Killtopia: Complete Collection launches across the UK + US on September 24th via
@ComicsTitan
It’s a cyberpunk trip shot through with wicked humour, about bounty hunters raising hell across Neo Tokyo to claim the world’s 1st sentient mech
Preorder here:
Day 10. Patient seems increasingly violent. Locking down the X offices just to be sure…
Day 20. We’re out of food and the building is locked down to contain it. I hope whoever finds this has better luck killing the patient than us.
The code to the secret weapon locker is 0729.
(1/3) Hyped to reveal NINJA BASEBALL SPIRITS, a 5-part comic reboot of Irem's incredible 1993 beat 'em up arcade game, Ninja Baseball Bat Man.
Issue
#1
hits Kickstarter June 3rd. Sign-ups go live next week!
Plot details + more here:
Hello! I’m writing a 400-page book about the side-scrolling beat-em-up genre, from Kung-Fu Master in 1984 right up to Streets of Rage 4 in 2020. It features over 200 games with lovely screenshots, tips and trivia about each release.
Stay tuned for a publisher reveal soon 👍
So uh, we sold the Killtopia rights to a TV studio back in 2019. We can finally talk about it now :)
It'll be an 8 episode run, written by Phil Gelatt of Love, Death and Robots fame.
I'll be over here trying to not freak out :)
Calling all artists: I’m the creator and author of cyberpunk comic series Killtopia.
I’m always on the look out to hire guest artists for art prints to go with our Kickstarter campaigns.
Hit me up with a follow for the next time we open up paid commissions.
RTs welcome!
Paid gig:
I’m looking to add 2-3 extra stories to our cyberpunk comic anthology Killtopia: Nano Jams - as we’re ahead of schedule and below budget 👍
Deadline for FINAL art is Sept 15th. Please put yourself forward ONLY if you can commit to this.
Give me a shout for details 👋
I’m slowly making plans for our first Killtopia cyberpunk anthology.
I’m looking for a good spread of artists, writers and colourists from many backgrounds and genders. The better a spread of voices the better.
Would anyone be interested?
RTs appreciated :)
(1/2) I’m slowly making plans for our first Killtopia cyberpunk comic anthology.
I’m looking for a spread of artists writers and colourists from many backgrounds and genders to get a good spread of voices.
Everyone will get paid, too
Are you interested?
RTs appreciated :)
I interviewed one of my all-time favourite game directors, Goichi Suda for
@NME
.
In this feature I profile his career, from his early days on Fire Pro Wrestling, through Killer7, working with
@JamesGunn
on Lollipop Chainsaw, up to No More Heroes 3.
I won’t embarrass them by naming them, but I’m working with an artist on a comic at the moment who - after seeing the great quality of their work - I offered to pay more than their asking page rate.
Times are tough and I had budget to cover it. Great talent deserves fair pay 👍
You may have seen me posting images from scrolling beat-em-up games lately. It's because I'm currently working on a 400-page ultimate history book of the genre; reviewing every game from Kung-Fu Master in '84, to Streets of Rage 4, out this year. Total dream project :)
More soon
For the first time, I’ve been invited to pitch a concept for a sweet licensed comic series 😳
I’m currently feeling a strange mixture of excitement, imposter syndrome and determination all at once.
Really keen to smash this and make it happen.
Staying at home today to avoid the virus and panic buying?
To help stave off boredom please enjoy six of my comic books completely on the house. No catch at all, they’re yours for free.
Please enjoy and share to anyone you’d like 🙏
I don’t know about you, but I find resurrecting the dead without their consent to be used as AI puppets absolutely disgusting.
Can we just stop with this shit now please?
We did it!!
Thanks so, so much everyone. I promise this book is worth it 🙏
I’m at work so will do a proper thank you shout out / KS update soon.
*collapses*
Paid gig: I’m looking for a pixel artist to team up on a project.
I’m looking for a 16/32-bit era pixel art style, similar to Capcom’s late ‘90s brawlers (Marvel vs Capcom, Street Fighter Alpha 2 / Third Strike etc)
Get in touch or chuck your portfolios below👇
I'm not vegan but can't wait to try that
#KFCVeganBurger
- the Greggs vegan sausage roll is superior to the meat version so I've got high hopes.
Find it laughable how many folk are getting upset over something that literally has zero impact on their life.
Grow the fuck up eh?
PAID ART GIG! I'm looking for an artist that specialises in fighting game style artwork - Street Fighter Alpha, Darkstalkers etc - for an A4 colour art print commission for an unannounced fighting game comic.
Drop recommendations / portfolios below - thanks :D
(1/4) THREAD: Here’s fun one - a while back
@RoboticSteve
and I were invited to pitch comic ideas to Ubisoft. Here’s a look at the idea we pitched but was ultimately turned down. We loved working on this one, though.
Presenting: Rayman Rewired
My side-scrolling beat ‘em up book is being published this year.
It’s a 450 page encyclopaedia of 210+ games in the genre, from Kung Fu Master in ‘84, up to 2020’s Streets of Rage 4. It also has art spreads, special features and much more
Full publisher reveal soon! 🤜 💥 🍗
Reveal!
It's the final Killtopia
#4
stretch goal print from our campaign by the incredibly talented Kim Hu (
@elbowrocket
) - shipping to select pledge tiers in May.
It shows our cast as a gacha ball collection on a neon-lit cyberpunk street corner.
Gotta collect 'em all!
@KBIRI
It’s not empowering - it’s a shortcut, a cheat code to make something that takes actual talent and effort to make.
It’s the opposite of empowering. It makes people lazy and delusional enough to think they’re talented.
Plus, it uses the hard work of others. It’s theft.
I handed in my notice at work today after landing a part-time writing gig with a new client.
It’s a big step to reduce my hours but I felt I needed more time to focus on my comic and game projects.
It’s exciting and a nerve-racking, but I feel it’s the tight step.
Onward! 💪
Trying not to overthink or freak after being approached by a publisher to be on a writer’s shortlist for a mega huge licensed comic - like, a colossal IP.
It’s in the hands of the gods now, but damn I’m trying to make sense of what it means to be offered and what could happen 😑
(PS: the hexagonal crank key is behind the jade monkey statue, but first you must put three gems inside its mouth, then burn the oil painting of Elon in the executive toilet to reveal a stone tablet that opens the secret sewer path, where the original Twitter board is being kept)
PAID COMIC GIG: I'm looking to hire a designer to help create graphic elements in two comic book projects, and to help me format the books before they go to print.
Please chuck your sites/portfolios below or DM me - thanks :)
RTs appreciated ❤️
On
#InternationalMensDay
, it's important to stress to anyone identifying as male that it's okay to not feel okay.
Men are influenced to believe that emotion is a weakness. In reality, it's one of the best strengths a person can have.
Seeking help is never a weakness 💪
Okay fine I’ll do the shameless thing;
I write a cyberpunk comic series called Killtopia that features real art by very talented humans.
It’s ideal if you’re into Cowboy Bebop, Akira, Ghost in the Shell and Battle Royale + more!
Check it out:
#streetsofrage4
will be the last game to feature in my 430+ page hardback book on the history of side-scrolling beat ‘em ups. It has articles on over 210 games from 1984’s Kung-Fu Master right up to present day.
Official reveal soon 🤜 💥 🤛
Absolutely fuck this AI art Kickstarter project and everything it stands for.
I'm sure the 20 million images mentioned below are all being used with their creators' consent too.
Actually sounds like a creepy AI hentai generator.
Enabled more processing power within Photoshop (beta) to enhance 'Generative Fill'. Here's the extreme close-up opening shot in THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY with AI building out past the film frame edges with limited information available. No prompts used.🤠
#Firefly
#FrameGrow
People running Kickstarters: do NOT talk to the people who generously helped fund your work on good faith like this.
Courtesy, understanding, transparency, patience - your backers deserve all these things for supporting you with their wallets.
(Not my image btw)
@Kickstarter
£103,000 raised on your platform since 2014, and thousands of comic readers gained.
I guarantee that this move will make them abandon my projects by association.
This move will hurt businesses like mine for which there is no other viable route to market.
Please reconsider.
🧵- The
#ComicsBrokeMe
tag is a sobering insight into the struggles of those working on comics at all levels (indie to pro).
My advice: I decided long ago not to back down from talking openly when comics took a mental toll on me, and I encourage everyone to do the same...
Paid comic gig: I’m helping a friend find an artist for his new horror series.
It’ll be uncoloured, and he’s looking for a slightly abrasive style, something that really leans into the horror vibe.
Chuck your portfolios, links and samples below or over DM - thanks!
I implore everyone to check out Scavengers Reign on Netflix.
It’s an engrossing story of survival on the most inventive, beautiful and terrifying depiction of an alien planet I’ve seen in any media.
I’ve never seen anything quite like it.
PAID ART GIG: My good friend
@anas_abdulhak
is looking to commission an artist for a noir horror comic pitch - someone who can do grungy textures with heavy inks + rough lines.
Drop your portfolio links + samples below, and give Anas a follow / DM to find out more.
Mood pics:
Just got an email about a creative thing that’s absolutely floored me and blown my mind. All of a sudden this could be a megaton year 🤯
I legally can’t say any more but I’m trying to not have a massive freak out of excitement 😂
Just submitted the licensed comic pitch I've been working on for a publisher over the holidays.
No idea if I'll get the gig, but I can rest easy knowing I worked damn hard on it and tried my absolute best.
I guess time will tell 👀
*collapses*
Howdy Twitter! I'm Dave Cook, an award-winning comic book writer from Scotland 👋
I'm creator/writer of the cyberpunk series Killtopia, the beat' em up tribute series BPM: Beatdowns Per Minute and more!
Check out my work, hire me or buy my stuff here:
Signal boost Sunday: If you’re working on a creative project, be it a comic book, indie game, crowdfunder or something else, chuck it below and I’ll do a wee RT and shout out for you.
I hate everything about this. Feeling stressed, unhealthy, anxious, upset, hollow and physically sick due to work is NOT a place of strength. The work until you drop attitude needs to stop.
Instead, we should learn how to spot this stress early so we can avoid it.
Paid comic gig: I'm looking for a colourist for a project similar in to my cyberpunk series Killtopia. Here are some samples of that series below to give you an idea of the style and vibe. Hit me up if you're interested and please RT / share with colourists you know :)
Thanks!
You can now follow our Kickstarter page for Ninja Baseball Spirits, the official comic book reboot of Irem’s 1993 arcade beat ‘em up, Ninja Baseball Bat Man.
We launch June 3rd, right here 👇
RTs welcome. Let’s smash it!
Our new comic Ninja Baseball Spirits
#1
is now on general sale over on my store.
It’s a reboot of Irem’s 1993 arcade beat ‘em up, Ninja Baseball Bat Man - think Ninja Turtles meets sports :D
I start mental health counselling next week.
Nervous but determined to not start 2020 the way I almost ended 2019 - a burnt out wreck at the end of his rope.
Thanks to everyone who has given words of advice/encouragement lately. Infinitely grateful 🙏
I’m working on the final edits for my side-scrolling beat ‘em up book. Currently finishing off the ‘90s. Then it’s just the ‘00s and ‘10s then it’s all done.
What are your favourite games of the genre?
🤜 💥 🗑 =🍗
Set up at my first comic con of the year (minus the gap where Killtopia
#1
will be momentarily 😅)
It’s Capital Sci-Fi Con in Edinburgh, on today and Sunday at the Corn Exchange!
Comic folk, if you don’t already have anti AI / NFT clauses in your contracts, now’s the time.
Here’s how I’ve worded them in my contracts for Killtopia: Nano Jams.
They protect me against unethical AI / NFT practices and beholden me to the same rules.
Presenting the fifth and final cover for our award-winning cyberpunk series, Killtopia.
We hit Kickstarter on November 4th. Pre-sign ups are live here:
Art:
@clarkbintart
Colour:
@FiverArts
RTs = ❤️
Artists of Twitter!
• PAID OPPORTUNITY! •
@RoboticSteve
and I are looking for guest artists to create prints for our comic BPM: Beatdowns Per Minute
#2
If you like drawing beat ‘em up action, show us your artwork!
Let’s make some cool stuff! ♥️
RTs appreciated
My guidebook 'Crowdfunding Comics' is now available for sale on Gumroad. Based on six years, ten
#Kickstarter
campaigns and £73,000 raised, my 109-page book can help you plan, market, run and fulfil your next comic.
Get it free or for a donation below:
Seven months without booze 👍
I’ll stop posting these once I hit a year. Sharing the monthly milestones just keeps me motivated.
Apologies if they’ve seemed a bit spammy or self-serving.
Say hello to my new video game book, Run ‘n’ Gun: A History of On-foot Shooters.
Designed and published by the awesome folks at
@bitmap_books
, this huge tome chronicles over 40 years of run ‘n’ gun history.
Bitmap’s aiming for a July launch. Stay tuned for preorder news!
Presenting Kim Hu /
@elbowrocket
’s cover for the first anthology set in the world of our cyberpunk comic series, Killtopia.
Nano Jams will feature many stories from guest writers and artists based on the theme of ‘media’
We’ll have more announcements later this year 👍
I just had my ADHD formally diagnosed. It’s such a relief to have confirmation and an explanation for how I’ve been feeling for so many years.
I start medication in a few weeks time to get myself back on track.
Onward! 💪
Announcement time! We’re hyped to reveal that colourist
@MattHerms
has joined our Streets of Rage-inspired comic BPM: Beatdowns Per Minute.
He’s coloured two pages for us below and has worked on the Sonic the Hedgehog, Mega Man and Power Rangers comics.
More details soon 👍
STRETCH GOAL
#5
REVEAL: FRANK QUITELY PRINT!
We just smashed £10,000! Which means all £15+ backers get an A4
@tulalotay
print.
At 12,000 all £15+ backers get a new Killtopia Print by legendary artist Frank Quitely (All Star Superman, New X-Men, Jupiter’s Legacy)
Can we do it?
Inspired by the great
@davidbcooper
- I manage to pick up an unopened box of Simpsons trading cards from 1990 on eBay 😳
I can’t wait to see which ones I’ve got.
I’m going back to counselling tomorrow.
Lately, life itself feels like too much effort and I always feel like a detestable, worthless person
I’m not after sympathy, but if you’re ever suffering, please speak with someone. It’s not a weak thing to do, it’s 100% the opposite 👍