The Adventures of Apocalypse Al - SPOILERS

[Jan]

Look at the brand new forum that DougO created for us in preparation for the Studio JMS web series that will be coming along.

First up, that's already in the works is "The Adventures of Apocalypse Al" which will be brought to us via MTV Geek. First will be a comic and after that, the live action series.

Those with long memories may recognize the title. Several years ago, the Canadian Broadcasting Company had a radio drama done by the same name. In that form, it was 20 5-minute segments. Sadly, it was never broadcast.

At SDCC, JMS described it as "Maltese Falcon meets Monty Python". It's a noir series about Allison Carter who specializes in the End of the World.

No word yet on when we can expect to see any of it but I'm looking forward to it a lot.

Jan

[Jan]

Just a little smidge of info in JMS' note about Studio JMS:

our first web graphic novel for MTV.com has finally gone into production,

and...

Yep, they have an artist working on the book now, and I think they'll be showing some bits and pieces at Wondercon at the MTV panel.

Finally is right!

Jan

[Jan]

JMS showed a couple of pages of the webcomic at C2E2. I just found this on the revamped StudioJMS.com website:

Sid Kotian,
APOCALYPSE AL artist

ôMostly an artist but when IÆm desperate IÆve been known to write stuff. Currently I live in Mumbai, India with my two dogs. I write, I draw, I paint and I am content.ö Works include Pilot Season: Twilight Guardian, Hawken genesis, Odayan and Brik Jones: Attorney for Earth. Check out more of his work out at http://siddharth-kotian.blogspot.com/

What I saw at C2E2 looked great!

Jan

[Jan]

Tiny smidgeon of info from this CBR interview. JMS named the artist who'll be doing the Dream Police title and:

We have found our artist in Sid Kotian who is also pencilling my script for "The Adventures of Apocalypse Al" for MTV comics. He is great on character and has a nifty noir sensibility.

Jan

[Jan]

JMS posted a preliminary schedule for SDCC and I noticed an MTV panel so I asked him if that meant we'd be hearing about Apocalypse Al soon.

Yes...we're well past the halfway point with the art for Apocalypse Al, I've got about 60 pages printed up here, and the last I heard they plan to release the first issue not long after NYCC. It's a gorgeous book, Sid Kotian is doing an amazing job.

Been waiting for this story for a *long* time!!

Jan

[Jan]

I'm wondering if JMS should name this the Perils of Apocalypse Al, given how hard it's been to find its way to the fans. From JMS' Facebook page:

It was announced last week that MTV Geek is closing down, so I won't be doing that NYCC panel. Now, Constant Readers will recall that starting in January, MTV Geek was going to publish The Adventures of Apocalypse Al, written by me and drawn by Sid Kotian (who will shortly be starting work on the relaunch of Dream Police).

So what does this turn of events mean for TAoAA?

Turns out, it means something extremely cool...and I will have more to say about this either at or shortly after NYCC.

Looking forward to finding out what.

Jan

[Jan]

(Moving thread from Webseries to Comics)

http://multiversitycomics.com/news/joes-comics-to-publish-the-adventures-of-apocalypse-al-in-2014/

Four (oversized) issue miniseries beginning in February. Already drawn so it'll be on time. Follow the link for some sample pages.

I'm liking the look and tone!

Jan

PS: Would somebody please post in this thread besides me? Please?

[Ubik]

(Moving thread from Webseries to Comics)

http://multiversitycomics.com/news/joes-comics-to-publish-the-adventures-of-apocalypse-al-in-2014/

Four (oversized) issue miniseries beginning in February. Already drawn so it'll be on time. Follow the link for some sample pages.

I'm liking the look and tone!

Jan

PS: Would somebody please post in this thread besides me? Please?

Happy to oblige Jan! Seems like the forums have been awful quiet lately!

Definitely liking the art. Very vibrant stuff. As for the comics itself, I’m unsure if it’ll be my thing or not. The sample pages didn’t do that much for me. JMS’ writing just doesn’t really grab me when he’s in silly / pulpy mode. Tone wise, it seems to have a lot in common with Dream Police, which I also found a bit throw away. I think it’s a humour thing, you either find it funny or you don’t!

Still, good that it’s finally seeing the light of day.

[Ubik]

It does however have 'TECHNO-WIZARDS' going for it!

Perhaps they have returned from the beyond the rim?

[Jan]

JMS just posted the latest marketing innovation coming from Joe's Comics. They've sent posters to retailers, given special editions of #1 issues out at conventions, now there'll be a special full edition of Apocalypse Al sent to retailers to sample and show their customers:

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=683162755051924&id=139652459402959

Attention Comics Retailers: have we got a treat for you!

When we revived the Joe’s Comics imprint with Image, our goal was to try new things, both in terms of content and how we do business. This is one such, and it’s all about you.

When placing orders for comics, most of the time you have to rely on solicits in the Diamond catalog, the names of those involved, and with luck, a four page preview posted online. It’s a faith-based ordering system that often leaves retailers with too many copies of a not-great but heavily hyped book, and not enough of a really good book that flew in under the radar.

Wouldn’t it be terrific if you could get not just a preview, but a full copy of the complete first issue well in advance of final order cutoff, so you could examine it, share it with your customers at your (and their) leisure, and *then* place your orders? Wouldn’t that be *sensible*?

Well, that’s what we’re doing with The Adventures of Apocalypse Al. We have commissioned an entire early print run of issue one, nearly 8,000 copies, just for retailers, one per store, no charge. The color cover designates this as a retailer exclusive preview, with a black and white interior (the actual book will be full color, courtesy of William Farmer) that showcases the terrific inks by Sid Kotian. The issue will arrive on December 18, weeks ahead of the January 13 final order cutoff.

We’re taking this step because we believe in the quality of the book; because we want to show our appreciation for the good will extended to us by so many retailers; and as a bit of a challenge to the Big Two publishers to do the same.

Your customers rely on you to make good recommendations about how their hard-earned cash should be best spent. We want you to have every tool available to make those decisions, and we hope this sort of outreach will spark a trend. So on December 18 look for the Retailer Exclusive Preview of The Adventures of Apocalypse Al #1, from Joe’s Comics and Image Comics.

We are absolutely confident that you’ll love what you see.

Wonder if he'd believe me if I pretended to be a comic retailer...

Jan

[Garibaldi's Hair]

JMS just posted the latest marketing innovation coming from Joe's Comics. They've sent posters to retailers, given special editions of #1 issues out at conventions, now there'll be a special full edition of Apocalypse Al sent to retailers to sample and show their customers:

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=683162755051924&id=139652459402959

Wonder if he'd believe me if I pretended to be a comic retailer...

Jan

Maybe ... but if too many of us try he might get suspicious.

[Jan]

Maybe ... but if too many of us try he might get suspicious.

Guess they anticipated us anyway. My comic shop guy told me that he saw the free issue as an add-on to his Diamond Distributors invoice. Oh, well... He said I could have his when he's done with it, though.

Jan

[Jan]

A nice advance review of Apocalypse Al by Rob Patey/Optimous Douche which explains some of the strategy behind JMS' sending out a free black & white copy to all of the comic retailers.

http://robpatey.com/2013/12/15/apocalypse-al-1-review-retailers-and-readers-will-rejoice-at-new-jms-creation/

I've mentioned how much I'm looking forward to this, right?

Jan

[Optimous Douche]

Thanks for posting Jan, Joe sent me a copy late Saturday. I couldn't remember my password this weekend - had to wait until I got to work this morning.

[nottenst]

There is a 4-page preview in the back of Protectors, Inc. #2. I have to say I found those 4 pages more enjoyable. It looks to be a fun series.