Crosier’s technique was to 1) cut the wood into 8.5″ x 11″ panels; 2) use graphite, a wood burning tool, and a paint pen to create the art; 3) scan the wood panels (the sap from the burned portion of the pine panels reflects in the light of the scanner, giving it “a rich, unique tone against the grain”); 4) send to Bluewater for lettering. Following publication of the comics, he intends to show the panels in galleries and museums. He has displayed the covers at some conventions, but plans to keep all the pieces together.

Writer Chad Helder said “The best part about creating comic books is the collaboration with artists: pencilers, inkers, colorists, letterers, and in this case wood-burners. Daniel’s illustrations bring entirely new dimensions to the story. The characters have really grown and flourished through Daniel’s graphic interpretations of their faces and actions—especially Bartholomew, who has become a very frightening little boy.”

Oh, and the story? “Spectral Phantasms have invaded our world. These ghostly creatures from another dimension occupy the human brain and endow their host with spectacular paranormal abilities. Private investigator Gordon Watt, long-aware of the spectral phantasms, investigates a bizarre series of scissor-murders. With the help of a powerful psychic named Jessica, Gordon soon discovers a connection between the phantasms and the mystery of a vengeful, undead boy named Bartholomew. But humanity faces a greater threat: the White Blob emerges from the abyss to colonize pockets of human society. Gordon and Jessica must enlist the help of Bartholomew and the hideous power of his Scissor Swarm or face assimilation by the growing colony of the White Blob.”

Wowio has a preview at this link.

Article originate from:

http://sfscope.com/2008/09/bartholomew-of-the-scissors-is.html

BARTHOLOMEW OF THE SCISSORS is not your average off the shelf comic.  For one, and I suppose this should be a point of disclosure, its creator and writer is Chad Helder of Unspeakable Horror, a fellow blogging member of the League of Tana Tea Drinkers.  For two, the striking artwork is not a standard paper and ink affair, rather each page of the comic has been burned into cedar planks by artist Daniel Crosier.  The resulting aesthetic is, for lack of a more graceful word, badass.

Chad was nice enough to send along the first issue for review, whose Sep. 24th release can be pre-ordered online at TFAW.com and other retailers.  It is a tricky prospect for me whenever an artist is eager to pass along their work for review.  I’ll feel bad if the work in question ends up being lackluster and I then have to return their generosity with negativity.  Don’t get me wrong, I have no problem writing a negative review (even if it means Anchor Bay stops sending me stuff for free), I just feel a twinge doing it to someone who was nice enough to offer in the first place.

Fortunately, there is no twinge here.  BARTHOLOMEW OF THE SCISSORS is good stuff.  All I’ve seen is the first issue, but I’m sold on the project.  Once I finish telling you why this indie comic is worth your time as well, I’ll submit my order for issue #2.  Sadly, I’ve got to wait until the end of October to get it.

The first issue introduces us to all the major players of, what I assume, will be the end of the world.  A psychic girl whose powers of pyrokinesis manifest our introduction to Spectral Phantasms.  A private investigator knows of these phantasms and is tracking down their cause and effect in the world.  The ghost of a molested and slain boy named Bartholomew returns to earth to kill perverts eyeballing his crime scene photos on the web.  An entity called The Pastor who protects a growing and hungry amorphous blob in the ocean.  All are mysteriously being pulled towards one another in yet to be explained intricacy.

As said, the first comic is predominately all setup.  We see the plot’s stage being set, but more importantly we see the artists’ stage as well.  Helder’s writing is sharp, though I do think the density of his narrative takes a few transitional panel double takes to fully absorb.  Crosier’s style, the aforementioned wood burning, is not only undeniably unique in form, but an inspired method for bringing out Helder’s haunting demonic otherworld.

I could recommend BARTHOLOMEW OF THE SCISSORS for the art alone, or because it is shaping up to be an enjoyable nightmare, or because it was created by an associate blogger.  Pick any or all of the three, point is I can recommend it and am more than happy to do so.

Read The Full Article

http://www.tfaw.com/Comics/Profile/Bartholomew-Of-The-Scissors-1___327195

Greeley now has a place in the comic book world.

Greeley’s own Daniel Crosier, 31, and Greeley-based Distortions Unlimited are collaborating to develop a new comic book series called “Distortions Unlimited.”

Distortions Unlimited has been in business in Greeley for 30 years manufacturing masks, Halloween props and animatronics. The company is best known for its reproductions of the 16-foot queen alien from the film “Alien,” cast from the original molds, as well as designing the stage props for music industry icon Alice Cooper’s Brutal Planet tour, according to a press release.

The three-issue series is based on characters created and licensed by Distortions.

“It’s kind of cool,” said Ed Edmunds, president of Distortions. “I don’t think it’s necessarily we did something amazing. It’s because of the bizarre-looking creatures we create that fit into the comic book industry.”

Growing up in the area, Crosier knew of Edmunds’ company but never visited because he didn’t know how. Because of this, Crosier’s friends brought him Distortions’ catalog and eventually, he started collecting them.

One day, everything changed for Crosier when he met his soon-to-be high school art teacher, Ron Nehrboss. Nehrboss had some students working at Distortions and was able to arrange an occasional tour for Crosier.

The collaboration began in January when Crosier was hired by Washington-based publishing company Bluewater Productions. Darren Davis, Bluewater’s president, was looking for a company that made licensed products. Upon hearing this, Crosier suggested the company he grew up around with the pitch of a horror comic. Davis liked the idea and thought it would be an interesting cross-promotion between the two companies.

One of the main characters in the comic is Rage. An animatronic and one of Distortions’ most popular characters, Rage is described as a muscle-bound Neanderthal who is bigger than California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and is similar to the Incredible Hulk — except he’s not green.

“Rage has been a fan favorite for years. The sheer size of the piece commands attention and really gives people a good scare,” Edmunds said in a release. “He’s a great character to base the series on.”

The first issue of the series delves into the horror resulting from a mine collapse, the release stated. The plot was crafted with multiple, intertwining layers that combine fantasy and true-life events ripped from today’s headlines, the release stated.

According to Crosier, Rage accidentally unleashes holy hell on Earth because the human characters in the story antagonize him.

“The way I got it set up, he’s essentially a gatekeeper to a realm that could be interpreted as Pandora’s Box,” Crosier said. “It leaves things open-ended.”

If this story isn’t unique as it is, Crosier will be illustrating the comic on wooden poplar panels, which should give the books a distressed, organic look. Crosier said poplar is a really fine grain of wood to use and is very clean.

“I’ve always been an illustrator all my life,” Crosier said. “I thought it would be fun to throw in different elements.”

Edmunds added, “It gives it an organic feel to the art.”

This unique piece of art can be hard to execute though. Crosier said it takes about three weeks to create a comic, and he spends an entire day illustrating the cover.

“It’s hard and it can be time-consuming,” Crosier said.

The first issue of the series is expected to be released in January. The second and third issues will follow in February and March.

If successful, as many as six series of the comic could be completed if all parties agree.

http://www.greeleytribune.com/article/20080706/BUSINESS/157518954/1006&parentprofile=1001

The three issue series is based off of licensed characters crafted by Distortions Unlimited based in Greeley, CO. Distortions is world-renowned for creating shocking props, masks and animatronics that have been the mainstay of the dark amusement industry for the last 30 years. The company is best known for reproducing the 16ft queen alien from the film “Alien” cast from the original molds, as well as designing the stage props for music industry icon Alice Cooper’s Brutal Planet tour.

Daniel Crosier, writer and illustrator on the series, has a unique connection with the project. “I grew up near the Distortions studio in Greeley. I used to tour the studio when I was a kid and was fascinated by their creations. I suggested to Darren Davis the president of Bluewater to partner with Distortions to develop another horror comic. Darren liked the idea, so we approached them with the concept. Distortions was enthusiastic about the partnership and green-lighted the project.”

The entire series focuses on Distortions’ Rage animatronic. Described as half Neanderthal, half beast, and all fury, the Rage is one of Distortions’ most popular characters. Ed Edmunds, president of Distortions elaborates of the protagonist of the books. “Rage has been a fan favorite for years. The sheer size of the piece commands attention and really gives people a good scare. He’s a great character to base the series on.”

The first issue of the series delves into the horror unleashed on the earth with the collapse of a mine. The plot was crafted with multiple, intertwining layers that combine fantasy and true-life events ripped from today’s headlines.

Crosier will bring a unique look to the books by illustrating with his watershed technique. All covers and interior pages of the series will be created with graphite on wood poplar panels. Crosier’s influence for the series is Dark Horse’s “B.P.R.D. 1946”. The books will have a high contrast, distressed, organic look.

The creative team will also include veteran inker Peter Palmiotti. Palmiotti has worked for a variety of comic publishers including Marvel Comics, DC Comics, and Image.

The announcement of the Distortions series falls in line with two additional titles in the horror genre being released by Bluewater. “Vincent Price Presents” and “Bartholomew of the Scissors” will hit the shelves this October to coincide with Halloween festivities.

The release date is for the first issue of Distortions Unlimited will be announced shortly.

THURS: 4pm 9-pm
Dan: 6:00pm – 9:00pm

FRI: 9:00am 6pm
Dan: 1:00pm-4:00pm