SPIDEY COVERS EVEN MORE FUND COMICS

[MattBrady]

A little under one year after, and John Gallagher is busy putting together Even More Fund Comics, an anthology to benefit the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund. This year’s cover has ties to last year, in that again, Marvel has given Gallagher’s Sky Dog Press permission to use one of its characters. Last year, it was the Hulk by George Perez, this year, Spider-Man by Frank Cho.

We caught up with Gallagher for a work-in-progress report on the anthology.

First though, a look back at the performance of last year’s book, More Fund Comics. “Through sales of the More Fund anthology, as well as auctions of art in, and related to the book, including the two covers donated by George Perez and Frank Cho, well over $20,000 was for the CBLDF-- probably just shy of the $30,000 mark. This year, with Even More Fund, we hope to beat that.”

Despite the success of last year’s volume, a second wasn’t a sure thing – at least initially. “Between getting big-name creators to open up their already busy schedules, the gathering of the art and stories, printing and shipping woes, I was sure that More Fund was a one and only thing,” Gallagher said. “But the overwhelming support of the Baltimore Comic-Con, the comics creators who participated, and the thousands of fans and retailers who purchased the book, I knew it was worth any challenge, and we had to do it again. On top of that, we just got approval from Marvel to use Spider-Man on the cover, and we couldn't be happier. Last year's cover with the Hulk on it allowed us to get a lot of notice, and this year, Spidey will do the same.”

Like last year’s volume, Even More Fund will feature work by a blend of creators, from “names” in the industry to creators still on their way up. “This book will be packed with story's from some of comics' biggest creators, like George Perez, Kurt Busiek, Jim Lee, Bill Willingham, Michael Avon Oeming, Mike Wieringo, Mike Baron, Adam Hughes, Mark Schultz, Ande Parks, Ron Garney, Howard Porter, Neil Vokes & many more, plus, rising stars like Scott Kurtz, Eric Powell, & Dean Haspiel,” Gallagher said. “Some creators are offering stories, and some are giving us sketches and pin-ups for something we like to call the CBLDF Sketchbook.”

As with last year’s anthology, Gallagher gave creators no theme or story suggestion. His only guidance was a simple two words: “Have fun.”

“So many creators working for the big guys are being edited, re-edited, over directed... Even More Fund is a chance for creators to try something different, and make a personal statement,” Gallagher said. “Oh yeah, it was important to me that this book be general-audience friendly, so as to send the CBLDF's message to more readers, and raise more funds! Lat year we saw various original stories by Geoff Johns and Scott Kolins, Ron Marz and Brandon Peterson, Stuart Immonen-- no small laundry list of creators, getting to do their own thing.”

And as for that Cho cover... “Marvel let us have the Hulk last year, and that was a big part of getting attention for the book. This year they let us move things up a notch, with their flagship star-- and Frank Cho, who is already known for Liberty Meadows, and soon, the upcoming Marvel Knights Spider-Man run, was nice enough to offer a cover for the cause. I do want to point out that the image here is the cover in progress, so some elements are sketchy. Frank’s completing final art right now.”

As with the original, Even More Fund will debut at the Baltimore Comic-Con, this year scheduled for September 11th and 12th. “BaltiCon Organizer Marc Nathan, with Cho, helped come up with the idea for last year's More Fund, and over 30 of the creators in the book will be attending the show to sign a copy, making it an instant collector's item,” Gallagher said. “The book will hit comics around the same time. The book will be solicited in the July Previews for items shipping in September, published by Sky-Dog Press, and offered under the CBLDF banner. The ever growing list of creators, as well as preview art and cover, will, be up at www.skydogcomics.com in the next few days.”

And like last year’s anthology, it’s a bargain. “We're planning Even More Fund up as 144 pages, for just $10-- awesome, right? But, like last year, the more creators we get, the bigger the book could get, with no additional cost. Last year's book was solicited at 128 pages, and ended up at 192 pages, still for ten bucks! As George Perez put it, ‘It turned into a phone book!’”

Art accompanying: Thomas Pain, by Mike Baron and Mike Oeming, and Johnny Demon, in his first appearance in 10 years (since the Dark Horse miniseries) by Kurt Busiek and Neil Vokes

[Frank Cho]

Just wanted to reemphasize that the cover you see is just a mock up and not the real thing. I'lm pencilling the cover right now as we speak. Hopefully, the final cover should be more dynamic than the mock-up.

Congrats, John, on the birth of your new baby boy last week.

Best wishes!


Frank Cho
LIBERTY MEADOWS

[HBKShowstoppa]

I may have to check this out

[Ryan Grant]

Originally posted by HBKShowstoppa
I may have to check this out

If it's like More Fund Comics, it'll be worth it.

--Ryan--

[Robert Kirkman]

Man... that Frank Cho guy is a total hack! What is UP with that cover?!

Garbage.

-Robert

[texkenobi]

Isn't it crazy that Mr. Cho needs to tell us
that the cover was just a rough?

That rough cover looks so much better than
a lot of the stuff on the racks lately!

More Frank Cho, Marvel!

Tex

[Egg]

I was extremely excited to be a part of last year's MORE FUND COMICS and thought the book turned out GREAT!

I can't wait to see this year's creation! John Gallagher and Marc Nathan have put together an amazing group of creators. I think this is a wonderful idea for a positive cause. Without a doubt, the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund will benefit greatly from this!

Way to go John!

Egg
www.KamenComic.com

[Frank Cho]

Originally posted by Robert Kirkman
Man... that Frank Cho guy is a total hack! What is UP with that cover?!

Garbage.

-Robert

Shhhhhhhh. Not so loud, Mountain Boy.

I don't want everyone to know my secret.


By the way, the Scot Eaton's art on your Captain America is rocking hard!




Frank Cho
LIBERTY MEADOWS

[OcCaM]

Well, I admit there are very few b/w things I"ll pick up, but having passed on this last year, I'll be getting this one if I have a few extra $$$!

Love that Johnny Demon artwork!

Oh, and it's sortof odd but I'd rather see the cover unfinished as it is. I like it that way! (And looking at garbage artwork like Venom and Spec. Spidey it's still miles above them!)

[Jumpin' Monkey]

last year's anthology was an eye candy, I'm not going to miss this one !

[Zadillo]

Originally posted by OcCaM
Well, I admit there are very few b/w things I"ll pick up, but having passed on this last year, I'll be getting this one if I have a few extra $$$!

Love that Johnny Demon artwork!

Oh, and it's sortof odd but I'd rather see the cover unfinished as it is. I like it that way! (And looking at garbage artwork like Venom and Spec. Spidey it's still miles above them!)

Not sure if this helps or not, but I used to have the general opinion of not wanting to pick up anything that was in black and white...... but recently I decided to get over that, and I am glad I did..... there's just a tremendous amount of amazing stuff out there that is in black and white, and I am really glad I am not cutting myself off from all those great stories.

I still need to pick up More Fund Comics....... looking forward to reading both of these.

-Zadillo

[nenad]

I've enjoyed last year's "More Fund Comics". There were only a few stories that didn't quite work for me. Otherwise most of the material was very good. Also top quality creators. Hopefully, this year's anthology will match the high standard set by last year's.

For 10 bucks it's the best deal around...

[JK Parkin]

The cause alone is worth the money ... the pages could be blank on the inside and I'd still buy it. If it's like last year's, though, we're all in for a treat.

Mad props to all the creators who took the time to donate something to this book.

Support the CBLDF!

[Chris1]

Originally posted by Robert Kirkman
Man... that Frank Cho guy is a total hack! What is UP with that cover?!

Garbage.

-Robert

I'm guessing Frank would like to put that quote on the cover...

[from the gutter]

Id pay more than ten cents for this. I would easily pay $1.00, actually more, but they want people to pick this up in masses. I wish major chains would pick this up, but you know that they wont. They should though, especially after the recent news that the CBLDF about the federal law that is trying to be passed that makes parents federal prosecutors. Barnes N Nobles has been sued over things out of there controll just because a mom bought a book a kid shouldnt have had to begin with.

Anyway, the art looks great, I decided to use the Frank Cho cover as my background pic on my desktop. I am glad to find out it isnt finished, even though it is still good, I thought he was headed into a new art direction, and I personally like the direction he has already took (check out Frank Cho's website to see what I mean, if your 18+). Im not saying Frank Cho shouldnt grow and change as an artist, so don't take that sentence the wrong way. Speaking of Frank Cho's 18+ artwork, he was mentioned in the article on Newsarama that had to do with either Michigan or Arkansas's law that would effect the comic book industry. At least those only effected us on a state level not a federal level.

I didnt get to pick up last years book, but I plan on picking this years book up. I personally liked the book that had comic book creators writing about their feelings on free speech. I dont remember what it was called but it came out in the year 2000. Or 1999 I dont remember. (hey I just woke up its 6 AM and I only got 4 hours of sleep) Do any of you know the name of that book, its somewhere in my collection, but I own more backstock than most comic book stores so it would take hours to find. And I need to get my Saturday cartoon fix on.

[Brandon Peterson]

The price is not 10 cents, according to the article, but 10 dollars. It's 144 pages, about the size of a trade paperback, so you are getting your money's worth. I had a great time doing a story with Ron Marz that appeared in last year's version, and I wish everyone the best of luck this year. I am sad that Frank Cho didn't follow though with his original cover idea of Mary Jane and Gwen Stacy wrestling in a vat of tapioca pudding, though. I think there are sales opportunities being missed...

Brandon

[Rich Faber]

For those of you who are lamenting not getting More Fund last year, I have some good news! You can still get your copy of More Fund in a few different ways!

The first is to attend the extremely cool Baltimore Comicon September 11 and 12, 2004. As with last year, John Gallagher and I will have the More Fund Diner Booth set up! If you haven't seen the diner booth, it's something to behold! At the booth, we'll have many copies of both More Fund Comics and Even More Fund Comics, as well as a plethora of other Sky Dog Comics, including Buzzboy and Roboy Red swag! How cool is that?!?

If you're not able to attend Baltimore Comicon, we won't hold it against you, but you'll STILL be able to grab last year's More Fund Comics if you'll be in San Diego this summer. John Gallagher will be set up at the Hollywood Comics booth at San Diego Comicon, and along with his two Buzzboy trades, he'll have plenty of copies of the first More Fund available. If you look carefully, you'll probably find me hanging out with John there too.

Finally, if you can't attend either show, you can always order your copy of More Fund Comics online from Gallagher's Sky Dog Comics website (www.skydogcomics.com). There are also More Fund links from John's Buzzboy website (www.buzzboy.com), and our own Roboy Red website (www.roboyred.com).

We hope to see you this summer and fall!

Best,
Rich Faber

[John Gallagher]

Wow, the response here has been awesome, and I really think EVEN MORE FUND will be super fun, for the readers and creators involved.

Brandon, you and Ron Marz did one of the best stories in the book last year, and I know you are busy with some ULTIMATELY great comics work, but how about some sketches for the 40 page CBLDF sketchbook section?

And Kirkman, don't think you're getting off easy, especially after those Cho comments! C'mon grab an artist-- contribute! Invincible needs to visit the More Fund set!

Good News: Last year's MORE FUND will be offered again in Diamond's previews next month, or you can BUY IT OFF THE SKYDOGCOMICS (www.skydogcomics.com) SITE (or Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or a multitude of online retailers)-- okay, enough shameless schmoozing...

Finally, let me thank Joe Quesada, and everyone at Marvel for allowing us to use Spidey on the cover-- Marvel gets slammed for being the big guy sometimes, but they've stepped to help out some worthy causes, and it is much appreciated.

And to Frank Cho, wherever you are, thanks for taking the time to kick butt on this cover!

THIS JUST IN: Brian Miller of Hi-Fi Design (www.hifidesign.com) has just contacted me, and offered to contribute final cover colors-- Thanks Brian-- for last years covers, as well!

and the giving continues...

[JamesSchee]

The More Fund book last year was one of the better antho. benefit books I've ever read.

Marc and Co. put on a wonderful show as well, that seemed to do very well despite the problems caused by the hurricane.

It was great seeing Brandon again, as well as meeting Rich in person finally.

Doesn't look like I'll be able to make it to a con this year but I highly recommend the Baltimore one to anyone.

Guess I'll have to figure out how to get a copy of the Even More .. book this year.

James

[Zadillo]

I'm definitely going to try to go to it this year.... I don't live that far away, and it would be nice to go to one.

-Zadillo

[quigleytree]

Just a shameless plug here, but if you have any doubts about the Baltimore Comic-Con, check out the guest list at http://www.comicon.com/baltimore .

I would put this guest list up against any show in the nation. How often do you get guys like Kurt Busiek, Mike Grell, and Steve Rude out to the East Coast. Everybody knows that Frank Cho is a guest, but what about Mark Waid, Ron Marz, Paul Gulacy, Greg Horn, J.G. Jones, Brandon Peterson, et. al?

Not to mention that we have just added John Romita Sr. to the guest list as well, courtesy of A.C.T.O.R. You might remember him from a little title called Spider-Man.

I hope all of you can make it. It is a fun show, and it will go on, as always. So come on out to a comic-book show.

[Al Nickerson]

Originally posted by Frank Cho

Congrats, John, on the birth of your new baby boy last week.

Yeah, congratulations, Mr. Gallagher! We'll rebuild the comic book reading audience one way or another!

[Arsenal3]

I'm really looking forward to picking up a copy of this. Hopefully, my local retailer can get it for me!

While I'm thinkin' about it... does anybody know where I can get a copy of last year's More Fund?

Cho! Cho! Cho!

[blankpoint]

I personally liked the book that had comic book creators writing about their feelings on free speech. I dont remember what it was called but it came out in the year 2000. Or 1999 I dont remember.

I think you're referring to Free Speeches . It had a Miller cover and contributions from him, Gaiman and a lot of others. Great stuff. I'm 99% sure that Oni published it to benefit the CBLDF.

[Kurt Busiek]

Cool lineup. Great looking cover (and yeah, Frank, I think it looks great even sketchy; tht Goblin figure has a lot of energy that way).

Just a note: It's JONNY DEMON, not JOHNNY. Johnny's a homicidal maniac, I hear.

Looking forward to September!

kdb