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Well, folks, I want to thank all of you for taking the time to support our comic and for spreading the word. Who knows, you may be seeing something from me sooner than later.

Steve Ekstrom

posted on July 31, 2009 - 2:40pm
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64Klove says:

Better then the others I looked at but still needs more attention to detail if you ask me. If your going for a "Johnny Quest look" you have a pretty high goal set.

posted on July 30, 2009 - 7:05am
User
eltonpruitt says:

Good job, Steve et al! Nice moody setup and an interesting premise.

posted on July 29, 2009 - 9:08pm
User

Good stuff.

posted on July 29, 2009 - 5:12pm
User
ligerman says:

saw your flyer in the college library. comics are awesome.

posted on July 28, 2009 - 11:06pm
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kmndee18 says:

Have to say, your marketing techniques are commendable, man.

posted on July 28, 2009 - 9:39pm
User

Steve, thanks for showing me Zuda this is a really cool site.

posted on July 28, 2009 - 9:10pm
User

Thanks to Richard below for showing me this site. Free comics online ftw! Great comic want to see the rest.

posted on July 28, 2009 - 4:40pm
User
thedoitdude says:

Why can't the art on all the pages look more like the last one? Good start, great last page.

posted on July 28, 2009 - 4:31pm
User
dingus says:

solid comic, hope you'll continue it.

posted on July 27, 2009 - 4:14pm
User
amikael says:

The only critizism sofar is that we started slow, and on zuda, you dont do that. On the other hand, that proves we have a lot of story left to cover, while some of the other already burned trough all they have. Bottom line, if you want something that will last, its one thing, and if you see this competition as a one-time thing, it's another.

posted on July 27, 2009 - 2:07pm
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mpd57 says:

Good lord, it's William Gaunt! http://tinyurl.com/lu5wfu

posted on July 27, 2009 - 9:44am
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vonblinden22 says:

As far as the story goes, this is one of the two best this month. A really enjoyable read! The art is also very good.

posted on July 26, 2009 - 9:37am
User
Melonie says:

It's a close match, and I wouldn't count you out just yet.

Just keep your chin up and don't let yourself get too nervous. No matter what happens, you should be proud of your achievements, and keep up the amazing work!

posted on July 24, 2009 - 2:19am
User
kwip says:

This is good stuff, guys. Hope to read more!

posted on July 20, 2009 - 8:32am
User

Funkidrumr is none other than Doug Draper--a cohort of the ARES IMPERATIVE team. Doug and I have worked on a couple of projects together--one of which will be seeing print in the pages of the next Popgun anthology later this year. THanks for the support, Doug.

Going to be riding around to a couple comic shops in the San Diego area with flyers for The Ares Imperative today!

posted on July 19, 2009 - 3:04pm
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Funkidrumr says:

Wow guys! This is just fantastic! Just finished reading it and I'm really left with the urge to read more. Well done Steve-O! And Mikael's artwork is incredibly solid, clearly understandable and creates a mood that matches the story to a T. Excellent stuff man! And Mr. Turnbull's colors are beautiful! A great pallet with great textures. That last page is awesome. Kickass font too! Love it, love it!

posted on July 19, 2009 - 1:03pm
User

Holding steady at third going into the weekend. Next week will be a huge week for us--I can feel it. Making flyers and getting ready for SDCC...should have a couple of surprises back home, too--before the end of the month.

John Parkin from Robot 6 on CBR interviewed all the contestants from this month's competition--we're at the bottom...but check us out!

http://robot6.comicbookresources.com/2009/07/zudist-colony-talking-to-this-months-zuda-competitors/

posted on July 17, 2009 - 6:23pm
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amikael says:

Preview of stuff happening later: http://www.naltabyte.se/color01.jpg

posted on July 17, 2009 - 12:07pm
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TheAssman says:

When theres a bit involved, i prefer to chomp! But i digress, you wouldnt play EQ with me but you'll play WoW with total strangers?
Can the most electrifying man in Valdosta smell what im cooking?
47 months Wow free and counting...

posted on July 16, 2009 - 2:19pm
User

Oh yeah, check this out:

http://www.newsarama.com/comics/070916-AresImperative.html

David Pepose interviewed us for The Mothership, baby!

posted on July 16, 2009 - 10:47am
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Hello Zudists!

San Diego is just so damn sunny and bright! Onto responses:

*RKB & Bryy Miller - thanks for the reviews, we appreciate your criticism and thoughtful comments. RKB, I actually posted a response to yours...

*slidestudios - thanks for the fan art, man!

*MONSTAR555 - well, you'll find out if you stick with us that we've got more to offer...

*Valdosta friends and family--as always--I love you guys. THanks for your support.

Assman! Justin, you've known me much longer than most people--so you know how bad I want this. Thanks for coming out of your cave and finding some internet so you could check out our little comic.

posted on July 16, 2009 - 10:46am
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RKB says:

My review:
***************
http://pigs-of-the-industry.blogspot.com/2009/07/zuda-review-ares-imperative-blah-blah.html

posted on July 16, 2009 - 4:07am
User
slidestudios says:

Some Fan Art for you and the other competitors http://zudafanart.blogspot.com/

posted on July 15, 2009 - 1:39pm
Comic Pro
User
MONSTAR555 says:

Yeah its nice and all, but I can get this kind of stuff from the movies or 24 on TV... Its just not what I'm looking for in a comic

posted on July 14, 2009 - 6:02pm
User
jondangler says:

Nice work. Greatly exceeded my expectations. Am very impressed. Keep up the good work.

posted on July 14, 2009 - 12:57pm
User
jmringuet says:

Intriguing concept and it's cool to see some mystery/spy thriller stuff on Zuda, but way too much exposition for me (we don't need to know everything about everything) and the art is rough (especially when fullscreened) with some questionable coloring in places.
I also don't understand the synopsis which seems to be describing another story about a CIA superhero... Maybe you guys are just trying to cram too much stuff in one story.
Interesting nonetheless.

posted on July 14, 2009 - 1:29am
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wifeofbutter says:

Sorry about your car this evening, Steve. Glad you came to stay with us tonight before your flight to San Diego in the morning. We love you. Good Luck!

posted on July 14, 2009 - 12:23am
User
Bryy_Miller says:

reviewed
http://leftyfilmsblog.blogspot.com/2009/07/zudajuly-2009-and-san-diego-comi-con.html

posted on July 13, 2009 - 11:53pm
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butter says:

good luck buddy i think you deserve this. i've never read anything of yours i didn't like.

posted on July 13, 2009 - 11:50pm
User
bauer_fan says:

This is really cool .I don't read many online comics,but I could see myself read more of this .

posted on July 13, 2009 - 10:55pm
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TheAssman says:

After much analytical/critical/comparative reading i have determined that this is definitely the greatest comic book ever yet to be published. Love the story, artistry, and coloring! Ive got dibbs on the 1st signed copy off the press. You can do it Steve!!!

posted on July 13, 2009 - 6:09pm
User
mikeham04 says:

Wow Steve! I'm really lookin forward to the next installment! This has film written all over it!

posted on July 13, 2009 - 2:54pm
User
sgallo25 says:

Steve this was a great read. Any ties back to WWII Nazis are awesome. Can't wait to read the rest.

posted on July 13, 2009 - 1:47pm
User

Oh well, sort of a bust! They're all too busy playing WoW and drinking to care...that game is the devil. 4 months WoW FREE!

Thanks to Jason and Chris Cook; they tolerated my ****ty gameplay for two years too long. :)

posted on July 13, 2009 - 10:42am
Comic Pro
User

Good comic.

posted on July 13, 2009 - 1:24am
User
terroquita says:

Great stuff. Good luck with the competition!

posted on July 12, 2009 - 1:26pm
User
jk88 says:

great

posted on July 12, 2009 - 12:36pm
User
revenant69 says:

Steve sucks at World of Warcraft. I'm drunk.

posted on July 12, 2009 - 1:30am
User
kievraynos says:

Cool Comic.. keep up the great work!

posted on July 12, 2009 - 1:18am
User

Wow, rough night at work--and I come home to more hits and votes! SCORE!

Replies: Glenn and Christine--thanks for taking the time to check our story out...hopefully we'll be able to continue to entertain you!

Zero-Optix: We appreciate your vote of confidence. We recognize that the story doesn't POP with explosions and absolutely ridiculous zaniness--but that's our intention--we're doing an old-school action adventure book set in the 21st Century.

John and Jarrod--I loved you kids forever; tell Daryn I took a dump in his shoes and I've allowed 3 transients to sleep in his bed all at the same time.

Rebecca! Sorry about the phone this afternoon-clearly you sound like a lady--I was just so flustered and trying to drive that I just blurted out "Hi Dwight!"

Alright, I'm off to bolster the support of my WOW guild! LAN PARTY!

posted on July 11, 2009 - 10:30pm
Comic Pro
User
firewing5621 says:

keep up the good work. can't wait to see where this is going!

posted on July 11, 2009 - 7:55pm
User
danterain says:

this is Jarrod, of Jax, voting from L.A. congratulations on your comic. easily the best. and Daryn says, "don't destroy his house."

posted on July 11, 2009 - 7:54pm
User
glenn2009 says:

cool

posted on July 11, 2009 - 7:17pm
User

Glad you waited on us the other day. Enjoyed talking to you and really like the comic!

posted on July 11, 2009 - 6:51pm
User

Congrats on getting this on Zuda, Steve. It looks and reads great! Good luck with the competition :)

posted on July 11, 2009 - 6:10pm
User
Zero-Optix says:

this is my favorite so far.

posted on July 11, 2009 - 4:49pm
User

New posters!

sarah esra, you do your husband proud by supporting comic books! can't wait to talk to billy's students again next school year.

ruraljuror, very few people know the "sleeve" joke--so if it is who i think it is...i love you. if you aren't--well, i love you too--thanks for voting.

carson121314, thanks for supporting the local newspaper and THE ARES IMPERATIVE--be sure to look for our fan group on Facebook.

Speaking of which, we launched at 5am this morning--and we've 60 members strong...not too shabby. Keep it up folks!

posted on July 11, 2009 - 2:50pm
Comic Pro
User

It's frickin' hot outside! Just got done talking to local retailers about supporting the vote for THE ARES IMPERATIVE--so look out Zuda--the fanboys of Valdosta, Georgia are coming to Zuda!

Tomorrow morning: I'm having breakfast with a number of kids in the area who want to learn more about the production end of comics--at a local restaurant. I'll show them the ins and outs--from scripting to Mikael's end of penciling and inking to Jesse's work as the colorist back to me where I letter the pages...really looking forward to it.

posted on July 11, 2009 - 2:25pm
Comic Pro
User

Good job, Sleeve!

posted on July 11, 2009 - 1:37pm

The Ares Imperative

by:
  • steve.ekstrom
  • amikael
  • jesseturnbull
The Ares Imperative is © Steve Ekstrom, Mikael Bergkvist & Jesse Turnbull
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Current Rank
4.16594

Genre:
Science Fiction, Action/Adventure

Views:
54151

Favorite:
151

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Synopsis heading text
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It’s the early 21st Century and corporations continue to manipulate world governments as emerging quasi-religious science cults and techno-centric international terrorists are beginning to develop their own biological weapons mapped out in human genomes. Special Agent Adam Geist operates covertly within the framework of the ultra-classified PROJECT ARES division of the C.I.A. under the supervision of Deputy Director Ted Gerard and his assistant Maxwell Clearwater.
Geist does not fully comprehend the processes, which he has undergone as a part of PROJECT ARES but numerous studies have revealed that alien mitochondria have asserted control of his DNA—altering his higher intelligence functions and his nervous system receptor processing speed. He has become sensitive to electromagnetic fields and has developed heightened senses, which include something akin to Wi-Fi reception. His skin is capable of rapid, localized cellular density adaptation—making him virtually bulletproof.
Due to the secret nature of his existence and the fear that a “super-man” would create in light of the unstable relations between the U.S. and other world powers, Geist is under strict orders: he must eliminate anyone—friend or foe—who learns of his uncanny abilities. Sadly, as he grows in power, his own humanity diminishes from the actualization of his computer-like brain—and now, evidence is beginning to surface that his own strange biology may, in fact, be malevolent in nature…

Talent Information heading text
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steve.ekstrom
Role: Writer

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amikael
Role: Artist

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jesseturnbull
Role: Colorist

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