2004: THE YEAR OF GETTOSAKE

[MattBrady]

You’d have had to be watching closely to see Gettosake’s rise over the past few years. This year, however, you’d be hard-pressed to miss them. A studio specializing in “urban style animation, comics and illustration,” Gettosake is made up of three brothers, Jeremy, Maurice and Robert Love.

“We’re a bunch of self taught artists and animators, who decided to put our talent to good use five years ago,” Jeremy told Newsarama. “We were frustrated with the lack of diversity in mainstream comics and animation at the time so instead of griping, we decided to do something about it.

“It's been a long road, but I think we are only just now ‘Ready for our close up.’ We actually started out on the film/tv side moreso than comics. It was only last year when we took the plunge into this crazy industry. Now that we're here we plan on staying for a while.”

While Gettosake’s projects cross many genre lines, the group’s “feel,” for lack of a better term is more mainstream and hip hop inspired – which has already afforded the brothers success. “I guess you can say we create ‘post modern urban epics,’” Love said. “I hate using the term ‘paper movies,’ but it applies when it comes to our properties. The stories we like just happen to be very Hollywood friendly and as a result we're developing Venus Kincaid with Twentieth Century Fox, and are finalizing negotiations to bring another one of our characters to the big screen.”

As for comics, Jeremy said he realizes the uphill battle Gettosake faces, but hopes that the hunger for something new will allow the studio to get foothold. “We're definitely trying to bring something new to the market. Hopefully audiences will give a non-superhero story with a black lead character a chance. There is just not enough diversity in the mainstream market nowadays. I'm not blaming anyone, but that's a fact. The key to our stories is that they are all very mainstream. We're not trying to do another Blankets here. These are fun action packed stories. So hopefully we can fill the niche of those seeking more diversity, and those who love to see great stories in other genres.”

As for those stories – Gettosake has four projects coming up through the remainder of the year. Love gave us the lowdown.

FIERCE
A four issue mini-series coming in July from Dark Horse Comics.

A deadly crime syndicate wants him dead. The FBI wants him behind bars.

Jonathan Fierce, psychic profiler for the FBI, is on the run and his only allies are the voices of his slain comrades, the elite strike force known as the Razor. Channeling the abilities of his former team, he will descend into the depths of the Jamaican underworld on a mission of redemption and vengeance.

The FBI's most elite strike force lives in the mind of one man…

Maurice Love says, “Think of this as a big summer action thriller. We’re very proud of the finished product. Robert’s pencils and storytelling are fluid and expressive. Our secret weapons are inker Jeff Wasson and Colorist Chip Zdarsky. Jeff has a strong line that compliments Robert’s pencils. Chip brought it all to life with his earthy, gritty colors. We wanted this to have the look of a Tony Scott film, and by and large I think we succeeded.”

The four issue series will be published by Dark Horse Comics. Jeremy Love provides the story, Robert Love pencils, Jeff Watson inks, Maurice Love letters and Chip Zdarsky colors.



SHADOW ROCK
An original graphic novel for all ages coming in July from Dark Horse Comics.

After his mother's death, young Timothy London moves from the big city to the small New England fishing town of Shadow Rock to live with his father. His new home is up the hill from a legendary haunted lighthouse where Timothy discovers the ghost of Kendahl Fog, a little boy who calls the place home. Ostracized from his peers and neighbors, Timothy befriends his new ghostly companion and sets out to explore the dark underbelly of Shadow Rock and the mystery of Kendahl's death.

Jeremy Love says, “This is definitely the most autobiographical stories I’ve ever written. Except I’ve never seen a ghost. Beneath all the thrilling ‘Hardy Boys-esque’ adventure, Shadow Rock is basically a tale of an unlikely and beautiful friendship. Hopefully this will be enough of a success to warrant a series of books and penetrate the ‘mainstream’ audience.”

The book will be written and illustrated by Jeremy Love.





CHOCOLATE THUNDER
An original graphic novel coming in September from ONI PRESS.

Kevin King is deceased--a victim of the dangerous world of international espionage, a hero who gave his life for his country. Or at least, that's what the government thinks. In reality, King is alive and well, and he's ready to start a new life in his childhood hometown. But when he returns to his neighborhood, he finds the community he left behind has been replaced by a crime-riddled 'hood filled with drugs and thugs. Using the skills he learned as a government operative, Kevin King takes on the persona of a mysterious crime fighter-Chocolate Thunder. But will one hero be enough to stop the ruthless King Solomon from expanding his mere street gang into a true evil empire?

Chocolate Thunder is the ultimate ‘70s Blaxploitation film on paper. Part costumed crime-fighter, part kung fu hero, and all man, Chocolate Thunder is an action-packed yarn set against a backdrop of urban blight.

Jeremy Love says, “This is obviously my Magnum Opus. I am a rabid fan of Blaxploitation cinema and this is my love letter to the genre. But even if you aren’t a fan of the genre, this book will still deliver as a no holds barred action fest. I urge everyone to leave your premonitions behind and give it a chance.”

Written and Penciled by Jeremy Love. Inked by Jeff Wasson. Additional art by Jamar Nicholas.







THE LIFE AND TIMES OF CREDENCE WALKER
An original graphic novel scheduled for July 2004 from Gettosake Comics



Story and Art by Jeremy and Robert Love
Written by Travis G. Johnson

Credence Walker, an adventurer from our world, is thrust into a strange alternate reality Africa, known as Shabazz, a land of strange creatures and exciting adventure. There he will struggle for survival and ultimately, enlightenment.

Credence Walker is pure classic pulp adventure in the grand style of Flash Gordon, John Carter of Mars, Tarzan, and Doc Savage with the bloody fast-paced action of Robert E Howard’s Conan the Barbarian rooted in African mythology.

Robert Love says, “It’s rare that we get to see diverse lead characters in big epic sci-fi fantasy stories. Credence Walker is pure pulp adventure without the vague undercurrent of racism found in many of the stories from the 30’s and 40’s. This story has been with us for a long time, and we’re excited to finally get it out there. Travis Johnson is an excellent writer and he knows the genre top to bottom. He was the perfect choice to supply the script and breathe life into these strange characters and worlds.”

Travis Johnson says. "I grew up on a steady diet of Al Williamson's Flash Gordon, HP Lovecraft's stories and various other old school science fiction/horror treats. Writing the adventures of a character like Credence Walker is a natural extension of all of that. I'm honored and excited to be a part of the project."

Jeremy Love says, “Credence Walker will be a pocket-sized 128 page graphic novel that will only set you back 7 bucks. We always loved those old ACE Fantasy novels, and this is designed to fit on the shelf with those. This whole thing is one big experiment. If all goes well we’ll release more Credence books. We hope to have this for sale at the San Diego Comic Convention in July.”





Before the comics are released, though, Gettosake has animated shorts, galleries, and online comics of many of its properties at its website.

[morty5]

looks interesting

[djcoffman]

I saw some of these comics online a while ago-- i do believe--

very good stuff!

That Chocolate Thunder looks awesome! -- I think the CREDENCE WALKER stuff will be the shining star....

Good luck and best wishes to everyone at Gettosake! You guys deserve it!

[Frans Blix]

Bookmarked 'em.

[julez4001]

THE LIFE AND TIMES OF CREDENCE WALKER
Will definitely be the main focus for this company.
So original.

ShadowRock has a lot of potential as well.

[WebHobbit]

“Credence Walker will be a pocket-sized 128 page graphic novel that will only set you back 7 bucks

ugh

The write up for Credence Walker had me until it said "pocket sized". I hate the little books.

Best of luck to Gettosake though. Looks like some wild unusual stuff.

[IanZL]

They may have lost you with pocket sized, but I think they won me.

I thought the book sounded interesting, and reading that ensured that I would get this at one point or another.

[SRBuell]

Talk about something for everyone... looking forward to these...

[jasinmartin]

Everything here looked and sounded great. "This year, however, you’d be hard-pressed to miss them", indeed. That's quite a line-up and from a couple big publishers too.

I also thought the Credence Walker concept stood out, but all intrigued me on some level.

Looking forward to checking these out as they're available, and I'll have a look at the site in the meantime...

Good luck to the crew, hope these are well received.

[marioboon]

Buying the lot of them!!

as simple as that!

[CrazyFool]

Interesting to note how that image of Credence Walker looks like the one image of Doc Savage I'm familiar with, with the ripped shirt and such.

[jasinmartin]

Hmmm... after checking out the site I got to thinking, and this has probably been said before, but it seems like there's a new comics art movement, urban art. With studios like Lead Heavy, Street Legends, and Gettosake for example. Everyone talks about the manga art style that's grown in the industry, but the urban style is an offshoot, or similar style that seems to be growing too. Just throwing that out there...

...and just finished downloading their site intro, and all I can say is DAMN THAT'S COOL! Can't wait to see more from this crew...

[FIG]

All four titles look awesome, I'll be getting them for sure.

[Jason Seaver]

Originally posted by jasinmartin
Hmmm... after checking out the site I got to thinking, and this has probably been said before, but it seems like there's a new comics art movement, urban art. With studios like Lead Heavy, Street Legends, and Gettosake for example. Everyone talks about the manga art style that's grown in the industry, but the urban style is an offshoot, or similar style that seems to be growing too. Just throwing that out there...

I thought the same thing when I picked up Hysteria from Oni a month or so ago. There's an obvious manga influence, but it's definitely its own thing.

[Thakorr]

I'll be picking at least two of these titles up. And awesome art by the way.

[Space Canuck]

WOW. I'll take a look at SHADOW ROCK and THE LIFE AND TIMES OF CREDENCE WALKER. They look great.

Space Canuck

[WiiGii!]

come on we all know urban black people dont read comics

[TVerBeek]

Originally posted by WebHobbit
The write up for Credence Walker had me until it said "pocket sized". I hate the little books.

It's not the size of the page, it's what you do with it.

Hey, I don't like cramped airplane seats, and truth be told, I'd probably prefer riding in a bigger car. But I also like being able to afford to get places, so economy-class tickets and compact cars are fine by me. If it means I can get a 128-page story for $7 instead of $12, smaller is a Good Thing.

[Houdinimachine]

That image of the old guy with a spear wearing an astronaut's uniform just about single handedly sold me on the Credence Walker comic. Damn that is awesome. It's just so... out of left field. My pulp fiction lovin alarms are going off full blare right now.

I dunno about the others, but if Credence Walker is good, I'll definitely give them a shot.

[LoveForFire]

The art looks great.

The stories sound interesting.

Is Chocolate Thunder going to be in black and white except for his red shirt? I though that gave it a cool effect. It probably won't.

[rasmane]

Originally posted by WiiGii!
come on we all know urban black people dont read comics

Well then, maybe more urban Whites should start reading these books in order to even things out.


BlackSuperhero.com Discussion Board
Operative Network Comics Pile for 3/31/04 by Hannibal Tabu (an "urban Black" person)

[GeorgeG]

Are all of these titles black & white? I'm a colored art comic fan.

If they find their way on the shelves of the comic shop I go to, I'll give them a try.

[Hatter]

Wow. These guys seem to be incredibly talented, and I hope that these books lead to some even bigger opportunities!

[zeraze]

Originally posted by WiiGii!
come on we all know urban black people dont read comics

That's funny. I keep seeing urban Black kids buying Shonen Jump at newsstands. And manga like Love Hina and Dragonball at bookstores. And Yu-Gi-Oh! manga at Blockbuster Video. Urban black people will buy comics as long as they're entertaining, affordable, and widely available outside comic shops. Keeping the racist hardcore fanboys to a minimum also helps.

I guess it's true that if you give fools like WiiGii enough rope then they'll hang themselves.

Seriously, this racism among White male geeks is really pathetic. Before the '90s, there were millions of White male teens buying, cool and geeky, buying comics so such intolerance was considered a bad thing. However, during the 90s, the traditional White male audience was driven from comics because of horrid stories, lame art, the neglect of the newsstand market and publishers and retailers' excessive focus on narrow demographics (i.e., speculators and anal-retentive, anti-social fanboys). They haven't been seen since. So, if the industry wants to survive beyond the decade, it's going to have to tap into markets once deemed worthless like (gasp!) the urban Black reader.

zeraze

[zeraze]

[quote]Originally posted by Houdinimachine
That image of the old guy with a spear wearing an astronaut's uniform just about single handedly sold me on the Credence Walker comic. Damn that is awesome. It's just so... out of left field. My pulp fiction lovin alarms are going off full blare right now.


I first heard of FIERCE over at Dwayne McDuffie's discussion board (www.dwaynemcduffie.com) and immediately put it on my pull list. But that spear carrying astronaut clinched the deal in buying the LIFE AND TIMES OF CREDENCE WALKER. That's a truly unique concept.

I'll likely try out SHADOW ROCK and CHOCOLATE THUNDER since I came into some extra cash. (Remember: you should have no qualms dropping a comic that's been boring for the last few months even if it's from the Big Two.) I'm glad to see creators like Gettosake have the cajones to do their own thing rather than slave away on corporate comics because its safer-and too often less fun.

zeraze