Going Forward

Well, things are most definitely underway. The kickstarter is in full effect and we're taking to the streets, getting the word out. But in knowing the road ahead, you must also acknowledge and accept the path behind as well.

The interesting thing when it comes to business is that a lot of people believe that you can be one way in one and another way in the other. But that only really applies in certain situations. There are times in which what you do in business can actually define you as a person... and I don't care what anyone says, that can be really scary. The standard idiom was at one point "work hard so that you can play hard", that wanes a bit in this day in age, but it can still be considered sound. However, it all depends on what you're trying to do and where you're trying to go.

Let's say that, your goals are sending you towards becoming a lawyer or a doctor, those careers in particular require a great deal more than a "9 to 5" mentality to even be attempted, much less achieved. And honestly, whether people know it or not, the same goes for creative endeavors as well. But any artistic mind will tell you that the work doesn't stop just because you aren't at the office. And that's the difference. A job is what you decide to do to pay the bills; a career is what you're driven to do and can ultimately provide your life with a great deal more fulfillment than any job.

But above all else, it's all work and you're only going to get out of it what you put into it. Imaginos Workshop is no different. We're striving, to do more, to do better, to do what we are driven to do. And it's something everyone's capable of doing, but it's about what you want, what you're looking to get out of it. I don't believe in destiny, I believe in possibility.

This kickstarter is just the beginning for us here at Imaginos Workshop. We're anxious to see where it takes us and hope that you all will join us on the journey! So check out the first step and let's keep moving and striving together!

-Joe

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1854358647/the-imaginos-plus-comic-book-sampler

Phase One and Done. Kickstarter Proposal Turned In 9/11

Any good plan has phases, and we just complete phase one of our grand plan known as operation Imaginos Kickstarter. We got the sucker turned in last night, now we have to wait up to 7 days for Amazon to check us out and allow us to Let them handle the pledged moneys. Then we will have to wait up to 14 days for Kickstarter to look at our proposal to tell us whether they deem it worthy or not.

In the meantime we will be moving to the second Phase, which is going to be firing up our marketing campaign. See there are a lot of comic shops in southeastern Michigan and we plan on hitting every last one of them to spread the word. We will be putting up some exclusive Kickstarter signage to let people know who we are and what we are doing.

We need to reacquaint ourselves with the local comic community and let them know that there is a group of creatives who care about and love our Michigan roots. We are betting on Michigan and hope that the Michigan Kickstarter community bets on us. 

I am also doing the last of my preliminary design and thumbnail work so that I can get back on these pages.
Got over 25 pages to do in the next 2 months , gotta get crackin nuff said.

Till we start the next Phase
Mark 

Kickstarter Proposal Video DONE!!!!

It's finally done, the Imaginos Plus Comicbook Sampler Kickstarter proposal is finished. We are gonna leave it up here for a few days to get your feedback then we are going to send it to Kickstater for review and posting.

What we want to know is what you think about the video and what can be improved?

I would like to take this time to thank April Cox, Danielle Todd, her Mom Bridget and her sister, as well as Joe Young and Danielle's family friend Jim for helping us shoot this thing. April and Danielles background in theater really made all the difference. They were ready and comfortable and this was done all in like one or two takes.

I also really need to to give a huge thanks to COMIC CITY. The owners, Bob and Jill Smethers have supported and pushed me and the local Southeastern Michigan comic scene for years and even allowed us to film in the Pontiac, MI store.

Other people in the Comic City family who have been super supportive are Jen Swackhammer, who I would love to point out is a new mom, and Comic City West Bloomfield's Gretchen Bogdanska who is ever ready to help us out any way she can.

Please let us know in the next few days what needs to be tightened up on the proposal video and if at all possible that will be addressed.

Thank you all for coming on this journey with us.

The Honeycomb Hideout Episode 11: The Summer Rundown

What's up, 'Combies? The boys are back with a solid rundown of some of the major events of the summer. We cover the big film releases, their aftermath and what the "folks in charge" should really be paying attention to as result, as well as major video game releases still to come that we're excited about. On the more serious tip, we cover a number of the tragedies that have taken place in the past few weeks, as well as some of the possible sociological factors that contribute to these events.  That's right, we're deep and funny here in the 'Hideout! Also, enjoy the special behind-the-scenes snippit at the beginning. Yep, y'all are going to get a taste of how we at Imaginos really tend to interact, which really isn't that different than how we do on the show, but Nik didn't realize we were recording at first so that adds to the awesome! So come on down and join in the fun!

*SPOILER WARNING: We go into significant detail about the overall plot and resolution of "The Dark Knight Rises" during the show, so if you haven't seen it yet and would rather still be surprised and whatnot when you see it, hold off on listening to it until after you've seen it. If not, venture forth and enjoy!

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The Honeycomb Hideout Episode 10: C2E2 Post-Game Show

Alright, now while it has been a while since our last episode, surely, you knew we'd be back eventually! This time the host is flying solo (god help us) as Joe gives y'all a rundown of the C2E2 convention that Imaginos Workshop attended back in May. He also gives all of you convention noobs out there a decent list of handy do's and don'ts. Listen carefully, it might save ya' ass!  LOL

Also mentioned in the show are a couple of our peers in the podcasting community, as well as friends of the show, that you all should check out when you get the time:


Geek Fights

The Gorgeous Geeks

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Creator-Owned Heroes: Image Comics Alive and Well

I have been reading Image Comics since it's inception. I have seen the company at its highest, then watched it sink into the toilet because of juvenile approaches to putting out comics. Today, however, I am here to tell you that IMAGE COMICS is back and better than ever.

It seems that as of late, the little company started in the 90's by Marvel's disgruntled top artists is putting out amazing book after amazing book. Not only is Image the home of Robert Kirkman's blockbuster treatment of the zombie apocalypse, Walking Dead,  Even books by Rob Liefield's Extreme Studios (once the laughing stock of the company for its often late, poorly drawn, hyper-sexualized, sophomoric stories) are now enjoying innovative and thoughtful relaunches. 

Just yesterday, I was glad to have had the opportunity to purchase an Image project which I believe to be the culmination of all of the companies creator owned beliefs. Now it is widely known that the printed comic book magazine has seen better days. With the demise of Wizard Magazine, the premiere comics news magazine, I thought I would never see anything in print as far as comic book news and information again. I'm happy to say I was wrong!

From the minds of long time Joe Quesada collaborator, Jimmy Palmiotti and 30 Days of Night creator Steve Niles comes  CREATOR-OWNED HEROES!!!!

The format of the book intersperses two fully realized stories featuring creator owned  properties with a magazine format. I can remember Heavy Metal Magazine doing some stuff like this in the past and I loved it then. This time, however, all of the content in this magazine is creator owned from the sequential work to the interviews. 

The Inaugural issues boasts stories by Steve Niles and Kevin Mellon, as well as content by Jimmy Palmiotti, Justin Gray and Phil Noto.With the current firestorm surrounding the treatment of comics professionals by Marvel and DC, I think that Palmiotti and Niles couldn't have picked a better time to debut this Mag. I also strongly believe that the venture could not have picked a better home than Image Comics to publish it. I hope that the magazine becomes yet another showcase for the talent that Image is attracting and I also sincerely believe that the magazine will serve to inspire even more creators to take the plunge. 

Mark-

Camera Mart's Demo Days returns with sales, swag and newest models of cameras

Calling all Metro Detroit photographers! This month features the event Demo Days at Camera Mart in Pontiac, the area's best location for cameras and photography equipment. The event is on June 15 & 16 at Camera Mart on Telegraph Road in Pontiac.

There will be manufacturer and vendor representatives there to show off the latest models of cameras and to answer any of your questions. You can get a free sensor cleaning (on a first-come, first-serve basis) for two of your cameras and win Camera Mart swag.

There will also be a raffle for a FREE Canon Rebel T3i camera! Camera Mart's Facebook page explains the details of the event, as well as what you can do to increase your chances of winning that T3i (for instance, tweeting or sharing Demo Days or, ahem, writing about it on your blog).

This event is a great way to shop for that camera you have in mind or to get some new equipment (there is NO SALES TAX on most items during Demo Days).

Camera Mart is located at 11 S. Telegraph Rd, Pontiac MI 48341. Demo Days will be on Friday 15 (9:30 am-7 pm) and Saturday 16 (9:30 am-5 pm).

Jon