Happy Independence Day from Amazing Arizona Comics!

Happy Independence Day from Amazing Arizona Comics!  Here's an exclusive pin-up of Sam Brero, alongside Uncle Sam and, for the first time, Mother Road and her sidekick Wigwam, protectors of Historic Route 66!  Sam Brero will star in the next issue of Amazing Arizona Comics, and Mother Road promises a chance to extend the Arizonauts' reach beyond the Grand Canyon State in stories to come.  Stay tuned!

Happy Birthday, Sheriff Joe Arpaio!

We interrupt our regularly scheduled series of Phoenix Comicon Memories to wish Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio a happy birthday -- on Flag Day, to boot!  Sheriff Joe's birthday is a holiday around these parts, since he plays a huge part in Amazing Arizona Comics, so let's take a look back at some of his most notable appearances!

Sheriff Joe first appeared in Amazing Arizona Comics on the cover of the very first issue, which in fact promised: "Now with more Sheriff Joe!"  As issue #1, that was an easy promise to keep!

Here's a detail from the recently colored edition of Amazing Arizona Comics #1, as tensions rise between Sheriff Joe and Speed Cameron.

In my predictions for 2012 (published in the local zine Pholx), I'd anticipated that Sheriff Joe would transcend the bonds of Earth to fight aliens off-planet.  Unfortunately, this only manifested in comic strip form.  That I can prove.

Aside from space-faring lawman, Sheriff Joe has found himself in a few different incarnations during the comic's run, including as Sheriff Scorpaio (coined by Bill Campana) and Sheriff Ape-aio (co-created with Bob Leeper).  His most nefarious incarnation, however, is undoubtedly Darkpaio, the despot from Parallel Earth-1070.

In the end, Flag Day is a celebration of patriotism, so we should end this homage to Sheriff Arpaio on a high note -- perhaps with a shot of him alongside other notables that share his birthday!

If you'd like to see the adventures of Joe Arpaio and the Agents of F.L.A.G. Day, drop a comment below.  Next year, you might just wake up to find a gift under your Flag Day tree!

The 12 Days of Christmas (Comics) #11: In Love . . . Out of Luck! (repost with image)

Cupid's arrows are missing, just days before Valentines' Day!  If the intimate imp isn't able to infect the world with love, what will become of February 14?  Fortunately, Santa's on the case, and he discovers the culprits -- leprechauns, on a pre-St. Patty's Day bender, bent on using the amorous arrows to persuade the ladies usually disgusted by their drunken advances!  Will Santa be able to stop the leprechauns, or is the world condemned to a fate of hate?

The 12 Days of Christmas (Comics) #10: Dreaming of a White Christmas (repost with image)

Who would've guessed Santa's favorite holiday is Martin Luther King Day?  But it's true!  Which other holiday icon so believes in the power of one's character, besides Santa and Dr. King?  So, every year, Santa relentlessly scours the Earth to preserve the potential of Dr. King's dream -- and he ends up fighting the Ku Klux Klan in the process!  It's nothing but the naughty list for them in "Dreaming of a White Christmas!"

The 12 Days of Christmas (Comics) #9: Vengeance of the Fed Up Flock! (repost with image)

The Easter Bunny uses the elixir that gave him life to awaken the world's turkeys, just in time to raise their voices in protest of Thanksgiving!  As a human holiday icon, Santa must decide between preserving the sacred tradition of "turkey dinner" and respecting the rights of a newly self-conscious flock -- before the foul army rises to redeem decades' worth of slaughter!

The 12 Days of Christmas (Comics) #5: Strand, Unraveled!

Dwight Strand tries every year to have the best Christmas lights display on his block, but his neighbor across the street always wins.  This year, Dwight vows to go bigger and better than ever, with the one thing his neighbor could never duplicate -- the real Santa Claus!  So, for over 300 days, Dwight scours the North Pole for Santa's workshop, finds it, and accomplishes the impossible: he kidnaps St. Nick!  Now, it's up to Mrs. Claus, the elves, and the reindeer to convince Dwight that winning isn't everything . . . because, if they fail, Dwight's display will cost the rest of the world Christmas!

Blogger's Note: When I started drafting these posts earlier this month, I didn't realize Image Comics would begin releasing a comic with Santa Claus in it -- called Krampus.  While Santa isn't necessarily the hero in this series, he is featured prominently, and some of the concepts will undoubtedly parallel some of the pitches I've scheduled to post here.  So, while I assure the creators of Krampus that I'm not swiping their concepts, I say the more Santa stories, the better!  Check out Krampus at your LCS (local comics shop)!

The 12 Days of Christmas (Comics) #3: Five Stolen Rings!

Santa keeps momentos of each of the "12 days of Christmas" in a display at the North Pole called "True Love Hall" -- and someone has broken in and stolen the five golden rings!  When worn on the same hand, the rings conjure magical powers, including prolonged life, so anyone is a suspect with that kind of motivation.  Fortunately, a trail of champagne glass fragments leads Santa to Times Square, where he finds the culprit: Baby New Year, determined to live beyond his designated 365 days.  As long as Baby New Year wears the rings, the next year will never come!  This is one case where if Santa drops the ball, he saves the day!

Coming Soon: The 12 Days of Christmas (Comics!)

I love Christmas, and I love comics -- and I love Christmas comics!  So, on each of the final twelve days before Christmas (starting Friday the 13th!), I'll be posting a different story arc pitch for a dream, Christmas-themed comic book series starring Santa Claus.  I won't be pursuing any of these ideas, and some of them will be quite derivative (expect "Crisis on Infinite Christmases"), but I can't resist the chance to end the year with a little holiday fanfic.  I hope to include some conceptual sketches with each pitch, to prove their potential, but no promises. By then, they'll only be twelve shopping days until Christmas, so I'll be pretty busy!

Note: I'm not gonna lie, I'm kinda sorta stealing the idea of a "12 days of Christmas" theme from my good buddy Brent, whose 12 Murders of Christmas last year remain one of my favorite blog post series ever.  The above image (by Brent) is the last, 12 Drummers Detonating, but click here to read them all!  (Needless to say, my pitches won't include a murder mystery story; it's already been done, and done better.)

Amazing Arizona Comics #9 Available in Full Color Online!

Don't know what to buy that Arizonaphile in your family for the holidays?  Maybe you aren't in Arizona, but you have friends or family who are, and you're looking for the perfect online gift?  Well, Amazing Arizona Comics #9 is now available as a PDF!  For just $1, you'll receive the entire 24-page issue in color via email, which you can then forward to that special someone for Christmas!  No shipping to worry about?!  That's like a present for you, too!  Just click the Paypal button below to order.

Or, you can always purchase a hardcopy to complete your at-home collection.  Amazing Arizona Comics #9, black and white, 24 pages, $3.  Free postage.

Amazing Arizona Comics #9 concludes the Arizonauts' adventure in Parallel Earth-1070!  June Monsoon has returned, but will she ever be the same?  And what nefarious plan does Governor Brewer have in store for Arizona -- and the world?!  Find out here!

Happy Birthday, Arizona!

Today may be Valentine's Day, but it's also Arizona's 101st birthday, so to celebrate I'll be posting panels and previews from some upcoming projects featuring our Grand Canyon State.

Today's image is the cover of Amazing Arizona Comics #7 -- I've posted the exclusive covers of the Tucson Comic Con and Amazing Arizona Comic Con editions, but this is the standard cover (sans text and color), kicking off June Monsoon's adventure to Parallel Earth-1070.

To purchase this issue for a measly $2, just click here!

Webcomics Wednesdays: The Fall of 2012!

Here's the first page of my latest strip at Nerdvana -- click here to see how 2012 didn't go down without a fight.

Sketchbook: Russ the Fortune Teller

 

Found this one in my sketchbook, just in time for Halloween!  A couple of years ago, I moonlighted as a fortuneteller at a friend's Halloween party, and I was so impressed with the costume I assembled from various Goodwills around Orange County, I just had to draw it.

Joe Arpaio & The Agents of F.L.A.G. (Day)!

For the whole story on this "lost cover," visit Nerdvana right now!

Countdown Day 30: Sketchbook -- Black Friday

In this unused panel from the Black Friday strip published on Nerdvana, Speed Cameron tries to make sense of the riot at a local department store.  Of course, the cause was a biting commentary in itself . . .

Countdown Day 12: Zombie Santa Strikes!

This last week we've looked at the holiday mascots that have either affected or been affected by current events in Arizona -- but today's is one CREATED here. When Evermore Nevermore store owner Bob Leeper, dressed as Santa for the holiday rush, was struck by an atomic beam from space (long story), he rose from the ashes a zombie as half-dead as downtown Mesa itself -- ZOMBIE SANTA! Read the complete adventure over at Nerdvana (click the link to the right) -- and who knows -- he just might rise again . . .

Countdown Day 11: Leap Year!

As far as holiday mascots go, Leap Year has an incredible story. Originally born Lee Pierre, he sprang from the womb on February 29 (of course), and every four years on his actual birthday, he has the incredible ability to leap higher and farther than any normal man can -- for only those 24 hours. On his fifth birthday, when he turned 20, he decided to KEEP leaping, chasing the sun around the world so it never set, so, for him, it's ALWAYS Leap Day.

This year, he landed in Arizona, and apparently just in time . . .

See the full story at Nerdvana; click the link to the right for more!

Countdown Day 10: Santa Soars Over Arizona

When Santa visited the Valley last year, Sheriff Joe pulled St. Nick's sleigh over and accused the Jolly Elf of housing a workforce of illegal alien elves -- which, when you think about it, makes MORE sense than accusing President Obama of being an alien, but we'll get to that in a few days. In this case, Santa presented Arpaio with the gift he's always wanted -- a rescued puppy of his own. Did the bribe work? Email me at karaokefanboy@hotmail.com to receive the full strip and find out!

Countdown Day 9: Cupid Strikes!

When Arizona's founding fathers were settling our land's blessed statehood, they decided to skip February 12 to favor Lincoln's birthday, and they considered the 13th bad luck, so the 14th it was. This year is Arizona's 100th birthday, so we got a lot of attention on February 14th.

This has made Cupid very angry.

Originally published at Nerdvana; click the link at right to see more!

Countdown Day 8: The Easter Bunny Vs. Everybody

(from the sketchbook)

The Easter Bunny deserves some sympathy. As much responsibility as Santa but nowhere near as cool, and sharing the same holiday with Jesus but nowhere near as important, why WOULDN'T he have a chip on his shoulder? Yet, since kids are drawn to the eggs he hides, even kids at heart like June Monsoon, we should give him a nod of respect. You never know what he might do with that kind of power.

Countdown Day 6: The Holiday Divinity

Arizona has always been a land trying to control its chaos, from those that have sought to harness the spectral mysteries of the desert, to the lawmen that have rounded up bandits since the times of the Wild West. So, it makes sense that these figures exist in the weird world of Amazing Arizona Comics -- Father Time, Baby New Year, and Mother Nature, trying to reign in the chaos of the universe around all of us. Of course, Arizona is often on their radar . . .

Originally published at Nerdvana; click the link to the right to see more!