Risers
  | story MARTIN FISHER art KURT BELCHER Annette Thomas is one of the living dead - literally. She is intelligent, has memories and emotions, and like other Risers - she's come back to fulfill a purpose. What that purpose is remains to be unclear and her journey towards self-discovery has brought her back from the grave. With the help of Ned, an instructor at a Riser facility, Annette must confront her past if she ever hopes to finally rest in peace. "From day one, I touted this as one of the more original zombie stories on the shelves today." -Ambush Bug, Aint It Cool News 128 pgs, BW, $12.95, ISBN: 9780979787478, Diamond: AUG083685, Haven: RISEALTT01 |       |
If you enjoyed Risers you might also enjoy these titles:
 THE CHAIR $13.95 | BW | 136 PGS |  JHZ/LHW VOL.1 $7.95 | BW | 64 PGS |  JHZ/LHW VOL.2 $6.95 | BW | 64 PGS |  MORBID MYTHS $11.95 | BW | 104 PGS |  MR. SCOOTLES $17.95 | BW/FC | 160 PGS |  BIRTH $9.95 | BW | 88 PGS |  JESUS HATES ZOMBIES $14.95 | BW | 144 PGS |
5 Questions with...
Kurt Belcher (Risers)
e-mail kurt.belcher@gmail.com
What other books, if any, have you had published?
I had a book I co-wrote and co-illustrated called "Stories 1234"
published online by Septagon Studios. I know this is kind of a
cheat, as these haven't been published yet, but I drew a book called
"Rottentail", written by David "Serial" Hayes, that will be published
by Arcana Studio in the near future. I'm also drawing two other books
for Arcana, fantasy book "Unimaginable" with writer Tom "Ruin",
"Hybrid Bastards" Pinchuk (I'm on the last issue) and weird western
"Jesse James in the Mayan Underworld" with writer Sean "Dominatrix"
Taylor (it's 1/3rd drawn). I just started drawing a horror OGN (no
publisher yet) called "Tranquility", also written by David Hayes, about
a killer bigfoot. I finished drawing a pitch a while back for a horror
book called "Frenzy", written by Martin Fisher, about genetically
engineered killer fish. I just started drawing another horror pitch
called "Chalk", written by Michael "Phantom Jack" San Giacomo, about a
dead priest's chalk outline returning to get revenge on his murderers.
Name 5 of your favorite graphic novels/trades:
Not necessarily all of my favorite trades/GNs, just what I can think of off the top of my head, and not in any particular order:
"Watchmen" by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons is the original superhero deconstruction that should be on anyone's 'favorite comics' list.
"Vic and Blood" by Harlan Ellison and Richard Corben is a great graphic translation of one of Ellison's best series of short stories. And Richard Corben is an art god.
"The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen: The Black Dossier" by Alan Moore and Kevin O'Neill is the model for what I'd love to do in comics: jump storytelling and art styles to tell a totally engrossing story.
"Planetary Volume 1: All Over the World and Other Stories" by Warren Ellis and John Cassaday is what a great superhero book should be, exposing and preserving the wonder of a weird world, both in the stories themselves and in reading them.
"Wanted" by Mark Millar and J.G. Jones is a fantastic, violent 'super-bastards' book that is both a love letter to classic comics and a great kick in their asses.
"Watchmen" by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons is the original superhero deconstruction that should be on anyone's 'favorite comics' list.
"Vic and Blood" by Harlan Ellison and Richard Corben is a great graphic translation of one of Ellison's best series of short stories. And Richard Corben is an art god.
"The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen: The Black Dossier" by Alan Moore and Kevin O'Neill is the model for what I'd love to do in comics: jump storytelling and art styles to tell a totally engrossing story.
"Planetary Volume 1: All Over the World and Other Stories" by Warren Ellis and John Cassaday is what a great superhero book should be, exposing and preserving the wonder of a weird world, both in the stories themselves and in reading them.
"Wanted" by Mark Millar and J.G. Jones is a fantastic, violent 'super-bastards' book that is both a love letter to classic comics and a great kick in their asses.
Which writer or artist has had the biggest influence on your work?
In writing, my favorite writers (both prose and comics) are people who
tell great, involving stories with ideas pouring off every page, with a
loving, beating heart at their center. My favorites are Ray Bradbury,
whose "Something Wicked This Way Comes" is probably my all-time
favorite book; Harlan Ellison's short fiction is second to none; Grant
Morrison's writing probably affected me the most as a kid, especially
his mind-blowing classic "Doom Patrol" run, that showed me that
anything was possible; like "Watchmen", Alan Moore should be an
influence on any comics creator; and on the other hand, Warren Ellis,
although his 'persona' has put me off reading his books anymore, taught
me you don't need to write a novel to tell a comic: get in and get out,
and tell an interesting, fun story. As for artists, Mike Mignola is an
obvious influence. Lately, I've seen a lot of a Scott Kolins' style
creeping into my art. I'd love to say Richard Corben is an influence,
but if I could draw even 1/10th as well as him, I'd probably explode
with joy.
If a movie were based on your book, who would be the star and which role would they play?
In "Risers", I would say you'd have to get some hot young actress like
Blake Lively or Megan Fox and 'ug' her up by turning her into a
stomach-turning zombie.
If you could do anything in the world for a living, what would it be (aside from comics)?
It's not a job, but if I could travel or live somewhere beautiful and
warm for a living, I'd do it. Or maybe not even warm. If I could find
a beautiful place to live in Alaska, sign me up. If it has to be an
actual job with work involved, it'd still have to be something
creative, like a novelist, fine artist, or film conceptual designer,
because I'm not really interested in anything else.
5 Questions with...
Martin Fisher (Risers)
e-mail martinfish99@hotmail.com
What other books, if any, have you had published?
I have contributing to the following books: Alterna Tales #1, Something Weird, Dark Horrors #2, and Layer Zero #2. I have a new GN called The Dependents coming out through Arcana. I
also have a licensed comic based on the 1980 Roger Corman produced
movie Battle Beyond the Stars coming out this year. The comic is a
prequel to the movie and is called Battle Amongst the Stars. The title
is coming out through Bluewater.
Name 5 of your favorite graphic novels/trades:
Risers (naturally), The Dark Knight Returns, Power Pack, Star Wars Empire Volume 7
Which writer or artist has had the biggest influence on your work?
None. Everything I know I've picked up through watching the TV and reading comic books.
If a movie were based on your book, who would be the star and which role would they play?
I'd prefer a cast of unknowns to take on the roles. Having well known actors doesn't always pan out.
If you could do anything in the world for a living, what would it be (aside from comics)?
I'd write for TV and film full time. Idealy I'd be the creator of my own TV show.
