This week’s tempest in a book-pot was sparked yesterday by the fine writer Michael Chabon, but it could easily have been any one of a thousand other authors. In an interview with the Washington Post, occasioned by the upcoming flood of his back catalog into electronic formats, Chabon complained about his royalty rates:
When it’s comes to royalties on a paper book, that rate (25 percent) is completely fair when you think of the expenses a publisher takes on — the delivery trucks and the factory workers and the distribution chains. But it’s not fair for them to take a roughly identical royalty for an e-book that costs them nothing to produce.
There have, of course, already been a dozen or more impassioned blog posts and hurt tweets, from various publishing folks, taking offense at that “nothing to produce.” It is wrong, and horribly wrong, and all of us who work in the business know how much time and effort and agida goes into turning a manuscript into a readable ePub file, or its multifarious brethren. And that’s only the beginning of the process — merely making something exist is the simplest part. One might hope that we all could take that as read by this point — that Publishing, as a verb, is much larger, and encompasses many more complicated, useful, necessary processes than the simple printing and warehousing of books.
PRO SE’S SOVEREIGN CITY PROJECT EXPLODES WITH THE LATEST CHAPTER-
THE ADVENTURES OF FORTUNE MCCALL BY DERRICK FERGUSON
Press Release-For Immediate Release and Available for Cross Posting and Sharing
Pro Se Productions, a leading New Pulp Company that Puts the Monthly Back into Pulp, proudly announced today the release of its latest book as well as the next chapter in Pro Se’s SOVEREIGN CITY PROJECT.
From noted New Pulp Author Derrick Ferguson, creator of the popular characters Dillon and Diamondback among others, comes THE ADVENTURES OF FORTUNE MCCALL!A man shrouded in mystery, McCall is a known adventurer and owner and proprietor of The Heart of Fortune, a luxury gambling ship that finds itself docked off the shores of Sovereign City.But McCall has come to Sovereign with a purpose, one that soon turns into action, adventure, and mayhem for he and his companions.Traveling with heroes in their own right, McCall brings his unique brand of investigation and justice to a city that wants neither!
Follow McCall and his aides as they confront the darker side of lust when they meet ‘The Scarlet Courtesan of Sovereign City.’
Instant death and insanity will lay claim to an entire city unless Fortune McCall survives ‘The Day of the Silent Death!’
McCall meets a woman who challenges him to his very core.While trying to save her missing husband, Fortune comes face to face with ‘The Magic of Madness!’
Money, Money, Everyone Wants the Money!A mad chase through Sovereign ensues as Fortune hunts to find ‘The Gold of Box 850!’
“This collection,” stated Editor-in-Chief Tommy Hancock, “shows two things.First off, it shows what great creators Pro Se is working with and how wonderfully solid a concept the Sovereign City Project is.Secondly and most important, it is just one more example of how Derrick Ferguson is one of the modern masters of this sort of writing, being able to shift from intense mystery to wonderful characterization, from masculine pulp to humorous screwball comedy type scenes, and all in the space of one story.Derrick makes words flow better than most around today and he shows that best in THE ADVENTURES OF FORTUNE MCCALL!’
Featuring fantastic cover art by David L. Russell based on a concept by Peter Cooper, this volume features amazing interior effects and design by Sean E. Ali!THE ADVENTURES OF FORTUNE MCCALL are waiting for you!
THE ADVENTURES OF FORTUNE MCCALL
Available at www.amazon.com or through Pro Se’s site-www.prosepulp.com and soon in all online retailers!And Coming Soon in Ebook Format!
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles co-creator Kevin Eastman has moved his entire studio into Meltdown Comics… and he’s gonna auction the entire thing off in one giant lot to benefit the Hero Initiative.
The KEVIN EASTMAN ART STUDIO auction will run for 10 days beginning Dec. 25th, Christmas Day, at 9:00 PM (PST). It will wrap the evening of January 4th at 9:00 PM, which will be the final night of the 35 DAYS OF KEVIN EASTMAN event at Meltdown Comics in Hollywood. Swing by for the huge blowout closing night party!
And before you do, check out this video in which Kevin walks you through the studio and some of the items.
Conan The Barbarian returns to comics on February 8th, 2012 as he faces off against the Queen of the Black Coast at Dark Horse Comics.
In this sweeping adaptation of Robert E. Howard’s fan-favorite “Queen of the Black Coast,” Conan turns his back on the civilized world and takes to the high seas alongside the pirate queen Bêlit, setting the stage for an epic of romance, terror, and swashbuckling. This is Conan as you’ve never seen him, with the combination of one of Robert E. Howard’s greatest tales and the most dynamic creative team in comics!
Conan The Barbarian #1 is written by Brian Wood with art and cover by Becky Cloonan, and colors by Dave Stewart. Also included is a cover by Massimo Carnevale.
Conan The Barbarian #1 is 32 pages of exciting pulp adventure for $3.50.
Cover Art: Becky Cloonan
o A perfect jumping-on point for new readers! o A bold, fresh take on the Cimmerian. o “Queen of the Black Coast” is the most-requested Conan adaptation!
This week’s Reviewing the Mail begins with a long-distance shout-out to Ellen Wright, who started at Wiley the first week I did, but has since moved up and on to working in Publicity with the fine folks at Orbit US. My pipeline of Yen Press titles — Yen being the manga arm of Orbit — had dwindled recently, probably because I hadn’t reviewed many of their books in that same period [1], but I now have a batch of them here, and I hope they’ll continue. (Though, again, I imagine I’ll need to review some of those books for Yen to want to keep sending me books — it’s really not difficult to see how this works, if you’re capable of consider other people’s point of view.)
So hooray for Yen, which will be the bulk of this week’s post. But, before I get into that, first comes the ritual explanation: this is all stuff, as you might have guessed, that came in my mail this week, all sent by publishers who hope I will review and love these books and thus urge all of you to buy and love them in turn. This is the crucial bit: I have not yet read any of these books, and it’s entirely possible (you should see the stacks of review copies I have!) that I won’t get to any specific book here. Thus, what I’m about to type at you is somewhere between an educated guess and a wild surmise, based on my prior knowledge and what these books themselves tell me when I examine them closely.
That’s enough preliminary blah blah blah; let’s see what Yen is publishing in December: (more…)
Leaner, meaner, and two bucks cheaper! Just in time for the holidays, Pulp Modern #2 is now available at Createspace.
Publication Date: Dec 01 2011 ISBN/EAN13: 1467974072 / 9781467974073 Page Count: 144 Binding Type: US Trade Paper Trim Size: 6″ x 9″ Language: English Color: Black and White Related Categories: Fiction / Short Stories Price: $7.99
The inaugural issue of Pulp Modern, a quarterly dedicated to crime, fantasy, and western fiction. Includes new stories by Jimmy Callaway, James Duncan, C.J. Edwards, Garnett Elliott, Melissa Embry, Edward A. Grainger, Glenn Gray, David James Keaton, John Kenyon, Chris La Tray, Yarrow Paisley, Matthew Pizzolato, Thomas Pluck, Stephen D. Rogers, Sandra Seamans, Copper Smith and a classic tale by pulp fiction pioneer Lawrence Block. (Edited by Alec Cizak)
Publication Date: Sep 27 2011 ISBN/EAN13: 1466300655 / 9781466300651 Page Count: 170 Binding Type: US Trade Paper Trim Size: 6″ x 9″ Language: English Color: Black and White Related Categories: Fiction / Short Stories Price: $9.99
You can learn more about Pulp Modern at http://pulp-modern.blogspot.com/. Issue two of the critically acclaimed pulp fiction journal, Pulp Modern is now avaialable. This issue includes stories by Patti Abbott, Steven Axelrod, Stephen G. Eonnau, Matthew C. Funk, Jc Hemphill, Jerome K. Jerome, David James Keaton, John Kenyon, Chris La Tray, Michael Moreci, Leland Neville, William Dylan Powell, Jeremy Shane, And Jack Webster. Once again, the journal is edited by Alec Cizak and features stunning cover art by Jeremy Selzer.
Like most popular culture websites, we noted the passing last week of Jerry Robinson. Ours had a bit of a personal touch at the end; that’s what makes ComicMixComicMix. While I was writing the piece I heard the announcement of Jerry’s death on CBS radio. While I was impressed, I wasn’t surprised: the major comics icons get noticed these days, and Jerry certainly was, and is, a comics icon. But such wasn’t always the case.
I first saw a major to-do about the passing of a comics great when ABC-TV noted Jack Kirby’s death back in 1994. For several years prior to that the passing of an occasional comic book creator was noted in the local obituaries but significant folks like Bill Finger didn’t get national play. We weren’t important enough. We were still part of the throwaway culture; adults who read comics were considered morons. Or professionals… but only after Fredric Wertham was toast.
Kirby not only made the network news, he was chosen “Man of the Week” or whatever the segment was called at the time. That meant two things: ABC-TV already had footage of Jack in their library (a bigger deal at the time as teevee networks were only beginning to digitize their files), and the comics medium had finally earned enough respect for producers to deem one of our greatest creators as worthy of such an honor.
From that point, respect for the comics medium continued to grow. Batman instigator Bob Kane received his due and then some, Will Eisner’s passing was well-noted… to name but two. In my eyes, more than all the reviews from the intelligencia, more than all the decent comics-based movies, the national coverage of the passing of our greatest has given validation to the art form.
I read five newspapers every day, one of them a national paper, one the local Norwalk Connecticut paper. Each of these five covered Jerry’s passing. Each and every one. All but one gave the story coverage with a photo and/or art.
A few days after publishing their obit, the New York Daily News did an editorial (above). Okay, Jerry’s Sunday newspaper strip was run in that paper for several years – but that was many decades ago, and if you read their editorial they play up Robinson’s comic book work. He may have created The Joker, but he did not create The Batman. Bill Finger and that other guy did that.
That’s pretty cool. Jerry most certainly deserves the additional recognition, and so does the comic art medium.
And we deserve it, in part, due to Jerry’s contributions to our craft.
The end of the year is fast approaching, which means Certain People (I name no names) realize that they need to use up their vacation days or lose them.
Changing subjects entirely, today I took off from work, and most of what I did was bop into the city to do some book-shopping. (I had a vague idea of doing Xmas shopping as well, and even walked quickly through part of that agglomeration of festive selling huts in Union Square, but that portion of the day’s festivities was not successful.)
First I hit Forbidden Planet — pretty much as an aperitif — which I hadn’t been in for several years. (My mental map of FP is from the days when they had back issues in the basement — yes, that long ago.) I got issues of two comics for the boys, and also two extremely different graphic novels:
And Ken Dahl’s Monsters, a highly acclaimed 2009 semi-autobiographical book (by a guy who now goes under a different name, for reasons I’m not entirely clear on) about herpes.
After that, I headed down the block to The Strand, which was the whole point of the trip. (Speaking of mental maps, when I was there, I was shocked to see that they don’t check bags anymore and then reminded that the childrens’ section used to be in the basement — so my standard of what the Strand looks like is also a good decade out of date.) There, I got many more books, mostly used or remaindered or otherwise non-standard:
Martin Amis’s recent novel Yellow Dog, which was the first new book of his I didn’t read since London Fields — entirely because his prior novel, Night Train, was such a gigantic stinker — and which I used to have, in first edition hardcover, before the recent unpleasantness. (more…)
Meantime, yesterday, Australian street artist and painter Anthony Lister began working on creating a fabulous piece of street art inspired by the Rise of the Planet of the Apes. Lister arrived in Southern California straight from Art Basel Miami Beach, the most prestigious art show in the Americas, where he painted several murals across the city. The mural is being painted at 7769 Melrose Ave in Los Angeles across the street from Fairfax High School, and Lister will be there until Monday afternoon.
We hope to share a timelapse video of the work from start to finish some time next week, after Lister’s work is complete.
The world in general and the Popular Art and Pulp Community in specific lost a shining talent and unique voice on Thursday, December 8th, 2011. David Burton, an artist known for various works, including several Edgar Rice Burroughs inspired works, Comic based images, as well as original work for Publishers of all varieties, passed away this past Thursday. Although details are not readily available, David had had a series of health issues, most recently being considered for a heart transplant. While at home on the 8th, something occurred that caused David to have to re-enter the hospital and he left this world later that day.
At times like these, the only thing that many of us who knew David and even those who only knew him through his work have to comfort us are our thoughts and memories of him and the love and support of those around us. What follows is a collection of remembrances and commemorations collected in the last few hours, both sent directly to All Pulp as well as some simply taken from where they were originally posted. If you didn’t know David, then read on please and discover one of those talents that definitely left us just as his star was rising. If you were fortunate enough to have even known him for a moment, then join the rest of us who did in remembering and recalling and even in mourning, though the actual feeling is more of rejoicing….rejoicing that I even got to know David for a brief second and the positive ways he affected so many that he touched.
First, my own thoughts- I met David via Facebook, the wonders of social networking. I was looking for cover artists to capture that feel of classic Pulp covers, particularly for one project we were debuting in our magazine. I came across David’s stuff about the same time he came across our ad looking for someone. I’m not sure how we connected, but we did indeed and from that instant, David immediately became concerned for me. Not simply the project, but for my well being. He asked about my family, talked about the other writers in the magazine, asked how I came to be a writer, all of that. We talked about favorite foods, movies, etc. and in between these blasts of personal ‘get to know’ time that actually is somewhat unusual from an artist who you’re initially contracting with for just one piece, David would send these wonderful snippets…a pencil layout here, a color study there….until finally the finished piece was completed. The job done, I thanked David, paid him, and went on. But I didn’t go on alone. David talked of other projects, but mostly just checked in as if we were buddies, which I quickly realized we most definitely were that…friends.
We never got to do more work together because David’s medical issues reared their ugly visages about then and he didn’t get back to a point to take on much work. The one regret I have is that when David emailed me a few months back and said he thought he was ready to take on work, even though it would need to be single figure type stuff, I didn’t make more effort to give him work, only because I wanted him to feel better and to get even stronger. It’s not the art that didn’t get created that I’m remorseful for now. It’s the fact that I didn’t get another chance to spend that much time with David again. Godspeed, David.
From Danny and Heather Kelley-
We have known David Burton for some years now. He was a great friend one who we came to call our Brother. His art work was so amazing, we modeled for several pieces of his art for him. One particular piece will always be my favorite. I had a photo taken of me in Metropolis , Ill at the Superman celebration a few years back of me as Superman and a little girl who had came up to me. David wanted to paint it and it came out amazing. He made two of it one for me and another to donate to a charity auction in Metropolis .We spoke on the phone and emailed each other frequently. He was a amazing talent and a very humble kind person. He would get so excited and get us excited every time he saw a new pic of us he wanted to draw. It was always like Christmas waiting to see what he would come up with. With his passing it leaves a empty place in our lives as I am sure with countless others he touched with his art. But his memory will live on with us through the art works we have on our wall from him.. David we love you and will miss you my dear friend. I know you will be painting the skies in Heaven.
David was a wonderful talent and a fine interpreter of Edgar Rice Burroughs’ creations. Over the years he shared so many fine pieces of art with us for our ERBzine readers:
David will be sadly missed by his many friends and by the many fans of his work.
From Ron Hanna-
Back in 2006, David sent me an e-mail when I lost my cat, and he even wrote a Poem especially for me… I would like to share this with you… I loved him: Dear Ron, I can understand this all too well. Not long ago, my cat Muse had to be put to rest for the same thing. The loss is never easy and shouldn’t be. Just remember that she’s always going to be around you and that she loves you. Dearest friend Who’s been my World I shall never hold you And feel your warmth Yet I shall always know That you are near For your warmth Now has a place That I had never known But forever is now Ahead For we are on our way Do not fear My dearest friend
For we shall someday Meet And know that all Was for us And we shall have Ever the tomorrows That have yet to be This warmth That I now hold So dear I shall never let go For I know it place My heart Is no longer its home But my life is its home For you have brought Not but love To it
From Mary Fabian-
Rest in Peace, my friend. Let your artist pen draw everlasting beauty over the stars. May our Lord hold your family in His Loving arms.
From Ver Curtiss-
I cannot adequately express my sadness at the news of David Burton’s passing. David was a true friend, an amazing artist, and an incredible human being. He was truly a brother, though we never met face to face. I hope we will have that opportunity to meet some day in a better place than this beautiful but fallen world of ours. He will be truly missed.
From Dough Hubler-
A sweet and dear friend has passed and I want to honor and remember. David Burton, a gifted artist, a child of God, and a brother! Godspeed and rest in His arms, David! We’ll see each other again!
From Andy Nunez-
David was an amazing artist and new some of the most influential paperback and comic illustrators of our time. He always encouraged me to go beyond my abilities with each piece of artwork I turned out for my books. His heart was bad and he was in line for a transplant. He had to go to the hospital today and he did not return. I can only pray I meet him again beyond this existence.
These and many other tributes and remembrances and dedications to the life, work, and memory of David Burton are sprouting all over in the last several hours and will likely continue for years to come. When one such as David passes, it’s hard for us not to see it as a loss, but we also scored a major victory just having David as a part of our lives.
, the first in a new series (teen-focused, I think) by Mark “Akiko” Crilley, about a guy who discovers secret supernatural powers.
, a highly acclaimed 2009 semi-autobiographical book (by a guy who now goes under a different name, for reasons I’m not entirely clear on) about herpes.
, collecting comics work by Roger Langridge (along with his brother, Andrew) from around twenty years ago.
, an old collection (1991) of Roz Chast cartoons
, a similarly vintage (1992) book of Sam Gross cartoons
, an original graphic novel that came out earlier this year from the indefatigable Gilbert Hernandez, which has a loose (and probably indescribable) connection with his Love & Rockets material.
, which was the first new book of his I didn’t read since 
— entirely because his prior novel, 
, was such a gigantic stinker — and which I used to have, in first edition hardcover, before the recent unpleasantness. 
