Murder Book #3 - Fathers & Sons panel by Jason Copland.

So, I’ve been neglecting this blog for far too long. Going forward, I’m going to make an effort to update this thing at least once a week — hopefully on Monday of each week.

First off, Murder Book 3 is now out! If you’ve ordered a copy via IndieGoGo, then yours is on the way — I ship out the last of the IGG orders tomorrow. If you didn’t order it through IndieGoGo, then you can now order it through my store or Jason’s store. If you live in Vancouver, you can pick it up at RX Comics. In Portland you can get it from Cosmic Monkey Comics. I’m working to get it into other comic shops and will keep this site updates with that information.

You can find an early review of the book here: 4 Colours & The Truth

In other news, writing seems to be taking off! I’ve been working on a series of 5 page backup stories that will be running in at least 3 Image titles starting in May of this year. About half of them will be new Murder Book stories. What those books will be, I can’t say yet, but I’m thrilled to be working with Jason Copland, Johnnie Christmas and Michael Walsh on the stories.

It’s been a bit of a challenge to distill stories down to 5 pages and keep them interesting, but I’m pretty thrilled with the scripts that I’ve written so far. As artwork comes in, I’ll post some here and talk a bit more about the process.

In addition to the 5 page stories, I have a much larger project in the works that I can’t talk too much about right now, but will be posting about as soon as it’s announced by the publisher (TEASE!)

Lastly, I’ve been in talks with an artist about working on a horror script that I’ve been working on for a little while. My plan/hope is to launch a second series later this year, similar to Murder Book, but instead single issue horror stories. I’ve got the first issue outlined and concepts for the second in the works. If things go through, I’m hoping to have the first issue of this unnamed series out around October and then a new issue every six months afterward.

I’ve started up an IndieGoGo campaign to help fund the printing of Murder Book Vol. 3. Lots of perks, so please do take a look. I’d love it if everyone could also help spread the word. New Murder Book stories are being produced, but will only be available in print at first. The comic comes out in late March. Out of respect to those donating to the campaign, I won’t be posting the stories featured in Murder Book Vol. 3 online until late May.

Details about the campaign/book:

What is Murder Book?

Murder Book is a series of short crime stories written by me, Ed Brisson, and featuring different up-and-coming artists. Past contributing artists have included Simon Roy (Jan’s Atomic Heart, Prophet), Vic Malhotra (Lucid Proof) and Michael Walsh. Past Murder Book stories can be read on the Murder Book Site.

Murder Book Vol. 3 will feature the stories Midnight Walk, illustrated by Johnnie Xmas and Fathers and Sons, illustrated by Jason Copland.

Midnight Walk is a 6 page story about a man who happens across a crime scene and tries to help, only to become a victim himself. Fathers and Sons is an 18 page tale involving the breakdown of the relationship between two mob men, and the chaos that results.

Generally, I post Murder Book stories to the site as they’re complete, but in order to entice contributors, I’ll hold off posting either story until late May. This way, all contributors will have the stories two months before they’re posted online.

If you dig current and gritty crime comics like Criminal and Scalped, then Murder Book is your bag!

Johnnie and Jason are currently hard at work on the art so that we can debut this sucker at Emerald City Comicon at the end of March. We’re hoping to have the book to the printer the week this campaign ends and everything packaged and mailed to people before the end of March — meaning your perks should start showing up late March/early April.

What We Need & What You Get

We’re looking to raise $1500 to cover the costs of printing the book. The artists have generously agreed to come on board to help with the book, so should there be any funds raised in excess of the printing and shipping costs, then that money will be given to the artists, evenly distributed based on their page counts.

If we fall short of our goal, the book will still be printed and all perks will be fulfilled. I’ll just be running up a credit card bill instead.

Every perk includes something physical. I’m looking at this as more of a pre-order/purchase drive than just a “give us your money” plea. That said, please spread the word! Tell your friends, family and everyone you see on the street!

I’m also offering up my lettering services. Check over there on the right. For $250 I’ll letter your 22 page comic AND send you a copy of Murder Book #3. You can’t beat that with a bat. Need someone to letter your pitch? I can do that too!

Please keep an eye on this campaign, we will be adding art and other process pieces as the campaign marches on. We may be adding additional perks as well!

Other Ways You Can Help

If you’re a fan of Murder Book, we’d love for you to help get the word out. Tell your friends, tweet about it. Steal money from your mom’s purse and send it to us! We appreciate each and every person who helps us get close to our goal of $1500. Seriously. We love you. Hugs, kisses and all that stuff.

Please, help spread the word! Check out the campaign by clicking here.

Just a quick note to let folks know that I’ll be at FanExpo Canada from August 25th to 28th. I’ll be sharing a table (Table P48) with Murder Book contributor Michael Walsh. Vic Malhotra will also be swinging by the table throughout the convention, which means that the whole Murder Book Vol. 2 crew will be on hand to sign stuff!

Please swing by and say “what up”.

Click the image below for more info on FanExpo.

Hey folks, the Black River one shot that was written by me, illustrated by Jhomar Soriano, coloured by Dean Trippe and published by 215 Ink is now in the Diamond Previews catalog and ready for ordering.

About Black River:

Small time thugs, Alex and Vincent, accidentally hijack a shipment of guns. Despite Alex’s misgivings, Vince attempts to sell the guns, leading them in to a deadly battle involving the local mafia and a crazy, right-wing vigilante.

I’ve uploaded a ten page preview for your reading pleasure. Please take a look!

10 Page PDF Preview (low res – 3mb)
or
10 Page PDF Preview (high res – 30mb)

If you like what you see, then please ask your local comic shop to order in copies (Diamond Order Code: JUL 111248) and tell as many people as you can about the book –send them a link to this post, even. It’s not an easy market out there for a indie book like this, so the more that people can spread the word, the better.

I’ve even uploaded this infosheet that you can print out and bring to your comic shop. If has all the information that they should need for ordering in the book.

Putting My Money Where My Mouth Is
If you take the chance on Black River and don’t like it, then contact me (edbrisson[at]gmail[dot]com) and I’ll send you my address. Just send the book back to me and I’ll refund you not only the cost of the book, but also your shipping.

Well… that took longer than I was planning. It’s been a bit of a crazy year and while it may not look like much is happening with Murder Book, please be assured that there is a ton of stuff happening behind the scenes.

First up, a new story illustrated by Vic Malhotra. Vic had illustrated a story that I’d lettered for someone else, and I really dug his style. I can’t remember how now, but somehow we got to talking about doing a Murder Book story together. Hopefully we’ll be seeing more stories from him on the site in the near future.

Secondly, the first print run of Murder Book Vol. 1 sold out in May, and I’m going back to press on that AND will be doing a run of Murder Book Vol. 2. The second volume will contain Trickle and a new comic by Michael Walsh called Settling Up. I’m in the process of lettering Settling Up now, and will likely launch it on this site sometime in the next few weeks.

I’ve redesigned the cover of the first book for the second printing and have now put that and Vol. 2 up in the store. Both will start shipping out on June 15th, but please don’t let that stop you from pre-ordering them now. I’ve added bundle deals as well! Buy more and save yourself some bucks!

Lastly, I’m going to be at the Calgary Comics & Entertainment Expo on June 17-19 with the Acts of Violence crew. In addition to being there with all the Acts of Violence writers (Chad Boudreau, Dino Caruso, Kevin Leeson and Todd Ireland), I’ll also be joined by “Catching Up” and “Skimming the Till” artist Simon Roy and “Trickle” artist Vic Malhotra, who will be signing copies of Murder Book Vol 1 and 2. We’ll all be at booth 1504.

A couple announcements this time around.

First off, I’ll be at Emerald City Comicon this weekend at Booth #610. I’ll have copies of Acts of Violence, Murder Book and several New Reliable Press titles, as well as some other books that I’ve lettered — including the ashcan edition of Jason Copland & Michael May’s Kill All Monsters! I’ll be sharing the booth with Kevin Leeson, colourist Dave McCaig, and Extinct creator Fabian Rangel Jr.

Swing by and say hi! Please note that I only have a limited supply of Murder Book #1 left, so if you’re looking to pick one up, you may want to swing by sooner rather than later.

Secondly:

Black River, a comic written by me and illustrated by Jhomar Soriano, is now available as a digital comic through 215 Ink!

Description:
Small time thugs, Alex and Vincent, accidentally hijack a shipment of guns. Despite Alex’s misgivings, Vince attempts to sell the guns, leading them in to a deadly battle involving the local mafia and a crazy, right-wing vigilante.

You can currently purchase the book through Wowio and Graphic.ly. It should be available through other digital distributors soon — I’ll be updating as this progresses. If you’re a digital comic reader, I would urge you to check it out. Don’t make me beg.

At some point later this year, Black River will be available for order through Previews. I’m not quite sure when that will be, but will be sure to post information about that here.

That’s all for now! Next time: Murder Book!

SO BUSY!

I’d had designs on updating this blog once a week (or so), but the lettering work has been coming in fast and furious and I’ve had to remain in the trenches.

The big news of the past couple weeks is that Simon & I have been nominated for a Shuster Award for “Outstanding Web Comic Creator(s)”.

Outstanding Web Comics Creator(s)
• ATTILA ADORJANY – Metaphysical Neuroma
• KATE BEATON – Hark! A Vagrant
• EMILY CARROLL – His Face All Red, Dream Journals, The Death of José Arcadio, Out the Door
• KARL KERSCHL – The Abominable Charles Christopher
• DRAZEN KOZJAN – The Happy Undertaker, Friday’s Fables
• SIMON ROY – Dead Lands
• SIMON ROY & ED BRISSON – Skimming the Till, Catching Up
• SALGOOD SAM (aka Max Douglas) – Dream Life
• CONNOR WILLUMSEN – Everett, Hot Brunette, Batman Comic, Explanation for Sator Stuff

The competition is pretty stiff. Lots of stuff in there that I’m a fan of. Kate’s obviously awesome. Emily has produced some of my favourite comics over the past year (click above and read “His Face All Red” – sooooo good!). Salgood’s stuff is great, great, great. I’m also a big fan of Connor’s art and have had an illustration of his as my desktop wallpaper for the past couple of months. The others, I’m not that familiar with, but will be checking them out.

Anyhow, back to work. These pages aren’t going to letter themselves.

Above: a panel from the newly coloured Extinct #1, written by Fabian Rangel Jr. and illustrated by Jethro Morales. Letters by me, of course.

So, I finally took the plunge. I left my day job and am now concentrating on trying to make a living at comics full-time. I’m excited, but also so terribly frightened that I could puke. I’m waking up every night in a cold sweat, wondering: “What the hell did I do?” This is the first time in about 15 years that I’ve not had a “real” job.

I’ve just finished my first week as a freelancer and so far, so good. I’ve been getting a lot of work coming through in the last month, so will be able to keep myself fairly busy throughout January and am working on building on that so that I can keep on keeping on through February and onward.

In addition to lettering, I’m in the final stages of negotiating a contract for a creator owned book of mine (a one-shot) and also have many exciting things planned for Murder Book. Not going to give too much away. If history has taught me anything, it’s that if I talk about a project too early, it’s guaranteed to fail.

Anyhow, I’ll be trying to update this blog more often. Look for new weekly updates on projects by myself and others.

As always, if you’re looking for a letterer, drop me an email!

Or, more correctly, “Comics I Have Lettered”

Sky Pirates of Neo Terra is coming out as a collected trade paperback this week. To get you all hot and bothered for the book, Newsarama and Image have posted a preview of the entire first issue.

THE DEETS:

SKY PIRATES OF NEO TERRA TP
story JOSH WAGNER
art & cover CAMILLA D’ERRICO
128 PAGES/FC
$17.99

In Neo Terra, a world that blends forgotten technology with natural magic, reckless young glide-wing pilot Billy Boom Boom must outwit the Pirate King to stop him from ushering in a new Dark Age. Camilla d’Errico pencils this high adventure mini-series about loyalty, friendship, and what it means to be a true hero.

Collects SKY PIRATES OF NEO TERRA #1-5.

Written by Michael May and illustrated by fellow Vancouverite Jason Copland, KILL ALL MONSTERS! is a web-exclusive comic that’s being run on Review 2 A Kill’s new comic imprint Kamikaze Comics.

For an in depth look at how this comic came about, read this interview with Michael and Jason right here.

Give the comic a whirl. It’s a crapload of fun, lots of giant robots scrapping it out with giant monsters. I’m having a lot of fun with the letters on this.

The first 5 pages are up, with 3 page installments going up every week. READ!