Here’s some new Cleo art for the weekend! The hardcover jacket for Golden Lion needed some spot art so this is what I came up with.
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Cleopatra in Space 4 won’t be out till June (which you can preorder now!), but I’ve already started production on book 5. Here’s some recent sketching of Cleo and Akila to help get the rust out. Love drawing these two.
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Kids are being bullied more than ever. It’s bad enough when we as adults bully each other, but it is something that should never, EVER be allowed to happen in our schools. So whether you are black or white, brown or blue; have tentacles, four arms or only two; know that Cleo has your back, and I do too.
Click each image for a hi-res downloadable pdf suitable for printing and coloring.
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At NYCC this past weekend, I revealed the cover for CLEOPATRA IN SPACE #4: THE GOLDEN LION. The series now contains 100% more otter and will be out next summer. :)
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I’ll be at the annual American Library Association conference and trade show this weekend, easier known as ALA. You’ll be able to find me in Artist Alley, Booth 409 (near the graphic novel and gaming stage). I’d make a map, but Artist Alley is just two rows- you shouldn’t have any problem finding me if I happen to be a person you are looking for. Here are some other places and times you can find me!
FRIDAY, June 24th
Panel 1:30-2:30pmFandom: Training Ground for the Next Generation of Comics Creators
Location: Convention Center, Room W414CDDescription: Many comics and graphic novel creators start out as fans and fandom today is providing young writers and artists more opportunities to explore and develop their work. Panelists will discuss why fandom is important in supporting new creators, what were their experiences in fandom and how did it help or hinder the development of their work and how they feel as mentors for the next generations of comics creators.
Authors: Ben Hatke, Joey Wieser, Mike Maihack, Eddie Pitman
Moderator: Scott RobinsSATURDAY, June 25th
Scholastic Signing 10:00am-11:00am
Location: Scholastic Booth #1236
First 60 in line get a free copy of Cleo #1
I’ll also be in attendance at the Scholastic Literary Event Saturday from 4:00pm – 6:00pm in the Rosen Centre Junior Ballroom (Lobby Level) if you can’t catch me at any of those places I mentioned above. I’m not presenting, just hanging out enjoying everyone’s company.
And, if you like cats or books or watercolors of cats reading books, you can bid on this piece I painted for the silent auction.
I think that’s it! ALA has become one of my favorite weekends of the year (and librarians some of my favorite people). Hopefully I’ll see a few of you there!
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Thrilled to be part of Scholastic’s Summer Reading Road Trip! Here’s where you’ll find me starting this weekend. For all of the road trip events, visit here.
Following these two dates, I’ll be at ALA Orlando June 24-27. I’ll post a final schedule that weekend once I have it.
Hope to see you!
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MegaCon is this weekend in Orlando, FL! Extended this year to four big days, May 26-29. I’ll be there of course (I’m always there) but the layout is much different than in the past. Hopefully this map will make it easy to find me (click to enlarge it). I’ll be in Artist Alley, table 168.
I’ll have all three Cleo books on hand plus some new prints. I’ll be doing watercolor sketches too, but I don’t take on a lot so find me early if you want one. Also feel free to wish me a happy birthday on Friday! If you want to bring me cake, that’s fine too.
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I’m pleased to share the soundtrack for Cleopatra in Space #3: Secret of the Time Tablets! Like the previous two, this is a somewhat lyrical, mostly musical companion to the graphic novel. All of the songs below were selected and specifically arranged by me to help set the tone for Secret of the Time Tablets, hopefully give a touch more emotional resonance to the story, and occasionally foreshadow events of things to come. Enjoy!
Cleopatra in Space: Secret of the Time Tablets Soundtrack
- Highway of Endless Dreams – M83
- In The Stars – Icona Pop
- The Lost Get Found (Neon Feather Remix) – Britt Nicole
- Lift Your Head Weary Sinner (Chains) – Crowder
- Ain’t No Easy Way – Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
- Closer – Kings of Leon
- Loud Noises – Yuna
- Echo – NONONO
- Animal – HAERTS
- Leave – R.E.M.
- Thousand Eyes – Of Monsters And Men
- God Moving Over The Face Of The Waters – Moby
- Nothing Left to Lose – Kari Kimmel
- Laughter Lines – Bastille
Listen for free: Spotify | Apple Music | YouTube
ALSO AVAILABLE:
Cleopatra in Space: Target Practice Soundtrack
Cleopatra in Space: The Thief and the Sword Soundtrack
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Today is the day! The third book in the CLEOPATRA IN SPACE series, Secret of the Time Tablets, is now out wherever books are sold. Please help me in sharing the news.
Cleo 3 wraps up the first of two trilogies for the series. For those who haven’t read any of the books yet, now’s a good time to start. There will be a time jump with Book 4 which sets up a new story arc.
Here’s the cover copy:
Cleo and her friends journey from Yasiro Academy to the city of Hykosis, where some of the most notorious thieves and assassins live. They’re in search of information about the time tablets that could determine Cleo’s fate — whether she wants them to or not. But the group is separated when Xaius Octavian’s fleet attacks their ship, and Cleo and Akila are on their own until they run into an old nemesis. Will Cleo find the information she needs and get out of Hykosis alive?
Here’s a 16 page excerpt.
Here are some nice things people have said about the series thus far:
*”Maihack’s characters, both human and nonhuman, are diverse, expressive, and visually distinct.” — School Library Journal, starred review
“A delight, with its exciting layout of a futuristic Egypt complete with cool pyramid skyscrapers.” — Booklist
“Cleopatra smoothly slips into the role of confident, wisecracking, baddie-dispatching hero, and the supporting cast falls neatly into place as well.” — Publishers Weekly
“Cleo’s easygoing confidence makes her a likable… heroine, but the real star of the graphic novel is Maihack’s art. The cinematic paneling during action sequences skillfully conveys Cleo’s vivacity and flair.” — Kirkus Reviews
“Cleo is a fun, fearless heroine — I’d love to explore the galaxy with her!” — Raina Telgemeier, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Smile
And here’s where to buy it!
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Books-A-Million
Indie Bound (Please support local booksellers!)
Indigo (for my Canada friends)
Comixology (digital)
iBooks (digital)
If you want a signed copy of any–or all–of the Cleopatra in Space books, those can be ordered from my local bookshop, Inkwood Books. No extra price, just indicate you want a signed copy in your order comments.
To order from your local comic shop, let them know the book is available through Diamond – code: FEB161548. To find a comic shop near you, visit comicshoplocator.com or call 1-800-COMIC-BOOK.
Lastly, here’s a Secret of the Time Tablets wallpaper — DOWNLOAD HERE. :)
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A week late posting this*, but The Beat currently has an exclusive 16 page excerpt of Cleopatra in Space #3. Enjoy!
*I have a good excuse. My 4 yr-old son is recovering from heart surgery, it was the Easter holidays, I’m desperately trying not to fall more behind on Cleo 4 than I already am (it’s looking great btw!), and sometimes, in the midst of social networking, I forget I have an actual website to update. I’ll be better about it! Promise! Just in case, maybe follow me on twitter if you aren’t already?
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A year late on this, but I just posted the first 20 pages of Cleopatra in Space #2: The Thief and the Sword. Ideally, none of you need to read them because you’ve already got the book. :) If not, hopefully this preview will help entice you to seek it out.
Book 3 (which comes out next month!) preview coming soon…
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Cleopatra in Space #3 is now in Previews! Please tell your local comic shop to order lots and lots of copies. Diamond order code: FEB161548
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Advanced copies of Cleo 3 arrived on my doorstep. They look sooooo good. SO good. Way better in person than my measly photography skills can do justice.
Cleopatra in Space #3 will be in stores April 26th. Preorder now!
PREORDER:
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Books-A-Million
Indie Bound (Please support local booksellers!)
Indigo (for my Canada friends)
Comixology (digital)
iBooks (digital)
And for SIGNED copes, you can now order directly from my local bookseller, Inkwood Books. Just specify in your order comments you want a signed copy (this goes for books 1 & 2 as well).
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I think it’s about time I started dusting off this site! I’ll kick-off with this watercolor of Cleo I finished up last night (the original is available for sale for those interested).
Expect to see me posting more regularly in the coming weeks, especially with the release of CLEOPATRA IN SPACE #3 in less than two months!!!! Exclamation marks!!!!!!!!!!
It’s available for preorder now, which I encourage you to do so. I even made this handy list to make it easy on you.
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Books-A-Million
Indie Bound (Please support local booksellers!)
Inkwood Books (This is my local bookseller!)
Indigo (for my Canada friends)
Comixology (digital)
iBooks (digital)
More to come!
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I will be at the Kids Love Comics section, table 3007, at Baltimore Comic-Con this weekend. I love this show! If I’m counting my years right (and it’s totally conceivable that I’m not), this will be my 7th year exhibiting. Here’s a map to help you find me.
I’ll have both Cleo books on hand (although in limited supply because I’m, like, traveling), Batgirl & Supergirl prints, stickers…all sorts of stuff. I’ll also be doing some watercolor commissions again. Now, because I’ve been doing these for a little while now, I’ve learned a few things which I, for the sake of no better place to do it at, will list here:
- They are $30 for one character on comic backing board (that’s 6.75 x 10.5 size).
- I like comic backing board. It holds color well and sketches dry quick.
- I prefer not to draw/paint on sketch covers. I know you guys love em, but I’ve yet to find one that holds watercolor well (plus there’s no way to restart a drawing over if I royally screw it up). I’ll do ’em, just, y’know, be aware of those things.
- The above goes for watercoloring in sketchbooks too.
- Only one commission per customer. Sorry, I used to do more in the past, but I felt bad having to turn people away due to lack of time.
- I don’t take pre-show commissions so find me early in the day. My list generally fills up pretty fast.
Blech. Rules. But they need to be pointed out. I guess being a parent has had that effect on me. Anyhow, looking forward to seeing a lot of familiar faces this weekend and hopefully some new ones!
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Here’s your first look at the cover for CLEOPATRA IN SPACE #3: SECRET OF THE TIME TABLETS! It’ll be out next spring.
This is my favorite book in the series yet. A lot of what the webcomic was leading up to ended up in here plus it wraps up the first story arc of the graphic novels. Really hope a lot of people that were maybe meh on the first two books give this one a shot. At least for closure’s sake. ;)
And of course Books 1 & 2 are still available wherever books are sold.
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