The following is an interview with Christopher Reda regarding publisher Critical Entertainment’s upcoming distribution through Diamond Distribution. In this interview, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief Barbra Dillon chats with Reda about the titles which will be available through the PREVIEWS catalog in 2023, what he’s looking forward to when working with brick-and-mortar retailers, and more!
Barbra Dillon, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief: You have published fantastic work through Critical Entertainment since its launch in 2018. Now, you’ll reach even more readers through your distribution with Diamond Distribution. What can you tell us about the titles that will be available to readers through the PREVIEWS catalog in 2023?
Christopher Reda: One of our most popular comics, Zombie Zero, will be available on November 29th, Diamond Code SEP231609. This is the first limited series I ever wrote and has art by Leandro Rizzo. The 250-page graphic novel is about Alexander Livingston, the last zombie at the end of the zombie apocalypse. Eventually, humanity is able to get things under control and hunt down every zombie, but Dr. Victor Brooks has the last one remaining, and he doesn’t want to give up his prize test subject. When a hunter tries to kill Alexander, he escapes, and they must get him back before he starts the apocalypse all over again.
We are also featuring two short stories. “The Cowboy with Many Hats” will be available on November 15th, Diamond Code SEP231608. This was one of my best-selling shorts that I had illustrated by Tadd Galusha. This 16-page one-shot is about a sheriff who thinks he’s on top of the world but when he gets framed for murder by the state marshall, he must go on the run.
“Lifeboat” will be available on November 22nd, Diamond Code SEP231607. This is Mason Mendoza’s debut comic book short with art by Alonso Molina Gonzales. This 12-page one-shot follows a space crew and their moments at the end of the universe. This short story is about loss, fate, and the hope that we must hold dearly on our journey toward the ultimate unknown.
Our last book of 2023 will be the first issue of our ongoing comic series, Planetary Expansion, available on December 13th, Diamond Code coming soon. Written by me with art by Alonso Molina Gonzales. The 40-page premiere issue is about a colony ship heading to a new Earth-like planet in another solar system. Follow the passengers and the experience of being on a long and dangerous space journey jammed packed with 1,000 other people.
BD: What makes these titles truly representative of the Critical Entertainment catalog?
CR: With Zombie Zero being a twist on the zombie genre, we wanted a fresh take on zombies that focused on the aftermath of an apocalypse where it’s the zombie being chased by humans instead of the other way around. Following the journey of a misunderstood monster in a rebuilding world let us explore the inner complexities of a man looking for his lost family and how we shouldn’t rush to judgements on people who are different than us. Being a zombie tale with a more thought-provoking angle, we knew this book would be perfect to feature first in our Critical Entertainment catalog.
With our shorts, “The Cowboy with Many Hats” is heavily focused on the theme of “all things must pass.” We want our stories to be reflective and express ideas that everyone can learn from even with a short story. For “Lifeboat,” Mason has a strong background in philosophy and used it heavily in this story. We want our audiences to be able to contemplate big theories like what’s at the end of the universe and more.
Planetary Expansion continues our idea of thinking forward and thinking big. I wrote Planetary Expansion with the idea of inspiring space exploration beyond just Mars. We want our readers to imagine future possibilities and how we can achieve them. These were the titles we knew could best represent Critical Entertainment and what we believe in.
BD: What can you share about your experience of working with brick-and-mortar retailers to make them aware of your forthcoming titles?
CR: We’ve been working with brick-and-mortar stores in the greater Los Angeles area ever since we started our company in 2017. The most important thing they want is for your comics to be available in Diamond’s PREVIEWS catalog. Most stores are extremely helpful and are willing to work on consignment, but really, they are looking for your book to be in a major catalog. We find giving them free samples, promoting them on social media, and interacting with them in person are great ways to help build awareness. These retailers are the life and blood of this industry, so we are always looking for new ways to show our appreciation.
BD: Are there any other projects on which you are currently working that you are able to share with our readers?
CR: In 2024 we are planning on introducing our two other comic book series. Early in 2024 we will release The First Americans. I work with artist Tadd Galusha again in this series set 14,000 years ago that follows a tribe of Paleo Indians as they travel from Siberia into North American for the first time in history. We get to see the experience of what it would be like for the first humans stepping foot into an unknown land of America. The tribe deals with the challenges of difficult terrain, wild planet life, and dangerous animals, some of which have never been seen before.
One of our most ambitious projects, Minion, written by Mason Mendoza and me with art by Leandro Rizzo, is a futuristic sci-fi about the underlings of a super villain as they fight for control over the city. It follows these everyday people who are mostly down on their luck and just trying to make a living wage with any job they can get. We get to see the inner workings of being a minion in a mysterious syndicate where they have to fight the cops and constantly get beat up by the local superhero.
BD: Are there any upcoming conventions at which our readers will be able to find you, either in the remainder of 2023 or looking ahead to 2024?
CR: You can find us at our Critical Entertainment booths at this upcoming Los Angeles Comic Con 2023. We will also be returning to San Diego Comic Con International and WonderCon in 2024.
BD: Lastly, what would you like to tell readers who want to learn more about Critical Entertainment and its catalog?
CR: Really the best place to learn more about us is by going to our website at www.criticalentertainmentla.com, following us on all the major social media platforms, and by coming up to us at comic conventions. Feel free to reach out to us if you want to learn more.
