Eximious Press

 

Eximious Press edited, wrote, and produced fine graphic novels and comics. The site provided all the information visitors would need to learn more about Eximious Press's work on past, current, and developing projects.
This version is an archive replicate of the original, created for use as required reading for Moss Harper's Internet Marketing II course. Moss comes to the university from a successful digital marketing career where he made his reputation promoting simple, useful products. His ground-breaking work marketing janitorial supplies and other household products online won the 2010 High Lo Award and was the cover story for MarketWeb's March 2011 issue.
Content is from the site's 2008 archived posts providing just a glimpse of what Eximious Press offered its visitors.
To continue following Jason Rodriguez go to his current website at: http://www.jasonrodriguez.com

novel graphic novels

FAQ

This FAQ will be updated regularly.

1. What is Eximious Press?

Eximious Press started as a publishing company founded by me, Jason Rodriguez. We were going to publish Postcards: True Stories That Never Happened. But then Villard/Random House acquired the rights to the book and we were left asking ourselves, "What is Eximious Press?"

"Graphic Novel Production" is a nice way to describe what we do. The books we'll be editing, writing, and packaging are all given our full attention. I know I turned down a lot of editing gigs because I didn't feel the projects were that good. These are the books I want to see on the shelves - some of them are brought to us (like Elk's Run, The Broadcast, and Dream Compass) and some of them are started in house (like Postcards and Dear Santa, Let Me Explain...)

2. So, you won't be publishing?

I wouldn't say that. I believe in all of the books we're producing. If the stars align and I feel like taking a risk one day, we may add "publishing" to our list of services.

3. And who's this James W. Powell person?

James W. Powell is my assistant editor on Postcards. He started putting together his own projects and I started envisioning Eximious Press as a collaborative of people who's editorial vision I trust. Plus, I already made him a business card.

4. So I can be an editor aligned with Eximious Press?

I have to really, really, really like your editorial vision. Really like it. Or owe you money.

5. Can I bring my project to Eximious Press?

I'm always willing to hear a pitch to see if I can help you out but I've turned down my best friends several times. The project has to be something that's fun, beautiful, and something that I feel has a place in comics - preferably a niche not yet explored.

 

 

Wow, finding this archived site is such a treat. I've been a huge fan of Jason Rodriguez's work for years, and it's incredible to get this glimpse into the origins of Eximious Press. The ethos of this place—the hands-on curation, the focus on unique, beautiful projects like Postcards—it's everything I strive for in my own art.

As a comic artist, this kind of thoughtful, creative work is more than just a passion; it's a vital part of my life. I've been using my art as a therapeutic device, and it's been a huge contributor to my ongoing ARFID treatment. The intense focus and control I have over building a story, frame by frame, is a powerful tool for grounding myself and managing anxiety. Seeing the dedication here to making comics as both an art and a craft is a huge inspiration and a reminder that this medium can be profoundly healing. Thanks for everything you've done for the community and for being such a genuine creative force. Marie Tong

 

 

2008 POSTS

 

novel graphic novels

Monday, September 29, 2008 by Jason
Just so you all know, I'm moving everything over to http://www.jasonrodriguez.com. So head on over and update your RSS feeds.

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I'm Back!

Tuesday, July 29, 2008 by Jason
3,311 miles in 9 days plus five days at Comic-Con. And I have pictures And I have articles.

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Coast-to-Coast Comicdom: An Update

Monday, July 21, 2008 by Jason
I have downtime today! I slept 9 hours and gave myself 10 hours to take a 4 hour trip! I needed this slight break, I'm beat to fuck.

The road trip's been great. I'm in Grants, New Mexico now and driving out to Flagstaff today.I get to see the Painted Desert, Petrified Forest, and Meteor Crater on the way - nice!  I'm going to see The Dark Knight today, too. There's been two articles posted on DCist so far so far and the third's going up today.

Everything's fine, I'm re-energized, I'm meeting tons of cool people, and I have no regrets.

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Grounds-eye view of comics coast-to-coast

Monday, June 30, 2008 by Jason
So I have enough encouragement and interest in an article or a series of articles that feature a grounds-eye view of comics from coast-to-coast. I’m going to be doing it while on my San Diego road trip, making stops along the way to chat with fans, creators, and retailers to talk to them about how (and if) the comics’ boom is effecting them. Get a feel for how comics’ growth and mainstream acceptance is perceived outside of the East/West coast.

Although I can’t talk specifics about where this is going to be published, yet, I do have some interest and I need to start casting a wider net to bring folks in so I’m not doing it last minute. So here’re the major cities I’ll be cutting through:

Roanoke, VA
Knoxville, TN (Spending the night – July 15th)
Nashville, TN
Memphis, TN (Spending two nights – July 16th and 17th)
Little Rock, AR
Oklahoma City, OK (Spending the night – July 18th)
(Time Permitting) Tulsa, OK
Albuquerque, NM (Spending the night – July 19th)
Santa Fe, NM (Spending the night – July 20th)
Flagstaff, AZ (Spending the night – July 21st)
Phoenix, AZ (Spending the night – July 22nd)
Yuma, AZ
San Diego, CA (Spending four nights (July 23rd – July 26th)

If you know someone in those cities or situated between those cities, I’d love to see if I can squeeze them in. A little talk, grab a bite to eat with them, have a drink, take a tour of their comic shop, go see Dark Knight Returns (I’ll probably be in OK City the night it comes out), hook me up with some internet access, reading session…I’m open for suggestions. I already have some appointments in some of those cities but, as stated, I’m going to try to squeeze in as much as I can.

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Harvey Awards!

Wednesday, June 18, 2008 by Jason
Man - I completely ignored the Harvey's this year. Didn't do a "get out the vote" campaign and, honestly, didn't even vote. That whole process was during my "fuck comics" phase...

Nice to know someone likes us - two nominations. Best Anthology and Special Award for Excellence in Presentation. The former is great, of course, the latter chokes me up a bit. As all of you know - I watched over the design process of that book like a fucking hawk and Matt Kindt and Jason Hanley busted their asses to do it right...nice to see the recognition.

If you're eligible, please consider POSTCARDS in your votes.

Anyway, the rest of the noms...

BEST WRITER

Ed Brubaker, Captain America, Marvel Comics
Jeff Kinney, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Amulet Books
Grant Morrison, All Star Superman, DC Comics
William Van Horn, Walt Disney's Comics and Stories, Gemstone
Brian K. Vaughan, Y: The Last Man, Vertigo/DC Comics

BEST ARTIST

Gabriel Ba, Umbrella Academy, Dark Horse Comics
John Cassaday, Astonishing X-Men, Marvel Comics
Guy Davis, BPRD, Dark Horse Comics
Frank Quitely, All Star Superman, DC Comics
William Van Horn, Walt Disney's Comics and Stories, Gemstone

BEST CARTOONIST

Darwyn Cooke, The Spirit, DC Comics
Matt Kindt, Super Spy, Top Shelf
Jeff Kinney, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Amulet Books
Bryan Lee O'Malley, Scott Pilgrim Gets It Together, Oni Press
Vasilis Lolos, Last Call, Oni Press
William Van Horn, Walt Disney's Comics and Stories, Gemstone

BEST GRAPHIC ALBUM - ORIGINAL

The Arrival, Scholastic Books
Donald Duck: The Case of the Missing Mummy, Gemstone
Exit Wounds, Drawn & Quarterly
Laika, First Second
Scott Pilgrim Gets It Together, Oni Press

BEST GRAPHIC ALBUM - PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED

The Annotated Northwest Passage, Oni Press
Antiques, Volume 1, Gemstone
Captain America Omnibus, Volume 1, Marvel Comics
Damned, Volume 1, Oni Press
Dark Tower: The Gunslinger Born, Marvel Comics

BEST DOMESTIC REPRINT PROJECT

Complete Peanuts, Fantagraphics Books
Complete Terry and the Pirates, IDW
EC Archives, Gemstone
Popeye, Fantagraphics Books
Walt and Skeezix, Drawn & Quarterly

BEST AMERICAN EDITION OF FOREIGN MATERIAL

Eduardo Risso's Tales of Terror, Dynamite Entertainment
Exit Wounds, Drawn & Quarterly
Manga Shakespeare: Romeo and Juliet, Abrams
Moomin, Volume 2, Drawn & Quarterly
Witchblade Manga, Top Cow/Image

SPECIAL AWARD FOR HUMOR

Chris Eliopoulos, Franklin Richards series, Marvel Comics
Nicholas Gurewitch, Perry Bible Fellowship, www.pbfcomics.com
Jeff Kinney, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Amulet Books
Bryan Lee O'Malley, Scott Pilgrim Gets It Together, Oni Press
William Van Horn, Walt Disney's Comics and Stories, Gemstone

BEST ON-LINE COMIC

Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Jeff Kinney, www.wimpykid.com
EZ Street, Robert Tinnell and Mark Wheatley, www.comicmix.com/title/ez-street/
Penny Arcade, Jerry Holkins and Mike Krahulik, www.penny-arcade.com
Perry Bible Fellowship, Nicholas Gurewitch, www.pbfcomics.com
Surreal Adventures of Edgar Allan Poo, Dwight L. Macpherson,
Thomas Boatwright and Thomas Mauer,
http://www.drunkduck.com/The_Surreal...ar_Allan_Poo

SPECIAL AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN PRESENTATION

The Annotated Northwest Passage, Scott Chantler, Oni Press
Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Jeff Kinney, Amulet Books
EC Archives, Various, edited by John Clark, Gemstone
Postcards: True Stories That Never Happened, edited by Jason Rodriguez, Villard
Super Spy, Matt Kindt, Top Shelf

BEST SINGLE ISSUE OR STORY

Alice in Sunderland, Dark Horse Comics
All Star Superman # 8, DC Comics
Captain America # 25, Marvel Comics
Donald Duck: The Case of the Missing Mummy, Gemstone
I Killed Adolf Hitler, Fantagraphics Books
Immortal Iron Fist # 7, Marvel Comics
Stephen Colbert's Tek Jansen # 1, Oni Press

BEST BIOGRAPHICAL, HISTORICAL OR JOURNALISTIC PRESENTATION

Blah Blah Blog, Tom Brevoort, http://www.marvel.com/blogs/Tom%20Brevoort/
The Comics Journal, edited by Gary Groth and Michael Dean, Fantagraphics Books
Meanwhile...Comics!, John, Jason and Scott, http://www.meanwhilecomics.com
The Naked Artist: Comic Book Legends, Bryan Talbot and Hunt Emerson,
Moonstone Books
Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide, edited by J.C. Vaughn, Gemstone
Reading Comics: How Graphic Albums Work and What They Mean, Douglas Wolk,
Da Capo Press

BEST COVER ARTIST

John Cassaday, Astonishing X-Men, Marvel Comics
Marko Djurdjevic, Daredevil, Marvel Comics
James Jean, Fables, Vertigo/DC Comics
Mike Mignola, Hellboy, Dark Horse Comics
William Van Horn, Walt Disney's Comics and Stories, Gemstone

BEST LETTERER

Chris Eliopoulos, Daredevil, Marvel Comics
Jared K. Fletcher, The Spirit, DC Comics
Willie Schubert, Walt Disney's Comics and Stories, Gemstone
Douglas E. Sherwood, Local, Oni Books
Chris Ware, Acme Novelty Library, Acme Novelty

BEST COLORIST

Susan Daigle-Leach, Uncle Scrooge, Gemstone
Jamie Grant, All Star Superman, DC Comics
Matt Hollingsworth, Daredevil, Marvel Comics
Matt Kindt, Super Spy, Top Shelf
Laura Martin, Thor, Marvel Comics

BEST INKER

Stefano Gaudiano, Daredevil, Marvel Comics
Jeff Kinney, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Amulet Books
Steve Leialoha, Fables, DC Comics
Mark Morales, Thor, Marvel Comics
Kevin Nowlan, Witchblade, Top Cow/Image

BEST SYNDICATED STRIP OR PANEL

Doonesbury, Garry Trudeau, Universal Press Syndicate
Get Fuzzy, Darby Conley, United Feature Syndicate
The K Chronicles, Keith Knight, Self-Syndicated
The Mighty Motor-Sapiens, Mark Wheatley, Daniel Krall, Robert Tinnell, MJ Butler,
Craig Taillerfer, Matthew Plog, and Jerry Carr, Self-Syndicated
Mutts, Patrick McDonnell, King Features Syndicate

BEST CONTINUING OR LIMITED SERIES

All Star Superman, DC Comics
Captain America, Marvel Comics
Damned, Oni Press
Daredevil, Marvel Comics
Umbrella Academy, Dark Horse Comics
Uncle Scrooge, Gemstone Comics

BEST NEW SERIES

Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Amulet Books
The Order, Marvel Comics
Resurrection, Oni Press
Thor, Marvel Comics
Umbrella Academy, Dark Horse Comics

BEST NEW TALENT

Jeff Kinney, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Amulet Books
Jeff Lemire, Essex County, Top Shelf
Vasilis Lolos, Last Call, Oni Press
Robbi Rodriguez, Maintenance, Oni Press
Christian Slade, Korgi #1: Sprouting Wings, Top Shelf

BEST ANTHOLOGY

Flight Volume 4, edited by Kazu Kibuishi, Ballantine Books
Mome Volume 8, edited by Gary Groth and Eric Reynolds, Fantagraphics Books
Popgun Volume 1, edited by Joe Keatinge and Mark Andrew Smith, Image Books
Postcards: True Stories That Never Happened, edited by Jason Rodriquez, Villard
Walt Disney's Comics and Stories, edited by John Clark, Gemstone

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The Quickest Ditch

Tuesday, June 17, 2008 by Jason
I was going through one of my storage drives looking for some old files and same across a folder called "Mantis." The only thing in the folder was a script dated October 2005. Here's everything that was in that file:

PAGE 1 (x PANELS) – This story is going to really capture the feel of Yuruban minimalism – heavy influence of African tribal art.

I think I took the whole Yuruban minimalism thing a bit too far, having abruptly dropped the project after writing that sentence. I vaguely remember what this story was about...I think it paired the Yuruban creation myth with modern anthropology and kung-fu. It was a weird story, and I guess I just never got my head around it. I love coming across ditched projects.

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Writers: Finding Artists

Thursday, May 29, 2008 by Jason
In case anyone is interested I started a thread over at DC Conspiracy on how writers can find artists and how to work with them once they've found them. Like I said in the thread, I'm not claiming to be an expert on this but I have my methods and I think they've been working so far.

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What Could Have Been II

Wednesday, May 21, 2008 by Jason
Tony Fleecs' pages are below, as promised. Only two pages are finished, the rest are rough, and the postcard was never integrated into the art. It was based on a postcard that something like, "I have this really irrational fear of traffic lights falling on my car." Tony decided to juxtapose someone's real fear of commitment against something irrational.

 







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Some POSTCARDS Links

Tuesday, May 20, 2008 by Jason
A couple of things to link to.

First there's an interview I did for The Pulse:
 

I think the thematic “spine” helped get Postcards in people’s hands, yes. It made for a very easy pitch. When I hand sell it at conventions it goes very fast because I put a quick pitch out there, people dig the concept, and they come on board. Now that’s not what makes a successful anthology, that’s the first step, I think.

As far as steps two, three, etc…I’m still theorizing on that one. I’ll get back to you.

Then we have Artifact and Artifice; a work blog for the University of Washington's Introduction to Cultural Studies course. Four students analyzed stories in Postcards. They put their mental energies towards Quarantined, Time, Homesick, and A Joyous Eastertide.

And finally we have Sarah Sammis' review of the book:

From this diverse list, my favorites are "Blue" for its magical take on an old memory, "Send Louis His Underwear" for its gory counterpoint between the humorous text and the pictures, and "A History of a Marriage" for its bittersweet look at widower's recollection of his marriage.

As the postcards used in the book were all very old (mostly dating from the 1910s), the stories frequently deal with death and loss. It's only natural to see ghosts in ephemera.

I do want to point out, however, that both Harvey and Joyce are still alive - no widowers in "A History of a Marriage."

Remember folks - if you have anything to say about the (ahem) Eisner-nominated Postcards, please feel free to post it.

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Rory Root Updates

Monday, May 19, 2008 by Jason
> Shit - I just read off Warren Ellis' Twitter feed that Rory Root passed away. This is not a good thing - my prayers go out.

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Rory Root...

by Jason
Rory Root, owner of COMIC RELIEF, is in a coma today after complications resulting from a hernia operation. We love Rory over here - before POSTCARDS was even released he let fifteen of us mob his booth at San Diego for two massive signings. He invited us back this year (provided we had a Volume II) but politely asked if we can cut down on the amount of people present.

The guy loves comics and does what he can to promote the little people. My thoughts are out to him.

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What could have been...

by Jason
I think enough time has passed (about a year?) and I can now share these pages. I have to share them, honestly, because it's a shame they're hidden away on my hard drive in a folder labeled "PostSecret Project"; they're just too good.

A while back Frank Warren of PostSecret fame and I were toying around with the idea of taking the Postcards concept to PostSecret postcards. I got some friends together and put together a couple of pitch pages for the project. The result was something magical but, sadly, it just didn't work out.

Well, bellow is the story Micah Farritor illustrated. Tony Fleecs put some pages together as well and I'll show them tomorrow...

 







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It's Eisner Voting Time

by Jason
Comics professionals should head over to http://www.eisnervote.com and vote for this year’s Eisner recipients. I’m not going to beat around the bush – my book Postcards: True Stories That Never Happened has been nominated for Best Anthology and any votes that can be thrown my way would be appreciated. I really don’t want folks to blindly vote for the book, however – I want you to know what it’s about, see if it’s your thing, and, if so, give it a vote. Therefore I’m reposting all of the reviews and features with artwork or full-stories from the book. Give it a look if you have the time, pick up the book at your local comic shop, bookstore, or library if you feel so inclined, and then make up your mind

1 – The first page of every story in Postcards
2 – Publisher’s Weekly preview of Stuart Moore and Michael Gaydos’ Tic-Tac-Bang-Bang
3 – Comic Book Resources’ preview of Tom Beland’s Time

And then go vote in the Eisner’s. Even if you don’t vote for Postcards there are a still a lot of nominees that deserve your love.

 

And in case you wanted to see some of our bigger reviews, head on over to USA Today, Daily Candy, Ain’t it Cool News, Bookslut , Washington Post, and the 2007 Kirkus Reviews’ Graphic Spotlight.

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Trickster

Friday, April 18, 2008 by Jason
I want you all to go check out the production blog for Postcards' creator Matt Dembicki's new anthology, Trickster. The book pairs Native American storytellers with comic artists to tell traditional trickster stories and the resulting book is looking absolutely amazing. Some images below:

 

Trickster

Trickster
 

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Thanks Again...

Thursday, April 17, 2008 by Jason

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Well, that was a nice surprise.

Monday, April 14, 2008 by Jason
I got the news of the nomination on Friday and I’ve been dying to talk about it. I told a few people, of course. My parents, Robin, and my friends Gennaro and Marcelo. Some of my DC Conspiracy crew. Some of the guys from the book. And I called up Tony Fleecs’ mom to tell her the good news, as well.

Feel free to listen to that little exchange. Oh, and I guess I also told Robin’s family. And some of the other people I’m currently working with on other projects. And I might have mentioned it to everyone that was sitting at a bar in Boston on Saturday. And Sunday. And a couple of my friends in DC. Like, all of them.

Ok, so I guess I didn’t really wait to talk about it. At least I didn’t post anything online.

But, look, I’m excited. I mean, really excited. This book started as a labor of love over two years ago. I got folks on-board quickly and they put a lot of energy into their stories. I put a lot of it together intending to self-publish it. Random House came along and picked it up but instead of simply handing it off I shook a lot of hands and did a lot of press and tried to get folks excited about this book.

It’s just nice, at the end of all that, to be nominated for the crème-de-la-crème of comic awards. I now know why people say it’s an honor to be nominated.

The other anthologies nominated this year are all top notch. Best American Comics, 24Seven, 5, and Mome. You know it’s a good year for anthologies when Popgun, Flight, and Hotwire Comix didn’t get a nomination. So, I’m honored – thanks to the judges and to all the folks that supported the book. See you all in San Diego!

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The Drunken Wine Critic: The Website

Thursday, February 14, 2008 by Jason
Completely smashed video and text reviews of the wines you could actually find in your local shop. Check it out, link it, love it, pass it around. Here's just a taste of what you should expect to see...

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Counter Culture

Monday, January 21, 2008 by Jason
Saturday was our third annual Counter Culture Festival and it was quite the success. We had 35 vendors selling their wares between 4 and 8, followed by the Cheeky Monkey Sideshow, Belladonna the Belly Dancer, and six live bands. The place was PACKED and it seems like everyone sold well.

There was some drama, of course, as Dremo's started charging a cover at 8PM. We weren't happy about that, obviously, but what does Dremo's care? They're closing in a week. Anyway, we heard some fantastic little quotes from the manager justifying the cover and we just had to let it go. It's too bad too, I loved that place.

But, that aside, I think most people had fun and I'm in the process of putting together a little video from the show (UPDATE: Now with the final video)

We're officially homeless now - The DC Conspiracy and the Counter Culture Festival begins looking for a new place to host us starting next month. Hopefully we can find a place with the same combination of ambiance, size, and metro-accessibility that doesn't mind the fact that we bring in around twenty to thirty people once a month for a full night of eating and drinking and 500-1000 people once a year for more of the same.

Oh, and I had happy customers:

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Washington DC Counter Culture Festival is Tomorrow!

Friday, January 18, 2008 by Jason
Who: Local artists from all media, sponsored by the DC Conspiracy.

What: Selling wares throughout the day and following it up with the Cheeky Monkey Sideshow, Belladonna the Belly Dancer, and live music (American Sinner, Stupyd Cow, Boats to Tangier, Lucky Dub, Blondsai, and Schaffer the Darklord).

Where: Dr. Dremo’s (http://www.drdremos.com)
2001 Clarendon Blvd., Arlington VA 22201

When: Vendors from 4-8PM
Sideshow and belly dancers from 8-9PM
Six live bands starting at 9PM

Admission: Free, must be 21+

More info: Check out the DC Conspiracy website (http://www.dcconspiracy.com) for a full list of who’ll be attending. Also, it’s important to note that this is the NEXT TO LAST weekend that Dr. Dremo’s will be open. So please come by and send it off right.

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Eximious Critique

Thursday, January 17, 2008 by Jason
Robin registered me in a wine class for my 30th birthday. I'm making an honest effort to become more comfortable with commenting on wines. It started off just fine but by the time I got to wine #7 my thoughts on the wines I were tasting moved further away from the traditional.

 

It makes me think I should run my own wine blog but only critique the 8th or 9th wine I drink...

 

 

More Background on EximiousPress.com

Eximious Press holds an important niche in the landscape of independent comics and graphic novel production. Active primarily during the 2000s, the company left a legacy of curated, high-quality projects and a distinctive editorial philosophy marked by selectivity, craftsmanship, and close-knit collaboration.

Origins and Ownership

Eximious Press was founded by Jason Rodriguez, a writer and editor noted for his discerning taste in comic narratives and keen appreciation for both the craft and business of comics. Initially conceived as a publishing company, its first major project was to be the anthology Postcards: True Stories That Never Happened. However, when a large publishing house acquired that book, Eximious Press pivoted its focus to what could best be described as "graphic novel production."

Rodriguez, firmly at the helm, was known for hands-on involvement in every title the press handled. He selected projects based on personal enthusiasm and artistic merit, famously turning down proposals—even from close friends—that didn’t fit the company’s strict standards for originality, beauty, and unexplored narrative territory. He was joined by collaborators such as assistant editor James W. Powell, whose editorial vision Rodriguez explicitly trusted.

Framework and Location

Rather than a traditional publisher with a physical office, Eximious Press operated more as a distributed, project-based collective. Its core personnel connected digitally and at conventions, with a significant presence in comics circles around the Washington, D.C. area thanks in part to ties with the DC Conspiracy collective.

The nimble, decentralized model fit Eximious Press's collaborative and highly selective approach. Instead of constant output, the group concentrated on a small number of projects, each receiving intensive editorial attention. The company sometimes considered adding publishing to its official list of services, but always left such decisions contingent on opportunity and alignment with its artistic mission.

Editorial Mission and Goals

Eximious Press positioned itself as a producer of distinctive, sometimes experimental, graphic novels and comics. Its mission was multi-faceted:

  • Curated Selection: Only books that the leadership genuinely wanted to see in stores would be accepted. These could be proposals brought in by external artists and writers, or concepts generated by the core team.

  • Artistic Integrity: Each book was considered a reflection of the press’s values. The aim was to fill gaps in the comics market, promoting projects that offered fresh perspectives or served underexplored niches.

  • Collaborator Trust: New projects, editors, and creators were welcomed only if their tastes aligned closely with the founders. Quality and enthusiasm, more than existing relationships, dictated involvement.

Notable Projects and Signature Works

1. Postcards: True Stories That Never Happened

Eximious Press’s most celebrated project began as a personal initiative by Rodriguez: pairing comic creators with actual early 20th-century postcards as prompts for original short comics stories. The concept’s innovation attracted attention, and the anthology quickly grew to encompass a wide spectrum of creators. Although the rights were ultimately acquired by a major publisher, Eximious Press remained closely associated with the book’s development, editing, and curation.

Postcards achieved significant recognition, including nominations for some of the highest honors in comics. It stood out for its thematic unity—real-life messages inspiring new creative interpretations—and for the diversity of its storytelling voices.

2. Elk’s Run, The Broadcast, Dream Compass

Other titles associated with Eximious Press, such as Elk’s Run, The Broadcast, and Dream Compass, all embodied the group’s insistence on editorial quality. These books were either brought to Eximious Press by outside creators seeking intensive developmental support, or they originated internally as concepts refined by Rodriguez and his collaborators. Like Postcards, these works enjoyed strong critical reception and served as showcases for emerging talents in comics writing and art.

3. Dear Santa, Let Me Explain…

One of the internal concept projects, this book exemplified the collaborative, creative spirit of Eximious Press. It highlighted the group’s willingness to undertake and develop unconventional ideas, again showing the importance placed on both fun and artistic innovation.

Recognition, Awards, and Critical Acclaim

Eximious Press—and specifically Postcards: True Stories That Never Happened—was frequently recognized in industry circles:

  • Postcards was nominated for both the Harvey Awards (Best Anthology; Special Award for Excellence in Presentation) and the Eisner Awards, two of the most prestigious awards in comics.

  • The high quality of presentation, including design and editorial standards, was often cited in critical reviews. Judges and reviewers pointed out the book’s “crème-de-la-crème” status in anthologies released that year.

The press’s inclusion among alternative and mainstream graphic novel publishers underscored its role in the expanding legitimacy of comics as a literary form.

Media Coverage and Reviews

The projects spearheaded by Eximious Press, particularly Postcards, received substantial media attention, being spotlighted by major newspapers and comics websites, industry publications, and prominent reviewers. Outlets lauded the books for their originality, craftsmanship, and the unusual approach of using authentic artifacts as story catalysts.

Review highlights include:

  • Praise for the evocative and often poignant themes that arose from pairing old postcards with new illustrations.

  • Positive commentary on the anthology’s design and editorial oversight.

  • Consistent acknowledgment of the artistic risks involved—and the success with which those risks paid off.

Many reviews offered detailed analysis of individual stories within Postcards, complimenting the creators’ ability to use small, evocative details from the source material to inspire relatable, emotionally resonant comics.

Audience and Cultural Context

Eximious Press attracted an audience of discerning readers—people who prized originality, craftsmanship, and thoughtful editorial curation in comics. The company’s focus on anthologies and mixed-author collections appealed especially to readers interested in the literary possibilities of graphic storytelling.

Among the audience were:

  • Comics aficionados with an interest in independent presses or experimental projects.

  • Contributors and readers within the DC Conspiracy circle and the wider indie comics community.

  • Mainstream readers attracted by the critical acclaim and award nominations.

Social and Cultural Significance

The presence of Eximious Press in the independent publishing world contributed to several key trends:

  • The elevation of the graphic novel and anthology format as both artistically significant and commercially viable.

  • The growing prominence of collaborative, editorial-driven collectives dedicated to comics as an art form.

  • Increased recognition for the fusion of literature and visual art, with projects that often invited academic and critical discussion (including analysis in university courses).

Eximious Press also played a catalytic role in community events and comics festivals, helping organize gatherings like the Counter Culture Festival. These events brought together artists and fans across media, encouraging cross-pollination between comics, music, performance, and fine arts.

Events and Industry Involvement

Eximious Press and its people were regular participants at major conventions, including San Diego Comic-Con. Company founder Jason Rodriguez often documented road trips across the country, connecting with comics creators and retailers and reporting on the state of the industry as seen from the ground up.

The press was also an integral part of regional creative scenes, most notably via its association with DC Conspiracy, a group known for organizing alternative festivals and fostering a sense of community among artists and writers.

Legacy and Long-Term Influence

Though no longer active as a publisher, Eximious Press helped set standards for editorial selectivity and collaborative, cross-disciplinary creation in indie comics. Many of its contributors have gone on to do significant work elsewhere in the industry, and the press’s collaborative philosophy can be seen echoed in later indie comics collectives.

Its commitment to promoting new voices, unique anthology concepts, and high-quality design has served as a blueprint for subsequent endeavors in the ever-evolving world of comics and graphic novels.

Specific Insights and Examples

Eximious Press’s working style and editorial philosophy yielded unexpected side projects and experiments, such as:

  • Aborted or unfinished works that sometimes revealed promising potential, occasionally brought back into the public view via reflective blog posts.

  • Close collaboration with artists and writers, sometimes resulting in playful creative exercises, production blogs, and educational posts for budding comics creators.

  • Engagement with the practical side of the business: advice on networking, artist outreach, and even entrepreneurial forays outside comics, such as quirky wine-review projects.

 

Eximious Press exemplified the values of independent comics publishing: vision, selectivity, and creative freedom in equal measure. Its output, while limited in number, was substantial in impact. Through hands-on curation, artistic risk-taking, and a collaborative spirit, Eximious Press advanced the state of comics as both art and literature, leaving a lasting mark on the community it helped foster.

 

EximiousPress.com