CROM Update 070 | Anthology #1 | LIVE - Closing In on Completion
Click to Watch the Video Podcast
In episode 70 of the CROM Updates Podcast, Kurt Brugel shares his progress toward completing CROM Anthology #1. He notes that nine of the ten limited mock-up copies have sold, making them rare collector’s items. He also highlights what’s available in the CromtheBarbarian.com shop, including CROM 2024 Collected, Turbo Pit-Fighter teasers, and various indie works from creators like Drawnsword and Jim Gullett. A major announcement was the release of Brutal Blade of Crom #3 on September 21, 2025.
Click to Watch the Video Podcast
Kurt reviews the anthology’s status story by story: Ken Landgraf’s Crom and Druvanis is complete, Adam T. Bennett’s Altar of the Serpent is progressing into multiple parts, and John Molina’s Serpent’s Lair is expanding into issue #2. He also confirms progress with Drawnsword, Jason Schoonover, Steven Sonneveld, Dean Kotz, Dexter Jones (The God Crom), and others. Kurt shows off pages from Lalla & the Time Machine, describing his experimental use of graphite, spray paint, and distressed textures to build atmosphere. These creative risks reflect his push to refine a signature comic style.
Click to Watch the Video Podcast
Another major update covers Crom Jr., where Kurt is experimenting with paint brush markers, colored pencils, and liquid masking techniques. He explains how this style exploration is training him for the anthology’s full-color cover. He stresses that his ultimate goal is to be visually recognizable as an artist, with a distinct technique rooted in decades of experimentation. Kurt concludes by noting that while commissions slow things down, he’s aiming to finish his responsibilities for CROM Anthology #1 within the next month, anticipating a November release.
Click to Watch the Video Podcast
Watch the CROM Update 070 video on YouTube:
Click to Watch the Video Podcast
Educational Highlights
Art Process Exploration – Kurt explains his layered use of spray paint, graphite, markers, and liquid masking to create distressed textures and unique tones.
Creative Iteration – He demonstrates how mock-ups act as flexible testing grounds, allowing him to refine storytelling flow before final print.
Community Collaboration – The anthology is built from multiple contributors, showing how indie creators can work together across styles and voices.
Use these links to find out more about Kurt inker Brugel.
!SHIP ONLY in the US!
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.
!SHIP INTERNATIONALLY!
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
