Why Kickstarter May Save Independent Comic Books: Q&A With Author Mark Andrew Smith

Mark Andrew Smith and Matthew Weldon are at it again with a new installment of the kickass comic New Brighton Archeological Society. This time around they're raising money through Kickstarter. Below is a Wired Magazine Q&A with the writer.

And while you're at it, read their first book at their site.

Why Kickstarter May Save Independent Comic Books: Q&A With Author Mark Andrew Smith

By Dave Banks



When we first read The New Brighton Archeological Society two years ago, we immediately recognized what a great story was being told. Finally, here was an all ages graphic novel that treated kids intelligently and was really entertaining at the same time.

So we were surprised to see that the sequel was going to require some Kickstarter funding to get going. Surely a critical darling like The New Brighton Archeological Society didn’t need funding to get off the ground, did it? To find out more, we asked the book’s author, Mark Andrew Smith, about the New Brighton saga, Kickstarter, and the state of all ages’ books today.

Read more...

New Brighton Archeological Society Image © Mark Andrew Smith, Mar. 2011

Soilwork Pin Up for Nuclear Blast and Terminal Press Comic

Pin up for the upcoming Soilwork comic by Nuclear Blast and Terminal Press.

Art Opening: Artists Against the War

This one is for those who'll be in NYC tomorrow night:

The Society of Illustrators in NYC is having a killer art opening tomorrow night: Artists Against the War, featuring art work by such great artists as Peter Kuper, Steve Brodner and Lynne Foster. You can also pick up a copy of their awesome book.

Zombie Pin-up For Zombie Bomb #3, Dark Daze by Terminal Press

The holidays sent me into such a tailspin that I forgot to post this way back in December. I did this pin-up for Zombie Bomb #4, Dark Daze, which debuted last month. The comic features new works by your favorite creators Adam Miller, Rich Woodall, Keith McCleary, Josh Morrissette and me. Grab your own copy of it and while you're at it, order a copy of Zombie Bomb #3, Highly Contagious that has the comic "NecRomancer" written by Keith McCleary and drawn by me.


The great folks at Terminal Press also used my zombie pin-up as part of their promo for the debut of Zombie Bomb! #4, Dark Daze.

Spider-man Commission

Commissioned Spider-man piece for my good friend Rebecca Giordano.

Bad luck with women, lack of money, corny sense of humor, and really cool super powers: what's not to love of Spider-man. It was fun to do something with one of my favorite superheroes.

The History of a Dream, The Indypendent #160

This illustration accompanied Nick Power's alternate take on the last ten years, which appeared in the latest issue of The Indypendent.

Cover for The Indypendent #160, All We Need is Hate

Here's the original illustration I did for the latest issue of The Indypendent.




And here's the version that hit the streets. The feature article by Arun Gupta shows how violence is an integral part of the right wing's rhetoric.

Work in Progress, Zombie Figure

Inked this piece shortly before the holiday maelstrom. Still need to hammer out the textured background and do some possible touch ups.



© Frank Reynoso, Jan. 2011, All Rights Reserved

Cartoons with a punch

Cartoon by Zunar.

A buddy sent me this link. Cartoon Movement is a really cool site that collects political cartoons and is open for submission.

Recently Read

Laymon's disturbing and horrific novel The Woods are Dark charges with exciting twists and turns but there was - I never I'd ever say this - too much needless sex and nudity. A decent read for those with strong stomachs.




Dick's The Cosmic Puppets is a far-reaching novel that begins with an odd mystery and leads to a startling look at our place in the cosmos. He spins this yarn without losing the reader. A definite recommendation.

ZombieBombTV Season 1 Finale

The wild and awesome folks at Zombie Bomb! just posted their latest video by Tom Bennett featuring creators Adam Miller, Keith McCleary, Rob Dukes, Andrew Houle, Josh Morrissette, Brian Ferrara, Jessica Ferrara and yours truly at the New York City Comic Con!

New York City Comic Con 2010

Photos from New York City Comic Convention 2010. I wasn't a shutter bug as i usually am at these kind of things though I promise to be next time.

Thanks again to all those who stopped by the Terminal Press/Elite Gudz booth and showed their love and support. And apologies to all who I missed. You all make this so worthwhile.

The fams digging the zombs.

Mom showing off the fruits of her labor: a zombie-loving son.

Horror fans digging the zombie carnage in Zombie Bomb!#3 HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS.

This is was just plain creepy and cool. BAT BOY!

© Frank Reynoso, Oct. 2010, All Rights Reserved

Islamophobia Illustration

I did this illustration for an upcoming story on in The Indypendent. The article is on how the right wing use Islamophobia to unify people and fleece them of their money. I'll post a link to the article once it's online.

© Frank Reynoso, Sept. 2010, All Rights Reserved

...and the dead shall rise, NECROMANCER

A page from "Necromancer" by Keith McCleary and moi. This sick little gem will be in the latest Terminal Press anthology Zombie BOMB! #3, which will debut at the New York Comic Con, Oct. 8 - 10, 2010. Swing by the Terminal Press booth at the NYCC to get your copy or I'll eat your BRAINS!!

Necromancer Panels

Here are some panels from the upcoming horror comic "Necromancer," scrawled by Keith McCleary and rendered by yours truly. This sick little gem will be in the latest Terminal Press anthology Zombie BOMB! #3, which will debut at the New York Comic Con, Oct. 8 - 10, 2010. Swing by the Terminal Press booth to get your copy or I'll eat your BRAINS!!

Keep on, keeping on

It's been a while since I've posted here because I've been finishing up a comic project. Once it's done and I get the OK from the editors, I'll throw those puppies up on this.

I also have some other illustrations here that are in their nascent stages. They will eventually find their way onto this here blog.

Media Spin on Flotilla

Did this illo for Arun Gupta's story "The Victim that is Israel" which appeared in the latest issue of The Indypendent. This dramatic story gave me an opportunity to use a more expressionistic style. (I was definitely was looking to Ashley Wood and Brett Weldele for this one.)

© Frank Reynoso, July 2010

Huwaida, Final Version

Here's the final version of the Huwaida illustration. Looking at it again, I see that I still need to learn more about digital coloring and toning...

Huwaida Illustration, Black and White

This is an illustration I'm working on for a newspaper. It's been a while since I've done a straight illo. This is a rougher, looser style than I normally use, which will hopefully pack it with more dramatic punch.

MoCCA Fest 2010, Recap Pt.1

No lie, this was the best MoCCA Arts Fest EVER! I had a blast. GINORMOUS thanks to all who came to my booth and showed their love. You really kicked the fest up to 11. Yay!

I'll post photos and whatnots soon. And to those who either emailed, texted, noted, posted, or got in contact with me in some digital fashion, I'll get back to you asap. ;)