Archive for the ‘Dark Horse’ Category

Preview ‘Star Wars: Blood Ties—A Tale of Jango and Boba Fett #4′ Out This Week!

Tuesday, November 23rd, 2010

Has your life been lacking some Rancor VS Fett action?  Fear not, this Wednesday sees the climactic conclusion of Star Wars: Blood Ties—A Tale of Jango and Boba Fett.

“This is, hands down, the best of the “Star Wars” comics from Dark Horse that I have read.” - CBR

“I’d forgotten how good Star Wars comics can be when they’re done well.  And this one is certainly done well. ” - PRIMARY IGNITION.COM

“Taylor seems poised to add some real depth to this enigmatic bounty hunter without sacrificing his cooler qualities. Whether in revisiting Jango’s death from Boba’s point of view or showcasing his bounty hunting methods, Taylor offers a lot for Fett fans to enjoy in this series.” - IGN

“This comic is awesome. Go out and buy it.” - THE SCI-FI BLOC

Chris Scalf and I have had a great time creating this story, so it’s a bit sad to see the end. But fear not, Chris and I have a few more things in the pipeline… news soon.

Click the cover for a Dark Horse Preview to issue #4.

Writer: Tom Taylor
Artist: Chris Scalf

Boba Fett is on a mission to uphold his father’s honor. But when a bounty is paid, and the crime lord who issued it still refuses to call off his vendetta, Boba Fett’s own sense of honor is offended. Forget about bounties; now there’s hell to pay!

Boba Fett takes on a crime lord. Check.
And the crime lord’s army of minions. Check.
And a giant, rampaging rancor.
Check and double–check!

This is the cover to issue 6 of Star Wars Invasion: Rescues. Gaze at it.

Thursday, November 11th, 2010

We have been insanely fortunate to have the brilliant Jo Chen as our cover artist on this series. It always makes me very happy when these appear in my inbox and as soon as the cover to Rescues #6 appeared, I was desperate to share it.

Issue #6 ran into a few problems with solicitation but it will now be in stores on December 15.

This is the cover.  It is stunning.

Star Wars: Blood Ties #3 – Star Wars Invasion: Rescues #5 – One Big Wednesday

Wednesday, October 27th, 2010

Once again, two of my Star Wars books are out on the same day and both are the penultimate chapters of their stories.

Star Wars: Blood Ties seems to be a bit of a critical success and issue #1 sold almost as many copies the month after it came out as it did in the first month, which is a very good sign. The story continues here.  More is revealed about Connor Freeman, and Boba Fett gets to show off his wonderful toys.

Meanwhile, so much of Star Wars: Invasion has been leading up to this single issue.  There have been some wild theories from fans about the secrets of this series.  Some of those ‘ridiculous’ theories may be proven true in this issue (sorry, some of those ridiculous theories will remain ridiculous).  This is the issue that should have more people talking than ever before…

STAR WARS: BLOOD TIES—A TALE OF JANGO AND BOBA FETT #3 (of 4)
Tom Taylor (W) and Chris Scalf (A/Cover)
On sale Oct 27
FC, 40 pages
$3.50
Miniseries
Boba Fett has discovered that his father left a legacy to someone Boba has never heard of. He manages to track down the man, but if he is to learn the reasons behind Jango’s posthumous generosity, Boba Fett must first save the man from an army of bounty hunters who want the guy’s head!
Jango Fett and Boba Fett together!

STAR WARS: INVASION—RESCUES #5 (of 6)
Tom Taylor (W), Colin Wilson (A), Wes Dzioba (C), and Jo Chen (Cover)
On sale Oct 27
FC, 40 pages
$2.99
Miniseries
Kaye Galfridian has taken command of a New Republic army, but her first mission has forced her to fight against some of the very refugees she has come to rescue! Mutated by Yuuzhan Vong bioengineering, the refugees have become monstrous killing machines who can only be “saved” by death.
Meanwhile, on their homeworld of Artorias, Kaye’s brother Finn must deal with death on another level, unaware that he has become the enemy’s objective in a new front in the Yuuzhan Vong invasion!
• Set within the time frame of the New Jedi Order novels from Del Rey!
The price of Victory . . .

The Good Reviews Get… Gooder

Friday, October 22nd, 2010

Seriously?

This is getting quite crazy.  Newsarama’s amazing praise of The Example last week (where they said “this book should be used in writing classes everywhere, and should be the primary example (no pun intended) for aspiring comic writers to reference when trying to learn how to write dramatic and compelling dialogue.”) on top of all the good reviews for Star Wars: Blood Ties #1, including CBR’S 4.5 star review, has been topped.

The Example has received even more praise from various sources and Star Wars: Blood Ties #2 has picked up that extra half-a-star in a 5 star review at CBR, as well as some nice words from IGN and others.

THE EXAMPLE

“Brief Cases, late trains, and small talk add up to what is probably the best comic of the year! “Taylor and Wilson collaborate to create one of the most tension filled comics I have ever read.” - THE OUTHOUSE.COM

“as effing good as the accolades suggest.” – BROKEN FRONTIER

STAR WARS: BLOOD TIES #2

“It’s a natural flow of story, reflecting upon how the past has fueled the present. The two tales come crashing together at the end of this issue, setting up an exciting story for the remainder of this series. 5 stars” - CBR

“Taylor seems poised to add some real depth to this enigmatic bounty hunter without sacrificing his cooler qualities. Whether in revisiting Jango’s death from Boba’s point of view or showcasing his bounty hunting methods, Taylor offers a lot for Fett fans to enjoy in this series.” - IGN

“This comic is awesome. Go out and buy it.” - THE SCI-FI BLOC

Star Wars: Blood Ties Reviews

Friday, August 27th, 2010

I haven’t read one negative review of Star Wars: Blood Ties A tale of Jango and Boba Fett #1… which is just strange.  Normally, I’ll find one that rips through us for one reason or another, but not here.

Reviews, Reviews, Reviews

Blood Ties is off to a great start. This is one of those Expanded Universe stories that feels like it was genuinely written to tell a compelling story, not simply to expand upon or illuminate corners of the Star Wars universe. Aside from establishing a moving and believable relationship between the two main characters, Taylor has crafted a story that seems to be prepared to expand its theme beyond the two in a way that can be equally rewarding. Chris Scalf’s art is not only amazing (as it generally is) but also does just as much as the writing in the way of revealing Jango’s feelings for Boba, and in equally subtle ways. Writer Tom Taylor does a superb job of making Jango’s tough love on Boba never feel like anything other than love (though Jango would probably never admit that himself). If the chemistry between Taylor and Scalf remains this good throughout the series, this could turn out to be one of the better Fett tales of recent time.- THE SCI-FI BLOCK

“What immediately stood out about this issue was the art. I’d never seen Chris Scalf’s work before. But it’s beautiful, and really suits the Star Wars universe. He seems to do almost everything well. The faces look like the actors from Attack of the Clones and carry emotion perfectly, the action sequences look beautiful, and the story flows well.  It’s clear that Jango and Boba love each other dearly, but the tough-love scenarios young Boba is forced to go through make for a nice, meaty story. I’d forgotten how good Star Wars comics can be when they’re done well.  And this one is certainly done well. ” - PRIMARY IGNITION.COM

“The comic sets up a great ending which will have you crying for more! While the story for the most part remains in the “past”, the mission will obviously have ramifications for Boba later in the issues to come. The Fetts get an assignment from Lord Tyranus to take out a target with sensitive information about the operations at Kamino, and must be removed from the galactic playing field. The mysterious target’s identity is revealed on the last page with a continued bar interrupting all the excitement! (I can’t spoil everything after all.) Head out and get yours or click the link below and order yours! You won’t regret it.” - EU CANTINA

Even IGN liked it.

“Various Expanded Universe stories have attempted to flesh him out and provide him with an actual backstory, and all to varying degrees of success. George Lucas’ own attempts in Episode II left me a bit cold, but Tom Taylor does a better job here of exploring the father/son dynamic between Jango and his cloned child. The first half of this issue focuses on the lessons and training Jango imparts to Boba. Taylor strikes that necessary balance between loving father and gruff, loner mercenary in Jango’s portrayal. As for Boba, Taylor makes it clear that Boba had a talent for dealing death and destruction even at an early age.” - IGN

Some Great ‘Star Wars: Blood Ties’ Press – Interviews with TIME.COM and IGN

Thursday, August 26th, 2010

More Blood Ties coverage – an interview with me has just been posted over on techland.com. This is Time Magazine’s Tech/Geek Page. This is the closest I’ll get to ‘Time Man of the Year’ until I get around to finishing my world-peace-laser. Click the pic for the link.

“I also used to make up a lot of stories with my Star Wars toys in my bedroom and backyard. I could never hold onto the lightsabers, though. No doubt, when my tiny figures’ tiny hands were cut off in tiny rages by tiny Sith, they lost their lightsabers down deep (tiny) caverns. So, most of my original stories probably had titles like “Luke Skywalker and the colored matchstick held on by blu-tac.”

IGN have also interviewed me (entirely about Blood Ties) - right here

“As for the tone, these are not really kids’ tales. These happen in darker places with darker scenarios than The Clone Wars.  Although there is definitely some humor, we’re dealing with two men (in Jango and Boba) who aren’t exactly known for their fluffy-teddy-like approachable personas.”

There are also some great early reviews which I will post later.

Star Wars: Blood Ties – Begins This Week! Check Out The Preview

Wednesday, August 25th, 2010

It’s here!

The first Star Wars: Blood Ties miniseries ‘A Tale of Jango and Boba Fett’ hits shelves on Wednesday (Thursday in Australia).

There has been a lot of early interest for this book, and Dark Horse promoted it at the recent Celebration V Star Wars convention with Boba/Jango flip masks for fans.

As well as this interview here, I’ve done interviews with IGN and Techland (the geek blog of Time Magazine) which will be appearing in the next few days, and more are being requested.  The previews are all over the internet and early praise for Chris Scalf’s work is well-deserved (I know, I’ve seen what comes next).

Click the pic below to check out the preview at Dark Horse…

Daniel Logan (Young Boba Fett) and I recently hung out at a couple of conventions here in Australia.  It’s been a lot of fun putting him through all of this in the book.

Daniel Logan - Tom Taylor - Boba Fett

Tom Taylor Made – Books For The Months Ahead

Tuesday, August 17th, 2010

Trying to keep on top of this.  Here are the books I have coming out in the months ahead (now with October and November added).

JUNE

THE AUTHORITY #23
On sale JUNE 2
32 pg, FC, $2.99 US
Written by TOM TAYLOR
Art by MIKE S. MILLER
Cover by PHILIP TAN
With the onboard rebellions subdued and attacks from the stowaways repelled, The Authority can once again focus on the nature of their voyage. Is the Carrier leading them to its home – or does it have some other, more sinister agenda? While passing through a vast graveyard of discarded spacecraft, the latest Century Baby detects a faint sign of life. The High goes off on a rescue mission, but what he brings back on board eclipses any danger they’ve faced so far.

STAR WARS: INVASION—RESCUES #2 (of 6)
Tom Taylor (W), Colin Wilson (A), Wes Dzioba (C), and Jo Chen (Cover)
On sale June 30
FC, 40 pages
$2.99
Miniseries
New and vital knowledge sends Finn Galfridian with Jacen and Jaina Solo on a mission to the planet of Artorias. Though Finn does not know if his father, Caled, lives, if there is any chance, he must be warned of new dangers. It’s a hot and dangerous ride to Artorias, and the occupying Yuuzhan Vong are ready with a toothsome, ravaging welcome . . .
Meanwhile, Kaye and Nina, board their newly acquired Vong ship, embark on their own mission. It’s one they can’t refuse: rescuing captives held on a dead planet. There is no telling what peril will meet the rescue party . . .

JULY

STAR WARS ADVENTURES: THE WILL OF DARTH VADER
Tom Taylor (W), Brain Koschak (P), Dan Parsons (I), Michael Wiggam (C), and Sean McNally (Cover)
On sale July 21
FC, 80 pages
$7.99
TPB, 5 1/4″ x 7 1/2″
Darth Vader is on a mission for the Emperor!
When the Rebellion’s hit-and-run attacks on Imperial cargo ships become too audacious to be ignored, Darth Vader is sent in to find the Rebel base and destroy it. But the base, hidden in the center of a constantly shifting asteroid field, cannot be attacked directly.
To reach his target, Vader will have to team up with a recently captured smuggler named Zika—and dealing with an unwilling, wisecracking partner may be more of a trial for the Dark Lord than the actual mission!

THE AUTHORITY #24
On sale JULY 7
32 pg, FC, $2.99 US
Written by TOM TAYLOR
Art and cover by AL BARRIONUEVO
Deep in space, The Authority wage battle on two fronts. Aboard The Carrier, the combined might of the entire team is barely enough to keep the possessed, reanimated Aegean in check. It’s time for Hawksmoor to finally unleash his secret weapon, but will it be enough? Outside, against the vast entity known as Mondregon, even the immense Carrier is a mere speck. The High’s comeback may prove to be short–lived, as he’s about to face down Mondregon in what could turn out to be a suicide mission.

STAR WARS: INVASION—RESCUES #3 (of 6)
Tom Taylor (W), Colin Wilson (A), Wes Dzioba (C), and Jo Chen (Cover)
On sale July 28
FC, 40 pages
$2.99
Miniseries
Two armies have joined forces for a dangerous rescue mission. Both have experience fighting the Yuuzhan Vong, but this time the encounter takes an unexpected turn, and more is revealed about their enemy’s strange capabilities . . .
Meanwhile, Finn Galfridian and the Solo children race to warn Finn’s father that a trusted friend is a deadly enemy!
• Covers by Jo Chen!

AUGUST

THE AUTHORITY #25
Written by TOM TAYLOR
Art by AL BARRIONUEVO
Cover by HOWARD PORTER, ALLEN MARTINEZ & WES HARTMAN
In the aftermath of the twin battles with the Aegean and Mondregon, the team assesses the damage and Hawksmoor is forced to explain the origin of his strange, secret weapon. Deathblow is down for the count, and Swift is unconscious with no one able to figure out why she can’t be revived. But there’s not much time to lick their wounds or ease over internal tensions as The Carrier appears to finally be approaching its ultimate destination. Who or what they are about to meet could alter the course of the Wildstorm Universe forever.
On sale AUGUST 4 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

STAR WARS: BLOOD TIES—A TALE OF JANGO AND BOBA FETT #1 (of 4)
Tom Taylor (W) and Chris Scalf (A/Cover)
On sale Aug 25
FC, 40 pages
$3.50
Miniseries
Here begins a multigenerational tale of honor and redemption, starring two of the heaviest hitters in the Star Wars galaxy—the father-and-clone team of Jango and Boba Fett!
Shortly before the start of the Clone Wars, Count Dooku sends Jango Fett on a mission that will affect the course of Boba Fett’s life some twenty years later. But for now, neither of them knows what the future holds in store, and besides, they have their schedule filled dodging monsters and fighting bad guys!
• Jango Fett and Boba Fett together!
• Fully painted art by Purge artist Chris Scalf!

Image: Rombies #0

ROMBIES #0

(W) Tom Taylor (A/C) Skye Ogden

Rome wasn’t built in a day, but it may crumble in one. Titans battle in the arena. A thumb turns down. A sword comes down. A dead man… stands up? Racing through dark, narrow tunnels beneath the Colosseum, two heroes and a child join together to escape their pursuers. Pursuers who were once men. Hungry men. Undead men. Rombies! Friends, Romans, Countrymen, lend me your brains!

EXAMPLE (ONE-SHOT)Image: Example  (One-Shot)

(W) Tom Taylor (A) Colin Wilson

Two people. A train station. An unattended Briefcase. Prejudice versus Preservation. In the war on terror, will suspicion and fear win out? Written by Tom Taylor (The Authority) and illustrated by Colin Wilson (2000AD), The Example is a bleakly humourous meditation on terrorism, paranoia, and personal responsibility.

SEPTEMBER

THE AUTHORITY #26
Written by TOM TAYLOR
Art by AL BARRIONUEVO
Cover by CHRIS SPROUSE & KARL STORY
When Jack Hawksmoor chose to board the departing Carrier, he chose to hedge his bets. Now that his terrible secret has been exposed, the loss of trust far outweighs the recent loss of life…and the loss of loved ones. But there is no time for anger or mourning. They have reached their destination. Will The Authority find the help for their dying Earth that they seek – or will the end of their journey bring new nightmares?
On sale SEPTEMBER 1 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

STAR WARS: BLOOD TIES—A TALE OF JANGO AND BOBA FETT #2 (of 4)
Tom Taylor (W) and Chris Scalf (A/Cover)
On sale Sept 29
FC, 40 pages
$3.50
Miniseries
Then: Jango Fett, the most dangerous assassin/bounty hunter in the galaxy, never fails to get his man. But Jango has never had a success that has affected him this way.
Now: Boba Fett has taken up his father’s mantle and lived up to Jango’s fearsome reputation. But a secret from the past has Boba working a case he would normally dismiss and wondering if he actually knew his father as well as he thought . . .
Across the generations, and across the galaxy, if a Fett is on your trail, you’ve reached a dead end!
Fully painted art by Purge artist Chris Scalf!

STAR WARS: INVASION—RESCUES #4 (of 6)
Tom Taylor (W), Colin Wilson (A), Wes Dzioba (C), and Jo Chen (Cover)
On sale Sept 29
FC, 40 pages
$2.99
Miniseries
Jedi-in-training Finn Galfridian learns a secret about his mother that he never knew, but the knowledge only leads to new questions about himself and his unusual ability.
Meanwhile, Kaye Galfridian leads a New Republic attack against a Yuuzhan Vong base, not realizing that the Vong commander’s tactics are meant to buy him time to learn more about his most hated foe: Kaye’s brother, Finn.
New allies, new enemies, and a turning point in the lives of the Galfridian family!

OCTOBER

THE AUTHORITY #27
Written by TOM TAYLOR
Art by AL BARRIONUEVO
Cover by DAVE GIBBONS & KEVIN NOWLAN
1:10 Variant cover by ANDY PARK
One hundred thousand refugees scream inside the Carrier and are gone. Hawksmoor, Flint and Grifter disappear with them – taken by a species of brutal, nightmarish creatures. River’s growing powers as the Spirit of Information hid only a handful of Authority members. As they set out on an impossible rescue, a terrible history is uncovered and the mystery of Swift deepens.
Retailers please note: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the Previews Order Form for more information.
On sale OCTOBER 6 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

STAR WARS: BLOOD TIES—A TALE OF JANGO AND BOBA FETT #3 (of 4)
Tom Taylor (W) and Chris Scalf (A/Cover)
On sale Oct 27
FC, 40 pages
$3.50
Miniseries
Boba Fett has discovered that his father left a legacy to someone Boba has never heard of. He manages to track down the man, but if he is to learn the reasons behind Jango’s posthumous generosity, Boba Fett must first save the man from an army of bounty hunters who want the guy’s head!
Jango Fett and Boba Fett together!

STAR WARS: INVASION—RESCUES #5 (of 6)
Tom Taylor (W), Colin Wilson (A), Wes Dzioba (C), and Jo Chen (Cover)
On sale Oct 27
FC, 40 pages
$2.99
Miniseries
Kaye Galfridian has taken command of a New Republic army, but her first mission has forced her to fight against some of the very refugees she has come to rescue! Mutated by Yuuzhan Vong bioengineering, the refugees have become monstrous killing machines who can only be “saved” by death.
Meanwhile, on their homeworld of Artorias, Kaye’s brother Finn must deal with death on another level, unaware that he has become the enemy’s objective in a new front in the Yuuzhan Vong invasion!
• Set within the time frame of the New Jedi Order novels from Del Rey!
The price of Victory . . .

NOVEMBER

STAR WARS: BLOOD TIES—JANGO AND BOBA FETT #4 (of 4)
Tom Taylor (W) and Chris Scalf (A/Cover)
On sale Nov 24
FC, 40 pages
$3.50
Miniseries
Boba Fett is on a mission to uphold his father’s honor. But when a bounty is paid, and the crime lord who issued it still refuses to call off his vendetta, Boba Fett’s own sense of honor is offended. Forget about bounties; now there’s hell to pay!

Boba Fett takes on a crime lord. Check.

And the crime lord’s army of minions. Check.

And a giant, rampaging rancor. Check and double-check!

THE AUTHORITY #28
Written by TOM TAYLOR
Art by AL BARRIONUEVO
Cover by TIM SEELEY & ALLEN MARTINEZ
Trapped by bloodthirsty aliens in a distant galaxy with billions of lives on the line, The Authority face impossible odds. Sarah Rainmaker will astonish, The Engineer will kick butt, Grifter will probably blow something up, Jack Hawksmoor will have to make a terrible decision, and Flint will put her fist through some squishy bits!
On sale 3 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US


San Diego Comic-Con. When I’ll Be Where.

Sunday, July 18th, 2010

San Diego Comic-Con is almost here and, once again, I will brave man-made flight machines with Colin Wilson to get there.

This con is looking a lot busier than the last one.  I will be signing for The Authority at the DC booth every day.  I will also be signing with Colin at the Dark Horse Booth on ‘Star Wars Day’ (Friday) and, on the Saturday, I will be part of the Wildstorm: Stormfront Panel with some great talent. I will also be signing at booth 4500 for Gestalt Publishing and generally hanging around that area as Colin Wilson has his own table at this year’s SDCC with Dave Dorman (which I’m apparently sitting at too).  If you’re around, come say hi.

THURSDAY, JULY 22

12-1pm: SIGNING @ DC booth (#1915)

FRIDAY, JULY 23

12:00-1:00: SIGNING @ Dark Horse booth

2-3pm: SIGNING @ DC booth

SATURDAY, JULY 24

1-2pm: SIGNING @ DC booth

6:30 to 7:30 p.m. WildStorm: Storm Front Panel

What’s new in the WildStorm Universe? VP/general manager Hank Kanalz  and senior editor Ben Abernathy bring you up to speed with this inside look into DC’s wildest imprint. Joining Hank and Ben will be Adam Beechen (WildCats), Kurt Busiek  (Astro City), Darick Robertson (Fringe: Tales From the Fringe), Tom Taylor (The Authority), Tim Seeley  (WildCats), Adam Archer (Ratchet and Clank), Cruddie Torian (Gen13) and others. Room 4

SUNDAY, JULY 25

2:30-3:30pm: SIGNING @ DC booth

MONDAY, JULY 26

Sleeping… hard.

More Star Wars Work? An Interview And Invasion: Rescues #2

Wednesday, June 30th, 2010

Randy Stradley has teased a little tidbit over at Dark Horse about something I’m currently working towards (because apparently my brain doesn’t feel busy enough already).  This should make a lot of Chris Scalf fans (of which I’m one) very happy.

“Writer Tom Taylor (Invasion) has submitted a proposal to turn the concept of Blood Ties(previewed here two weeks ago) into a semi-regular series, with the idea of having artist Chris Scalf provide the painted art for each issue! Note: it will not be what you expect it to be!”

I’m very happy to see this made public and I’m looking forward to throwing myself into it after I finish the last Jango and Boba Fett script.

Next up, an interview I did for Star Wars Books in the UK.

“My day generally begins when I am kneed in the chest by the full force of a four-year-old jumping on me while screaming ‘time to hop up, dad!’. I wrestle with him for a while and then I wander down my hallway and press the power button on my computer. I keep walking to the coffee maker. Sometimes my wife will already have it on, because she’s wonderful. I take my coffee back to my computer where I check my emails, Facebook, new comic pages and other art, internet forum chatter about my work, Skype messages from editors and I generally update my website if there’s something worth mentioning. Then, once all of that is done, and if I’m heading out of the house to work or heading to Colin Wilson’s house for coffee, I will put on pants.”

The rest can be read right here.

And of course… Star Wars: Invasion — Rescues #2 is out today!