Action, Ohio
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Super-Hero, Action/Adventure
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Detective Andrea Bruce doesn't believe in heroes. But when a teenager dies stopping a fire with amazing abilities and the coroner suspects foul play, Andrea discovers a secret town of superheroes while tracking his killer. In the sixties, men responsible for the birth of Silver Age comic book heroes found this town of proud citizens riddled with the fallout of the atomic age and invented fictional characters based on its residents to divert the world from their existence: If America thought super heroes were fictional beings, it wouldn't go looking for them. Andrea, supported by an aging group of heroes, tries to hide Action from the world but her desire to solve her case and inability to depend on anyone else blinds her as she searches for the killer — someone willing to reveal and destroy utopia. As a town founded on policies of non-involvement begins to crack – half for isolation, half for throwing open their doors – Andrea weeds out murder suspects, digs into the underbelly of a town that's imprisoned itself to save the world, and asks: if Action, Ohio is a town of comic book heroes, then where are the villains? Andrea, an outsider with no use for heroes, must choose between solving her case and opening a Pandora's Box of evil closed forty years ago, or putting aside her vendetta to help contain Action's existence and freedoms in order to ensure that the sleepy little town hiding from the citizens of the world doesn't reach out, ignite and destroy them.
You know, I find it interesting that other competitor's supporters are coming here to take shots at me though I've been nothing but civil and supportive of everyone else's comic. I've had this idea for the contest since before the competition began - the Golden creators happened to beat me to it, is all. I knew that after that I would be labeled unoriginal but haters will hate and there's nothing I can do about it. Oh, also, it doesn't take detective work to know that the post beneath me is by one of the previous posters under a different screen name - I bet he even voted twice and isn't THAT in the spirit of fair play?
Nice Contest - How original!!! You steal peoples ideas for contests PLUS your comic book is unoriginal. Even if you win you will still be a LOSER!!
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G - G - G - GLOATER!!
Great story; I was heading uptown yesterday, on my way to the Comic Book Club with a pocket full of ACTION, OHIO flyers and reading an old library-borrowed volume of ULTIMATE X-MEN when this woman sits down next to me and smiles down at my book. After ten minutes of this, she asks which X-Men book it is and reveals she's a big X-fan. Packed train, upwardly mobile type woman, healthy interest in the X-men book in my hands. We chatter on about continuity and storylines for a bit and it's divulged that I write comics, to which she's thrilled. I then launch into the spiel - doing a comic in DC's American Idol style competition, and hey - here's a flyer about it. She takes it, pockets it in her wallet, I get off at my stop.
Man, I hope she votes.
New post at the production blog:
http://actionohio.blogspot.com/2008/05/plotting-fate-of-little-town-in-ohio.html
****CONTEST! Neil gives YOU presents on HIS birthday!****
Hey, folks!
If you've been paying attention, ACTION OHIO is in the middle of it's second week of the Zuda competition, and to help get votes, favorite and page views, we're starting a contest to coincide with something happening during our third week: the writer's birthday!
On May 21st, I turn 33 and to celebrate, we're going to offer you, our supporters, a chance to get a present too. All you have to do is get as many people as you can to favorite our comic and post on the comments thread that "(Your Name) told me to visit Action, Ohio" by May 21st. The person who sends the most visitors to the thread will win an Action, Ohio prize pack including:
- Signed copies of NINETY CANDLES, Neil's Xeric-winning graphic novella; Puffin Graphics' adapted version of Jack London's CALL OF THE WILD by Neil and Alex Nino; and X-MEN UNLIMITED #14, featuring an 11 page Colossus story by Neil and Mike Oeming. To read more about those comics, check out http://www.rantcomics.com
- More importantly, a signed, original page of ACTION, OHIO art by illustrator Paul Salvi!
Just have your friends, family and pals visit the thread by the end of May 21st, favorite our comic and post that they visited because of you - we'd love for them to vote for us too, but that's not necessary for you to win the contest.
And, heck - because we're generous souls, anyone who gets 33 people by the 21st will get a signed and sketched copy of NINETY CANDLES, too!
Remember - I'm turning another year older, but YOU'RE the one who'll get the goods! What're you waiting for?
Hey, folks - thanks for all the nice words! Sorry I've been absent... last night's Comic Book Club event was fun. I'll have the video link up here once the hosts send it along... but the greatest bit was that on the way to the show on the subway, I was reading an XMEN graphic novel, was asked about it and the conversation led to me handing someone an ACTION, OHIO flyer - there's something I hadn't thought of.. campaigning for votes on the train! Anyway, thanks to all who've voted and favorited us. Please get all of your friends in here to do the same. We'll be announcing a contest later tonight to make just doing that a LOT more interesting...!
That was a really, really good story...I hope this one wins...it'll be a tough choice...Robodeath or Action, Ohio...tough call. Give me awhile.
Despite previous confusion, I will now attempt to be perfectly clear:
I enjoy this comic. It's not flawless, but nothing ever is. It is by far the most flawless entry this month and I sincerely hope that you regain the top spot. Best of luck!
The competition is tough this week. Even though I voted for "E", I´d like to say that your work is brilliant and both of you deserve a chance to be published. Any one of you that should win, will make me happy and justice would have been done! Congratulations!
If I were a publisher, I'd SO publish this. Just saying. Hope it wins, but if not I'm sure it will find a spot somewhere. Thumbs up!
Brilliant title! Paul's art is gorgeous and the idea that the silver age was all just a big conspiracy to convince everyone that super heroes didn't exist honestly makes the hairs on my neck stand up a little.
Comic is very well done. Story line is clear, and the drawings are nice. Good job Neil, and good luck
Nice stuff on this one. Very well done setting up the story
of the town.Drawing is clean and to the point.I like this.
So, ACTION, OHIO begins the week slipping into the number two spot behind CELADORE - but just because we're down, doesn't mean we're out!
Now is the time to get the word out - please vote for us if you haven't yet. If you've already voted, please send the link on to friends, family and co-workers and make sure they (and you) add us as your favorite comic, rate us with 5 stars and leave us some nice words on the comment thread - all these things are taken into account in the final analysis.
Also, feel free to check out this great interview I did with Graeme McMillan at sci-fi website io9.com:
http://io9.com/389345/neil-kleid-finds-action-and-superheroes-in-ohio
And if you're around the NYC area, please swing by the People's Improv Theatre at 8pm to see me talk comics with fellow webcomickers, Kevin (FISHTOWN, TODT HILL) Colden, Molly (BACKSTAGE) Crabapple and John (BACKSTAGE) Leavitt.
Come visit Action, Ohio - and let's retake our rightful spot at the top!
RESTYOURPADS: were you even around for the beginning of the "gloating" incident? If you hadn't noticed it was a cheap ploy started by Rudis to try and drag the other competitors down. He did it smartly by the by as 2 others followed his "lead". Of course he stopped as soon as they started so he could repeatedly blame them for his shananings. And as specified by Neil he was not gloating, only falling into an ill-fated trap set by an evil man. By the by I am not a rabid Ohio fan, I voted for Robodeath and am not changing. I just feel you have the wrong idea of the talented creator that is Neil. So take that white star loser. Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh that had to hurt. :)> that me sticking my tongue out at you.
Slipped a spot, eh? I told you bad things happen to people who gloat!
We're one down, but NOT out! Celadore takes the top spot for now... and so now is the time to favorite us, rate us high and VOTE for us. Get your friends to vote ACTION, OHIO!
RKB,
Thats fair - Paul and I decided to open with the backstory because opening with Andrea and diving right into the story would a) leave us with an open ended 8 pages and b) the backstory really gives over the sense of wonder that will drive Andrea once she and Action meet. I do see where you're coming from and all I can hope is that you're interested enough to see what happens when the story continues to change your vote...but in the meantime, feel free to give us a decent rating and add us to your favorites!
Not a bash but I'll try to be original. I would have liked it better if you would of had more characters sort of introduce themselves by name. Those Zudites who never read the synopsis wouldn't know the detective at the end's name is Andrea Bruce and she's going to be a major part of the story. I like the bigger size cast (a whole freaking town of hero's!!!!) but we didn't really get to meet them.
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If Andrea had a more active/ speaking part you would probably have my vote for keeps right now, as it stands your losing out to robodeath!!!
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To be fair my vote isn't for sure yet, but still conversations between characters who are named in the story instead of text boxes.
Hey! There's a nice little interview running at io9.com:
http://io9.com/389345/neil-kleid-finds-action-and-superheroes-in-ohio
Have a read for more of the "boring backstory" - we all know frequentcontributor won't be reading... but you should! And then favorite us and vote for us!
Frequent,
if you're going to bash the comic, at least come up with something original. You already posted that same comment a few days ago! I will try harder not to step on Alan Moore's toes in the future :)
**** this comic. Boring. All words and no action. You should have started at page 8 and gone from there; filled us in on the boring backstory later. Please, not another "clever" look at superheroes. Isn't that what we have Alan Moore for?
I heard something about Neil having spam so I thought there was a Fried Rice and Musubi party in here...guess I heard wrong =(
DShide says:
RESTYOURPADS: I might be a bit late with this, but if you were a powerful Wiccan you would realize cursing this comic would be selfish and immoral. So as a powerful Wiccan maybe you should now curse yourself. By the by this was written by a practicing Celt so don't think I'm some kind of Pagan hater. Have a nice day and please don't abuse your beliefs any further.
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Whatever freak...IT WAS A JOKE!
Definitely, Neil.
-Rob
Its all good, Rob. We're like HYDRA - for every vote that falls, five more shall rise up to take it's place. Hope we'll have you reading after we win!
Sorry, Neil.
The work is really top-notch and I'm sure it will have plenty of opportunities, but I've only got the one vote per month and this month has some really great comics in many styles. You're doing Detroit, and Zuda, proud with this one.
-Rob
Winterman? You just gave me my new credo and made my day better. And thanks for the nice words!
I have no idea what's happening here in my comment thread! Kitka - no worries... i'm just surprised because i've spent a great deal of time researching this comic, the Silver Age and it's history. RKB - if you're still talking about Wertham, kick him a few for me.
Hmmmm....
One of my fav scenes it should read.
No edits makes this hard for those of us that speak American as a first language.
I didn't know english was an issue, or your a girl, otherwise I wouldn't have brought up watchmen to smack you around a little. I gave up looking for new stories, just new takes this comic has a lot of good set-ups.
OT: Anyone know where FW is laid to rest, I'd like to track him down and reenact one of a fav scenes from Garth Ennis's run on the Punisher.
Neil if I'm kicking a dead guy in the arse too much in your comment section just let me know.
Ill-researched was a bad way of putting it. I'm sorry, my English is weak sometimes and I often select the wrong words or phrases. I don't know how to explain it properly so forget I said anything.
Top shelf. Interesting take.
Ignore the haters. Pursue your vision.
You didn't read watchmen enough to get all the pathos in the story damn it!!!!;)
Just kidding, what research??? it's a comic, you put the EC hating comic killing SOB in there, what more do people want???
'Ill-researched'? How exactly?
I enjoy the art and the stylistic choices, but the story is a little tired. It's a shame because when you look at the actual writing - the journal V.O. or the pacing - it's well done. Unfortunately the idea is just ill-researched and unoriginal. Really, really nice art though...
Oh, Rob, Rob, Rob... I just read where your vote is going. Detroit is disappointed, my friend. Detroit AND Ohio. But we here at Action, Ohio know your heart is here, in the right place. Give it a week or so and your vote will follow...
Hey, laz - thanks for the nice words! Tell your friends!
That goes for all of you - if you dig ACTION, OHIO, tell at least five friends and have them come by, vote for us, add us to their favorites and then have THEM tell five friends! We appreciate the support and look forward to continuing the story here at Zuda!
RESTYOURPADS: I might be a bit late with this, but if you were a powerful Wiccan you would realize cursing this comic would be selfish and immoral. So as a powerful Wiccan maybe you should now curse yourself. By the by this was written by a practicing Celt so don't think I'm some kind of Pagan hater. Have a nice day and please don't abuse your beliefs any further.
Wow, this was good. I was surprised. I like the way that you think that is going to be about super people, but its really not. Its more of a commentary on society of the time period, where people who did not fit the status quo had to hide thier true natures. Nice.
RKB, Wertham WAS a bastard and feel free to say that as much as you like on this here comment thread.
Well, we definitely have as many detractors as we do supporters and thats completely fine. I like the fact that in by saying 'not another clever take on super heroes' it's admitted that the comic is clever! And I while I've never pretended to be even CLOSE to Alan Moore, I like to think our take on superheroes is unique and different - and in the end, isn't there room enough for that in comics as long the product is well written and illustrated? For those who were less than thrilled with ACTION OHIO... we hope you'll stick around to let us change your mind when and if we continue the strip; for those of you who liked it and are giving great, well written critiques - thanks! And tell your friends to come on back and VOTE FOR ACTION,OHIO!
Number one huh? I for one thought it was a big load of number 2.
I go away for a few days and one of the creators gets the rep of a vicious spaming ____________ (insert insult there) glad to see everyone has all calmed down now, and the fires are out for the time being. Also, glad to see the various creators having more to say to each other in the various comment sections.
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ACTION, OHIO gee i wonder what made you chose that name, nice homage. I hate text boxes and this story was told with the old journal entry format so kind of a passive read for a comic named ACTION. I get why you did that this was a set-up piece revealing the mystery, to hook the readers but still a quiet read. Like the foreshadowing at the end "where are the super-villains at?" What happens when the truth starts to spread, and the town is uncovered, if you want to know vote for the comic, so you got people interested. If past contests hold true you will lose your #1 rank for one week then come back and win the contest.
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I thought the art was very good headzo, except for when you try to draw cars. You did fine on the first screen like the silo-car panel as well. The ambulance you had in the last panel on screen 8 was kind of a WTF moment for me though. Are you a fan of love and rockets, that is kind of the style your art reminded me of.
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There was a series which name I can't remember that had a small town super villains retired to, this seems like a nice take on the opp. of that. Weird small towns invoke the spectre of Stephen King and the Twilight Zone, so that's never a bad place to start.
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I think the story would have been better with a few less journal entries, and you had cut in scenes of these hero's using their powers more, in a war, saving cats from trees, or had shown more of the kid saving people from the fire, get a little more ACTION in there, the soldier picking up a tank and slamming it in honor of it's namesake Action #1. I also got the feeling that those doctor at their bedside scenes show not all the powers are a blessing.
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I can say I didn't think it was fresh or new, the truth behind the silver age isn't an old saw but it has been around before. You did capture this readers attention, and to tell the truth I'm not really looking for fresh and new in 8 screens, just to see if a comic has promise to surprise me with a fresh take on an already used concept. Ain't nothing new under the sun, it's all about the way someone tells the story.
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A slight nit-pick- unless you go full size the font is unreadable, not cool. I like to full-size the screen for a comic that earns it (by way of being cool as hell) not because I have to just to read it.
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I like the colors it seems to be done in the same style as Maxie, teachers, and a few other comics on Zuda. Understated but fitting.
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This only the 3rd comic I have read this month, so your getting 3 stars from me for now. That number could go up, you could be a fav. I don't know who I'm going to vote for yet, but you got my attention with this comic.
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Seduction of the innocent my ass FW was a bastard. I've wanted to make that comment somewhere, and this comment section seemed like a fit for it. Glad you dropped that name in.
Good introduction.
Nice job man.
I agree, lots of words, not as much visual stimulation. Still, the content is GOOD, and these eight pages are a nice set up, including creating tone and mood, something generaly speeking lacking with Zuda comics - ok yeah, I'm tired of clever spins on super heroes, but at least this ones original. Deserves to win!
Let me apologize on behalf of Neil and myself for not being as great or greater than the greatest writer in the history of the medium. Maybe next month.
Okay. So, I think we're done with the drama and on to the promoting, the spreading the word and getting your vote. The first bit of PR: There's a group interview up at Wizard today;
http://www.wizarduniverse.com/050908zuda.html
Each Zuda comic is discussed and here's what they have to sa about ACTION, OHIO: "What We Think: Written with an authentic 1960s narrative and visuals that pop off the screen, Action, Ohio sets up a mysterious world that we can't wait to explore."
And explore they will after you vote for us and get your friends to vote for us so that we can win and continue telling our story here at Zuda!
Well, SuprrEgo, taking the risk after he took the lead was pretty cool, and it did get accomplished one of my goals this month, to establish competing on each others pages as acceptable on zuda. the fact that he was gloating, even on the lowest ranked of us is pretty damn classy too. I liked it and thought it was funny when i found out he did it to everybody. BUT HES STILL IVAN DRAGO. so if anybody rooted for rocky, you know what to do. Vote BIGHAND!
Hey everybody! I'll be going into space tomorrow as astronaught to broadcast an interview from that old decrepid russian spacestation mir! i assure you, its sooo real! make sure to turn on your ham radios, for my awesome zuda interview and to promote my comic CHILDREN OF BIGHAND, which demands your votes!