May
04

“

“THE DAILY DEAD: Is there any feedback in particular that surprised you? What have you found that readers are taking away from this story?

MARK SABLE: San Diego has a large military community, and when we debuted the book at Comic-Con we had a lot of veterans and active duty service members come up to us. If there’s one thing members of the military and comic fans have in common it’s that they aren’t afraid to speak their mind, so I braced myself for the worst. I could have imagined them pissed at us for trivializing their experiences.

Instead, they thanked us for calling attention to the fact there’s a war going on, something you might not know from walking around the U.S. right now. And they shared their stories, which were heartbreaking.

For me, the most moving reaction was a request from a vet who wanted to use Paul’s cover from the first issue – a helmeted skull with a poppy plant running through it – as a tattoo. He wanted to ink the names of his fallen comrades in the roots. To this day that remains the best interaction I’ve ever had with a reader.

So it’s been particularly rewarding that people who served in Iraq or Afghanistan were not only okay with what we were doing but felt we did a good job of capturing what they’d experienced.

No word from the zombies yet, though.”

”

- from Tamika Jones’ THE DAILY DEAD interview with myself and Paul Azaceta about the GRAVEYARD OF EMPIRES TPB, which is available in stores now.  

The collections not only features tons of exclusive extras, but a brand new story written and drawn by Paul (his comics writing debut).  And if you want to check out the first issue/chapter, you can can do so for free at Comixology here.

May
03

“

“…It’s cliche to say something like, “this is not your classic zombie story,” especially in the post-Walking Dead world we inhabit. However, very much like Kirkman’s opus, this does feel different. Much of that has to do with Graveyard’s treatment of characters and the messy politics of war; in this case, both with the undead and, more terrifyingly, with ideas….Azaceta’s art accomplishes the admirable task of being expressive without being overly detailed, and pairs gorgeously with the story.”

SCORE: 5/5

-from Steven E. Paugh’s review of THE GRAVEYARD OF EMPIRES TPB on ComicBastards.com

”

An excerpt from @StevilEmpire’s @ComicBastards AMAZING review of GRAVEYARD OF EMPIRES, which you can (and should) read in its entirety here.  It’s maybe my favorite review of anything I’ve written ever, not just because it was given a perfect score, but because it’s incredibly informed, thoughtful and well written.  That someone even took the time to engage with the comic I’m most proud of this deeply means a tremendous amount.

(Edited to include a working link and a quote about Paul’s art).

May
01

Apr
30

GRAVEYARD OF EMPIRES TPB OUT THIS WEDNESDAY, MAY 1ST! GRAVEYARD OF EMPIRES, my Marines and Taliban vs. Zombies comic with @PaulAzaceta is finally collected in it’s entirety as a trade paperback this Wednesday, May 1st.  In addition to all 4 oversized issues, the collection will include a new short story by Paul, representing his comic book writing debut.  If you haven’t read it yet, check out the first issue FREE on Comixology. Speaking of free, I’ve got not one but TWO signings scheduled this month in conjunction with FREE COMIC BOOK DAY: SIGNING #1 : SATURDAY MAY 11th at Collector’s Paradise PasadenaStart Time: 12:00PM    End Time: 3:00PM Meet “Graveyard of Empires” writer Mark Sable as he signs copies of the horrific modern warfare meets zombies TPB from Image Comics, 12pm-3pm at Collector’s Paradise Pasadena.Plus, enjoy FREE COMICS all day long from 11am-7pm as our store celebrates Free Comic Book May!Check out our site for more details! Location: Collector’s Paradise Pasadena 319 S. Arroyo Pkwy #4Pasadena, CA 91105 More Info: http://comicsandcards.net SIGNING #2 - SAT MAY 11 COLLECTOR’S PARADISE VALLEY STORE And on Saturday, May 11th, from 12-3, I’ll be signing at Collector’s Paradise original store in Winnetka, CA. Since both signings will be during FREE COMIC BOOK DAY month, I’ll have free issues of some of my books in addition to copies of my trade to sign. PRESS RELEASE: And here’s the press release for the GRAVEYARD OF EMPIRES trade: From Alexander the Great’s Macedonian army to Genghis Khan’s Mongol horde to the British Imperial machine of the nineteenth to the Soviet Union to the twenty-first century United States of America, no occupying force has ever been able to control Afghanistan — the very reason it’s known as the Graveyard of Empires. Mark Sable and Paul Azaceta drew upon that history in their Image Comics series GRAVEYARD OF EMPIRES, set in present-day Afghanistan, where American troops are caught in a seemingly unending conflict with the Taliban. That is, until a new enemy enters the field: the undead. The only way to defeat them is for the Americans and Taliban to unite forces, and as former enemies become uneasy allies, tension will rise on all sides. All four issues of the critically acclaimed, controversial GRAVEYARD OF EMPIRES will be collected into a new trade paperback, set to be in stores on May 1. “Zombies are the perfect metaphor for modern insurgents,” said writer Sable. “A seemingly endless foe with inscrutable motives that comes in unstoppable waves. In counter-insurgency theory, there’s something we came across in our research called ‘insurgent math.’ It’s the idea that by killing one terrorist, you can create ten more because you’ve inspired their friends and family. Similarly, in a world where the dead are coming back to life, anyone you kill can return to infect your comrades and turn them against you.” “It was a challenge to do the book because I wanted to get it right,” said artist Azaceta. “Not just the uniforms and the guns but Afghan culture and its wonderful landscape. While digging around for reference the things that surprised me most was the beauty of the country.” Part of the research was aided by photojournalist Tim Hetherington, who co-directed the Academy Award-nominated documentary Restrepo and who was killed in a mortar attack in Mistrata in 2011 by Libyan government forces while covering the Libyan civil war. Sable and Azaceta dedicated GRAVEYARD OF EMPIRES to his memory. Meticulously detailed and boldly drawn, GRAVEYARD OF EMPIRES can be pre-ordered now (Diamond Comics code MAR130502, ISBN 978-1-60706-739-9). A 128-page full-color graphic novel, its retail price $14.99. The first issue is available digitally for free from comiXology and the Image Comics iOS app.

GRAVEYARD OF EMPIRES TPB OUT THIS WEDNESDAY, MAY 1ST!

GRAVEYARD OF EMPIRES, my Marines and Taliban vs. Zombies comic with @PaulAzaceta is finally collected in it’s entirety as a trade paperback this Wednesday, May 1st.  In addition to all 4 oversized issues, the collection will include a new short story by Paul, representing his comic book writing debut.  If you haven’t read it yet, check out the first issue FREE on Comixology.

Speaking of free, I’ve got not one but TWO signings scheduled this month in conjunction with FREE COMIC BOOK DAY:

SIGNING #1 : SATURDAY MAY 11th at Collector’s Paradise Pasadena
Start Time: 12:00PM    End Time: 3:00PM

Meet “Graveyard of Empires” writer Mark Sable as he signs copies of the horrific modern warfare meets zombies TPB from Image Comics, 12pm-3pm at Collector’s Paradise Pasadena.

Plus, enjoy FREE COMICS all day long from 11am-7pm as our store celebrates Free Comic Book May!

Check out our site for more details!

Location:

Collector’s Paradise Pasadena

319 S. Arroyo Pkwy #4
Pasadena, CA 
91105

More Info: http://comicsandcards.net

SIGNING #2 - SAT MAY 11 COLLECTOR’S PARADISE VALLEY STORE

And on Saturday, May 11th, from 12-3, I’ll be signing at Collector’s Paradise original store in Winnetka, CA.

Since both signings will be during FREE COMIC BOOK DAY month, I’ll have free issues of some of my books in addition to copies of my trade to sign.

PRESS RELEASE:

And here’s the press release for the GRAVEYARD OF EMPIRES trade:

From Alexander the Great’s Macedonian army to Genghis Khan’s Mongol horde to the British Imperial machine of the nineteenth to the Soviet Union to the twenty-first century United States of America, no occupying force has ever been able to control Afghanistan — the very reason it’s known as the Graveyard of Empires. Mark Sable and Paul Azaceta drew upon that history in their Image Comics series GRAVEYARD OF EMPIRES, set in present-day Afghanistan, where American troops are caught in a seemingly unending conflict with the Taliban. That is, until a new enemy enters the field: the undead. The only way to defeat them is for the Americans and Taliban to unite forces, and as former enemies become uneasy allies, tension will rise on all sides.

All four issues of the critically acclaimed, controversial GRAVEYARD OF EMPIRES will be collected into a new trade paperback, set to be in stores on May 1.

“Zombies are the perfect metaphor for modern insurgents,” said writer Sable. “A seemingly endless foe with inscrutable motives that comes in unstoppable waves. In counter-insurgency theory, there’s something we came across in our research called ‘insurgent math.’ It’s the idea that by killing one terrorist, you can create ten more because you’ve inspired their friends and family. Similarly, in a world where the dead are coming back to life, anyone you kill can return to infect your comrades and turn them against you.”

“It was a challenge to do the book because I wanted to get it right,” said artist Azaceta. “Not just the uniforms and the guns but Afghan culture and its wonderful landscape. While digging around for reference the things that surprised me most was the beauty of the country.”

Part of the research was aided by photojournalist Tim Hetherington, who co-directed the Academy Award-nominated documentary Restrepo and who was killed in a mortar attack in Mistrata in 2011 by Libyan government forces while covering the Libyan civil war. Sable and Azaceta dedicated GRAVEYARD OF EMPIRES to his memory.

Meticulously detailed and boldly drawn, GRAVEYARD OF EMPIRES can be pre-ordered now (Diamond Comics code MAR130502, ISBN 978-1-60706-739-9). A 128-page full-color graphic novel, its retail price $14.99. The first issue is available digitally for free from comiXology and the Image Comics iOS app.

Apr
12

@paulazaceta’s pin-up for my DRACULA: SON OF THE DRAGON @Kickstarter with @Salgood Sam.  Want to own a postcard with this and other guest art?  Please pledge here:  http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/78669939/dracula-son-of-the-dragon I promised I’d post this if WHEN we broke $9,000 last night, but wanted this to debut in the morning and save the night for Drink & Draw related stuff.  As of this writing we need a little over $4,000 to reach our goal.  Doable, but we really need your help. Paul and I did a little book together called GRAVEYARD OF EMPIRES which should be out April 24th in TPB form, with a story he wrote as well as drew.  He’s got some Conan stuff coming up if you want to see him go all medieval again.  I didn’t think he could wow me after seeing his latest GRAVEYARD stuff, but this DRACULA piece…DAMN.

@paulazaceta’s pin-up for my DRACULA: SON OF THE DRAGON @Kickstarter with @Salgood Sam.  Want to own a postcard with this and other guest art?  Please pledge here: 

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/78669939/dracula-son-of-the-dragon

I promised I’d post this if WHEN we broke $9,000 last night, but wanted this to debut in the morning and save the night for Drink & Draw related stuff.  As of this writing we need a little over $4,000 to reach our goal.  Doable, but we really need your help.

Paul and I did a little book together called GRAVEYARD OF EMPIRES which should be out April 24th in TPB form, with a story he wrote as well as drew.  He’s got some Conan stuff coming up if you want to see him go all medieval again.  I didn’t think he could wow me after seeing his latest GRAVEYARD stuff, but this DRACULA piece…DAMN.

Mar
28

Mar
11

The GRAVEYARD OF EMPIRES TPB is now available for pre-order in this month’s PREVIEWS.  It will ship in May of 2013.  In addition to something like 128 pages of story (not bad for 4 issues) Paul and I are currently in the midst of jam packing the book full of extras.  Most notably - a 13 page, original, never-before-seen short story not only drawn but WRITTEN by Paul in his comics writing debut. I can provide PDFs for press or retailers  - if you’re either - hit me up here or on twitter at @marksable,   Please reblog, Facebook share, retweet this….this is the book Paul and I are most proud of, and we’ve done everything we can to make the trade worth the wait.

The GRAVEYARD OF EMPIRES TPB is now available for pre-order in this month’s PREVIEWS.  It will ship in May of 2013.  In addition to something like 128 pages of story (not bad for 4 issues) Paul and I are currently in the midst of jam packing the book full of extras.  Most notably - a 13 page, original, never-before-seen short story not only drawn but WRITTEN by Paul in his comics writing debut.

I can provide PDFs for press or retailers  - if you’re either - hit me up here or on twitter at @marksable,  

Please reblog, Facebook share, retweet this….this is the book Paul and I are most proud of, and we’ve done everything we can to make the trade worth the wait.

Mar
09

Oct
07

@PaulAzaceta and I will be sharing a table at NYCC this coming weekend, from Oct 11-14th.  Here’s a peak at a limited edition GRAVEYARD OF EMPIRES print he’s putting together for the con.  Paul and I haven’t done an appearance together since, um, last NYCC, and this is the first time we’ll have all 4 issues out.  Stop by and say hi if you’re there (specific table info to come).

@PaulAzaceta and I will be sharing a table at NYCC this coming weekend, from Oct 11-14th.  Here’s a peak at a limited edition GRAVEYARD OF EMPIRES print he’s putting together for the con.  Paul and I haven’t done an appearance together since, um, last NYCC, and this is the first time we’ll have all 4 issues out.  Stop by and say hi if you’re there (specific table info to come).

Jul
25

This Wednesday, July 25th, the fourth and final issue of GRAVEYARD hits stands.  You can check out a five page preview of it at Comicosity.  I urge you to visit your local retailer and pick it up, since the trade won’t be available until late this year, and possibly early next year. I think this may be the best issue of anything Paul Azaceta has ever done.  It literally spans thousands of years of history.  I’ve said it before, but this was the best collaboration I’ve had in comics.  It wasn’t just me handing Paul a script; He and I went back and forth over every page, panel, image and word. Matt Wilson’s colors brought this book to life, doing things with light and seasons that made him as much a storyteller as me or Paul.  And letterer/designer Thomas Mauer made the book readable (while making sure Paul’s art wasn’t obscured by my words).  I couldn’t be prouder of everyone involved, and more thankful for all the support Image has given us. I can’t thank all the people who contributed to the research for GRAVEYARD for security reasons.  But I will try to post a bibliography of open sources I used if people are interested in further reading. The people I owe the most thanks to are the fans and retailers who’ve waited patiently for the series to conclude (for now).  This started out as a three issue mini, and grew into four issues, each 32 pages (or close to it).   I hope to have more news about my other projects soon, but for now I hope you enjoy what we’ve done with GRAVEYARD.  I’ve never been more proud of a comic than this one.

This Wednesday, July 25th, the fourth and final issue of GRAVEYARD hits stands.  You can check out a five page preview of it at Comicosity.  I urge you to visit your local retailer and pick it up, since the trade won’t be available until late this year, and possibly early next year.

I think this may be the best issue of anything Paul Azaceta has ever done.  It literally spans thousands of years of history.  I’ve said it before, but this was the best collaboration I’ve had in comics.  It wasn’t just me handing Paul a script; He and I went back and forth over every page, panel, image and word.

Matt Wilson’s colors brought this book to life, doing things with light and seasons that made him as much a storyteller as me or Paul.  And letterer/designer Thomas Mauer made the book readable (while making sure Paul’s art wasn’t obscured by my words).  I couldn’t be prouder of everyone involved, and more thankful for all the support Image has given us.

I can’t thank all the people who contributed to the research for GRAVEYARD for security reasons.  But I will try to post a bibliography of open sources I used if people are interested in further reading.

The people I owe the most thanks to are the fans and retailers who’ve waited patiently for the series to conclude (for now).  This started out as a three issue mini, and grew into four issues, each 32 pages (or close to it).  

I hope to have more news about my other projects soon, but for now I hope you enjoy what we’ve done with GRAVEYARD.  I’ve never been more proud of a comic than this one.