Comics
Interview with Mini Marvel Writer/ Illustrator Chris Giarrusso
Chris talked about how he and his brother would read Charles Schulz comics strips growing up. He went to art school and then later he got a job at Marvel comics. He worked in the bullpen where he learned the ins and outs of the comic world. He later got an opportunity to work on a little series called Mini Marvels. Chris Giarrusso’s art helped create the mini Marvel world. After that ended, he got an opportunity to work at Image comics on a comic called Savage Dragon, with one of his favorite artist Eric Larson. Here he created, G-Man a young superhero who gains the powers of super strength, super endurance and flight when he wears a magic cape. His first appearance was in “Comic Bits”, published in Image’s Savage Dragon series.
After that Image published volume one Learning to Fly in 2009. Then volume 2 Cape Crisis, was published in 2010.
Chris said he still reads comics. He’s a big fan of Transformers, TMNT, and He-Man. He said that he likes the current run of Transformers that Skybound is writing. I asked him with Dynamite writing ThunderCats and Silverhawks if you would ever consider doing coverage for that run. He stated he would love to do a variant cover for either SilverHawks or ThunderCats. He said he if Dynamite would reach out he would say yes. (So Dynamite if you are reading this article reach out to Chris Giarrusso and make this happen!)
He said earlier this year, Marvel reached out to him about doing a series of variant covers on ongoing comics from X-Men to Venom to Spider-Man and Moon Knight. The list goes on. At the time of the interview, Marvel had just dropped the news that Godzila would be coming to the Marvel universe. I asked him if he would like to do a Mini Marvel Godzilla variant and he said yes. I also asked him if he would ever think about going back to Mini Marvels and doing a Multiverse version. He said a multiverse Mini-Marvels would be great. (So Marvel if you are reading this article, give us a Mini Marvel Multiverse)
He also talked about working on Officer Clawsome with his buddy Brian “Smitty” Smith, a New York best seller. You can get it from Walmart, Barnes & Noble, Books A Million, Target, Bookshop and Powell’s.
Check out the link for the full interview. We talked about so much other stuff.
Special thanks to our sponsor: Dragon’s Lair Alamo Ranch
Comics
From Page to Screen: Jeremy Haun & Jason A. Hurley on ‘The Beauty’ and Building a Hit Comic Universe
Step inside the world of comics and television with this in-depth interview featuring Jeremy Haun and Jason A. Hurley, the creative minds behind the hit FX tv series, ‘The Beauty’.
In this conversation, we explore their individual journeys through the comic industry, how their paths crossed, and the creative spark that led to the creation of ‘The Beauty’ —a bold, genre-bending series that captivated readers and eventually made the leap to television.
Jeremy and Jason share behind-the-scenes stories about developing the concept, building its unsettling yet compelling world, and navigating the challenges of adapting a creator-owned comic into a TV series. From storytelling philosophy to industry insights, this interview is packed with inspiration for comic fans, aspiring creators, and anyone curious about the evolution of an idea from page to screen.
Synopsis: In FX’s The Beauty, when international supermodels begin dying in gruesome and mysterious ways, FBI Agents “Cooper Madsen” (Evan Peters) and “Jordan Bennett” (Rebecca Hall) uncover a conspiracy that threatens the future of humanity. The investigation leads them directly into the crosshairs of “The Corporation” (Ashton Kutcher), who will stop at nothing to protect his trillion-dollar empire.
Countdown City Geeks attended the Kevin Smith store signing at Bat City Game & Comics in Austin TX. Kevin has a loyal fan base. He was in town performing at Cap City Comedy Club – An evening with Kevin Smith 9/23 & 9/24.
This was such an honor for me cause Kevin Smith inspired me to step outside my comfort zone in life. It goes back to the movie Clerks. When I was watching this movie, I was like there is someone who thinks like me and has the same humor. Right after that came Mallrats.
Then in 2007, Kevin started podcasting and this is where I heard the story that inspired me to leave my job and to go work at a comic store full time. This lead me down this path.
Covering this event I got to see I wasn’t the only person Kevin inspired to step outside their comfort zone. I saw two young college students went to film school because of Kevin and crafted their first independent movie. They even had Kevin sign the script. Then two people who wrote their independent comic. Kevin gave quality time with every fan to either chat or take selfies with.
In our interview with Kevin we asked about working on “Archie meets Jay & Silent Bob” where he worked with artist Fernando Ruiz. He talked about how Fernando killed it on the book. Fernando went to the Joe Kubert School and then became a teacher there. Kevin even called this project “Clerks 3.5”. If you are a fan of Kevin’s movies, you will love this issue. It’s a 5 out of 5.
He also told Countdown City Geeks that he is working with Marvel again and that Jay and Silent Bob are popping up in Marvel issues. He said it will lead to something big. Could we be getting a Jay and Silent Bob take over the Marvel Universe? We will just have to wait and find out. So the next time you read your Marvel comic, keep a look out for a secret Jay & Silent Bob cameo.
Big thanks to Bat City Game & Comics and Kevin Smith for an awesome event. Bat City will be celebrating their two year anniversary.
The Bat City Games & Comics team.
You can check out the full interview.
A Bad Batch novel
It’s been over a year since the Bad Batch series ended on Disney+. The story focused on Omega and Clone Force 99. A new book written by Lamar Giles will be released on (Penguin Random House). It’s title is Star Wars: Sanctuary. Countdown City Geeks got an exclusive opportunity to read the book before it comes out.
We follow Hunter, Omega, Tech and Wrecker as they help rebuild the island refuge on Pabu. We get to see the team work with Phee Genoa, who was played by Wanda Sykes on the show. If you were a fan of Bad Batch and fell in love with the team, it is so awesome getting to see them go on another adventure. It was awesome getting to hear Tech talk again in the book. If you were a fan of Andor, you’re definitely going to like what goes on in this book as well. Lamar Giles leaves me wanting more.
Click here to purchase book.
Lamar Giles has also worked on Static: Up All Night for DC Comics.
Photo source: Lamar Giles Instagram
Special thanks to Dragon’s Lair (Alamo Ranch)
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