CROM Update 063 with Stephen Sonneveld and his 12 Free Comic Book Scripts
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In episode 63 of the CROM Updates Podcast, host Kurt Brugel is joined by indie comic artist and writer Stephen Sonneveld to discuss Stephen’s generous contribution of 12 free Crom the Barbarian comic book scripts to the Crommunity. These scripts are available at cromthebarbarian.com to help inspire comic artists—especially beginners, hobbyists, or sword and sorcery fans—interested in collaborating and improving their craft. Kurt emphasizes the project's core goal: to offer a welcoming, collaborative, and non-commercial creative space that encourages participation, development, and publication in future CROM Anthology volumes.
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Stephen explains how the scripts organically grew out of his initial inspiration after discovering the Crom website. What started as a single story snowballed into a 12-script collection, each story evoking mythic qualities with room to "breathe," and often set in imagined Mesopotamian or Aztec-inspired worlds. While not initially intended for collaboration, Stephen became excited about seeing how other artists might reinterpret his stories. He likens the storytelling structure to Westerns, with Crom arriving in unfamiliar lands, facing trials, and departing—a perfect foundation for visual reinterpretation.
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Kurt and Stephen highlight the flexible, interpretive nature of the scripts: creators can adapt them into anime, steampunk, or any visual style. Ownership remains with each contributor, and while there’s no monetary compensation, there's creative exposure and potential publication in the CROM Anthology. The podcast concludes with encouragement to artists of all levels to trust their vision and take that first creative step. It’s about inspiration, participation, and building a supportive artistic community.
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Watch the CROM Update 063 video on YouTube:
Educational Highlights
How to Collaborate in Comics – Stephen explains the process of creating scripts not as rigid instructions but flexible blueprints for artists to reimagine visually.
Mythmaking in Modern Comics – The discussion explores the mythic nature of Crom stories, and how oral storytelling influences sequential art.
Creative Ownership in Public Domain Projects – Kurt breaks down how ownership, copyright, and respectful attribution work in a collaborative public domain setting.
Use these links to find out more about Stephen Sonneveld and Kurt inker Brugel.
Theme: Crom Myth
11 Pages
Succubus Summary:
Crom the Barbarian arrives in a corrupted town called Deval, where a demonic woman—the "Succubus"—is part of a lurid spectacle in which men wager on surviving sexual encounters with her. When a woman named Letya pleads with her husband Marcus to leave, he insults and strikes her, prompting Crom to defend her and send her away with gold. Crom then confronts the Succubus, discovering she is actually a mentally and physically abused woman, drugged and exploited. Using compassion and healing herbs instead of violence or sex, Crom soothes her into peaceful sleep, thus "taming" her.
When the townsmen cry foul, Crom denounces their cruelty and reveals the Succubus was a victim, not a demon. He punishes the corrupt Barker in a brutal, humiliating act, then faces the crowd in battle, defeating them single-handedly. In the aftermath, the Succubus awakens in a cart headed toward a healer's sanctuary, cared for by sisters of a benevolent order. She doesn’t know who saved her. The answer: simply, a man.
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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
