New Mission for Detroit Tradecraft

In our June 2015 meeting we needed to better determine our Mission at Detroit Tradecraft. Oscar "Oz" Wilson Jr was insightful enough to create  this Statement:

Detroit Tradecraft Mission Statement:

"Determination, Teaching, and Creativity.  DTC is a community resource for the people of Metropolitan Detroit. The ultimate purpose is to inspire collaboration amongst its members and to enlighten those who seek to learn the skills necessary for a possible career in the comic book industry..."

Imaginos Plus Book Signing- 4/18/2015- Comic City, Pontiac

We are talking to Mark Dudley, Imaginos Workshop principal and Detroit Tradecraft member about his crew’s upcoming book signing at Comic City in Pontiac, Michigan,  Saturday April 18th.   We are hoping to get the scoop on the future plans for Imaginos Workshop and Mark's wish to run the world one relationship at a time in comics and independent entertainment..>>

DTC: Detroit Tradecraft is extremely proud of Imaginos Workshop’s successful Kickstarter campaign: Imaginos Plus Sampler...   Can you let us know more about the book signing at Comic City.... What can the fans expect?

Dudley: This is kind of our love letter to our fans. We want to let them know how much we appreciate their support. We also want to let people not so familiar with Imaginos Workshop, to know who we are and what we plan on doing in the future. 

DTC: We have talked extensively offline on your views of working with the younger generation of creators.  What have you been doing beside putting out the sampler and the Kickstarter to promote that goal?

Dudley: I believe that older guys like myself can benefit immensely from working with and teaching the younger generation. They have a grasp on the here and now that one tends to lose as we get north of 40. They also have an attitude that they can't be stopped and you need that as an artist: dealing with the rigors of putting out comics and other forms of media.

DTC: Let’s get a bit deeper about the Imaginos Plus Sampler, who are the crew working on each storylines of the project?

Dudley: We have a lot of young folks working on this thing and about 4 older ones- lol. You may recognize Jeff Lilly from doing translations for ADV back in the days of New Type USA. He wrote the first story Rifts: The Adventure of Young Erin Tarn. This is a property owned by our benefactor Palladium Books. It's an all ages story with a principle female character. We are aiming this at the young adult market. Noa Page is pencilling with Ben Roderiquez inking and Italy's own Ylenia Di Napoli colors and our very own Atran Raikainy lettering the whole book. 

We also have a superhero comedy based off our weekly pen and paper RPG campaign.  It's called Candy Coated.  The book is written by Imaginos Workshop and is pencilled by my buddy from Grand Rapids, Dimitris Moore, with inks by my old Drunkenstyle studios partner, Brandon Clark and colors by NYC's own Shauna J. Grant. This book is supposed to be pretty bubblegum tongue and cheek and the art team brings that to life perfectly.

Joe Cain has been into comics at the fan and store level for years, Most folks don't know that he is also a writer.  Thus, it's not a surprise to see his story, REQUIEM, grace the pages of this anthology.  It's a Matrix type, X-men type, mystery involving a star system wide conspiracy and wiped memories. Pencils on this book are done by the very talented Flint native, Cassie Henry, with inks by indy scene vet, Gary Mitchell.  The art is gorgeous and the story definitely makes you want to dig deeper.

Finally, is my story (the one I have been working on for 30 years),  Juda Fist: 7 Deaths of the Yobi.  It's about a super-soldier from today, and how even after he wakes up in the future he has to come to grips with the fact that his past won’t stay dead for long.  The story is kind of “Akira meets Bladerunner, meets Black Dynamite”. I am doing the pencils on this one with colors by my good friend, Whitney Cook. 

DTC: What are you hoping to get across with the Imaginos Plus Sampler?   A jump off to other projects, or a comic publishing deal with the Imaginos characters, etc?

Dudley: We want people to see that good writing and good art are a marriage that makes a better story.

DTC: We have talked about making the push into Image Comics for about 2-3 years now. Do you imagine any of the stories in Imaginos Plus ( pun intended) as being that push or are you foreseeing other projects?

Dudley: We are going to be submitting them all. I submitted Juda Fist just a bit ago. Jeff and myself are going to be submitting Erin Tarn to Dark Horse and image as well. 

DTC:  This past year you have been working with young artists using skype, has this been a fruitful process?

Dudley: Absolutely. I love to teach and anything I can give a person or get from a person, as it's a mutual exchange is great.

DTC: okay last question- what do you Imagine in the future for Imaginos Workshop, and possibly Detroit Tradecraft?

Dudley: We will continue to grow and change.  I think Imaginos and Detroit Tradecraft have a huge role to play as leaders, movers and shakers here in the Metro Detroit Comics and Media scene but we have to make the right moves and not fight opportunities as they present themselves.

DTC: Thanks Mark, that was well stated. Congrats and Best of Luck for Imaginos Workshop

              Everyone in earshot of Pontiac- come down to Comic City In Pontiac for

              book signing with Imaginos Workshop from 12- 4 , Saturday, 4/18/2015

COMIC CITY: Pontiac

466 N Telegraph Rd

Pontiac, MI 48341

Get Directions

Phone number (248) 334-4139

Intro image: formatted: C. P Jackson. writer, C.P.Jackson

brand-test

okay these is a good alternative for some info graphics- an animated gif for Detroit tradecraft- will expand it
okay- above is the updated animated Gif- I am still trying to figure out how to use this as a link to a site or an embedded html

Detroit area Sci Fi Writer Oscar "Oz" Wilson Jr of Dark Rhino Productions LLC Spills to Detroit Tradecraft

Detroit Tradecraft got a chance to “facebook chat” with Oscar “Oz Wilson Jr, contributing  group-member and a published author and movie script writer.  We wanted the time to understand about his  company, Dark Rhino Productions LLC,  and pick his brain on what he felt  about the Detroit comic scene and Detroit Tradecraft.

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DTC:  How long have you been working as a published author of books, and how long have you been pitching scripts to producers? 

Oz:  I've been working for over ten years as an author. Over the last few years I've been honing my skill as a screenwriter

DTC:  It is apparent that you have been the creative arm and spokesman for your company Dark Rhino Productions LLC.  When did it first come into being? 

Oz: The Dark Rhino came charging into my consciousness almost as soon I started writing. The Black Rhino is a very rare and powerful creature, unfortunately it's almost extinct. My Black Rhino is a cybernetic creation that honors elements of the past and embraces the future as well.  It's sort of the approach I use when creating literal energy.

DTC: Let’s revisit pitching stories to Hollywood and the like. That sounds like big-kid territory!  What’s that like?

Oz:  I been going back and forth to Hollywood and Georgia to pitch scripts for about ten years as well. You know how they say you have to be on the coast to make connections, well they are right!

My first taste of success was while as I was waiting in line to pitch to a couple of scripts to producers at a “pitchfest” in LA. I met the future producer of  "Fury" which was based on my story, "The Cromwell: A Hip-Hop Haunting."

DTC: COOL!! okay that was fun.  What convinced you to want to join Detroit Tradecraft? 

Oz:  I was coerced into joining the secret society of Detroit Tradecraft by a shadowy figure known to a few as "Militant" Mark Dudley.  It was at my Comic Book home Warp 9 Comics in Clawson.  I was still just breaking local ground and it was great opportunity to meet like minded individuals and let our mutual creative energies grow and thrive!

DTC:  Has dealing with the group been a positive to you or a negative?

Oz:  My introduction into such distinguished company has been a highly positive event. It's supplied me with a treasure trove of artistic and literal talent to learn from and offer my meager thoughts to, as well.

DTC:  How would you describe Oscar "Oz" Wilson Jr in your best short prose?  

Oz:  "The Motor City version of Stan Lee!"

DTC: What is your greatest desire for your work? Do you feel like doing a one shot super universe like Star Wars, or do you like multiple project approaches and multiple idea generation as we see in “TV-land”?

Oz: I like to think that I can do both. Most of my favorites in the world of entertainment are writers who are well versed in multiple aspects of the medium.  

One example that comes to mind is J. Michael Straczynski, creator of "Babylon 5" "Murder She wrote" and other great shows.  He's also one of the most sought after comic book authors and creator of Top Cow's "Rising Stars" epic mini series.  

I work in four major genres of fiction,Science Fiction, Fantasy , Comic books and Horror.    I love each equally as much but I'm most happy when I can successfully blend all four together like my flagship character "The Shadow Walker."   

This story combines all four tenets mentioned  above in equal doses and promises to be a  "white knuckle" thrill ride for the reader!

DTC:  Well you go boyee!!...As far as dealing with Detroit Tradecraft, what is your critique on the group- and what direction do you feel it should go?

Oz: I think Detroit Tradecraft is going to be the next Milestone Comics! We have the talent , skill and passion for the comic book industry to bring all of our projects together and supply a great alternative to what's currently out there.  

It's also a great opportunity to introduce a little different color palette to the comic book universe.  Money is green and we've definitely spend enough on characters that didn't represent images of us. 

Now it's time to supply characters that look like us when you look at them. In greater numbers with our P.O.V. as well.  I think people will be greatly surprised at the similar yet still unique aspects of our characters as well as finally having some "fresh blood" in the mix!  Anyone that likes comic books would love our projects no matter what the race or species!

DTC:  It is apparent you like to talk up the creative community- are there any seminars you are giving in the near future at conventions? What conventions do you wish to attend in 2014?

Oz: I plan on speaking at Detcon, The North American Science Fiction Convention that's  coming to Detroit!  Legendary black Sci-fi author and screenwriter Steven Barnes will also be there.  The sci-fi convention is  at the Ren-Cen,  July 17-20 2014.  There will be future speaking engagements for Detroit Tradecraft as well. 

I don’t want to forget.  I'll be appearing at  "The Motor City Black Age of Comics" Sept 28, 2014 at Youthville in Detroit!

DTC:  Where can people find your work ? I see you have the movie "Fury" on Netflix- any future movie ideas coming soon from Dark Rhino Productions LLC?

Oz: I plan on a grand re-launch of "The Shadow Walker Chronicles," on Amazon.com.  I'll be heading out to the West coast in the Fall  to pitch a new sitcom and "The Shadow Walker Chronicles."  

As far as future projects from D.R. P. , how about a new sci-fi space opera, "The Celestial"  also "Hybrid-121" book and  film script . Think summer tentpole action block buster!    Also "A Date with Lillith,"  the new standard of horror films.   By the way, that's just the proverbial "tip" of the iceberg or in the case of Dark Rhino Productions, Ice Age!!

DTC: Wow, your a man of a thousand ideas... Okay here is my last question. If it gets too personal say " I tap out"- Getting to know you through Detroit Tradecraft has been a treat, but I only have met your better half briefly at conventions. She appears to be the grounded one.  Can you explain if your beautiful wife has helped or hindered your path?

Oz: Let me check with her to see what my reply should be!   LOL!   She is my muse, critic , most staunch supporter and "Doctor girlfriend" in every sense of the word. 

She totally believes in the dream and demands that I never give up  on it! I don't think anyone could ask for a better wife!

DTC: the the survey says 100!!

Oz: I hope you liked my replies and thanks again for the opportunity!

DTC: In the words of the immortal Stan Lee, "Nuff Said!"

Image provided by C. Patrick Jackson- text by Oscar Oz Wilson Jr and and C. Patrick Jackson

Interview with Mark Dudley of Imaginos workshop

I have come to the conclusion that Detroit Tradecraft as an organization, needs to publicize  and support the efforts of our members  and their individual companies and collaborations.   So I will restart our blog with different interview sessions with our members.  One of our primary members is Mark Dudley and I wanted to interview him since many in Detroit Tradecraft still don’t know his company, Imaginos Workshop, well.

I had planned on doing an interview with Mark Dudley, one of the Principles of Imaginos Workshop prior to the group’s celebration of their successful Kickstarter campaign, for their comic sampler project- Imaginos Plus.  This campaign is actually the middle of a desire Mark Dudley has been pursuing for years.  In the 90’s Mark was a key member with another group of artists, known as Drunkenstyle.  Like many of of the groups and collaborations who pursued comics in the 90’s and 2000’s, they eventually closed house as a company.  However, Mark has never stopped working or collaborating with individuals and groups.  Mark was always just looking for the right mix. 

So given Mark Dudley’s refreshed excitement for his new group- I decided to talk to him and find out  more:

DTC:  How do you describe Mark Dudley?

MD: hmmm

thats a good one

I like to think of myself as a guy who is in the moment.

I like what I am seeing out here these days and like to stay a part of things.

I would like to be  a direct line from the past to the future

DTC: So, do you consider yourself a renaissance man or a driven individual?

MD: I think I am bit of both. I like to know my craft, but  don't like to lose. I’m a good sport, don't get me wrong.  But, like Star Trek’s ,Jim Kirk,  I don't believe in the “No-Win” scenario.

DTC: How long have you been associated with this comic/graphic arts game?

MD: Professionally,  I have been in the game about 20 years

I have been drawing all my life, though.

DTC: Do you think there is still room for veterans  in comics and entertainment; or is this a young mans game?

MD:If you talk about ideas; to me it seems like these young guys are loosing a step.  They have all flash, no substance. So, we Vets, are actually holding up the Cathedral right now...

DTC:  What is Imaginos Workshop?

MD: Imaginos Workshop, and we call it a workshop for this reason, is a think tank.

It’s a creative idea generator that works in Comics, Films and Television.

We package pitches.  We doing everything; from interpreting and building story to finishing concept art.   We want to work hand-in hand with a client, such that he or she is fully armed during any pitch meeting.  We are working on a video game with a client right now.

DTC: Is Imaginos  a main focus of your time, as a creator, or will Drunkenstyle come back?

MD:  Drunkenstyle never really left; we just stopped working as an official business.

It grew beyond that to become an idea, a mantra:

“Each man, one way; 

each horse, one stance; 

each church, one Buddha; 

each master to his own technique.”

We still all work on projects together; but Imaginos Workshop is my principle part of the “Drunkenstyle Equation” these days

DTC: What are you ultimate goals for your crew at Imaginos Workshop and yourself?

MD: To create cool stuff and push the boundaries of what it means to connect our ideas with the audience.

DTC: Do you ever think you will be satisfied?

MD: Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa??!!!  That’s a good one!

DTC: I though you would think so.

MD: No, I don’t think so.  As long as I can challenge myself, no.

DTC: That’s all I have  for this interview.  

We will be watching to see the progress of Imaginos Workshop and Mark Dudley in the future.  We at Detroit Tradecraft will always be in their corner....

Story and image by C . P. Jackson/ President Detroit Tradecraft

Pat' comic manifesto- repost

I decided to repost my manifesto on Detroit tradecraft blog from dec 2011

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I have been cruising the internet lately and have noticed a trend in high end comics that seems to have popped up at least at Marvel Comics. We all known that Marvel has been acquired by The Walt Disney Corporation, and to date, Disney has always been a workhorse organization that puts a lot of resources behind its core artists. It is easy to understand why this make them leaders in the industry of animation even though so many small yet significant players have popped up to challenge the giant. It doesn’t seem so far fetched as to believe the same business practices for artist resources would not find their ways over to Marvel Studios....

It also seems apparent to create comics as a pitch product for movies. With the success of Marvel’s Ultimate Avengers, where Mark Millar and Brian Hitch virtually mapped out a movie franchise in comic form including at least one casting choice that made it to the big screen (i.e. Samuel Jackson).. This is reminiscent of another box office franchise- Xmen where Alex Ross’ “Marvels” did a similar pitch 10 years earlier (with Patrick Stewart as Professor Xavier).

So if you speculate as I do, it becomes clear that comics- as far as Marvel is concerned will try to expand to kill as many “angry birds” as it can:

1. set a new standard in comics- make a bigger cinematic push into page layout- if it looks like a movie- it gives Hollywood a look to make it a movie
2. get more coaching help for Marvel’s key artists ( i.e. crash course seminars and bootcamps that keep artists a head of trends in the industry and capable of becoming longer term working artists. (Howard Chaykins bootcamps- see web companion for Drawing words and Writing Pictures)
3. a potentially deep artist assistant and clean up staff team- including departments geared toward using sketch-up and packaging group artists that work on promotional and design products- i.e. with design standards to unify Marvels marketing look- or at least take some burden off the artist who use to be asked to do some of these non-sexy tasks...

So are comics now so far removed as to make Marvel a monopoly on talent and virtually non-existent as a potential employer to new upcoming artists? The answer is NO.... but the old methods of creating comics just by instinct are slowly coming to a close....design style basics, theme driven planning and comic design cues are being pushed as to set a new standard of comic production excellence.

Should comics chase movies or is it the other way around. Now that movies like 300, Sin City , Watchmen, and TV shows like Spartacus ( who’s producer is also the director of Spiderman 1-3) have all seemed to grasp at the iconic static image editing concept to become successful works of art on their own merit.

As we have seen over the last 15 years comic based movies have made it big at the box office, even if the comic was not as memorable. Men in Black I&II, 30 Days of Night, Road to Perdition, and many others where movie makers take a concerted effort to tell a great story originated from comics and bring it into media that has been around for up to 100 years. Let me not forget about The Walking Dead- this is a tv show -based off a comic- based of a genre movie called Night of the Living Dead that was based off a book called I am Legend. Can you say circular marketing? This show is hot, Hot, HOT...!

Lets not forget the anime, manga invasion explosion in the United States. The churning house in Japan and other production ready countries have enough image material to last the United States years of previously aired programming as well as new material created weekly.

I was told a story when I started to learn comics about a meeting some American comic professionals had with the Japanese in the mid 90’s. The professionals were flown into Tokyo, treated like kings and sat down in meeting with Japan’s comic community. Even after all the pomp and fan-fare prior to the meeting- the professionals were brow-beat in the meeting and asked why comics as an industry in America wasn’t as big as it should have been, and how could it turn around? The comic professionals had no clue how to change the trend... so the Japanese thanked them and promptly sent them home.

I don’t know what the Japanese learned in such meetings- but within 10 years anime and manga had flooded the US without apparent competition. Now, another 10 years later (2011), American youth still believe its the best thing since slice bread and the wheel. And I have just heard rumblings in my community, that anime conventions may have a chance to envelop comic conventions as the greatest show in town....

If I were to analyze anime and manga (hopefully with all respect) I would say on the pro- side it involves stories and plots that are more universal that current western comics. There are few mainstream western comics that will embrace young women and girls as main characters as much as Anime and manga does. And after many statistics in the American culture determined, it is girls almost 2-1 that are the comic readers of today. Anime and manga tend to work on mood, environments, and cinematic storytelling, while American artists are more keyed into character design and action based storytelling. Much of genre based comics that may compete with manga are deemed indy and are marginalized either due to little marketing monies or product quality inconsistencies. On the con side for western comic purists- the character design for manga is more minimalistic, and cartoony than western non satirical comics---

This may be a cultural thing that anyone could speculate on...America: Comics back in the day were usually a young boys form of entertainment... Since America had a thriving cinema base- comics were deemed as a poor mans entertainment....Comics were born out of the commercial illustration design era where many artists (from Marvel/DC line) were originally commercial artists or influenced by illustrators who practice realism as the standard. Since comics were not as controlled as other media, they were constantly hit by censors and McCarthyism of the 1950’s that made it weaker still...The fan boys of the past became the comic artists of the future- not growing the female market....comics were eventually relegated to specialty stores that became few and far between during bad economies.... Japan: Manga became a main source of creativity and entertainment soon after WWII where much of Japan’s movie industry was destroyed in bombing raids. Anime also became an economical entertainment base to replace their movie base. Since Manga was not shunned as low-brow entertainment- it flourished to encompass multitudes of genres that spanned from very young readers (male and female) all the way up to seniors customers. Much of their anime is based off manga- so a product churning industry that can be exported worldwide is constantly available. Also the manga look- a combination of Walt disney, Popeye, and Felix the cat- early on- then more graphic base imagery as time went on, has been branded worldwide. This “draw-along” style makes it more accessible to the masses than spiderman or xmen...

Don’t let me forget the dark-horse of the debate which has a chance to trump all comers- video games and web media played on consoles, computers, and hand held devices. I put them together because they are all interactive- making their repeat playability, reuse, and re-visit stats more viable than any comic book, manga, anime, of film. Once artists and programmers truly embrace each other in these medias- there may be work for all and potentially change as well. I have not truly ventured to understand all the potentials, but will keep up the research.

So where does that put me- a mechanical engineer, formally trained in comic layout design, learning digital graphic tools, originally and still considered a cartoonist, and still dream of being a film maker of cartoons and live action- hmmm...

Given the above background into on the industry- I will try to pursue as many revenue streams as possible-even if markets accepting my work are abroad.. It will still all come down to concept, story, visuals, and ultimately production... I wish to produce products that have a wide appeal and not a narrow band of acceptance. I am willing to work in comics if it makes me a better artist and desire storyboarding, layout, and visualization if I get a chance to work in cinema..... ultimately I love to draw and want to see if I can be the best!

CPJ 11/23/2011

Interview with Michael Marcus,

Detroit Tradecraft: We are talking with Michael Marcus during Detroit Fanfare 2011. We talked with him about a month prior--same difference--but still a cool talk.



DT: Michael, what long-term projects are you working on?
MM: I am currently working on IF-X, which comes out every two months. Its planned last issue is due to be released December 2012. In 2013 I will be running a genre based monthly series for a 12 month run. I am currently looking for stories to fill these spots now- my plan is to store up a years worth of content during 2012 so that I don't have to chase down creators for contributions by deadline and can print on time.

DT: What are your upcoming IF-X themes?
MM: The themes are:

Halloween, in stores by October 2011, (premiering at Fanfare)
West, in stores by December 2011, deadline November 2011
Dangerous Dames, in stores by February 2012, deadline January 2012
April Fools, in stores by April 2012, deadline March 2012
Luck, in stores by June 2012, deadline May 2012
Crime, in stores by August 2012, deadline July 2012
Halloween, in stores by October 2012, deadline September 2012
Endings, in stores by December 2012, deadline November 2012

DT: Wow! It sounds like you are planning way in advance. Why did you decide to go to genre-based books instead of the IF-X theme base?

MM: The problem with IF-X was that you never knew what types of content to expect with each issue. If it is genre-based, people will know what they are getting with each title--"Infinite Futures" will always be science-fiction, "Infinite Fear" will be horror, and so on. Once I have twelve months of content for a given title, I will produce it over twelve months, put out a trade paperback, and then move on to the next project.

DT: Is there a chance this could backfire? Maybe you may do an unpopular issue one month vs a popular one the next?

MM: That should not happen if people knew what they are getting in a given title. The hope is if people know what they are getting their favorite genre, they will stick with it. The only real variable is how long it might take to put together a 12-month content pile for any given genre.

DT: What are your biggest issue and value with comics?
MM: The biggest challenge for any creator is that it takes more effort to produce a work then it takes to consume and read... The biggest value of producing anything is having others see your vision and acknowledge your accomplishments.

DT: In your words, what do you do when putting out your book?
MM: As an editor, I provide a venue for the artist and maintain the quality of the book, including layout. As a publisher, I have to sell ads (sometimes design them), and in producing the book, I risk my name, credibility, and, of course, investment at the hands of the public.

DT: What would you like to do after one of your genre series ends?
MM: I would like to continue letting creators and artists play in the "comic sandbox." I would also like to keep on creating games, which is my primary joy.

DT: Games? Okay, what do you currently do with games?
MM: I can manufacture my own games, but I am also actively selling production licenses for various games I have created, including "Sudoku: Tactics."

DT: Are there conventions that are good for games licensing? I am aware of the Advanstar Licensing Show in New York for licensing properties.
MM: There are toy and games producers' conventions, like GAMA, and gaming conventions like Gen-Con, and Origins--there are usually companies there that will examine products and purchase licenses.

DT: Back to your 2013 year with the genre comics--do you have any clues to what we can expect?
MM: Well, one of the titles I have in mind is called "WRONG." I want that book full of controversial material, whether politically incorrect, bizarre, or just shocking. I want say something, but not with a gimmick or cliche'; something that makes people think...

DT: What do you value most of the accomplishments you have made?
MM: One of the wisest people I've worked for said that the real value of one's life is in the way he or she touches other lives for the better. I feel that IF-X has formed such a community with creators. It gave proof of concept for artists and writers, even to the point of "discovering" some new talent, even though the book wasn't really all that profitable an experiment. Still, I can build off of that and make the next project better for all involved.