Holiday Wishes from "the Experts!"

the Emerald Yeti!

sketch by Clarence Pruitt.

... and now a scene from "the Experts #3"

Gosh, More Fan Mail for "the Experts #1"

"Kenn & Clarence,

I just finished reading the first issue of "The Experts". I admit, I picked up the comic on a lark. I'm a big supporter of independent comics - I usually find they have much more quality tales than the mainstream stuff being churned out by the big guys in the market today. This is one comic I'm glad I decided to take a chance on.

I thoroughly enjoyed this first issue! A cute introduction to the main team - Dr. Delta, an enigmatic ghost? - Free Mary, from the costume and name, I'm guessing her to be a Lady Liberty type character? - Ninja Witch, who I hope to see more of her ninja side in action - Mr. Elaztik, not much on him this issue - Emerald Yeti, a clockwork beastie? what's that? - and the Naked Man, interesting name, but does he actually get naked to use his powers???

New recruits for a team that has been around before, eh? Hope we eventually get to see some of that old team (other than Frost Queen and the Scottish guy.

IncredoLad was a humorous tale - a new take on the whole "keeping the secret identity" - he he he, and the "ad" for IncredoLad's comics was a fun stab at the old Superboy type comics from days long past.... (although, with this tale, one has to wonder why Chet didn't try to save poor Tina.....)

When superheroes need a psychiatrist, where do they go? Dr. Michael Schlessinger, obviously! I definitely hope we see more of him in upcoming issues - how often do we get a chance to see the inner workings of a superhero's troubled psyche?!?!?!

Pruitt's art is beautiful - he definitely has a good knack for expressions - particularly with Ninja Witch - had she had no words to say at all, it would have been easy to see what she was thinking!

Overall, a great first issue, one that only whets my appetite for more (and there had better be more guys!!!) Any hints as to when we can expect to see issue two solicited???

- TODD H. LATOSKI"

a little before and after

I did these up for fun the other day...

Comic News Insider Reviews the Experts #1

Comic News Insider has a new podcast up wherein they review "the Experts #1." Download and listen to the podcast (Click on Episode #65) here.

Shucks, more Fan Mail for the First ish...

"Kenn & Clarence,

I just picked up a copy of your book The Experts at a comic shop here in Connecticut!
I very much enjoyed it!! I don't buy many comics, as a matter of fact I haven't bought one in 8 years!
I was at Buried Under Comics pluggin' my web comic The Kosmix, and saw it on a rack. I was a huge Mike Allred, and it was Clarence Pruitt's Allredesque style cover that hooked me! His artwork is tremendous!! It is understated, yet complex. Yes... it is Mike Allred like, but stripped down a step further, and with shades of Bruce Timm!!!
The writing was exceptional as well. Fast paced, and a nice homage (with modern sensibilities) to a day when comics were actually fun!!!
And you ink too! WOW!!
Please let me know when a new book is scheduled to come out, and you can count on a sale from me!!

KUDOS!!!
John McDowel"

More "the Experts" Fan Mail

Just so you know, mine and Clarence Pruitt's "the Experts #1" is currently available in comic shops nationwide... it came out last week. Check your favorite store to see if they have it. If they don't, it will always be available from our online shop at comixpress.com (along with "the Experts #2). Please see the links on the right sidebar of this blog.

Thanks,
Kenn Minter



"Kenn -

I've taken to browsing for cool indie comics when I go to my local
comics shop each week, looking for good stuff to inspire me as I work on my
own book. Last week I picked up a copy of "The Experts" and was so
impressed that I bought two copies and sent one off to my collaborator to
check out. It's cool to see an indie book look so professional right out
of the gate, and the Incredo-Lad story was pretty damn funny.

Kudos on that cover too! Really good things going on with the colors
and design there!

(Oh, side note -- I found your book at Forbidden Planet in NYC, in case
you're curious about that sort of thing.)

I also saw your comiXpress ad on the back and was curious what you
thought about them, as I was planning on trying them out. Would you mind me
using your name as a referrer?

Anyway, cool book and I wish you luck with it. If you ever want to talk
shop, drop me a line. I'm hoping to have an ashcan teaser issue for my
book done within the month.

-Keith McCleary"

Experts Fan Mail

My name is Frankie B. Washington and I'm planning on
debuting my comic book, FBW Peace March 2007, thru
Comixpress. I'm a freelance illustrator living in
Massachusetts and totally understand the passion and
drive to get a comic book series out.

I've already drawn up to four books and now I have to
letter them as well. It's time consuming but the
reward of completing the dream is so worth it.

When I first saw the covers for The Experts I was
immediately drawn to them. I was nervous that when I
opened the book the art and story would not be upto
par.

Least to say that I was and still amazed by the rich,
humorous storytelling and kick-ass artwork.
It definitely lends to b/w and color which is the
ideal medium all books should aspire for.

I really hope when FBW Peace is released it is able to
be on that level as well.

Definitely stop by my webpage and sign the
guestbook if you like.

http://www.fbwpeace.com

More costume changes!

Here's a scene from "the Experts #2" wherein Ninja Witch magically creates new duds for Free Mary.

-Kenn

New costumes for "the Experts" gang?

Maybe. You'll have to pick up "the Experts" #3 to find out what all the hub-bub is about.

These are costume designs that I created to send to the penciller. Wait til you see the finished pencils by Jason Cheeseman-Meyer... YOW!

Wait-a-second? Who's Jason Cheeseman-Meyer?

Experts group sketch

Here's a nifty group pencil sketch of "the Experts" by my brother, Matt Minter.

-Kenn

A bit of both what?

What is the mysterious Doctor Delta referring to in this panel? Why is he holding up a check made out to him from "the Experts?"

Find out in "the Experts" #3.

Coming soon...

"the Experts" T-Shirt Shop!

Be the coolest kid on your street while you don the latest in "the Experts" fashions! "the Experts" is the fun new Superhero comic book by Kenn Minter and Clarence Pruitt! Buy your very own "the Experts" T-Shirts and Sweatshirts HERE!

All the cool kids are doing it. :oP

Character Sketches

Recently, Clarence sent me some character sketches/costume designs for possible kid sidekicks to some of our adult characters from "the Experts" etc. Here we have "Moon Bird"... the long lost comrade of the moody Night-Guard (introduced in "the Experts" #1). Also, there's "Zippy"... the young chum of "the ZZZip." But, of course, we wouldn't be able to use the name "Zippy"... since it's already the name of a hilarious daily comic strip by Bill Griffith. I suggest we name the lad "Quickee,"... that way it's naughty and stupid all at once.

Of course, my favorite character has to be "Candy Corn Man"... I mean... how could it not be? His origin is as follows:



Wally Winchell was a mild-mannered youth... except for being your usual pain-in-the-ass teenager. Wally liked Halloween. He enjoyed All Hallows Eve gobs and gobs. Wally liked candy... Wally loved free candy. Wally cared much for trick-or-treating.

When Wally came bounding down the stairs from his bedroom dressed as his favorite superhero, "the Emerald Yeti," one Halloween evening... his father was aghast.

"Wally!" Dad exclaimed, "Where do you think you are going dressed like that? You're 17, son. You are too old to go out trick-or-treating. You can escort your little sister around the neighborhood if you want, but you're too big for Halloween. It's time to grow up!"

"Aw Pop... but I like candy so much... and it's free Dad! Free candy! How can I pass that up?!"

Dad rubbed his chin in consideration. "Nope. Sorry. Now take off that stupid costume and take Wendy out for awhile... I'd do it... but I don't feel like it, and there's a game on."

Wally hung his head in disappointment. He turned toward the stairs and ran up to his room. At the top of the stairs, he tore off his Emerald Yeti mask and screamed at his Father, "I hate you Daddy! I hate you!"

TO BE CONTINUED...

Vintage Experts Proto-Images

Here's an assortment of "the Experts" character sketches that I had done years ago... probably 7 to 10 years ago. These characters were haunting my sketchbooks long before I ever wrote any scripts or met Clarence Pruitt via the internet.

As you can see, I sorely needed Clarence's help on this project.

-Kenn

the Experts #1 in Stores!

The Experts #1 (by Kenn Minter & Clarence Pruitt) in stores across America... November 29, 2006!

But why wait? Buy a copy of #1 and #2 online now:

Experts #1!

Experts #2!

JUMP!

Here are two more panels from the upcoming third issue. Exciting rural action!

Pin-Up Complete

Pin-Up Evolution cont...

Almost finished.

-K

the Evolution of a Pin-up

Here, as you can see, is the beginning evolution of the Incredo-Lad pin-up for the back cover of "The Experts" #1. On the far left are Clarence's pencils, in the middle are my inks over his pencils, and on the far right is the beginning of my coloring.

I'll post more soon.

-Kenn

More Art from 'the Experts" #3

Here is a yet-to-lettered toned panel from issue #3.

-K

Take that, Perez!

Here's a scan of my pencils for an Incredolad pin-up. Kenn will do his inking thing and make it actually look good.

Some panels from Experts #3

Here are a couple of action packed panels from the third issue. What lurks in the hospital room?!

character sketches

Here are some character sketches I did a couple of years ago. I think Kenn has some inked versions around somewhere.

Some inked pages from the Experts #3

Pencils by Clarence Pruitt and Jason Cheeseman-Meyer.

the Experts #1 in September's Diamond Previews

This is an exciting time for myself and penciller-co-creator, Clarence Pruitt. "the Experts #1" has made it into Diamond Distribution's September issue of "Previews." So, if you have any interest in the book or would just like to lend a hand in supporting your fellow, struggling, independent comic book creators... then bug the tar out of your favorite comic book retailer and tell them that they need to check out the September issue of Previews and order as many copies of "the Experts #1" as they can.

I know Clarence and I sure would appreciate it.

Thanks in advance,
Kenn Minter

What Others are Saying about the Experts

The Experts stood out on the comics rack when I saw it, so I knew I had to take it home with me. And I'm glad I did!

The cover caught my eye with it's retro/pop art looking superheroes, and the interior story lived up to that. Kenn Minter and Clarence Pruitt have crafted a great story which balances a nice mix of humor and homage, giving us a new crop of heroes in this.... darkened age of comics.

The familiar archeytpes are there (the star-spangled patriot, the monster, the stretchy guy, and in the ultimate nod to Bronze Age heroism, a voodoo based mage!) as well as some interesting hybrids like the sexy Ninja Witch!

Not satisfied with just giving us a new superteam, Minter and Pruitt also present us with two additional creative spins on superhero melodrama in this issue! More bang for your buck, I always say!

Pick up this book and enjoy some solid storytelling, with artwork that looks like a smooth blend between Archie Comics and classic Marvel!

Javier Hernandez

Fan Art

"The Experts" hasn't been out too long... but that doesn't mean we don't already have "fans." Because we do... sort of.

Anyway, here are some nice pin-ups of Ninja Witch and Free Mary by cartoonist Matthew Grace.

-K

A Scene from the Experts #3

Here's a scene from "the Experts #3."

During an intimate encounter between Naked Man and the Frost Queen, Naked Man's prior relationship with teammate, Ninja Witch, is forced, by The Frost Queen, to the surface.

-K

the Experts #2

The Experts members, Ninja Witch and Free Mary, go on their first mission as a duo to thwart an international art thief, the Silver Muse. If anything can go wrong... well, it does.

Also in this issue, the Z-Squad, the most angst-ridden super-powered teenagers ever, are featured in a 4-page back-up story.

Have you read The Experts #1?

the Experts #1

This new team of heroes combines three novices with three adventure veterans: Doctor Delta (a mystical apparition), Free Mary (a spit-fire vixen), Naked Man (a young, eager buck), the Emerald Yeti (a gentle-natured, mechanical, furry giant), Ninja Witch (a moody, youthful witch-in-training), and Mr. Elaztik (the obligatory, rubber-bodied, shape-changing comic relief).

These six individuals have been chosen to fulfill certain demographic appeal. Though, more importantly, they have been selected for their ability and willingness to work cheap.

As a whole, the Experts is a quirky, off-kilter superhero series revolving around characters that are completely unprepared for their atypical roles and responsibilities.

This issue also features two back-up stories: "Incredo-Lad: Out of the Closet," and "Dr. Michael Schlessinger: Psychiatrist to the Superheroes."

And be sure to check out The Experts #2.

Here they come...

the experts.

Right On.