There's an article at Comic Book Resources that's sort of a roundtable discussion of Native Americans in comics, and it includes quotes from Tim Truman, Mark Waid, David Mack, Jeff Mariotte and me, among others.

Click here for the full text.

Seems like I've been doing a lot of interviews lately. And a lot of writing too. Last week, I finished up a horror script for Wildstorm, and this week I'm writing a short robot story and then getting started on my first, full-fledged superhero gig, about which I'm really excited. And it's looking like this won't be the only superhero I get to write in 2007. So stay tuned.

And then there's SCALPED. Guéra is busy finishing issue #7, and it's already looking like the best issue yet. I'll need to get to work on #8 pretty soon. First though, I need to dig up reference on knife fights, cow bells, big ass belt buckles, bull riding, various styles of Kung Fu and Merle Haggard's tour bus. And I'll also probably re-watch both RETURN OF THE DRAGON and EMPEROR OF THE NORTH POLE.

Finally, I was able to actually buy an issue of Playboy Magazine just for the articles. But only because I get a nice plug in the newest issue, which also features a nude drill instructor and Number Six from "Battlestar Galactica." In an article titled "Graphic Content: The Best of Today's Smart Comics," both THE OTHER SIDE and SCALPED are mentioned alongside Grant Morrison's SEVEN SOLDIERS and fellow Vertigo series THE EXTERMINATORS and TESTAMENT. I particularly liked this passage:

"January sees the debut of Aaron's new long-run series, SCALPED, which takes place on a present-day Indian reservation ("a third-world nation in the heart of America") replete with rough road houses and meth labs, ornery Indians and undercover FBI agents. Aaron's talent for dialogue is complemented spectacularly by R.M. Guéra's vivid pencil work."

Thanks, Hef. Now when do I get my invite to the mansion?

SCALPED #4, originally uploaded by Jason Aaron.

The first of a two-part arc titled "Hoka Hey" which barrels toward the casino's grand opening, while also dealing with the 1975 shooting deaths of two FBI agents and showing how the ramifications of those events stil affect our characters today.

Written by Jason Aaron; Art by R.M. Guera; Cover by Jock

With the opening of the Crazy Horse Casino just days away, Gina Bad Horse — Dash's estranged mother — senses that the worst is yet to come, which is only confirmed after a late-night visit from Boss Red Crow. In a fit of desperation, she combs the Rez looking for her son, but the sheriff's got problems of his own — namely, the Boss's daughter.

Vertigo 32pg. Color $2.99 US Mature Readers

On Sale April 4, 2007

There's a great review of SCALPED #1 by Sean Fahey at Rack Raids. He sums the book up better than I could:

"Some of the solicitations for Scalped, and a few of the reviews, have nutshelled this book by referring to it as “The Sopranos” on a modern day Indian reservation, a description which I think sells this book short. (Don’t worry, I’m not going to go on a “Sopranos” rant). Yes, Scalped is – among other things – a crime (though not strictly criminal) book. But it’s also a book about history, heritage, family and the social issues facing what is, essentially, a third world nation sitting smack dab in the middle of our country. The number of diverse (and diverging) points of views and perspectives in this book is astounding. If anything, with the interaction between the criminal and social narrative and thematic elements, Scalped is “The Wire” on a modern day Indian reservation."

For the full review, click here.

Me and my SCALPED poker chip
Originally uploaded by Jason Aaron.

"Overwhelming is the right word to use for this book. It's a must buy."
Silver Bullet Comics

"I have absolutely no idea where the story will go from where it leaves off… and I love it."
Newsarama

"Must Have."
IGN

"Aaron takes us into a violent world where brutality trumps reason and corruption reigns supreme."
Eye On Comics

From a post at Brian K. Vaughan's message board:

"Scapled #1: 22pgs of comic. 47 major cuss words. 21 minor cusses. 6 racial slurs & 5 sexual references. this was really a great start!"

According to the Blog at Newsarama, this is Jason Aaron Week, since both SCALPED #1 and THE OTHER SIDE #4 hit shelves yesterday. So celebrate accordingly. Meaning you need to move to Kansas City, shave your head, drink Dr. Pepper for breakfast and learn how to say "Roll Tide."

It has been a busy week for me. I did a two-part interview with Scryptic Studios, a site that's a great resource for writers. Thanks to Elton and Caleb for the terrific questions.

Scryptic Studios Interview Part One
Scryptic Studios Interview Part Two

I also did an interview with Frederik Hautain at Broken Frontier, Brian Warmoth at Wizard and Jon Niccum at the Lawrence Journal-World. My editor, Will Dennis, wrote this month's Vertigo On the Ledge column for SCALPED (I've said it before but I'll say it again: he's the best editor in comics, folks). And there are reviews of SCALPED #1 already online at the excellent review site Eye On Comics and in the Thursday Morning Quarterback segment at Wizard.

Also, in the recent 2007 Preview issue of Wizard Magazine, I was listed among the "Seven in '07," their list of writers on the rise, which also included Andy Diggle, Chris Gage, Adam Beechen, Jeff Parker, Brian Reed and Arvid Nelson. But just to make sure I didn't get a big head or anything, Wizard decided to spell my name wrong: I'm now Jason Aron, I guess.

Thanks to everyone who picked up SCALPED this week. Be sure and let me know what you think.

SCALPED #1 and THE OTHER SIDE #4 are both due out this week, so I'll be doing a couple of signings. The first one is Thursday, January 4, at Elite Comics in Overland Park, KS. I'll be at Elite from 11 am to around 8 pm, so drop by and get your limited edition SCALPED poker chips. On Saturday, January 6, I'll be signing at Astrokitty Comics in Lawrence, KS, along with fellow comic creators Tony Moore, B. Clay Moore, Jeremy Haun and Seth Peck. The festivities at Astrokitty began at 1:00.

Elite Comics
11842 Quivira Rd
Overland Park, KS
(913) 345-9910

Astrokitty Comics
15 E 7th St
Lawrence, KS
(785) 856-8607