The creative spark plug known as Darin Henry makes a special appearance at local comic shops tomorrow. All the way from the West Coast to Delaware and Pennsylvania, Henry will appear to sign books and talk comics with fans while visiting Captain Blue Hen (Newark, Delaware approximately 11:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.) and The Maroon Hornet (Oxford, PA approximately 3-6 p.m.)
After gaining first experience and then recognition in American television, Darin Henry turns his talents to comic book publishing with SitComics, serving as publisher, editor and primary writer for the initial introduction of five distinctive titles. SitComics differ from the regular fare found on comic shop shelves in that they are 64 pages for the same price of a standard monthly comic title ($3.99), and contain a complete story every issue. They are also distributed directly from the publisher to select comic shop participants.
Henry has served as writer for several episodes of Seinfeld during Season 8 and 9, a Futurama episode, and co-executive producer and writer on K.C. Underground for The Disney Channel. Henry noted the shift in television viewing preference to “binge entertainment” and came up with the idea of incorporating this trend into comic book publishing. As he notes in his 2018 Binge Book Catalog, “Consumers are shouting that they want it good, they want it cheap and they want it all now . . . yet comic book publishers keep clinging to stretched-out, serialized storytelling even as their cover prices get higher and their page count gets smaller.”
The format of a Binge Book from SitComics attempts to satisfy that craving. We’ve sampled several of them and found them to be very entertaining, and as promised - - very reminiscent of watching television. The titles also contain chapter breaks with make-believe funny and satiric commercials. Henry’s television writing experience translates very well to comics storytelling. So far, he’s the main writer on all of the SitComics titles. Henry has wisely added some recognizable creative teams and artists whose style suits the format and tone of SitComics perfectly.
My favorite of the bunch is Z-PEOPLE, where a small band of uninfected people try to survive against millions of zombies. It mixes humor with suspense and the art by Tom Richmond of Mad Magazine fame suits the contents perfectly. Rated for Teen and Up.
Fans of Archie Comics will love SUPER SUCKERS, the story of two college sorority sisters who get infected from the same vampiric boyfriend and try to hide their condition while keeping their new liquid diet under control. Art by Betty & Veronica veteran artist Jeff Shultz. Also rated for Teens and Up.
START-UP features a speedy super-hero who was formerly a 300-pound single mother and struggles to adjust to the changes in her metabolism, with art by Craig Rousseau of Harley Quinn fame. Rated as suitable for anyone allowed to watch broadcast TV after 8 p.m.
My second-favorite title is BLUE BARON, a 250-year old patriotic superhero who accidentally switches bodies with a 13-year old teen. Dsyfunction at the junction. It’s comedic, action-filled and also touching as both old and new hero have lessons to learn. Art by former Marvel stalwarts Ron Frenz and Sal Buscema. Also for 8 p.m. television viewers.
TELEPATHETIC details the exploits of two nerdy ninth grade aspiring super-heroes who have to compete with another classmate when the most popular girl in school becomes more powerful than them. Art by Blair Shedd (Doctor Who). Rated for all readers.
Visit the website at https://sitcomics.net
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