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.
