CROM Update 067 | Anthology #1 | LIVE August 2025 - Inking John Molina's Crom

Aug 1

In episode #67 of the CROM Updates Podcast, Kurt Brugel delivers a relaxed yet informative update to the Crommunity while live inking page 3 of Crom the Barbarian in the Serpent’s Lair by John Molina. Kurt praises Molina’s Amerimanga style and shares his inking process, including the use of Zip-A-Tone textures, multiple inking pens, and a strong desire to preserve the character of the original pencils. While working, he interacts with live viewers, discusses the broader Crom Anthology #1 progress, and celebrates how over 95% of submissions arrived on time, contributing to the now 228-page project. He reiterates his commitment to keeping this a no-stress, creator-owned endeavor.

A major announcement during the stream is that Brutal Blade of Crom #2 will be officially released on August 18th, 2025, with Kurt planning a future interview with project lead Jamie Burrows. He also announces that Jim Gullett’s CROM Collection—reprinting four stories originally published by Lucky Comics—is now available at www.cromthebarbarian.com. These books can be purchased directly from Kurt or through Jim Gullett’s site. Kurt mentions that Brutal Blade #3 is nearly finished for a fall release and praises the brotherhood of creators behind the Brutal Blade series, noting the high quality and passion of their work.

As the livestream continues, Kurt reflects on the state of indie comics and sword & sorcery’s legacy. He reminisces about watching Conan the Barbarian on his birthday every year, shares his admiration for Michael Moorcock's Elric, and speaks on the challenges of adapting such complex characters. He praises the renaissance of unhinged, escapist storytelling in comics, stressing that CROM and its contributors prioritize fantasy over moral messaging. With passion and humor, Kurt ties it all back to the Crommunity’s mission: to keep creator-owned sword & sorcery storytelling alive—stress-free, collaborative, and inspiring.

Watch the CROM Update 067 video on YouTube:

Educational Highlights from the Podcast

DIY Inking Techniques – Kurt walks through the use of Zip-A-Tone overlays, screen tones, and multi-pen approaches for balancing penciled detail with ink clarity.
Print-on-Demand Workflow – A practical discussion on how Lulu’s drop-shipping enables global access to comics, with insights into pricing, production timing, and mock-up strategy.
Creator-Owned Publishing Philosophy – Kurt emphasizes a no-Kickstarter model, stressing the importance of pre-completion before sales and creator rights.

Limited Time to Purchase a copy of the CROM Anthology Mock-up