Kickstarter/Indiegogo Spotlight: Hell Paso

Based on the true, violent story of Marshal Dallas Stoudenmire, and his fight to enforce the law in El Paso, Texas, from 1881-1882.

 Launched: May 4, 2013
 Funding ends: Jun 6, 2013

“El Paso...was a gathering place for all types of gamblers, common thieves and desperadoes. At that time it was called Hell Paso and...the title was justly earned." From "Former Mayor Sol C. Schutz Saw El Paso Evolve From Village to City in Half Century,” El Paso Morning Times, June 25, 1916.

“I believe that when a man is born, the time when he is set to die is fixed and appointed, and he can’t be killed before that time comes around. I don’t believe the bullet was ever molded that will kill me.” From “Ex-Marshal Studemeyer,” El Paso Herald, April 9, 1895.



El Paso, Texas, 1881. Corruption runs rampant, crime and violence is high, and El Pasoans are scared. Who can turn this city around? There is only one man who can, and his name is Dallas Stoudenmire.

You've heard of famous Western lawmen such as Wyatt Earp, Pat Garrett, and Wild Bill Hickok. Now discover El Paso Marshal Dallas Stoudenmire, the one man who had the courage to tame the most violent city in the Old West. Read the greatest western time has forgotten, and learn why the city earned its nickname: Hell Paso. Based on the violent events from El Paso, Texas, between 1881 and 1882.

From the Author:

Hello everyone,

My name is Jaime Portillo of Jimmy Daze Comics, and I am the writer and creator of Hell Paso: The Story of Dallas Stoudenmire.

The series was originally released as a six issue limited series starting in 2010. I wrote the story while a number of friends contributed to the art and colors. They are Arturo Delgado Molina, Dany Morales, and Adrian Dorame of Death Moon Comics, and Ricky Martinez and Chris Shehan of Badassery Studios. I myself also contributed to the artwork for the final issue.

I am now planning on reprinting the series as a special edition, trade paperback flip book. Not only will it collect the first six issues of Hell Paso (144 pages), it will also contain a special bonus section of over thirty bonus pages, making it a 186 page trade paperback.

Since the story is historical fiction, I decided to add a “Hell Paso Facts” section, which will discuss the actual people and events that occurred in El Paso during that time. I researched this subject, and even wrote a thesis paper based on one of the killings, which helped me earn my Master of Arts degree in History at the University of Texas at El Paso in the fall of 2012.

The special edition also includes original newspaper articles, photos, and sketches of the people involved. It will conclude with a pin up gallery containing work from Death Moon Comics, Badassery Studios, and Urban Myth Studios. (I have been granted permission to reprint the photos by the the institutions who own the copyrights.)

What’s also going to make the book stand out are the two covers that were created for it. The original series section will have cover art created by Javier Saltares, who is best known for his work in Marvel’s Ghost Rider, Dark Horse’s Predator, and IDW’s GI Joe. He currently is working on his own series, David’s Mighty Men. The bonus section cover will feature art work created by Rudy Vasquez. He currently does work for Jazan Wild’s, Carnival of Souls. Kate Finnegan, who currently does colors for Legend of Oz and Mark McKenna’s, Combat Jacks, has contributed her colors to the art work.

Interested in helping Jaime make this book a reality? Head on over to the Kickstarter page and start clicking those funding options!

Big Dog Ink Gets Even More Wicked with Legends of Oz

In 2010, Big Dog Ink thrilled the independent comic book market with the release of The Legend of Oz: The Wicked West.  This Wild West retelling of the beloved story of Dorothy Gale and her journey to find the wizard was a hit with fans of the classic tales of Oz and comic book readers alike.  In 2012 Big Dog Ink launched a much anticipated ongoing monthly comic book as a follow up to the critically acclaimed mini-series.  Where the original six issues brought fans familiar characters with a western twist, the ongoing comic delves deeper into the rich mythos of the Land of Oz with new characters pulled straight from the beloved series of children’s books, with a Big Dog Ink style twist of course.

On the heels of this increasingly popular series comes Big Dog Ink’s latest journey into the world of Toto the horse and the Tin Man sheriff.  In Legends of Oz, Big Dog Ink takes advantage of the limited series format to bring you in depth looks at the origins of some of your favorite characters.  The first in the collection of planned character studies and standalone vignettes, The Legends of Oz: The Scarecrow will be a two issue miniseries devoted to everyone’ favorite mysterious sidekick.  Join Big Dog Ink and writer Pat Shand as we delve deeper into the origins of the quirky Scarecrow who’s out to prove that just because she’s a mysterious puppet created by evil magic, it doesn’t mean she can’t be pure good!

Featuring interior art and an “A” cover by the talented Big Dog Ink newcomer Carlos Reno and with colors and “B” covers respectively by regular Legend of Oz: The Wicked West artists Kate Finnegan and Nei Ruffino, these new Legends limited series are a perfect complement to the existing gritty western universe created in the monthly ongoing comic book.  Fans can read The Legends of Oz: The Scarecrow side by side with the monthly title to broaden their Oz universe, or on its own as a standalone story.  The Legends of Oz: The Scarecrow is also the perfect addition to comic book stores shelves to lure new fans into checking out the goodness that is the Wicked West!

The Legends of Oz: The Scarecrow #1 releases in April 2013 and is currently available for pre-order in the February Diamond previews catalog with a retail price of $3.50.

About Big Dog Ink
Founded in 2009, Big Dog Ink is an independent publisher of diverse comic book properties such as PENNY FOR YOUR SOUL, URSA MINOR, CRITTER, KNIGHTINGAIL and REX: ZOMBIE KILLER.  Since its inception, Big Dog Ink has quickly become a top publisher in the industry with its hit series, THE LEGEND OF OZ: THE WICKED WEST, which has consistently charted in the "Diamond Top 300" list.  BDI has gained a loyal fan following due to our high quality art, stories and dedication to elevating the art of small press and creator owned publishing.

The Legend of Oz : Wicked West

Welcome to another comic book review! This one comes to us from Big Dog Ink. I first met these guys at the Detroit Fan Faire back in September and I have to say that they were super nice and friendly. I know what you're thinking.."Of course they were nice and friendly. They were there to promote their product." You would think that'd be the case, right? Sadly, that's wrong. There were a lot of people there who were actually quite rude and others that just weren't great with people. Artist temperaments aside, if you want to sell product, you have to be nice to the people. These guys? Super nice. If you ever get the chance to go to a con that they're at, I highly recommend stopping by and saying hi. Even tell them I sent you..it's become a bit of a running joke to have people name drop my name as if I'm somebody.

Anyway, recently, Tom over at Big Dog Ink agreed to let me review some of their books. While I haven't received anything from their media department yet, I do have a copy of the first issue of The Legend of Oz just waiting for me to read it and since it's a brand new comic, I thought it the perfect place to start! So, let's go!

The first thing I noticed with this book was the heaviness of the cover. As someone who tends to lay things down and then the kids or the cats knocks them somewhere, I really appreciated a more durable cover than you find on some comic books. The colors, done by Kate Finnegan reminded me of the darkness in some of the old western movies. This is rather important as this Oz is just a little different than your Judy Garland Oz. It's not green and lush..it's dark, it's dusty...it's the old west in all it's stereotypical glory. Kate does a wonderful job using just the right coloring to get that feeling across.

I, for one, love this new take on an old classic. Our good friend, Dorothy, is now going strictly by her last name, Gale. Did you know that was her last name? Unless you're a big fan of either the movie or the book series, you may not have. Her faithful friend, Toto? He's now a very handsome horse. Remember the flying monkies? Ok, these ones will scare you far more than the movie ones ever gave me the creeps. Do you remember them? *shudders*  In this series, they're all grown up into shape shifting gorillas! Did I mention their glowing eyes? Some serious bad voodoo going on there, folks.

The story is familiar and yet, totally new. Our heroine is still searching for the Emerald City but this time it's not nearly so easy to find as people..and other things..have been taking the gold bricks from the road. She wanders into one of those classic western towns where the only thing open is the local tavern and that's all I'm going to tell you because I promise you that if you love good comics, good writing, The Wizard of Oz and any combination of the above, this is a series that you're going to want to pick up. The best part? Going strictly by the first issue, this is a series I could let my kids read. Yes, Miss Gale is a hottie, but she's not overtly sexual. Yes, there's some violence but at their ages, my kids have seen far worse in some of the video games they play at their dad's house.

My opinion? You'll want to pick this one up. If you want to order it, you can find it via Amazon, via the Big Dog Ink link above or hunt down these guys at a Comic Con near you. I know they'll be at the one in Mesa, AZ this weekend. Just remember...tell them Katrina sent you. ;)

If memory serves, I bought this copy of this book. All thoughts, comments and general gushiness over an awesome book is totally 100% mine.