SEE MAY PREVIEWS FOR SOLICITATION.

“It's true! Big Bang has left Image Comics and will be self-publishing the new issues under the name Big Bang Comics,” confirmed BB editor Gary Carlson. “We'll be right in front of the independent publishers section of Diamond's Previews, somewhere between Archie and Bongo Comics.

“We've been publishing two specials a year under various titles and even our regular fans haven't been sure what was and wasn't Big Bang product. This way there will be no confusion.”

“Erik Larsen and Jim Valentino are two of Big Bang's biggest friends and fans and we appreciate all they've done for us,” added Big Bang co-creator Chris Ecker. “Unfortunately, the books have been breaking even financially or losing money for Image for a long time.”

This won't be the end of Big Bang at Image, however. Erik Larsen is considering a color reprint of the 100+ page 3-part “Timebomber” story line which guest starred the Savage Dragon in issues 12, 14 and 18 of BB.

Big Bang Presents #1 features tributes to two of comic's greatest creators, Will Eisner and Jack Cole. Protoplasman is a combination of all eras of Jack Cole's work, from the Claw to Plastic Man through his pre-code horror and crime stories. “It's kind of a hard-boiled humorous action series,” offered writer Carlson, “This first story is very much an homage to Cole's Plastic Man. Artist Mort Todd has done a wonderful job! Protoplasman will be a regular visitor in the pages of Big Bang Presents.”

Big Bang's flagship character the Knight Watchman gets the Will Eisner treatment in ‘”The Camera of Doom,” also written by Gary Carlson, who considers it one of the best Big Bang comics ever produced. “From day one I've wanted to mix & match the great artists' styles with different iconic characters. I still want to see a Bob Kane Ultiman story, a Simon & Kirby Knight Watchman. This story is our guess as to what a Will Eisner Batman story might have been like. Jeff Austin did a wonderful job translating my layouts into finished art.”

Another character scheduled to make her Big Bang debut in BB Presents #1 is Miss Firecracker. Long time Big Bang and Bong artist Mike Worley is slaving over this good girl strip in the Bill Ward tradition.

Big Bang Presents #1 featuring Protoplasman and the Knight Watchman is a 32 page b&w book for $2.95. If all goes well, we're hoping to be in color by the third issue.

Smile for the stickygun! That book looks fabulous, Allen!

Very cool news!!

Thanks! I wish I could do artwork like that.

Looks good!

Thanks Ian and Jim. I truly appreciate the support.

That is absolutely fantastic and the Eisner-esque art is pitch-perfect. I am definitely first in line for this series. BIG BANG gonna offer individual subscriptions to their new book?

I'm in!!!!!

Not sure yet. Definitely online sales though.

Those dudes have some mad art skills. How much fun was that!!! Looking forward to this for sure.

I like the BB bullet in the top right corner. Reminds me of something.

Hopefully the good old days Mark.

Some very nice comments fom Erik Larsen about BB founder Gary on his column today.

http://www.comicbookresources.com/columns/?column=20

To the link challenged, here is the quote.

"Strangely enough, the best Captain Marvel stories in the last 50 years were Mighty Man tributes to Captain Marvel penned by Gary Carlson for Big Bang Comics! There were three such tales collected in "Savage Dragon" #50 and they're brilliant -- and I had nothing to do with them (other than coming up with the guy). If there was to be a guy penning tales of the "real" Captain Marvel, I can think of no better person for the job than Gary Carlson. He gets it."

More pictures including the final cover and some color interiors.

NOICE!!!!!!

Where did Linda find a picture of Yvonne at?

Dude that rocks! Forgive the stupidity here - only available through the website?

No, it will be available through Diamond too. Need all the help I can get to convicne retailers to carry it.

Hey Allen,
Having contributed 17 pages of pencils to two of those issues, this would certainly be cool to see. Here's hoping it comes to pass!

A few pages of my pencils to issue 14 can be seen in my comicartfans.com gallery; yet, here's a peek at my pencils to page 1 of BB #18...



During the inking, Ultiman's head was redrawn by artist Jeff Weigel, similar to what was done with Kirby's Jimmy Olsen issues which featured Al Plastino Superman heads. All other inking on my segment in that issue was done by an artist named Steve Collins:



It was definitely an interesting experiment

I've got some other items from my time on those books which I can send your way if interested (my character designs for villians "The Time Being," and "Oblivia" from those issues, as well as a rough another artist did for the cover to issue #14, possibly Mark Lewis - the finished cover having been done by Rich Buckler.)

Anyway, looking forward to seeing more from you and Gary.
Best of luck with Protoplasman and with all things Big Bang!

That a nice looking page!

(I like the 'Kirby' faces better.)

Hey Jim,
Jeff Weigel is an outstanding artist whose work has a great Curt Swan feel to it. His work is among my favorite Big Bang Comics material.

As far as the rest of the inks, I had not heard of Steve Collins before; since then however, I've learned there was a Steve Collins who inked over Steve Ditko on some Tiny Toons work in the mid-90's. Wonder if it's the same guy...
Anyway, thanks for the kind words!