Evil Ink

Evil Ink is a comic and record co-publishing company set up by Claudio Sanchez, the lead singer of progressive rock band Coheed and Cambria. Currently Evil Ink is co-publisher to three graphic series and a co-label to several bands, which include many member's side projects. In 2009, Evil Ink began publishing novels as well.

Originally, the record branch was known as "Everything Evil" which was incorporated in 2004. In 2005, Sanchez incorporated the "Evil Ink" LLC and in 2014, incorporated "Evil Ink Records" as well, though prior to this it was credited as such. From 2014 to present, Everything Evil was no longer used, though it is still active.

The Bag.On.Line Adventures (2004)
""

In the Summer of 2004, the company released two parts of their first comic, The Bag.On.Line Adventures: The Second Stage Turbine Blade, two years after the release of the album of the same name, and would later be renamed The Amory Wars. These comics would tell approximately the first third of the album. The illustrator is Wes Abbott, and as he is currently on hiatus, the first issue is out of print and the second is becoming rare. Due to lack of funding, no further comics could be made to continue the series until 2005.

Good Apollo, I'm Burning Star IV - Volume One: From Fear Through the Eyes of Madness (2005)
""

Although chronologically missing out the album In Keeping Secrets of Silent Earth: 3, Evil Ink Comics went on to release the "Good Apollo…" graphic novel, illustrated by Christopher Shy. Although Sanchez had stated that the Amory Wars series would be started from the beginning, the comic was released to coincide with the album of the same name. The graphic novel is considered the “twist” part of the story. Sanchez, in a recent interview, stated that a lot was lost from the graphic novel because of financial constraints. He further explained that although Shy's art is beautiful, it was not the best medium for Good Apollo 's story-telling. Sanchez looks forward to releasing a new version in chronological order so that the story will make more sense.

The Amory Wars (2006)
""

Sanchez, after the widespread success of Coheed and Cambria, managed to fund the The Bag.On.Line series, renaming it “The Amory Wars.” Sanchez decided that, as the original comics were going out of print, and that due to lack of funds, they did not contain everything he wanted, the series would be started from scratch. Until the project took off, Sanchez and a new illustrator, Gus Vasquez, released The Amory Wars Sketchbook (dubbed "Comic Zero"), explaining the very beginning of The Amory Wars story. The book was released at NYCC, and later made available from their website August 18, 2006.

In June 2007, the first part (of five) of The Second Stage Turbine Blade comic was finally re-released, illustrated by Vasquez, as the beginning of The Amory Wars series. It was published by Evil Ink Comics along with the help of Image Comics and 12 Gauge Comics, and covers were drawn by Tony Moore of The Walking Dead fame. The second issue of Second Stage was released July 2007 with the last issues concluding in 2008.

With the release of their Year of the Black Rainbow album in 2009, they released a deluxe version which included a hardback novel of the album's events. This was the first time an album was explicitly explained upon its release. It was co-written by comic author Peter David. A paperback and digital edition followed, though the paperback is now out of print and almost as rare as the hardcover to find.

The In Keeping Secrets of Silent Earth: 3 comic followed from May 2010 to June 2011, now being co-published with BOOM! Studios.

With their next album release, The Afterman: Ascension in October 2012, they again released a special edition called, "The Amory Award" Edition. This edition (released one month earlier) included, among other things, a coffee table book that explained both Ascension and Descension.

As their first (and only, to date) foray into games, Evil Ink published the iOS mobile game The Amory Wars: Fall of the Keywork, in 2013. It contained no further relevant plot points for the series, and generally received terrible reviews from die-hard fans.

In April 2017, again with BOOM! Studios, the reboot of the Good Apollo, I'm Burning Star IV comic was released and concluded in October 2018. Notably, the subtitle of "Volume One: From Fear Through the Eyes of Madness" was not used for the series.

Upon the release of Vaxis - Act I: The Unheavenly Creatures, they made a deluxe edition available which, among other things, included a novella of the same name.

On February 4th, 2020, Coheed and Cambria announced the No World For Tomorrow Neverender Tour, and in an official email sent to fans, Sanchez announced that, “After the tour, we look to launch the NWFT series of The Amory Wars,” meaning that the story for No World for Tomorrow will be officially published for the first time since its release 13 years ago. It was speculated for release in late 2020.

On April 7th, 2020, the official Evil Ink Twitter informed fans that may have missed Sanchez's Instagram live session that My Brother's Blood Machine would be getting a 6-issue comic that was in the works as well, though no timeline was given.

Kill Audio (2009)
In 2009, Evil Ink and BOOM! Studios released Kill Audio, a six-part series co-written with Sanchez and Chondra Echert and illustrated by Sheldon Vella. A small portion of the series appeared originally in Image Comics' PopGun2 and follows a troll through a psychedelic landscape on his journey to explain his immortality. The song "Gears" on the Beaver Records EP by The Prize Fighter Inferno, was created specifically for this series.

Key of Z (2011)
In October 2011, Evil Ink and BOOM! Studios released the first issue of the four part miniseries Key Of Z, the second series to be co-written by Sanchez and Echert. The art is by Aaron Kuder. Key Of Z tells the story of a man trying to survive a zombie apocalypse in New York City, while avenging the deaths of his wife and son at the hands of warring factions of survivors. In February 2012, the series was released as a trade paperback.

Translucid (2014)
In April 2014, Evil Ink and BOOM! Studios released the first issue of a six part miniseries called Translucid, which follows the struggle of The Horse and The Navigator, and explores why a young man would take the mantle of a superhero. The art is by Daniel Bayliss and it is co-written by Sanchez and Echert. The series concluded in September of the same year, with a collected volume available April of 2015.

Kid Crazy and the Kilowatt King (2016)
In 2016, Sanchez wrote a stand alone children's book called Kid Crazy and the Kilowatt King, with illustrations by Arthur Mask. The story follows the titular Kid Crazy Carlson as he "battles" against the grumpy Killowatt King. Alongside the regular release, a vinyl was produced that included an original song by Sanchez titled, "A Friend To Enemies", and an audiobook version read by him as well.

The Prize Fighter Inferno
""

Originally signed solely to Equal Vision Records, Sanchez's personal side project, The Prize Fighter Inferno co-signed with Evil Ink officially in 2012.

Davenport Cabinet
Originally signed solely to Equal Vision Records, Travis Stever started a solo side-project as The English Panther, but later changed the name of expanding band to Davenport Cabinet. In 2013, the band co-signed to Evil Ink (though was still credited as Everything Evil). The project officially disbanded in 2016, with the release of their Selfish Angels EP.

Thank You, Scientist
In 2014, Sanchez heard Thank You, Scientist's first full album and signed them to his label. They were the first band signed that had no connection to Coheed's members. They originally consisted of eleven members, though at present they are seven and their sound is a fusion of prog rock, metal, and jazz. Many of the surplus of members is for brass instruments such as trumpet and sax.

Silver Snakes
In 2015, Silver Snakes signed with Evil Ink Records for their US needs. This is Evil Ink's second original artist with no connection to Sanchez's other projects. They have released two full albums with the company, and have an industrial sound with synths and dark rock.

Chonny and Clyde
Chonny and Clyde is the collaborative side project of Sanchez (Clyde) and his wife, Chondra Echert (Chonny). In 2017, the pair created the EP Celesti which consisted of three tracks as a way to raise money for Puerto Rico after being devastated by Hurricane Maria in 2017. Sanchez's family is from Puerto Rico, and the couple feels very close to the territory. 100% of their earnings went directly to Unidos Por Puerto Rico which totaled over $12,000.

Fire Deuce
The second side project of Travis Stever, Fire Deuce started in 2005 as a collaboration with members of the band 3. In 2020, they officially signed over to Evil Ink. They are a tongue-in-cheek band focusing on a prog, hard rock sound. The members use stage names that all end in "Deuce" and usually dress in over-the-top costumes.

Convention Appearances
The following are conventions Evil Ink has made appearances at.

NYCC
New York Comic Con (also known as NYCC) is an annual New York City fan convention dedicated to comics, graphic novels, cartoons, anime, manga, video games, cosplay, toys, movies, and television. It was first held in 2006 and is owned and run by ReedPop and shouldn't be confused with SDCC (or San Diego Comic Con) or Big Apple Comic Con. Often simply shortened to NYCC, Evil Ink has regularly made appearances at the event since its conception. The following list is a brief rundown of the company's activities at the event.


 * 2006: Released con exclusive The Amory Wars Sketchbook.
 * 2007: Released con exclusive variant cover of The Amory Wars: The Second Stage Turbine Blade Issue #2.
 * 2008: Debut the first collected volume of Issues #1-5. Also gave away stickers for the No World For Tomorrow album, and Sanchez was doing signings at both Evil Ink and Image Comics' booths.
 * 2009: With Kill Audio released, Sanchez did signings, sold the last five exclusive Gunmetal figures of the titular character, and did an interview from the show floor with Comic Related.
 * 2010: Released con exclusive variant cover of The Amory Wars: In Keeping Secrets of Silent Earth: 3 Issue #5.
 * 2011: Echert joined Sanchez for meet and greet sessions. They promoted Key of Z, and had exclusive variants available for sale.
 * 2012: Released The Afterman: Ascension one day early at the convention. There were signing sessions with the full band, and Sanchez alone and with Echert. In an interview with Last.fm, Sanchez talked about sequels for Kill Audio and Key of Z.
 * 2013: Stever joined Sanchez and Echert, at least for one day. They sold limited edition merchandise, including an Al the Killer shirt and some Prize Fighter Inferno merch. Sanchez also talked about Translucid in an interview with Last.fm.
 * 2014: Released an exclusive variant of Translucid, and a shirt of the same art.
 * 2015: As in 2012, there were several signings; one with the full band, one with Echert and Sanchez, and one with just Sanchez. In an interview with Last.fm, Sanchez mentioned him working on a children's book (what would be Kid Crazy).
 * 2016: Released an Ashcan of The Amory Wars: Good Apollo, I'm Burning Star IV (Issue #0) ahead of its official April 2017 full release. They had limited edition merchandise available, and breaking with tradition, had a standalone signing for Echert.
 * 2017: Released an NYCC exclusive variant of Good Apollo 's Issue #7, and a limited, completely black and white version of Issue #1.
 * 2018: Had exclusive prints, shirts, and merchandise, and a band signing, with Sanchez and Echert having a separate signing. Sanchez signed solo at BOOM! Studios booth. Sanchez also sat down for a fun, brief interview at the Marvel booth. The band played a special release show for Vaxis - Act I: The Unheavenly Creatures.
 * 2019: Exclusive merch, including Sister Spider's replica mask, and an early release of the Good Apollo comic ultimate collection. Sanchez also gave an interview with SYFY's Wire staff on the live stage.
 * 2020: Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, NYCC did not host a physical convention, instead having a variety of programming like panels, press conferences, interviews and the like available online. As Evil Ink usually maintained a booth, it did not participate in the online event.
 * 2021: Due to "a number of reasons" Evil Ink decided not to participate in 2021 NYCC, instead, focusing their attention on their S.S. Neverender I cruise.
 * 2022: In the same tweet saying they would not be at the 2021 event, they did state they would be back in 2022.

C2E2
Chicago Entertainment and Comic Expo (also known as C2E2) is an annual Chicago fan convention dedicated to comics, graphic novels, cartoons, anime, manga, video games, cosplay, toys, movies, and television. It was first held in 2010 and is also owned and run by ReedPop. Evil Ink has made the following appearances:
 * 2011
 * 2012 (w/ the band)
 * 2014 (w/ the band)

SDCC
San Diego Comic-Con (also known as SDCC) is an annual San Diego fan convention dedicated to comics, graphic novels, cartoons, anime, manga, video games, cosplay, toys, movies, and television. It was first held in 1970 and is also owned and run by Comic-Con International. Evil Ink has made the following appearances:
 * 2013 (w/ the band)
 * 2015 (w/ the band)
 * 2016 (w/ the band)
 * 2017 (w/ the band)
 * 2018
 * 2019
 * 2020 (w/ the band) (This was ultimately cancelled.)
 * 2022

ECCC
Emerald City Comic Con (also known as ECCC) is an annual Seattle fan convention dedicated to comics, graphic novels, cartoons, anime, manga, video games, cosplay, toys, movies, and television. It was first held in 2003 and is also owned and run by ReedPop. Evil Ink has made the following appearances:
 * 2014
 * 2016

Trivia

 * The Evil Ink booth made a cameo in the movie Ted 2 with The Amory Wars logo very prominent in the shot. It was later discussed on Reddit where Adrian Lopez, the product manager for the company at the time (and the one who worked the booth), confirmed that the shot was done at the Fox lot where the convention hall was recreated.