THE INTREPIDS
Creator-Owned Mini-Series were on the brink of revitalizing the sleepy industry of Comic Books in the mid 2010s. Image Comics THE INTREPIDS proved my first entry into the challenging world of Indie Comic Book creation, and my first professional work.
Creating a coherent, unique world turned-out to be the easiest part of the project. Project management, talent coordination and executive relations became the most significant learning obstacle.
The pace of producing the series was grueling. Every member of the team was entirely new to the industry. Early on my writing partner and I lost our colorist and letterer due to the intensity of the schedule. Many work days turned into 14 hour endurance marathons.
I was eager to put my Graphic Design degree to task when constructing all assets for the series. Creating the book jacket and pagination for the series is still a career highlight.
I wanted this series to appeal to a more youthful audience — drawing the appearance and aesthetic from sources many readers would have a passing familiarity with. I used Jack Kirby’s Challengers of the Unknown and Doug Wildey’s Jonny Quest for inspiration.
The book became a critical darling praised for it’s nostalgic nod to books of old like FANTASTIC FOUR and the X-MEN.
“Classic pulpy goodness and great character construction.” -Joey Esposito, IGN
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Character Design
- Illustration, Color
- Publisher Relations
- Cover Design
- Brand and Marketing Campaign
- Color Art
- Production Art Liason
PRESS:
https://www.cbr.com/wiebe-launches-the-intrepids/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssZj4KvOH7c
https://www.comicsbeat.com/image-continue-to-sell-out-with-the-intrepids-and-carbon-grey/
Down Set Fight!
I immediately transitioned into producing the full-length Graphic Novel Down Set Fight! for Oni Press.
The design of the series was based upon 1970s Exploitation movies. Lots of warm color palettes, patterns and bulky character designs.
The story read like that of a Quentin Tarantino movie — I chose to compliment every visual in the book with that aesthetic in mind.
The series was to be launched as part of the newly released Comixology digital imprint.
Amongst the many accolades I received from colleagues and fans for this series, the most notable was a Nomination for ‘Best Colorist’ at the Stumptown Awards.
While intended to be a stand-alone Graphic Novel, the digital release of the series aloud for individual chapter covers.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Character Design
- Illustration, Color
- Cover Design
- Brand and Marketing Campaign
- Color Art
PRESS:
https://www.denofgeek.com/books/interview-with-down-set-fight-author-chris-sims/
https://www.denofgeek.com/books/down-set-fight-oni-press-review/
https://pipedreamcomics.co.uk/chris-sims-and-chad-bowers-talk-down-set-fight/
https://www.cbr.com/sims-bowers-kowalchuk-go-bare-knuckle-mascot-brawling-in-down-set-fight/
The Mysterious Strangers
My following series would serve as Oni Press’ Free Comic Book Day offering — intended to entice fans to the Portland-based indie publisher.
The book was written by Chris Roberson, Co-Creator of CW‘s iZombie. The content was inspired by the John Steed/Emma Peel Avengers and Bruno Premiani’s Doom Patrol.
The series ran with the atypical format of Two-Issue story arcs — circumventing the long form narrative which had become most common in the medium.
The story required extensive research of specially designed sigils and symbols to indicate different tropes and character traits.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Character Design
- Illustration, Color
- Inter-connecting Montage Covers
- Brand and Marketing Campaign
- Color Art Direction
PRESS:
https://comicsalliance.com/robersons-the-mysterious-strangers-explodes-across-linking-su/
https://www.previewsworld.com/Article/138458-Hip-To-Be-Square-In-The-Mysterious-Strangers
