mattcrap

and I have kickstarted another blogspot to keep up the old storytelling chops and have a little fun. It's called Comic Improv and without sounding over confident, it's gonna be the best thing that you've ever seen since the first time you saw that thing that you called "the best."



Sorry for my few months of absence here on good ol DA, folks. I just had to take a break and disconnect myself with the drawing, comic books, and just everything art-related. I was drained beyond belief. As much as I love MAM, I always viewed it as a stepping stone towards getting to do longer, more cohesive full-length stories. MAM was supposed to be the foot in the door, so that hopefully someone (publisher, etc) would take a chance on me and the boys to do something gloriously creator-owned and wonderful. But after 2 or 3 years of pumping money into MAM, sending off free books to industry guys and publishers and never getting so much as a "Thanks, but no thanks." I just started this nasty downward spiral. I wasn't having fun and I wasn't performing where I wanted to be.

I've still gotta a whole book worth of material for the MAM annual- some amazing work by some of the MAM Alumni, that is just begging to be seen. But now with it being so long, I want to make sure to do it right. The guys that worked on this deserve to see it in print and hold it in their hands. So it's release will coincide with a con appearance by hopefully both Scotty and I (at some point down the road) where we can really make an event with it's release. There will be an auction for CHARLIE ADLARD's original cover art and a bunch of other fun stuff to mark the release (and then essentially MAM's jump to being exclusively a digital release from then on). I love print comics, but I don't deserve to be broke to make it happen.

I'm really excited to see so many of you move on and progress as the last few months have gone by. I may not have been commenting but I was still lurking and looking at all yer purty pichers.


thanks fellas & ladies
-mattcrap




Issues 1, 2, and 3 can be purchased (physically) at the link below.
indyplanet.com/store/advanced_…

www.e-junkie.com/epicallyuninv…
Issues 2, 3, and 4 can be purchased (digitally) at the link above.


Brought to you by these MAM'mer jammers:




Please follow our Mysterious Adventure Blog at mysterious-adventure.blogspot.…

spinoff.comicbookresources.com…

bound to happen, I guess.

I was always concerned that a publisher would wanna change-up the name or premise somehow. DC already had a book called "Golden Age" and Kirkman & Kurtz were fucking around with a "Golden Agers" idea at one point. But now it's guaranteed to never get published!



-mattcrap



Issues 1, 2, and 3 can be purchased (physically) at the link below.
indyplanet.com/store/advanced_…

www.e-junkie.com/epicallyuninv…
Issues 2, 3, and 4 can be purchased (digitally) at the link above.


Brought to you by these MAM'mer jammers:




Please follow our Mysterious Adventure Blog at mysterious-adventure.blogspot.…

That's right folks!



The book that looks like it's from the Golden Age is finally jumping into the Digital Age! We've got issues 2, 3, and 4 available for $2 downloads. Please check out these books-- there are SO many talented guys that have contributed.

Scott Godlewski (Boom Studios' Codebreakers & Dracula: Company of Monsters), Joshua Covey (Nobody Likes Jimmy), Ben Perkins (NeoTrash Comix), Ryan Cody (Icarus from Super75Comics & Villains from Viper Comics), Joe Dellagatta (Egg & Atomic Robo: the Getaway), Mikey Babinski (Wonder Woman & She Hulk), Matt Kaufenberg (Shrek), not to mention Michael Kasinger, Dan McDaid, Andy Kuhn, Dan Schkade, Evan Shaner, Dave Flora, Simone Guglielmini, Anthony Schiavino, Michael Powell, Guy LeMay, Sean Hartter, and still to be seen grace the pages of MAM, Lee Gaston, Derrick West, Andy Poole, Claudio Muñoz, Shawn Ullom, and many more!!

Head on over to our blog mysterious-adventure.blogspot.… Jump over to your right hand side, scroll down, and click on the "Add to Cart" button below the issue(s) that you'd like to purchase digitally. We understand that times are tough and the cost of a physical book plus shipping plus whatever else is just outrageous these days. We figure if your average 32 page (24 pages of story w/ about 7 pages of ads) comes to $.99 or more for a download. There's over 40 pages in each of these issues (about 4 or 5 of which are ads) hopefully you'll agree that the book is worth the little bit of extra coin.

You can also skip the blog (if need be) and hit up our Ejunkie storefront www.e-junkie.com/epicallyuninv…



We're still plugging along on the 2011 MAM Annual. We've gotta a ton of great stories from many of our MAM veterans, so keep an eye out for that.


I'm also working with and on two new (and different projects) that we'll probably start sneak peeking looks at soon. I'm REALLY excited about these.


Thanks for looking
-mattcrap



Issues 1, 2, and 3 can be purchased (physically) at the link below.
indyplanet.com/store/advanced_…

www.e-junkie.com/epicallyuninv…
Issues 2, 3, and 4 can be purchased (digitally) at the link above.


Brought to you by these MAM'mer jammers:




Please follow our Mysterious Adventure Blog at mysterious-adventure.blogspot.…

I also thought about titling this journal,
"Don't Kill the Superhero, anally rape him."
but I decided against it...dodged that bullet, right?

So I got some notes and emails and have decided to jump back in for a minute or two. Apologies for the length, I'll try to have this be the last one.



Okay, there seems to be some confusion that my "Don't Kill the Superhero" journal was some kinda message of hate aimed at Eric Powell and his video. I like Eric Powell, I think he's a unique voice in American comics, I like GOON too. Thinking I hate Powell is about as accurate as thinking I hate Superman because I didn't like the Malibu Comics' book Prime. Just because something you don't like is inspired by or taken from a source material, doesn't mean that that source material now shares the same status. My journal was inspired by the wave of responses to Powell's video.


So first, Yes I saw the video. I believe I understand it's intent. It's not my job to convince you that it was good or bad or anything else, make up your own mind. I have no problem with the comedic delivery of a good anal raping. Hell, butt-sex in general is fine between two consenting adults-- go for it! He said his peace, then he took it down. I didn't like that part of it. He explained the strangle-hold that Marvel and DC have on the industry (which is completely true) but we're also all well aware of it already. Maybe I was reading into it too much, but it also felt like he was describing the Big2 in such a way as to point a disapproving finger at anyone who supported them by reading a mainstream comic book. It's unfair to make people feel like they're not really a true comic book fan unless they buy independent books. I didn't like that there were no solutions given or proposed. But that's been said by a lot of people already. _{It reminded me of my favorite Keenan character on SNL "Oscar Rogers" www.youtube.com/watch?v=yo3uxq… his only real advice for everyone, in the current financial crisis, was to "Fix it!" To which he'd scream over and over.} It seems to be something we specialize in these days, bitching about a problem but putting forth no attainable goals or suggestions.

The problem with a "call-to-arms" video is that people on both sides will start inferring meaning on behalf of the video's creator and even start attacking the delivery method. If he would have done a "one man and a webcam" style video with the same wording, would it have been as effective or viral in nature? Who knows. He put some style into his message, I don't see a problem with that. I also don't see a problem with wording things in the actual way in which you think them- no filtration, no political correctness, just say it and deal with the consequences. Maybe it's hard to hear, but fuck it, at least there's no misunderstanding. The problem with that is you'll then be held accountable for that choice of wording. I'm a comic book geek, I like superheroes, I make creator owned books and for an outsider looking at that video, I may seem like an oxymoron...or at least just a moron. Maybe guys out there who DO "live with there mom and have never felt the inside of a vagina" will feel a little alienated now because of what he said. Eh, I don't really care so much about that, but it's something to consider, in the long run, in terms of getting your message across. I saw another video Powell did a short while back and it was similar in tone and message. It was funny and he was using some of the same parody tools, but it was also less committed than the more recent one.




If tomorrow, 5000 of us all decide that we're only going to drink Shasta or RC Cola, ultimately Coke and Pepsi will be just fine. If anyone is going into this fervor thinking that they'll be able to take down the evil monopoly of Marvel and DC, put it out of your minds...it won't happen. The real crappy part, is that if it does (by some small miracle) take down the Big2, then there goes the rest of our industry right down the shitter. You can't expect a big company to not ACT like a big company.



I was little upset a year or so ago after Kirkman's video manifesto, that he didn't really put his money where his mouth was. Here he was, a guy who had already seen the benefits of working for Marvel and his creator owned books continued to do well, telling creators that they should also dive in and share the joys of creator owned work. There were a ton of comments at the time about Kirkman breathing rarefied air in the creator owned arena (which is true). The guy has created his own universe (multiple books) within the independent publishing world. (Hell, Millar is trying to do that and it's not really working- what does THAT tell you?) Anyway, he puts up this video and stood behind it, but he didn't (as far as I know, correct me if I'm wrong) really jump out of the gate and make anything other than noise, by using his station in the industry to put indy books under people's noses. He formed Skybound, he announced that Witchdoctor book, but unless he's been underwriting or promoting other books behind the scenes, that I'm not aware of, that was pretty much it.

The ONLY thing Powell has to do (in my opinion) to stand behind his words and to make up for the lack of specific ways to fix the problem, (and the act of taking it down) is to put one, JUST ONE, indy book in the back pages of GOON for a few issues. If he makes that happen, then he's doing his part and everything he said would be vindicated.




I call for a challenge, that ALL of the big name guys who's book come out on a regular basis and who have also spoken out about supporting creator owned books STEP UP and use their station to feature an indy book that they found out there. Not something who's sales are low or an established buddy who's book needs more buzz, but a truly independent book. A book with no publisher, a book that's just a free webcomic, or a book that not enough people are looking at. If all of those guys feature a few pages of these books in the back pages of their own issues (with the title's website and information on ordering) THEN and only then will they be TRULY supporting creator owned comics. It's like a charity says, "Give what you can." If you're just a regular comic book fan, then spending money on indy books is really your only option for contributing to creator owned books. Send a message with your dollars (but no one should tell you to buy shit that you don't want). But if you're a comic book creator who has some pull, use that pull. You might not have it forever and if the comic book industry topples before you help out your fellow creator, then you'll only have your self to blame.



-mattcrap



These three books can be purchased (physically) at the link below.

indyplanet.com/store/advanced_…


Brought to you by these MAM'mer jammers:




Please follow our Mysterious Adventure Blog at mysterious-adventure.blogspot.…

I'm really kind of sick of hearing everyone talk shit on the super hero genre as if it's never been worth reading and has never done any good for the industry. There wouldn't BE a comic book industry w/o the enduring super hero comic. Other than main stream superhero books staying published and indie super heroes failing (for the most part) I don't understand where this deep seeded hatred of the genre comes from. Is it just a case of "That boy has a shinier toy than me!"?? If psychological thrillers were the Big2's bread and butter, would everyone hate psychological thrillers?


I think the argument needs to be made that we're all really just looking for a super hero book to be done well. Really that can be said about any book. Over the last couple of years, every time I told somebody about my fantasy genre idea, I'd be met with "Oh that'll never sell, nobody reads fantasy anymore." But look at Skullkickers tearing up sales. We're looking for superhero books that speak to the human condition and are more than just spectacle and punching (or maybe we're fine with that as long as the punching is really pretty). Every nerd that screams about how much Marvel and DC suck, is probably doing so with a Spiderman poster and Batman figure behind him. New superhero books don't create the same engaging characters that have been created in the past-- the Bruce Waynes, the Peter Parkers. Once a new superhero book DOES create a character that resonates with readers, THEN the book has a chance to catch on and stick.

Invincible, Powers, Atomic Robo, all are variations on the superhero archetype, and all have different levels of success. You can argue that Powers is a crime title and that Atomic Robo is sci-fi and explain away their success as non-superhero related reasons, but let's face it-- these are superhero books done right. We also have to resign ourselves to the fact that there are NO BRAND NEW NEVER BEFORE SEEN SUPERHEROES LEFT! Everything and anything that comes out will be nodding to something else that's been done, so if you're holding out for the never-before-seen superhero book, stop. Monster killers, cops, superhero kids, robots, elves and goblins, we've seen all this shit before. The thing that makes these new books great is the creator(s) ability to say something new about those situations.

We also have to stop letting reviews and sales charts define what we buy. I hate the fact that CBR and Newsarama have such a prominent role in what I might buy. I don't buy Previews and I'm not a member of every obscure badass underground comic book message board...I will miss out on cool shit. If there are two new books coming out and the comics news websites decide to an article on one new book (but not another) I might only end up knowing about the one, even if the other is right up my alley. The second book may end up failing because the creators/publishers lose hope and quit doing the book because no one shows any interest.

That brings up another factor: A great idea alone won't give that book the legs that it needs. A wonderful, mind-blowing concept is only half the battle. It'd be awesome if every creator with a brilliant new take was rewarded for their ingenuity, but that doesn't always happen. It's all about packaging and delivery (like with any product). Just because something makes sense on paper, doesn't mean that that noodle is gonna stick. Take Hellboy, an often imitated premise, sometimes simplified and sometimes more complicated- Hellboy is a model that people want to get in on. Whether it be just Mignola's art style or his storytelling methods, people love Hellboy so much that they want to do their own. It's all about finding the pulse of the reader and latching onto it, that's the only explanation. That's why a book like Anchor fails and Skullkickers catches on-- both have big supernatural-ish guys punching monstery things, one lasts and the other doesn't. You can't discount the level of advertising and commitment of staff. Both had pre-release buzz (and I think) both had great starting numbers. There are an almost incalculable number of factors that go into the success of a book after all the panels are done (many of which can't be controlled by the creators). An awesome story and buzz will only get you so far if the pocket books don't open up for your book.

Don't kill the superhero. The superhero isn't hurting you. If you don't like it, then don't buy it. Some of us need the superheroes to be around. I'm not even saying I buy all that many mainstream superhero books, but I will say this: A few years ago when they were doing the blue and red energy Superman story, I remember seeing a late night talk show host put up a picture of the new design and proclaim, "C'mon, that's not Superman!" I remember being pissed off and offended that that guy got to use his national platform to talk shit on something "we were doing." (We, being the comic book people). I remember disliking the new red and blue Superman idea, but also defending it, because how dare a non-reader tell me how my universe should be handled. Now, flash-forward to a few months ago when they make Dick Grayson Batman. I don't read Batman books, I fucking LOVE Batman, but I never read his comics-- I was so pissed and felt betrayed and left out of the loop. How dare they make a decision like that without me? I understand more and more, that the Big2 and their characters are also institutions and properties and brands that go beyond our little sub-culture. The more I see myself turn into a spectator and less of an involved member of that culture, the wider my vision becomes.

Superheroes didn't make your indy book fail. Your indy book failed because indy books are destined to fail if you think shit will be handed to you. Your indy book failed because even the lowest form of promotion for a mainstream book is 100 times more powerful than what you put into the promotion of your non-mainstream book. Your book isn't amazing and mind-blowing and you're not an under appreciated genius just because the Avengers are having a crossover this month. Did you tell your best friend and your mom and dad, and uncles and aunt whatevers to go buy 5 copies each? Did you yourself go buy a bunch from different online retailers? Did you send a press package to CBR and Newsarama and any one else with an email address? Did you flame every message board that you could find with free preview pages? Did you go to cons, did you give shit away, did you spend time, did you spend money?

The superhero is out there and maybe fundamentally, you and he are chasing the same dollar, but that doesn't make him a villain.



oh my stars and kickstarters,
-mattcrap



These three books can be purchased (physically) at the link below.

indyplanet.com/store/advanced_…


Brought to you by these MAM'mer jammers:




Please follow our Mysterious Adventure Blog at mysterious-adventure.blogspot.…