Writing the short comic, “A Selkie’s Call”

Get ready to dive into a world of magic and mystery with my new short comic, ‘A Selkie’s Call.’ Written by myself and the talented artist Rosa Devine, this story follows Niamh, a young girl who finds herself drowning and overwhelmed with life. But she’s not alone – a supernatural presence may be watching.

IrishComics.ie hosts this and other fabulous comics by Irish creators or residents. Our comic came about after I heard about this open call from the Arts Office of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown. Rosa herself lives in DLR, which used to be part of County Dublin. We ended up giving the grant money to a local organization addressing the housing crisis.

See for yourself why ‘A Selkie’s Call‘ is a must-read for fans of short stories with a touch of the supernatural. Head on over to IrishComics.ie to start your journey with Niamh and the Selkie today. While you’re there, enjoy the breadth of art and adventure coming out of Ireland!

Getting Dark at SDCC: Speaking on Women on the Dark Side panel

Braving Comic-Con this year? If you’ll be in San Diego, take a moment to put your feet up and get ready for a panel! I’ll be joining a group of fabulous female creatives as we discuss the darker side of life and how we incorporate it into our work. From comics and games to non-fiction, this panel will delve into horror and more, and will help you figure out how to wrangle the darkness in your own work as well. Can’t wait to see you at San Diego Comic-Con. Be safe out there!

WOMEN ON THE DARK SIDE
When: Thursday, July 21, 2022, 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM
Where: Room 24ABC, San Diego Convention Center

DESCRIPTION
Whether it’s comic books, films, novels, or art, these women are creating content that connects with the deeper, darker side of all of us. Featuring Sandy King Carpenter (president, Storm King Productions), Anne Toole (Horizon Zero Dawn), Debbie Smith Daughetee (CEO, Kymera Press), Dr. Suzana Flores (Untamed: The Psychology of Marvel’s Wolverine). Moderated by Susan Lee (founder, Women on The Dark Side).

Tonight! Speaking on Droids & Galaxies panel at Scum & Villainy!

In celebration of the real Star Wars day, I’ll be speaking about writing droids and galaxies at the one and only Scum & Villainy Cantina in Hollywood. If you love learning about Star Wars and getting into the creative side of science fiction, then come on over. Digital LA will host the Droids & Galaxies panel featuring me and ship designer Sonny Tien Nguyen at 6pm tonight! Hope to see you there!

Digital LA – Droids & Galaxies: Panel and Cantina Digital Drinks

Speakers will share their stories including their career path in the industry, their projects, and where you can see their work (e.g visit Disneyland Batuu, digital comic, etc.). Intergalactic costumes or shirts encouraged!

Panel 6-7p, followed by networking. During and after the panel 6-7p, enjoy food and drink, including several Digital Drink party specials from the Scum and Villainy Cantina’s new menu, available from 6-8p only.

At 8p, attendees are welcome to join in the Cantina’s weekly Trivia Night, which will feature Star Wars theme.

SPEAKERS

– Sonny Tien Nguyen is a Three-Time THEA Award Winning Walt Disney Imagineer, Creative Designer and Art Director. He worked on several key elements and immersive designs for the Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge Themed Land at Disneyland and Disney World. His works include the creation of droid DJ Rex in Oga’s Cantina, Droid Designs, Land Ornamentation, Graphics and the X-Wings and other star ships including the ITS Ship and the Millennium Falcon exterior and interior cockpit. He is fluent in reading and writing Aurebesh and has created different languages within the land including Droid Depot’s Droidobesh. He also worked on branding and product design including toys, pins, Star Wars Beverages and in-story Coca-Cola bottle drinks. He was integral to the creative core team for Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge from a large scale to all the very intricate details of sets and props for the E-ticket attractions such as The Millennium Falcon Smugglers Run and Rise of the Resistance; as well as the actual flying X-Wings with WDI Research and Development.

– Anne Toole, Writer, Star Wars Adventures. Anne is a Writers Guild Award winning writer who has written for games, comics, and other projects. Her Star Wars related credits include writing stories in Star Wars Adventures #11, and a short story in ‘From A Certain Point of View: The Empire Strikes Back’ anthology. She has written on Horizon Zero Dawn game, for which she won a WGA game writing award, and the Horizon Zero Dawn comic. She has also written stories on Women of Marvel comic anthologies.

– Moderator: Kevin Winston, Digital LA, founder. Kevin celebrated his birthday on the actual day that Batuu opened at Disneyland.

Out now! Writing on HORIZON ZERO DAWN Vol 2: LIBERATION

It’s out! Not just HORIZON FORBIDDEN WEST (did ya miss it?), but now the collected paperback of HORIZON ZERO DAWN: LIBERATION is available at your FLCS for your perusal. Written by me with the backing of Guerilla in the one-two punch team of Ben McCaw and Annie Kitain, the collection features art from Elmer Damaso, Bryan Valenza, and Jim Campbell. The series also featured a host of cover artists, featured in the collection as well. Whether you read the original four issue comic mini-series, or were waiting to see them all collected in a book you could sit on, HORIZON ZERO DAWN vol 2: LIBERATION provides the same story all in one place. You can also check it out on Kindle and Comixology, though I can’t vouch for whether you should sit on your Kindle or not.

The story takes place during the events of HORIZON ZERO DAWN. As Aloy seeks answers in the wilds, she comes across Erend, who is looking for answers of his own. He is hunting a man he blames for his sister Ersa’s death. As they track him down, Aloy pulls out of Erend the full story of Ersa, the woman she hardly knew. Ersa’s tale follows palace intrigue during the fear-filled era of Sun-King Jiran and climaxes with the battle for the liberation of Meridian. In the end, Erend will have to face what he has been avoiding ever since Ersa’s death.

You now have a bevvy of ways to enjoy the world of Horizon” the original HORIZON ZERO DAWN game for PS4 and PC, the new (NEW!) HORIZON FORBIDDEN WEST game for PS4/5, HORIZON ZERO DAWN Vol. 1: THE SUNHAWK comic, and now HORIZON ZERO DAWN Vol. 2: LIBERATION. Hope you enjoy these riches!

 

Speaking on comics at LA Comic Con Saturday and Comic Con Revolution!

Tis the season to talk about comics! I’ll be joining a bunch of other awesome creatives in comics this Saturday at LA Comic Con and in two week at Comic Con Revolution. Want to learn more about comics writing, character development, and how to support diverse creatives? Then you’ll get two chances to do just that!

At LA Comic Con…

Who: Quentin Lee, Jayden Phoenix, Aman Chaudhaury, and Anne Toole
When: Saturday, December 4, 2021, 11:30am PST
Where: LA Comic Con, Room 408B
What: Comics writers and illustrators will discuss diversity (women, ethnicity, people of color, LGBTQ, accessibility, etc) of characters and creators in mainstream and indie comics, and how we can support and increase diversity efforts. We will also discuss how to use social media to help promote work by diverse creators.

Meanwhile, at Comic Con Revolution…

What: CCR SPOTLIGHT: PERSPECTIVE IN THE COMICS CREATIVE PROCESS
Who: Barbara Randall Kesel, Henry Barajas, Fabrice Spolsky, Anne Toole
When: Sunday, December 19, 2021, 11:30am PST
Where: Room 105, Ontario Convention Center
How creators bring perspective to characters in comics. This panel will tell you how creators’ experiences in real life shape the fictional lives of some of your favorite characters.

Hope you get a chance to check them out!

 

Horizon Zero Dawn: Liberation #1 out today!

The next Horizon Zero Dawn comic book arc begins today with Horizon Zero Dawn Liberation #1! Join Aloy and Erend as they hunt down a criminal with ties to Erend’s sister, Ersa. If you’ve played the Horizon Zero Dawn video game, you’ll hear new tales only previously hinted at. If you haven’t played yet, you’ll get a chance to learn about the world so many players have enjoyed. What have you got to lose? With five awesome covers, you’re sure to find one you like. Or all. I’m thinking all.

I enjoyed this opportunity to write and develop the story with Ben McCaw and the Guerrilla team. Our new artist, Elmer Damaso (Robotech), brought it all to life, with a host of other amazing artists adding their magic to the covers.

Artist: Elmer Damaso
Cover Artists: Peach Momoko (CVR A), Game Art (CVR B), Harvey Tolibao (CVR C), Ann Maulina (CVR D), Adrian Wilkins (CVR E), Blank Sketch (CVR F), Momoko Virgin Cover (CVR G)

Hunt down your copy of Horizon Zero Dawn: Liberation #1 at your local comic book shop, or on your digital device.

Out today! Women of Marvel #1

WOMEN OF MARVEL #1 is out today, including a short story I wrote featuring Misty Knight! Artist Kei Zama and I followed Misty as she stumbled upon a mystery on an average Saturday morning in Harlem. In this 52-page extravaganza, we join a host of other creators to deliver 13 stories featuring some of the best characters Marvel has to offer. Here’s the blurb:

WHO RUN THE WORLD? YOU ALREADY KNOW. CELEBRATE THE WOMEN OF MARVEL WITH AN EXTRAVAGANZA OF EXTRAORDINARY TALENT! The future is female! Get in on the ground floor with this amazing assembly of writers and artists from all over entertainment. Comics legend Louise Simonson kicks things off with a must-read introduction! Nadia Shammas punches the glass ceiling with the Jade Giantess! Elsa Sjunneson grits her way to the front line with Captain Peggy Carter! Sophie Campbell goes feral with a bone-grinding Marrow story! Video game-and-comics writer Anne Toole (dat me!) makes her Marvel debut in a blaze of glory! Natasha Alterici of Heathen fame charges sword-first into the Marvel Universe! With astonishing art from new and established artists Kei Zama (Transformers, DEATH’S HEAD), Eleonora Carlini (Go Go Power Rangers, Batgirl), Skylar Patridge (Resonant, Relics of Youth), Joanna Estep (FANTASTIC FOUR, Fraggle Rock) and more, you’re sure to come away powered up and ready to slay—in high heels and boots alike.

The comic boasts a number of alternate covers, including one from Peach Momoko (see above), who also did alternates for HORIZON ZERO DAWN. If you’re curious about WOMEN OF MARVEL #1, check out the motion comic trailer! Plus, get a preview of our story on the jump.

And here’s an art preview for Misty Knight in “A Saturday Morning in Harlem”

So hop on over to your LCBS (local comic book shop), pick up WOMEN OF MARVEL #1 today, and make yours Marvel!

Vencedor, Best Narrative and HORIZON ZERO DAWN: The Sunhawk out now!

Two good newses for the price of one! HORIZON ZERO DAWN: THE SUNHAWK, the graphic novel collecting the first arc of the HORIZON ZERO DAWN comic book series, came out last week. In addition, HOLOCRIMES, a mobile AR game to which I contributed my writing skillz, won Best Narrative at the Brazilian SB Games Festival.

Titan Comics published HORIZON ZERO DAWN: THE SUNHAWK to collect the best-selling comic series into a graphic novel. The original Issue #1, which came out in August, was the top selling non-Marvel comic, outselling Batman! It’s also Titan’s best-selling comic ever! Featuring Talanah, the Sunhawk of the Hunters Lodge, the complete tale recounts what happens to Aloy’s friend Talanah after the events of the first game. The collection is barely a week old, so you’re not too late to pick up a copy. With art from Ann Maulina, and colors from Bryan Valenza, it’s definitely worth a peep!

Not to be outdone, HOLOCRIMES: AR INVESTIGATION took home the trophy for Best Narrative at SBGames Recife 2020, the Festival Virtual de Jogos. The game, developed by Brazilian developer Black River Studios, puts the player at the scene of a crime, in a grounded science fiction world where murders might hint at a greater conspiracy.

🏆 Vencedor Melhor Narrativa

HOLOCRIMES also earned nominations in Best Design, Best Tech, and Best Mobile Game. Congrats to the whole team!

Speaking on Games x Comics at PAX Online today

Today’s the day! I’ll be joining a host of other talented folks to speak about writing for games and comics in the virtual experience of PAX Online! Watch the stream, then join us on Discord for a Q&A to get the last ounce of value from our lovely and fearless panelists!

Games x Comics – Complimentary Mediums?

When: Today! September 17, 2020, 1pm PST
Where: PAX Online

Games and Comics have an overlapping audience in spite of their differences. Interactive vs. passive consumption, moving vs. static images – but what are the traits they share that draw people to both? What are some of the similarities and differences in how they can be used to tell their stories, and how can the two be used to boost each other within a franchise?

PANELISTS
Cade Peterson [CEO, MidBoss], JJSignal [Creative Director, MidBoss], Sina Grace [Comics Writer (formerly MARVEL, currently IDW, Archie Comics, BOOM! Comics, PT), freelance], John Barber [Editor-In-Chief, IDW Publishing], Mary Kenney [Writer, Insomniac Games (Video games: MARVEL’S SPIDER-MAN: MILES MORALES and THE WALKING DEAD: THE FINAL SEASON)  (Comics: READ-ONLY MEMORIES and MY LITTLE PONY)], Anne Toole [Writer, HORIZON ZERO DAWN (game and comic), CURSE OF THE PHARAOHS (ASSASSIN’S CREED ORIGINS), and HALO: LONE WOLF (comic), freelance], Sam Maggs [Writer, video games and comics (Comics: MARVEL ACTION: CAPTAIN MARVEL; TRANSFORMERS: GALAXIES. Video games: SPIDER-MAN: THE CITY THAT NEVER SLEEPS; RATCHET & CLANK: RIFT APART)]

Scribe Awards nomination for Pet Noir!

Pet Noir, the graphic novel for which I wrote two issues, was nominated for a Scribe Award! Pet Noir follows the tale (or tail?) of a genetically engineered cat who solves crimes on an international space station. Awarded by the International Association of Media Tie-In Writers, the Scribe Awards acknowledge and celebrate excellence in licensed tie-in novels based on TV shows, movies, and games.

While the 2019 nominations covered audio dramas as well as an array of novels, I am honored to join this illustrious list of nominees for graphic novel:

GRAPHIC NOVEL
Blade Runner 2019: Los Angeles by Michael Green and Mike Johnson
Doctor who—the Thirteenth Doctor: Old Friends by Jody Houser
Pet Noir by Anne Toole, Christie Yant, and Pati Nagle
Star Trek—Year Five: Valentine’s Day Special by Paul Cornell
The Wrath of Fantomas by Olivier Bouquet

Congrats to all the nominees, and here’s to making more cool comics in 2020!