Bloody Disgusting Names Xombi In Their Must Read List

The horror media culture site Bloody Disgusting has included Xombi on their binge-worthy reading list of dark titles published by DC Comics. You can see what other titles are on the list, and find links to begin reading them here.

Reteamed with Frazer Irving

Frazer Irving has a new sketchbook available. It features eleven portraits created by Frazer with accompanying short stories by P D Brierley. T Brownhill, L Ryrie, N Wilson as well as myself on four of them. It was a lot of fun.

You can obtain a copy here.

New Work

Images: Frazer Irving

Words: John Rozum

2017

Multiversity Comics looks back on Xombi from 2011. You can order a copy of the graphic novel via the link below.

31 Days of Halloween - Day 27

Monster: Maranatha

Appearance: "The Ninth Stronghold - Part Two: The Green House" Xombi vol. 2 no. 2, June 2011.  "The Ninth Stronghold - Part Three: Exit Strategies" Xombi vol. 2 no. 3, July 2011. 

Frazer Irving: Artist, Dave Sharpe: Letterer, Rickey Purdin: Assistant Editor, Harvey Richards: Associate Editor, Rachel Gluckstern: Editor.

Maranatha means "The Lord will come" or "Our Lord cometh" in the role of punisher or avenger. There are some traditions who call the angel who appears to guide Michael as Maranatha. It was also this angel, Maranatha who is said to have introduced the sword to the Israelites. 

The idea of making Maranatha a physical manifestation of God's wrath appears in my earliest notebooks for Xombi, but he'd not been assigned a story. He seemed like the perfect secret weapon to be hidden away inside the body of James Church, the story's Jekyll/Hyde character. 

For Maranatha's appearance I went and looked at some Assyrian lion sculptures for inspiration, because I wanted something ancient, and something that people of ancient times would view as a personification of strength and anger. I didn't want him to be a literal living statue so I decided to give him a flesh and blood body with a head and mane made of stone. This merging of elements also gives him a supernatural origin since he is alive with a head made of material that should not be alive. 

I also decided that to give him an even older look that rather than go with a modern lion's body that I would give Maranatha the body of a sabretooth tiger and bulked up the size into something powerful and intimidating without getting into gigantism.

Frazer Irving gave Maranatha the oven inferno with his mouth, and the glowing mane growing out from his stone one. I think he turned out to be a pretty impressive creature and personification of God's wrath. He also fit really well into the story's themes of displaced people and objects either trying to find their place in the world, or to get home. After centuries of imprisonment, he's diminished and unleashed in a modern world that he doesn't understand, nor command the same awe and fear he once did.

31 Days of Halloween - Day 5

Monsters: The Sisterhood of Blood Mummies

Appearance: Xombi V.2 #6 "The Ninth Stronghold Part 6 - Resurrection" October 2011

Frazer Irving: Artist, Dave Sharpe: Letterer, Rickey Purdin: Assistant Editor, Harvey Richards: Associate Editor, Rachel Gluckstern: Editor

The Sisterhood of the Blood Mummies was something I created for Xombi back during its original run in the mid-1990s, but never used. They weren't designated for a specific storyline, but were merely concocted as malicious assassins that could be placed in a story where they fit and served a purpose. Finally, in 2011, that time had come, and while their appearance was brief, they made an impact. Technically they appeared on the last page of issue #5, but issue #6 is where we learned what they were.

Above are my somewhat refined sketches from my original notes that I provided Frazer irving with. Below is his elegantly nightmarish take on the blood mummies, with explanatory text that was more or less transcribed from my original notes from nearly two decades prior. It's essentially everything you need to know about them.

One thing I didn't really notice until this series was completed is that I tend to create a lot of monsters that don't have eyes. I don't know if this has anything to do with the impact Alien (1979) had on me, but I think monsters without eyes are much more disturbing, since there's less way to read them, and that they still seem to have no problem finding you and avoiding obstacles to do so. 

Good Things For Xombi

This has been a busy month or so for me, and I'm a bit behind on posting some news here. Among them are a few things that may be of interest to Xombi fans, and for people who haven't taken the plunge and picked up a copy to read for themselves.

First up, the Xombi trade paperback was chosen by Comics Alliance as one of the best covers for February. The cover (shown above), which replicates the cover to the first issue of the series was rendered by series artist, Frazer Irving and not Brendan McCarthy as it is attributed at comics Alliance. Brendan McCarthy created an alternate cover to issue #1 which can be seen here.

Second, Xombi was chosen by YALSA, the Young Adult Library Services Association, a division of the American Library Association as one of the 2013 Great Graphic Novels for Teens Nominations. I don't know much more than that, or why it's 2013 and not 2012, but it's from the ALA, so it's cool anyway.

Similarly, for what it's worth, Xombi was chosen by Amazon.com as a Best Book of the Month Selection.

Finally, this I have mentioned before, but Xombi is also nominated for a 2012 Rondo Hatton Award honoring classic horror under the Best Comic Book Series. Anyone can vote in the Rondo's. If you have a love of classic horror, then you should vote, even if you're not knowledgeable of all of the categories. You should certainly vote for best comic book series though.

XOMBI Trade Paperback Now In Bookstores

For those of you without a local comic book shop, Xombi, the trade paperback collecting the critically acclaimed comic book series by me and Frazer Irving (as well as an issue of Brave and the Bold featuring Xombi's David Kim along with the Spectre by me and Scott Hampton) is now available through general book sellers.

I encourage everyone to support their independent local bookstore or comic book store, but, if like me, your community doesn't have one, the book can also be ordered through Amazon.com via the link below.

T find out more about this series just click on "xombi" in the labels accompanying this post, or to the right, or take a peak at this brief examination of the Xombi trade paperback collection.

XOMBI Trade Paperback Available Today

Available from DC Comics at a comic book store near you, or online, is the trade paperback of Xombi which collects all six issues of the critically acclaimed comic book series written by me with fantastic art by Frazer Irving and lettering by Dave Sharpe. The book also includes an issue of Brave and the Bold which featured Xombi's main character, David Kim and the Spectre. This was also written by me with art by Scott Hampton. Xombi retails for $14.99.

Here's the DC Comics solicitation info:

Written by JOHN ROZUM; Art by FRAZER IRVING and SCOTT HAMPTON; Cover by FRAZER IRVING

As an undying Xombi, David Kim watches the world burn while humanity grows increasingly isolated. What would a Xombi do just to feel change again? And where will he ever be able to find a kindred soul? Find out in this title collecting XOMBI #1-6 and BRAVE AND THE BOLD #26, featuring a team-up with The Spectre.

• DC Universe
 
• 160pg.
 
• Color
 
• Softcover
• $14.99 US

On Sale February 1, 2012

Here's a look at the back cover and some interior page spreads. The book is really beautifully put together and really shows off Frazer's art to full advantage. 

i09 has an interview with me and the first seven pages of the story here. If, like me, you don't have a nearby comic book store Xombi will be available in book stores a week from now. You can preorder a copy from Amazon.com via the link below. 

Xombi available for iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch, Android and on the Web

If you're traveling this weekend, or anytime over the holidays, Xombi, the widely acclaimed series that I wrote with Frazer Irving handling the art,  is now available for digital download at only $1.99 an issue. You can download all six issues here.

For those of you who prefer to read your books as books, the trade paperback edition will be available at the beginning of February. You can order it through your local independent bookstore or comicbook store, or pre-order it through Amazon via the link below.

The Annotated Xombi

A few days ago I mentioned that I'd been considering something as a way of giving back to all the fans of Xombi for being so supportive of this series, as short lived as it was.

Now that all six issues have been published and everyone has had a chance to read them, I thought about taking some time here to go through some of the comments and questions I've seen posted on various message boards, blogs and websites and address them. Additionally, I thought about going through the series and giving some behind the scenes looks at what inspired some of the material, what references there might be, and some other general process stuff that I think won't take away from the reading experience.

If anyone is interested in seeing something like this, please let me know. If you have any questions, or comments of your own regarding Xombi that you'd like me to address, please leave them in the comments box below. I'm not sure how soon I'd be able to get this up. It depends on my workload. I would like to dedicate enough time to this to make it a worthwhile venture. November is traditionally my lightest month, so most likely it would happen then.

Please spread the word so that people are aware of this.

In the meantime, please also note that a trade paperback collection of  Xombi is scheduled for February. Please order it through your local comic book store or independent bookseller. It's also available at Amazon.com here and at the link below.

Xombi Trade Paperback Forthcoming

As promised, here's a bit of Xombi news. A trade paperback collecting the 6-issue series which just concluded, will be available in early February. So if you're looking for something sturdier than the individual issues, or want to pick up a copy for a friend, you'll be able to.

As always, I recommend supporting your local comic book retailer or independent bookstore, so please order a copy through them. If, like me, local means an hour plus drive, Xombi is available for pre-order from Amazon.com for about $10.00, making it very affordable to spread the love.

If you order through Amazon, please use the link below so I can doubly benefit from your purchase.

Thank you!

Xombi #6 On Sale Today

Today Xombi #6 goes on sale at a comic book store near you. 

This is the final issue of this short-lived series. "The Ninth Stronghold" was written to conclude with this issue so there won't be any real loose ends, and hopefully you'll find this issue to be a satisfying conclusion.

I'd like to thank everyone who has supported this title; everyone who bought it, stocked it in their store, promoted it, recommended it to others, tweeted about it, blogged about it, reviewed it, interviewed me and gave it media coverage, told me ho much they enjoyed it, and especially those of you who took a chance on a series that was a complete unknown to you going in to it. I hope the experience you've had with Xombi will encourage you to make these leaps of faith on unknown material more often. 

While my available time is too limited to join any online groups, or comment on any discussions, posts, reviews, etc., I have seen a great deal of what people have had to say about Xombi, the questions you've had, and the speculation about motivations, etc. It also pleased me to see that message board discussions were intelligent, polite, and often enthusiastic and not the bitter sniping and complaining of many of the comic book discussion groups I've seen. 

To thank everyone who stuck with the series, and championed it, I'd like to try to do something to give back. If you check back here this coming weekend, I'll relate my plans on what I'm thinking of doing. I'll also have a bit of Xombi news, which you'll probably have found out elsewhere by then. (I'll spare you the anticipation in one regard. It's not to announce a new Xombi series). 

In the meantime, here's DC's solicitation material for issue #6:

Written by JOHN ROZUM; Art and cover by FRAZER IRVING

How is it possible to defeat someone who claims to see every moment of the future and plans for every eventuality? Unless David Kim and Annie Palmer can find an answer to this deadly puzzle, their lives – and the Ninth Stronghold– will be lost forever.

• DC Comics
 
• 32pg.
 
• Color
 
• $2.99 US

On Sale August 24, 2011

Preview Xombi #6

Xombi #6 doesn't go on sale until tomorrow, but you can read the first five pages now for free! Comic Book Resources has an exclusive sneak preview available here.



    

Xombi Concept Art

My Xombi collaborator, the amazing artist Frazer Irving has started up a Tumblr account on which he's showing some of his lesser seen pieces of art including some of his preliminary sketches for Xombi's covers including these for Xombi #3. If you're interested in the creative process then it's definitely worth taking a look. Aside from preliminary sketches and unused art, Frazer also has some posts that show how he goes about creating his gorgeous digital art. Check it out here.

XOMBI #5 On Sale Today

Featuring my favorite cover of the series, Xombi #5 goes on sale today.

Here's the solicitation information:

Written by JOHN ROZUM; Art and cover by FRAZER IRVING


With the aid of new allies, David Kim and his companions prepare to infiltrate the Ninth Stronghold and attempt to wrest its control from Roland Finch. But Finch has other ideas, and he'll be more than prepared when they arrive!

• DC Comics
 
• 32pg.
 
• Color
 
• $2.99 US

This issue has new revelations, new monsters, and so much more.

You can read the first three pages by going here.


   

Xombi #5 - First Look

Xombi #5 doesn't go on sale until July 27, but kind soul that I am I thought I'd share with you the first page minus any text because it's such a beautiful piece of art by Frazer Irving and because it won't spoil anything for you when you have the whole issue in your hands. Feel free to speculate to your heart's content as to what might be going on here, but I suggest you simply take in how gorgeous the image is. You can click on it to make it bigger and save yourself from eye strain in the process.

Xombi #4 - On Sale Today

Twenty pages of people having breakfast never looked as good as it does in the exciting new issue of Xombi, which goes on sale today. If you don't believe me, you can view the first three pages as beautifully rendered by Frazer Irving, lettered by Dave Sharpe, and written by me, by visiting the exclusive preview at IGN.


Here's what DC's solicitation text (which I provided) says happens this issue:

Written by JOHN ROZUM; Art and cover by FRAZER IRVING

The secrets of Roland Finch and the Ninth Stronghold are uncovered. As David and his companions set out to forge an alliance against Finch, David takes his first steps toward a destiny he's determined to avoid.

• DC Comics
 
• 32pg.
 
• Color
 
• $2.99 US

On Sale June 29, 2011

This is all true but veiled so as not to ruin any surprises before you read them in the actual story. 

Xombi

It's been a bit since I've posted anything regarding Xombi. To make up for it here's a page of art from issue #4 which goes on sale June 29, 2011. Everyone gets to take a bit of a breather in this issue which includes the best twenty pages ever rendered of people having breakfast courtesy of Frazer Irving.

If that's not enough to convince you to pick up a copy, read this.

Xombi #3 on Sale Today

Xombi #3 is on sale today at a comic book retailer near you. In this issue David Kim must battle an ancient creature that is said to be God's wrath incarnate plus all sorts of surprises.

Scroll down to the previous post for a link to a five page preview of this issue.