Episode 45 - An American Comic Book Artist in Japan! (with Bitsy Tandem, Creator of Maiden in Disguise))

My guest today is a comic book artist, writer, and creator who left her hometown in the United States to live abroad in Kushima, Japan. She’s the creator of Maiden in Disguise, a comic book following the coming-of-age story of a gamer girl and her epic hero avatar in an online MMORPG.

We talk about the highs and lows of writing AND creating, the differences between American and Japanese comics and culture, and so much more!

Maiden in Disguise is LIVE ON KICKSTARTER through 3/11/21. You can support it HERE!

SHOW NOTES:

Maiden in Disguise Kickstarter - www.kickstarter.com/projects/thebitzr/maiden-in-disguise-manga-1-gamer-girl-or-epic-hero

Eotera Website (Home of Bitsy’s Multiverse) - www.eotera.com

SOCIAL MEDIA:

Instagram - @BitsyTandem_TheBitzr

Twitter - @TheBitzr

Facebook - @theBitzr

Episode 38 - Picking Collaborators and an Art Team That Elevates the Entire Project (with George O'Connor)

Today’s guest is a real renaissance man. He’s a musician, filmmaker, comic book creator - and he even was the Aflec Duck on social media!

This week, I’m talking with comic book writer and creator George O’Connor. We’re talking about his crazy career spanning music, film, and comics, how he gathers his creative teams to elevate the entire project, and how even Neil Gaiman suffers from imposters’ syndrome!

George’s latest work, Charlie’s Spot, follows a homeless veteran who goes on an unusual adventure to reclaim his busking spot. It’s a little quirky, a little magic, but all heart!

Charlie’s Spot is LIVE ON KICKSTARTER through 11/30/20. Go support it HERE!

Enjoy!

SHOW NOTES:

Homeless Comics’ Website - www.homelesscomics.com

George’s Personal/Professional Website - www.makingstuffwithgeorge.com

SOCIAL MEDIA:

Twitter - @LazyHorde

Facebook - @HomelessComics

Episode 35 - Wailing Week, Part 2 - It's All About Your Mindset! (With Tyler James, Publisher of Wailing Blade)

Wailing Week’s finale is with Under the Mask’s interview with Tyler James, host of the ComixLaunch podcast and publisher for ComixTribe. Tyler has been publishing comics for over a decade, so he’s a treasure trove of knowledge and information.

Join us as we talk about the story behind ComixTribe’s his latest book, Wailing Blade.

Wailing Blade, Volume 1 is LIVE ON KICKSTARTER thru 11/20/20. Go support it HERE!

SHOW NOTES:

The ComixLaunch Podcast - www.comixlaunch.com OR where ever you listen to your podcasts (seriously, one of the best podcasts out there. Check it out!)

Wailing Blade’s Kickstarter Page - www.comixtribe.com/wailingblade

Sign up for ComixLaunch’s FREE Kickstarter Class - www.comixlaunch.com/class

Join the ComixLaunchers Facebook Group - www.comixlaunch.com/group

SOCIAL MEDIA

Twitter - @ComixTribe

Instagram - @ComixTribe

Episode 34 - Wailing Week, Part 1 (With Rich Douek, Writer of Wailing Blade)

Wailing Week begins with Under the Mask’s interview with Rich Douek, the writer of Gutter Magic, Road of Bones, Sea of Sorrows, and of course, Wailing Blade.

Wailing Blade, Volume 1 is LIVE ON KICKSTARTER thru 11/20/20. Go support it HERE!

SHOW NOTES:

Wailing Blade’s Kickstarter Page - www.comixtribe.com/wailingblade

Sign up for Rich’s Newsletter HERE!

Rich’s Professional Website - www.rdouek.com

SOCIAL MEDIA

Twitter - @rdouek

Instagram - @rdouek

Episode 33 - Writing Stories that Matter! (With Frank Gogol of Source Point Press)

In this episode of Under the Mask, I talk with acclaimed writer Frank Gogol, writer of Grief, Dead End Kids, and No Heroine. Frank’s first work was nominated for a Ringo award, and his next works won him Best Writer and Best New Series at the Independent Creator Awards. We talk about how’s built up his career as a writer, his relationship with Source Point Press, and his latest book coming out next year!

Dead End Kids: The Suburban Job is coming to your local comic book shop on January 27th, 2021. Don’t get left behind; Source Point Press books are notorious for selling out! Be sure to pre-order DEK, and to make it extra easy for your shop, bring them the preview code NOV201523 to make their job extra easy!

SHOW NOTES:

Sign up to Frank’s Newsletter “Caption Boxes” HERE

Frank Gogol’s Professional Website - www.frankgogol.com

SOCIAL MEDIA:

Facebook - @frankgogol

Twitter - @frankgogol

Instagram - @frankgogol

Episode 31 - Networking and Getting Yourself Out There! (featuring Chuck Pineau)

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

This week, I’m talking with up-and-coming comic creator Chuck Pineau. He’s the writer and editor of the audio drama, Essence House, and his latest project, an action-adventure comedy comic called Belial, is live on Kickstarter.

Chuck’s no stranger to networking. After his first work failed to launch successfully, he realized he needed to build a name for himself. He’s since signed on to edit countless independent comics, and is a mainstay on videos, podcasts, and livestreams on social media and beyond!

We talk about his process writing, what an editor brings the the table, the importance of networking and actually getting yourself out there, and so much more!

Belial is LIVE ON KICKSTARTER now through 11/11/20. Go support it HERE!

Enjoy!

SHOW NOTES & LINKS:

Belial #1 - 2 on Kickstarter - www.kickstarter.com/projects/1551820313/belial-2-make-mine-a-double

Essence House Audio Drama Website - www.essencehousestory.com

Check out Chuck’s YouTube Channel - Chuck’s Raw Reviews

Bonfire Press’ Professional Facebook - www.facebook.com/BonfirePress/

SOCIAL MEDIA

Facebook - @chuckpineau

Twitter - @chuckypin

Instagram - @chuckpineau

Episode 30 - Contributing to a Halloween Anthology (featuring Bayron Calderon and Chris McAuley of 123GO!)

Since we’re officially entering spooky season with Halloween later this week, I figured I’d produce a BONUS HALLOWEEN EPISODE, featuring Bayron Calderon and Chris McAulie of 123GO! Publications. This was an interesting interview, as Bayron is relatively new to comics, and Chris has worked for several publishers as a colorist, most notably 2000AD (Judge Dredd).

Both Bayron and Chris contributed stories to 123GO’s Halloween anthology book, 13th Moon. The book looks like a lot of fun, and I had a great time talking with these two creators. On a side note: this is another Under the Mask first - my first time interviewing two creators at the same time!

Enjoy!

13th Moon is LIVE ON KICKSTARTER now through November 5th. Go support it HERE!

SHOW NOTES:

13th Moon on Kickstarter - www.kickstarter.com/projects/13thmoon/13th-moon-halloween-anthology

SOCIAL MEDIA

Bayron Calderon’s Instagram - @BayronIllustrations

*Personal Note - This episode had some technical difficulties when recording the interview. The first video conferencing software crashed, and we had to change. If you hear some changing audio quality, or things sound a bit more sliced together than normal, you aren’t hearing things! Thanks for listening!

Episode 27 - Advice from Drawing Comics Professionally for over 30 Years (Featuring Trekker's Ron Randall)

It sounds cliché, but this episode’s guest truly needs no introduction. Writer and artist has worked in comics professionally for over 30 years, drawing for big name properties like Superman and Wonder Woman for DC Comics, and the Alien and Predator franchise comics for Dark Horse. But Ron is probably most well known for his creator-owned comic sci-fi adventure that debuted with Dark Horse, TREKKER.

Trekker stars kick-ass bounty hunter Mercy St. Clair on her galaxy-hopping adventures. And she’s back in her latest chapter in the Trekker saga: Trekker: Hunter’s Moon.

Trekker: Hunter’s Moon in LIVE ON KICKSTARTER through 10/29/20. Go check it out HERE!

Enjoy!

—

You can also check out the official Trekker website - www.trekkercomic.com

SOCIAL MEDIA

Twitter - @Ron_Randall

Instagram - @RandallShots

Episode 26 - The Ultimate Heel-Face Turn?! 10 Years of Wrestling and Comics (With Joe D. McFee of Xigency Studios)

Can a humble comic book creator make the ultimate heel-face turn?!

This week, we’re talking wrestling and comic books with Joe McFee, owner and founder of Xigency Studios, which produces several comic series including Primetime Saturday Night and AWF. Xigency’s latest work is a 10th Anniversary Edition of their very first comic published, Amazonia #1.

Amazonia #1 is LIVE ON KICKSTARTER through 10/17/20. Be sure to check it out HERE!

Thanks for listening!

LINKS & SHOW NOTES:

Amazonia #1 Kickstarter - www.kickstarter.com/projects/293753405/amazonia-1-10th-anniversary-edition

Xigency Studios Website - www.xigencystudiosonlinestore.com

YouTube Channel “From the Desk of a Small Publisher” - www.youtube.com/user/silvbolt

SOCIAL MEDIA:

Xigency Studios on Facebook - @XigencyStudios

DeviantArt - @silverbolt14

Instagram - @silvbolt