Friday, December 17, 2010

The Leaf #2 Final Cover and Content Info!!

The Leaf #2



Pages: 20
Two covers (1 main, 1 variant)

Release Date: February, 2010

Order at: www.redleafcomics.com

The Leaf...starring ALL Three Generations of The Leaf

Cover A Art by Stuart Berryhill
Cover A Colors by Jason Griffin

Credit page -Edited by John Michael Helmer

The Golden Age Leaf in "Terror from the Sky!"
Written by John Michael Helmer
Art by Stu Berryhill
pages: 5

The Silver Age Leaf in "On Guard for Thee!"
Written by John Michael Helmer
Art by Antonio Lamas
pages: 5

The Modern Leaf in "Redemption Road"
Written by John Michael Helmer
Art by Randy Valiente & by Stuart Berryhill
pages: 5


CE Publishing
Written by unannounced
Art by unannounced
1 Page Preview Advertisement

Laughing Stock in "The Laughingstock Strikes!"
Written by Mark F Davis
Art by Randy Valiente
pages: 3

Caruso Comics
Art by unannounced
1 Page Preview Advertisement


The Nether Men "Crimson Reign"
Written by John Michael Helmer
Art by Paul Houston
1 page Preview advertisement

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Monday, November 22, 2010

Sky Watcher Web Comic Debuts!!!!

Red Leaf Comics is proud to present our latest FREE web comic: Sky Watcher!
Justin Kane is a man on the run who believes he is an alien trapped in a human body!!!
Find out if he is right, wrong, simply insane!

Check out Chapter 1 of "Revisions" at: www.redleafcomics.com

Art by Paul Houston
Letters by T. Warren Montgomery
Words by John Michael Helmer

Saturday, November 20, 2010

Surprising Theater #3 is now sale!!!!!!

Surprising Theater #3 is now sale for ONLY $2.99

Features the 26 page Modern Leaf Origin Story!

Order here:

http://www.redleafcomics.com/comics.html

Two great stories!!!




The Modern Leaf in “Living Ghosts”

Writer - John Michael Helmer

Artist - Randy Valiente (pages 1-19, 22-26)

Artist – Stuart Berryhill (pages 21 & 22)

Letterer - T. Warren Montgomery

Disappearing in the late 1990’s, The Leaf, Canada’s Greatest Hero, suddenly reappears in the city skyline. Toronto hails the return of her favorite son, welcoming the symbol of Canada with open arms. But something has gone wrong, terribly wrong, and a trail of blood and murder fills the streets with all signs pointing to only one suspect ---The Leaf!

The Modern Leaf in “The Hoax”

Writer - Mark F. Davis

Penciler – Stuart Berryhill

Inker – Mike Rickaby

Letterer – Mike Rickaby

As Michael MacSorly patrols the city of Toronto, he notices a brutal mugging on an innocent victim. Fluttering to the rescue, he discovers the crime is more than it seems…

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Monday, November 1, 2010

Paul Moore & Issue #3

I received the art for five pages of issue number three. It's a short story drawn by Scottish artist, Paul Moore. Paul has draw for Red leaf Comics before. He crafted a six page IMPERIALS spin-off tale starring Victoria Cross, written by Warhammer novelist C.L.Werner.

Pauls' art is stunning. He pulls off a handful of scenes detailing a Bavarian castle and its surrounding landscape. His depiction of Dracula is amazing with rich detail and a definite mood that inspires tones from classic Hammer films of the 1960's.

It's a tale only for Paul's hand and pen. I quickly printed out the pages and hand wrote the dialog over each panel so I could enjoy his inking on a different level.

We are so very proud to present "The Gift" by Paul Moore. Written by John Michael Helmer and letters by T. Warren Montgomery.

Appearing in issue number three of The Leaf due out in April of 2011.

Friday, October 22, 2010

Golden Age Leaf Chapter 2

Check our our free web comic of the Golden Age Leaf!

http://www.redleafcomics.com/

News, Notes & Nonsense

News:

Its Friday, so expect chapter 2 of "Calling London!" the World War II action tale starring the Golden Age Leaf, Walter MacSorly to be up tonite. Stuart Berryhill is turning in fabulous pages and they are being framed with tremendous lettering by T. Warren Montgomery.

I have received the first two pages for the Dune, Master Spy! web comic from Joe Badon. Dune and his trouble seeking nephew are pitted against a tyrannical Nazi soldier, the Golden Age character Iron Jaw. Red Leaf Comics is bringing a 1940's public domain villain to life as an agent of the Third Reich! Iron Jaw has evil plans to awaken a cruel Pharaoh murdered by his own people as they tried to end his diabolical reign across Egypt thousands of years ago. If Iron Jaw succeeds, the war will with certainty turn in Hitler's favor!!!

Antonio Lamas is cranking out more NorthForce pages. Canada's true heroes are deep in a mystery of why an entire population from a Northern Alberta mining village has disappeared. Action, drama, mystery and blooooodddddd...... NorthForce: Village of the Dead web comic.

Issue number one of The Leaf with all four covers is only a few short weeks away. It has been at the printer for a little bit and we are anxiously awaiting its arrival. Issue number two is on schedule as ALL the interior art is complete!

Other bits:

Stuart Berryhill will draw an alternate cover for issue number two.

Nathan Kroll is crunching the pen and ink for an eight page NorthfForce story called "The Frozen City".

Jonathon Gilbert is writing a five page Golden Age Leaf tale set in World War II.

Rusty Gilligan, an inker/writer since 1978 in comics, with a lot of credits that include Marvel, DC, Image as well as the original Heavy Metal and the Spiderman 2 & 3 movies and recently, he inked the much publicized "Lady Gaga" comic which was seen on MTV a few days ago, and just finished a pinup for an upcoming Arcana graphic novel is inking a cover for The Leaf number three.

Armor Guardians number one is due out in the spring of 2011. Steve Williams is providing teaser art. The pin-up will be featured on the front of our Sword and Sorcery website: www.armorguardians.com

Oh, and Surprising Theater number 3 is due out in November with a 26 page Leaf origin story. Check our Mark F Davis and his Fantastic! company, Surprising Comics at: www.surprisingcomics.com

October is Red Leaf Rising Month!!!

Monday, October 18, 2010

The Golden Age Leaf in "Calling London!"

Red Leaf Studios is so very proud to present Walter MacSorly in a fast-action tale of intrigue set in 1944. As the war grinds on, a madman has planned the final destruction of London, England.

Only the Golden Age Leaf can save the day and the capitol of an entire nation! Winston Churchill has sent his most dedicated IMPERIAL, The Leaf in an all out blitz to save a millions people before they can be incinerated by one of Hitler's Vonder Veapons!

Check out Calling London Chapter one at:

www.redleafcomics.com

Friday, October 15, 2010

The Leaf #1 Cover Gallery!!!

Red leaf Comics is proud to showcase all four covers for The Leaf #1 due out November 8th.




Red Leaf Comics Press Release Re: The Leaf #1

Red Leaf Comics Press Release Re: The Leaf #1


The press release for The Leaf #1 for Red Leaf Comics was picked up by First Comics News. I'm really starting to love that site!

http://www.firstcomicsnews.com/?p=15513

October 12, 2010: As part of its Red Leaf Rising campaign during the month of October, Red Leaf Comics has announced today that its iconic character, The Leaf, arrives in stores November 8th. Published by Red Leaf Comics, The Leaf, which spans three generations of heroes from the 1940’s, 60’s, and today, will appear in an anthology series of the same name.




“Canada has finally been given what she has waited a long time for —a national hero,” said publisher John Michael Helmer. “The Leaf is a living legend that inspires everyday citizens to not only do what is right, but to go beyond…to be a hero.”



Published under the company’s hero imprint, Red Leaf Universe, The Leaf comic books will reach stores early next month with four separate covers. “Jakob’s painted covers are simply amazing!” replied Helmer when he revealed the images.



Digitally painted by Jakob Burgos, The Leaf #1 has a Burgos main cover and a Burgos variant edition. Also included in the first issue cover madness is a second series of covers by artist Stuart Berryhill. Colored by Randy Valiente, these covers feature the Golden Age Leaf battling a Canadian zombie soldier during World War II.



Since 1987, The Leaf, Canada’s Greatest Hero, has been battling Nazis, FLQ terrorists, and common thugs and has been a fan favorite in the Indy comic circles. For ordering information about The Leaf #1 and other Red Leaf Universe characters visit: www.redleafcomics.com

Sunday, October 10, 2010

The Leaf #1


Pages: 24
Cover 1 of 4
Release Date: November 8th

The Leaf...starring The Golden Age Leaf
Also starring Johnny Dingo and Victoria Cross

Cover Art and Title Design by Jakob Burgos
Logo Design by Antonio Lamas
Credit page & Intro by John Michael Helmer


The IMPERIALS in "Zombie Castle"
Written by CL Werner & John Helmer
Art by Rowel Roque
8 pages

Black Rod, Johnny Dingo, GA Leaf, Victoria Cross
Victoria Cross in "The Tyrant" by C.L. Werner
6 pages
Art by Paul Moore


Johnny Dingo in "Monsters" by C.L. Werner
6 pages
Art by Joe Badon

American Guard in "Roots" by Mark F Davis
1 pages
Art by Randi Valiente

Surprising Comics Advertisement
1 page
Art by Randy Valiente
CE Publishing Advertisement
1 page

Dracula "The Gift" by Michael Sacal
Art by Stuart Berryhill
1 page preview advertisement


The Leaf "Red Autumn" by John Michael Helmer
Art by Rodolfo Maximo
1 page preview advertisement


 

Friday, October 8, 2010

October Updates:

Red Leaf Comics has several news items for October.

Stuart Berryhill has completed the first three strips for the web comic The Golden Age Leaf "Calling London" Its packed with action and exciting characters!

Joe Badon is hard at work competing his art duties on the Dune, Master Spy! web comic. He turned in the first two pages and is on to page three!

Surprising Comics has issue number three at the printer. The anthology series Surprising Theater showcases the Origin of the Modern Leaf!

Robert Gordon Eicher is working on the one page preview ad for The Internauts! Its a fast-paced, thrilling drama full of adventure and intrigue. "The Internauts---Into the Internet" is series set for the pages of The Leaf.

And the exciting news of the days is that The Leaf #1 is complete and off to the printer! It will feature a stunning cover by Jakob Darq and a variant cover by Stuart Berryhill!

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

October is Red Leaf Rising Month!!!

The Leaf is rising!!

We are nearing October where our big plans are about to unfold. Two comics featuring the Leaf, four online web comics (NorthForce has already debuted), and the new and improved wikipedia will hit the web.

The Leaf is a quarterly anthology featuring a different generation of the Leaf, Canada's Greatest Hero! every issue. The stories range from five pages to eight, depending on the tale.

First up is The Golden Age Leaf (1940s) with the rest of Winston Churchill's IMPERIALS in a tale set around the Dieppe invasion of France in 1943. Walter MacSorly runs into Zombies along the way and has to slug it out with the undead! Issue number one hits the stands in October.

In issue two of The Leaf, the Silver Age Leaf (1970s) James Hudson MacSorly battles a FLQ terrorist cell in the darkest corners and alleys of Toronto. With ruthless intent, the terrorists have kidnapped a minister and want revenge, money, and a voice. James gives them none of the above. His brand of justice is more swift and immediate. Issue number two is out in December, 2010.

Issue number three has another Golden Age Leaf tale as Walter saves the King and Queen of England from a diabolical Nazi kidnapping plot. Its 1939 and the war drums have echoed across Europe. German Valkyrie winged soldiers attack a train bound for London containing the Royal Family. This story is written by long-time friend Michael Sacal and issue number three has a street date of March 2011.

Over at Surprising Comics, October will see the third issue of Surprising Theater hit the stands. Mark F Davis had graciously agreed to print the 26 page origin story for the Modern Leaf, Michael MacSorly. Toronto is gripped with fear as The Leaf begins a bloody killing spree across town. RCMP Detective Inspector Stanley follows the trail to uncover the truth of the terrible crimes and tracks down The Leaf before he can kill again! Is Michael a killer? Why are bodies piling up all over Toronto?

Surprising Theater #3 is on sale in October for $2.99 US at http://www.surprisingcomics.com/

There's more! Visit our message board for details of future issues, writers, artists, and release dates.

Sudbury!!!! Quarterly?

That's too long to wait for Canada's Greatest Hero!!!!

Well, Red Leaf has the answer to your Canadian Super Hero fix.

Web Comics...

We have already debuted the NorthForce web comic on our main website and have plans for more Fantastic! stories for our faithful readers.

First, NorthForce "Village of the Dead" is a 60 strip web comic published weekly at http://www.redleafcomics.com/. Currently, the strip is uploaded every Wednesday night. Tonight, chapter three will be up and its a good one. Something has happened to a mining town in Northern Alberta and hundreds of civilians have gone missing. When NorthForce arrives, they find a deserted town and not a body in sight. Somewhere, the evil mastermind of the event is lurking in the darkness, ready to unleash a trail of death and blood. This strip is drawn by Spanish artist Antonio Lamas.

Debuting in October, Dune, Master Spy will hit the website with a weekly strip as well. Created by another long-time friend Sid pletcher, Dune is the tale of a 1940's Egyptian spy centered in Cairo who thwarts Nazi plans and protects his country's cultural heritage. The series showcases a Golden Age villain called Iron Jaw ---a public domain character from the 1940's when comic publishing in America was filled with patriotic heroes and their adversaries. Red leaf will be reprinting some of Iron Jaw's appearances from that era as will as inserting him in new stories as a thorn in the side of the Allied powers during the war. The art is by Red Leaf Studios veteran Joe Badon who drew  the IMPERIAL back-up story "Monsters" starring Johnny Dingo, the Australian werewolf who fought for Churchill.

The next series to fill the gaps between our quarterly publishing schedule is The Original Leaf web comic.
The web comic series is titled "Calling London!" and is a globe-trotting  adventure set in a half dozen countries around the world. Walter MacSorly is on the heels of a ruthless villain using his detective skills he learned in the Royal Canadian Mounted Police to uncover the mystery of an evil Nazi plot to destroy ALL of London! ---and in the wake of devastation, a new enemy will rise up from the ashes and drain the blood of the dead and dying!!! Red Leaf is still in negotiations for an artist on this web comic. Stay tuned here for the announcement soon!

If that doesn't fill you boots, then check out the horroresque Nether Men web comic debuting in October as well!!! Four vampire brothers that have ruled the underworld for 2,000 years have finally encountered their greatest foe---themselves. The family has splintered into two factions and the blood-letting on humans from the family feud reaches a new level of intensity. This thrilling vampire tale will be drawn by super Red Leaf artist Rowel Roque. He also drew the 8 page IMPERIAL feature for The Leaf number one! Vampires, blood, oh my!!!

And  ---there's Skywatcher. This is the story of a man on the run from himself. Caught up in a government plot to confuse its adversaries, Justin Kane has fallen from grace and is now on the run of his life. Once the head of the Alien Investigation Division, was replaced and forced into a mental hospital because he "believes" he is an alien trapped in a human body. Justin escapes, and with the knowledge and skills as A.I Divisions once powerful leader, he relentlessly searches for the answer to the question that has consumed his life: Am I human? This modern tale is set in every conceivable UFO hot spot around the world. Drawn by newcomer, Kellye Perdue, prepare to scan the skies for the impossible...

Finally, The Huskie comes to life again in a new web comic from artist Grace Tveit. She penciled and colored the cover to issue number two of The Leaf and we are excited that she's on this project. "This is right up my alley," said Grace in a recent interview. The Huskie are dog-men that have been hunted to near extinction and are now hiding on the fringes of human society to survive.

Red Leaf Studios hopes to knock your socks off with these Fantastic! tales of horror, adventure, and mystery. Vampires, heroes from World War 2, dog-men, aliens...the sun has set on the competition and the Leaf has risen.

Red Leaf Rising at http://www.redleafcomics.com/

Fantastic!

John Helmer
Publisher, Red leaf Comics

Saturday, September 18, 2010

NorthForce "Village of the Dead Chapter 2"

Yes, these are exciting times! Mike Rickaby just completed the lettering for chapter two and three and I have just posted chapter 2 on the main webpage.

Read the thrilling adventures of NorthForce here: http://www.redleafcomics.com/

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

The Nether Men

Vampires, Oh My!

Red Leaf Comics is proud to present The Nether Men, a family of four vampire brothers endlessly walking the Earth preparing for the final battle of good vs. evil! The Nether Men will be appearing in their own webcomic appearing soon on the main Red Leaf web page and as well in the current web comic NorthForce.

The Nether Men represent the complicated and rewarding relationships we all have between family members and how we navigate those trying times. They will also be a force in the Red Leaf Universe as they have existed for over two thousand years. They will battle the Golden Age Leaf during World War Two in a story titled "Calling London" where one of the brothers has plotted the destruction of that great city to syphon off the blood of its victims. Additionally, they will face Dune in Egypt, 1941 as the Master Spy uncovers a bloody plot by the youngest brother, Kinden. NorthForce will try to save Canada against these blood thirsty creatures in a modern story.

We have great plans for the Family of the Undead! Check out or blog, the message board, and The Leaf ongoing series published quarterly for stories and announcements...

Fantastic!

John
Publisher, Red Leaf Comics

Sunday, September 12, 2010

The Leaf #1

With all the art in, the lettering is in the final stages. It's exciting time, indeed! I created the Leaf in 1987 as a tribute to Captain Canuck. The northern hero had a limited run and I felt there was a need for more. Fast forward to 2010 and this is truely the year of the Leaf.

Here's a page from the IMPERIALS story featuring The Golden Age Leaf ---Captain Walter MacSorly!

Hold on to your brains!!! The Leaf has just checked into the "Zombie Castle"

Saturday, September 11, 2010

News and Info

The IMPERIALS
September has been a busy month here at Red Leaf Studios. We are gearing up for the launch of The Leaf #1 in October. The cover is stunning and was painted digitally by Jakob Darq! C.L. Werner and I have carefully crafted and designed the IMPERIALS since 2004 and the results are rewarding. Over two dozen superheroes from the British Empire against a half dozen or so Axis villains.

DUNE, MASTER SPY!
One of the more exciting results of creating the IMPERIALS universe during World War Two was to collaborate with long-time friend, Sidney Pletcher. He's a thoroughly red military buff and knows more about tanks, planes, and ships than Jane's! He jumped on board in 2005 and created DUNE! Mustafa Faroh is an Egyptian spy who can kill in an instant and slip off silently. Currently, we have planned a web comic set in 1940 in Cairo, Egypt where Dune meets a Nazi thug named Iron Jaw.



This evil character was first published by Lev Gleason  in Boy Comics #3 (1942). Gleason was the original publisher of these and many characters, but Gleason was eventually forced out of business and the characters have since fallen in the public domain due to copyright and trademark lapses. We are excited to pit Dune against Iron Jaw for a battle to decide the fate of the free world! The web comic will thrill and surprise you with its twists and turns. Here's a preview of the character: Dune, Master Spy!

Red Leaf also has a 26 page Modern Leaf origin story in Surprising Theater #3 due out in October. Mark F Davis at Surprising Comics has been more than accommodating and has work tirelessly to help get that action/mystery tale to print! Check his latest work out on his boards.

October is Red Leaf Rising!

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

NorthForce!

Antonio Lamas has turned in the next strip. That's two strips out of the three that compose page one. Its exciting to be involved with creators and artistS that put in endless hours designing and drawing characters and panels. I have poured my heart int NorthForce over the years and the team is well balanced, effective, and humorous.

I hope you enjoy the strips as they pop up on the main page throughout the next few months.

"Village of the Dead"
Written by John Michael Helmer
Drawn by Antonio Lamas
Lettered by Mike Rickaby

Friday, September 3, 2010

NorthForce on Guard!

Red Leaf Comics is excited to present our first Web Comic: NorthForce. Antonio Lamas of Spain is hard at work crafting the twenty page story Village of the Dead! Our beloved Canadian heroes: The Mountie, The Leaf, Neutralator, and Gadget Girl fight to the death against one of the oldest creatures on Earth ---a two thousand year old vampire!

This blood-soaked tale centers around a mining town in Northern Alberta where the entire population has gone missing.

Appearing SOON on our main website: http://www.redleafcomics.com/

Here's Neutralator by Antonio Lamas:

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

The Silver Age Leaf

On Guard For Thee

I just received page 3 and 4 of the thrilling Silver Age Leaf tale set in 1973 titled On Guard For Thee. Its five pages in all, but debuts the 60-70's legend in his very first story. His debut in The Leaf #1 will set the tone for the feisty, take-no-prisoners attitude that James MacSorly exudes. Why reason when you can kick or punch your way out of any situation? He's overly confident because he has cutting-edge 1970's technology on his side whenever he's in over his head. Supplied by his sidekick friend and consultant, Joel Nychuk, code name: The Handler, James is unstoppable!

Antonio Lamas has been crunching the pen to pencil and ink this Silver Age Leaf tale. His close-ups of the character are phenomenal!

Here's a sample...


Saturday, August 14, 2010

What Lies Ahead...

With the impending launch of The Leaf #1 from Red Leaf Comics, there is much excitement here at Red Leaf Studios in Glendale, Arizona. Sure we are jumping with joy that the first issue will hit the stands soon, but there's more. As the final letters are pasted onto the art of fantastic tales starring The Huskie, The Golden Age Leaf, Laughingstock, and the Silver Age Leaf, the excitement builds for what lies ahead: issue #2 is almost complete!
Our cover artist for issue #2 is Jakob Darq and he's a sensation. I have posted his cover progression for the project at the Red Leaf Comics website here:

http://redleafcomics.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=general&thread=95

Walter MacSorly, the Golden Age Leaf faces his greatest threat: ZOMBIES!!! World War 2 was never so perilous!

The story has art by Rowel Roque and was written by C.L.Werner and myself.

Issue #2 should hit the stands in December, 2010.

All the best,

John
http://www.redleafcomics.com/

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Red Leaf Rising Part III

The Leaf Timeline 2009-2010

A Landmark Decision

I had known about Mark F Davis for year on several boards. We had even exchanged barbs about comic prices, themes, and concepts. The conversation never moved beyond the topic of the day. Then in November 2009, Mark posted a question in a brand new thread on a well frequented board about publishing comics. He had made several attempts in the past, most notably the one issue publishing giant Landmark Comics and its ephemeral issue number one, Suddenly Landmark. A brave attempt, but possible with the wrong supporting cast. The issue never made it to its second incarnation. He introduced a pivotal character called American Guard in a 5 page short story that ended with a promise for more. Something Mark couldn't fulfill at the time. His supporting cast had moved on to other projects and he had been left on his own to ponder the perils of publishing. I answered his post and we quickly emailed a volley of information back and forth.

What a Surprise...

Mark emailed me that he was forming a new company to get a clean start called Surprising Comics. In a weird twist of fate, we exchanged where we lived and to our pleasant surprise, we discovered we both lived in Phoenix, Arizona. Dozens of phone calls proceeded and I offered my technical services in exchange for Mark's promise to reprint the Leaf 2005 Summer Slam. Mark also offered slots for additional new stories from the Leaf. He was enchanted by the odd, yet charming character from Canada and all the stories I enthusiastically told.

Surprising Theater

We culled a handful of stories together and formed the basic framework of a 20 page debut issue titled "Surprising Theater #1" which was set to appear on newsstands in March of 2010 ---a mere five (5) months since our initial conversation. Surprising Theater was born from Marks contagious energy and endless ideas. He is a plausible genius in the small publishing realm, creating characters, concepts, and ideas. He challenged me to write better, tell more dynamic stories, and to beat his boundless energy for the comics. I have tried, yes I really have, but his energy is endless. This guy really loves comics. We sent the issue off to the printer and waited 28 days for the final product.

What Santa Brings...

The box arrived late one afternoon and I picked up the package an waited for Mark to arrive. It was a very exciting moment to open the shipping container and see hundreds of Surprising Theater #1's spill out! Holding you comic with the Leaf on the cover, well that’s a thrill. But there was work to be done...


The Missing Link

The Golden Age Leaf existed in the 30's and 40's and the Modern Leaf is from today ---what happened in between? Canada had felt much internal strife in the 60's and 70's with Quebec separatists trying to fracture the country into to parts. James MacDonald MacSorly rose from his Father's shadow and became the Silver Age Leaf. I created the feisty, take no prisoners, James and thrust him into a very violent time in Canada's history. He thrived there. I'm not sure if the man mad the times or the times mad the man, but James became a more angry Leaf with a score to settle. Something Walter never indulged in. Walter did his job ---the duty all Canadians held to thwart evil and free the world from Axis oppression. James was different. He was the seething anger and undercurrent from the after effects of a world war. He was the scar the wound could not heal. Something his son would not dare not become. This was Michael's motivation, the reluctant hero who did not want to be his father.


Next: 2010 continued...
.

Monday, August 2, 2010

Red Leaf Rising Part II

The Leaf Timeline: 2005-2009

It Takes Two.

SDCC in 2005 was an interesting experience, not because it allowed us to publish the Leaf, but because it allowed Brad and I to dream of publishing the character again. Backing up the Leaf was over 200 characters and concept sketches that I drew, a few drawn by Brad, and many were scrawled away on note book pages, a lot on typing paper, and a few on the back of napkins.

Ideas don't come in a book...

Many of the characters I have created or thought of seem to have come in a vacuum. Almost as if I need an isolation chamber to focus my creative energy. I have been accused by many a girl friend of carrying the burden of unfocused thoughts. Its a skill I need to train and the best places that help me focus are in the shower, a long car ride, or in a darkroom. A daydream is as good as a thought. Sometimes the lines blur between the two, but the end results are formulative ideas.

The Leaf and Michael's back story was born from those environments. Watching World War 2 movies created the stage for Michael's grandfather, Walter Robert MacSorly. He's a classic Canadian Mountie figure snatched up from the RCMP services and enlisted in the Canadian Army in 1939. He soon exhibited skills and traits that made him a hero to his fellow soldiers --- a symbol of his unit. Walter was taken from room to room and tested until the Canadian Army couldn't find a single flaw in the square chinned ---he was the perfect Leaf.

Winston Churchill needed heroes. The war was going badly on all fronts and the Germans were sweeping across Europe. The desperation of all things in war, especially the onslaught that the British Empire had endured: combat, isolation, death, heroism, these made Walter.

I couldn't resist putting that hero in every terrible spot the British fell into during the war. His character seemed to thrive when all was hopeless. It fed his personality to do the right thing and to strive for freedom. I modeled the classic British uniform and added a red maple leaf on the pancake helmet. A well known artist was asked to draw the hero for the first time in 2007. He couldn't push himself to add the symbols of Canada to the uniform. He didn't buy into the Leaf as a character in WW2. So I searched for another artist. It would take three more years before I found Stuart Berryhill. Stu's love for history and WW2 allowed him to instantly bond with Walter. I remember getting the first penciled pages and thinking, "...here we go again!" But what I found was a big-chinned hero with the symbols of Canada etched on his uniform. Stu had grasped the concept spilling it onto every panel and adding emotion to Walter's facial expressions. I had found THE artist. Two stories later and two awesome pin-ups, Walter MacSorly is Canada's first true hero, or as we say on the cover of the comic "Canada's Greatest Hero!" for the ages.

All things WW2 that I enjoy I share with a dear friend and fellow writer, C.L. Werner.

C.L. is an accomplished novelist, ten if my current count is correct, and he helped guide me during this period when I was learning how to craft stories. When I felt Walter should do this, he twisted the hook and added that. He's a true genius when it comes to delivering drama and adding tension to a scene. His Warhammer novels are filled with grit and grime, the underbelly of society. I learned to put Walter through similar circumstances to strengthen his character and solidify his personality.

C.L. and I developed several ideas and concepts. The best I believe, and most fertile, is the IMPERIALS. The Allies never had it so easy when delivering these heroes to battlefields in every theater of war. C.L. brought enthusiastic energy and dynamic concepts to the team "From very corner of the British Empire" he would always say. The Leaf needed to grow and inserting him in the IMPERIALS added a new dimension to Canada's war hero and living legend.

Every year during this period, I would race down to Artists Alley at SDCC and commission Sergio Carellio to draw an IMPERIAL. Uberman, Dune, the Mystic Ghurka (twice), and others. Sergio helped define the written concepts crafting them in ink.

Next...

Mark F Davis and Surprising Comics.

Red Leaf Rising!!!

The Leaf Time line: 1987-2005



The Leaf is here.

Its an ominous sentence, because he was already here, its now that he can bee seen, read, or heard. The character was created in 1987 when I wrote and drew (that's a stretch) a bunch of characters in my super-hero world of "The Unknowns" during high school. The Leaf started as a very simple character: a tall robot with a sleek all-black costume and a huge maple leaf, directly from the Canadian flag, strapped to his back ---almost as if it were a hang glider.

Why a robot? It sounded funny. A giant maple leaf running around Canada creating havoc. Naturally I sent a cadre of heroes to apprehend this robot. The group consisted of Neutralator ---my FIRST Canadian hero, the Mountie, and Gadget Girl ---a pretty redhead who was smarter than all the men on the team combined. The became NorthForce. My version of Alpha Flight.

As I said above, I can't draw. My friends tell me I have a tongue-in-cheek style that is a style of its own. That's a nice way of saying "Look at that wonderful car crash!!" But what it did allow me to do was to visualize my creations. It was a crutch to limp me along until 2005 when my long time college friend, Brad Eastburn, jumped back into the graphic design bucket and drew the first OFFICIAL appearance of The Leaf.

The Leaf Summer Slam 2005
Written by john Michael Helmer
Drawn by Brad Eastburn
Cover by Brad Eastburn
4 pages
Comix Express

We printed 500 and handed them out at the San Diego Comic Con is 2005. They were gobbled up. I still have a bunch in a box that I include with sales of current issues as a bonus. The story introduced Michael MacSorly ---the Modern Leaf and his controlling girl friend Susan Ferros, and a throw away villain named Claude. Its a simple tale of a mugging gone wrong and how dangerous situations can handled with skill and preparation. Brad and I were so proud of that flimsy 4 page comic. Today we look back with a critical eye: why did I draw that arm that way? I should have had the character say this or that...

It was a learning experience. And the creativity would simmer for five years until rising from the primordial soup came...The IMPERIALS!

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2005-2009 Winston Churchill's IMPERIALS, novelist C.L.Werner, and comic book artist Sergio Carellio.