Who's Who In The CBU Update 2008
Who are... Park and Barb?
Barbara Lien-Cooper writes the comic GUN STREET GIRL at Panel 2 Panel, was an original founder of Sequential Tart, is the managing editrix of the 2004 Eisner award-winning print magazine COMIC BOOK ARTIST, and was named by Mark Millar (The Authority, Ultimates, Wanted) as one of the three most promising new talents in the next wave of comics writing.
Park Cooper started writing about comics at the now-defunct DC FANZINE website.
When You Meet The Zuda On The Road, Interview Him: The David Gallaher Mini-Interview
By Park Cooper
Four score months and seven weeks ago, our fathers and mothers brought forth on this superhighway a new nation, conceived upon a failed theory of 'micropayments,' and dedicated to the proposition that even digital comics are created as equally as are other comics.
Now Marvel is finally done with the storyline of Civil War, and DC is testing whether the nation of webcomicsdom, so conceived and so dedicated, can evolve beyond its origins. We are met on a great battlefield of that question. They have come to DC's Zuda to dedicate a portion of the interweb as a potential launching place for those who there give free pages that that nation might live. It is sufficiently fitting and proper that somebody should do this, and it's all happening starting on this upcoming Tuesday, October 30th.
But, in a larger sense, we cannot force people to subscribe to this ground. The brave men and women, living and dead, who struggle at Zuda, have consecrated it almost above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget that Zuda is doing this. It is for us, the readers, rather, to be dedicated here to enjoying the work which they who'll fight it out will have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us — that from these of whom only one or two shall be honored and rewarded shall we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion — that we here highly resolve that these webcomics shall not have been writ in vain — that this nation of fandom shall have a new birth of paying attention to webcomics and taking them seriously— and that webcomics of the people, by the people, for DC, shall not perish from the earth.
This is the David Gallaher Zuda High Moon mini-interview.
http://high-moon.blogspot.com/
Park Cooper: So I hear you're doing this Zuda thing with DC. How did you happen to find out Zuda was happening?
David Gallaher: Editor Kwanza Johnson approached me and told me that DC was doing something cool with webcomics. My first gig at Marvel was editing and assisting with webcomics - so in a way this was a matter of getting back to my roots.
PC: What did you edit, anyway? For that matter, how did you get that job?
DG: I edited a bunch of Marvel Dot Comics with Spider-Man, Captain America, Gambit, and Daredevil. I started as an intern in the Marvel Interactive department. I faxed a resume I drew to the Intern Coordinator. http://www.davidgallaher.com/images/comicresume.jpg I had written some computer manuals, back in the day - and she thought I was a good fit for Marvel interactive.
PC: Okay, so out of all possible possibilities for Zuda... how did you decide upon a western... and then how'd you decide upon a supernatural western?
DG: The idea for High Moon came about in September of 2004, I believe. The idea was an outgrowth of my interest in the Civil War and old time radio programs like Gunsmoke and Have Gun Will Travel.
PC: How'd you come up with the name Blest? Hm, doesn't seem to be a Blest, Texas… I know there's a Paradise and an Avalon... I’ve been there... So how'd you choose Blest, Texas?
DG: Blest is slightly fictional, but also based in historical fact. The Isles of the Blest are from Celtic Folklore, but there's also that old expression, 'God Bless Texas'
PC: Are there any western comics or western comics characters you particularly like?
DG: I love Matt Dillon from Gunsmoke - my main character Macgregor shares his first name – Matthew. I'm also a fan of Paladin from Have Gun Will Travel.
PC: Nothing in comics, huh?
DG: The Lone Ranger, but he's also sort of a radio serial hero. But, apart from that - not many other heroes. I like the western heroes’ sense of fair play, their oath to act as a shepherd to their community, and their sense of justice. Macgregor shares many of the traits of a typical western hero. But, as High Moon develops beyond its prologue, there are a few elements that set him apart.
PC: Any good stories about how you got your artist or colorist?
DG: My artist/colorist are one in the same. Steve and I had met and talked before at quite a few conventions. In 2004, when I moved to Brooklyn, he move away, which was odd. But, we reconnected in 2007, I mentioned werewolves - and that was pretty much a done deal. This project was really a matter of being in the right place at the right time with the right project. I knew Steve from his exceptional work on SILENCERS and CRIMSON DYNAMO. Here's a video of Steve Ellis drawing Wolverine: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUJYL0nmPI4
HIGH MOON is a project I'm really proud of. Steve Ellis and our letterer Scott O. Brown did exceptional work - and really did a great job making this a very different sort of project. Oh, and I know that the copy reads that Macgregor has a supernatural secret of his own - but he actually has several secrets ...and he's not the only one.
PC: Good... Say… So how often will Zuda (or you, whichever) update, anyway? Or do we get to see it all so far at once?
DG: You'll get to see the first eight pages on October 30th - and far more if we win the competition.
PC: Can you give me a link yet to EXACTLY where HM will appear, so that people can go straight there and not be distracted by anything?
DG: I don't have one yet, sorry. But on October 30th, try http://www.davidgallaher.com/highmoon
--That’ll forward right to it. High Moon is best described as a 'Fistful of Lycans' :-)
Messages from Park and Barb:
What’s Good?
With Park and Barb
Barb says: What’s good? Write us and tell us what you’re reading that you like, in comics, manga, or whatever… especially if what you’re reading has a website where we can find out more about it and stuff! Use the link at the top of this column where Park’s name (or mine) goes… If enough people write to us, we'll print it here on the Show...
Atelier Marie and Elie -Zarlburg Alchemist- Volume 1
This new manga that's out now was the first adapted by Barb for Tokyopop... You know, someone does a literal translation of the Japanese-to-English, and then someone comes and rewrites it so you don't end up with 'All your base are belong to us.' Well, with Atelier Marie, that second someone was Barb, so please pick it up and enjoy it.
"Welcome to the Zarlburg Royal Magic Academy-- producers of the best alchemists in the world! When Marie, Zalburg's prodigal daughter and premier alchemist, returns to her alma mater after thrilling journeys in many foreign lands, she suddenly realizes things are not too exciting at home. But all that changes after running into fellow alchemist Elie, who has plans to open an alchemy workshop and become famous."
Barb enjoyed it, I enjoyed it, there's adventure, comedy, fantasy, all that stuff you like.
So please go to your local store or however you purchase things and get it. Enjoy!
http://www.panel2panel.com/gsg-archives.html
http://www.wickermanstudios.com
http://www.halfdeadcomic.com
http://www.comicspace.com/wickermanstudios
http://www.amazon.com/Atelier-Marie-Elie-Zarlburg-Alchemist/dp/1598165259
And you can now get Septagon Studios stuff online too, like this thing: SCORN
SCORN is now available for pre-order in a number of ways:
--Scorn 1 and 2 can be ordered directly from the Septagon Studios Web site
--e-mailing store@septagonstudios.com, especially if one is a retailer, because there are special benefits
--Scorn is also available through Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Scorn-1-Obsessed-Kevin-Moyers/dp/097396670X
http://www.amazon.com/Scorn-2-Rage-Kevin-Moyers/dp/0973966718
