September is here and the summer cons have been extraordinary. In Indianapolis, the first ever Indy Pop Con, funded directly by Kickstarter, was a massive success. The three day event drew 15,000+ people for 400 artists and 150 events including Game of Thrones cast, MST3K creator Joel Hodgson, Kickstarter workshops, cartoon exhibitions and an impressive Artist Alley with indie comics artists such as Franchesco and some cool game developers like Lunar Giant and Amiable'both from the Chicago area.

Did I mention that your humble Moderator was towed while at this event? Yes, gentle reader, believing that I'd found unmarked free parking, the Holy Grail of all parking spaces near the con - my car was destined to be hooked up and unceremoniously hijacked. At the time, I thought I had found free parking in a sea of $22 a day parking. Parking that was free of hydrants, signs and yellow lines. Two hours later, I was made aware that it was a tow trap. Thanks to Bruce Nelson of My Geek Odyssey and Devon and G Pike of Title Unrelated I made it out of this jam! These guys dug deep to help a stranded webcomic artist out. I am humbled and grateful to each of them.

Enough of my comic con horror story. Just remind me to park elsewhere for next year's Indy Pop Con, guys. OK?

Welcome New Members

Last month, we had 1,000 views in a one week. That was our best week at the group. Please keep spreading the word to friends that are into indie comics and small press. More views for the group translates directly into more Watchers and commissions for all of us.

Today we are at 750+ Members and 800+ Watchers with 50+ affiliates. We are a happening place to be, people. Thank you for making this a place for your work in comics, graphic novels and webcomics.

Welcome to 35 more artists since July's newsletter went out, including:

Dannyquinn, noahkduran, warnoon, ZomBynX, alexlewis, perhapsgingersnaps, afterthedream, eruan84, joaomiguelxs, nigz, AliTat, lukasz-draws, ApathyPseudoscience, Alexandritea, odunze, XViolacea, MarelynManson, Pasiphilo, Tsukiyono-Miyu, hichemayhemdrak, AndreaCelestini, ShamanX, gianlucatestaverde, lemur-llama, Infinite-Luminosity, NickBrokenshire, ghostfruits, HaruZanfardino, synaid, angry-robot-martin, Shinkalork, Axolotl-mafia, infomertial, smokewithoutmirrors and comic artist Johnathon Price aka DualMask.

New Features

The folder structure is working out very well. Since adding the Character Design folder we have gotten some impressive looking work from comic artists and illustrators.

The new Group Crit Gallery has several pages in it but it is under-utilized. This folder is meant for critiques of artwork that could benefit from direct input from peers. Check it out and see what kind of constructive criticisms you can offer.

So. What would you like to see as a new feature? It's your group. Add a comment with your ideas!

New Indie Comic And Book News

In indie comic publishing news, The Sum Of Light #2 by Georgia based horror artist/writer Brian McCranie is now fully funded and well into it's stretch goals. The book is a Lovecraft fan's wishlist of demi-gods, netherworldly villains and gore. It is partially inspired by the original Evil Dead movies' wise-cracking, bloody demons and features elements from the short stories of H.P. Lovecraft. McCranie's art skills are abundant. He thoroughly and enjoyably brings this stuff to life.

Curse Of Ragdoll by veteran indie comics artist Mike Wolfer (Lady Death, War Goddess) was so popular on Kickstarter that a second campaign, made up of only stretch goal artwork, has launched. It is already funded and climbing towards 180% of funding at press time. Congratulations, to Mr. Wolfer - he remains a powerhouse in indie comics!

This month, our features are two out-standing titles. These dedicated folks have made some imaginative comics with a high level of skill in the story-telling and art departments.

Pale Dark

What would you do if you were kidnapped and and held hostage? After you change your underpants that is?

Pale Dark is a top shelf webcomic written by Chuck Amadori, drawn by Ruvel Abril, colored by Nimesh Morarji and published by Amadori's Isle Squared Comics.

This comic is the story of a man who is abducted into a mysterious and unknown setting by the Pale Man. The abducted man, only known as Subject K is tortured and subjected to scientific testing like a lab rat. During Subject K's time in the custody of the Pale Man he learns that the world is much bigger and darker than he ever could have imagined.

As mentioned, Pale Dark has a two man team of artists: Ruvel Abril based in the Phillipines and colorist Nimesh Morarji in Portugal. They each find interesting methodologies to bring out the strange and menacing in writer Chuck Amadori's scripts. Note the line integrity staying true to form in Abril's art and the great rendering of the characters by Morarji! This attention to detail struck me right away. The quality of each their styles has challenged me to improve the rendering in my own work - just to keep up with these guys!

Line art by Abril and darkness created by colorist Nimesh Morarji bring out Amadori's merciless scripts.

Chuck Amadori's comic imprint, Isle Squared, publishes a total of six books that Amadori writes. Isle Squared collaborates some excellent international artists including colorist Nimesh Morarji and penciler/inker Ruvel Abril. The current slate of indie books includes Logan's Run meets Beyond Thunderdome in Tether, two western themed thrillers: Bang Bang Lucita and Snake plus Empress with artist Aghori Shaivite.

This impressive and growing indie comics label is exactly what self-publishing is about. All involved are taking the initiative and making original and memorable books! Take some time to visit the Pale Dark site and pick-up some small press comics.

The Portland Underground

Deranged cannibals roam the streets killing everyone until only the Underground is left.

What if a zombie outbreak was already underway and the undead were almost impossible to spot with the untrained eye?

This basic idea is what got the wheels spinning on what was soon to become The Portland Underground. Created by longtime writer and and zombie fanatic Daniel VanderMolen, the premise quickly progressed from quirky concept to full blown project. After searching long and hard to find an artist who shared his vision for the project, VanderMolen was lucky enough to come in contact with comic virtuoso Chris Kohler.

Is it murder or survival? Michael struggles for an answer when confronted by a shambling horde.

Emphasizing creative freedom with an art focus strongly influenced by the best of underground comics - this webcomic is in a class of it's own. The Underground updates on Fridays with fully illustrated black-and-white pages as the Zombie Apocalypse lurches across the Pacific Northwest. A little bit scary, frequently funny, and decidedly gory, The Portland Underground aims to show what many of us are too afraid to admit: the zombies are already amongst us…

Affiliates

Indie Graphic Novels is affiliated with over 50+ different comic groups! Did you know that? We have affiliations with artist groups from Chile, Brazil and Russia. Our newest affiliation is with Ink And Watercolor a group that focuses on washes, coloring and fine arts related approaches to making art. Very cool stuff.

In keeping with a new tradition, we are focusing in on a few more of our unique affiliate groups this month.

Rus Comics

What do Russian comics look like? Take a look at Rus Comics - a community of Russian comic artists. No matter how you feel about Vladimir Putin and the current Russian government's activities, these comics are a great window in the living and breathing every day life and culture in modern Russia.

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The group has 1200+ members and has been on dA for four years.

Digital Arts FTW

Digital Arts FTW is a group that promotes digital arts. That includes everything from photo-manipulation to digital paintings. The group features some inspired fantasy art!

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Digital Arts has been on dA for four years and has grown to an impressive 4500+ Members!

Comic Conventions

Where are your next appearances? New books? Tables at a new or long-running comic con or show? Add or submit your info to the Info Folder. Kickstarter campaigns, ads, announcements and book promotion pieces all go there!

Here's a short list of what comic conventions are coming up.

Baltimore Comic-Con
Baltimore, MD
September 5-7 2014

Small Press Expo (SPX)
North Bethseda, MD
September 13-14 2014

Cincinnati Comic Expo
Cincinnati, OH
September 19-21 2014

Rose City Comic Con
Portland, Oregon
September 20-21, 2014

Alternative Comics Expo (APE)
San Diego, CA
October 4-5 2014

NYCC
New York, NY
October 9-12 2014

ASH Con
Indianapolis, IN
October 26th 2014

Meta Con
Minneapolis, MN
October 31-November 2 2014