Dynamo 5 schedule update

Dynamo 5 #22 came out last week, and today we delivered issue #23 to Image. So it should be on sale towards the end of July. Mahmud is three pages away from finishing issue #24, so we're on track for that issue to be on sale in August -- the same month it's solicited! What a concept. And our double-sized issue #25 should be on sale in September (again, the same month it was solicited for). That issue contains a full-length lead story, as well as five, 5-page back-ups. All but one of these back-ups are already written and drawn too, so we're actually ahead of schedule there.

None of us are proud of the delays that have plagued the book lately, but I'm really glad these four issues will ship monthly. And while we had guest artists contribute to issues #21, #22, and #23, issues #24 and #25 will feature full length stories drawn entirely by Mahmud.

Also on sale at the end of July is our 3rd TPB, "Fresh Blood," which collects issues #14 thru #19. As a bonus feature, we're also presenting my full script to issue #16, which is the first time I really eased back on the structure and let Mahmud choreograph and pace entire scenes. It's pretty interesting to compare my plot to the finished product. In each instance, Mahmud took what I gave him and made it better.

On Sale This Week

Dynamo 5 #22

Story by Jay Faerber, Art by Mahmud A. Asrar & Yildiray Cinar, Cover by Mahmud A. Asrar & Ron Riley

Introducing ... the Brain Trust! IQ off the charts? Check. Indestructible super-body? Check. Dynamo 5 in over their heads? Check.

32 pages * FC* $3.50 US

Former Noble Causes artist (and current artist of the Ravager co-feature in Teen Titans) Yildiray Cinar was kind enough to help us out on this issue, drawing 6 pages in this issue. As always, his work looks fantastic alongside Mahmud's. This issue also features the introduction of Flagstone, a brand-new character that was co-created by me and artist Chad Hardin, as part of an abandoned pitch a few years ago. But this particular character was just too fun to leave on the sidelines, so I found a way to work him into the Dynamo 5 series. Unfortunately, I'm an idiot and neglected to credit Chad as co-creator in this issue, as I'd originally promised him. I'll make it up to you, Chad!

You can read a 5-page preview of the issue at Newsarama.

Gemini #4

After an embarrassing series of delays, we've finally delivered GEMINI #4 to Image yesterday. The plan is for it to be available for purchase at the San Diego Comic-Con (where artist Jon Sommariva will be in attendance!), as well as your local comic shop.

As you can see by the cover, this issue guest stars Dynamo 5! It was really cool to see Jon's take on the kids. In just a few weeks, you'll be able to see for yourselves.

And with any luck, it won't take us as long to put together issue #5.

Parker & Lieber go UNDERGROUND

A few years ago, I attended a small comic convention in Calgary, Alberta. At the show, I sat next to Jeff Parker. We got along great, and ever since then, I look forward to our brief chats whenever we run into each other at various other conventions.

At the most recent Emerald City Comicon in Seattle, Jeff was telling me about a new creator-owned book he had developed with Steve Lieber. If I recall correctly, he was asking the best way to pitch the book to Image. I told him to just show the material to Eric Stephenson, and I was reasonably sure Eric would greenlight it on the spot. Later, I told Eric to swing by Jeff's booth to see the book. Eric did, and in fact, he greenlit it on the spot.

If this sounds like I'm trying to take credit for Image publishing Jeff and Steve's new book, UNDERGROUND, that's exactly what I'm trying to do.

Okay, not really. But it is fun to see just how informal and fast Image's approval process can be, when confronted with a book as cool as UNDERGROUND, by creators as skilled as Jeff and Steve.

According to the solicitation copy, UNDERGROUND is a five issue color series beginning in September from IMAGE COMICS. Written by Jeff Parker, drawn by Steve Lieber, and colored by Ron Chan, the story follows Park Ranger Wesley Fischer as she tries to save Stillwater Cave-- and then has to save herself.

The book is scheduled to launch in September, which means it's available for pre-order right now. You can see all sorts of behind-the-scenes material -- and even read a complete b&w copy (the series itself is in full color) -- at their new website. Do yourself a favor and check it out.

Everyone wants to see more of Scrap

Well, this is about as much as we could show without giving the book a Mature Readers label. This is from Dynamo 5 #24, pencilled and inked by Mahmud A. Asrar.

Wednesday Previews

This week I'm showing the latest page from Gemini #4. Remember that book? It IS still happening! Art is by Jon Sommariva and colors are by Fares Maese.