Lloyd comic book writer and early retiree, Frank Krulicki will host a book signing of his original graphic novel, House of Wonders at LloydMall this Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. Geoff Lee Meridian Source
Superheroes and villains are the stuff of comic books. No one knows that better than Lloydminster comic book writer, Frank Krulicki.
The 57-year-old early retiree has been a fan of comics and superhero characters since he was 12 years old.
“I’m a big kid. You are never too old to fulfill your dream,” he said.
Krulicki recently invented his own super-powered character as the author of House of Wonders, Book One: SkyCruiser.
The House of Wonders is billed as a jaw-dropping space-faring adventure with SkyCruiser the alien, fighting evil lizard beings to save a faraway galaxy.
It’s an 88-page original graphic novel.
“It’s a superhero sci-fi. It’s great for kids age five and it appeals to adults as well,” said Krulicki.
Krulicki will be at Coles in LloydMall for a book signing from noon to 4 p.m. on Nov. 4.
His real-life story about his writing talent is just as interesting as the comic itself.
He pitched his first story to DC Comics when he was 16 and they bought it for $125 USD—but the teen whiffed on the opportunity to keep writing and DC has never published his script.
“Girls and hockey got in my way. They sidetracked me. I look back and say what a wasted opportunity,” said Krulicki with a laugh.
Krulicki has spent the intervening decades teaching in Alberta, writing poems and articles for magazines and serving as a pastor at a local church for 28 years.
He and his wife have lived in Lloydminster for the past five years and have raised two kids.
“My life has been fantastic. I took early retirement and my wife said ‘you’re getting under my hair, you got to do something’.”
Krulicki quickly turned his love of comics into a business called Cutting Edge Comics with House of Wonders Book Two and a third book, Aquanauts already in production with his business partners.
Krulicki contracts the illustrations to talented European artist Alberto Crespo and the book design and lettering to U.S. comic veteran Corey Breen.
“We also just signed a UK/European distribution deal,” said Krulicki.
He says the way you pitch to a comic book company nowadays is completely different from when he was 16 and simply dropped a manuscript in the mail.
“Big companies like DC Comics have talent scouts and they are actively pursuing. They are looking at websites, conventions all that kind of stuff. That’s how you get found now,” said Krulicki.
“We’ve been getting really good feedback from people as we go from convention to convention.”
He calls his House of Wonder books an homage to 1980s comic book superheroes.
“For me, the 80s were the pinnacle of comic book creation, not very dark, not gritty, a lot of adventure and a lot of laughter,” he said.
Currently, the book can be purchased through his website cuttingedgecomics.ca and Indigo in Canada.
It can also be purchased digitally through NE1 World at ne1world.com.
“We also have copies at Adventureverse Games and Bab’s Gaming and Sports Cards in Lloydminster,” said Krulicki.
