Coming Soon: Amazing Arizona Comics Quarterly #2

At this point, Amazing Arizona Comics Quarterly is a bit of an annually, but I hope to change that in 2015 -- starting with the long-awaited second issue!  It'll drop at the Amazing Arizona Comic Con, if all goes according to plan, but here it is for exclusive pre-purchase -- buy it now, before the comic con, and I'll include a free inked sketch of an Arizonaut, just to say thanks!

Good-bye, Governor Brewer!

Before we dive into this week's sad news, here's a pic from last weekend's Simpsons Trivia Night, where I Simpsonized willing attendees, table to table!  It was a blast!  (That's me with the sketch pad on the right, wondering what I'd gotten myself into.)

And now, the sad news -- Governor Jan Brewer is no more.  This week, Doug Ducey took office as Arizona's governor, and while his office is sure to inspire many Amazing Arizona Comics, Ms. Brewer's role cannot be denied.  So, we're celebrating her impact on Arizona superheroics over at Amazing Arizona Comics Online, in a combination of new and classic material offering a fresh retrospective of the Strange Term of Governor Brewer.  Follow every Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday!

Amazing Arizona Comics Trading Cards: Governor Brewer

What would an Amazing Arizona Comics trading card series look like?  Well, a lot like this.  Would you buy a pack and trade with your friends?  

Happy Birthday, Arizona!

Darkpaio says, "Happy Birthday, Arizona!"

If you love living in Arizona, the fact that Arizona's statehood anniversary is shared with Valentine's Day is the perfect coincidence for you!  While I hope to keep my updates weekly only, I couldn't let today pass without acknowledgement, so here's an abbreviated version of my new newsletter format, just to say, here's to you, Grand Canyon State!

Cool Cosplay

I get to see a lot of cool cosplay at the cons I attend, and rather than post endless slideshows of fat Batmen, I like to feature one great costume at a time, ideally revealing the wearer's creativity, originality, and, most importantly to me, practicality.  So, to celebrate Arizona's birthday, here's a nod to its Wild West roots with a Cowboy Green Lantern from last month's Amazing Arizona Comic Con!

Coming Soon . . .

Amazing Arizona Comics Quarterly is still in the works, with a story that takes place on this very day, starring our very state's first governor, who is entombed in Papago Park -- to rise in the instance his beloved land faces a crisis!  Behold, the GovernMummy!

Governor Brewer's High Desert Discovery

Continuing the countdown to Tucson Comic Con with sneak peak panels from the full color digital edition of Amazing Arizona Comics #9 . . .

Governor Brewer from Parallel Earth-1070 has discovered a multiversal portal emanating from a rare cactus in the high desert.  Will it please her master, Emperor Darkpaio?  Pick up Amazing Arizona Comics #9 in Tucson -- or in full color right here -- next month to find out!

Governor Brewer's 40 Days & Nights

Tucson Comic Con is only a month away!  Fortunately, the weather is cooling off just in time -- but not for the Governor Jan Brewer from Earth-1070, who, in this panel, is braving the high desert, banished by Emperor Darkpaio.

The countdown to Tucson will continue with periodic panels from the exclusive full color digital edition of Amazing Arizona Comics #9.  Special thanks to Kyle Kazmierczak for tackling the titanic task of tinting these tales.  

Getting Back Into the Swing...

I'll be posting here with more regularity for the rest of the year, primarily with conceptual sketches from Amazing Arizona Comics and beyond, but until then I should mention "The Swing Vote of Sheriff Ape-aio," the serial strip that ran on Nerdvana last month (following the ambitious Speed Cameron's California Adventure, of course).  That's right -- before Sheriff Arpaio was campaigning for his own seat, he was endorsing Mitt Romney at the RNC, where he was transformed into an ape!  Guest starring Invisible President Obama, Clint Eastwood, Ben Quayle, and some mysterious visitors from -- Parallel Earth 1070?!  Check out the collection here!

Here's the trailer to whet your appetite:

Happy Birthday, Joe!

Over two years ago, Sheriff Arpaio inspired me to self-publish my own mini-comic book series about superheroes in Arizona, so, today, on his 80th birthday, I’d like to thank him for setting a high standard for doing whatever it takes to get in the news.

I'm asking for captions to this comic over at Nerdvana.  Stop by and wish Sheriff Joe a happy 80th!

Countdown Day 25: Mummy Hunt

Arizona's first governor is buried in the middle of the Valley -- in a pyramid.  Read about it here, then read about it here.  (If you can only pick one, pick the second -- that's a comic strip by yours truly!)