The first episode of my new column is live over at Bleedingcool.com. Ride this link on over and check it out, dammit!
http://www.bleedingcool.com/2013/09/30/champagne-supernova-getting-out-of-the-kitchen/
Tuesday, October 01, 2013
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Welcome to the 5TH DIMENSION!
For a couple of weeks now, I've been teasing on my Facebook page about a big announcement I've been planning on making. I intended to pull up the curtain on Friday but, because of deadlines and work commitments, didn't have the time to do it right.
So without further ado, here we go.
I'm very excited to announce that I'm a majority partner in a new publishing company, a little entity we decided to call 5th DIMENSION COMICS.
The key word in that sentence being "partner." While the bulk of the initial day to day operations/decisions fall to me, this new venture wouldn't exist without the trust and enthusiasm of a few old friends. So let me introduce them to you:
Comic book readers will remember the name DEV MADAN as the co-creator/penciller of the fondly remembered DC Comics series YOUNG HEROES IN LOVE. He's very busy these days running the entire video game industry from his secret headquarters in Seattle but he's agreed to lend his digital expertise to the company and his creative mojo to a super-secret project he's currently slaving away on. And where Dev goes, can the Young Heroes be far behind?
Personal friends will know well the names of my other two partners in this enterprise: STEVE DOBIEJKO and JOE (certified f'n awesome) PODVARNEY.
Facebook friends in particular know Steve as the ruthless bastard who cuts me to shreds with his wit and sarcasm every time I update my status. In reality, while he is every bit as ruthless, witty, and sarcastic as we're led to believe, he's also a shrewd business man and an original thinker who is lending his insight and acumen to the company.
Joe is our man of mystery. He's a lover, as the ladies will certainly attest. Rumor has it he spent some time in the underground pitfighting circuit and I once heard he killed a dog. Or maybe I once told someone Joe killed a man. Hard to say.
Joe also sports an impressive business acumen and has agreed to lend his reservoir of intelligence to our enterprise. It's not an overstatement to say that, literally, this company wouldn't exist without Steve, Joe, and Dev. While I'm mouthing off up front, they're the behind-the-scenes trio that have made the whole thing happen.
So...what about the company itself?
5th Dimension will be producing original, full-color graphic novels for the comic book and book store market. It's not our only objective but it's our primary purpose.
Our publishing plan is still taking shape but I can say we're going to roll out smart and, beginning in the February PREVIEWS, will have product listed for the rest of the calendar year. Graphic novels, lithographs, instructional DVD's and more beginning with the collected (and completely remastered) edition of ARMOR X by myself and Andy Smith.
I'll be talking a lot about ARMOR X between now and February. No need to spill the details right now but, suffice to say, if you read the original series, you've never read this ARMOR X before.
Initially, our content will also be available for digital download through Graphic.ly and we've got some surprises in store for what you're going to find when you enter 5th Dimension: Digital.
For now, I'm blowing the spider-webs off my blog and this will be the place where I'll be touching base to update everyone on what we're up to. Once the official website is up, I'll shift the party over there but if you'd be so kind0 please check back often for the latest goings on.
And most importantly, I want to hear from you! If you're an established comic book creator who wants to put together an original graphic novel, hit me up. If you're a new talent looking to break into the business, let's talk. If you run a comics news website and want to help spread the word, I'm ready to chat. If you own a comic book store, lets have some words about possible incentives to order and promote 5th Dimension product.
I'm easy to find at keithchampagne@gmail.com.
Thanks for reading and I look forward to hearing from you!
Tuesday, November 09, 2010
Blog powers...REACTIVATE!!
So it's never a good sign when it takes three tries to successfully remember one's login info and access one's own blog.
Anyway...lots of good coming down the pike and I'll be trying to update my blog at least once a week. Look for a big announcement next Friday, which off the top of my head is the 19th of November, where the first pieces of my master plan will be unveiled.
Come back, readers!
Anyway...lots of good coming down the pike and I'll be trying to update my blog at least once a week. Look for a big announcement next Friday, which off the top of my head is the 19th of November, where the first pieces of my master plan will be unveiled.
Come back, readers!
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Dick Giordano
I've been pretty wrapped up the past week with the new addition to our household, so much so that I only today learned that the great Dick Giordano passed away this weekend.
I never met Mister Giordano personally. Anything I know of the man was gleaned by religiously reading his editorials every month in the back of DC's books. He had left his position at the company before I started working for DC although I did actually ink him on a job for a Flash annual in the mid-90's.
Imagine that. Me inking one of the greatest inkers in the history of the comic book medium. And man, did I fuck it up. You ever want to talk about stagefright, that job was a classic case. Mr. Giordano was an artist whose work I studied for years. Every page he inked was a textbook in what an inker does. So you'd think I might have been a little more competent but sadly, that wasn't the case.
Nonetheless, I still have the originals filed away and it's a small joy of my career that our paths touched, at least briefly.
There are a lot of people who knew Mr. Giordano personally, who are more eloquent than I am, and will write about the man, the artist, the executive, and his accomplishments in much more touching fashion than I ever could.
I would just like to say that the name and work of Dick Giordano touched my life on a monthly basis for many, many years. I read his columns, I studied his work, I hoped that one day he might hire me if I were ever lucky enough to impress him with my samples. His passing leaves a hole in my youth (which is starting to look like Swiss cheese as more of my heroes pass away), and a void in this crazy little business that will never be filled.
I am deeply, deeply saddened by his passing.
As Dick would always say, "Thank you and good afternoon."
I never met Mister Giordano personally. Anything I know of the man was gleaned by religiously reading his editorials every month in the back of DC's books. He had left his position at the company before I started working for DC although I did actually ink him on a job for a Flash annual in the mid-90's.
Imagine that. Me inking one of the greatest inkers in the history of the comic book medium. And man, did I fuck it up. You ever want to talk about stagefright, that job was a classic case. Mr. Giordano was an artist whose work I studied for years. Every page he inked was a textbook in what an inker does. So you'd think I might have been a little more competent but sadly, that wasn't the case.
Nonetheless, I still have the originals filed away and it's a small joy of my career that our paths touched, at least briefly.
There are a lot of people who knew Mr. Giordano personally, who are more eloquent than I am, and will write about the man, the artist, the executive, and his accomplishments in much more touching fashion than I ever could.
I would just like to say that the name and work of Dick Giordano touched my life on a monthly basis for many, many years. I read his columns, I studied his work, I hoped that one day he might hire me if I were ever lucky enough to impress him with my samples. His passing leaves a hole in my youth (which is starting to look like Swiss cheese as more of my heroes pass away), and a void in this crazy little business that will never be filled.
I am deeply, deeply saddened by his passing.
As Dick would always say, "Thank you and good afternoon."
Sunday, December 06, 2009
All the latest...
Working on a Sunday today, figured I'd take a break to pay attention to my poor blog. I neglect her badly but she's always here waiting for me.
Last week, Titan Books announced the WWE HEROES cycle of series I'm writing for them. Just google WWE HEROES, KEITH CHAMPAGNE and you're sure to get a million sites running the press release. I've literally never gotten more interview requests and congratulatory emails about a project before. Took me a bit by surprise, really. Anyway, I'll have more to say about it as we get closer to the release of the first issue in March but for now, I've finished the first five-issue series and am ramping up to start the second this week.
The Mighty is wrapped. Tomasi and I finished the dialogue to the twelth issue a few weeks ago and we're both very, very happy with the way things end. That should be out in just a month or so, right after the new year. I'll have more to say about the Mighty when #12 ships, kind of an epilogue sort of post. It's been a great ride, the book has been very warmly reviewed all the way through, and I can't wait to work with Chris Samnee again.
Peter and I have finished up the pitch for the project we want to write next. It's another creator-owned series and will be published by either DC, Vertigo, or Wildstorm. More on that when there's more to say.
And finally, Death Valley has been pulled from the schedule by Desperado as they retool their publishing plans in light of their alliance with IDW. I'd like to get the book out there but I understand their position and it doesn't hurt to have a little extra breathing room to get the art completely finished before we start shipping. The idea was floated last week to publish it as a graphic novel so we'll see what happens.
Nevermore? Who knows. Now that Dabel Brothers has been purchased by Dynamite, I'll be speaking to Nick Barucci this week to figure it out. Once I'm caught up on money owed, I'll be happy to finish the series. I like Dynamite and Nicky is one of the good ones in an industry full of not-so-good. I'm sure this story will have a happy ending--even if Bobby Godric (the lead in Nevermore) doesn't.
And that's all for now. Catch up to everybody soon.
Last week, Titan Books announced the WWE HEROES cycle of series I'm writing for them. Just google WWE HEROES, KEITH CHAMPAGNE and you're sure to get a million sites running the press release. I've literally never gotten more interview requests and congratulatory emails about a project before. Took me a bit by surprise, really. Anyway, I'll have more to say about it as we get closer to the release of the first issue in March but for now, I've finished the first five-issue series and am ramping up to start the second this week.
The Mighty is wrapped. Tomasi and I finished the dialogue to the twelth issue a few weeks ago and we're both very, very happy with the way things end. That should be out in just a month or so, right after the new year. I'll have more to say about the Mighty when #12 ships, kind of an epilogue sort of post. It's been a great ride, the book has been very warmly reviewed all the way through, and I can't wait to work with Chris Samnee again.
Peter and I have finished up the pitch for the project we want to write next. It's another creator-owned series and will be published by either DC, Vertigo, or Wildstorm. More on that when there's more to say.
And finally, Death Valley has been pulled from the schedule by Desperado as they retool their publishing plans in light of their alliance with IDW. I'd like to get the book out there but I understand their position and it doesn't hurt to have a little extra breathing room to get the art completely finished before we start shipping. The idea was floated last week to publish it as a graphic novel so we'll see what happens.
Nevermore? Who knows. Now that Dabel Brothers has been purchased by Dynamite, I'll be speaking to Nick Barucci this week to figure it out. Once I'm caught up on money owed, I'll be happy to finish the series. I like Dynamite and Nicky is one of the good ones in an industry full of not-so-good. I'm sure this story will have a happy ending--even if Bobby Godric (the lead in Nevermore) doesn't.
And that's all for now. Catch up to everybody soon.
Sunday, October 04, 2009
Hitting many bases
Been awhile, how's everybody doing out there? Thought I'd grab a few minutes on a miscellaneous day ( a day where I'm basically dotting t's and crossing i's...or something like that) to pop in and see what's shaking.
The Mighty #9 ships this Wednesday, I hope everybody will pick it up and are continuing to enjoy the story. Just four more issues until the end of 'Season One.' I shot my pass at the dialogue for #11 over to Tomasi this weekend, the amazing Chris Samnee has finished up issue #12, #10 is lettered and in the process of being colored so creatively, we're in the home stretch. The fit really hits the shan over the last handful of issues and I hope everyone feels that the long, slow build has been worth the wait.
In other news, Death Valley #1 is solicited from Desperado this month in the giant Previews phone book. It's my first western and I hope you'll come along for the ride and at least try the first issue. I don't think you'll be disappointed, especially if you like famous outlaws, ninjas, or famous outlaws fighting ninjas. A little something for the whole family in this one.
Moving on, I should know the issue number to this week's issue of Green Lantern Corp because I jumped in to ink a handful of pages and help beat the deadline crunch. Lots of fun inking my beloved Patrick Gleason and it's the first time we've worked together since I wrote and he drew our little Corpse story back in GLC #7-9. It's just as enjoyable to ink him as it is to write for him, I'm happy to say! I've inked a couple of pin-ups and covers over Pat over the years but this is the first time I've done interior work with him. Maybe I'll do some more in the future, I was surprised to find myself enjoying inking again.
Let's see...Dean Koontz' NEVERMORE from the Dabel Brothers should be a post unto itself. Not sure when #3 will arrive in stores but I'd imagine soon. Maybe I'll blog more about the behind-the-scenes on this project another time soon.
And lastly, for now, I'm going to accept a limited number of commissions for those interested. I'm often contacted by readers looking for personalized art and usually, I say no because I'm generally doing six hundred things on any given day and really can't squeeze in #601. But as an exercise in stretching my wings, I'm going to say yes to five or six. If you're interested, please email me at keithchampagne@gmail.com for prices/sizes/info for either a pencilled/inked piece or, if you have a previously pencilled commission you'd like inked, we can talk about that as well.
I'll try to pop in later this week to talk further about it but if I get sidetracked, I'll be appearing at Fallcon this coming weekend, Oct 9-11, in Minnesota. It's my third or fourth time being flown out for the show and Nick Post and his crew always put on a top notch convention. By all means, say hi if you're in the area.
More soon.
Keith
The Mighty #9 ships this Wednesday, I hope everybody will pick it up and are continuing to enjoy the story. Just four more issues until the end of 'Season One.' I shot my pass at the dialogue for #11 over to Tomasi this weekend, the amazing Chris Samnee has finished up issue #12, #10 is lettered and in the process of being colored so creatively, we're in the home stretch. The fit really hits the shan over the last handful of issues and I hope everyone feels that the long, slow build has been worth the wait.
In other news, Death Valley #1 is solicited from Desperado this month in the giant Previews phone book. It's my first western and I hope you'll come along for the ride and at least try the first issue. I don't think you'll be disappointed, especially if you like famous outlaws, ninjas, or famous outlaws fighting ninjas. A little something for the whole family in this one.
Moving on, I should know the issue number to this week's issue of Green Lantern Corp because I jumped in to ink a handful of pages and help beat the deadline crunch. Lots of fun inking my beloved Patrick Gleason and it's the first time we've worked together since I wrote and he drew our little Corpse story back in GLC #7-9. It's just as enjoyable to ink him as it is to write for him, I'm happy to say! I've inked a couple of pin-ups and covers over Pat over the years but this is the first time I've done interior work with him. Maybe I'll do some more in the future, I was surprised to find myself enjoying inking again.
Let's see...Dean Koontz' NEVERMORE from the Dabel Brothers should be a post unto itself. Not sure when #3 will arrive in stores but I'd imagine soon. Maybe I'll blog more about the behind-the-scenes on this project another time soon.
And lastly, for now, I'm going to accept a limited number of commissions for those interested. I'm often contacted by readers looking for personalized art and usually, I say no because I'm generally doing six hundred things on any given day and really can't squeeze in #601. But as an exercise in stretching my wings, I'm going to say yes to five or six. If you're interested, please email me at keithchampagne@gmail.com for prices/sizes/info for either a pencilled/inked piece or, if you have a previously pencilled commission you'd like inked, we can talk about that as well.
I'll try to pop in later this week to talk further about it but if I get sidetracked, I'll be appearing at Fallcon this coming weekend, Oct 9-11, in Minnesota. It's my third or fourth time being flown out for the show and Nick Post and his crew always put on a top notch convention. By all means, say hi if you're in the area.
More soon.
Keith
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