productions</b> (check out the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/alphaproductionscomics/" target="_blank">Facebook Page</a> for more info & pix) and, after a few years of steady B&W comics production, we were planning to move up into full-color publishing with our own, extensive superhero universe. We had big plans. Multitudes of characters and an elaborate backstory to set up our "Terra Alpha" universe. Ultimately, only the first two-issue <i><b>Task Force Alpha </b></i>miniseries was completed...<br />
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The pencils were by <b>Paul Pelletier</b>, who many of you might know from his
past couple of decades' DC and Marvel work on titles like <i>Nova, Guardians Of The Galaxy, Aquaman</i>, etc. He was clearly a major
talent even then. Back-up stories were created, designed to flesh-out and add to our new "universe," showcasing the writing and drawing talents of a number of then-young talents, including <b>Mitch Byrd</b> and Alpha Productions jack-of-all-trades, <b>Bob Cram, Jr</b>. <br />
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Sadly, it was never published.<br />
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Around that time, there was a major upheaval in the way that comic books were distributed to retailers. After a failed attempt by Marvel Comics to control their own distribution, the major publishers were obliged to sign exclusive deals with the big distribution companies, forcing all the other smaller, regional distributors out of business. They disappeared virtually overnight, owing vast quantities of money to dozens of publishers... including Alpha Productions. The financial blow was devastating. Not only did Alpha Productions have to cancel the <i>Task Force Alpha</i> title and related projects, but it was forced to shut down operations completely.<br />
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The Alpha Productions crew scattered to the winds, and aside from a few brief intersections over the decades, I didn't see any of my Alpha Productions colleagues for around 22 years or so. In February, publisher <b>Leni Gronros</b>, Bob, Paul and I had dinner at a local diner, and five hours later, we'd agreed that the unpublished <i><b>Task Force Alpha: Forged In Fire</b></i> miniseries needed to be completed and released.<br />
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Fortunately, Paul still had all of his original artwork for the main story, and between the rest of us, we were able to dig up the back-up stories that were intended to accompany the main feature. Honestly, after almost a quarter-century, I didn't remember half of this stuff - even the stuff I wrote or created! Fortunately, after reading the story this past weekend for the first time since '94-'95, I'm pleased to say that I think it holds up.<br />
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It's a product of its time, no question. The designs, the dated pop culture references, the "edgy" dialogue with scattered nuggets of mild profanity, all speak of its origins in the Nineties. But it's solid work. I think that, creatively, it stands on equal footing with the other superhero launches of the era, from publishers like Dark Horse and Malibu, even if we didn't have "name" creators. <br />
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We're shooting to have the book available by late October. Right now, the only sticking point is paying to have it colored, and we're exploring our options on that. It was, after all, intended to be in color, and it would be nice to pull that off.<br />
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Right now we're in the process of scanning and cleaning up all of the artwork, finishing a few pages that were abandoned back in the day, and collating material. The plan is to include all of the story pages that were completed, and fill out the book with stuff like some equally-unseen pin-ups, character designs, and the like, along with an essay or two to put the project in its proper historical context.<br />
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As it comes together, I'll post updates here. If this sounds like something you'd like to buy and read, sound off in the comments!Christopher Millshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15978811373546110421noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33875434.post-34503277679842563902017-03-21T12:07:00.003-04:002017-03-21T12:07:49.438-04:00This Weekend: Bar Harbor Comic Con<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This Saturday, I'll be downeast at the <b>Bar Harbor Comic Con</b>. It's a one-day show to benefit a local charity, the Park Street Playground Project. It will be held at the Atlantic Oceanside Hotel & Event Center, in Bar Harbor, Maine.<br />
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I'm looking forward to it because it's turned into a reunion of sorts for the core creators of Alpha Productions, a small, independent comic book publisher that I worked for between 1990 and 1995. Publisher/owner <b>Leni Gronros</b> will be there with his replica KITT automobile from <i>Knight Rider</i>. Art Director <b>Paul Pelletier</b>, who has since gone on to a prolific career drawing comics for both Marvel & DC, will be there. Editor <b>Bob Cram</b> will be there with his novel <i>The Monster War</i>. and our Marketing guy, <b>Rick Lowell</b>, will be there as a dealer, Casablanca Comics. <br />
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Other guests include <b>Gigi Edgley</b>, the Australian actress who portrayed Chiana on the terrific space opera TV series, <i>Farscape</i>, and science fiction author <b>Barry B. Longyear</b>, whose short story, <i>Enemy Mine</i>, was adapted into a fun movie back in the 80s. There will also be many other authors, comics creators, cosplayers and musicians.<br />
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It's a first-time show and a bit off the beaten track, so I don't know how it's going to go; I'm just looking forward to a fun afternoon with some old friends and new. If you happen to be in the area, come on over. It's for a good cause.<br />
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<br />Christopher Millshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15978811373546110421noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33875434.post-43398155773064442782017-02-12T03:28:00.001-05:002017-02-12T03:29:06.289-05:00John Wick Reloaded<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I'm not a Keanu fan. But I loved <i>John Wick</i> and the surreal, ultraviolent comic book-like world the filmmakers created. I can't wait to see the sequel. By the way, this is a hell of a cool poster, ain't it?Christopher Millshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15978811373546110421noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33875434.post-87676507488820196492016-12-31T02:31:00.000-05:002016-12-31T02:31:26.328-05:00Writing Plans<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
My 2017 <b>writing </b>plans:<br />
<br />
On Monday, January 1st, 2017, I start writing what I hope
will be the first in a series of 70's pop-styled, space war action
novels, tentatively titled <i>Raid on Inferno</i>. I have it loosely outlined -
I've found in the past that if I do too much planning I feel stifled in
the writing, and this time I want to try and keep it loose. I'm
psyching myself up for it now.<span class="_47e3 _5mfr" title="wink emoticon"><span class="_7oe">) My intention is to self-publish under the Atomic Pulp imprint through Amazon's program as both e-books and paperbacks. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="_47e3 _5mfr" title="wink emoticon"><span class="_7oe">This is a big change in direction for me as I have almost exclusively only written comic books (and it's pretty much all I've ever wanted to write) and short fiction under 5,000 words. But my only two active comics projects (noted below) have stalled out or been postponed indefinitely, and while I'll keep plugging away at them, I've decided that it's time to try a different medium.</span></span><br />
<span class="_47e3 _5mfr" title="wink emoticon"><span class="_7oe"><br /></span></span>
<span class="_47e3 _5mfr" title="wink emoticon"><span class="_7oe">I'm nervous as hell about the idea of writing long-form prose, and as I struggle constantly with ADD and poor self-discipline, I'm worried that I won't be able to focus on a single project long enough to complete even a short novel. But I've been receiving a lot of encouragement and support from my friends and fans on Facebook, and I'm going to give it my best shot.</span></span><br />
<br />
I've also "dusted off" the first few chapters of my hardboiled fantasy mystery novel, <i>The Sorcerer's Detective</i><span class="text_exposed_show">,
and done some more outlining on that, too. I plan on keeping that on a
side burner (so to speak) so if I get bogged down on the space opera, I
can maybe switch over to the fantasy for a while.</span><br />
<div class="text_exposed_show">
<br />
I still have some <i>Space Crusaders</i> comics script writing to do, so I
have that to fit in, and if <i>Gravedigger</i> starts up again, I'll have some
more to write there, as well.<br />
<br />
In terms of time, I should easily accomplish all of that (the only real benefit of being essentially unemployable<span class="_47e3 _5mfr" title="wink emoticon"><span class="_7oe"></span></span>). But it's discipline/focus that I have trouble with, so we'll see how well I deal with those issues in the New Year.</div>
Christopher Millshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15978811373546110421noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33875434.post-38340789263247286372016-12-30T02:16:00.000-05:002016-12-31T02:16:52.421-05:00Looking Forward, Not Back<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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2016 was, as most of us will agree, a pretty awful year in many ways. For me, it was a year of frustration, a lot of wheel-spinning, and anxiety about national and world events. But we have to look forward, and in that spirit, here are my general life goals for 2017:<br />
<br />
Lose weight. A lot of weight. (Necessary for my continued survival.)<br />
<br />
Write a novel. If possible, more than one. <br />
<div class="text_exposed_show">
<br />
Keep plugging away on the <i>Space Crusaders</i> graphic novel and the <i>Gravedigger </i>sequel. (Hopefully, my collaborators will do the same.<span class="_47e3 _5mfr" title="wink emoticon"><span class="_7oe"></span></span> )<br />
<br />
Try not to let my anxieties about the state of the country and planet consume me. This is going to be the toughest of all....</div>
Christopher Millshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15978811373546110421noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33875434.post-60758052007230184482016-11-10T00:17:00.000-05:002016-11-10T00:17:40.102-05:00New Blu-rays!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg__iZ6swfbtAbssfck6RmWa6dP9f3jpmS5_w1qhEmgACGHucc8v7_GM_XrZ0hpSRwt705xkrIWkAMKVl28BLPQhRDHxzY5zSIY9-RKb9k0C_hl2J8EHMYWbzKwu4uAqzvdI7c0bA/s1600/Untitled-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg__iZ6swfbtAbssfck6RmWa6dP9f3jpmS5_w1qhEmgACGHucc8v7_GM_XrZ0hpSRwt705xkrIWkAMKVl28BLPQhRDHxzY5zSIY9-RKb9k0C_hl2J8EHMYWbzKwu4uAqzvdI7c0bA/s1600/Untitled-1.jpg" /></a></div>
So, I picked up a few Blu-rays last night, and with store credit, it only cost about $7 for the bunch.<br />
<br />
The new Scream Factory special edition of John Carpenter's <i>The Thing</i> is
stunning, and the supplemental material is damn-near exhaustive.
Hopefully, I'll never have to buy this one again.<span class="_47e3" title="wink emoticon"><span class="_7oe"></span></span><br />
<br />
<i>Batman: The Return Of The Caped Crusaders</i> is a lot of fun, though I
found the actual animation to be underwhelming and kinda
TV-cheap-looking.<br />
<br />
<div class="text_exposed_show">
<i>Cat's Eye</i> is a nostalgic 80s favorite and looks great on Blu.<br />
<br />
Kino-Lorber's Blu-ray of <i>I, The Jury</i> is a bit of a disappointment,
though. It looks like it was sourced from the same material as the
manufactured-on-demand DVD from a few years ago. There's a marginal
uptick visually from the SD version, but it really should have been
re-scanned and remastered.</div>
Christopher Millshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15978811373546110421noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33875434.post-75935109121180245392016-11-09T11:00:00.000-05:002016-11-09T13:10:07.459-05:00Wednesday Covers: The Expendables<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij_ysup0n6Gtq5gIVo908WZHkCmolwODZZTJXA0XU6_dWti0Ucx4mUy1QnIwBFBUIRI2lG4NbazCvaSO9AzeBofZMz0VXR3jdARpXvYUB7XleT1V0Ussr9ZpOHiXNI3GN0PLi61w/s1600/richard-avery-edmund-cooper-the-deathworms-of-kratos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij_ysup0n6Gtq5gIVo908WZHkCmolwODZZTJXA0XU6_dWti0Ucx4mUy1QnIwBFBUIRI2lG4NbazCvaSO9AzeBofZMz0VXR3jdARpXvYUB7XleT1V0Ussr9ZpOHiXNI3GN0PLi61w/s640/richard-avery-edmund-cooper-the-deathworms-of-kratos.jpg" width="370" /></a></div>
No, not <i>those </i>Expendables. These Expendables were a group of rogue space adventurers created by author <b>Edmund Cooper</b> (under the pen name of "Richard Avery") back in the 1970s. The four book series was published by Fawcett, and all the volumes sported terrific cover art by <b>Ken Kelly</b>. Enjoy!<br />
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<br />Christopher Millshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15978811373546110421noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33875434.post-3704381055507439802016-10-27T22:58:00.000-04:002016-10-27T22:58:11.611-04:00Bangorefest This Weekend<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This weekend, I'll be attending my second convention in less than a week: <a href="http://www.bangorefest.com/home-1.html" target="_blank"><b>Bangorefest </b></a>in Bangor, Maine. Well, technically, it's in Orono at the University of Maine's New Balance Field House, October 28 through the 30th. I'll be there on Saturday and Sunday, hawking my various comics and hopefully, scoring an autographed Twiki photo from <b>Felix Silla</b>.<br />
<br />
The horror-themed show will host a slew of actors and other genre celebrities, including most of the cast of John Carpenter's 1983 film adaptation of Stephen King's <i>Christine</i>. Hell, even the <i>car </i>will be there.<br />
<br />
If you're in Central Maine this weekend, I hope you'll stop by.Christopher Millshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15978811373546110421noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33875434.post-49248505442693360562016-10-10T17:38:00.002-04:002016-10-10T17:38:47.480-04:00Portland Comic Expo - Oct. 23<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span data-offset-key="865n0-0-0"><span data-text="true">On
Sunday, October 23rd, I'll be exhibiting at the Portland Comic Expo at the
Portland Exposition Building in Portland, Maine. Admission is only $5. (<a href="http://www.portlandcomicexpo.com/">http://www.portlandcomicexpo.com/</a>) </span></span>
<br />
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<span data-offset-key="d1c5b-0-0"><span data-text="true">At both shows,
I'll have copies of my <i>Femme Noir, Gravedigger, Shadow House, Perils On Planet X</i> and <i>Kolchak </i>comics - as well as the pulp anthologies I've
contributed to and the new <i>Gravedigger </i>mini-poster - for sale. </span></span></div>
</div>
Christopher Millshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15978811373546110421noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33875434.post-87685267324507392042016-09-28T16:31:00.000-04:002016-09-28T16:31:07.419-04:00GRAVEDIGGER Poster<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXwmWA3wvSNo-DiDyPPKOQfKPvTY1Mnl-ztRBfkL4ffEGPhxdec8hmP8ppUlBDyNQW6oxbYYGMAK912kgOg5O0NQMTcywrmhHA6P0bJb0q3-XhdIajCqGECsXH-hHszI7_jy0ZJA/s1600/Poster_00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXwmWA3wvSNo-DiDyPPKOQfKPvTY1Mnl-ztRBfkL4ffEGPhxdec8hmP8ppUlBDyNQW6oxbYYGMAK912kgOg5O0NQMTcywrmhHA6P0bJb0q3-XhdIajCqGECsXH-hHszI7_jy0ZJA/s640/Poster_00.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">Here's a new <i>Gravedigger </i>mini-poster by <b>Rick Burchett</b> that I hope to have available for sale at the <b>Portland Comic Expo</b> and <b>Bangorefest</b> conventions in October (if I can get them printed in time).<br /> <br /> Obviously, we were going for a 70s crime movie poster vibe.<br /> <br /> Note also, the first official use of the new logo!</span></span>Christopher Millshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15978811373546110421noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33875434.post-16034346904832714012016-09-24T12:38:00.001-04:002016-09-24T23:48:50.200-04:00October Appearances: Portland Comic Expo & Bangorefest!<br />
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<span data-offset-key="865n0-0-0"><span data-text="true">In about a month, on October 23rd, I'll be exhibiting at the Portland Comic Expo at the Portland Exposition Building in Portland, Maine. Admission is only $5. (<a href="http://www.portlandcomicexpo.com/">http://www.portlandcomicexpo.com/</a>) </span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="2g6fp-0-0"><span data-text="true">Less than a week later, I'll be appearing at BANGOREFEST at the University of Maine in Orono. (<a href="http://www.bangorefest.com/">http://www.bangorefest.com/</a>) on Saturday and Sunday, October 29 & 30.</span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="e4hb7-0-0"><span data-text="true">Evidently, I'm not notable enough to appear on either website, but I <i>will </i>be at both events.</span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="d1c5b-0-0"><span data-text="true">At both shows, I'll have copies of my FEMME NOIR, GRAVEDIGGER, SHADOW HOUSE, PERILS ON PLANET X and KOLCHAK comics - as well as the pulp anthologies I've contributed to - for sale. </span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="ciqq1-0-0"><span data-text="true">It's going to be a hectic month. Hopefully, I'll get to see some of my New England friends (and maybe make some new ones) in Portland and/or Bangor in October!</span></span></div>
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Christopher Millshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15978811373546110421noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33875434.post-17541667137399048862016-09-23T23:18:00.002-04:002016-09-23T23:18:56.690-04:00New GRAVEDIGGER Logo<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Decided that <i>Gravedigger </i>needed a new, more 70s logo. You'll be seeing it on the next miniseries and a few other places...Christopher Millshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15978811373546110421noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33875434.post-53577639495542454732016-09-17T00:25:00.002-04:002016-09-17T00:25:29.223-04:00My Future Comics Plans<span></span><br />
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<span data-offset-key="a5hsm-0-0"><span data-text="true">People keep asking about whether or not there will be future installments of <i>Femme Noir</i> and <i>Perils On Planet X</i>. The short answer: there's nothing planned.</span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="do5li-0-0"><span data-text="true"><b>Joe Staton</b> and I did have a </span></span><span data-offset-key="do5li-0-0"><span data-text="true"><span><span data-offset-key="a5hsm-0-0"><span data-text="true"><i>Femme Noir</i></span></span></span> miniseries in the works, and had it pretty much ready to go. We even thought we had a major publisher lined up... but it fell through. Other publishers were approached and seemed mildly interested, but offered no commitments. With Joe's <i>Dick Tracy</i> workload, it's not practical to produce a four-issue miniseries on spec, so....</span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="5r6l7-0-0"><span data-text="true">As for </span></span><span data-offset-key="5r6l7-0-0"><span data-text="true"><span><span data-offset-key="a5hsm-0-0"><span data-text="true"><i>Perils On Planet X</i></span></span></span>, we simply haven't sold enough copies of the first miniseries for <b>Gene Gonzales</b> and I to feel that a second would be worth our while. I'm still trying to get the existing issues on Comixology and may put together a trade paperback collection, so if there's a spike in interest/sales it's not impossible that we'll get to produce Volumes 2 and 3, but it's not very likely.</span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="5r6l7-0-0"><span data-text="true">So, what <i>is </i>in the works? </span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="jb95-0-0"><span data-text="true">There <i>will </i>be a new <i>Gravedigger </i>miniseries, "The Abductors," most likely in late 2017 from Action Lab comics. <b>Rick Burchett</b> and I also have plans for a very different comics project - a sci-fi adventure epic - once </span></span><span data-offset-key="jb95-0-0"><span data-text="true"><span><span data-offset-key="jb95-0-0"><span data-text="true"><i>Gravedigger </i></span></span></span>Vol. 2 is finished.</span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="54ttp-0-0"><span data-text="true">I'm still working on the <i>Space Crusaders</i> graphic novel with <b>Peter Grau</b>, though I have no idea when it will be finished... and that's all I have cooking at the moment, comics-wise.</span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="330nv-0-0"><span data-text="true">I have a couple other projects percolating, but they're in the earliest stages, and I'm waiting on some collaborators to find time in their schedules. </span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="bm5n0-0-0"><span data-text="true">So, there we go. I've got some scripts to finish up that should keep me busy through the end of the year, but not much planned for next year. </span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="bm5n0-0-0"><span data-text="true">Hopefully, I'll find some artists that want to team up with me on some new stuff... I've got lots of stories left to tell.</span></span></div>
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Christopher Millshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15978811373546110421noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33875434.post-85033321224630180702016-09-08T14:15:00.003-04:002016-09-08T14:16:32.649-04:00STAR TREK @ 50<br />
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<span data-offset-key="5luic-0-0"><span data-text="true">I’m one year older than <i>Star Trek</i>. Of course, as memories of my early years are lost to the fog of infancy and toddlerhood, I don’t recall really becoming aware of its existence until I was about nine years old, when, in 1974, the </span></span><span data-offset-key="5luic-0-0"><span data-text="true"><span data-offset-key="5luic-0-0"><span data-text="true"><i>Star Trek</i></span></span> animated series became a staple of my Saturday morning cartoon viewing. Around the same time, I received a Mego Captain Kirk action figure for Christmas. Other random <i>Trek </i>toys – and a few <b>James Blish</b> paperback novelizations – followed, and for Christmas of 1976, my favorite cousin gifted me with a copy of <b>Bjo Trimble’s</b> </span></span><span data-offset-key="5luic-0-0"><span data-text="true"><span data-offset-key="5luic-0-0"><span data-text="true">seminal <i>Star Trek Concordance</i></span></span>.</span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="c5p97-0-0"><span data-text="true">You’ll have noticed that I haven’t mentioned the original series as yet, and that’s because, in the early Seventies, <i>Trek </i>rarely appeared on any of the four television channels our rooftop aerial was capable of snagging out of the ether. So my love for Kirk, Spock, McCoy, et al, was first nurtured via the cartoon and Blish paperbacks. When I got the <i>Concordance</i>, with its encyclopedic coverage of the classic series, I was able to familiarize myself with the episodes I had not yet seen, whetting my appetite to the point of nigh-insatiability.</span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="8poh4-0-0"><span data-text="true">Of course, eventually, I saw the entire series (although a few of those episodes eluded me until my sojourn to art school in Jersey in the early 80s, where I finally received a TV channel that aired the show nightly), and, already well-indoctrinated in the mythos, found my passion for the 23rd century and the crew of the U.S.S <i>Enterprise </i>continuing to grow and thrive. Then came <i>The Motion Picture</i>, <i>The Wrath</i> and <i>The Search</i>. There was a <i>Voyage Home</i>, a somewhat disappointing detour into <i>The Final Frontier</i>, and an emotional denouement on the shores of an <i>Undiscovered Country</i>.</span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="8d575-0-0"><span data-text="true">Other treks followed, with next generations, lost voyagers and denizens on the edge of deep space, but it was always the (sadly truncated) original Five-Year-Mission that inspired and informed the person I became.</span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="5fr3l-0-0"><span data-text="true">I learned the value of reason and logic from an alien with pointed ears and a Satanic visage. I learned the nobility of humanity and compassion toward <i>all </i>life, regardless of shape, color or form, from an anachronistic Southern medic. And, most importantly, I learned about the worth of boldness, courage, and tempered wisdom from a charming leader with a confident swagger sporting a gold tunic. Kirk was a fighter, a diplomat, a philosopher - and a libidinous wolf – but in my eyes, he was the best of us as a species. He wasn’t perfect – and to his credit, usually admitted his flaws and acknowledged his mistakes – but he was also a man of intelligence <i>and </i>action, who sought out brave new worlds and always had his eye on the future.</span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="vu6d-0-0"><span data-text="true">I have aspired to all of these things, and usually fallen woefully short. But </span></span><span data-offset-key="vu6d-0-0"><span data-text="true"><span data-offset-key="5luic-0-0"><span data-text="true"><i>Star Trek</i></span></span> continues to fire my imagination, fuel my creative efforts, inform my social conscience and drive my personal ambitions. To me, it’s not <i>just </i>a television show, and apparently, many, many others feel the same way. If that wasn’t the case, then we wouldn’t be celebrating the anniversary of its debut fifty years ago today. The brand wouldn’t be gracing new movies and TV shows (regardless of their relative merits) on our screens, large and small(er). And </span></span><span data-offset-key="vu6d-0-0"><span data-text="true"><span data-offset-key="5luic-0-0"><span data-text="true"><i>Star Trek</i></span></span> wouldn’t <i>still </i>be sparking imaginations and inspiring so many people, of all ages and backgrounds. </span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="4odlc-0-0"><span data-text="true">May <b>Gene Roddenberry’s</b> vision of humanity’s future live long and prosper... and the U.S.S. <i>Enterprise</i> and her valiant crew go boldly on forever.</span></span></div>
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Christopher Millshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15978811373546110421noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33875434.post-16343890547058788542016-08-31T12:24:00.000-04:002016-08-31T12:24:12.262-04:00Wednesday Cover: The Lost Continent<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This week, we've got another terrific <b>Frank Frazetta </b>cover - this time for an Ace paperback edition of <b>Edgar Rice Burroughs'</b> science fiction novel, <i>The Lost Continent</i> (a/k/a <i>Beyond Thirty</i>). Enjoy!Christopher Millshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15978811373546110421noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33875434.post-10538667372138778182016-08-30T12:20:00.000-04:002016-08-31T12:20:52.189-04:00Process: SPACE CRUSADERS<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This past week and a half, I've been writing dialogue and placing rough lettering for the <i>Rex Dexter of Mars</i> story, "Menace of the Saurian Sphere," from my forthcoming graphic novel anthology with artist <b>Peter Grau</b>, <i>Space Crusaders</i>.<br />
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About two years ago, I sent Peter a plot, which described, page by page, the action of the story. Various life circumstances delayed further work for a while, but he recently finished his layouts/rough pencils for the whole tale. A week or so back, I needed to take a break from <i>Gravedigger </i>for a while, so I took Peter's roughs, loaded them into page templates and started writing the dialogue - <i>and </i>lettering the pages at the same time.<br />
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I find that lettering comics pages as I write the dialogue works very well for me - I scripted the last <i>Gravedigger </i>the same way. It helps me to see exactly where the words will be and allows me to make sure that I don't over write. And as a graphic designer, I think I'm pretty good at integrating the lettering with the art in a way that complements both.<br />
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Anyway -- I've now completed the script and letters for the <i>Rex Dexter</i> story, and I'm pretty happy with how it turned out. It's going to be a while yet before the book itself is done - Peter still needs to ink and color the story, and we still have a second feature to do - but it's definitely a testament to Peter's storytelling skill that I never had an easier time dialoguing one of my own plots.<br />
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As always... stay tuned for future updates.Christopher Millshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15978811373546110421noreply@blogger.com0