by Jonathan Pilley (@omnicomic)

Skyward #1

Remember the old-school JRPGs?Lufia and the Fortress of Doom?Breath of Fire? Those games that featured wide-eyed youths tasked with saving the world? They had a great feel to them that modern RPGs have lost. Fortunately, a new book calledS kyward #1 from Action Lab Comics is stepping in to fill that void. The issue is written and illustrated by Jeremy Dale, colored by Steve Downer and lettered by Thom Zahler.

Corin is a “retired” warrior, living an idyllic life with his wife Taryn, son Quinn and dog Jack. They’re the perfect nuclear family for a less civilized time, making their way in the forest amidst all manner of natural creatures and plants. An old friend of Corin named Herod interrupts their happy lives. Herod feels that Corin is wasting his talents as a warrior playing the role of father and homemaker, a fact that leads Quinn to end up on the run.

Dale’s story is very well-paced and presents a solid foundation for an interesting series. Most of the old-school JRPGs started in a similar fashion, with a child (destined, fated, circumstances) taking to the road towards a destination. That’s what really makesSkyward #1work very well; it recognizes that Quinn’s quest will be fun to follow and goes with it. Herod is set up to be the perfect bad guy and there’s even a hint of fantasy with his two goblin henchmen.

Dale pulls double duty on the art as well and it works great with the story. Again, the characters and setting are very reminiscent of the look of the aforementioned JRPGs. There’s a fantastical feel to the characters, with both Corin and Herod mountains of men, Taryn a doting housewife and Quinn a rambunctious youth. Panel layouts are fairly standard, with a few pages pretty crammed with rectangles. There is a great panel towards the end that amplifies the action depicted in the surrounding environment, which was a very cool effect.

There’s a lot to like about Skyward #1. As a child main character, Quinn is presented with just enough naivety and curiosity that things won’t be easy for him. Surely, he’ll tap into something from his father considering his past occupation as a military man. Herod’s exact motivations for his actions are still a little unclear, but it’s expected that they’ll reveal themselves as the series proceeds.

Skyward #1 is in Previews now and should be in stores soon.

I gotta say– he totally nailed my inspirations for the series here. Bravo! For more reviews from The Nerd Machine, be sure to check out:

http://www.thenerdmachine.com/indie-comics-spotlight-skyward-the-fall-of-the-house-of-usher-charismagic/

Okay, today’s guest is the 15th artist to be pheatured on the Peverett Phile Art Gallery. He is a comic book artist who best known for his work on “G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero”, and the 2008 Harvey Award-winning “Popgun v.1″ from Image Comics. Please welcome to the Phile… Jeremy Dale.

Me: Hey, Jeremy, welcome to the Phile. How are you, sir?

Jeremy: Doing great, glad to be here.

Me: We briefly met at MegaCon in Orlando a few months ago, sir. You probably don’t remember as I am sure you met many fans there. How was the MegaCon experience for you?

Jeremy: I do! Mind you, we tend to meet thousands at these shows, but you were one of those that stood out… In a good way, I swear! LOL. MegaCon was, as usual, an incredible show for us. I always enjoy my time down in Orlando, from the fans to the friends and other pros. I’m really thankful to have been a featured guest the past few years.Me: You do quite a few conventions, right? Do you like to do those kinda things?

Jeremy: I love them. I know that’s rare amongst my colleagues, but I really live for the enthusiasm and feedback from meeting and conversing with the fans. They really keep me going creatively the rest of the year. I’d do more if I could, but hey, comics don’t write and draw themselves!Me: Did you get to meet Stan Lee there?

Jeremy: Unfortunately not. I did, however, get to chat him up a very short bit at last year’s show. What a personality, let me tell ya. Hehehe.Me: Is there a favorite convention of yours?

Jeremy: I have a small pocket of favorites, but if I had to be pressed? I’d pick HeroesCon in Charlotte, NC hands down. It’s a medium-sized show with probably the best roster of artists and creators I’ve seen, mixed with the most amazing local, loyal fans you’ll ever meet. They love their comic art at Heroes.Me: Where are you from, Jeremy?

Jeremy: I’m originally from Indiana, raised in Kokomo, an auto factory town about 45 minutes north of Indianapolis. My dad ran a comic shop there until I was maybe 12 years old, and I’d read everything on the stands, from then on I was hooked on the medium.Me: You live in Atlanta now, right? I take it you’ve done DragonCon.

Jeremy: Definitely! Dragon is one of those shows that makes a permanent mark on you once you’ve been even once. It’s the craziest 24-hour party and celebration of costumes, fantasy, comics, sci-fi, and fandom in general that you’ll ever experience. Also, less intimidating than, say, the San Diego Comic-Con. Since moving to Atlanta a couple years ago, I’ve really enjoyed getting integrated into the amazing comics-based creative community here. In fact, I just joined up with a studio here in town, where I work with the likes of Cully Hamner and Laura Martin, two top-notch artists in the comic industry. I’ve learned tons from these guys and wouldn’t trade the experience for anything.Me: Okay, let’s talk about your artwork, sir. You are known for drawing “G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero”. How long have you been drawing that comic?

Jeremy: I illustrated “G.I. Joe” comics for 6 or 7 issues, I forget… they were included with the 25th anniversary action figure two-packs. They were written by Joe creator Larry Hama. What an experience that was. It’s definitely helped define the direction my career has taken since.Me: Were you a collector of G.I. Joe figures growing up?

Jeremy: I don’t know that I’d call myself a collector as much as “I was a kid addicted to the 80s toys”. I had a ton of the figures, from G.I. Joe to Thundercats to Secret Wars to He-Man to the Turtles and back again. The Joes were great in their variety of characters as well as their kajillion points of movement. I still have a few of those from childhood, actually. I kind of outgrew it, though, as I entered my teens. Not surprisingly, I was much more interested in girls, comics, art, and even music.Me: I was never really into G.I. Joe, but I did like the movie. Did you?

Jeremy: I enjoyed parts, certainly. Was it a great movie? Not so much, in my opinion. Did it have some great scenes along the way? Absolutely! I’m interested in seeing where the sequel takes the franchise.Me: How did you first get that job, working on that comic?

Jeremy: Interestingly enough, I was contacted out of the blue online by the editor of the project. He said he liked my work and wanted to know if I wanted to work on some G.I. Joe comics. Of course I did! It was a fun project and a real learning experience professionally.Me: What was your first published work, Jeremy?

Jeremy: It really depends on what you consider “published”, really… my first published illustrations were in a children’s magazine in 1993 or so, where I illustrated a prose story by another author. The first mainstream comic I had published would be “Wildguard:Fool’s Gold #1″ for Image Comics. Seeing how far I’ve come artistically since that little story for “Wildguard” is… well, it’s night and day. I’m sure most comic retailers have a copy in their back issue boxes… it’s a pretty stark difference.Me: Congrats on winning the Harvey Award for your work on “Popgun v.1″. I have heard of that book, Michael Allred was a part of it, right?

Jeremy: Thanks, thanks. I was just one of dozens of creators on that book, and yeah, Mike did the cover as well as a short story, I believe. It turned out great, even spawning several more award-winning volumes. I had the opportunity to work with Tim Seeley on that one, who wrote it and good friends Jamie Snell and Nate Lovett, who inked and colored my work on that, respectively.Me: I have some readers who I betcha don’t know what the Harvey Award is, so can you explain?

Jeremy: No problem. The Harvey Awards are one of the most-respected and most honored awards that can be given to any creator or comic, much like the Emmy or the Grammy would be for film or music. The Harveys were named after comic icon Harvey Kurtzman, a cartoonist that founded “Mad” magazine and whom The New York Times called “one of the most important figures in postwar America.” Thank you, Wikipedia!Me: Did you get a cool statue or plaque?

Jeremy: I didn’t myself, but the editor of the project did.Me: What was it like working with those other artists on “Popgun v.1″?

Jeremy: I didn’t have a lot of direct or indirect contact with the other creators, outside of the creative team on my story. I had a lot of great interaction (as usual) with Jamie and Nate, who I’ve had the pleasure of working with on other projects before and since.Me: Is there or will there be a “Popgun v.2″?
There was, as well as volumes three and four! All have awards heaped upon them, and are readily available from Amazon or your local comic shop or bookstore.Me: You have created your own comic book as well called “Skyward”, which looks pretty cool. Tell the readers what the book is about.

Jeremy: Thanks, that’s appreciated. “Skyward” is, quite simply, a fantastic storybook adventure of a boy and his dog and how he stumbles into uniting his small corner of the world against an impending invasion from the larger, scarier world around them.Me: When did you first come up with the concept for “Skyward”, Jeremy?

Jeremy: It’s been a while now. I believe it’s a comic three or four years in the making. In fact, before I was working on “G.I. Joe” I was dabbling with the idea of a fantasy comic that might appeal to the video game generation as well as the casual reader.Me: How long has it been out? Not long, right?

Jeremy: Not long at all. I just debuted the first issue late last year to gauge interest, and it’s been a smash hit so far. I’m about 12 issues in plot-wise, and done with issue 4 on the artwork side of things. I’ve done a short print run of the first, second, and a preview issue (that I call issue zero) so far, with the next couple following pretty quickly now.Me: What comic book company is putting it out?

Jeremy: It’s self-published at the moment until we get picked up (which would be ideal, as doing this entirely on my own is not easy). I’m hoping to announce more on that front soon!Me: Speaking of comic book companies, I have to ask you, DC or Marvel, what do you prefer?

Jeremy: I was raised on both, but I have a strong affinity for the Marvel Universe of characters. From Captain America and Spider-Man to The Fantastic Four and Kitty Pryde, Marvel holds many of my favorite comic characters. I’m a sucker for a great Batgirl, Nightwing, or Power Girl tale, though. I wouldn’t mind a crack at a youthful Legion of Super-Heroes comic sometime, either!Me: I am a Marvel fan myself, but do read “Batman”. What comics did you read and still read?

Jeremy: I read comics from just about every publisher right now, from DC, I’m reading “Batman” (for the first time in my life, really), “Wonder Woman”, “Flash”, and a rotating fourth slot, depending on what looks good. Marvel? Anything drawn by Jim Cheung (like “Avengers” “Childrens Crusade”, most recently), “Thor”, and “Captain America”. I’m really digging creator-owned books right now, primarily. “Skull Kickers”, “Mice Templar”, “Invincible”, “Walking Dead”, “Glory”, “Fatale”, “Chew”, “Savage Dragon”, “Danger Girl”… just about anything that looks good and has the creator-owned stamp I’ll give a shot.Me: Who are your influences artist wise?

Jeremy: First and foremost, Will Eisner. His work is tremendously inspiring and Eisner is the master of the medium. I love Jack Kirby, Mike Wieringo, Sean Murphy, Ryan Ottley, Olivier Coipiel, Jim Cheung, Amanda Conner, Francis Manapul, Ed McGuinness, and Mike Kunkel all rule my shelf space. I’m taking a lot from animation dynamos like Bruce Timm, Glen Keane as well as comic strip genius Bill Watterson at the moment. Anything that inspires is on the walls of my studio right now.Me: Let’s talk about another series of yours… “Miserable Dastards”. I have heard of this book. Tell the readers what it’s about.

Jeremy: ”Miserable Dastards” is the story of a trio of henchmen who work for supervillains who, fed up with their failures in that career, decide to set out on their own. It’s a really funny, charming book that I was glad to have illustrated for screenwriter Richard A. Hamilton. It was optioned a while ago to be a feature film!Me: I never heard of the word dastard. Bastard obviously, but not dastard. Where did the book title come from?

Jeremy: I’m sure that’s part of the play on words. Here it’s used primarily to allude to the word “dastardly” or “evil”. The Dastards are henchmen, hired hands that super villains use to do their dirty, tedious work.Me: Jeremy, thanks so much for being on the Phile, sir. Your artwork rocks. Go ahead and plug your websites and anything else you wanna plug. And when the movie comes out, can you come back to the Phile?

Jeremy: Hey, glad to be of service, always nice to chat with those that are passionate about comics! You can find me all over the web, from my website at jeremy-dale.com to Twitter under username jeremydale, as well as on Facebook as artofjeremydale and deviantArt under username thejeremydale! Oh yeah, and buy “Skyward”! Or a commission or original art, I’m not picky. I’ve got bills to pay!

Me: All the best, and keep up the good work.

Jeremy: Thanks! Will do.

For more of the Peverett Phile, check out:

http://thepeverettphile.blogspot.com/2012/04/pheaturing-jeremy-dale.html

From ComicSpectrum:

NFL RUSH ZONE SEASON O/T GUARDIANS/SKYWARD (ACTION LAB)  Preview

What’s Cool About It
Football fans may gravitate to the main story but the standout star of this comic was the back-up premiere of Skyward by Jeremy Dale.  Spectacular art and a compelling story setup has me on the edge of my seat waiting for the #1 issue available for order in the May Previews.  This is a book you should ask your local shop to order so you’ll be able to check it out in July.

For more of their FCBD 2013 coverage, check out

http://comicspectrum.wordpress.com/2013/05/07/fcbd-2013-29-kid-friendly-comics-part-2/

Thanks, man!

- jeremy

From FanboyComics:

Ep. #003 The ‘PREVIEWS’ Party Podcast

Written by Administrator
Friday, 03 May 2013 04:57

Podcasts - The PREVIEWS Party Podcast

Welcome to The PREVIEWS Party Podcast!  Covering the May 2013 issue of PREVIEWS magazine from Diamond Comic Distributors, Inc., Fanboy Comics’ panel examines the upcoming comics, graphic novels, and other merchandise that will be available in stores nationwide and explains the importance of pre-ordering and its effect on the comic book industry as a whole.  


Are you unfamiliar with PREVIEWS or the pre-order process used by comic book stores? Please see our helpful guide below to better understand what PREVIEWS is and how it can best be used to find the comics, graphic novels, and merchandise that will be on sale in the comic months.

In this month’s episode, we chat with Diamond Comic Distributor’s Webmaster, Vince Brusio, about this summer’s biggest film adaptations and the comic books on which they are based, the importance of the Eisner Awards, and some of his favorite books in the month’s PREVIEWS catalog.  We are also joined by Jud Meyers, the Eisner Award winning owner of Blastoff Comics, the vintage comic book boutique in North Hollywood, CA.  The Fanboy Comics panel breaks down the exciting releases (scheduled to hit stores in July) from a variety of publishers and manufacturers, including Marvel, DC, Dark Horse, IDW, Image, Archaia, DC Collectibles, NECA, and more!

 *SPECIAL NOTE:  Fanboy Comics is now on iTunes!  Be sure to subscribe on iTunes to the new Fanboy Comics Network in order to continue receiving the latest podcasts and interviews.

Cast members: Jason Enright, Kristine Chester, and Scott Rubin

Special guests: Vince Brusio (Webmaster of Diamond Comic Distribution, Inc.) and Jud Meyers (Blastoff Comics)

 

You can also subscribe to the podcast on iTunes or click here to download!  Stay tuned for next month’s episode!

NFL RUSH ZONE SEASON O/T GUARDIANS

Publisher: ACTION LAB ENTERTAINMENT

(W) Kevin Freeman, Jeremy Whitley (A) M Goodwin, Jerry Gaylord (CA) M Goodwin

Two complete stories!  A referee’s flag is corrupted by the power.  The Guardians must arrive at the Bengals-Titans game and get that flag before the referee throws it, bringing it to life.  And the villainous Coach Carnage is on the recruit for his interstellar team “The Visitors,” and it’s up to the Guardians, with the help of previous draft picks, to stop him from ruining the draft and taking this year’s recruiting class.
This FCBD book also includes an exclusive preview of Jeremy Dale’s adventure/fantasy comic series, “Skyward.”

So a teen has a supersuit.  He’s assisted by little mascots from each team.  The nemesis?  Some guy in orbit searching for “megacores” apparently hidden at football stadiums?

Okay, I’m not the intended audience.  It could be fun.  Nicktoons has the cartoon.

Oh, there’s a backup story: Skyward.  It seems set in a pastoral town populated by super-powered residents.    Nice art.

For more from ComicsBeat, check out OH WHOOPS I DIDN’T SAVE THE LINK. Looks like I didn’t bother to do the bare minimum, either.

From Dorkadia:

Skyward: another all-ages effort, this one by freelance comics artist Jeremy Dale, who latched on to Jeff Smith’s Bone and never found a good reason to let go. A lack of comparable fantasy comics with cross-generational appeal led him to start work on Skyward, which is, at its core, a story about a boy and his dog. Well, and his retired legendary warlord of a dad. And a good-looking lady with a bow. And some dickhead goblins. The scripting’s a little raw, but the undeniable sense of adventure and enthusiasm creates instant appeal. Oddly enough, you can pick up preview story Skyward #0 on Free Comics Day on May 4th…packaged with NFL Rush Zone: Season of the Guardians. Apparently, that is a comic about magical football players. I don’t know either. But you do what you gotta to get the word out, and Jeremy Dale is doing it, and with good reason – he’s got a pretty sweet comic that we should read.

For more Dorkadia, check out:

http://www.dorkadia.com/2013/03/04/emerald-city-comic-con-that-just-happened/

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- jeremy