CROM Update: 015

Beyond the Barbarian: Jason Schoonover's Creative Contribution to Crom

The 15th episode of the Crom Updates Podcast features Kurt Brugel and guest Jason Schoonover discussing Jason's involvement in creating a pin-up for the revised edition of "Crom the Barbarian Collected." Kurt explains the background of their meeting through the Indie Comic Exchange and expresses his excitement about Jason contributing to the project. Jason shares his admiration for the history and simplicity of the Crom stories, noting their distinction from other sword and sorcery tales like Conan, and appreciates the opportunity to explore the character's adventures and the creative freedom the project offers.

Throughout the podcast, they delve into the nuances of comic book art, storytelling, and the significance of contributing to a public domain character like Crom. Jason discusses his approach to the pin-up, aiming to capture the essence of Crom with a blend of classic and unique elements, and explores ideas inspired by alt-history and fantasy themes. The conversation also touches on the collaborative aspect of the project and the potential for the anthology to foster a community of artists and storytellers interested in the Crom universe.

Kurt outlines his vision for the project's publication and distribution, emphasizing the value of indie comic creation as an art form rather than a commercial endeavor. He introduces the concept of "Virgin covers" to highlight individual artists' contributions and shares his strategy for engaging a niche audience through quality storytelling and art. The episode concludes with discussions on artistic inspiration, the challenge of maintaining originality in comics, and the anticipation of future collaborations within the Crom anthology project, highlighting the communal and explorative spirit of indie comic creation.