Go For Launch
Dec 11th
Welcome to the All New! All Different! NickTapalansky.com!
Well folks, it finally happened – the site is up, running, and full of awesome. I’ve spent the last two years updating upwards of three blogs (two on MySpace, one on Blogger) and at some point recently I realized, hey now, that’s a bit silly. For those of you wondering why those hotspots of the interweb haven’t been updated in over a month, this site is why. This is going to be your one-stop shop complete with all sorts of pretty cool stuff to check out, like:
- Full chapters and Behind The Scenes artwork from Awakening Volume One and Volume Two – just check out the Awakening Section in Comixography.
- Previews of upcoming stories, like Rusted: Faded Signal and Perhapanauts: A Grim’s Haunt, also in the Comixography.
- Some of my scripts, for the curious, over in the Scripts section.
- There’s even a Trailers section which, right now, is housing the trailer for Awakening Volume One!
And all this stuff is just the beginning – I’ll be updating more regularly here, including new comic previews as I have them and more Behind The Scenes stuff.
Update those bookmarks, kids – it’s about to get exciting. To keep up with all my in the moment musings and site updates, why don’t you go ahead and give me a Follow on Twitter too. I’ll do my level best to keep it interesting for you.
Thanks for popping in – be sure to tell all your pals where the party’s at.
- Nick
Awakening Halloween Signing Tour – Last Stop This Wednesday
Oct 26th
Being sick and trying to compose a sensible blog don’t really go hand-in-hand. I’m going to give it shot and see what we come up with, though.
OUR TOP STORY…
One more official Halloween Signing Tour stop to go! Everybody in the NYC area, head on down to Jim Hanley’s Universe on 33rd Street on Wednesday, October 28th from 4-7pm to grab your free signed art print, which was created exclusively for the tour, with every copy of Awakening Volume One brought in to be signed or picked up at the store. Then, sign up for the exclusive Halloween preview of Awakening Volume Two debuting at 12am Halloween morning.
Jim Hanley’s Universe is located at 4 West 33rd Street in Manhattan.
THE TOUR THUS FAR…
The other three stops on the tour have been great! Thanks so much to everybody who’s come out to hang with us, talk comics, and celebrate the zombie season. It’s been unreal. Special thanks to the stores who hosted us, Brave New Worlds in Philly, PA and Upstate Comics in LaGrangeville, NY.
For anybody who couldn’t make it to these stops or who can’t make it out to Jim Hanley’s this Wednesday, you’re in luck. Folks in the Albany area can catch me hanging around the Albany Comic-Con this Sunday, 11/1. We may not have any prints left but you can defitnitely grab a copy of the book, or bring yours to be signed, and I might even have the sign-up sheet still available for the Volume Two preview…
And don’t forget, all you folks who’ve got the book but can’t make it out to a signing stop, there’s still time to send a photo with you and your copy of Awakening Volume one to AwakeningComic@gmail.com and get access to that same Volume Two preview. It’s the entire first chapter and it’s definitely our best yet.
AWAKENING IN THE PRESS…
Alex and I got to catch up with Tim over at Robot 6 about the signing tour, sticking it out with Archaia, and defining existential horror. Check it out and let us know what you think in the comments – Talking Comics With Tim – Awakening
Also, for anybody who’s happening on this and isn’t familiar with Awakening, the entire first chapter will be going up on Newsarama tomorrow for free! Keep an eye out and watch the Twitter feed for an update when that goes live.
That’s it for today, I think – I’ve got all sorts of things I want to get down but, for now, I think sleep is what’s going to happen instead. More next time.
- Nick
Awakening Halloween Tour: Next Stop – Baltimore Comic-Con
Oct 7th
OUR TOP STORY…
I’m so freakin’ excited right now I could mess myself. Or you. Either way, I’m PUMPED about this weekend. Why?
BALTIMORE COMIC-CON!
Not only is it always one of my favorite shows each year, but this year it’s the first stop on our Awakening Halloween Signing Tour! The best part is that we get to spend the weekend hanging out with friends, like the talented David Petersen (Mouse Guard, AA Table #58), Kate Glasheen (Hybrid Bastards! AA Table #59), and Jackie Santiago (talented illustrator and darling fiance, AA Table #59) AND we get to talk comics with people alllll weekend and disguise it as “work.”
I’m also pretty tits excited to let you guys know that Alex is going to be taking commissions at BCC. That means you not only get a signed book, an exclusive free print, and equally exclusive Halloween access to the first chapter of Volume Two, you can ALSO get original art from Eckman-Lawn, The Man-Machine himself! Pencil or ink commissions will be done on site but full digital pieces will have to be done at home and mailed. This is one of the first shows where he’ll be readily accepting commissions so don’t miss out!
Bonus points to anybody who comes by the table in Awakening costume. I dunno, what you’ll get, but it’ll be something cool. Maybe an original zombie haiku in your signed book? At the very least, you’ll get our undying love.
What’s that you say? You want to know the details of our illicit Halloween Signing Tour? I thought you’d never ask:
1 – Do you already own a copy of Awakening Volume One but can’t make it to one of our four signing stops? Then hurry up and send a picture of you with the book to AwakeningComic@gmail.com by 11:59pm EST on 10/30/2009!
Example: A one Miss Chandra Free exhibits her hunger for her Volume Two Halloween Preview:
[click thumbnail to enlarge]
(FYI, get ready for her book, The God Machine, to hit shops this month!)
2 – Are you waiting to try out the book but can’t make it to one of our four signing stops? Do you want to see some of what comes next so the wait for Volume Two isn’t as excruciating? Pick up the book at your local comic shop (and promote them by taking your photo with the book in front of the shop) or, if you can’t get it there for some reason (and shame on them for not ordering it for you!), go ahead and grab it at Amazon.com (Awakening Volume One on Amazon). Same deal, email a pic of you with the book to AwakeningComic@gmail.com by 11:59pm EST on 10/30/2009.
Everyone who emails a picture in by 11:59pm EST on 10/30/2009 is going to get an email from us at 12am, Halloween morning with an exclusive link and login info to read the entire first chapter of Volume Two!
3 – Now, let’s say you’re near one of the four signing stops listed below. If you come by and pick up a copy of the book, or bring your copy to be signed, not only will we take down your email so you get a link to the exclusive preview, but you’ll also get an exclusive, signed print created by Alex just for this Halloween tour! Mark these dates on your calenders:
Oct. 10, 10 a.m. -6 p.m.; Oct-11, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Artist Alley Table #60, Baltimore Comic-Con
The Baltimore Convention Center
One West Pratt Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21201
(Separate admission fee required for entry into Baltimore Comic-Con)
Oct. 17, 1-5 p.m. [Nick Tapalansky only]
Upstate Comics
Freedom Business Center
1097 Route 55
LaGrangeville, NY 12540
(845) 432- 3320
Oct. 24, 12-4 p.m.
Brave New Worlds Comics
45 North Second Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106
(215) 925-6525
Oct. 28, 4-7 p.m.
Jim Hanley’s Universe
4 West 33rd St.
New York, NY 10001
(212) 268-7088
NEW ART!
That’s right kids, time for some new stuff. Since these debuted on Newsarama today (more on that in a minute), I think it’s high time you got a lookee-loo:
[click thumbnail to enlarge]
This here is the cover to what would have been Awakening #6, now Volume Two, Chapter One, and is one small part of the awesome preview you can get on Halloween. We’ve been sitting on this image for a loooooong time, so it’s nice to finally put it out in the world! When Volume Two comes out next summer, there’ll be ‘covers’ for each chapter which’ll serve as chapter starts, just like we did in Volume One.
[click thumbnail to enlarge]
This piece is really exciting – this is the exclusive print you get for coming out and getting a book signed at one of our four stops this month. Anybody who brings a book to be signed or buys one at the signing gets one of these bad boys signed by Alex just for supporting the book.
AWAKENING IN THE NEWS…
Exciting week for us so far!
Item the First: MTV Splashpage names Awakening one of its Top 5 Favorite Comics Featuring The Living Dead! Considering the company we’re in (The Walking Dead, Marvel Zombies, Dead@17, and Xombie) it’s incredibly humbling. – MTV Splashpage Top Five Zombie Comics
Item the Second: We talk with Newsarama’s own Vaneta Rogers about the signing tour and what to expect from Volume Two, not to mention debuting those two new images! – Newsarama Interview
Item the Third: Fun interview over at Horrorview where, amongst other things, we get labeled Archaia’s prize horse (sorry Mouse Guard. Ha!). – Horrorview Interview
IN OTHER NEWS…
They claim it’s to add levity to some disaster planning, but I think somebody at the University of Florida knows something: Florida Is All Set if Zombies Invade
Also, just discovered Inappropriate Soundtracks on the YouTube. There are a ton of funny ones, but this one got my attention since it’s been a big joke since Awakening #1 came out (for the latest instance, back track to the 4th Letter interview that went up last week):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5m6urLXVOQ
The best part? It’s a fucking zombie song!
Time to start packing and get ready to hit Baltimore in the face with existential horror. Everybody better come out or Alex will convert your breath into fuel for his unnatural body while you sleep.
One. By. One.
See you at the show!
- Nick
Follow Awakening Online:
Awakening on Twitter: http://twitter.com/awakeningcomic
Trailer for Awakening: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0qJQB68NkP0
Nick Tapalansky’s website: http://www.nicktapalansky.com/
Alex Eckman-Lawn’s website: http://www.alexeckmanlawn.com/
First Look At Volume Two? Free Prints? Awakening Halloween Excitement!
Sep 28th
OUR TOP STORY…
I love that we’re finally rolling into October this week – I think my whole year is a build-up to this month. Leaves are changing, it’s cooler out, and the spooks and shadows are creeping to life, peering around corners and following you down lonely streets. Speaking of…
We’ve got some exciting happenings coming in October, courtesy of the Awakening Halloween Signing Tour! For anyone who missed it, let’s run this badboy down one more time because there’s something exclusive and awesome for everybody who’s reading this blog:
1 – Do you already own a copy of Awakening Volume One but can’t make it to one of our four signing stops? Then hurry up and send a picture of you with the book to AwakeningComic@gmail.com by 11:59pm EST on 10/30/2009!
2 – Are you waiting to try out the book but can’t make it to one of our four signing stops? Do you want to see some of what comes next so the wait for Volume Two isn’t as excruciating? Pick up the book at your local comic shop (and promote them by taking your photo with the book in front of the shop) or, if you can’t get it there for some reason (and shame on them for not ordering it for you!), go ahead and grab it at Amazon.com (Awakening Volume One on Amazon). Same deal, email a pic of you with the book to AwakeningComic@gmail.com by 11:59pm EST on 10/30/2009.
Everyone who emails a picture in by 11:59pm EST on 10/30/2009 is going to get an email from us at 12am, Halloween morning with an exclusive link and login info to read the entire first chapter of Volume Two!
3 – Now, let’s say you’re near one of the four signing stops listed below. If you come by and pick up a copy of the book, or bring your copy to be signed, not only will we take down your email so you get a link to the exclusive preview, but you’ll also get an exclusive, signed print created by Alex just for this Halloween tour! Mark these dates on your calenders:
Oct. 10, 10 a.m. -6 p.m.; Oct-11, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Artist Alley Table #60, Baltimore Comic-Con
The Baltimore Convention Center
One West Pratt Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21201
(Separate admission fee required for entry into Baltimore Comic-Con)
Oct. 17, 1-5 p.m. [Nick Tapalansky only]
Upstate Comics
Freedom Business Center
1097 Route 55
LaGrangeville, NY 12540
(845) 432- 3320
Oct. 24, 12-4 p.m.
Brave New Worlds Comics
45 North Second Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106
(215) 925-6525
Oct. 28, 4-7 p.m.
Jim Hanley’s Universe
4 West 33rd St.
New York, NY 10001
(212) 268-7088
I wish we could branch out further but, for now, we’re limited in our travel distance – sorry Mid-West, South, and West! If this tour is as big as I think we’re going to make it though, we should be able to go much wider for Volume Two next year!
Hope to see a ton of people at these stops – maybe some folks dressed as Derrick or Cynthia? Zombies, anybody?
AWAKENING IN THE NEWS…
Lot’s of interviews and reviews abound, so hold on to your pants:
First, we catch up with Kris over at Broken Frontier about the launch of the book and what comes next – Zombie Awakening - Lowdown
Jill Pantozzi aka The Nerdy Bird says of Awakening, “Forget Zombies for Dummies. This is Zombies for Intellectuals.” – Read the whole review here and then check out an amazing interview for GEN where Jill and I talk about zombie survival, Alex’s anatomy, and Mexican brothels! - GEN Interview -
Speaking of reviews, here’s one in its entirety from Ain’t It Cool News (link!) that made Alex and I blush heartily:
“Too many zombie comics start with the outbreak and move right into an examination of the human condition when faced with the end of civilization as we know it. We’ve seen it a million times. And frankly, I’m pretty sick of reading that story. While AWAKENING focuses on the beginnings of what looks to be the zombie apocalypse, this isn’t your usual stow a bunch of random people in a house/mall/army bunker/prison/whatever and see them tear each other apart story. At its core, AWAKENING is a detective story, where one private dick is investigating what at first seems like a missing persons case, but soon turns into something a whole lot more diabolical and dire. Detective Peters is a bit jaded, as all good detectives are, but he’s good at his job. When the town crazy woman starts spouting stories of zombies, everyone (including Peters) thinks she’s just nuts. But then some crazy things start happening and unlike most outbreak stories, this one takes its sweet old time. Literally months pass in this story before anyone even believes there may be a zombie outbreak occurring. It’s an extended version of the initial outbreak scenes in SHAUN OF THE DEAD where the dead are walking, but no one is noticing. A very cool statement about the apathetic world we live in and there’s no better backdrop than the jaded world of detective noir for this scenario to play out on. Unlike most zombie books that mix genres, this one isn’t winking at the reader. This is an all too serious look at one man who is opening his eyes and noticing that there’s a problem going on right under everyone’s noses that will most definitely get out of hand soon. I love the tension that permeates from every page. Nick Tapalansky has more patience that I’ve ever seen a writer have, doling out tiny bits of info to disbelieving characters making those who know what’s coming chomp at their own bits in anticipation. Artist Alex Eckman-Lawn literally evolves as an artist as you turn through all five issues collected in this novel. His style starts out blocky and overly dark, but shifts almost seamlessly to a more softy, cloudy tone by the end of the book. But in every page, this looks like a detective/horror book with stark blacks with hints of colors peeking through the scribbles. This is a phenomenal achievement in writing and artistry and proof that when done well even when utilizing the most worn out of genres there still can exist something special.”
Another fun interview, this one with Gavin over at The 4th Letter – if you’ve ever wondered what characters I’d want to write at the big two, or how I’d tackle Johnny Storm’s pal Wingfoot, this is the interview to read. - The 4th Letter -
FOLLOW AWAKENING…
…on the interweb:
Follow Awakening on Twitter: http://twitter.com/awakeningcomic
Trailer for Awakening: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0qJQB68NkP0
Nick Tapalansky’s website: http://www.nicktapalansky.com/
Alex Eckman-Lawn’s website: http://www.alexeckmanlawn.com/
Keep it locked here for updates as we blow through the best month of the year. First stop: BALTIMORE!
- Nick
‘AWAKENING’ CREATORS TO HOLD EAST COAST HALLOWEEN SIGNING TOUR
Sep 21st
This is it, kids! That October event I’ve been mentioning is revealed below!
***********************************
FANS WHO PURCHASE A COPY OF THE BOOK AT ANY OF THE FOUR SIGNINGS OR BRING ONE TO BE SIGNED WILL RECEIVE A FREE, EXCLUSIVE ‘AWAKENING’ PRINT AND ACCESS TO THE FIRST CHAPTER OF AWAKENING VOLUME TWO ONLINE!
FANS WHO PURCHASE A COPY OF THE BOOK AT ANY OF THE FOUR SIGNINGS OR BRING ONE TO BE SIGNED WILL RECEIVE A FREE, EXCLUSIVE ‘AWAKENING’ PRINT AND ACCESS TO THE FIRST CHAPTER OF AWAKENING VOLUME TWO ONLINE!
Los Angeles, CA (September 21, 2009) – To help get comics fans in the proper mood for Halloween, writer Nick Tapalansky and artist Alex Eckman-Lawn will embark on a four-stop tour to sign and promote their hardcover horror book, Awakening, and will even offer exclusive prints and a link to read a free, online preview of the first chapter in the next volume. Fans who are unable to attend any of the signings but purchase the book, or have purchased it already, will also get the opportunity to read the free preview.
“The amount of support we’ve received over the past few years has been mindblowing,” said writer Tapalansky. “When the volume was solicited back in April, we partnered with DCBS to offer an exclusive print to fans who ordered the book through their website and it was HUGE! Now that the book is available in stores we wanted to do something special for all of our fans, including those who might’ve been waiting to try it, as well as the local comic shops that support us.”
The stops on the tour are as follows:
Oct. 10, 10 a.m. -6 p.m.; Oct-11, 10 a.m.-5 p.m
Artist Alley, Baltimore Comic-Con
The Baltimore Convention Center
One West Pratt Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21201
(Separate admission fee required for entry into Baltimore Comic-Con)
Oct. 17, 1-5 p.m. [Nick Tapalansky only]
Upstate Comics
Freedom Business Center
1097 Route 55
LaGrangeville, NY 12540
(845) 432-3320
Oct. 24, 12-4 p.m.
Brave New Worlds Comics
45 North Second Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106
(215) 925-6525
Oct. 28, 4-7 p.m.
Jim Hanley’s Universe
4 West 33rd St.
New York, NY 10001
(212) 268-7088
Fans who purchase a copy of Awakening at any of these appearances, or who bring their already purchased copy to be signed, will receive a free Awakening print created exclusively for the tour. Plus, by submitting their e-mail address they will be sent a link to read a free, online preview of the complete first chapter of Awakening Volume Two, due out next summer. The preview will be distributed at 12 a.m. ET on Halloween morning, Oct. 31, 2009
Fans who aren’t able to attend any of these appearances but would still like to gain access to the preview can send in a picture of themselves with their copy of Awakening standing in front of the local comics shop where it was purchased, along with the shop’s information, to AwakeningComic@gmail.com so that they can receive the link in return, while also getting their shop featured on the blogs of the Awakening creators.
Those readers who do not have access to a local comics shop and are only able to buy their copy online or at their local book store need only to send an e-mail to AwakeningComic@gmail.com.
Fans who have already purchased their copy of the Awakening hardcover won’t be left out! These readers can also e-mail a picture of themselves with their book to AwakeningComic@gmail.com and receive a link to the exclusive preview.
Awakening takes place in the once-peaceful city of Park Falls, where a series of gruesome murders and missing persons has put the town on edge, and Cynthia Ford, known as the town “crazy,” finds retired police detective Derrick Peters and relates to him her belief about what’s going on. Her explanation: Zombies. Unable to ignore Cynthia’s information, though not sharing her beliefs, Derrick and others in the town explore the mystery as weeks turn to months and the death toll rises. Could Cynthia be right or has she finally gone insane?
“I don’t think we can fall over ourselves enough to say how much our readers mean to us,” said Tapalansky. “Our readers have been amazingly patient waiting for this volume and, now that it’s available, we want to give them something cool to not only show how much we appreciate them, but that Volume Two isn’t so far away either.”
Aint It Cool News said Awakening is “a phenomenal achievement in writing and artistry and proof that, when done well, even when utilizing the most worn-out of genres there still can exist something special.”
Brian LeTendre of the Secret Identity podcast called Awakening “a unique take on the zombie genre that has a distinct noir flavor.”
Follow Awakening on Twitter: http://twitter.com/awakeningcomic
Trailer for Awakening: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0qJQB68NkP0
Nick Tapalansky’s website: http://www.nicktapalansky.com/
Alex Eckman-Lawn’s website: http://www.alexeckmanlawn.com/
Diamond Order Code: APR09 0649
ISBN-10: 1932386483
ISBN-13: 978-1932386486
About Archaia
Founded in 2002, Archaia has built an unparalleled reputation for producing meaningful content that perpetually transforms minds. With a slate including such popular Eisner-Award winning titles as Mouse Guard and The Killer, as well as Awakening, Gunnerkrigg Court, Robotika, Killing Pickman, Artesia and the Publisher’s latest additions of Titanium Rain, God Machine, Roddenberry Productions’ Days Missing, The Jim Henson Company library and Mr. Murder Is Dead and Lucid with Zachary Quinto’s production company, Before the Door Pictures, Archaia has become synonymous with quality content. For more information on Archaia or any Archaia titles please visit www.Archaia.com. Archaia can also be found on Facebook (www.facebook.com/archaiacomics), MySpace (www.myspace.com/archaiacomics) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/archaiacomics).
Wicked October Plans Part 1
Sep 1st
First of all, a big thanks to everybody who’s been helping out the book by sharing our “Open Letter to Comic Shops.” The letter is still being retweeted on Twitter (Are YOU following @AwakeningComic yet?!) and finding it’s way onto new blogs every day thanks to you, and Alex and I can’t thank you all enough. All the emails I’ve been getting back from shops have been really excited about Awakening and they’re glad to have been able to check out the book before ordering it just to stock it (i.e., without a customer request).
Those of you who read the letter might’ve noticed a little mention about a big October event… The details are still being finalized BUT part of it includes a few comic shop stops for signings and we want to know where YOU want us to go. We have to keep it to the east coast for now, I’m afraid, but we can get as far south as Baltimore pretty easily, depending on how we schedule things. Here’s how we’re shaping up so far:
Baltimore Comic-Con: 10/10 – 10/11
Brave New Worlds – Philly Fresh, PA – 10/24
??? (It’s a secret to everybody) – 10/28
If you want us to pop in to your shop to hang out, sign books, and nerd out, drop me an email at Nick.Tapalansky@gmail.com and we’ll see what we can do!
Some quick hits:
New interview and Making Of feature with Mr. Alex Eckman-Lawn over at Graphic Novel Reporter!
Great review of Awakening Volume One over at View From Heaven!
A fun interview with yours truly, conducted by Bryn Colvin, writer of the forthcoming Hopeless webcomic (watch this space for details!)
A very kind review over at Comixology
Titanium Rain’s first hardcover is now available for pre-order at your local comic shop! Hop in there and demand it!
Places on the interweb you should be:
SpookyChan.com has gone live! Check out the work and news of Chandra Free, creator of Archaia’s upcoming The God Machine.
Shadowgirls written by Starkweather: Immortal creator, Dave Rodriguez – awesome webcomic, the #1 Horror Webcomic, in fact, last I’d heard…
Yon Kuma is another sweet webcomic written by another Archaia writer, Josh Hechinger, writer of the very-nearly-released Grave Doug Freshley!
MooreReppion.com, the interweb lair of the wiley and talented John Reppion and Leah Moore, authors of a multitude of great sequential fiction including The Complete Dracula and The Trial of Sherlock Holmes, not to mention Raise the Dead.
Off to fix myself a plate of spaghetti and dive into some ::gasp:: WRITING! With Awakening Volume Two already written and a few other bits already done, what’s a guy to work on next? Mystery, Adventure, or Horror? Hmmm…
We love you.
