Sequential Tart reviews Lost Squad #5.

Wolfen Moondaughter takes a look at issue #5 and likes what she sees.

Give it a read here.

Bad news/Good news

Received word last week that Diamond has canceled Issue #6 due to lateness. Disappointing, but yet we are late and thems the rules.

So, the plan is to resolicit for February and as soon as we get the new order count in, we'll go ahead and release the book early. I apologize for the lateness. It could not be helped. Resoliciting sucks. It's costly and it kills all the momentum we may have garnered from the movie announcement. I don't plan on going through this ever again. That's the bad news.

The good news is that we're pushing ahead with a 48 page one shot to be put out in March. I'd love to do it in color and Alan and I are talking a bit about this.

More info soon.

Newest member of the Lost Squad!

BIG NEWS!

Congrats to Alan and his wife Jessica on the birth of their first child Agustin.

Born October 4 at 8:39PM.

Mother and son are doing fine and Alan is, of course, thrilled.

Coupla quick things...

I'm STILL in hangover mode from the movie deal. I'll try and post more after the Labor Day holiday including some inside skinny on the movie thing and the long delayed Chicago Con report.

I owe a ton of peeps email responses (or script pages, for that matter), I should be back in radio contact with most everyone this weekend.

One last thing that I've been asked about a lot in emails --

I DO NOT have representation in Hollywood. No manager. No agent.

That means I can't forward your script or comic book project along to anyone. I have no juice. And, if I did have juice, I'd use it to try and get MY stuff out there.

That also means that if someone is interested in repping me, I'd love to talk.

My email is MAILCALL [at (@)] lost-squad DOT com

Lost Squad #5 review at Jazma Online

Richard Vasseur over at the Jazma Online Forums gives Lost Squad #5 four out of five stars.

Thanks, Rich.

What I did on my summer vacation.

We* sold the Lost Squad to Hollywood.

No biggie.

If you're new to the site (and so far today a TON of you are) and you're not familiar with LOST SQUAD, scroll down two posts to check out the overview I posted to bring you up to speed, then stroll down to your local comic shop or make with the clicky and check out the DDP webstore to pick up the back issues.

For those of you I owe emails to for the last week and have wondered what's been going on, well... now you know.

More later as things settle down.

UPDATE: Here's a few handy links from the post below I thought I'd include for the people who are too lazy to scroll down two posts (and you know who you are). Here's the CBR interview I did back in Sept '05 that includes the first 9 pages of issue #1 and sample pages from issue #2.

Devi's Due has 5 page previews still online for issue#3, issue #4, and issue #5.

2ND UPDATE: * The "WE" in the above statement doesn't actually include me to be honest. The men behind the deal are actually the attached producers, Adrian Askarieh and Daniel Alter, who deserve MAJOR props for getting this deal done. Thanks for the support and encouragement, guys. I will name my next born either Daniel Adrian Kirby if it's a boy or Adriana Daniela Kirby if it's a girl.

Thanks to Josh Blaylock and the Devil's Due crew -- Sam Wells, Susan Bishop, Tim Seeley, Brian Torney, Caitlin McKay for their hard work. Thanks to Marshall Dillon who brought the project to DDP in the first place. Thanks to Ed Dukeshire E-I-C of Digital Webbing Presents (still going strong!). Also, thanks to Scott Agostino at William Morris and the fine folks at Rogue Pictures.

More updates as I get the chance.

LS #5 makes the top 300 for July '06.

I know talking sales numbers is a bit crass, but...

Checking the sales charts for July, we're back in the top 300 at # 281.

Kinda cool.

Howdy, folks! Yup, I see you lurking...

PROMO TIME!

Checking my web stats I notice that not only is traffic up dramatically since the two cons, but we've also got a slew of media types checking out the site.

Now, this is where I go to ramble on about the book and stuff surrounding it and most people already know about the book when they digitally saunter on over here. It can be a bit disjointed and you might not get the gist of the book.

So, for our new friends checking things out and who want to know more about the Lost Squad, here are some handy links to introduce you to the book.

Here's the Comic Book Resources interview for the Lost Squad launch that I did back in Sept. '05. It features a terrific nine page preview of Issue #1 along with some unlettered artwork from Issue #2.

You can also check out the five page previews that DDP puts together for each issue by clicking the links below:

Issue #3
Issue #4
Issue #5

Reviews are scattered throughout the archives, but the latest is Steven Grant's quick shot about LS #4. Scroll down to near the bottom of the page.

Back issues are available at your finer comic shops. Check out the Master List in the sidebar to find a shop near you. You can also order online by clicking over to the Devil's Due webstore.

And thanks for clicking by! I appreciate the interest. You can always contact me with questions and comments by dropping my an email at mailcall AT lost-squad DOT com. I'd love to hear from you.

Con Report 2006 - part one.

Finally finding some time to post some quick (and somewhat disjointed) thoughts and reactions from my travels to the big two conventions. Here's the first of two con reports.

San Diego -

Let me start by saying that the fans were fantastic and gave the Lost Squad a lot of love. I went out to San Diego with a loaded-down-over-the-weight-limit suitcase and flew back with a bag as light as air. Suffice to say, that sales were brisk. I'm completely sold out of issue #1. Kody as usual is terrific to hang with while trying to move our stuff. Hoping to setup again with him next year.

Here's me using my superspeed to sell Lost Squad comics.

See how fast I can move!



Thanks to Dario Carrasco of Panday Studio for the photo (nicked from the DW message boards).

Had a good time at the booth, all-in-all. A little crowded, but the company in our little foxhole was solid. Thanks to Shawn Granger and the May brothers for making the time fly by. Sean Dulaney is the king DWP pimp and deserves big props for setting things up. Michael Colbert also was selling his fabulous CRAZY MARY books.

This year, San Diego seemed to be about comics once again. I did more networking and schmoozing at this con than at all the others combined. Business was getting done in San Diego, I can tell you that. Had more than a few conversations with editors at several different companies and am trying to figure what I want to do next.

Had a few shots of vodka and saki with my homies at Epic Proportions - Jerry Ma and Ken Knudtsen. Good men, those two. They had sweet booth placement right across from the Devil's Due setup. I'd grab a little liquid refreshment each day before sitting down to sign. I'm just sorry I didn't have more time to hang with those guys.

Ken, I SWEAR I'll finish part two of MINDGAMES. Promise, dude.

Although people were in the mood for comics, man, were the Hollywood development guys out in full force! It may all be a scam to get free comics, I don't know, as I gave out ten or so full runs of LS to guys with nothing more than a business card with a production company printed on it.

My one regret: director Robert Rodriguez stopped by our little booth and I was out on the floor and wasn't able to slip him a set of comics. He'd be perfect to direct the Lost Squad movie.

I need to thank the whole Devil's Due booth crew who made a new guy signing for the first time at a big con feel right at home. Top notch people, one and all. Special thanks to Susan Bishop, Brian Torney, Caitlin McKay, Sam Wells, Tim Seeley, and Josh Blaylock.

Nightlife in SD was fantastic. The fine dining around the convention center is impressive. Went to Little Italy one night for pasta, headed to Old Town for margaritas and chimchangas the next and then sampled the seafood at Croce's our last night there.

Had a good time hitting the bars around the convention center. Hung and had drinks and/or dinner with Kody Chamberlain and Kristie, Sean Dulaney, Dan Taylor, Michael Colbert and his pal Eric, Tony Lee, Ron Domingue, Chuck Satterlee, Ben Templesmith, Ray and Renae, Sara and Diana, Rob Guillory, Ryan Scott, Chad Hardin, and a bunch more people I'm forgetting.

I love the San Diego con and after having some doubts about writing for comics and where I fit in the grand scheme of things, I can say that the trip re-energized me and made me want to make comics again. Special thanks to Larry Young who always seems to give me a needed kick in the keister to get motivated again just when I need it!

Wizard World Chicago

Wow. Time is flying.

Haven't had time to toss up a Comicon report and here we are on the eve of Wizard World Chicago.

I'll be in Artist's Alley at table # 3160 all four days with artist Ryan "Sarge" Sargeant of Dreah and DWP fame. We'll have Lost Squad issues for sale as well as copies of both Freakshow books. Sarge will have Digital Webbing Presents for sale as well as his fantastic original artwork. Stop by and say hello.

I'll be signing at the Devil's Due booth # 832 on Friday August 4th from 1pm - 2pm and on Saturday August 5th from 10AM - 11Am.

I'll try and toss up a dual con report next week with highlights from both. If Chicago is only half as good as San Diego, I'll consider the summer a tremendous success.

Comicon signing schedule.

I will be signing copies of Lost Squad at the Devil's Due booth (#1732) on Friday the 21st from 3pm - 5pm, Saturday the 22nd from 12pm -2pm, and on Sunday the 23rd from 12pm - 2pm.

Stop by and say hey.

Lost Squad TPB

The fine folks at Devil's Due have solicited the Lost Squad TPB this month.

"Join the group of elite WWII U.S. Army soldiers knows as the 'Lost Squad' as they take on vengeful spirits, flying Nazi commandos, mechanized spider-tanks and crazed demon solders. Collects the Lost Squad's first two thrilling missions ...

Product Code: JUL063088
Regular Price: $14.95

Estimated Ship Date: 09/27/06
CATALOG PAGE 265 (JUL 2006)"

Lost Squad #5 in stores July 19th.

Got my books in the mail today and they look fantastic!

Look for #5 to hit shelves next Wednesday just in time for San Diego.

Issue #5 has part one of the big finale showdown between the Nazi forces and our little ragtag team defending a small village and a little girl with the gift of "sight". We packed it chock full of zombie soldiers, flying commandoes, and mecha spider-tanks. How can you go wrong with that formula?

I'll have copies on hand for sale at both the Digital Webbing booth and at the DDP booth.

San Diego Comicon

One week to go!

And...I'm woefully unprepared (as usual). I've been putting the final touches on some pitches and trying to get some banners and promo stuff printed.

I'll be arriving Thursday and will miss the preview night (again). I'll be setting up shop at the Digital Webbing booth #1430 and putting some face time in at the Devil's Due booth # 1732.

Come by and say hey.

More Permanent Damage for the Squad.

Steven Grant has a quick blurb about Lost Squad #4 in his latest Permanent Damage column over at Comic Book Resources. Give it a read here.

Grant also has a few more quick reviews including looks at BOOM! Studios' upcoming book TAG with art by my creatordirect.com mate Kody Chamberlain , and a nice review of Josh Howard's BLACK HARVEST from Devil's Due. These are two books you should be buying.

Fonzie says...

AAAAYYYYY! Lost Squad #4 is looking good!

Got my books in the mail today. Look for #4 in
your local comic shop either this Wednesday or next.

Silver Bullet Comics takes aim at issue #3.

John Hays over at Silver Bullet Comics has a review up for LS #3. Make with the clicky and check it out. Nice review and a big thanks to John. It's always terrific to have people checking out your work.

John mentions that he isn't a big fan of the pacing of the story. I'd like to touch on this a bit (and this isn't directed at John, it's just probably time I mentioned the creative process for the book ).

Originally, the Operation: Crystal Ball storyline was an OGN that Alan and I were working on for Devil's Due's D3 digest sized TPB line. When we switched to the floppy format we cut some material and added a bit here and there to hit each issue break (we also added a prologue story that became issue #1). For the most part, we didn't have to force the breaks and invent cliffhangers to make it work. The breaks were already there organically. But, the whole story was indeed initally "written for the trade" because, well, it was a trade.

The Comics Review gives a thumbs up to LS #3.

The Comics Review website digs issue #3.

Now here's a picture of David Hasselhoff and Gary Coleman.

They've obviously just finished reading issue #3 and posed for this picture to share their feelings.

Thanks for the support guys!

Steven Grant causes some Permanent Damage to the Squad.

Writer Steven Grant posted a review of LS #3 in his March 29th column. I'm pretty religious about checking out Comic Book Resources columns, but somehow I missed it.

Check out the review in the archives here and tune in every week to catch Steven's take on comics, television, politics and pop culture in his Permanent Damage column on CBR.

Thanks to Sean for the tip.

Sequential Tart takes a look at Lost Squad #3.

Wolfen Moondaughter has given #3 a read and has posted a review over at the excellent Sequential Tart website. Give it a read. Thanks, Wolfen!

Creator Direct blog

Kody Chamberlain, artist extrodinaire, has invited me to join in the fun over at creatordirect.com, a comics creator blog created by Kody and Josh Fialkov and featuring a solid stable of creators. Check it out for comics and pop culture commentary as well as previews of upcoming work.

Proofs are in for Issue #4.

Got the proofs in the mail for Issue #4 which should mean we'll be hitting stores in the next few weeks.

The books looks fantastic. I'm really pleased how it all came together. Brenner has done a really nice job.

Got a couple of LS #3 reviews I need to post. The main complaints seem to be that readers have a hard time telling the squad apart and that #3 is pretty much ALL ACTION.

We've got a little character guide printed in the inside front cover of #4 which should clear up some confusion. As to the second complaint, issue #4 is pretty much balls-to-the-wall action, even more so than #3.

BUT, we do get the big twist at the end that changes the mission completely as we discover the true nature of the SYBIL device.

CBR's 2005 year-end review

Quick note -- Lost Squad got a short mention in Comic Book Resources' 2005 year-in-review article back in January. It's a nice article - check it out here. Thanks, Dave!

I'd failed to post this back in January when it was emailed to me and thought I'd toss the link up.

Got a package in the mail.

And, no, it wasn't Anthrax.

Got my copies of Issue #3 from Brenner last night. The book looks terrific!

Alan's sharp B&W artwork really pops off the glossy pages. Very nice.

That means that issue #3 should be in stores tomorrow making the masses delirious!

Rumors of our demise and such...

Greatly exaggerated.

Thanks for the emails inquring about my health (both mental and physical). I assure everyone that all is well and that issue #3 is at the printers.

Speaking of printers, we've changed over to the fine folks at Brenner. Devil's Due and I are pleased to be working with them.

We should find ourselves getting back on track.

Thanks to everyone who has stuck with us and is enjoying the book. Keep the comments coming! Alan and I are always pleased to hear from readers.