For almost three years now, Kevin Smith’s creator-owned comics work has appeared from Joe Nozemack’s Oni Press — but that’s about to change, starting in early 2001, when Smith and his View Askew Productions, in conjunction with Graphitti Designs, begin their new co-publishing arrangement with Image Comics.

“Image will be publishing Bluntman & Chronic Comics, a new three issue, full-color finite series from Kevin and Powers artist Michael Avon Oeming, plus re-releasing several of the View Askew trade paperbacks with new photo covers.” Image VP and Publisher Jim Valentino said. “All of us here are fans of Kevin’s work and we consider this a huge step forward for the new Image.”

“Boy, have we cooked up something fun for comic fans and retailers alike,” Smith said. “The mini-series is an offshoot of two View Askew flicks: Chasing Amy, and the summer 2001 Dimension release we’re working on right now, Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back. Not only does the mini function as a linking device between the two, it’s also a valentine of sorts to the history of comics in general.

“In Chasing Amy, Holden McNeil and Banky Edwards [Ben Affleck and Jason Lee, also returning in Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back], created Bluntman and Chronic as comic book alter egos of Jay and Silent Bob. This thread from the earlier flick drives the plot of the present one, so it just seemed natural to actually create the comics that we’ve only seen the covers to in Amy (drawn by the mini-series cover artist Mike Allred). Fans of our flicks and comic fans in general should really enjoy the three issues, which poke fun at Golden, Silver, and Modern age comics.”

Bluntman and Chronic #1, the first book in the View Askew-Graphitti-Image venture, is scheduled for June 2001 release, which the second and third issues following on a bimonthly schedule. The comics will feature the original Mike Allred covers as seen in Smith’s Chasing Amy, with interior color story pages by Oeming.

July will also see the release for the first time in full-color, the Chasing Dogma Trade Paperback, with an all-new photo cover. The Clerks TP, also with a photo cover, is scheduled for August, together with Bluntman and Chronic action figures from Graphitti Designs. All of this is planned to ensure a full assortment of Kevin Smith related products on the stands when Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back movie debuts on August 10, 2001.

“The fact that the mini-series ties in with a major summer movie release means non-comic-buyers are going to be venturing into comic shops,” Smith said, “looking for these titles, which also show up in the flick. Savvy retailers are being handed a big opportunity with these books because, as a booster of the medium (and a retailer myself), my aim is to turn curious one-timers into repeat customers.”

“The comic specialty retailers have been given a prime opportunity to capitalize on Jay and Silent Bob’s popularity,” Graphitti Designs’ Bob Chapman added. “Kevin’s audience transcends the traditional comics fans. Consumers who as a rule do not frequent their local comic stores, will drop by once they know they can get Kevin Smith stuff that they just can’t find anywhere else. The comics and TPB’s cross-promoted with the videos, T-shirts, action figures and other goodies, makes the creation of a View Askew ’boutique’ exciting and profitable for all. This is Kevin’s final Jay & Silent Bob film and is destined to be the biggest and the best yet. A 2000+ plus screen opening is already planned and with a star-studded cast already secured, Jay & Silent Bob will be taken out in style.”

Smith is aware of his reputation for lateness — in fact, he recently touched on that same rep in his discussion with CSN of the upcoming Green Arrow miniseries — and he assures fans that he will deliver this series on time. “I’m telling you, we’re going to hit every one of our bi-weekly dates, folks. I promise. Taking a page out of my Green Arrow book, I waited until all the scripts were finished to even approach Image about soliciting. And with Mike Oeming already hard at work on the art, I personally guarantee these comics will be on your shelves on their scheduled release dates. I’m as committed to that as I am to getting Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back into theaters on August 10, 2001.”

“Graphitti Designs’ working relationship with Kevin has been better than great over the last few years,” Chapman said. “We were flattered when Kevin asked if we’d be interested in publishing his new comics, allowing us to be an active participant for this entire media event. Rather than put on the publishers cap (the world really doesn’t need for another comic publisher, does it?), we explored our options and found the perfect opportunity and fit, right in our backyard with Image Comics. View Askew, Image Comics, and Graphitti Designs each bring a wealth of good pieces and corporate strengths to the table, that when combined properly, is a win-win scenario for all.”

“Image has been great,” Smith added. “They’re standing back (editorially speaking) and letting me do whatever I want. The result is really raw and funny trio of comics that should have fans and converts talking for years.”