CROM Update 069 | Anthology #1 | LIVE - Final Pages, Full Color Cover, and Brutal Blade #3
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In this episode, Kurt Brugel updates the Crommunity on his progress toward completing CROM Anthology #1. He explains that the anthology currently sits at 228 pages in mock-up form, with some sections finished and others still requiring his personal art contributions. Kurt shows off recent work, including the story Lalla & the Time Machine, adapted from Gardner Fox and Bob Powell’s Cave Girl comics. He also shares his “skeletal inking” process—structural linework, lettering, liquid masking, graphite washes, and layered textures using pencils, gouache, spray cans, and paint markers.
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Kurt digs deeper into three key updates. First, he discusses how Lalla & the Time Machine experiments with time, space, and recurring characters like Ralph Norkelander, blending Fox’s science fiction roots with Crom’s mythos. Second, he talks about CROM Jr., his comic relief series that serves as a color experimentation project, drawing inspiration from Calvin & Hobbes and Saturday morning cartoons. Though the anthology will print it in black and white, he intends to later release a color collection. Third, Kurt reveals the full-color cover art he'll be creating for the anthology, inspired by psychedelic poster art and produced with Sharpie paint pens, pencils, and overlays.
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Kurt also announces that Brutal Blade of Crom #3—the indie anthology spearheaded by Jamie Barrows—will be released on September 21, 2025. He encourages listeners to purchase it and other Crom-related works via cromthebarbarian.com
Looking ahead, Kurt is preparing to finalize CROM of Klarn, expand Crom’s world with maps, and invite more contributors into CROM Anthology #2. His closing message emphasizes community involvement, collaboration, and keeping Crom alive as a public domain character for new creators.
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Watch the CROM Update 069 video on YouTube:
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Educational Highlights
Process Insight – Kurt details his “skeletal inking” method and mixed-media experimentation, showing how comics can evolve through layering and texture.
Public Domain Creativity – The podcast demonstrates how a public domain character like Crom can be reimagined through both homage (Fox/Powell roots) and new contributions.
Anthology Curation – Kurt explains the importance of sequencing, continuity, and layout when curating multi-creator anthologies.
Use these links to find out more about Kurt inker Brugel.
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This is the 13th Copy!
Get an exclusive sneak peek at the sword-swinging, spell-scorched world of CROM Anthology #1 with this limited-edition printed mock-up—a 228-page, magazine-sized artifact celebrating the raw power of indie Sword & Sorcery comics.
Curated and edited by Kurt Brugel, this mock-up contains early layouts, penciled pages, grayscale experiments, and finished pieces by a global lineup of underground comic creators. Featuring original contributions and adaptations from artists like Jim Gullett, Ken Landgraf, Jason Schoonover, Dean Kotz, and Dexter Jones, the anthology also includes reprints of rare Golden Age works, manga-influenced storytelling, and even a full photo comic based on Gardner F. Fox’s iconic characters.
This mock-up is a work-in-progress collector's item, created to test design, layout, and page flow—offering fans and contributors a unique behind-the-scenes glimpse into the making of a fantasy comics epic. Once the final anthology is printed, this version will never be reprinted.
Own a piece of the process. Celebrate the legacy of CROM the Barbarian and the rise of a new era in Sword & Sorcery comics.
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Kurt Brugel's Virgin Cover Edition of the 2024 CROM Collected Comic is a must-have for fans and collectors alike. This special edition features an exclusive, stunning cover art by Kurt Brugel himself, showcasing his unique vision of CROM the Barbarian in all his glory.
Inside, you'll find 140 pages of intense, black and white sword and sorcery adventures that transport you to a world of epic battles, fierce warriors, and ancient magic. This magazine-size (8.5x11) comic book is meticulously crafted to deliver an immersive reading experience, staying true to the raw and untamed spirit of classic fantasy comics.
What makes this edition truly special is there is no waiting for weeks to get your hands on this collector's item. By purchasing Kurt Brugel's Virgin Cover Edition, you not only own a piece of unique comic art but also support the continuation of CROM's epic journey and the talented artists behind it.
Secure your copy today and join CROM in his legendary quest!
ISBN-13 979-8-9910745-0-6
