R.I.P. Steve Ditko

The comics world recently lost a legend. Steve Ditko was the artist who co-created Spider-Man with Stan Lee. He drew the first-ever Spidey comic, Amazing Fantasy #15, and the historic first 38 issues of The Amazing Spider-Man. Along the way, he helped create some of Spidey's most iconic characters and villains, including J. Jonah Jameson, the Green Goblin, Dr. Octopus, and more!

SMASH writer Chris Bolton's first exposure to comics was a Pocket Books paperback reprinting some of those early Amazing Spider-Man issues by Lee and Ditko, which he read until the covers fell off. He would find clumps of pages around the house for many years afterward. SMASH has often been described as "Calvin & Hobbes meets Spider-Man," which is the precise balance Chris and Kyle were hoping to achieve when they created the series.

Without Ditko’s astounding work, Chris never would have developed his lifelong love for comics and dynamic storytelling. Rest In Peace.

Preorder Book 2 Right Now!

Have you heard? SMASH BOOK 2: FEARLESS is coming out in trade paperback and hardcover editions on May 9, 2018!

The long-awaited trade paperback edition of SMASH BOOK 1: TRIAL BY FIRE will go on sale then, too! To make sure you get your copy in time, preorder it right now!

Just ask your favorite local comic book store to order your copy using one of these ordering codes:

MAR181377 — Book 2 trade paperback
MAR181378 — Book 2 hardcover
MAR181379 — Book 1 trade paperback

They'll be happy to make sure your copy is waiting for you the day it comes out!

Welcome to 2018—The Year of Being Fearless!

We're so excited that SMASH BOOK 2: FEARLESS is dropping May 8, 2018!

As we approach the publication date, we'll have lots of previews, behind-the-scenes peeks, giveaways, and other goodies to whet your appetite. Check back often and let us know what you think!

Book 2 Is Still In Progress!

We're very nearly finished with SMASH Book 2! Here's a sneak peek at the cover as Kyle inks it.

In related news... we apologize for the lack of updates to this site while we've been hard at work making the second SMASH book. We promise to offer more updates in the future.

Halloween Flashback: Frankenstein!

'Tis the season for spookiness! And the perfect time to revisit this Frankenstein illustration that Kyle drew a while back--but it's still one of our favorites.

The Smash Family Is Growing!

SMASH artist Kyle Bolton and his lovely wife, Jamie, are thrilled to welcome their baby, Brooke Antonella Sandejas Bolton, into the world! (And Uncle Chris couldn't be happier.)

Inktober Day 15: Darkwing Duck Vs. Batman!

The Dark Knight vs. the Duck Knight! As the song says, "When there's trouble you call DW" -- and poor Batman looks like he needs a hand against Darkwing Duck.

Click here to see Kyle's 2014 Inktober entries.

To see more of Kyle Bolton's artwork, follow him on Tumblr or Instagram.

Inktober Day 14: Rocket & Groot

Click here to see last year's Inktober entries.

To see more of Kyle Bolton's artwork, follow him on Tumblr or Instagram.

Inktober 2015 Day 9: Storm!

Today's entry in Kyle's Inktober illustrations stars none other than the X-Men's mistress of weather, Storm! (And yes, the mohawk because YES.)

Click here to see last year's Inktober entries.

To see more of Kyle Bolton's artwork, follow him on Tumblr or Instagram.