PopSyndicate.com lurves the Cleaners

The Cleaners #1 Comic Books Review: PopSyndicate.comThe best first issue I’ve read in a long time.

Now this is intriguing. A new series about something very interesting that I know absolutely nothing about, created by people I have never heard of, and published by a company that doesn’t do this sort of thing all that often. How could I not check it out? And now that I have just finished reading it, all I can say is “wow”. Not in that way that implies something is so bad or wrong that you can’t help but be ensorcelled by its utter lack of redeeming qualities. No, this would be in that way that means that I am at a complete loss for words when it comes to describing how impressed I am right now. But now that I’ve had a few more minutes to process what I have just read I’ll do my best to elaborate further.

Comic Pants on Cleaners #1

Comic Pants » Wednesday Number Ones for 11/12/08The Cleaners #1 of 4 Writer: Mark Wheaton & Joshua Hale Fialkov Artist: Rahsan Ekedal Company: Dark Horse Comics

The Cleaners has a vibe that is pretty similar to crime procedural/tech geek shows like C.S.I., as Wheaton and Fialkov explore a little-known (and presumably real?) side of crime scene investigation, the private contractors who do crime scene clean-up. It’s not quite as procedural as I would have liked, as the writers don’t fully explain where the crime scene clean-up crews fit between crime scene investigators, detectives and coroners, but the focus here is less on exploring crime scene clean-up and more on setting up a set of unusual protagonists for what looks to be a supernatural mystery. The professional capability, combined with arrogance, in the lead character puts him right in line with protagonists like Gil Grissom or Dr. House, and it’s pretty clear that Wheaton and Fialkov have done their homework in terms of the clean-up tech and procedures. Rahsan Ekedal’s art is a treat, especially with the bright colors of Jon Graef. The open, sunlit feel of The Cleaners is a contrast to the grim and gritty look that’s usually present in this kind of procedural, and it works to give the book a fresh, approachable feeling despite its grim subject matter.

The Cleaners #1 -- In Stores Today!

Hey folks,This great book written by the ever suprising Mark Wheaton (with aid by me) with art by Rahsan Ekedal called the Cleaners goes on sale today. It's from Dark Horse Comics, and it's about Crime Scene Cleaners who specialize in supernatural crime scenes. It's a dark twisted good time, and I hope each of you pick it up.

You can check out a preview here: http://www. darkhorse. com/Comics/15-214/The-Cleaners-1

Thanks guys, and enjoy! j.

The Cleaners and Boston, Ho!

Hey gang,Long time no weekly update. In the weeks in between, I'm sure you've all been checking out the weekly episodes of The Resistance at lg15.com. If not, you can get caught up extra easy on the front page of www.thefialkov.com.

As part of the show, we're heading to Boston at the end of next week. Anybody who's in town who wants to meet up, or take part in our live event should drop me a line, and I'll get you some more info.

And finally, in stores this week, the comics debut of screenwriting wunderkin, Fialkov wedding best man, and all around good guy Mark Wheaton (ably supported by yours truly) in The Cleaners from Dark Horse Comics. It'll be at your local retailer this wedneday, or, you can order (and preview) the first issue at this link: http://www.darkhorse.com/Comics/15-214/The-Cleaners-1

So, that's it. Hope all of y'all are doing well, and, looking forward to catching up with any of y'all in my old stomping grounds.

See you next week,

j.

Outlaw Territory -- Go!

Over at Myspace comics you can check out my complete story from Outlaw Territory #1!  Go read!

CBR has a Cyblade Preview!

Comic Book Resources > Preview: CybladeRight there, go read it, and, check it out in stores in the next few weeks.

MTV talks to Fialkov -- Huzzah!

Splash Page » For Josh Fialkov, There’s No Resisting Lonelygirl NowJosh Fialkov is lonely no more – after working in near-solitary conditions on comics such as “Elk’s Run,” “Punks,” and the upcoming “Cleaners,” he’s taken an office job, as head writer for a new lonelygirl15 spinoff called “LG15: The Resistance”.

You see, lonelygirl15 didn’t really end in August – as one of the most popular and longest running online interactive dramas, the story that was alluded to in the first round of episodes is just beginning in the second. “People assume it’s still Bree in her bedroom,” Fialkov said. “But the universe we’ve created is so much more than that.”

The Resistance EP 2, Word Balloon, io9.com, and more...

Hey gang,Just a quick note to let you know that Episode 2 is up on http://www.lg15.com as well as on http://www.hulu.com. It should also be up on imeem.com, dailymotion.com, and myspace.com shortly. I LOVE this episode, and can't wait for y'all to check it out.

For those interested, I'm the guest on this week's Word Balloon podcast. I talk about The Cleaners, Afro Samurai, Vampirella, Cyblade, and just about everything I've ever worked on. There's also a big ol' chunk on LG15, so, please swing by http://www.wordballoon.com and check it out.

There's also a feature length interview with me up on Sci-Fi website i09.com. Read that here: http://io9.com/5055465/lonelygirls-resistance-isnt-futile-explains-lg15s-fialkov

And, for those old school Fialkov fans, I just uploaded all of the Poorly Drawn Animals Animated Adventures to youtube. You can watch those here: http://www.youtube.com/user/joshfialkov

And, that's all the news that's fit to print or some such nonsense.

Thanks for all the love and support, and I hope you're enjoying the shows as much as we are making 'em.

Fialkov on Word Balloon

I talk Cleaners, Vampirella, Cyblade, Alibi, LG15: The Resistance, Afro Samurai, and a ton of other stuff.  Hear it in all it's glory here.

Paradox says go Pre-Order The Cleaners...

Paradox Comics Group: Ten Forward: November 2008

CLEANERS #1 Writer: Mark Wheaton & Joshua Hale Fialkov Art: Rashan Ekedahl Dark Horse $2.99

Matt T: It may not sound like the most glamorous side of crime scene investigation, but the cleaners have an important job to do, what with the amount of gore happening in this book. Along the way the crack team of men with squeegee mops have to contend with the supernatural, missing children and a worldwide shortage of Jif. Okay, I made up the last one, but this makes the dull side of CSI sound a heck of a lot more interesting, and both the writer and artist have some indie and horror pedigree amongst them.

Comics And... on The Cleaners...

Comics And...Other Imaginary Tales They think you should be checking it out, and I agree.

Jim: Now this looks very cool and sounds like it could be a unique series. This type of material I would take a chance on. Oddly enough I would actually prefer it being issued as a graphic novel from the jump.

Lee: Going straight to GN? That is a jump in thinking for you. Besides that I agree this does sound very good. And, Elk’s Run was very good too so I know Fialkov can write. I don’t add many new series but I’ll add this.

Tell your local retailer to order the series for you... The code is: GEM SEP08 0040 CLEANERS #1 (OF 4) SRP: $2.99 = $

CBR Has Free Cyblade: Pilot Seasn #1 + Commentary Track!

As the first (and second issue) of the series are in the last and current Previews, CBR and I put together a little 'Commentary Track' to go with the Pilot Issue to get you up to speed, and see what I have planned for the regular series later this year. Check it out below. Comic Book Resources > CBR News: COMMENTARY TRACK: Pilot Season - Cyblade

With the debut issue of the new series, Fialkov set out to redefine what it means for Dominique to be who she is. "There'd always been this idea of her mind and memories being manipulated, and of her being tricked into working for Cyberdata," he explained. "For me, to explore what it feels like to not only know that your life is a lie, but that once you're awake you may have to go back to sleep, to save your own life and those of the ones you love."

And, then, go tell your local comic shop retailer to order you copies of the new series, using the following codes:

GEM AUG08 2277 CYBLADE #1 MAYS CVR A SRP: $2.99 SEP08 2271 CYBLADE #2 SRP: $2.99

Comic Pants think you should pre-order the Cleaners from Dark Horse...

And I agree with 'em.

Comic Pants » Down The Line: November 2008 The Cleaners #1 (Dark Horse): Randy: The story of a crime scene clean-up unit that runs into supernatural difficulties, and solves them through scientific method, this sounds like a blend of CSI and Phil Hester’s great The Atheist comic. It also has artwork from Warhammer: Condemned by Fire’s Rahsan Ekedal, and I’ve seen a preview in Dark Horse’s sample book, and it looks great. (page 38)

Diamond Order #SEP08 0040 Just let your local retailer know, and they'll place the order for you.

Read Alibi #1 Fo' Free!

Up over at Newarama you can check out the complete Alibi #1, at no charge. Then, if you like it, you can go vote for it at http://www.myspace.com/pilotseason You can vote once a day, everyday, so, get gettin'!

Ah, the non-stop race of life...

And, in typical blogger fashion, I now apologize for more or less disappearing the past few weeks. The new job is going amazingly well, and should be outright announced in the coming days. I've got a podcast over on Word Balloon talking about it, and the huge stack of other projects in the immediate future. That should be posted anytime now. Otherwise, don't forget to preorder Cyblade #1 and #2 from Top Cow, The Cleaners #1 from Dark Horse, and to pick up the 1st volume of the Afro Samurai manga from Tor Books.

As for recommended reading, I'm all caught up on Monster, and am currently making my way through Tezuka's own serial killer/psycho sexual adventure MW, which is a must read for fans of Monster.

Been rewatching Six Feet Under with Christina (it's her first time) and reminded of just how powerful the show is, and, suprisingly, how much less depressing than I thought it was. We've got season one of Mad Men on tap next, and I'm psyched to get started on it, as the pilot was so damn good, and everybody else seems to shit babies they like the rest of it so much.

I'll try and post a 'what I'm listening to' later this week, as the day job has introduced me to some pretty cool new stuff that's right on the verge, yada yada.

Later gators.

Vote Alibi Everyday!

THE LIST: Li'l Firebreather #2 + The Cleaners from Dark Horse

Hey gang,Just a quickie... In this week's Firebreather #2, you can check out a three page back up feature starring Li'l Duncan Rosenblatt by Tony Fleecs and myself. Mark my words, this is not the last time you'll see Tony's name in an amazing comic book this year, so, y'know, start your collecting.

And, while you're at it, the solicit for The Cleaners is up from Dark Horse is up right here: http://www.darkhorse.com/Comics/15-214/The-Cleaners-1 The Cleaners is the brain child of Mark Wheaton, who some of you may remember as the best man at my wedding and an all around great guy. He's an absolute gem of a writer, and I'm totally honored to be alongside him as Dark Horse introduces him to the comics world. Art by the kickass Rashan Ekedal, and it's truly a sight to behold. Make sure you place your orders accordingly, folks.

And that'll do 'er for this week. Please, don't forget to vote daily for Alibi over at http://www.myspace.com/pilotseason. We're currently in last place, and I blame the communists. Let's show 'em what America is made of!

Cheers!

How can you NOT vote for these two guys?

How can you NOT vote for these two guys?, originally uploaded by Joshua Hale Fialkov.

Charming, sexy, and ready to please.

Vote Alibi. Once a day, everyday.

http://www.myspace.com/pilotseason

Randy Lander says nice things, and Outlaw Territory ALSO in Previews Now!

Comic Pants » Down The Line: October 2008

Outlaw Territory Vol 1 GN (Image Comics): Randy: In theory, I’m a western comics fan. In practice, they rarely work for me. I think Outlaw Territory might be one of those rare exceptions, though, because of the line-up of talent (Joshua Hale Fialkov alone, because of his Western Tales of Terror, gets my attention) and because Image has had such great anthologies lately. (page 138)

Dark-Hunter Manga from Dabel Bros Announced...

ICv2 - Dabels Do 'Dark-Hunter' MangaDabel Brothers Publishing will produce manga-style adaptations of the first two Dark-Hunter vampire novels by bestselling author Sherrilyn Kenyon. Night Pleasures and Night Embrace are both planned for 2009 release from St. Martin’s Press, Kenyon’s fiction publisher.

Joshua Hale Fialkov (Elk’s Run, Cyblade, and the translation of the Afro Samurai manga) will write the adaptation, and Claudia Campos will create the art. Campos previously provided illustrations for The Dark-Hunter Companion. David Campiti’s Glass House Graphics is providing production services.

Kenyon has over 14 million copies of her books in print, with the Dark-Hunter novels hitting the top three on the bestseller lists of the New York Times and USA Today.