Salisbury man's comic no joke

    * Local News

2 Nov 10 @ 03:00pm by Katelin Nelligan

ZOMBIES invading St Kilda, blood spurting from mummies and
skeletons walking the Earth - it is all in Darren Koziol’s comic book.

It was the Salisbury resident’s lifelong love of comics that prompted him to make his own.
The first issue of Decay was published in March after a year of planning. Mr Koziol says it has since grown to become
the largest Australian-made comic series being sold. “We have so many talented artists and writers in Australia and I
hope this will give them an opportunity to keep their work here, rather than going overseas,” he says.

The 36-year-old edits, publishes and commissions work for the comic, as well as writing some of the stories. One story called Oz Zombie involved a zombie invasion across the world, with scenes set in St Kilda, Semaphore and the Adelaide CBD. “It’s important to make the comic something people in Australia can identify with,” he says. “I’m hoping that will help to boost its popularity, because most comics that can be bought here are from the US or UK. I love cars, so I make a point of using Australian cars in all my comics.”

Mr Koziol says he has been thrilled to have famous artists and writers, such as David DeVries, Glenn Lumsden and Dave Heinrich, calling him to be part of the project. “These guys have been involved in projects like The Phantom and Batman overseas, so to have them knocking on my door, offering their work for free, is just amazing,” he says. As for the future, Mr Koziol has his sights set on the big screen. “I’m hoping we can branch off into other things.
“We’ve got some children’s books in the works and I’ve also been in touch with people from the film industry. “Everyone’s so excited to be involved in producing something here in Australia.”

Decay is available from Kollectable Kaos, Research Rd, Pooraka, and comic specialty shops in the city.

Sponsors needed. DARK OZ is urgently seeking funds to continue printing DECAY, which promotes the works of dozens of Australian creators. Please contact us if you can help in any way. Everyone else: keep buying DECAY and spread the word. With more funds DARK OZ can continue attracting great creative talents, continue raising the quality of the comics, and publish more comic books, as there's plenty of talented creators out there.
DECAY creator/editor Darren Koziol with Laura Vandervoort. Laura has her copy of DECAY.
DECAY #15 - March 2013.
The 3-year anniversary issue of DECAY has been one of the most popular issues to date, with one of the stories from this issue, 'Death From Above', also being selected (by Kevin Eastman) to run in Heavy Metal magazine (issue #268, May 2014).
This is the first time that an issue of DECAY has been released with multiple covers, by a line up of incredible Aussie creators. There are 10 stories in total, including two "Sisters" stories and four "Oz Zombie" tales (by four different writers).
DECAY #15
DECAY #17
"OZPLOITATION"
issue

A 'Mature Readers' title, definitely not for the squeamish, from some of the best creators in Australia. Classic exploitation and Ozploitation comes to life in DECAY, in the classic tradition of cult movies from the 70's and 80's. There are five complete stories featuring some very disturbing subject matter, over the top violence, nudity and plenty of gore.
Retro Sci-Fi Tales #1


Take a nostalgic trip to the good old days of science fiction, with seven all-new stories written and drawn as if we were living in the past imagining the future. This is a PG rated comic but aimed at the adult market. Fans of classic science fiction will love the stories and fantastic art in this issue from many of the best in the industry. Each short story opens with its own splash page 'cover', as if to another fictional magazine. There are a total of nine splash-pages/'covers' and seven complete short stories. This issue is 52 pages in full colour with amazing art, as sampled in the images here.

52 pages, full colour, seven stories, nine 'covers', nineteen contributors in total. 1st prints are SOLD OUT. 2nd print is available for $18 or including post for $22 posted in Australia.
AUSTRALIAN MADE AND OWNED
DECAY #17
Copyright DarkOz. All rights reserved.
DECAY #18
September 2014

Thirteen complete stories by two-dozen amazing creators. Awesome front cover by Nahum Ziersch. 28-pages in colour, 24 in B&W. Two stories of the sexy Vampire 'Sisters', including "Class of 2014". "Bacchus Marsh - the Werewolves of Melbourne" with an amazing back cover by Chris Wahl.
Cost = $19 (includes postage, in Australia)
The 'Aussie Classics' issue, "history in the making" - all-new stories of Bug & Stump, Hairbutt The Hippo, Da 'n' Dill, The Southern Squadron, The Dark Nebula, and Greener PasturesAll in one comic for the first time EVER!  All by their original creators (with a couple 'guest' artists).
    $22.00 - with your choice of cover (covers A to G).  OR get the special 'cover H' variant with 8 extra pages (a bumper 60-page special)!!!  Cover 'H' contains ALL seven covers without their cover titles (it's the 'virgin' art)!  Cover H is available in 2nd print for only $35.00 (posted) or the almost sold-out limited 1st print is $110.00.
    Original creator Dave de Vries has written The Southern Squadron's first story in over 15 years, with incredible art by Dragan Vignjevic.  Tad Pietrzykowski and Colin Wells bring The Dark Nebula back to comics.  Dillon Naylor and Greg Gates supply an all new story of Da 'n' Dill.  Jason Paulos returns with Hairbutt The Hippo.  John Petropoulos and Mark Sexton liven things up with Bug & Stump.  And Michael Michalandos and Tim McEwen give us Trevor in Greener Pastures.
    All this behind variant covers for each character/group.  Plus short stories of The Vampire Sisters and Oz Zombie.

52 pages, 46 in colour, eight stories, seven standard variant covers and one bumper variant.
Paypal buttons for Australian residents only.
Paypal buttons for Australian residents only.
Paypal buttons for Australian residents only.
Paypal buttons for Australian residents only.
DECAY #20

'Blazing Combat' Aussie horror style, zombies, Vampires, aliens, telepaths - great stories and amazing art for this BIG 20th issue.

52 pages, 40 in colour, nine stories, eighteen contributors in total. $15 per copy (at shops and conventions), or $19 including postage in Australia.
CTHULHU
(DECAY #12 remastered)

Coloured and formatted to US comic book size. This is the FIRST ever issue of DECAY at regular US comic book size.

48 pages in full colour, four complete Cthulhu stories, sixeen contributors in total. $15 per copy (at shops and conventions), or $19 including postage in Australia.
Paypal buttons for Australian residents only.
OZPLOITATION SPECIAL

DECAY #21

'Ozploitation' at its BEST!!! Violent, sick, horrific - everything you love and demand - hey, the last 'Ozploitation' issue (DECAY #17) is the best selling issue of DECAY ever!!!     This issue has TWO variant covers! NOTE that cover 'A' is low in stock and costs more than cover 'B'.

Creators include: Ben Sullivan, Dave Dye, Alister Lockhart, Kurt Stone, Dragan Vignjevic, Dean Rankine, Karl Brandt, Nicole Kane, and Darren Koziol.

Cover 'B' is $15 per copy (at shops and conventions), or $19 including postage in Australia.
Paypal buttons for Australian residents only.
Retro Sci-Fi Tales #3 (2nd print)
More amazing stories and incredible art. The cute and sexy 'Marilyn' returns in a new 9-page story! Both Penny Powers and Space Pirates continue. Plus Axis Alliance, Lost in Time and Foe Killer Jones. SIX awesome stories and eight fantastic 'covers'.
Creators include: Michal Dutkiewicz, Ben Sullivan, Greg Holfeld, Matt Kyme, Frantz Kantor, Sarah Murray, Paul Mason, Alister Lockhart, Pat McNamara, Tristan Tait, Carlos Angeli, April Hammond, Darren Koziol and more.

$18 per copy (at shops and conventions), or $22 including postage in Australia.
ORDER NOW!
DECAY #21 - cover A
DECAY #21 - cover B
DARK OZ was the ONLY Australian publisher, or producer of any kind, at San Diego Comic Con in July 2016, launching 9 exclusive limited edition signed & numbered comics.
Sisters #1
Vampires vs Bush Rangers
- 'Mature Readers' only -

The Vampire ‘Sisters’ - sexy, bloodthirsty, ultra-violent, and more than a thousand years old. This is the first issue of their new ongoing series - previously the Sisters have appeared in several short stories in ‘DECAY’.

Regan, Mignon and Danikah - the three ‘Sisters’. This is a stand-alone story while also establishing the base of an ongoing series. If you’re already familiar with the girls then you’ll love this story as it expands on their time-line. If this is your first time you’ll quickly realise why they’re so popular.

This first issue contains a bumper 28-pages of story with incredible art by internationally renowned pin-up artist Michal Dutkiewicz, an amazing cover by Frantz Kantor, and written by creator Darren Koziol. $12 plus post (Paypal buttons include postage).
Paypal button for Australian residents
DECAY #22

Eight complete self contained short stories including the movie prequel of the new Australian horror film 'Red Billabong'. The front cover ties in with the main story 'High Tide' - toxic waste making sheep go rabid. Lots of great stories and amazing art.

Creators in this issue: Dave Dye, Matt Kyme, Ben Sullivan, Ben Michael Byrne, Luke Sparke (movie director), Kurt Stone, Matt James, James Broadhurst and Darren Koziol. 52-pages with 8 stories all for only $19.00 including postage.
DECAY #22
Paypal buttons for Australian residents only.
RED BILLABONG movie prequel comic in DECAY #22
DECAY #22 page samples
This first issue is a photo magazine of the Mad Max fan events at Silverton, Australia, over the last 7 years - with hundreds of photos of amazing replica vehicles and Mad Max 2 film location visits. 52-pages, full colour, hundreds of photos, and two complete 'Mad Max' influenced comic book stories. This is still the 1st print run, get in before stocks run out.
Paypal for Australia
Paypal for the rest of the world
SILVER CITY #1

First issue

Mad Max fan magazine
Retro Sci-Fi Tales #4
52-pages - 16 in colour - no adverts
The Vampire ‘Sisters’ meet a cosplayer Mad Max 'wannabe', for some violent 'fun' - fans of the movies will love this story!
And... introducing The F**k-Ups - brutal, mayhem, over-the-top blood, guts & violence - dark humour, hilarious!
Featuring 10 amazing creators
Only $15.00 for cover A or B (plus postage = $19.00)
Cover ‘C’ limited edition
Retro Sci-Fi Tales #4
52-pages - full colour - no adverts
8 fantastic short stories - 9 amazing pin-ups/covers
‘Christmas Magic’ brings fun, excitement and nostalgia as aliens visit the 1980 Adelaide Christmas Pageant. The 'Flight' trilogy is complete in this issue, plus heaps more! From 17 amazing creators - All for just $18.00 (plus postage = $22.00)
The first ever  'NUDE'  cover for a DARK OZ comic - strictly limited to just 50 copies - with 4 extra pages (including covers A and B both with and without titles).
Paypal for Australia
Paypal for Australia
DECAY #23
DECAY #23 - cover B
DECAY #23 - cover A
DECAY #23 - cover C
Paypal for Australia
cover A
cover B
cover C
see internal page samples in the 'Shop' page on Facebook
Paypal for Australia
Retro Sci-Fi Tales #5
52-pages - full colour - no adverts
5 incredible short stories - 6 fantastic pin-ups/covers Introducing resolute reporter 'Kat Knightly' in our longest ever single issue story (at 16-pages)
From 13 amazing creators
All for just $18.00 (plus postage = $22.00)
OUT NOW!!!
OUT NOW!!!
Retro Sci-Fi Tales #5
The first ever calendar from DARK OZ - signed & numbered limited edition, only 50 copies made (numbered 1 to 50) - personally hand signed by every artist.
- Exclusive
- strictly limited to just 50 copies
- every page signed by the artist
- only 2 copies remaining
DECAY #24 - the FINAL issue
    DECAY - Australian horror - Ozploitation and exploitation.  Issue #24 contains five terrifying stories to thrill and excite - for Mature Readers.
    These comics are produced to the highest quality on gloss paper - 100gsm interiors and 120gsm cover - from the BEST printers in Australia.
    DECAY is Australia’s version of Heavy Metal, 2000AD and Tales From the Crypt, all combined in unbelievable, unimaginable, bizarre, extreme, bigger than life, exaggerated, over the top blood, guts and gore!
    If haven't read DECAY before, don't worry - every issue stands alone - you can enjoy any issue of DECAY in one sitting.
    DECAY #24 is the FINAL issue in this stunning series!

Cover A - $19 (includes postage in Australia)
Cover B - $19 (includes postage in Australia)
Cover C - $240 (includes postage in Australia)
NOTE - cover C - only 5 copies remain
Lance Henriksen has his copy of DECAY
FIRST issue!!!
#1 collector's item!
1st print!!!
$14.00 in Australia, $24 international
($10 plus $4 post = $14.00)
Paypal for Australia
cover A
cover B
cover C
Cover 'C'
the 'risque' limited edition
only 50 copies made
signed & numbered
contains 4 extra pages of art
(featuring covers A and B)
Cover A - cover art by Ben Sullivan
Cover B - cover art by Frantz Kantor
Aussie Classics
$22.00 posted in Australia
DECAY #19 covers A to G
    ( pictured )
DECAY #19 cover H 2nd print
DECAY #19 cover H 1st print
DECAY #19 (April 2015) covers A to G  ( pictured )
Retro Sci-Fi Tales issues #6 and #7 are OUT NOW!!!  Order with the Paypal buttons below - only $20 each including postage (within Australia).  These are 52 big pages per issue in full colour and the highest quality in writing, art and printing/production.  SIX short stories per issue, NO adverts, and seven amazing covers/pin-ups per issue!  By some of the best creators around - every issue is an incredible showcase of Australian creators, with the odd international guest too.
Order NOW with these Paypal buttons
Paypal for Australia
issue #6
issue #7
NOTE - this issue comes with a WARNING - this issue is ultra sick and violent.  For fans of 'Wolf Creek', 'Human Centipede', 'Hostel' and 'Boxing Helena'.
Note - these two issues were both successfully funded on Kickstarter, to help cover some of the initial printing, production & distribution costs.  This was the first time Kickstarter was used for 'Retro Sci-Fi Tales', making the comics available to a wider international audience.
Paypal for the rest of the world
Black Label Edition
order now!!!

Welcome to the Black Parade - the new line of 'Black Label' comics begins here, with issues 1 & 2 available NOW!!!

Issue #1 is 'The Wailing Wall' - a one-shot 24-page story (in a 32-page comic) of a brutal psychopath placed in the Vietnam War.

Issue #2 is 'Soldiers of Misfortune' - our group of seven nut-jobs go in with the best intentions, to help people, but they always mess it up!

The 'Black Label' series collect and re-master the BEST stories from DECAY, now formatted to US comic book size in stand alone one-shot comics. Each issue is also available as 'Limited Edition' version - limited to only 75 copies each, signed, with additional pages of bonus content, only sold as a pair.
Silver City #2
MAD MAX Fan Magazine

The world's first ever Mad Max Fan Magazine celebrates the 40th Anniversary of MAD MAX with this sensational second issue! An amazing collection of articles and photos! With contributions from original cast & crew, dedicated fans, replica vehicle builders, costume designers, artists, model makers, film documentaries, etc etc etc - a MUST HAVE for all Mad Max fans. Order NOW!!!
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Paypal for Australia
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Silver City
#1
Silver City
#2
Silver City
#1  AND  #2
discount
Paypal - Australia
Paypal - international
Paypal - Australia
Paypal - international
Paypal - Australia
Paypal - international
Paypal - Australia
Paypal - international
use these buttons to order BOTH regular print issues together -  #1  AND  #2
both #1  AND  #2 Limited Editions
OR digital PDF versions
order BOTH issues now!!!

Both issues of the 'Black Label' comics are available in PDF format for only $10 total (Australian dollars - even cheaper in US dollars). Click the Paypal button and get BOTH issues in PDF format for only $10 (that's only $5 each) - no postage, no hidden costs. Easy!!!
issue #1
issue #2
Black Label limited edition 1
Black Label limited 2
issues #1 AND #2
OR digital PDF versions
order BOTH issues now!!!

Both issues of 'Silver City' are available in PDF format for only $15 total (Australian dollars - even cheaper in US dollars). Click the Paypal button and get BOTH issues in PDF format for only $15 (that's only $7.50 each) - no postage, no hidden costs. Easy!!!
Retro Sci-Fi Tales #8  -  OUT NOW!!!
Retro Sci-Fi Tales #8 - OUT NOW!!!

For the FIRST TIME, this issue has VARIANT COVERS - two regular and two Limited Editions (one entire B&W version of the comic, and one with a 3-D cover). Six stories and 8 pin-up pages. 52 pages in full colour at magazine size. The highest quality, great fun, swashbuckling space adventure, UFO's, ray-guns, time travel, submarines, bug-eyed-monsters, monorails, rocket cars, dinosaurs, aliens, etc etc etc. Variant covers C and D are LOW in stock (act fast)!

For even more information and page sample images, go to Kickstarter - Retro Sci-Fi Tales #8
Or click the 'Kickstarter' logo below.
Copyright DarkOz. All rights reserved.
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cover A or B
cover C - B&W
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Silver City bonus pack
#1  AND  #2 (both 1st prints)
PLUS postcards x2, Dinki Di Label x2
AND 'Get Out of Jail' slip
2nd print
Paypal for Australia only.
The Comic Book Manifesto: Making Comic Books in Australia -
A Pocket Guide of Tips and Quotes for the Aspiring Comic Book Creator

55 top Australian comic book creators each give new and insightful tips on creating, writing, drawing and even self publishing comic books. An amazing wealth of knowledge - ‘a pocket guide of tips and quotes, for the aspiring comic book creator’.

This booklet, from some of the most experienced creators around, is an invaluable resource for beginners and anyone wanting to start making comics.

Every school and library in Australia should carry this. Now in third printing.
PDF digital - available worldwide
Retro Sci-Fi Tales #9

OUT NOW

The 9th amazing issue of Retro Sci-Fi Tales - this fantastic issue features 6 stories and 8 pin-up/cover pages from 18 talented creators. There are NO upcoming events, due to COVID-19 restrictions, so order your comics on this Dark Oz website instead - head to the 'Retro Sci-Fi Tales' page (select from the buttons above)
Print copies are SOLD OUT - the digital PDF version is available now (for orders world wide) for only $5   
(price in aud - cheaper in usd)
Variant cover 'D' (the 3-D cover with 4 extra pages) has now SOLD OUT - order the variant 'C' (all B&W variant) while you can. Regular covers 'A' and 'B' are available.
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SOLD OUT
Retro Sci-Fi Tales #3 (2nd print)
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cover A or B
Retro Sci-Fi Tales #10
Special 'Horror' spectacular     OUT NOW!

The milestone special 10th issue 'Horror' special of Retro Sci-Fi Tales - Bruno & Maggie, with four kids ('BMX Bandits') investigate reports of 'MONSTERS' in a small country town in Australia. The 'monster' theme continues with 'Captain Ice: Space Mummies' and 'Kat Knightly: Valley of the Dinosaurs', as well as two short 'Future Shock' style tales.

Click the image to the left to see more info and images on the Kickstarter page. Paypal buttons for 'regular' variants 'A' or 'B'. Contact me direct if you're after the 'Limited Edition' variants 'C' or 'D'.
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cover A or B
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