I spoke to the gang at the Geek Network all about writing comics and a whole bunch of the projects I’ve worked on over the years: Conan the Barbarian, Skullkickers, Dungeons & Dragons, Wayward, Thunderbolts, Champions, Black Panther and the Agents of Wakanda, Serpent War and more!
Give it a listen:
Formal lectures re-start on Monday, but we did a connection test yesterday afternoon.
It was surreal having the class online with students asking questions in a chat window or via audio, but so far they seem to be handling things okay.
By default I had mics muted, but when I did unmute the group I was really impressed with how quiet they stayed, letting each student ask questions and not contaminating the stream with background noise. They did better than our staff during a livestream earlier in the week.
I tested out streaming a video, mimicking what we’ll be doing in the coming weeks for our Animation History class. I’m trying to keep the live component and screening intact. Having mics open and hearing their chuckles during the film brought a lot of warmth to the stream.
After the test, I had an open Q&A, answering their questions and addressing concerns about the next four weeks and as we wrap up the term. Again, it all went well.
At the end, I asked if they had any other questions-
“Zub, how are you doing? Are you okay?”
*Jim’s lip quivers*
I held it together, but I really appreciated that they were thinking of me too. They’re a great group.
It’s been a rough week, far worse for many, many other people, but we all have our own problems we’re dealing with.
Knowing that in the grand scheme of things I’m good and this will pass, but also allowing myself to feel sad and disappointed that this is how my time in charge of the Animation program will end and my sabbatical plans are a flaming wreck is a weird balancing act.
I drove to the school and grabbed a few things before they finished locking down the campus.
Normally when I walk the empty halls it’s because I finished submitting end of term transcripts.
It’s the sign of a job well done.
This time it feels out of sorts, but we’ll persevere.
• Big Comic Page: “…demonstrates a comprehensive understanding of all the Cimmerian’s traits which have made him so incredibly popular since his adventures were first published in ‘Weird Tales’ magazine way back in 1932.”
• Comic Book.com: 8/10 “It’s unclear exactly where things are going to go next for this warrior, but the ride Jim Zub, Roge Antonio, and company are crafting seems worth the ride.”
• Comic-Watch: 8.5/10 “Roge Antonio and Israel Silva create a dark yet enticing environment for Conan and his new companions to trek through as they make their way closer to whatever awaits them in the end.”
• Paint Monk’s Library: 8.5/10 “The journey’s the thing, and this has been a thrilling one thus far.”
• Super Powered Fancast: 9/10 “Roge Antonio delivers some beautiful art throughout this issue…The action is fantastic and I can’t wait to see how this mystery unfolds.”
• The Beat: “Zub is getting into a groove here that I think is worth checking out.”
• Weird Science Marvel Comics: 8.7/10 “This is not Jason Aaron’s CONAN THE BARBARIAN but it is highly enjoyable and packed with a thoroughly planned and well-organized backstory that Zub quickly establishes to ensnare his audience…I simply can’t rave about this issue enough.”
CONAN THE BARBARIAN #17 (Legacy #292)
JIM ZUB (W) • ROBERT GILL (A) • Cover by E.M. GIST
Variant Cover by ROBERTO DE LA TORRE
“THE CURSE OF THE NIGHTSTAR” CLAIMS CONAN!
CONAN has escaped the Great Crucible, but his “March to Khitai” has just begun! Conan now possesses the TOOTH OF THE NIGHTSTAR, a mighty weapon liberated from the Uttara Kuru leadership. But if he’s not careful, the sword will possess him! A dark force is bound to the mystic blade, a spirit hungering for souls—including the Cimmerian’s! And It. Must. Feed!
32 PGS./Parental Advisory …$3.99
EMPYRE: AVENGERS #3 (of 3)
Jim Zub (W) • Carlos Magno (A) • COVER BY Paul Renaud
Variant cover by Paco Medina
Earth’s Mightiest Heroes are caught in a conflict against nature itself as the soul of the Savage Land hangs in the balance.
Guest-starring Ka-Zar, Shanna the She-Devil and the macabre Man-Thing!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99
EMPYRE: THE INVASION OF WAKANDA #2 (OF 3)
Jim Zub (W) • LAN MEDINA (A)
COVER BY Dustin Weaver
VARIANT COVER BY KIM JACINTO
WAKANDA UNDER SIEGE!
• Alien weapons, psychic spirits, ancient magic — T’Challa prepared for war, but not even he could have foreseen the forces now brought to bear against his homeland.
• If the Great Vibranium Mound is lost to these invaders, our planet will follow…
• Yibambe!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99
MARVEL COMICS: THE WORLD OUTSIDE YOUR WINDOW TPB
Written by JOE SIMON, STAN LEE, STEVE GERBER, DAVID MICHELINIE, CHRIS CLAREMONT, SCOTT LOBDELL, PETER DAVID, J. MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI, JOHN NEY RIEBER, ZEB WELLS, MARJORIE LIU, G. WILLOW WILSON, JIM ZUB & MORE
Penciled by JACK KIRBY, GIL KANE, GENE COLAN, JOHN ROMITA JR., BUTCH GUICE, MARK PACELLA, RICHARD BENNETT, GARY FRANK, JOHN CASSADAY, TODD NAUCK, MIKE PERKINS, MIRKA ANDOLFO, SEAN IZAAKSE & MORE
Cover by STÉPHANE ROUX
The Marvel Universe has always reflected the world outside your window — from the moment Captain America charged into battle in World War II to the present day! Marvel’s characters face relevant and real-life issues alongside their extraordinary adventures — from grappling with alcoholism to participating in politics to celebrating diversity and everything in between! These powerful stories from Marvel’s 80-year history feature iconic heroes tackling heavy-hitting subjects including drug abuse, teen suicide, HIV, terrorism, school shootings and more.
Collecting AMAZING SPIDER-MAN (1963) #97, HOWARD THE DUCK (1976) #8, IRON MAN (1968) #128, NEW MUTANTS (1983) #45, ALPHA FLIGHT (1983) #106, UNCANNY X-MEN (1981) #303, INCREDIBLE HULK (1968) #420, AMAZING SPIDER-MAN (1999) #36, CAPTAIN AMERICA (2002) #1, ASTONISHING X-MEN (2004) #51, MS. MARVEL (2015) #13, CHAMPIONS (2016) #24 and material from CAPTAIN AMERICA COMICS #2 and AMAZING SPIDER-MAN (1999) #583.
320 PGS./Rated T+ …$34.99
ISBN: 978-1-302-92353-2
I spoke to John Swinimer at the True North Country podcast all about Dungeons & Dragons, Alpha Flight, superhero continuity, research for writing projects, Empyre, and more. Give it a listen!
I spoke to Sam Wildman at Nerdophiles all about latest D&D Young Adventurer’s Guide, WIZARDS & SPELLS! Check out the interview for details on how we developed the series and explain the worlds of magic available to characters in Dungeons & Dragons.
2020 has thrown us all a bunch of curve balls and it looks like a lot of people are going to be home bound over the course of the next few weeks, possibly even months. In that case, you and your friends might need some extra reading material on your tablet or laptop.
Over on my Patreon page, free of charge and with no strings attached, are two full volumes of my comics:
https://www.patreon.com/posts/34846589
SKULLKICKERS is a bit like Deadpool meets Dungeons & Dragons. It’s an irreverent sword & sorcery action-comedy.
WAYWARD is a bit like Buffy in Japan, a supernatural teen drama set in modern Tokyo.
Enjoy, share, and be good to each other.
I spoke to Christian Hoffer at ComicBook.com all about Wizards & Spells, the latest D&D Young Adventurer’s Guide. Click on through to find out how our team introduces the magical side of Dungeons & Dragons to new players!
Matthew Perkins put together a wonderful video overview of the D&D Young Adventurer’s Guides and some of the ways we focused on story over stats.
“These Young Adventurer’s Guides activate that long dormant piece of my brain that I haven’t used since childhood, that wondrous imagination. I love thinking this way.”
I spoke to Stu and John from the Vintage RPG podcast all about Wizards & Spells, the newest D&D Young Adventurer’s Guide, arriving in bookshops everywhere tomorrow! Give it a listen.
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