As Rebel Side Kick Studios prepares to launch it’s new webcomic THE CONCRETE WORLD, I can’t help but get all twisted up and excited inside about “the kids who are doin it for themselves”. It’s an exciting time for independent creators who are getting their art out there by any means necessary. It’s exciting to see creative voices grabbing hold of current technology and making something, it’s even more exciting to see someone making something really good! So for the next few weeks as we take a break from the past and glimpse at the future I want to share some exciting comics or properties that exist just on the edge. They are self made, independent, but high quality (quality enough to compete with the big boys!)

Lets start with J.C. Hutchins 7th Son: Descent. I don’t know what’s more impressive about this book; the intense near future Sci Fi world he has created in the fiction, or the fan-following and viral presence the book has in the real world. Seriously, just google 7th Son: Descent. You’ll see what I mean. It’s like a well oiled machine, a well branded property… only it’s been well branded on it’s own, and in it’s own right. (Four years of momentum and hard work)

With enough money backing something up, you can create buzz, but without money, what you are promoting or selling better be damn good, it’s the only way people will talk about it or share it. And that happens to be the case with the universe Hutchins has created with 7th Son. I think this quote about the premise says it all. “Bond meets Multiplicity. Crichton meets Clancy. Character-driven tech.”

I’d pick that book or graphic novel up. But what if I was feeling too lazy to read, or didn’t have a lot of time? Hutchins has it covered. Audio Book. Actually that’s how this world started out, he released it as an audio book on iTunes. Serialized and down-loadable at your fingertip. (As mentioned above, art by any means necessary). Well, this one has been so well received and gained so much momentum it has now been published in book form by St. Martins Press.

some fantastic fan made character images by Carlos Weiser

Take a stop by his official site, as a creator who works in both marketing and writing of genre entertainment I don’t know which aspect is more exciting so I’ll share with you links for both.

For background on the story of 7th Son click here

For a glimpse at his super cool marketing and promotion materials click here