Gary Scott Beatty's Posts

Indie Comics Magazine #1 NOW in January Previews

Posted by Gary Scott Beatty on December 29, 2010 at 4:20am

The first issue of Indie Comics Magazine can now be preordered in Diamond Comic Distributors' January 2011 Previews catalog. A warning to everyone interested: the book is available ONLY through Previews! We aren't printing a stack for resale online. January's Previews is the ONLY way comic readers and comic shops will be able to get their hands on issue one. The book is listed under Aazurn Publishing in the comic section.

We're way different than other books. We feature done-in-one stories so readers can get a feel for what these creators can do. Short biographies and contact information are included so readers can easily seek out more of the creators' work. These details make Indie Comics Magazine a valuable resource for anyone interested in the world of independent comics.

Indie Comics Magazine is 64 pages of the best story and art from today's independent comic book creators, and the first issue proves that assertion with a talented lineup that reads like a who's who of the indy comic movement. Appearing in issue one is Tom Kelly (DC's Zuda), Tim Vigil (Faust), David Branstetter (Straw Man), K.J. Kolka (The Cardinal), Gary Scott Beatty (Jazz: Cool Birth), Anthony Cacioppo (Kaso Comics), Terry Cronin (Students of the Unusual) and Douglas Paszkiewicz (Arsenic Lullaby). The cover to #1 features a full color painting by Marcus Boas (Heavy Metal).

The number of comic books, graphic novels and online entertainment available today can be overwhelming to a casual reader. We help readers cut through the reviews and hype to experience these creators' raw talent.

I'm really psyched with the variety of art styles and mix of genres in Indie Comics Magazine. We were lucky to land different creators with a diverse range of storytelling styles. This is a real cross section of indy comic book genius!

Indie Comics Magazine is available ONLY through the January Previews order magazine NOW at your local comic shop. Order Code is JAN110879. We're listed under Aazurn Publishing. http://indiecomicsmagazine.com.

K.J. Kolka's Long-Running Strip to Appear in the New Indie Comics Magazine

Posted by Gary Scott Beatty on December 8, 2010 at 12:51pm

Indie Comics Magazine Editor Gary Scott Beatty recently announced K.J. (Kurt) Kolka's long-running comic strip The Cardinal will appear in an eight page story in the new comic book, scheduled for preorder in Diamond Comic Distributors' January 2011 Previews catalog and available only through Previews. The Cardinal began as a college strip in 1978.

"Kurt has a strong regional following and has been known in Michigan for over 30 years," said Beatty. "We're happy to show the rest of the world this popular indy strip." Indie Comics Magazine is 64 pages of the best story and art from today's independent comic book creators.

The Cardinal is the story of a group of people living in a fictitious university town whose lives are touched by an ordinary young man who believes he has been called to be a super hero. Kolka began dealing with real life social issues, the difficulties facing people and crime in this college strip in 1978. It ran as a regional print publication from 1990 to 2006 and debuted online at comicssherpa.com in 2007. Two live action film adaptions of the strip were released in 2004 and 2007.

Looking at Kolka's straight forward, retro art style, it's no surprise he lists comic influences from famous adventure strips like Mandrake the Magician, The Phantom, Annie and Dick Tracy.

"At its core, The Cardinal strip is about a man who sees people needing help and, unlike many of us, does not turn away," Beatty explained. "Kurt uses Golden Age super hero conventions and spiritual themes to pull this off in the strip, and it works with an emotional intensity not often found in comic books today."

Each issue of the new Indie Comics Magazine will feature eight full stories from eight different independent comic book creators, said Beatty. Short biographies and contact information are included with the stories so readers can easily seek out more of the creators' work. Full color strips of The Cardinal are online to view at TheCardinal.org.

Indie Comics Magazine is available only through the Previews order magazine at your local comic shop. The first issue premieres January, 2011. Find your local comic shop at 1-888-COMICBOOK (1-888-266- 4226) or online at http://www.comicshoplocator.com. Information about Indie Comics Magazine is online at http://indiecomicsmagazine.com.

DC's Zuda Artist Tom Kelly to Appear in the New Indie Comics Magazine

Posted by Gary Scott Beatty on November 30, 2010 at 10:40am

Indie Comics Magazine Editor Gary Scott Beatty recently announced nationally known cartoonist Tom Kelly will write and illustrate an eight page story titled Shadows of the Forest in the new comic book, scheduled for preorder in Diamond Comic Distributors' January 2011 Previews catalog and available only through Previews. The done-in-one tale features Kelly's character The Savage Samurai.

Kelly's children's web comic "The Stuffed Animal Sagas" appeared on DC comics' website ZUDA.com. "Indie Comics Magazine is 64 pages of the best story and art from today's independent comic book creators," said Beatty. "We're doing in print what DC attempted online: giving greater exposure to talented indy creators. And Tom's work is just phenomenal."

Kelly has produced graphic design and illustration for numerous design, production and toy companies, such as Spin Master Toys, Rittenhouse Archives, Topps, Hasbro, EA Sports, Wizards of the Coast and Mattel. His illustrations have appeared in Black Petals magazine, Star Wars Insider, Imagine Fx, Design Graphics, Tales of the Talisman, Thrasher, Wired and Time Out Chicago magazine.

The Chicago based artist has also designed posters and promotional art for Chicago bands Daemon Familiar, Unibrow and Moses Gun.

"Tom's style is beautifully balanced and intricate, with graceful line work," Beatty gushed. "We're very lucky to have him in the new Indie Comics Magazine." Kelly has won several awards, including the Wayne Wright Key for Excellence and the Pennsylvania Keystone Silver Seal.

Each issue of the new comic will feature eight full stories from eight different independent comic book creators, said Beatty. Short biographies and contact information are included with the stories so readers can easily seek out more of the creators' work. Kelly accepts commissions through http://tommm9.daportfolio.com.

Indie Comics Magazine is available only through the Previews order magazine at your local comic shop. The first issue premieres January, 2011. Find your local comic shop at 1-888-COMICBOOK (1-888-266- 4226) or online at http://www.comicshoplocator.com. Information about Indie Comics Magazine is online at http://indiecomicsmagazine.com.

Marcus Boas Paints Cover for the New Indie Comics Magazine

Posted by Gary Scott Beatty on November 26, 2010 at 5:18am

Indie Comics Magazine Editor Gary Scott Beatty announced today that a Marcus Boas painting will appear on the first issue of the new comic book, scheduled for preorder in Diamond Comic Distributors' January 2011 Previews catalog and available only through Previews.

From paperback book covers to movie posters to Heavy Metal magazine, Marcus Boas has been leaving his mark on sword and sorcery illustration since the 1970s. Boas' style is defined by a skill and tension reminiscent of the pulp magazines and movie posters of the '40s and '50s.

"Indie Comics Magazine is 64 pages of the best story and art from today's independent comic book creators," said Beatty. "It's only fitting that an illustrator with such a long history of impressive genre painting should appear on the cover of our new book."

Just out of art school, Boas painted for Calvin Beck, publisher of Castle of Frankenstein magazine. Influenced by Frank Frazetta and Jim Steranko, Boas illustrated fantasy, adventure, romance and Western paperbacks, and Kung Fu movie posters. Comic book conventions in the '70s and'80s brought him comic book cover work.

Boas is particularly adept at depicting strong, gorgeous females, as on the premiere Indie Comics Magazine cover. Each issue of the comic will feature eight full stories from eight different independent comic book creators, said Beatty. Short biographies and contact information are included with the stories so readers can easily seek out more of the creators' work.

Boas posters and prints, and his latest book, "Enter the Worlds of Heroic Fantasy - Paintings by Marcus Boas" is available at KasoComics.com.

Indie Comics Magazine is available only through the Previews order magazine at your local comic shop. The first issue premieres in Previews January, 2011. Find your local comic shop at 1-888-COMICBOOK (1-888-266- 4226) or online at http://www.comicshoplocator.com. Information about Indie Comics Magazine is online at http://indiecomicsmagazine.com.

Indie Comics Magazine Fills a Need for Indy Comic Fans, Creators

Posted by Gary Scott Beatty on November 23, 2010 at 3:18am

The new Indie Comics Magazine Editor Gary Scott Beatty was reading a comic book review when he had an idea. There are countless places independent comic book readers can see news and reviews. Why not offer a source for quality stories from indy comic book creators?

The result was Indie Comics Magazine. The first issue is scheduled for preorder in Diamond Comic Distributors' January 2011 Previews catalog and is available only through Previews. Each issue will feature eight full stories from eight different creators, said Beatty.

"The steady growth of independent comic book publishing since the 1960's underground movement, the 1980's black and white explosion and the 2000's online revolution has led to a staggering number of titles," he explained. "Quality work often never reaches a wide audience. There are so many titles competing for our attention many brilliant creators are simply overlooked."

That is why Beatty, who colors and letters comics and is a Xeric grant winning author and illustrator, brought up the possibility of a monthly indie publication with his many friends in the industry. Indie Comics Magazine is 64 pages of the best story and art from today's independent comic book creators. Each issue will feature eight full stories from eight different creators.

"They couldn't believe no one had thought of it before," he laughed. "Readers can use our magazine as presented, to enjoy the range of talented writers and artists in it, but they can go one step further and visit their favorites online to learn more about what they do and, maybe, buy some of their work."

Short biographies and contact information are included with the done-in-one stories so readers can easily seek out more from their favorites.

Advancing technology is bringing with it an onslaught of entertainment choices, said Beatty. "It can be overwhelming. We can help readers cut through the noise and find indie comic creators who are definitely worth a second look."

Indie Comics Magazine is available only through the Previews order magazine at your local comic shop. The first issue premieres in January, 2011's Previews. Information about Indie Comics Magazine is online at http://indiecomicsmagazine.com.

Indie Comics Magazine Premieres in January Previews

Posted by Gary Scott Beatty on November 18, 2010 at 11:41am

Indie Comics Magazine is 64 pages of the best story and art from today's independent comic book creators. It's also a valuable resource for anyone interested in the world of independent comics.

Each issue will feature eight full stories from eight different creators. The first issue is scheduled for preorder in Diamond Comic Distributors' January 2011 Previews catalog and is available only through Previews.

It's important to read done-in-one stories to get a feel for what these creators can do. Short biographies and contact information are included with the stories so readers can easily seek out more of the creators' work.

The sheer number of comic books, graphic novels and online entertainment available today is overwhelming. We help readers cut through the reviews and hype to experience these creators' raw talent.

Indie Comics Magazine will present a variety of art styles and genres. Adventure, superhero and ninja tales will appear side-by-side with comedy, romance and mystery. We plan a real variety show format. Just call me the Ed Sullivan of indy publishers!

Indie Comics Magazine is available only through the Previews order magazine at your local comic shop. The first issue premieres January, 2011. Find your local comic shop at 1-888-COMICBOOK (1-888-266- 4226) or online at http://www.comicshoplocator.com. Information about Indie Comics Magazine is online at http://indiecomicsmagazine.com.