Sandstone Comics Presents

Do you like a great deal? Of course you do.

I backed the Sandstone Comics Presents anthology a few days ago. The pdf version was $10 which, initially, seemed a little steep for a digital book. I'd overlooked the fact that this book is 72 pages in length, however, which makes the cost far more reasonable.

Then it got even better. Sandstone chose to promote the pdf for only $2 during its Kickstarter campaign.

So what am I (and hopefully "we") getting here?

First, it bears pointing out that Sandstone is based out of Charlottetown PEI and likely would have been supported on that basis alone. But as with any project, Canadian characters are of highest interest to me and, at first glance, there didn't seem to be much of that here.

That's a little misleading. Most of the characters are from "Charlotte City", which I suspect is simply a larger version of Charlottetown. I'm reminded of how True Patriot's Family Dynamic are based in a fictional town in British Columbia. it would appear a similar approach is in play here.

Here are the characters in question, starting with Nucleus from Indestructible.

After an accident involving an electromagnetic test, Martin (Mason) gained extreme powers and strength. Now a protector of the people, he roams the skies a Nucleus, guardian of Charlotte City. His time as a hero might be short-lived as there is a sickness living inside of him.

If Nucleus patrols the skies, The Ghost Of The Cradle prowls its streets.

When a mysterious vigilante starts targeting the criminal underworld of the Cradle, a borough of Charlotte City, Detective Alex Turnbull is tasked with tracking down this strange new threat. Turnbull is forced to face his own personal demons in the hunt for this ghostly persona, all while under the watchful eye of an even deadlier menace looming in the shadows.

There is another character mentioned on the Kickstarter page but it is unclear how involved he'll be in the anthology. The book is marketed as containing three full-length stories and in addition to the above, includes one called Leap Frog.

You can see Century Man is listed as an extra so he may only get a few pages. Nevertheless, he is also Charlotte City product.

The more I looked into the project, the more boxes it checked so rather than take them up on their offer to reduce my pledge from $10 to $2 for the pdf, I upgraded it to the print version of the book as well as a few other perks. It was listed as being a $40 reward and I did not realize it at the time but that includes shipping. That's something to bear in mind but you can still support the project for all of $2.

Follow Sandstone's progress on Facebook.

Groups of Seven/7

The folks behind Group Of 7 have been fairly active while I've been dormant! They have released the second and third issue of their flagship series...

...And are preparing to release another, presumably complementary, title.

Here’s a first look at our new project - PEREGRINES - Service. Sacrifice. Sisterhood. Protecting the dominion of Canada from threats unknown and unbelievable since 1867.

If you're unfamiliar with Group of 7, the book is described (partially) as follows:

While the battle (Vimy Ridge) rages topside, Canadian physician John McCrae leads a secret mission underneath the Ridge against a mysterious enemy with monstrous intentions. To succeed, he’ll need a group of unique soldiers.

Six more of them, in fact, including Lester Pearson and Conn Smythe. Check out the full list here.

In announcing Peregrines earlier this month on their Facebook page, the person who displayed the cover also pointed out that we can expect three more issues of the main Group of 7 book in 2019. The first three can be purchased in print or digitally by following the instructions on this page.

Meanwhile, after long period of dormancy of their own, it appears that the team behind Group of Seven (no relation between the two books) is carrying on as well as evidenced by a recent character redesign.

Here it is folks! The final new look for the character formally known as Canadianna Red. Thanks to all for the feedback with the process of the redesign. My wonderful wife has realized the vision in full colour, for your viewing edification. Here's Anna as she'll appear with her "Hell Bunnies" in the forthcoming Group of Seven issue 6. Now to get onto drawing the book...

I don't believe a fifth issue is available as of yet if I can rely on Indyplanet which I know damn well I can't from past experience. A cover for it has been displayed on that Group of Seven's own Facebook page though so work is at least under way to some degree. A compilation of the first four issues was made available on Amazon.ca in kindle format some time ago.

The Most Crude Post Ever

But it's been so long since I posted anything, probably no one will see it anyway. ;-)

My "career" as an Indiegogo/ Kickstarter supporter is somewhat spotty. Most creators have come through with their promises even if most of that group has been late in delivering.

Rob Mackinnon / Vigilante Comix and their Deborah Daring book has been among the most reliable projects I've supported. I enjoyed it a great 

When I received issue number four some time last year, I recall being a little disappointed that the series would only run for six books in total and hoping that a sequel series would be announced in the future.

My wish was half-met. As Deborah's book prepares to come to an end, Vigilante announced the following series would be crowd-funded next month.

Our tale begins 300 years ago in the Athabasca River area of the Canadian North West, when a dying Cree shaman places a curse on the white settlers that brought disease to the people of his tribe.

Fast forward to 2016 when the Shaman's spirit is awakened by a terrible wild fire that ravages his burial ground near the oil town of Fort McMurray.  

Let's have a better look at some of that art by Dario Carrasco..

Pretty swell stuff. MacKinnon has other irons in the fire in 2019 in books called Hardboiled and Hildebrand - Valkyrie. It's very encouraging to see Vigilante Comix growing. You can find out about their plans on his recently updated and expanded website.

Now I have to be honest and admit that initially, by its name, I believed that this was a bit of a rip off from the Crude story that has been running through the True Patriot Presents anthology book from Chapterhouse.

Reading more about MacKinnon's concept cleared that up quickly; a name similarity appears to be all they truly have in common.

It did, however, remind me that much like Deborah Daring's adventures appear to be coming to an end, at least temporarily, Crude's (and that of all the characters that appear regularly in TPP) may as well. The most recent issue, #11, was released on January 2nd and it confirmed that the series is coming to an end.

The penultimate issue of True Patriot Presents. Get in on the ride while you can! This issue features Dominion Jack! Crude! The Canadian Sentinel! The Family Dynamic!  

Look for an oversized issue #12 in less than two months, plus important True Patriot News!

That's quite the drag but at least there's a hint of something being on the horizon.

I suspect that anyone reading about Canadian superheroes already supports True Patriot Presents but if you do not on the basis that it is a digital-only book or simply don't hear about the book being released, I would suggest your reconsider and/or look into it. At $2 a pop on Comixology, it is an inexpensive way to support Canadian creators.

Psychosis Vol. 4 Now Available!

And I know this for a fact, because it was in my mailbox on Friday! Yay!

For all the difference that it makes, I neglected to mention the Kickstarter campaign here when it launched in March. Regardless, as usual, the book met its goal and still as usual, the 2-man team behind the book were pretty punctual with fulfilling rewards, something I appreciate tremendously.

The pitch was a little sparse this time...

Our team is back to keep pushing themselves to their limits. Not everyone is making it out this time.

Psychosis has bounced around a bit in term of publishers, at least on the digital side, but now (writer Adam) Atkinson and (artist David) Coates are selling the books in print format directly from their Facebook group.

If anyone is looking to order copies of Psychosis, the following is our pricing model, and costs. 

10$ - Single Volume
40$ - Whole Set (4 Volumes)
15$ - Tshirt
35$ - Hooded Sweatshirt (DESIGN TO BE FINISHED SOON) 

Within Moncton Area we will deliver to you at no cost. 

SHIPPING COST TO CANADA
5$ for Single Volume
10$ for All 4 Volumes 

INTERNATIONAL
10$ Single Volume
20$ for All 4 Volumes 

Email psychosisthecomic@gmail.com with orders, and we will have them sent as quickly as possible.

Now excuse me, I have some reading to do.

Update on Canadiana

The image and text below are from about a week ago (link and paragraph break added).

Getting ready for East Coast Comic Expo this weekend! I just picked up our books and prints we'll be selling. Really pleased with the result Pressed 4 Time Printing did. Great job! 

These books have the Canadiana story from the original 2005 web series, (written by Mark Shainblum, pencilled by Jeff Alward, and inked/colored by me) as well as a preview of the brand new adventures. This is the first time in print for Canadiana, and I can't think of a better place to premiere it than the ECCE. 

The above was written in the Blu Haus Studio Facebook group. I have to assume that the "me" referred to above as inker/colourist is Holly Noel since she's the only other Blu Haus member named

A work-in-progress print was displayed months ago as well.

Looks like Canadiana is building herself a team!

I believe that is The Martlet in flight at bottom left, a character that was first revealed (to the best of my knowledge) as an entry in the second Epic Canadiana (no connection to the the character above) anthology from Cloudscape.

That I recall, she ultimately didn't appear (I really need to revisit that book...And to tone down on the parentheses) but from what little I know of her, I'm quite pleased to see her still in play. She sounds like she could be an interesting character with some fairly unique qualities.

If you're not familiar with her, see if you can guess what they are just from the image above.  It's a rare thin among comic book characters.

True Patriot Presents #8 is out!

True Patriot Presents has found a way to release its issues just as I begin to assume that the series is done for. Number 7 came out in January and while I think we all know to not expect an exact bi-monthly schedule, by now things were starting to seem a little bleak.

We hadn't heard much chatter about issue 8 leading up to its release. Often it will be teased a few days in advance. Not this time; While glancing at the new books for the week, there it was in all its Canadian glory.

As the cover above reveals, most of the regulars are here. The book leads off with an action-packed installment of The Red Ensign made to look, as usual, as though you are viewing it on a WW2 newsreel. The copied image below doesn't quite capture it adequately but it's a neat touch.

The Family Dynamic follows with a continuation of the stories told in the three-issue limited series from DC Comics from some years back.  We are at the beginning of the second issue from that series at this point. These pages focus on a crime-fighting duo called Blackbird and Little Wing who are very close to the family.

I quite like these two and when the old DC material runs out, I would be interested in seeing them in a story of their own.

Crude is next, but seen relatively little in a story which serves more to effectively build up the threat that the enemy presents.

The book concludes with some heavy Dominion Jack family drama though again, the supporting cast gets the bulk of the action.

30+ pages for $1.99 US.

It's encouraging to see that all four stories are to be continued. I know that guarantees nothing but it at least displays an intent to go on publishing this anthology and sets my mind at ease on that level.

So with that in mind, could we maybe expect #9 for Canada Day, even if it's a little within the usual bi-monthly expectation? Hope so.

Night of The Red Panda TPB Coming Soon!

The following information about The Terrific Twosome Of Toronto is copied from this "Coming Attractions" audio file from Decoder Ring Theater.

(Artist) Dean (Kotz) and I are going to release a direct market trade paperback of the Red Panda comics that were not in the first collection, the Night of The Red Panda arc. The one with the Mad Monkey, and Professor Zombie and Captain Clockwork...So that will be coming out soon to an Amazon near you so watch for that.

The first three issues of the Red Panda series, Mask Of The Red Panda, were published by Monkeybrain Comics in 2013. They were 35 pages each, in black and white. A trade paperback was published later, in colour, by IDW.

Monkeybrain continued the series with an updated tile (Night Of The Red Panda) but followed the same numbering. Issues were now in colour but 22 pages in length. Presumably then we are getting issues 4 through 13 (the final one) and hopefully enough interest to generate more content. Excellent news.

You Can't Keep Good Heroes Of The North Down!

Since the launch of the original version of this blog in January 2012, Canadian comics and/or comics by Canadians have seen a bit of a surge. There are now several Facebook groups dedicated to such, a creator alliance, a wiki (linked at top right of the page), a high profile publisher and probably several other promotional opportunities that I am forgetting or am simply not aware of.

There have been losses along the way. Many of the projects that motivated me to begin focusing on Canadian comics characters and up-and-coming creators in the first place no longer exist. First and foremost in that category is Heroes Of The North.

Man, I loved me some HOTN. They had the web series, comics, merchandise, novels, personal appearances...They were the total package, to my eye. I could have gone "all in" with those guys and dropped everyone else. I wondered how they could even pull it off!

Until they suddenly didn't. Looking back, their second season was ridiculously ambitious (for which I'm grateful, to be honest). They sent out a bunch of teaser material about incoming actors, new characters, etc, and then...Nothing. The whole thing went silent.

Then oddly enough, after two years of "radio silence", I came across two upcoming projects earlier today which have ties to the Heroes.

One is a book called The Cloak from LRVD Comics.

A short prequel to The Cloak is coming thanks to Yann Brouillette and Joe DeSantos. It will be available for free via digital download and also as a supplement to Issue #1 (print)!

Yann Brouillette wrote much of the Heroes Of The North material. Frankly, I assumed he'd just bailed on the comics industry altogether but evidently he saw something in this character worth investing into. And so he's back. If you want to know more about Brouillette, check out his website and keep track of updates of The Cloak project here.

Meanwhile, Alan Draven has a novella in the works (under a pseudonym, for some reason). Here's the elevator pitch by the man himself, lifted from Twitter.

VIGIL 5. New comic book type illustrated novella series by Neal Vandar about a group of vigilantes led by a black protagonist set in Montreal with elements of Afrofuturism. Coming late 2018/early 2019.

Draven wrote the HOTN novel October Dawn so writing Canadian superheroes is hardly beating a new path for him.  We can keep track of his progress on his own blog here.