Really? A Whole YEAR?!

Wow... it's been over a year since I updated this blog. What an ass. I think that's why I enjoy Twitter so much. I can update it with minimal effort on my part. And with about a dozen comics in the works, a full-time job and a wife and 2 kids, being able to update something quickly becomes increasing more appealing.

But, people seem to keep finding this blog or linking to it, so I figured I'd better put something out there.

There are a lot of places you can find me online. I'm a shameless self-promoter all over the internet. It actually takes up a shitload more time than the writing and lettering of the comics themselves! But it's gotta be done or nobody will know about my work. So here are the most frequently updated places to find me:

My website: captionsandballoons.com
My Facebook
My Twitter

I'll try my damnedest to pop over here from time to time to lay down an update, but I can't guarantee it.

I suck.

Non-Updating Ass

Ok, Ok... I suck at updating blogs. I spend HOURS every day on the inter-webs, you'd think I could update the 'ol blog once in a while. Well, I'm going to try to be better. I promise.

So, the new book is in this month's Previews Catalog! Flip to page 190 and you'll see a nice listing for Jesus Hates Zombies featuring Lincoln Hates Werewolves in: Yea, Though I Walk... Vol. 1. Pretty sweet! The book is due to hit shelves in September!

Here's the gorgeous cover by my good friend Danilo Beyruth:


Ain't it amazing?!?

And with really freakin' cool interior art by Steve Cobb, trust me, this book ROCKS!

So please, please, please head down to your local comic shop and request that they carry the book! The Diamond Order Code is: JUL083613

Thanks!
~ Stephen

Today's the Day!

Jesus Hates Zombies: Those Slack-Jaw Blues hits store shelves today.

Wow... I'm allowing that to sink in... the simple fact that my book is released NATIONALLY in store today and has already sold about 1000 copies! Crazy...

For anyone in the Rochester area, I will be at Empire Comics in Greece for a little while this evening (starting at 5:30 pm) for an impromptu signing of the book. If you're around, stop by! If you can't make it, don't worry... we're organizing a much more formal book signing soon!

~ S

JHZ in a movie?

Check it out... A while back, I was contacted on MySpace by a filmmaker named Richard Massey. He said he was going to be shooting his next flick, "Back Page", and he wanted to know if he could put JHZ: Those Slack-Jaw Blues into the movie. Naturally, I said "Of course."

Well, I hadn't heard anything about it in quite a while and - to be honest - I forgot about it. Then I get this message from Richard through MySpace sending me a link to a couple of production stills from the movie. Lo-and-behold, there's the book!

http://www.richardmassey.tv/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/jhz1.jpg
http://www.richardmassey.tv/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/edit.jpg

Pretty sweet, huh? Thanks, Richard!
~ Stephen

New Review

Chuck over at Comic Related posted his review of Jesus Hates Zombies: Those Slack-Jaw Blues.
Wow... Check it out.

~ Stephen

New series launch!!

The first installment of The Slightly Askew Adventures of Inspector Ham & Eggs has launched over at captionsandballoons.com.

Give it a look!

Comics2Film Interview

I recently participated in a short interview on Comic2Film's feature called The Elevator.
Check it out!

Also, The Slightly Askew Adventures of Inspector Ham & Eggs launches Wednesday at CaptionsandBalloons.com

~ Stephen

Something's Coming...

Coming Soon to CaptionsAndBalloons.com

John Gunner - Galaxy Runner Preview Pages

I've posted up a whole slew... that's right, a slew of new preview pages for John Gunner - Galaxy Runner over at captionsandballoons.com.

This book is my pulpy, 50s style Sci-Fi action adventure collaboration with artist Michael Bracco. He's really pushing the envelope with the art on this book, and it's incredible! So head over and check it out.

~ Stephen

Ebbing and Flowing

Well, the new site's been up for a few days now, and things are going great! I've got tons of links, preview pages, and information on their now. If you haven't popped back in since the launch, or you just haven't been there at all yet, now's a great time to check it out.

www.captionsandballoons.com

In other news, I'm going to be appearing for both days of S.P.A.C.E. (Small Press and Alternative Comics Expo) in Columbus, Ohio on March 1st and 2nd. I'll be at the Alterna Comics table along with publisher Peter Simeti, artist Lauren Monardo, and fellow JHZ writer Michael Bartolotta. at the table right next to us will be good friend and fellow Alterna member Michael Bracco. Lots to see and lots to do. If you're going, let me know!

Work continues on the plethora of books I've got in the works! It's an exciting time, with so much going on... It's that amazingly fulfilling type of busy, where you love every second of it!

And tomorrow marks the close of the month-long appearance of Jesus Hates Zombies: Those Slack-Jaw Blues in Previews. In about a week, we find out the number of orders we've gotten. As a small indie book entering Previews with little fanfare (but some great reviews) I'm not expecting much... but DAMN it would be great to have some terrific order numbers! There's still time!! Get out to your local comic shop TODAY (or tomorrow) and ask them to carry Jesus Hates Zombies!

New Site Up and Running!!

I've got a new site out here on the Internets that's dedicated to ALL of my comicbook writing.
It's called Captions and Balloons, and it can be found right here:
www.captionsandballoons.com

Pop on over, check it out, and let me know what you think!

~ Stephen

Wanna Read an Interview with Me?

Looky, looky... I got interviewed on the website The Great White Snark about Jesus Hates Zombies.

Click here to give Part 1 a read!

Jesus Invades Diamond!

Jesus Hates Zombies: Those Slack-Jaw Blues is in the January edition of Previews.

Please contact your local comic shops and ask them to carry the book! This type of national distribution is beyond my wildest dreams for the book, so anything you can do to help is appreciated!!

The Diamond Order Code is: Jan083325

Spread the word!
Thanks,
Stephen

Jesus Hates Zombies Toys...

Wouldn't that be the coolest thing EVER? Can't you just imagine a line of Jesus Hates Zombies toys? Who wouldn't want those? Lauren could definitely do some sick designs.

Jesus with his red hoody, "I'm With Stupid" t-shirt, Jeans, and bloody baseball bat...

His side-kick Laz wearing his Job's Service Station coveralls...

A couple of different zombies in various states of decay....

If the line is popular, it would only make sense to add Lincoln and a couple of werewolves!

Wow, if anybody knows any sculptors or toy makers, hook a brother up! This toy line is RIPE for the making!

Little a This, Little a That...

Not much new on the Jesus Hates Zombies front right now. Hopefully Lauren will be able to start busting out pages for Yea, Though I Walk... soon and I'll have something to really blog about.

Let's not forget that Those Slack-Jaw Blues is going to be in Previews next month! I need everyone to demand that their local comic shop order it!

Also, I've got 2 other comic projects in the works. I've been a busy little bee on the writing front lately. Both projects are vastly different from JHZ and from each other. One is a paranormal period piece, and the other is set in the world of tights and capes. I'm really proud of how both of them are turning out so far, and they're both really pushing me as a writer to expand, grow, and (hopefully) improve. Plus, I'm getting to work with a couple of kick-ass artists, which is where the real joy for me comes into play. There's nothing better than seeing the images that have been rattling around my brain come to life on the page by some ridiculously talented hands.

Once both of those projects are a little further along I'll start posting some previews and teasers.

Support Independent Comics!

Hey everyone,

My good friend Michael Bracco's AMAZING graphic novel "Birth" is in the December Previews (pages #196 and #340).

Look, this is a special book which takes brilliant storytelling and amazing art and really elevates what can be said and done with comics. Believe me, I'm a selfish self-promoting whore, so to take the time to promote someone else's book means i think more highly of it than I do my own stuff... "Birth" NEEDS to be in every comic shop in the country. Yes, it's that good.

So how can you help? Go to your local comic shops and make sure they're going to carry it, that's how! ask for it. Demand it. Request it. Do whatever it takes to get them to order it!

The Diamond Order Code is: DEC07331


Thanks,
Stephen

Top 3, Baby!

Jesus Hates Zombies: Those Slack-Jaw Blues has been selected as one of the Weeky Top 3 this week by Comic News Insider!

If you've never given Comic News Insider a listen, I highly recommend that you do. Jimmy and Joe know their stuff and never fail to entertain!

After the Con...

Happy Day-After-Turkey-Day, all!

I hope everyone is feeling fat and happy today! Sit around. Be lazy. Give all of that food a chance to digest...

Last weekend was Big Apple Con, and Alterna Comics was there in full force. Here's a picture of all of us that were there - Michael Bracco (creator of "Birth", Me, Lauren Monardo (official JHZ artist), and Peter Simeti (President and Publisher of Alterna Comics):



We sold a bunch of books and shirts, met some terrific people, and a great time was had by all! To view more pics from the Con, clickity-click right here.

Also, the Official Jesus Hates Zombies site has been redesigned. Give it a look and let me know what you think!

I Wanna Be Laz, You Wanna Be Laz, We All Wanna Be Laz!

Let's be honest... who wouldn't want to be Jesus Hates Zombies' resident lovable corpse, Laz!
Well NOW YOU CAN! (I'm doing my best TV announcer guy voice here) All you need is this handy-dandy tutorial put together and beautifully illustrated by our very own Lauren Monardo:




So, say you're heading to a Comic Convention and you're thinking to yourself, "Geez Loueeez, I'm gonna be the only one there not in costume... I don't have the physical prowess to go as Captain America (or even Bucky...) and everyone looked at me funny the last time I dressed up as Sailor Moon. Shucks! What am I gonna do?"

Might I suggest going as Laz?!? It'll be fun AND educational!

Why, you may want to even dress up as Laz for Big Apple Con this weekend! And while you're at it, stop on over to the Alterna Comics booth and say hi.

~ Stephen

Easily Distracted Dunce...

So, I've got a few writing projects in the works, but nothing too major at the moment. The script for Volume 1 of Jesus Hates Zombies: Yea, Though I Walk... Featuring Lincoln Hates Werewolves (yes, I was going for the longest, most ridiculous title I could think of) is complete and to Lauren for her to make the pretty pages, so I'm not writing anything pressing... But I've got a couple of things cooking that I would like to finish up.

So what do I do? I go out last night and pick up Guitar Hero III. Now, I'm completely new to this series. In all honesty, I thought the whole idea was silly... Who wants to look like an ass holding a fake little guitar, pressing buttons on it to correspond to some lame ass songs, right?

But I'd heard nothing but great things about the franchise, and then I was walking through a store that had the game up and running on one of its myriad of flat screen TVs... and the song that was playing was Even Flow by Pearl Jam. Anyone that knows me knows that I am a Pearl Jam fanatic. I've even got a Pearl Jam tattoo! That was it for me... if my beloved Jam endorsed Guitar Hero, then I could to!

So this brings me to last night. I bought the game and the little guitar and set off on my personal Rock Opera. I named my band ZombyLuv (oh how clever I'm not) and fired it up. Nearly 3 1/2 hours later, it was ridiculously late, my fingers were cramping, and I was in the throws of ROCK STARDOM!

Oh, Guitar Hero III, you evil mistress... you've snared me in your web of Rock God Fantasy! Damn you! DAMN YOU!

I see very little writing in my immediate future.
Yep, I'm an easily distracted dunce...
~ Stephen