Well, it’s been a long time since I’ve made a good and proper update here. I’m happy to say that for the rest of the year, I should have new stories up on a near MONTHLY schedule!

Before getting into the new story and all the news, I just want to take a moment to thank everyone who contributed to the Murder Book #3 IndieGoGo campaign. I couldn’t believe the overwhelming support we received for it. So: thank you, thank you, thank you.

I’m excited to post this new story, not only because it’s one of my favourites, but also because John and I have talked about working together on something for a couple of years. We’ve got a couple things brewing in the background, but this is the first story that has seen the light of day. One of the coolest things about working on this story, for me at least, was that John and I got to walk around Trout Lake Park and actually block out the action of this story in a live setting. How often do you get to do that in comics?!?

As some of you may already know, Murder Book #3 is now available. You can pick it up from my online shop by clicking here. It features this story and “Fathers & Sons” with artwork by Jason Copland. 24 pages of indie comic goodness for only $4. Also: all purchases now come with a free 1″ button (while supplies last).

The buttons in question.

The News!

Jay Faerber, the writer/creator behind the excellent Image series Near Death, has graciously invited Jason Copland and myself (with Paul Little on colours!) to contribute new Murder Book stories as back up content to that very series. The back up stories will start with Near Death #8, which is out May 23rd. I suggest you all run out and grab copies!

“Our Home”, the first story to run, is a bit of a departure from the usual Murder Book stories. It’s a creepy little tale with very little dialog. I think you guys will like it. In “The Car-Jackers”, which will run in Near Death #9, we get not one, but two past Murder Book characters making a return.

ALSO! In Near Death #8, I’ve been told that Jay reveals some details about an upcoming project that Michael Walsh (artist of “Settling Up”) and I are working on. Once this week is over, I’ll be able to talk about the project more freely, but if you want to get the early scoop — you gotta pick up Near Death #8.

Lastly!

Jason Copland and I will be at VanCAF on May 26th and 27th. I’ll have all the books I’ve written, and should have copies of Near Death #8 available as well. Keep your fingers crossed that Midnight Walk artist Johnnie Christmas may make an appearance too!

Written and lettered by Ed Brisson
Illustrated by Johnnie Christmas

Come join writer Ed Brisson and artists Jason Copland and Johnnie Christmas at Pulp Fiction for the launch of Murder Book Vol. 3!

We’ll be signing copies, rubbing shoulders and drinking beers!

Come on out, we’d love to see you.

Details:

March 23rd, 2012
6pm-9pm

Pulp Fiction Books
2422 Main Street
Vancouver, British Columbia
(1 block north of Broadway and Main St.)

If you’re on Facebook, you can join the event for the launch by clicking here.

I’ve started up an IndieGoGo campaign to help fund the printing of Murder Book Vol. 3. Lots of perks, so please do take a look. I’d love it if everyone could also help spread the word. New Murder Book stories are being produced, but will only be available in print at first. The comic comes out in late March. Out of respect to those donating to the campaign, I won’t be posting the stories featured in Murder Book Vol. 3 online until late May.

Details about the campaign/book:

What is Murder Book?

Murder Book is a series of short crime stories written by me, Ed Brisson, and featuring different up-and-coming artists. Past contributing artists have included Simon Roy (Jan’s Atomic Heart, Prophet), Vic Malhotra (Lucid Proof) and Michael Walsh. Past Murder Book stories can be read on the Murder Book Site.

Murder Book Vol. 3 will feature the stories Midnight Walk, illustrated by Johnnie Xmas and Fathers and Sons, illustrated by Jason Copland.

Midnight Walk is a 6 page story about a man who happens across a crime scene and tries to help, only to become a victim himself. Fathers and Sons is an 18 page tale involving the breakdown of the relationship between two mob men, and the chaos that results.

Generally, I post Murder Book stories to the site as they’re complete, but in order to entice contributors, I’ll hold off posting either story until late May. This way, all contributors will have the stories two months before they’re posted online.

If you dig current and gritty crime comics like Criminal and Scalped, then Murder Book is your bag!

Johnnie and Jason are currently hard at work on the art so that we can debut this sucker at Emerald City Comicon at the end of March. We’re hoping to have the book to the printer the week this campaign ends and everything packaged and mailed to people before the end of March — meaning your perks should start showing up late March/early April.

What We Need & What You Get

We’re looking to raise $1500 to cover the costs of printing the book. The artists have generously agreed to come on board to help with the book, so should there be any funds raised in excess of the printing and shipping costs, then that money will be given to the artists, evenly distributed based on their page counts.

If we fall short of our goal, the book will still be printed and all perks will be fulfilled. I’ll just be running up a credit card bill instead.

Every perk includes something physical. I’m looking at this as more of a pre-order/purchase drive than just a “give us your money” plea. That said, please spread the word! Tell your friends, family and everyone you see on the street!

I’m also offering up my lettering services. Check over there on the right. For $250 I’ll letter your 22 page comic AND send you a copy of Murder Book #3. You can’t beat that with a bat. Need someone to letter your pitch? I can do that too!

Please keep an eye on this campaign, we will be adding art and other process pieces as the campaign marches on. We may be adding additional perks as well!

Other Ways You Can Help

If you’re a fan of Murder Book, we’d love for you to help get the word out. Tell your friends, tweet about it. Steal money from your mom’s purse and send it to us! We appreciate each and every person who helps us get close to our goal of $1500. Seriously. We love you. Hugs, kisses and all that stuff.

Please, help spread the word! Check out the campaign by clicking here.

Posted in Blog Post

Ok, so a pretty quick turn around this time. New comic “Settling Up” was drawn by all around good dude, Michael Walsh. I met Michael when he hired me to letter a comic of his. From there, he and I hit it off pretty well, and have been talking about doing some projects together. I don’t want to say too much for fear of jinxing things, but you should hopefully see something from us in the not too distant future — not a Murder Book story, but something in an entirely different and awesome genre.

Sometimes good things come from drunken black-outs. I know this dude here in Vancouver named Copasetic. He’s a rapper and comic nerd and sometimes comes out to the jams. I’m a lover of hip-hop (especially old school). One night, while drunk, I jammed a copy of Murder Book into his hand and told him he had to do a theme track for it. I have almost zero recollection of this, but it sounds like something drunken Ed would do. A few days later, Cope shot me an email to tell me that he’d already started working on the track. A few weeks later, it was in my inbox. It’s some good stuff, and I’m more than thrilled to have a Murder Book theme song.

Check it out!

Credits:
Murder Book – Copasetic ft. Gracelle Bonifacio
Producer – Pace Beats
Mastered – Sythe of ILL-Legitimate

Lastly, a reminder that you can pick up Murder Book Vol. 1, Vol. 2 and Acts of Violence in the store. Lots of combo deals to be had!

Written and lettered by Ed Brisson
Drawn by Michael Walsh

Well… that took longer than I was planning. It’s been a bit of a crazy year and while it may not look like much is happening with Murder Book, please be assured that there is a ton of stuff happening behind the scenes.

First up, a new story illustrated by Vic Malhotra. Vic had illustrated a story that I’d lettered for someone else, and I really dug his style. I can’t remember how now, but somehow we got to talking about doing a Murder Book story together. Hopefully we’ll be seeing more stories from him on the site in the near future.

Secondly, the first print run of Murder Book Vol. 1 sold out in May, and I’m going back to press on that AND will be doing a run of Murder Book Vol. 2. The second volume will contain Trickle and a new comic by Michael Walsh called Settling Up. I’m in the process of lettering Settling Up now, and will likely launch it on this site sometime in the next few weeks.

I’ve redesigned the cover of the first book for the second printing and have now put that and Vol. 2 up in the store. Both will start shipping out on June 15th, but please don’t let that stop you from pre-ordering them now. I’ve added bundle deals as well! Buy more and save yourself some bucks!

Lastly, I’m going to be at the Calgary Comics & Entertainment Expo on June 17-19 with the Acts of Violence crew. In addition to being there with all the Acts of Violence writers (Chad Boudreau, Dino Caruso, Kevin Leeson and Todd Ireland), I’ll also be joined by “Catching Up” and “Skimming the Till” artist Simon Roy and “Trickle” artist Vic Malhotra, who will be signing copies of Murder Book Vol 1 and 2. We’ll all be at booth 1504.

Written and lettered by Ed Brisson
Drawn by Vic Malhotra

Alright, so I’m cheating with this one a little. The Orchard is my contribution to the crime anthology Acts of Violence. Art supplied by the super-talented Damian Couceiro, who is currently ripping things up as an artist over at BOOM! Studios.

If you like this story, might I suggest you consider purchasing Act of Violence? Aside from this story, there are three others that are pretty damned good. Don’t take my word for it though, go take a gander at the preview.

This is not the story that I’d mentioned in the last update. That story is still happening, but likely won’t see the light of day until sometime in 2011.

I’m also currently working on a Murder Book iPad app (and potentially an Android App). I hope to have some details about that shortly.

As you can see, I’ve redesigned the site a little. The last design just wasn’t sitting well with me, so I’ve opted instead for a more utilitarian look for the time being. Knowing myself, this will likely change when I’m ready to post the next story.

Speaking of the next story…

I’m looking for collaborators and co-conspirators: Artists! Interested in drawing a Murder Book story? Hit me up with an email at edbrisson[at]gmail[dot]com.

Written and lettered by Ed Brisson
Drawn by Damian Coucerio