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Black Mask Studios Launches TubeComics – A New Age For Motion Comics

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Black Mask Studios has easily solidified themselves as the independent comics publisher to watch. With a focus that empowers transgressive themes, and cross media development its becoming clear that they aim to change the way we enjoy comics. This was even more evident last night, when they quietly launched a brand new website: Blackmask.tv 

Here you’ll find something they’ve pioneered themselves, Tubecomics. Which they call: “Tubecomics are a new way to binge out on comics without fucking up your eyes from trying to read little fonts with a flashlight under your covers. Let us display each panel of beautiful art for you while our actor & musician friends fill in the soundscape of pure awesome. Tubecomics: kinda like TV if your TV knew shit about art.”

So far Liberator, 12 Reasons to Die, Ballistic, Hack/Slash, and Five Ghosts have gotten the Tubecomics treatment. You may notice those last two are not original Black Mask properties. So you can tell Black Mask founders, Brett Gurwtiz and Matt Pizzolo are making strides with one thing in mind: Comic Book Sales!

It’s a brilliant step in the right direction for those of us looking for an avenue for the digital comics age. Often comics can be enjoyed on the computer much in the same way that they can be enjoyed in print, but with the advent of motion graphics, and easy video editing its clear that Tubecomics are the way the industry should be headed. These first few episodes arn’t perfect. They feature basic keyframing, a neat soundtrack, and pretty great voice-acting.

But, imagine the possibilites with a little motion graphics thrown in. A little more time settling into the roles and these actors could really dig into the material. Original scores could take these to the next level too, but that’s all pipedream stuff. I’m getting too excited, the point is, Black Mask is doing something no other publisher is: they are fundamentally changing the way we enjoy comics.

Here’s the first episode of Ballistic. Which I called the #1 Best Debut Issue of last year.

“Adam Egypt Mortimer and Darick Robertson’s Ballistic blew me away this year. I’ve read the debut issue too many times to count, and I learn new things with every read. This is a deep book, which has an overwhelming amount to offer. It’s also filled with razor sharp dialogue. The story is insanely original and well thought out. Robertson’s art is unparalleled in its mastery. If you missed this book, do yourself a favor and get it immediately. It’s a Cronenbergian love letter to the intellectual science fiction of the past and it’s damn near perfect.”

 

Comics

‘The Wicked Trinity’ – Preview New Archie Comics One-Shot Inspired by ‘The Craft’ [Exclusive]

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From Sabrina’s Magical World, Bloody Disgusting has learned this afternoon that Archie Comics will be releasing brand new one-shot comic The Wicked Trinity this coming June.

You’ll be able to meet The Wicked Trinity in the 32-page comic on June 12, 2024.

In The Wicked Trinity, “Sabrina’s magical nemesis Amber Nightstone and her sidekicks, Jade Kazane and Sapphire Gill, are intent on becoming the most powerful witches in the world. Isolated from so many around them, the three have formed a coven based on their individual needs for vengeance and true freedom.

“But when there is some dissent among the ranks, their small coven is threatened to be obliterated from within.”

The Wicked Trinity features a script by Sam Maggs, art by Lisa Sterle, colors by Ellie Wright, letters by Jack Morelli, main cover by Lisa Sterle, and variant cover by Soo Lee.

Archie Comics Senior Director of Editorial Jamie L. Rotante tells Bloody Disgusting, “When Editor-In-Chief Mike Pellerito came up with the idea of the Wicked Trinity—Amber Nightstone, Jade Kazane, and Sapphire Gill—I was immediately intrigued. I even had the good fortune to work on the script for Jade and Sapphire’s first appearance in last year’s SABRINA ANNUAL SPECTACULAR comic for younger readers. What I especially loved about these magical teens is that they could seamlessly transcend from classic-Archie stories into more mature, even horror stories. I was eager to start developing their world with a modern sensibility, taking cues from the great work of Kelly Thompson and Veronica Fish on our SABRINA THE TEENAGE WITCH series, and Sarah Kuhn and Carola Borelli on our recent DARKLING one-shot. Inspired by series like Charmed and films like The Craft, I knew there was so much potential to build up this coven in a story that beautifully blends magical fantasy with horror.”

Writer Sam Maggs previews, “Real witches writing real witches—that’s how we do things over at Archie Comics! I was named after a famous witch—Samantha from Bewitched—and so I grew up absolutely obsessed with everything witchcraft, devouring every book series I could about teen witches. That makes WICKED TRINITY a dream project for me. The power and energy of teen girls is absolutely unmatched (just look at the engine behind fandom culture) and being able to harness that metaphorically for a story like this is such a delight. Everything I write focuses on the power of female friendship, and this story is no exception. And what’s better than a morally grey female character? I struggle to think of anything. Cat familiars, maybe? Also, I’m totally a practicing witch now. So maybe if you read this, you’ll find yourself imbued with magical powers, too.*

Artist Lisa Sterle adds, “I can’t wait for people to be re-introduced to The Wicked Trinity! Witches, fashion, and Archie Comics; this is truly a magical trifecta and I’m so happy to have the opportunity to put my own personal stamp on this. I love to create stories in which girls find their own power, both from within themselves and through their friendships and coven. If you’re a fan of my Modern Witch tarot, you’ll find this comic just as magical.”

Exclusively check out the two covers for The Wicked Trinity one-shot comic below!

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