Edwin and Espen did such a fantastic job on the Skullkickers Volume 1 cover artwork, an endlessly looping vertical piece symbolizing the \’kill the monsters, get the gold\’ paradigm of fantasy games, that we wanted to show it off in a dynamic way.

Misty put together this looping Flash file to give you the full tour of the art, over and over. Fun stuff!

Have you pre-ordered your copy of Skullkickers Volume 1? It arrives in stores on March 9th, 144 pages for only $9.99!

Robert Sodaro at the Examiner thoroughly enjoys the first arc of Skullkickers and looks forward to the next story arc.

\”In a time when so many comics take themselves seriously, and feel the need to be dark and gritty, (and color themselves in muddy duo tones so as to all but obscure what passes for art), Skullkickers is bright, colorful, and appealing to the eye. It not only reads quite well, but invites the reader to linger on each panel of crisp, clean artwork. More comics should be this entertaining.\”

Zub is interviewed on Fictional Frontiers by Sohaib Awan all about Skullkickers and making comics. Scroll ahead to the 31 minute mark of the podcast for the start of the Skullkickers coverage.

Click here to listen to the podcast.

Skullkickers has done a pretty good job at placing on Ryan Schrodt\’s Weekly Power Rankings several times as the series has rolled out. With our fifth action-crazed issue, we finally snagged the coveted #1 spot on his list.

\”01. SKULLKICKERS #5 – Must Read
The ever-absurd Skullkickers closes out its first storyline with this issue, which plays up its quirky, campy humour while still delivering a strong action-oriented comic that is fast-paced, tightly plotted, and extremely charming. Jim Zubkavich\’s clever approach and the high-energy art of Edwin Huang combine for this extremely unique issue that simply blew away every other comic on the stands this week. This series is as well-crafted as it is simply insane, with this issue continuing the winning ways of this surprise hit from Image Comics.\”

Skullkickers Volume 1 Emerald City Comicon Exclusive Hardcover Announced

Berkeley, CA – 2 February 2011 –

Image Comics and Emerald City Comic Con announced an exclusive hardcover edition of the SKULLKICKERS, VOL. 1 trade paperback will be available at the upcoming Emerald City Comic Con in Seattle. Writer Jim Zubkavich and artist Edwin Huang have been handily bashing the heads of readers with their brand of dark comedic violence and high fantasy adventure in each issue of SKULLKICKERS, leading up to this collection of the series\’ incredible first arc.

\”We\’re ecstatic to be launching the first SKULLKICKERS trade at the Emerald City show and wanted to make it extra special for people in attendance,\” explained Zubkavich. He also added a piece of advice for the fans, \”This limited run hardcover edition is a beauty and solid enough to work well as a monster bludgeoning device in a pinch. Don\’t leave Seattle without it!\”

Emerald City Comic Con takes place March 4-6 this year in Seattle, Washington. For more information about the show and the many Image creators who will be in attendance, visit www.emeraldcitycomicon.com.

SKULLKICKERS, VOL. 1, a rowdy 144-page full color trade paperback collecting issues 1-5, will be on sale in stores on March 9 at the low introductory price of $9.99. The hardcover edition will be available exclusively at ECCC for $25. Find out more about the world of SKULLKICKERS at www.skullkickers.com.

Weekly Comic Book Review\’s Quick-Hits section took a favourable look at the latest Skullkickers issue.

\”…we can use more fun from this still nameless duo of huge bald guy and irascible dwarf as they hack and shoot their way through a fantasy setting.\”

Comic Corner on the Pop Culture Network is raving about how we wrapped up the first story arc in Skullkickers #5, giving the issue a 5 star rating.

\”After five issues of this series I can already tell you without hesitation that I some day want to live in a world where I’m reading issue one hundred.\” … \”Anyone not reading Skullkickers should themselves be kicked in the skull.\”

Zub has an extensive podcast interview with Decapitated Dan over at \’From the Tomb\’ magazine all about Skullkickers, Darkstalkers, superhero comics and more.

Comics of Doom (the comic podcast of the \’Geeks of Doom\’ site) has made Skullkickers #5 their \’Pick of the Week\’. Click on the logo above to give the podcast hosted by Justin Vactor, Hunter Camp and Willie Gillis a listen.

Skullkickers coverage begins at 20:50 in the podcast.

\”…on almost every page, something makes me laugh.\”

Image Addiction has posted a glowing review of Skullkickers #5, including a well deserved shout-out to our amazing letterer, Marshall Dillon. Thanks for all the praise, gang.

\”Overall Skulkickers #5 is a grand finish to its inaugural storyline, and it\’s not only Zub’s letter that shows gratefulness that the comic is on the beginning of its journey, you can feel the joy in the pages that set up future storylines to come.

Skullkickers is a fantastic addition to the Image Alum, it fills an underused niche. If you don’t close any released issue of this comic with a smile on your face, then I question your humour recepticals.\”