Indie Comics Magazine #1 NOW in January Previews

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.

Faust Artist Tim Vigil to Appear in the New Indie Comics Magazine

Indie Comics Magazine Editor Gary Scott Beatty recently announced art by nationally known illustrator Tim Vigil will appear in an eight page story titled City of Lost Souls 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, featuring Vigil's character Dick William Vickers, private eye, is written by his brother, Jeff Vigil.

"We're really pleased to have Tim's edgy, hard-boiled art in Indie Comics Magazine," said Beatty, "and getting his brother Jeff to write completes the package." Vickers is a film noir styled private eye in a horror story setting, said Beatty, who will appear in a five issue series of books some time in the future. "We get a glimpse of him here, following leads in the Devil's Den area of Sacrament, New York."

Praised for his attention to detail in black and white art, anatomy, and extremely graphic art, Vigil is responsible for creating the DynaPop art style and was a key member of the Rebel Studios company. His graphic novel Faust (with David Quinn) was adapted by Brian Yuzna as the movie Faust: Love of the Damned. Faust: Book of M was nominated for a Bram Stoker Award for Best Illustrated Narrative.

Tim's art has appeared in books by Caliber Comics, Verotik (the comic book label of The Misfits leader Glenn Danzig) and in the Broken Halos Studios books Broken Halo and Gunfighters in Hell (featuring art by brother Joe Vigil).

Vigil's art books include Dark Utopia and Gothic Nights. For Avatar, Tim created the titles Webwitch and EO. Recent work includes Faust: Singha's Talons at Avatar Press and covers and interiors for the Fantastic Worlds of Frank Frazetta series.

Each issue of Indie Comics Magazine will feature full stories from many 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. Tim accepts commissions through http://TimVigilArt.com.

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

Arsenic Lullaby Creator to Contribute to the New Indie Comics Magazine

Indie Comics Magazine Editor Gary Scott Beatty recently announced world class illustrator and writer Douglas Paszkiewicz will feature eight pages of his popular Arsenic Lullaby creation in the new comic book, scheduled for preorder in Diamond Comic Distributors' January 2011 Previews catalog and available ONLY through Previews.

"Indie Comics Magazine is 64 pages of the best story and art from today's independent comic book creators," said Beatty. "And Douglas is one of the most twisted -- and hilarious -- of the indy community." Arsenic Lullaby was nominated for the comic book industry's two highest awards, the Eisner award and the Harvey Award, and is distributed across the U.S. Canada, Australia, and Europe.

Paszkiewicz' work is regularly featured in several national publications including Mad Magazine, Too Much Coffee Man Magazine, and others.

He is the creator of the Cartoon fetus, he helped bring voodoo and zombies back into pop culture, and taught the world to laugh at suicide, abortion, genocide, infanticide, starvation and anyone who tries to make a difference. "Douglas' work is more than offbeat," said Beatty. "His unexpected twists and witty revamps of pop culture formula conventions are delightfully funny."

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. Merchandise, blog, sketches, the Arsenic Lullaby animated pilot and more is at http://ArsenicLullabies.com.

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

Xeric Creator Gary Scott Beatty to Appear in the New Indie Comics Magazine

Gary Scott Beatty has been producing comic books since the underground days of the 1970s. Now an 8 page story from his Jazz series will appear in the new Indie Comics Magazine, scheduled for preorder in Diamond Comic Distributors' January 2011 Previews catalog and available only through Previews. The done-in-one tale features Beatty's cool jazz pianist Dean Fontessa from his Xeric grant winning book Jazz: Cool Birth.

"After years of working in a grunge style, I'm now fascinated by the flat, design oriented jazz albums of the 1950s," said Beatty. His Jazz: Cool Birth, a murder mystery in a 1957 jazz club with art and typography based on '50s album cover design, earned him a Xeric Foundation Grant in 2008.

The first alternative comic Beatty produced (They were called "underground" then) was on his high school's ditto machine, after hours, without permission. He colors, letters and produces comic books and magazines for a diverse range of companies and has written for Comic Buyer's Guide.

Beatty studies album cover design, television program title artwork, and common illustrations used in everything from health booklets to instruction manuals from the '50s to develop a style unique to the new millennium. "I swear it's harder to illustrate in this style," he explained. "When you're drawing realistically, you have real objects to look at to let you know when it's right. With my design-oriented style, there's nothing in reality for reference. It just has to feel balanced, slick and communicate the right mood."

The artist's tools are modern and digital, but the process of pushing things around on the page remains the same as 1957, said Beatty. "Artists used to work with T-squares and triangles, tracing paper, ruling pens and brush, preparing work for rotary letterpresses and similar hands-on intensive printing methods. That's where the style developed."

Indie Comics Magazine will feature 8 full stories from 8 different independent comic book creators. Short biographies and contact information are included with the stories so readers can easily seek out more of the creators' work. Beatty features his three done-in-one comic books at http://aazurn.com.

Indie Comics Magazine is available only through the Previews order magazine at your local comic shop. Information about Indie Comics Magazine is online at http://indiecomicsmagazine.com.

Terry Cronin Horror Tale Now in the New Indie Comics Magazine

Indie Comics Magazine Editor Gary Scott Beatty recently announced author Terry Cronin will contribute an eight page story titled Under the Bridge to 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 characters from Cronin's popular Students of the Unusual comic series.

"Indie Comics Magazine is 64 pages of the best story and art from today's independent comic book creators," said Beatty. "And Terry's writing output over the years through his 3 Boys Productions publishing company is pure indy gold."

Film producer and director, dermatologist and film festival program director Terry Cronin fills his Students of the Unusual comic series with horror tales based on the myths, legends and history of his home state of Florida. "Terry's unique spin on traditional horror is wildly entertaining," said Beatty. "In film, book or comic, Terry knows just how to let his stories reveal their twists."

Terry joined forces with Pat Martin, Jeff Hall and Bob Lizek to create 3 Boys Productions, responsible for the annual Melbourne Independent Filmmakers Festival. The team is now producing Adventure Chefs, a reality show where contestants hunt, forage and gather food to prepare fine dining for judges. Terry's new Skinvestigator books follow the murder investigations of dermatologist Doctor Harry Poe.

Art in the Indie Comic Magazine tale is supplied by Jorge Calamato. "Whether it's Jorge, Steve Mack, Julia Lichty or any of the other Students of the Unusual alumni, Terry knows just how to write for them to unleash their maximum creativity," said Beatty.

Each issue of the new comic will feature full stories from 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. Terry Cronin books can be bought at StudentsOfTheUnusual.com.

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

Agent Zero Adventure Tale in the New Indie Comics Magazine

Indie Comics Magazine Editor Gary Scott Beatty recently announced New York state based writer, publisher and inker Anthony Cacioppo and writer/illustrator Chuck Foulds will contribute an eight page story to 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 Cacioppo and Fould's character Matt Burton, Agent Zero.

In 1997 Anthony Cacioppo‚'s Kaso Comics made its debut at New York City comic book conventions with the release of The Indestructible Man, the character made famous on the silver screen by Lon Chaney Jr. "The books Anthony has published through Kaso Comics over the years have been consistently exceptional," said Beatty. "We're happy to have him in Indie Comics Magazine."

Kaso has since released archaeological adventure The Risen and the Dead, suspense tale Twisted, the Action Anatomy artist sourcebook, posters, CDs, apparel and even Strathmore comic book layout pages and storyboard templates. Kaso art books include Heroic Fantasy: Paintings by Marcus Boas and the artist collection Pulp SF Pinups.

Matt Burton-Agent Zero takes the Kaso universe to the world of espionage.

Indie Comics Magazine is 64 pages of the best story and art from today's independent comic book creators. 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. Kaso products can be purchased at KasoComics.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.

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

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.

Indie Creator David Branstetter in the New Indie Comics Magazine

Indie Comics Magazine Editor Gary Scott Beatty recently announced Indiana writer and artist David Branstetter's character Straw Man will appear in an eight page story titled Has Been in the new comic book, scheduled for preorder in Diamond Comic Distributors' January 2011 Previews catalog and available only through Previews.

"David's work is quintessential indie publishing, with clever dialogue, quirky premise and solid storytelling," said Beatty. "He deserves a wider audience and that is what Indie Comics Magazine is all about."

Branstetter said he had always been attracted to the independent comic scene because of the creative empowerment it gives to artists. After meeting Sky Ape artist Richard Jenkins, David was inspired to create a new kind of comic book character that wasn't from another planet or created by radioactive waves. In a Logic and Critical Thinking class David first heard the term "Straw Man." He unleashed the comic Straw Man #1 in June, 2004.

Straw Man is a blend of both the logic principle and the traditional superhero archetype, Branstetter explained. "Straw Man comics is about a super hero with no super powers. He thinks he has a straw for a head but he doesn't. His happy-go-lucky sidekick is Pepe. He's not crazy but he enjoys running around like a superhero."

Each issue of 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. Readers can find out more about Straw Man at StrawManComics.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.