It’s about time ya got here to The Flying Fist Ranch, …or as some call it, “The Temple Of Testosterone,” where men come to learn and women come to worship.

It doesn’t really matter if you came here by design or just stumbled across it in a drunken haze, your never ending search for things that aren’t politically correct has found you.

Here at the ranch you’ll find all the latest info about my career in comic books and entertainment. You can check out all of my past manly work or be the first to find out what new crimes I’ve committed. Most all of the thoughts here at the ranch are mine, so you’ve got nobody to blame but me if ya read something you don’t quite agree with. After all… if everybody in the world agreed with me it would be almost darn near perfect.

Enough jibber-jabber. Strap on your spurs and start ridin’ around.

Your amigo,
Beau Smith

The iPad will possibly be known for being the trigger that takes direct market “print” distribution truly into the mainstream.  Just talking comic books for now.  Will digital comics via the iPad take the lace of printed comic books, No.  What it will do is, if publishers do it right, it will enhance not only the way books are published, but get them in front of more eyeballs.

Publishers can cut physical printing costs on creator owned books that would have brought in sales of 3,000, (and lost money) make them download comics through itunes and such for .99 cents so more people will try them.  Yes, I know this is already being done and has been, but now with the shiny new iPad, more reading consumers will be turned into raccoons looking for that shiny object.  There is the chance of subscriptions and even advance subscriptions.  If these comics do well in this format the publisher can always collect them in print as a TPB later.  If they don’t sell good enough, then they had their chance.

Chances for more comics to become entertainment properties grows by being able to be seen through a bigger mainstream distribution.

The opportunities are there for those that take the time and do the work to figure them out.

I’m just touching the surface.

As I said, the iPad could be the trigger for those smart enough to use it.  Granted, there will be those that will sing “I never want comics to change.”  I’m not saying they will change and we will no longer see printed comics,, I’m saying we can bring more eyes to printed comics, characters and  money to the publishing coffers.  And you know what?  We may just get some new readers wile we’re at it.

Just some stream of thought, off the top of my head opinions.

Your amigo,

Beaus Smith
The Flying Fist Ranch

Tags: Apple, Digital Comics, iPad, Steve Jobs

“Beau Smith’s No Guts, No Glory:How To Market Yourself In Comics
Ceredo, WV.(April 5, 2007) After all great wars, the generals would retire and some would just fade away. Not true for the soldiers with dirt on their faces and blood on their hands. They became Mercenaries. When others quit,they kept fighting. Beau Smith is one of those soldiers.

In his new book No Guts, No Glory: How To Market Yourself In Comics, Beau Smith, former Vice President of Marketing for IDW Publishing, Todd McFarlane Productions, McFarlane Toys, Image Comics and Eclipse Comics invites you into the tenches where the real battle in comic books is fought. Smith is a 22 year veteran of comic book marketing and writing comics. He has written comics, pop culture & business columns, video games, novels and screenplays. In No Guts, No Glory he reveals to you how to become all you can be as a comic book creator and business person. Lessons from the dirty trenches on how to make not only your project known, but you as well! All of this much needed information comes to you in Beau’s down to Earth, cowboy common sense style that’s informative as well and entertaining. No Guts,No Glory collects all of Beau’s most important “”How To”" columns from the comic book business’s most referred to source-SKETCH MAGAZINE. Make this book your most powerful weapon in your fight to become the biggest name in comic books! If you don’t give up and don’t give in, you may just be okay. Beau Smith’s No Guts, No Glory:How To Market Yourself In Comics 100+ pages Colored Cover/ B&W, Perfect binding SRP $19.99 Item# BL3050 UPC: 85454900098003050 ISBN: 1888429-68-2 EAN: 978188842968851999″

Order it from Blue Line Pro Or Amazon Or Click on the cover art .  Check my list of links under Buy Beau Smith Stuff.

Tags: Business, Comic Books, idw publishing, Image Comics, Marketing, Todd McFarlane

Over the twenty-two years that I’ve been writing and marketing comic books. one of the greatest rewards has been making some very good, life time friends.  Ted Adams, CEO and co-founder of IDW Publishing is one of those friends..  We worked together at Eclipse Comics when Ted was fresh out of college  and reunited a few more times with Todd McFarlane Productions. McFarlane Toys and at IDW Publishing.

Recently, the fine media folks at Comic Book Resources did a TV interview with Ted and gave him the chance to let the public in on not only the history of IDW Publishing, but a chance to get to meet one of the smartest business minds it’s been my pleasure to know.  You may not hear as much in the media about Ted Adams as you would say, Dan DiDio or Joe Quesada, and that’s a shame because someone like Ted Adams truly has things to say that are worth listening to.  Here’s the link to that TV interview.  I hope you enjoy:  http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=video&show_id=219725

Your amigo,

Beau Smith

The Flying Fist Ranch

Tags: idw publishing, ted adams

Christmas 2009 worked out very well here at The Flying Fist Ranch.  Santa came in his testosterone powered sleigh and spent a lot of time shoving some fun stuff under the tree.  I hauled in much more than I deserved.

My wife, Beth got me seasons 4, 5 & 6 of one of my favorite TV shows–CORNER GAS.  Last Christmas she got me season 1, 2 & 3.  My collection is complete now.  We sat and watched 6 episodes in a row Christmas night.  I got the DVD set of THE THREE STOOGES.  Pure fun there.  I’ve been laughing out loud every time I fire up the DVD player.  You cannot go wrong with THE THREE STOOGES…Never!

I unwrapped some really great books as well, BADASS by Ben Thompson, BIG BOY RULES: America’s Mercenaries Fighting In Iraq, by Steve Fainaru, THE ULTIMATE BOOK OF SPORTS MOVIES by Ray Didinger, ANTARCTICA 2041 by Robert Swan, THE BOOK OF BASKETBALL by Bill Simmons and A BLOODY BUSINESS: America’s War Zone Contractors and The Occupation of Iraq. I’m looking forward to digging into this pile.

I got one of my greatest Christmas gifts ever a little earlier this year when my son, Nick, bought me tickets to the Chicago Bears game where they played the Bengals.  Granted, the Bears didn’t win, in fact, they played one of their worst games ever, BUT, it was a great father/son day for Nick and I.

I sure hope all of you had a great Christmas.  Let’s hope the new year of 2010 is a fantastic one for everyone.

Your amigo,

Beau

Tags: Antarctica, Chicago Bears, Corner Gas, mercenaries, The Three Stooges

I’d like to thank all of you for your support and friendship that you’ve tossed my way here in 2009.  I appreciate it.  It was nice to end the work year with my B’Wana Beast story in THE DC HOLIDAY SPECIAL 2009 from DC Comics.  I had a lot of fun working on a character that I’ve enjoyed since I was a little kid.

I hope to do more writing work for DC in 2010.  I have some very special plans laid out for the B’Wana Beast character, ones that I think will fill in some holes and also open up some new interest for the brawler of the jungle.  With you guys backing me, this just might happen.

2010 will also bring my new IDW Publishing series, WYNONNA EARP: THE YETI WARS with art by Enrique Villagran.  It’s my tribute to the wonderful Universal Monster teams up of the past in the fact that I have Yeti Vs. Bigfoot.  To my knowledge this hasn’t been done in comic books before.  I hope you enjoy.

Speaking of enjoyment, I wish all of you out there the best Christmas ever.  I hope there is something comic book related under your tree this year, but most of all, I hope have some fun and appreciate the good things and people in your life.

Okay, enough mushy stuff….MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Your amigo,

Beau Smith

The Flying Fist Ranch

12/24/09

Tags: B'Wana Beast, christmas, dc comics, idw publishing, writing, wynonna earp, yeti wars

I really thought at the start of the 2009 NFL season that my Chicago Bears would be in contention to win the North Division title as well as be in the running for the path to the Super Bowl.  I was wrong.  Very wrong.

With the arrival of Pro Bowler QB, Jay Cutler, I figured we finally had the missing piece to the puzzle.  I was wrong. Very wrong.  I was fine with the hard working Kyle Orton, but knowing my Bears like I do, I knew they wouldn’t build plays around his strengths.  I wish Orton all the best with the Broncos.  He’s doing pretty good over there.  God bless him.

Cutler has shown some sparks of the magic he produced in Denver, but not enough to ignite the fire we need.  Injuries to key players like Urlacher have also taken their toll on the Bears in 2009.  I’m hoping the off season will give the Bears a chance to settle down, figure out what they need to do and surprise everyone in 2010.

My only bright spot today was watching the Carolina Panthers smack the Vikings around.  That was a good time.

I can sleep a little better now.

Your amigo,

Beau Smith

The Flying Fist Ranch

Tags: Chicago Bears, Jay Cutler, NFL

Good news from here at The Flying Fist Ranch….We’ve updated the place with some home improvements to make your visits more enjoyable.  The changes here at The Flying Fist Ranch website are subtle, but useful, much like Beau Smith.  You’ll now be able to read the latest news and post your comments on the items as well as respond and reply to Beau’s “Manly Thoughts Of The Day” that Beau will post up when the manly mood hits him.

You’ll find an ever growing list of manly links that may interest you as well as other links that discuss everyone’s favorite subject–Beau Smith!  The Manly Art and Photo Galleries are now easier to navigate and if you check out the contents/tool bar at the top of the site, you’ll find all sorts of new additions and informative spots to visit here at The Ranch.

Beau looks forward to your comments and questions.  All you have to do is provide them.  Look for more additions and changes here at The Ranch.  Make this your one stop for a testosterone tune up.

As of 12/9/09, all fine comic books have THE DC HOLIDAY SPECIAL 2009 in stock and ready for you to buy.  It contains my B’Wana Beast  “The Hunt For Christmas” story with art by Gary Kwapisz.  Rush out and buy it now so that I can retire a wealthy man.

Tags: B'Wana Beast, dc comics

Christmas comes a little early this year for comic book readers. On December 9, 2009, DC Comics will ship their annual DC Holiday Special just in time for the holidays…but this year is different.

B’Wana Beast!

DC Comics writer, Beau Smith (Guy Gardner, Batman/Wildcat, Catwoman/ Wildcat) is bringing back the much loved, but under rated King Of The Jungle, B’Wana Beast in a very special Christmas story that is action-packed and carries a very unique twist.

Beau hopes that this is just the beginning of a new age for ultimate Alpha Male superhero. There are many more layers to pull back on the jungle wildman. With the support of the readers, Beau hopes to be able to kick start a whole new era for B’Wana Beast. The art for the story is by noted Conan and Punisher artist, Gary Kwapisz!

The Diamond Distribution order number for the DC Holiday Special is OCT09 0223. Make sure you ask your local retailer to order it for you.

Tags: B'Wana Beast, dc comics, writing