Posts Tagged ‘James Ninness’

Press release: James Ninness and Brian Soriano to release new book through Semantink Publishing: Middleman.

James Ninness and Brian Soriano to release new book through Semantink Publishing: Middleman.

PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Benjamin Glibert,

Director of Publishing (619) 206‑3563 – Ben@Semantink.com

James Ninness and Brian Soriano to release new book through Semantink Publishing: Middleman.

James Ninness, creator of MYTHOI, DUST, The Heaven’s and The Undergrounds will be working with Semantink once again for his new book, Middleman. Joining James as artist for Middleman will be a familiar face to fans: Brian Soriano. Brian’s work can be seen most recently in MYTHOI issues 4–6.

Middleman is a six-issue series and will begin distribution in early 2012. Distribution will remain digital for single issues with a trade upon completion. The story revolves around San Diego detective Grey Drace as he witnesses the end of days. Grey quickly learns that his role can influence either side and may very well dictate the future of mankind altogether.

Brian Soriano’s enthusiasm for his newest work for Semantink is palpable, “I can’t tell you how excited I am to be working on Middleman… Crime noir and monstrous demons! How do you not love that mix?”

“I am very pleased to be announcing our first title of 2012,” adds Director of Publishing, Benjamin Glibert, “James has taken a detective story and flipped it on its head. Brian is doing magnificent work and really expanding his style working only in gray-tones. Those two are putting something very special together here.”

James Ninness is equally excited about his newest tale, “I’ve been sitting on Middleman for a while now. I’ve seen plenty of post-apocalyptic movies and books, ([coughs] DUST) and plenty of stories that deal with what happens right before the end of days, a rise to power or escalation of evil. What I haven’t seen in a while is a balls-to-the-wall apocalypse film. Not post or pre, but happening right now.”

Semantink Publishing – www.Semantink.com

SEMANTINK PUBLISHING is first and foremost a company dedicated to quality, not quantity. We believe that taking the time to read anything should be a rewarding experience, whether it’s a comic book, a novel, a magazine or the back of a cereal box. A great story, like good food, takes time to prepare and that means we won’t churn out twenty properties a week to fill your shelves and take your money. Instead we’re going to take our time crafting stories so that you can (we hope) spend your time enjoying them. We want you to stare at panels of art for a few minutes, or maybe relax as you digest a line of text. It’d be nice if you looked forward to your time with us, as we look forward to sharing with you. In short, Semantink wants you to find the meaning of print, each time you read us.

Press Release: THE UNDERGROUNDS season 1 ends… Season 2 announced!

The Undergrounds season one ends (and is collected) — season two announced!

PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Benjamin Glibert, Director of Publishing
(619) 206‑3563 – Ben@Semantink.com

The Undergrounds season one ends…

Semantink Publishing’s free weekly webcomic, The Undergrounds, chronicling the goings–
on of Dracula, Frankenstein’s Monster, Wolfman, The Mummy and Van Helsing at their day
job – a café – is coming to an end.  After a year long run that began on February 1, 2010, the
first season is ending with the final strip going live on February 21, 2011.

Benjamin Glibert, Semantink’s Director of Publishing, spoke to The Undergrounds success
in its inaugural year, “I could not be happier with with the way that THE UNDERGROUNDS
season 1 turned out. Right off the bat, I knew that the premise of the strip was a winner, but
seeing it come to fruition has been wonderful. Each writer was able to bring not only his own
voice to the project, but create a story that flowed together week to week. Of course I would
be remiss if I didn’t mention the amazing energy and continuity provided by Daniel’s art. I
am so proud of everyone involved, and I feel lucky to have been a part of the project.”

(And is collected)…

Semantink Publishing is excited to collect these strips in a trade to be released on May 2, 2011.
Containing all 52 released strips, and a few unreleased ones, The Undergrounds: Season One
will be loaded with extras, including extra art from artist Daniel Touchet, marketing pieces
from the first season, an introduction from Semantink Director of Publishing Benjamin
Glibert and more…
Pre-Orders will begin with the posting of the final strip on February 21, 2011, and will
continue until the books official release two months later.  The Undergrounds: Season One
will retail for $19.99 and be available exclusively at Semantink.com.  Pre-orders will save
$2.00 off of the cover price at $17.99.

Season two announced!

Also beginning May 2, 2011, Semantink Publishing is proud to begin the second season of
The Undergrounds!  With a new job, new characters and the fresh blood of a few new writers,
Semantink couldn’t be more excited!

Returning for the second season will be: artist, Daniel Touchet and writers, Marcel Losada,
Michael Fountain, Joe Pezzula and James Ninness. New to the webseries are writers: Ryan
Darrow, Eric Jennings and Shannon Forrey – each bringing with them a ghoul previously
unseen!

“As enamored as I am with our first season of THE UNDERGROUNDS, I am even more jazzed
about season two,” adds Benjamin Glibert, “By adding cast members and changing the
setting, I think that the story telling options have really been opened up. Of course, with
more characters comes more writers, and I am extremely excited about the new talent that
we have brought onboard. Shannon, Eric, and Ryan have all brought a host of new ideas to
the table, and people are really going to enjoy their additions to the cast. Having the bulk of
the creative talent back from season one has been a treat, I’m ecstatic that we were able to
keep so many creative individuals on board. Season two is really going to blow people out of
the water.”
Ryan Darrow was born and raised in Orange County, CA. To be exact, he was born at the
Hoag Hospital in Newport Beach, CA, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred seventy
seven. He was expelled from private school and attempted to smoke his way through college
art and film courses. He dropped out and did very little for very long. Ryan occasionally
writes things with little or no intention of finishing them, reading books in much the same
manner. He would also like you to know that he’s married so hands off, ladies. You may look
though.
Eric Jennings currently resides in Sherman Oaks, CA but was raised in sunny San Diego. He’s
living the dream in Los Angeles working in post-production, the most glamorous segment of
the film industry. Eric attended the Los Angeles Film School where he studied directing and
editing (with some writing thrown in). You may have seen (but probably not) Eric’s work on
screen through his thesis film (that he wrote and directed) called What’s All That Racket?
His true passion in life, however, is writing web comics.
The illegitimate love-child of business and creativity, Shannon Forrey spends most of her
time Art Directing and obsessing over advertising. Inspired by all things horror, nerdom as
well as the weird & strange, her writing and design reflects this quirky personality. She is
constantly reminded to travel more, never give up your passions and “Fail Harder”.
Viewers will find the new season of The Undergrounds at the same address:
http://www.the-undergrounds.com and, like before, it is entirely free and released every
Monday morning.

Semantink Publishing – www.Semantink.com
SEMANTINK PUBLISHING is first and foremost a company dedicated to quality, not quantity.
We believe that taking the time to read anything should be a rewarding experience, whether
it’s a comic book, a novel, a magazine or the back of a cereal box. A great story, like good
food, takes time to prepare and that means we won’t churn out twenty properties a week to
fill your shelves and take your money. Instead we’re going to take our time crafting stories
so that you can (we hope) spend your time enjoying them. We want you to stare at panels
of art for a few minutes, or maybe relax as you digest a line of text. It’d be nice if you looked
forward to your time with us, as we look forward to sharing with you. In short, Semantink
wants you to find the meaning of print, each time you read us.

Press Release: Brian Soriano joins James Ninness on MYTHOI

Brian Soriano joins James Ninness on MYTHOI

PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Benjamin Glibert, Director of Publishing

(619) 206‑3563 – Ben@Semantink.com

Brian Soriano joins James Ninness on MYTHOI

Artist Brian Soriano has joined James Ninness on Semantink Publishing’s inaugural title, MYTHOI.

San Francisco based artist Brian Soriano has signed to pencil and ink MYTHOI issues #4–6 from Semantink Publishing. Brian’s enthusiasm is infectious, “I’ve been wanting to get my hands on these amazing characters since I first laid eyes on them – they’re just as creative as they are mythical.”

Director of Publishing, Benjamin Glibert is equally thrilled, “I am very excited to have Brian onboard for MYTHOI. His artwork is energetic and superbly detailed. I truly believe that Brian is a comic-star in the making. It was sad to see Jed go, but with Brian onboard MYTHOI is in very good hands.”

“Brian and I have been going back and forth on Facebook for a while now,” adds series creator James Ninness, “the minute I saw his work I sent him a friend request and a message that said, ‘You don’t know me, but I like your work and want to work with you someday.’ I think I may also have said I watched him sleep through his windows or something… It probably creeped him out, but it worked out I guess, so who cares? Brian has an amazing eye for kinetic panels and I can’t wait to see what he does with MYTHOI. I think it’s going to take the book in a lot of directions, artistically, that people may not have seen coming.”

MYTHOI, from creator/writer James Ninness, tells the tale of five heroes, each from a different mythology, thrown together to defend the world from varying enemies, each the product of history’s many mythos. MYTHOI will run 60 issues – issues #1, 2, 3, as well as five free issues (the Birth series) have already been released. Brian Soriano’s art will be released in books beginning End-of-Winter 2011.

Semantink Publishing – www.Semantink.com

SEMANTINK PUBLISHING is first and foremost a company dedicated to quality, not quantity. We believe that taking the time to read anything should be a rewarding experience, whether it’s a comic book, a novel, a magazine or the back of a cereal box. A great story, like good food, takes time to prepare and that means we won’t churn out twenty properties a week to fill your shelves and take your money. Instead we’re going to take our time crafting stories so that you can (we hope) spend your time enjoying them. We want you to stare at panels of art for a few minutes, or maybe relax as you digest a line of text. It’d be nice if you looked forward to your time with us, as we look forward to sharing with you. In short, Semantink wants you to find the meaning of print, each time you read us.

THE UNDERGROUNDS #48

THE UNDERGROUNDS #43

THE UNDERGROUNDS #38

The Book Report — Mythoi: Birth

Greetings, dear reader! Welcome back to The Book Report.

When Semantink Publishing first popped its metaphorical head out into the world, it brought with it their flagship production: Mythoi, a sixty issue comic appearing monthly for the next five years. They got out their first issue, and then realized they needed a completely different marketing strategy to build momentum (and readers). So Semantink put the 60-issue arc of Mythoi on hold and worked with author James Ninness on releasing five “Birth” issues of the main Mythoi characters for free, available only on the internet.
Issue 2 has since been released, and Semantink also released a graphic novel collection of the Birth issues along with some extra goodies, including a sixth Birth.

What I thought I’d do today is take a look at the six Birth issues and not talk about them. Instead I want to talk about the different mythos that inspired each character. Hopefully, for those unfamiliar with one (or all) of these mythoi (plural of mythos, you know), this Book Report will help provide some depth without giving away story secrets that Mr. Ninness would want kept a secret. Let’s dig in!


Wiglaf


Wiglaf in the Mythoi universe comes from two different legends. The first is from the Anglo-Saxon epic Beowulf. Wiglaf is an actual character in Beowulf, and Ninness does not deviate from the story when he portrays Wiglaf as the only soldier to stay by Beowulf’s side when he fights the dragon. He does, however, deviate from the tale’s resolution. In the original poem, following the death of the dragon, a dying Beowulf bestows his crown and kingdom to Wiglaf. Ninness takes the epic tale and makes it, if you can believe it, even more epic: He ties Wiglaf’s tale to the curse of Cain.

Cain was the brother of Abel and son of Adam and Eve, as the Bible relates the story. In the book of Genesis, we read that God preferred Abel’s offering of his best lamb over Cain’s offering of his best fruits. Jealous of God’s preferential treatment, Cain slew Abel. As punishment, God cursed Cain to wander the earth. Cain protested his punishment, claiming that as a wandering stranger cursed by God anyone who found him would kill him. So God set a mark on Cain, proclaiming that any man who killed Cain would receive vengeance seven times greater.
What Ninness does is make Wiglaf the son of Abel. He kills Cain to avenge his father’s murder, and receives the wanderer’s curse in Cain’s place.
So by the time of Beowulf, Wiglaf has already been alive for centuries, perhaps even millenia.

Vito

Fans of classical literature should recognize the beginnings of Vito’s story. His story begins during the last moments of Bram Stoker’s classic Dracula. There was a Dracula sequel released in 2009 by Dacre Stoker and Ian Holt, hardly worth mentioning. I only do so here to point out Vito (and Mythoi) has nothing whatsoever to do with the sequel.
Of course, Mythoi has little to do with the last chapter of Dracula as well. In Stoker’s novel, Jonathan and Mina return to London safely and have four children, a rather different end than what Ninness gives them. On the other hand, the slight twist is certainly no different than how Ninness changed the end of Beowulf. And who knows? The way stories become legends and legends become myths hardly guarantee the original story remains the same.
Vito’s tale ends a bit strangely. Dracula passing on his heritage to Vito was considered a gift. Vito doing the same is a curse. I’m intrigued to see how that develops.

Yuki

Yuki’s tale is a great martial arts battle. One woman against an entire temple (and their yeti). The temple is part of Tibetan Buddhist tradition, in a mythical kingdom called Shambhala. The common translation from Sanskrit is that Shambhala is a place of peace, tranquility, and happiness. The big tweak Ninness gives this story is that Shambhala is nothing of the sort. Yuki’s desire to bring Shambhala and its master down is her revenge for the horrors visited upon her by the monks.
According to Buddhist mythos, Shambhala was ruled over by benevolent Kalki kings, upholding a form of Tantra called Kalachakra. The Kalachakra has a prophecy that the “25th King” will come in a time of despair, war, and greed and lead an army against “Dark Forces”. Some scholars calculated the Kalachakra to predict this will come to pass in the year 2424 AD.
In Mythoi, Shambhala is ruled by Master Sho, given great power by the four elemental dragons. Sho does not appear in Buddhist legend (he wouldn’t, since I believe the name is Japanese), but there is a Confucian legend concerning a Master Sho of Kokei.

A monk came to Master Sho and asked him, “When things come from the four directions and eight dimensions, what then?“
Master Sho replied, “Hit the middle.“
The monk immediately bowed.

Asian cultures typically viewed dragons as being attached to the different elements, as well as time and even the universe. But dragon legends exist in nearly every other major “old world” (not the Americas) culture as well. The actual word “dragon” comes from the Greek word draco (actually a Latin translation). The word typically meant any great serpent, and not (necessarily) the type of dragons you picture when you hear the word.

Taros

Taros is yet another revenge story (seeing a theme here?), based on Greek mythology. Taros is the son of Ares and the human woman Mesia in Mythoi, though no such characters exist in the mythology. Ares sired a mortal son named Tereus, brutal and barbaric, and one of his immortal sons through Aphrodite was Anteros, god of unreciprocated love. But that’s the closest we can find to Taros, which is fine. Ninness has established already that he plans on tweaking the various mythoi, and for good reasons.
Besides, I like the idea of a son of Ares who doesn’t like fighting.
The story takes place in 201 B.C.E. which is the year the second Punic War ended with the defeat of Hannibal and the fall of Carthage. Given that the story is set during the ascension of the Roman Republic it’s interesting that Ninness chooses Ares, rather than Mars, as the god of war. The age of Greece is ending by then, and with it the pantheon on Olympus. At least until the Romans remake it in their own image.

What these first five “Births” offer are revenge stories set during the end of an age. Wiglaf’s tale is of God’s vengeance and the death of a king. Vito’s tale is of his own vengeance following the death of an immortal. Yuki’s tale is of her own vengeance against a mythical kingdom. Taros’ tale if of his vengeance against the gods as their power declines. What then does Touch’s tale offer?

Touch

Touch’s tale also begins at the end of an era, but rather than vengeance, Touch offers hope. The other tales are based on mythos of the past, Touch’s mythos is science, and the hope of the future. Science and the future offer uncountable possiblilities, something that all our mythoi of the past dream for. Touch represents a tangible (touchable) symbol that we aren’t stuck in our current disaster, but that life can be improved.
Not a bad way to end the Birth series, eh?


The graphic novel does offer a sixth birth story, an interesting, Ninness-typical twist on the Little Red Riding Hood legend.

So go give all these a read, preferably by picking up a copy of the graphic novel. And then prepare for the imminent arrival of Mythoi Issue 3!

Until next time,
Still paddlin’ the old knew…
_-Akatzen-_

APE 2010 Day Two — Wrap Up

Hello again!

Here’s a final wrap-up of our fantastic weekend at APE 2010.

As I introduced myself yesterday, I forgot to mention that I am also the author of Sim-I, announced today as part of Semantink’s 2011 lineup. Sim-I follows the comical misadventures of a lab monkey on the run from a mad scientist.

Today’s APE adventure was more low-key, mostly on account of the rainy weather. Our morning was low-key, warming our hands by the heat of coffee. Daniel and Kevin’s pencils burned through several on-the-spot sketches, which they then handed out for free to some lucky visitors to the booth.

Ben hands lucky winner Todd the MYTHOI lithograph from Avitech Graphics

We sold out of the Mythoi graphic novels on-site, and one lucky winner, Todd, walked home with the limited edition (1 of 3) Mythoi Lithograph. The lithographs were donated to Semantink by the very generous and talented folks at Avitech Graphics. A huge thanks to Avitech (go check out their stuff!) and congratulations to winner Todd!

More friends

‘Stache!

Skirting past the rest of the expo hall, we met Daniel Davis, at Steam Crow, who, among other artistic endeavors takes vintage movies and books and regenerates the titles using original art concepts built out of the Steam Punk genre. And he has a mustache he intends to grow and sculpt for at least another year before perfection.

There was also Jules Rivera, who created, writes, and draws her self-published stories of Marsh Rocket, a superspy in the vein of James Bond but without those pesky jetpacks.

Armadillo!

And then there’s Amelia and her drunk armadillo, Emilio.

I even got a custom drawing of my cat Sneakers munching dog brains from Charlotte with a Kay!!

More Treats

There were two snack areas within the concourse, the first served pastries and delicious chili dogs with a touch of beer flavoring. The second bar is … well … a bar. The smell of booze hovered around some folks as they passed by our booth, but that only increases the smiles when discussions occur. When I ordered two beers, one a Blue Moon, the bartender put an orange slice in the other, a Sierra Nevada, despite confirming I would want it in the Blue Moon. But I digress…

Mythoi writer James Ninness was interviewed off-the-cuff by G4. Pretty sweet! Check it out…

Comics Collaboration Connection

Z Blade XX

At Wondercon this past year, I attended a small “speed-dating” style talent convergence, wherein artists and writers gather in a room to hopefully find a collaborator on their next projects. You pitch, you show what you’ve done, and hopefully come away with a new talent connection. They tried this at APE this year, and on Sunday there were about ten writers to meet with three artists. Chatter aplenty, followed by an exchange of information occurred. A festival staff member said they’re hoping to integrate this type of program into all three Con events (Wonder, APE, SD Comic-Con) in the next year or two, and hopefully bring some balance to the experience, as well as make it more like true speed dating.

I think it’s a great idea and brings the idea of collaboration back into the world of comic creation.

APE is a great place for young artists and writers of comics to come together and celebrate their works, no matter how big or small. A booth is just as big as it needs to be. There’s no Marvel Thor throne, there’s no Green Hornet car. There’s just people (most talented, and even a few who could use improvement) who like to talk and look at comics and art. That’s it.

Until next convention, keep on reading the Undergrounds, Mythoi, and (upcoming) Sim-I!

Oh hey! Here’s a sneak-peak at Sim-I, a sketch that Daniel Touchet zinged off while sitting at the booth all weekend! Enjoy!

Joe P.

THE UNDERGROUNDS # 34

Press Release: Kevin Warwick joins James Ninness on Semantink Publishing’s MYTHOI

Kevin Warwick joins James Ninness on Semantink Publishing’s MYTHOI

PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Benjamin Glibert, Director of Publishing
(619) 206‑3563 – Ben@Semantink.com

Kevin Warwick joins James Ninness on Semantink Publishing’s MYTHOI

Artist Kevin Warwick has joined James Ninness on Semantink Publishing’s inaugural title, MYTHOI.

Previously brought on as a cover artist, Kevin Warwick has signed to pencil and color MYTHOI from Semantink Publishing, beginning with issue #7.  Warwick will replace Jed Soriano whose contract ends as of MYTHOI issue #6.

Kevin Warwick is more than excited to step into the role, “As an artist, when you’re approached with the opportunity to work on a book as elaborate, smart and full of potential as MYTHOI, the only thing running through your head is, ‘when will they shut up so I can say, “yes!”

Director of Publishing, Benjamin Glibert is just as enthused, “I first saw Kevin’s art about a year ago and was blown away by the expressiveness of his characters, his clean lines and attention to detail.  I knew he had to be a part of the Semantink team, but I wasn’t sure where.  When the opportunity to put him on our flagship title, MYTHOI, arose, it was a no-brainer.  Kevin has me very excited about the future of MYTHOI.”

“Kevin’s style is his own.  His finished pages are unlike anything else out there and I think that compliments the story well – it sets us apart,” added series creator James Ninness.  “Kevin’s art doesn’t serve the story, it takes the words, blows them up and creates a wet dream of violent emotion.  I’m really, really excited.”

MYTHOI, from creator/writer James Ninness, tells the tale of five heroes, each from a different mythology, thrown together to defend the world from varying enemies, each the product of history’s many mythos.  MYTHOI will run 60 issues – issues 1 and 2, as well as five free issues (the Birth series) have already been released.  Kevin Warwick’s art will be released in books beginning Spring 2011.

Semantink Publishing – www.Semantink.com

SEMANTINK PUBLISHING is first and foremost a company dedicated to quality, not quantity. We believe that taking the time to read anything should be a rewarding experience, whether it’s a comic book, a novel, a magazine or the back of a cereal box. A great story, like good food, takes time to prepare and that means we won’t churn out twenty properties a week to fill your shelves and take your money. Instead we’re going to take our time crafting stories so that you can (we hope) spend your time enjoying them. We want you to stare at panels of art for a few minutes, or maybe relax as you digest a line of text. It’d be nice if you looked forward to your time with us, as we look forward to sharing with you. In short, Semantink wants you to find the meaning of print, each time you read us.