AfterShock Announces Fu Jitsu

“Fu Jitsu should be on everyone’s pull list because it’s a comic book for comic book readers.  Fu Jitsu has more in common with early Hellboy than it does with End-Around-Movie-Pitch-as-a-Graphic-Novel.  Wes St. Claire and I are here to make COMICS.  We are sequential storytellers.  We want to knock your socks off with a comic the way Walt Simonson or Howard Chaykin or Jim Starlin knocked you on your butt with the power of words and pictures.  That’s our goal.  We want to capture and keep comic book readers and take them on a journey every issue.  If every issue is as satisfying to read as it is to write and draw, we’ll have done our jobs well.  Everyone wishes they’d have taken a chance on Hellboy #1, or Calibur Presents #1 (1st app. The Crow), or God Country #1.  But the talent inside was largely untested, and concept was alien, so people passed.  Now, you’ll pay a pretty penny for each.  If new readers try Fu Jitsu #1, I think they’ll be pleasantly surprised as readers, collectors, and fans.”

“Fu Jitsu belongs at AfterShock because of the people behind the scenes in publishing from the top down.  I’ve known (publisher) Joe Pruett for 15 years thanks to Phil Hester.  Joe has an amazing eye for talent and he’s discovered a bunch of creators who are now industry giants.  Joe sees angles for publishing, marketing, and distribution that elude other publishers.  Joe knows a ton about the industry and how it works.  Editor in Chief Mike Marts is another great reason.  Mike also has a great eye for talent, that’s why I think Wes St. Claire is going to blow up after Fu Jitsu.  I’ve known Mike for about 15 years too, starting with his first run at Marvel.  He has only increased his reputation and footprint in the industry since that time.  When AfterShock hired Marts I said, “oh, they’re SERIOUS,” because I knew what kind of business plan they would have to have in place to lure one of the biggest and brightest editors in comics into their fold.  That’s a testament to AfterShock’s long-view plan, their backing, and Joe Pruett.  Besides them, every person I’ve met on their team including Lisa Wu and Mike Zagari has been professional, adroit, and intelligent.  Finally, AfterShock has such a good deal for creators.  Look at their stable!  Ellis, Ennis, Waid, Layman, Jenkins, Cates, Hester, Palmiotti, Conner, Harris… I could go on, but that’s just off the top of my head.  I want to be in that club.  AfterShock earned those creators, and they were fair to me and Wes, so Fu Jitsu is in amazing hands.  Deadly hands.  Of Kung Fu.  Or something like that.”