#004: Pros and Cons

Hey, welcome back!

So I finally wrapped Infinity Watch last Friday, and I’m still kinda recovering from what ended up being a hell of a grind to get it over the finish line; as such, I’m only writing today’s newsletter on the morning of release! Issue 2 of Infinity Watch is out TOMORROW and I’m excited to hear what people think: issue 1 had a pretty shocking climax and issue 2 picks up directly after that, and continues to ramp up the carnage!

I thought I’d share my character designs for the villains I designed for the series: these four debuted in Infinity Watch #1. Zavala’s design is a little spoilery for issue 2, but a lot of what’s referenced in the text on that design sheet was hinted at in the issue 1 climax. If you want to save yourself from any spoilers ahead of tomorrow, simply skip the text and come back here after you read Infinity Watch #2.

I really beefed up Star Slayer’s physique after editor Nick Lowe suggested we make her look super intimidating; she’s inspired by the late WWE superstar, Chyna (confession: I’m a pro-wrestling nerd).

Derek Landy described Seeker as a guy wearing an alien spacesuit with a trench coat over it: naturally I pulled my Metal Gear Solid art books off the shelf for inspiration.

Derek described this guy in the script as Willy Wonka crossed with a cenobite from Hellraiser, and I went to town! I have some earlier designs that were rejected for pushing the envelope too far, including Inflict having six pierced nipples!

Zavala’s design is a little more involved: the script for issue 2 mentions that the Infinity Stones attach to the hilt of his sword, but now how, so I developed that to make his sword more functional and for said ability to be more of an aspect of his character design in general. Obvious FFVII inspirations going on here!

There are a few more characters that I designed for the book that’ll show up in future issues - I’ll share their designs when they’ve been revealed in the comics!

With Infinity Watch wrapped up, I’m finally able to focus on the next Marvel Multiverse RPG rulebook. I should have this wrapped by the end of next week, if the rough sketches I submitted yesterday get approved.

Aside from that my schedule’s open right now: Marvel are looking for another project for me, but I’ll be sending out emails to other publishers this afternoon to let them know I’m available for work. I’m also opening up my commission list since I’m not under as much pressure at the minute, and you can grab a slot by going to the following link:

https://www.geoffmart.com/commissions/ruairi-coleman-commissions

Okay, so I’d mentioned in a previous edition of the newsletter how I’m starting some new side-ventures in 2025 to strengthen my ties with the comic community, as well as being a little less reliant on social media for engagement and comic book publishers for all of my income.

So far I’ve launched Swingin’ Lead (which I thank you again for joining me on) and my Patreon for hi-res art files. Something else I wanted to focus attention on this year is tabling at conventions.

So far this year I’ve scheduled the following shows:

• Dublin Comic Con, Spring Edition: March 15th/16th (Convention Centre Dublin)

• Eastercon: April 19th/20th (Belfast, NI)

• Enniskillen ComicFest: June 7th/8th (Enniskillen, NI)

• Dublin Comic Con, Summer Edition: August 9th/10th (CCD)

I’ve been talking to London Film and Comic Con about doing their show in July, but I’m still awaiting on confirmation on that front. If I do go to LFCC, that’s about as far outside Ireland as I’m likely to travel this year. Reason being, I’ve noticed a downturn in the amount of business I do at shows over the past 18-24 months: 2024 was particularly slow. As such, I can’t justify the financial commitment of international shows until I can reasonably expect to recoup my expenses.

So in order to be proactive about the issue I’ve committed myself to staying national this year and focusing on improving my tabling game. Over the shows I’ve booked for 2025 I’ll be adjusting what’s on offer at my stall until I can figure out a successful spread that will allow fans on any budget to visit to me at a con and come away with something that they love, without feeling like they’ve broke the bank (easy to do when there as so many cool things to buy at a convention, I know)!

I was told a few times last year that prints are kinda dead now, and from my experience that’s true - at least my large sized prints don’t move like they used to! I was chatting to a few people at shows like Thought Bubble last year to see what they find does well at cons, and here are some ideas I’m playing with:

• Stickers: I’ve seen some comic pros dabble in stickers and I kinda love them. I was thinking I’d draw up a series of 5 or 6 to offer at my table, sold either individually or in packs.

• Colouring Book: A lot of parents bring their kids by my table at shows, but there isn’t much on offer for them. So I was thinking a low cost colouring book, featuring some of my more fun sketches of heroes like Spidey and the Ninja Turtles might be something they could pick up? It would also double as an affordable art book for any fans who can’t splash out on original art.

• Self-Published Comic: This is something I’m wanting to do anyway, to get more writing experience, but I have noticed that a lot of people at shows ask me for comics I’ve created myself; as they’re not necessarily interested in superheroes but still want to support me. I’ve already started on a script for a one-shot comic, but I’m not sure I’d get it finished in time for shows this year.

• Downsized Prints: I used to bring A3/11x17 prints to conventions but they aren’t moving much, so I don’t know if it’s an issue of the product itself or the size of it? Maybe A4/9x12 prints would be more attractive? Or are prints truly dead?

• Bundles/Blind Bags: I tried doing Blind Bags at Thought Bubble last year, consisting of a large print, a postcard, a signed comic, and a 6x9 headsketch for about £70/$90, but they didn’t do well. I got the idea from Cian Tormey, who did the same thing, and while he shifted a lot, I didn’t move any. So I’m wondering if it’s the blind nature of the thing, or the price point? I’m debating whether to offer a bundle deal at shows this year, where for a similar price fans can pick their own items from a pre-selected list to fill out a bundle for a similar price: maybe a sketch, two small prints, a sticker and signed comic; or a sketch, large print, and two stickers. What’s the more attractive option: the excitement of a blind bag, or the power to choose your own merch?

This is how far I’ve gotten in my brainstorming, and I’d really appreciate your thoughts on the items I listed above before I go and order a bunch of merch nobody wants. And if there’s anything I haven’t thought of that you’d either like to see, or have noticed do well at conventions, I’d really appreciate the insight!

INFINITY WATCH #2

FEBRUARY 19TH (MARVEL COMICS)

MARVEL MULTIVERSE RPG

MARCH 18TH (MARVEL)

Alright, time to jump back into the Marvel RPG images. Hit me up with your feedback on the convention ideas! I’ll be back in two weeks when I’ll hopefully tell you a little more about that comic I’m writing!