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WHORE OF BABYLON | A Horror/Grindhouse Graphic Novel

Created by Joseph Schmalke

Cherry Blackbird made a deal with the Devil for fame. The day she turns 27, she'll be dragged to Hell. But she's not one to go quietly.

Latest Updates from Our Project:

Cherry Blackbird
over 5 years ago – Tue, Aug 21, 2018 at 07:53:52 AM

Hello all,

Inspired by the ladies of grindhouse exploitation cinema (Foxy Brown, Coffy, Barbarella, to name a few), I've made the decision to change the title of the graphic novel from WHORE OF BABYLON to CHERRY BLACKBIRD.

No changes have been made to the plot, the characters, or the twisted humor you've come to expect. But after much thought, I feel like this tells more about the story (and also makes it easier to sneak it by social media outlets and convention owners put off by the word "whore"). 

Without further ado, here the updated cover art. I feel good about it, I hope you do too.

In other news, after subjecting myself to a sometimes grueling schedule, (2-3 pages/day!), I completed the final artwork for the book last week. This is the bulk of the work for this graphic novel and I am so happy to have it finished. Next up is putting the finishing touches on the colors, lettering, and final edits.

If all goes according to plan, the book should be at the printer by month's end and ready to ship by the end of September. My fall con schedule is listed below. Come find me, I would love to put this book in your hands and thank you for supporting my work in person. In the meantime, continue to follow me on Facebook and Instagram for day-to-day updates. 

Granite State Comic Con: September 8 - 9 | Manchester, NH
Great Falls Comic Con: September 22 | Lewiston, ME
Baltimore Comic Con: September 28 - 30 | Baltimore, MD*
New York Comic Con: October 4 - 7 | New York, NY*
SNH Comic Bash: October 20 | Nashua, NH*
Rhode Island Comic Con: November 2 - 4 | Providence, RI*
Pine State Comic Con: November 10 - 11 | Bangor, ME*

*CHERRY BLACKBIRD scheduled to be available for pickup or purchase. 

Shipping for all books will begin after NYCC. If you got a sketch cover it will ship at a later date in October with all other rewards being shipped immediately. 

Best,
Joe

Chapter 2 inks are done. NSFW
over 5 years ago – Sun, Jul 08, 2018 at 10:20:23 AM

This post is for backers only. Please visit Kickstarter.com and log in to read.

Update and News
over 5 years ago – Thu, Jun 28, 2018 at 12:42:01 PM

Folks, if you're not following Ed Smith, Cartoonist at Large, you're missing out. 

"Trying to find the right color palette for a hooker's nipple...."

"Why yes, I AM researching what dime bag of cocaine looks like. Why do you ask?"

"When you go the extra mile and research the color that candle being used for      witchcraft, in the story that you're flatting, is supposed to be."

I've brought Ed on board to do the flats for WoB. He is deligently working to get that color juuuussst right and his commentary is just an extra bonus. This is one more step I'm working on to get the book into your hands even sooner.

Ed's flats for page 5
Ed's flats for page 5

The other thing I'm doing is much larger.

As of today, I've quit my day job. A carefully tended crop of freelance work coupled with some longterm planning has made this possible. Hopefully, with my time being my own, I'll be able to finally put the finishing touches on Cherry Blackbird's story. If you've been following me on Instagram or Facebook, you can see that the book is progressing rapidly. 

In the meantime, those of you who picked the U.S. Tijuana Bible tier should have them in your hands shortly. Those, along with your Inktober books, are on their way as we speak. 

As always, thank you for your patience and your interest in my stories. I will be a guest at ComiCONN and ConnectiCON in July and then that's it for cons until the Fall. 

Until then, I'll be cranking up the music and the A/C, bringing this story to a spectacular finish,

Cheers,
Joe

Tijuana Bible: Abominable, now available
almost 6 years ago – Thu, May 17, 2018 at 04:28:31 AM

The Grand Adventures of Duke and Duchess, volume 2, Abominable is now complete! All backers who supported this piece of filth can expect it via regular post along with their free Inktober books.

What started as a joke in the Infernal Pact (Issue 2), became a special reward tier for the initial Kickstarter campaign and was continued into Whore of Babylon. 

Sorry, this all I can show you (the interiors are definitely NSFW).  Each issue is signed, printed, and assembled by hand. If you didn't select this reward, you can purchase it through my website or get it from me at my next con appearance. I will be in Lewiston, Maine next Saturday at Great Falls Comic Expo.  

I've shifted into high gear for Whore of Babylon, you can see teaser images on my Instagram every day. 

Cheers,
Joe

Con season has started!
almost 6 years ago – Wed, Apr 11, 2018 at 01:21:40 PM

Hi all, 
Con season has started! Here is my schedule (so far) for this year. It's always awesome to meet readers, so if you're at one of these shows, please stop by and introduce yourself. You guys are amazing and our conversations are always cool. 

Spring
April 22 | Granite State Comic Fest - Nashua, NH
April 28 | Old School Comic Fest - Concord, NH
May 5 | FCBD @ Double Midnight Comics - Manchester, NH
May 19 | The Great Falls Expo Spring Edition - Auburn, ME

Summer
June 16 - 17 | SWFL SpaceCon - North Fort Meyers, FL
June 30 - July 1 | ComiCONN - Mashantucket, CT
July 12 - 15 | ConnectiCon - Hartford, CT

Fall
September 28 - 30 | Baltimore Comic-Con - Baltimore, MD
November 2 - 4 | Rhode Island Comic Con - Providence, RI

Hope to see you soon!

Joe

At Empire State Comic Con last weekend
At Empire State Comic Con last weekend