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[Synopsis] [Current Issue] [What Has Gone Before] [News & Information]

8 issue limited comic book series
by Christina "Smudge" Hanson, Baron Engel, Richard Becker, & Ed Garcia

The magic has slowly returned to Nivvaria. Finding itself the hub of magical activity, Mega-Shammark formed the Bureau of Mana Investigations to deal with the rising magic crimes.

Lt. Amark of the Mega-Shammark Bureau of Mana Investigation, and his team failed to stop a demon gun raid on a local fire-arms store. But in doing so, he is pulled into a deeper plot by the organizer of the raid, the Demon Lord Sheilba to murder his own son, Sharrdan. Now, trapped in unknown lands, Amark finds himself the hunted, and has to put aside his own prejudices, to help a demon whom he thought was an enemy.

View Sample Pages -->


Current Issue

Issue #8 Now Available!
By Smudge, Baron Engel, & Richard Becker
Cover by Smudge
Back Cover by Anthony Scott Waters
Guest Illo by Chris Sawyer, Ursala Husted, & Dave Bryant


Conclusion!

Lord Sheilba's on the run though-out the Daleport Concert Arena with Amark one-step behind. In his attempt to find and kill Sharrdan, the Demon Lord ran across Lt. Amark instead. And then Sheilba does what Amark feared most; he takes a hostage!


What has Gone Before

Issue #7 Now Available!
By Smudge, Baron Engel, & Richard Becker, Cover by Smudge, Back Cover by Shannon Stuart, Guest Illo by Megan Giles

Amark and Holly have made it back home! Together with Sgt. Yoko Saki, they race to the concert in Daleport to try and stop Sheilba's assassination attempt. But things go badly when one of Sheilba's henchmen shoots the wrong person, causing the concert full of demons to panic! Now Amark and his crew have to successfully get Sharrdan and the band out safety before Lord Sheilba can find them.


Issue #6 Now Available!
By Smudge and Ed Garcia, Baron Engel & Richard Becker, Cover by Smudge, Back Cover by Tracy Reynolds, Guest Illo by Rick Westberry

Amark and Tahee, desperate to find the rune-stones that can take them back to Nivarria, comb through Lord Sheilba's palace. The two, however, are discovered by Lord Sheilba himself and Tahee is severally injured in their escape. Amark does him level best to help his newfound college, but, Tahee doesn't trust Amark to keep his end of the bargain.


Issue #5 Now Available!
By Smudge and Ed Garcia, cover by Smudge, Back Cover by Richard Becker, Guest Illo by Paul Defenbaugh

Safe within the confines of Tahee's Lighthouse, Amark and Tahee come to an uneasy alliance to escape the Demon Lands. Soon they realize their best chance back to Mega-Shammark lies hidden within the Palace of Bylon and are off to sneak into Sheilba's home. Meanwhile, Tarloöm and the Lady of Tippikarie make a strange deal of their own as the two concoct evidence of Amark's "death" to appease Lord Sheilba.


Issue #4 Now Available!
By Smudge and Ed Garcia, cover by Smudge, Back Cover by Terrie Smith, Guest Illo by Brian Harp

The hunt is on! Amark races for his life caring an uncoucous Holly through the unfriendly demon city streets of Bylon, Tarloöm all the while snapping at his heels. But Sheilba's Sorcerer Primus, Tahee, has his own planes for the hunted unicorn.


Issue #3 Now Available!
By Smudge and Ed Garcia, Cover by Smudge, Back Cover by Baron Engel, Guest Illo by Chris McKinnley

Trapped in unknown lands, Lt. Amark Buttercup and Holly Anders hide deep in the slums of the Demon City of Bylon. Meanwhile, Tarloöm reports to Lord Sheilba that though she has found the location of Sheilba's son, she has inadvertently brought a unicorn into the Demon Lands. Enraged, Lord Sheilba commands a full scale hunt for Amark, wanting the unicorn's head before he leaves for Nivvaria to kill his own son.


Issue #2 Now Available!
By Smudge and Ed Garcia, Back Cover by Frank Gembeck Jr., Guest Illo by Tygger!

After a failed demon gun bust, Lt. Amark Buttercup's day went from bad to worse when his girlfriend, Holly Anders, walked out on him. After finding out that Holly had been possessed by the very demoness that had escaped during the raid, Amark and Srgt. Hygron Stonebreaker set a daring trap to recapture the demoness and rescue Holly.


Issue #1 Now Avalible!
By Smudge and Ed Garcia, Back Cover by Chris Saywer, Guest Illo by Bryce Nakagawa

After a failed demon gun bust, Lt. Amark Buttercup's day went from bad to worse when his girlfriend, Holly Anders, walked out on him. Holly, however is hiding a secret; she helps smuggle demons into Nivarria. Now, Amark is trying to find a way to reconcile with her, unkowning that she has been possessed by the very demon that had slipped from his grasp during the raid the day before.

View Sample Pages -->


News & Information

7/06/03
#8 is now on store shelves, just in time for San Diego Comic-Con International. Yeah! This site is probably gonna lie dormant for a bit as I focus my attentions on Liberty from Hell. But I am thinking that in about 6 months of posting the series online as a paid subscription for those who can't find the dead-tree editions. Keep an eye on this site for more information.

Speaking of the site... I'm also thinking about reorganizing my comic project sites a bit. Mostly so I don't have to type the news & information separately on each sub-site. The Home would become the news and information, then branch out to the other sub-sites, like BMI and Ebin & May. You should also be able to get to the other sub-sites more easily too. That's my hope, at least.

Also, I've got the Liberty from Hell site up and going. Issue one and two of this new series has already been solicited through Diamond Distributors and the first issue should hit store shelves in August, and be Bimonthly after that. --Smudge

4/28/03
Well, #7 should be on the stands now, and #8 is in Radio's hands. It's been a fun process all around, and I'd like to take a moment to thank every one who's helped out, physically, emotionally, and for red-lining my bad spelling! Not an easy choir, let me tell you. ;p

There might be more BMI in the future after #8, but for now I'm going to take a small break to focus on other projects.

Next on the docket? Liberty from Hell, a dark-ages fantasy/historical, coming from Radio Comix in August. It's military, it's comedy, it's a bit yaoi (when in Rome...), and it's all humans, too. Talk about something completely different. I should have a web space posted for it soon so keep your eyes peeled. This, of course, while still turning out more Ebin & May.... --Smudge

2/28/03
Just got word from Radio that #6 is at the distributors and should be winging its way to your local comic shops in the week or so.

12/2/02
Well, #5 should be going to the printers soon. Yes, there was a small gap in production (Due to contracts, see news dated 6/11/02). No, the book has not been canceled. In fact even as I write this, I'm busily inking #8.

In other news, as of issue 6+ you might notice a (very) slight change in the book's look. Ed, unfortunately has had a lot happen to him recently and unable to finish the book. Nothing bad, mind you. Just RL getting too much in the way. But Ed's still working on our other project for Radio Comix, Ebin & May. On the upside, however, both Baron Engel and Richard Becker has come up to give a hand to make the book look great and come out on time. Thanks guys. I couldn't do it with out you!

I'm sorry it's taken me so long to get around to updating the site. I've updated the new issue info (to reflect #5) and will be updating the world essays mid-month. Have a look around and enjoy.

Also of note, I've finally got the first four issues of Bureau of Mana Investigation up online for sale through BackBreaker Studios. They're listed in the production section of this site.

8/06/02
Just got back from San Diego Comic-Con. Oui-vay! What a show. Just me and 60 thousand of my closest friends.... weeee! BMI #4 was out just in time for the show and I took the opportunity to deliver #5 to Radio. Now onto #6+. (My work is never done... ;p )

<-- 1/8 of the dealers floor this year. Taken on Thursday when you could actually see the displays through the masses....

6/11/02
Just got the word from Radio - there is going to be a small gap between #4 and #5. #5 is going to be solicited for November this year, with #6-#8 following in a Bi-monthy schedule. Of course (as with anything in comicbook-dom), this is all tentative. Keep your eyes peeled for the books in Previews and on the store shelves.

6/1/02
=ARRG!= in my vain attempt to re-vamp the site to make it easier to manage and update, I completely hosed it for anyone still using Netscape 4.x. I apologize deeply to any Netscape user trying vainly to view this site for the past month.

5/16/02
I've updated the site to reflect Issue #3 which should be out near the end of the month. I've also got a minor store link in 'production' for anyone who would like prints or original art related to BMI. At the moment, I don't have issues to sell. You'll have to pop over to Rabbit Valley Comic Shop or Radio Comix for that. Sorry. This should (knock on wood) be changing sometime in the near future.

Issue #1 and #2 are on the shelves! Look for it at your regular comicbook shop. If they're not there, ask your local shop order to re-order the books for you. #3 should be on the shelves as well any day now, and #4 has been solicited for July!

Thanks to all the good folk who stopped by at Further Confusion. It was great meeting you all. Both Ed and I will be with Radio Comix off and on at San Diego International Comic-Con in August. I'll be hanging some art at AnthroCon, but will be unable to go in person due to finances. You can also track me down at Con Jose (World Con) in San Jose this year too! After that, I'll be up at ConiFur NW in October. Do come by and say "Hi" if your there. It'll be good to see you!



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