So I've got a new comic book (my third one in the last 2 months!). Here's me checking out a prototype of the front and back covers.
MANIAC PRIEST. A vigilante priest ravaging the L.A. underworld. Basically playing in that 1980s 'vigilante porn' genre (movies like DEATH WISH, THE EXTERMINATOR, 'The Executioner' novels, etc.). But with the added dimension of exploring it through the actions of a 'Man of God'.
Earlier this year I watched, for the first time, the MANIAC COP movies, a trilogy of exploitation films dealing with a former policeman hellbent of extracting revenge on society for wrongs that were done to him. The films are sheer fun, and really inspired to me to of my own 'maniac'! A priest quickly came to mind. I did a few sketches (in February) and put it away, until just a couple of weeks ago something compelled me to whip up a quick story. I'm not saying that the 'something' was divine intervention, but I sure had a desire to see this story through!
I'm doing a signing at Nostalgic Books & Comics (San Gabriel, CA) on November 15, along with fellow cartoonist Michael Aushenker. The book will debut there, but I'll also have copies available in my webshop through a Pre-order campaign.
MANIAC PRIEST: GENESIS EDITION will be a magazine-size, 12 page comic. Full color covers, with interior pages featuring b&w art colored in gray tones. A special guest pinup by Michael Aushenker is featured, along with some behind-the-scenes material featuring early sketches and production art. The book will be signed & numbered, and each Pre-ordered comic comes with an inked drawing from me on the inside front cover. Like the one shown below:
This is probably about the fastest I've created a comic. Partly because I wanted to debut this comic at my upcoming signing, but also because I felt a very strong desire to see it through. Drawing, inking, coloring and lettering this 7 page short story, presenting the world the character exists in, has been fun. One of the things that really attracts me to this is raising some fundamental questions about man, his relationship and belief in God, his sense of justice and mercy. Even when I don't arrive at an 'answer' in the story, it's the exploration of the questions that provide me with a lot of creative fuel. What starts as an idea to riff off of exploitation films evolves, hopefully, into something worth mulling over in one's head.
To pre-order a copy, please visit my Los Comex Webshop right here. I'll be taking Pre-orders until Wednesday. And if you're going to attend the store signing on the 15th, let me know during the check-out process on the store site. I can take your comic with me to the signing and give it to you then. I'll even credit you the $3.00 shipping fee by applying it to any of my other products at the signing, or simply give you the $3.00 in cash!
Thanks!
