CROM Update 44 with Jamie Barrows and his Brutal Blade of Crom Comic
In this episode of the CROM Updates Podcast, Kurt Brugel talks with Jamie Barrows, who spearheaded the creation of The Brutal Blade of Crom Indie Anthology. Jamie shares his journey into comic creation, inspired by Savage Sword of Conan, and how he decided to create his Crom story Skull-Cracker. Jamie discusses his process for crafting the anthology, which involved reaching out to friends in the indie comic community to contribute. He also highlights his choice of print-on-demand services, like Mixam, for ease and affordability.
Jamie describes how his story, Skull-Cracker, evolved and how he chose its title based on his concept of a barbarian character. He speaks about his influences from childhood, such as Marvel's seasonal specials and He-Man. Jamie discusses his minimalist digital approach to creating comics, focusing on traditional methods with pencils and Micron pens. The conversation touches on how print-on-demand platforms like Mixam and Lulu have helped small creators distribute their work, even internationally, though shipping costs remain a challenge, especially for contributors in countries like Australia.
Kurt and Jamie also reflect on the importance of supporting the indie comic scene. Jamie mentions the rewarding experience of leading The Brutal Blade of Crom project, learning to manage collaborative efforts and compensation within the anthology. They emphasize the power of community and how indie creators can continue to grow the scene through conventions, online platforms, and grassroots efforts. Kurt encourages artists to create and share their work without the pressure of rapid production, focusing on the creative process over commercial success.
Watch the CROM Update 044 video on YouTube:
Educational Highlights:
The importance of collaborative efforts in indie comic production, from working with other creators to managing contributions and compensation.
Insights into the process of using print-on-demand platforms like Mixam and Lulu for self-publishing and distribution.
Encouragement for artists to focus on the creative process, not rushing production, and understanding the value of long-term growth in the indie scene.
Here are some links to find out more about Jamie Barrows.
Use these links to find out more about Kurt inker Brugel.
