In Number One, Comic Shop Owner Isn't a Job, It's a Calling

What is the real life value of comic books and the heroes in them? This question is explored in Number One, a full color, done-in-one-issue story looking at 50 years of comic book history through the life of one comic book retailer. Number One can be ordered in July’s Previews from Aazurn Publishing.

“Comics helped Steve through some tough times growing up and he turned his love of the medium into a comic shop business,” said writer Gary Scott Beatty. “In Number One we see whether operating the business is worth the toll it takes on his family.”

Returning to comic book illustration in Number One is Aaron Warner, whose Adventures of Aaron comics became a critically acclaimed newspaper strip that ran for over 10 years, was read by over six million newspaper subscribers, and garnered a Rueben Award nomination from the National Cartoonist Society.

“Aaron understood the comic book guy in Number One like I think most of us will understand him,” said Beatty. “We don’t have to be comic shop owners to relate to someone who loves comic books. The adventure, the history, the hope and passion comics inspire inform our every day lives.”

Small business owners will also feel for Steve, said Beatty. “I think we’re all more informed about how difficult it is to operate a local business these days, since the recession of 2008.”

American media offers a distorted view of comic book readers, said Beatty. “I enjoy the goofy actors on television, but few of the people I know who read comics are like that. I set out to write a story that, in an personal way, can explain to those outside our community why we love comics.”

Steve’s tale brings readers through decades of comic book history. Also included in Number One’s 32 pages is a short Guide to Illustrated Stories. “I put comics in historical context, from Gilgamesh, to The Adventures of Mr. Obadiah Oldbuck, to Free Comic Book Day. Number One is a complete package explaining, in an entertaining way, our hobby and our passion for it.”

Art and story samples, and video previews, can be seen at http://garyscottbeatty.com/

Number One can be ordered from July 2014’s Previews catalog under Aazurn Publishing, Diamond Code JUL140749.

Zombie Rockers, Contract Killer, Aaron Returns and More in Indie Comics Magazine #8!

Recalcitrant Jones and his zombie rock all-stars return, we solve a murder with The Skinvestigator, a career killer looks "Through the Crosshairs!" and we run from zombies, zombies, and more zombies in the new issue of Indie Comics Magazine, available only in comic shops from Aazurn Publishing!

To cut the tension, Adventures of Aaron returns to print when nationally syndicated strip cartoonist Aaron Warner's slacker decides to (gasp!) move out of his parents' house!

Plus, we visit the zombie apocalypse in "The Scarfers," prowl city streets with The Albino, battle a demon with The Super Sleuths -- and discover "What Are Pat and Billy Drinking?" -- in Indie Comics Magazine #8!

Nine complete stories and a full color preview of the comic shop tale "Number One" are presented in 68 pages, with an incredible geek girl cover by Alicia Hollinger! ICM alums Terry Cronin and Paul Bradford join Warner, Pat Martin, Pete LaDuke, Tom Arvis, Derek Adnams and more with zombies, mystery, comedy and adventure stories, all complete in this issue.

"Indie Comics Magazine is a cooperative of 50 very talented writers and artists," said Aazurn Publishing Publisher/Editor Gary Scott Beatty. "To have survived to issue eight is an accomplishment based on the quality of the stories chosen for print here. We are a pool of extremely creative people!"

This issue's "geek girl" cover illustration is by Alicia Hollinger, a Los Angeles based artist and writer, specializing in sexy pop culture, sci-fi, and fantasy art. She has been featured in Heavy Metal Magazine, and has a new pin-up art book, Alicia's Pin-Ups.

"Alicia is a young artist with a jaw-dropping style that enthusiastically supports what we're doing for indie creators in Indie Comics Magazine," said Beatty. "We exist to present talent to a wider audience."

Terry Cronin contributes two very different stories to Indie Comics Magazine #8. Cronin is a creator of Students of the Unusual and the author of The Skinvestigator novels featuring dermatologist detective Harry Poe -- a Poe mystery appears here. His fan favorite rock band, Recalcitrant Jones and the Deadbeats, composed of zombie musicians from classic rock, return to Indie Comics Magazine in this issue.

ICM favorite Paul Bradford returns with a sniper's bloody tale. Then, he switches gears (and artists) for a story of family survival (and zombies). An Australian, Paul writes Gothic poetry under the pseudonym Hierophantom and has produced small press "zines" through his company Inertia Publications.

Aaron Warner's critically acclaimed Adventures of Aaron ran for over 10 years, was read by over six million newspaper subscribers, and garnered a Rueben Award nomination from the National Cartoonist Society. From 2002 to 2007, Warner syndicated A College Girl Named Joe, a college-themed daily strip. His "You Are Here" strip is currently running in a variety of newspapers.

Tom Arvis, a 20-plus-year veteran in the fields of independent self-publishing, wrote and illustrated Mercenary Pig: Meatcutter #1, an Aazurn Publishing book hitting comic shop shelves in April. Through his Sureshot Comics label, he publishes Wayout West, Adolescent Power Fantasies and more, including this ICM#8's "The Albino."

Pat Martin is a writer/filmmaker/musician who works with the Students of the Unusual team to produce the annual Melbourne Independent Filmmakers Festival, and he is a co-founder of the Students of the Unusual comic book series. He hosts the What Are Pat and Billy Drinking? YouTube web series.

Pete LaDuke honed his cinematic storytelling skills as an actor and assistant director, known for Deadheads, Dead/Undead, Stardust, and Mutant Swinger from Mars. His comic series Vermillion is a werewolf epic set amid the gutted ruins of Detroit. "The Scarfers" in Indie Comics Magazine #8 is illustrated by former punk rocker Matthew Dana Kimble.

Illustrator Derwin Roberson has drawn illustrations for doujinshi, video games, children’s books as well as movie production art. Brandon Bullock’s work has appeared in numerous books from companies such as Angry Drunk Graphics, FnA Comix and Pross Comics. Bullock and Derek Adnams appeared in Indie Comics Magazine #7 and this team produced this issue's "The Fuhrer's Dagger."

Information about independent comic book creators and a video preview of Indie Comics Magazine #8 are now online at http://indiecomicsmagazine.com/.

With no huge overprint, no digital version and no back issue sales, Indie Comics Magazine #8 is available ONLY at your local and online comic book shops. It is best to order from April's Previews, under Aazurn Publishing, said Beatty, as some Indie Comics Magazine issues are now difficult to find.

Order Today! Mercenary Pig #1: Meatcutter! Now in Previews

Tom Arvis' legendary hero and indie favorite Mercenary Pig can now be ordered from February's Previews, under Aazurn Publishing, FEB140868!

A video preview of Mercenary Pig #1: Meatcutter, online at http://indiecomicsmagazine.com/, offers a look at the bizarre circumstances leading to Mercenary Pig's battle with the sinister Meatcutter. Watch as Percy the Pig begins his guerrilla fight for animal rights -- with his fists!

Mercenary Pig #1: Meatcutter is a fun, full-color read, full of pork humor and over the top action, all in Tom's in your face drawing style! Once again, Aazurn Publishing proves INDIES RULE!

Gary Scott Beatty
Grand Poobah
Indie Comics Magazine
http://indiecomicsmagazine.com

Order Tom Arvis' Mercenary Pig #1: Meatcutter! in February 2014's Previews comic book catalog, under Aazurn Publishing!

Order Indie Comics Magazine #8 in April 2014's Previews comic book catalog, under Aazurn Publishing!

Order the comic book retailer story Number One in July 2014's Previews comic book catalog, under Aazurn Publishing!

Entire Origin Told for the First Time in Mercenary Pig #1: Meatcutter!

Tom Arvis' legendary hero and indie favorite Mercenary Pig is now presented in one complete, full color volume! Mercenary Pig #1: Meatcutter is listed for order in February's Previews under Aazurn Publishing.

Creator, writer and illustrator Tom Arvis is a 20-plus-year veteran in the field of independent self-publishing. Beginning with Cowboys and Aliens, a 16-page black and white ashcan comic (currently published under the title Wayout West and available on Amazon), Tom established Sureshot Comics, his independent label, in 1995.

Mercenary Pig #1: Meatcutter prints the hero's origin story, presented for the first time in its entirety and in full color. A walking, talking, thinking, humanoid pig takes on animal cruelty, genetically modified pigs, and, ultimately, an evil food conglomerate.

"It's a pork-humor filled, action packed origin story!" laughed Arvis. New material wraps up the entire Meatcutter story arc in these 48 pages, as Percy the pig begins his guerrilla fight for animal rights -- with his fists!

"Mercenary Pig popped into my head full-blown, and fully realized, and his adventures immediately began writing themselves, as the best ideas often do," Arvis explained.

"Other than showing xeroxed copies at comic shows, Percy did not see publication until I redrew, re-inked and re-lettered the first eight pages for the lead featurette in my 2001 black and white, ashcan, anthology comic book, Adolescent Power Fantasies #1, followed by eight more pages in APF #2 in 2005, and then 16 pages in APF #3 in 2009, all published through my Sureshot Comics label."

The Aazurn Publishing book for order in February's Previews "is the only place you can view the 16-page conclusion to this spectacular character's astonishing origin," said Arvis.

"Mercenary Pig #1: Meatcutter has humor and action, and a kind of chaotic, in your face style that makes it fun to read," said Aazurn Publisher Gary Scott Beatty. "Readers tired of the same old thing from comic book conglomerates should add Aazurn Publishing to their pull list. We print just a handful of gems a year, and Mercenary Pig #1 should not be missed."

A video preview of Mercenary Pig #1: Meatcutter, online at http://indiecomicsmagazine.com/, offers a look at the bizarre circumstances leading to Mercenary Pig's battle with the sinister Meatcutter. Mercenary Pig #1: Meatcutter is listed for order in February's Previews under Aazurn Publishing.