The first order of fiction is to entertain. Comics can be smart. Steve Rude’s and my creation Nexus has won every industry award, gone into multiple printings, and is a staple of libraries everywhere. Comics portray martial arts poorly, focusing on elegant poses rather than intricate fight choreography.

It has been my lifelong mission to change that, first with Badger, then with Kato and Bruce Lee, now with Q-Ball, which I co-created with Denver artist Barry McClain. Barry is an explosive artist who is just getting started. Barbara Kaalberg is an amazing inker. Charlie Hogg is our talented colorist and letterer.

Our audience used to pick up Master of Kung Fu or Iron Fist hoping for a glimpse of real kung fu. Q-Ball is more than fight scenes, it is also an exploration of character, a romance, and a spy story.

The first issue is finished. It is stunning. One glimpse of the art alone will be enough to sell this project.

We’re going the Kickstarter route because the starving independents have pinned all their hopes on movie franchise characters and no longer accept original concepts.

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Read more about Q Ball #1, see the art, and support publication at the project’s Kickstarter page. Also check out Mike Baron’s novels Bad Road Rising, Book 1: Biker, and Book 2: Sons of Privilege.