Archives for : Comic Books

March 16, 2017

Posted by :Matt Hawkins On : March 16, 2017
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Category: Comic Books

Like Jason Bourne? Tom Clancy stories? Then Samaritan is for you!
In SAMARITAN, a woman with a vendetta decides she’s going to take down the largest military contractor in the world and has the means and a plan that just might work. How do you bankrupt one of the richest, most technologically advanced and successful companies in the world? You steal all their research and give it away to everyone. Can she survive long enough to pull it off with the entire US government trying to kill her?
SAMARITAN #1 (MAR170694) hits stores on Wednesday, May 24th. The final order cutoff deadline for comics retailers is Monday, May 1st.

Sunstone V5 in stores 1/18

Posted by :Matt Hawkins On : January 6, 2017
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Category: Comic Books

The concluding volume of Sunstone hits 1/18.

https://www.amazon.com/Sunstone-5-Stjepan-Sejic/dp/1632157241/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1483741240&sr=8-1&keywords=sunstone+volume+5

Read V1 for free here: http://topcow.com/moos/43-latest-moos/949-free-comic-downloads-from-top-cow

c1_sunstonev5-p1-pdf-r300

Think Tank: Animal #1 to hit in March

Posted by :Matt Hawkins On : November 11, 2016
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Category: Comic Books

Think Tank: Animal #1 hits March 1st by me and Rahsan Ekedal! If you’ve never tried Think Tank before you can read for FREE here the first four issues of VOL 1:
 
Issue 1: http://topcow.com/files/Think_Tank_01_Digital.pdf
Issue 2: http://topcow.com/files/ThinkTank02_lo.pdf
Issue 3: http://topcow.com/files/ThinkTank03_lo.pdf
Issue 4: http://topcow.com/files/ThinkTank04_lo.pdf
 
Here’s the solicit info for March:
 
THINK TANK: ANIMAL #1 (VOL 5)
MARCH 1 / 32 PAGES / FC / T+ / $3.99
 
Several key NATO figures are assassinated…by animals? Someone has perverted Dr. David Loren’s surface thought-reader and turned it into a device sending animals on kill missions. Still recovering from his recent suicide attempt, Dr. David Loren is forced back into the military game to help uncover who is behind this. His fragile relationship with Mirra Sway is tested even further as his father shows up…with a sister he didn’t know he had.
 
People always ask me what I recommend of mine to read, well this is the one! I love doing this book =)
 
 thinktankv5-01_coverathinktankv5-01_coverbthinktankv5-02_coverbthinktank_posterconcept2

The Clock

Posted by :Matt Hawkins On : November 8, 2016
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Category: Comic Books

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What would happen if people started dying around the world in record numbers from cancer? It appears to be spreading like a virus and it’s fast. By the time it’s diagnosed it’s too late… An eugenics conspiracy thriller about overpopulation, scarce resources and survival as told through the lens of the leading cancer researcher and his lifelong quest to eradicate cancer and save his daughter!

The Clock by Colleen Doran and myself will be out in mid to late next year!

Wondercon schedule

Posted by :Matt Hawkins On : March 18, 2016
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Category: Comic Books, Conventions/Appearances

WONDERCON SCHEDULE

FRIDAY 3/25/16

1-3 At Top Cow’s section of Image Comics booth #1802

3:30 – 4:30 Panel Room 515B

Space Goat: Prep Your Portfolio to Impress a Comics Editor
Space Goat Productions is the comic industry’s premier creator management company, representing dozens of comic creators worldwide. This presentation will provide the resources, techniques, and tips for aspiring artists to best prepare their portfolio for viewing by a comics editor. Join Space Goat’s Shon C. Bury and Dave Olbrich plus panelists Matt Hawkins (Top Cow Productions) and writer/editor Shannon Eric Denton discuss putting your best foot forward to begin or advance your career in comics.

5-7 At Top Cow’s section of Image Comics booth 1802

SATURDAY 3/26

10-11 At Top Cow’s section of Image Comics booth 1802

11:30-12:30 PANEL Room 515B

Top Cow Productions: From Then to Now
Founded by Marc Silvestri in 1992, Top Cow Productions soon made its name as the publisher of hit comics like Witchblade, The Darkness, and Cyberforce. The series stood the test of time, spawning a whole multimedia empire. Sit down with Silvestri, Matt Hawkins (COO of Top Cow Productions) and Bryan Edward Hill (story editor) for an exclusive look at where Top Cow has been and where it’s going next.

1-3 At Top Cow’s section of Image Comics booth 1802

5-7 At Top Cow’s section of Image Comics booth 1802

SUNDAY 3/27

11:30-12:30 PANEL Room 515B

Comic Book Editorial Panel 2016
Vince Hernandez (Aspen Comics VP/editor-in-chief), Matt Hawkins (Top Cow Productions publisher), Barbara Randall Kesel (editor), David G. Wohl (DC Comics editor), and Shannon Eric Denton (editor, writer) detail the keys to success in getting published and hired by a comic book publisher.

1-3 At Top Cow’s section of Image Comics booth 1802

This is a local show so I do NOT hang out in the evenings. I go home and recoup. See you next week.

‪#‎wondercon‬ ‪#‎convention‬

Convention tips

Posted by :Matt Hawkins On : March 15, 2016
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Category: Business, Comic Books

While I’m thinking about conventions, let me offer some tips:

1) If you aren’t good at talking to people, you’ll need to bring someone that is
2) Best opening is “hello” or “would you like a free ______”
3) Best sales are always in the final hour of the day so don’t leave early
4) Ask people what they like to read, let them tell you which of your books they’d be more interested in (what kind of movies do you like can be good too).
5) Have 10 second and 60 second pitches for each book. With the 60 second know which key pages of art to show.
6) Have a cheap entry level thing they can buy to try (or give for free)
7) Have expensive quality items for your hardcore fans
8) Have a variety of things. Some people like to choose.
9) When you leave your table leave a sign saying when you’ll be back. I do this and every time someone is waiting for me when I get back (at the time I indicate so don’t be late!)
10) Take credit cards. With the square register there is no reason not to. You’re missing out on sales when you don’t.
11) Hand a person talking to you a book to flip through
12) Smile
13) Make positive comments about their cosplay, kid, t-shirt and follow it up with a question. Where’d you get the shirt?
14) Plan your calories. You need to eat to keep your energy level up
15) Have a clear display with your name, best known property (ies), even a single banner behind you is enough.
16) Have something visible with your social media. I have a “fan card” I give out that has my name and social media on it. Also good to give people who ask for your business card that you don’t want having your email or phone #
17) Bring a small water bottle you can refill at the water fountain.
18) If you’re getting angry, annoyed or are dead on your feet…take a break. Go walk around a bit. Bring a sheet or something to cover your table and as said earlier put a sign, be back at 3:30 or whatever
19) Try and make people laugh. Try different things. Practice and come up with one liners that will make people smile.
20) Don’t be pushy. People come to comic conventions to chill. You can actively sell them without coming across as a used car salesman. And yes you have to “sell” most comic books don’t sell themselves.

Symmetry #3 Sociology Class with links

Posted by :Matt Hawkins On : February 18, 2016
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Category: Comic Books, Sociology Class

SOCIOLOGY CLASS

Welcome to the 3rd issue of Symmetry and thanks for reading! I really liked how Raffaele Ienco’s art fit the sad tone of this issue. We saw Matthew die in the first five pages of issue #1 and now at the end of the 3rd we see what’s going on. I was talking to my wife about the different series I write and she asked me whom the villain of Symmetry is. The primary antagonist is the system itself. The Elder Committee is certainly interesting and could be perceived as “villainous” but it’s not clear-cut.

 

The next issue is the final of the first arc and will answer a LOT of the questions I’m sure you have. We have Michael confronting SOL and there will be some fun twists and turns leading into the second arc.

 

NARRATIVE

Had a question online about the Michael’s narrative as recordings for his unborn child. He’s recording more than just the words printed in the narrative text boxes. He’s also recording what’s being shown in the art. This story is his version of events as he’s relating them to his unborn child. It’s his perspective and is intentionally skewed a bit based on that. If you’ve ever gone back and compared memories with old friends, people remember things very differently.

 

EGALITY VERSUS EQUALITY

These don’t mean the same thing. Egality is an “extreme leveling of society.” Equality is “the state of being the same quantity, measure or value as another.” One of the Four Pillars is equality, but we clearly see that it’s bullshit. Egality is more appropriate since people are the same economically and everything is first come, first serve. It’s part of the point and perspective of the story.

 

SEGREGATION VERSUS SEPARATION

There’s a difference between these as well. It’s summed up well by this quote:

“Segregation is that which is forced upon an inferior by a superior. Separation is done voluntarily by two equals.” Malcolm X

Researching segregation, it’s impossible to not get hit over the head with the Civil Rights movement and the insane George C. Wallace. I realize he’s a relic of his time, but this guy could have been President.

“I draw the line in the dust and toss the gauntlet before the feet of tyranny, and I say segregation now, segregation tomorrow, segregation forever.” George C. Wallace

In this story we learn about how people are segregated by race, age and disposition. The ENTIRE point of it is to avoid conflict.
ARE HUMANS NATURALLY VIOLENT?

From my perspective, the answer to this is yes. All you have to do is read the news and you can see how depraved and violent humanity is to itself. The war of ideas over violence and human nature has raged since the 1600s, when philosopher Thomas Hobbes first speculated that the “natural condition of mankind” was one of violence and conflict. I tend to agree with that, but stumbled across this:

http://www.alfiekohn.org/article/humans-innately-aggressive/

When you read that you’ll see psychologists discussing that it’s not a natural state. I don’t think anyone knows for sure. History has shown that at least a percentage of us are consistently violent throughout recorded events. This link shows murder rates around the world and I found the misconception about the Third World analysis in here very interesting.

https://mises.org/blog/mistake-only-comparing-us-murder-rates-developed-countries

 

WOLVES AND SPEED

I wrote the wolves in the story originally as mountain lions, but Raffaele wanted to draw them as wolves so wolves they are! In editing I frequently will cut down the # of words from previous drafts and in some cases eliminate certain threads or explanations because they bog the story down. My philosophy on writing is that if you can think of a reasonable explanation as to why something happens, then you don’t need to go out of your way to explain it. Point being I wrote a bunch of narrative explaining why the wolves didn’t immediately catch up with Matthew and Elder Sharon in the pursuit. The reason I gave is that these wolves had never seen humans before and were slightly cautious. This was four narrative captions and I took it out because it bogged down the story and isn’t terribly important to what’s going on. Full out wolves run between 31 and 37 mph

https://www.californiawolfcenter.org/education/wolf-facts/

 

That’s it for this issue, thanks again for reading and if you like this book please recommend it to a friend!

Carpe Diem,

 

 

Tithe 8 Sunday School

Posted by :Matt Hawkins On : February 18, 2016
0

Category: Comic Books, Sunday School

 

As promised, here is the Sunday School with links!

Welcome and thanks for hanging in with me through eight issues of The Tithe! In hindsight I wish I’d titled this book Samaritan. It seems a lot of people don’t know what a Tithe is or how to say the word. It’s tie-the (like tie fighter followed by a the), two syllables. You can call it whatever the hell you want though as long as you keep reading! I appreciate you =)

 

Getting a lot of questions about whether this is the end of the series or not. The answer is, unfortunately, I don’t know. Of all the books I write this one sells the lowest number of copies. Might be because people are afraid of what it’s about (I’ve pissed off a fair amount of religious people it seems). Honestly, I don’t know. We’re selling almost three times the number of copies for Symmetry. I love this book, but I have to bow to the gods of economics. I’ll use these characters elsewhere including the Eden’s Fall storyline (see below) but the volume 2 trade needs to sell decently for a volume 3 to be a reality. So…if you want it, please recommend the book to a friend and thanks!

 

TITHE VOLUME 3

 

I have a distinct third volume story arc in mind, which takes place in Italy, and, you guessed it, the Vatican. Jimmy and Sam are on the run together and stealing something and Dwayne is reluctantly in pursuit with the CIA. I’ve always wanted to really get into some Catholic history and mythology. This may not end up being what Volume 3 ends up being, but I like the idea and have set it up somewhat that Jimmy and Sam might take off. We shall see!
EDEN’S FALL

 

You might have noticed in The Tithe Volume 1 I referenced “Eden” when Samantha said to Kyle Araman that she found a place in Wyoming that would take them (at the time fugitives) in. I also included in this second Volume Dr. David Loren from Think Tank and that second epilogue of this issue where Thornton ends up in Eden talking to the mayor is a pretty direct tie-in with Postal.

 

I really, really hate massive forced cross-overs, but we’ve done a few smaller ones and when they’re organic they work well. This one is story driven and the plan is to do a three-issue mini-series called “Eden’s Fall” that will be co-written by myself and Bryan Hill and we want Atilio Rojo (artist on IXth Generation and the Postal: Dossier story) but we haven’t actually asked him yet as I write this…so could be someone else.
The story of “Eden’s Fall” will feature characters from The Tithe, Postal and Think Tank in a single story. I don’t want to give too much away but it will essentially be about some people that want to take out Jim Thornton from this very arc of The Tithe.

RIGHT WING REVIEWS

 

I used to be a right-winger, so I find it amusing when right-wingers call me out for being too liberal. This blog site and its reviews of multiple issues of The Tithe I find especially amusing: http://therorshachrant.blogspot.com/

 

MY REASONING FOR MAKING THIS ARC A RIGHT WING CONSPIRACY

 

Some people have taken me to task for this and let me explain it very simply; I did it because it made for a good story that I wanted to tell. That’s it. I really don’t have an agenda. I’m a centrist; a semi-conservative fiscal and a semi-liberal social person. I equally loathe both parties in our two party system. Conspiracy theories always seem to float around, even when things are on video and fairly clear. Our chief antagonist in this story arc was Senator McKitrick who pulled all the strings. I liked the idea that he saw some of these conspiracy theories and thought that was a good idea and formulated his plan after that.

 

9/11 conspiracy documentary, long, but free:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TpRZiQ_gqJc

 

Easily debunked:

http://www.popularmechanics.com/military/a49/1227842/

 

JOHN F. KENNEDY QUOTE

I skipped the full text page this issue when I found this JFK quote. I sometimes spend hours scouring for the right “quote” but I found this one quickly. I look for these last, after the story is written so I can try and find a quote that I feel encapsulates the heart of what I’m trying to say. I do try to incorporate social commentary in my stories, I know some of you don’t like that but I grew up with the 50’s-80’s science fiction authors and learned about many of the social issues in society from them. Star Trek alone boldly takes on so many social problems from the 20th century. First on screen interracial kiss anyone?

Here is the full JFK quote in his Remarks to the Greater Houston Ministerial Association:

“I believe in an America where the separation of church and state is absolute – where no Catholic prelate would tell the President (should he be Catholic) how to act, and no Protestant minister would tell his parishioners for whom to vote – where no church or church school is granted any public funds or political preference – and where no man is denied public office merely because his religion differs from the President who might appoint him or the people who might elect him.

I believe in an America that is officially neither Catholic, Protestant nor Jewish – where no public official either requests or accepts instructions on public policy from the Pope, the National Council of Churches or any other ecclesiastical source – where no religious body seeks to impose its will directly or indirectly upon the general populace or the public acts of its officials – and where religious liberty is so indivisible that an act against one church is treated as an act against all.” JFK September 12 1960.
This quote seems more applicable today to the Islam/Christianity religious drama in our world today, but back then people were concerned that JFK was a Catholic. He was the first Catholic President and before he was elected there was some concern that he would listen to the Pope over the USA’s own interests.

 

11-22-63

Given the above quote, wanted to give a plug to Stephen King’s book, which I happened to just recently read. Long, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. It’s about a guy going back in time to prevent JFK from being assassinated and how that would affect the world.

 

CLOSED NETWORKS NOT ON THE INTERNET

I was interested to discover this is how a lot of large firms protect their data from being hacked…they’re not on the internet. China has a closed internet that allows them to more thoroughly control and censor what goes up, but it’s still “connected” and hackable. Hackers are pretty smart though, read this first link if you want to be scared shitless.

 

https://www.hackread.com/hacking-offline-computer-and-phone/

https://www.fbi.gov/scams-safety/computer_protect

 

FUTURE CRIME by Mark Goodman

This book is a bit dry but talks about the “internet of things” and how someone can be spying on you from your coffee maker. Scary shit. Worth a read. I used a lot of reference from this book for hacking in The Tithe and in Think Tank.

 

CELL PHONE HACKING/LISTENING

I’m sure you’ve seen how phones are clone-able to listen in on calls or read texts in real time, but there are a lot of interesting things you can do remotely with someone else’s phone. Bottom line your phone is not that secure, regardless of model, so don’t leave nude pics of your significant other on there.

http://www.physics.utah.edu/spectrum/index.php/demolicious-physics/130-5-tricks-you-did-not-know-you-could-do-with-cell-phones

 

IMPEACHMENT

Writing this script I was curious about the process of impeachment. Presidents Andrew Johnson and Bill Clinton were both impeached by the U.S. House of Representatives, but acquitted by the Senate. Richard Nixon resigned before he could be impeached. Interesting stuff.

http://www.senate.gov/reference/resources/pdf/98-806.pdf

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Impeachment_in_the_United_States

 

MILITIA GROUPS

Given the recent Oregon militia deal up at that Wildlife Refuge I include this list merely for your amusement and education. Reading this list will add you to some FBI watch lists! Fun, fun.

http://www.darkgovernment.com/news/list-of-u-s-militia-groups/

 

MOTION SENSORS/BOOBY TRAPS

That laser motion detector is legit, I took it from here:

http://www.cpss.net/blog/post/2013/11/13/How-Does-an-Alarm-Motion-Sensor-Work.aspx

 

HOW TO THROW A HAND GRENADE

Came across this link when I was sending reference for that page where the FBI Tac-ops guy throws the flash grenade. You never know when you might need to know this (cue the old NBC, “The More you Know” music).

http://www.armystudyguide.com/content/army_board_study_guide_topics/hand_grenades/throwing-of-hand-grenades.shtml

 

ALCOHOL CHRISTIANITY AND ISLAM

Slight distinction on alcohol from the two different religions. Christianity takes the “in moderation” it’s fine approach, but Islam says alcohol is BAD, m’kay? The Christian explanation is at the first link, the Muslim one the second. If you’re too lazy to click and read, the basic view is the one is that Muslims should not have alcohol in their system when they pray and they have to pray five times a day…so no alcohol!

https://www.gci.org/series/alcohol/bible

http://www.greenprophet.com/2011/11/muslims-alcohol-haraam/

 

That’s it for this issue! Thanks for sticking it out with me, I appreciate you reading this and my other books. Phil Sevy has gone on to take over a new Tomb Raider series coming out from Dark Horse so be sure and check that out. Hopefully I’ll get a chance to work with him again.

 

More writing advice

Posted by :Matt Hawkins On : February 17, 2016
1

Category: Advice, Comic Books

Want to be a better writer?

1) Read everything. If you want to write comics books, don’t just read comic books. It’s painfully obvious when you get a submission from a writer who only reads comics. Derivative isn’t always good.

2) Live and experience shit. Real life experience always translates into better stories. Look at situations you’ve been in or things you’ve felt and exaggerate them. Change them in your mind from mundane to extraordinary. Great basis for storytelling. Get out of your comfort zone. Do things you wouldn’t normally do.

3) Listen to how people talk. It’s called eavesdropping and can be hella fun!

4) Write multiple drafts. Outline first. A plan is key. Writing yourself into a corner always sucks. Writing is rewriting. Mental block? Write anything to fill the pages, you can always go back and change it later. Progress is key. Study story structure.

5) Read dialogue out loud. You’ll be amazed how stupid stuff can sound.

6) Deconstruct others work you like. Reverse engineer a comic book arc, a film, whatever into a one pager. Then write up a paragraph or two about the characters. What do they want? Why is now important? What do they fear? You’ll start noticing patterns from successful writers.

7) Read “how to write” books by successful authors. I see so many how to books by people who don’t do or are marginally successful in the field they’re teaching about. Read “On Writing” by Stephen King.

8) Intentionally day dream. When you’re sitting in the food court at the mall look around and think up dramatic scenarios that would elevate something mundane to extraordinary. Hostage situation? Terrorist attack? People streaking? Domestic dispute?

9) Imagine conversations with people then have them. How was it different from what you thought it would be?

10) Meet new people. Nothing like learning about someone new’s life to spark the imagination. Talk to people.

How hard is it to be a comic writer?

Posted by :Matt Hawkins On : January 8, 2016
0

Category: Advice, Business, Comic Books

How many working comic book writers are there in English? By “working” I mean being PAID to write comics regularly…300? 500?
 
There were 62,000 English novel writers published in print in 2015 who received some kind of advance.
 
http://www.theguardian.com/books/2015/jan/02/books-2015-calendar-year-kazuo-ishiguro-jonathan-franzen-toni-morrison
 
Some interesting statistics on TV and film writers here:
http://www.wga.org/subpage_whoweare.aspx?id=922
 
Basically says there are roughly 3,000 regularly paid TV writers. I couldn’t find the stat for film writers, but there are also a LOT of films written and paid for that never come out (we’ve had many).
 
800 films released theatrically a year on average, most by unique writers or combination of writers. Plus what at least that many made and not released theatrically. I’d guess another multiple of 2 of films paid to be written that don’t ever get made. Let’s say 3,000, but I bet it’s closer to 5,000.
 
http://www.the-numbers.com/movies/year/2015
http://www.mpaa.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/MPAA-Theatrical-Market-Statistics-2014.pdf
 
Let all this sink in for a minute.
 
Summary for paid writers (in English):
 
Comic writers 300 (500)
Novel writers 62,000
TV writers 3,000
Film writers 3,000
 
These numbers aren’t exact, I’m just trying to make a point. There are also 1,696 players in the NFL. Two things amaze me:
 
1) That some people think it should be easy to be a writer in comics and
2) I can’t believe I’m 1 of 300 (or whatever it is).
 
One way to be guaranteed to NEVER write a comic for someone you’re talking to is telling them that “I can do a better job than the hack you have on it.”
 
It’s not impossible, but it is hard. You can read my free pitching advice here:
 
http://matttalks.com/2014/04/some-pitching-advice/
 
One thing NOT in there I said in a recent interview that I stick by is be prepared to NOT make money for 5 years before you do. If you can’t commit to that, you might want to rethink it. Yes there are people that get in and get work immediately, but the vast majority (and I’ve been doing this for 23 years now) I’ve seen are in it for awhile before they get paid to write. And being a writer in another field first and transitioning over isn’t the same.
 
Food for thought eh?