Trading Cards for SALEM, AZ - Order Now!

Nicole McClain at book signing for SALEM, AZ

I am excited to announce the release of my special, limited edition trading card set. This set follows the successful release of my comic book, SALEM, AZ. Each of the 11 trading cards in the set chronicles the photoshoots, pictures and themes used to create the comic book.

"The SALEM, AZ trading cards featuring Nicole McClain are a response to our fans and customers who have been asking for trading cards even prior to the release of SALEM, AZ," said Nik Havert, writer and creator of the comic book. "This is a limited production run. And if you purchase the SALEM, AZ comic book along with the set of eleven trading cards, you will also receive the Limited Edition 12th trading card not included in the already hot set. Each card and book is also autographed personally by Nicole."

When we released the book and the trading card set, we expected a good response but we were still taken back by the amount of orders we received during and after the show. Based on the initial enthusiasm and excitement concerning the release of SALEM, AZ, this release has inspired us to make decks of playing cards as well.

The trading card set of 11 cards and SALEM, AZ comic book can be purchased for $35.00 plus shipping and handling. Click here to order now.

Nicole McClain's Music of the Moment: New Baby for Christmas by Johnny Preston

Nicole McClain is Kerry Connelly in SALEM, AZ - Mid Ohio Con

Nicole McClain is Kerry Connelly in SALEM, AZ

Kerry Connelly is coming to Mid-Ohio-Con.

Pickle Press' long-awaited witchcraft western, "Salem, AZ," will premiere at this year's Mid-Ohio-Con in Columbus, Ohio October 04, 2008. The book will be the first full story of Kerry Connelly, the gun-slinging witch, as she faces the menace of Dr. Archak and what lurks beneath an abandoned coal mine. Look for a special "Mid-Ohio-Con" photo edition with a photo cover of myself as Kerry Connelly.

Wow, this stuff is hott.

You can also get your copy of "Salem, AZ" #1 autographed by myself as well as Nik Havert (the writer, letterer, and co-creator), Paul Schultz (the artist and co-creator), and more of the creative team.

Want more? Trading cards will be released at the show including one Limited Edition card and one Smooch Card for all of you collector fanatics.

Don't miss this show and the SALEM, AZ release event!

Nicole McClain as Kerry Connelly in SALEM, AZ

Nicole McClain's Music of the Moment: Brothers in Arms by Dire Straits

Nicole McClain at Mid-Ohio Comic Convention

Another year for the Mid-Ohio Comic Convention in Columbus. The show welcomed many well-known celebrities such as The Silver Surfer (Doug Jones) from Fantastic Four 2, notorious pinup artist and personal friend Dave Nestler, amazing artist and personal friend Tommy Castillo of DC Comics, and of course the Salem, AZ team.

Nik Havert (writer), Nicole McClain (Kerry Connelly model), Paul Schultz (artist)

A very special thank you to all of the fans who came out to say hello to the Salem, AZ team. It was great to see you, meet you and sign autographs. We are excited to see so many people interested in the book (before it is even published!) and without you this wouldn't be possible.

Nik Havert reties Kerry's holster wrap

Dave Nestler and Nicole McClain

Check out Dave's new series of "Chicks on Picks" where he features models from his paintings on guitar picks. They are well designed and are certainly one-of-a-kind for all of you guitar players (and collectors). To see my "Bored of Education" painting created by Dave Nestler click here.

"Kerry Connelly" threatens Dave (with a smile)


Nicole McClain and Tommy Castillo (DC Comics)

Be sure to keep an eye on Tommy. Expect nothing less than more artistic and detailed creativity from him in the near future. The latest version of Alice in Wonderland, Red Riding Hood, and BigFoot Meets Tommy are a few of my favorites.

Nicole McClain's Music of the Moment: Snowball Fight by Jimmy Fallon

Nicole McClain is Kerry Connelly in "Salem, AZ"

Nicole McClain is Kerry Connelly in "Salem, AZ"

I'm pleased to announce the photoshoot for "Salem, AZ" has finally taken place! I want to thank all of you for your devoted interest and inquiries. I can't speak of my amazement or appreciation enough.

To give you more insight into the "Salem, AZ" project, where I am the lead character Kerry Connelly, I thought I would post some notes from Nik Havert (and of course pictures!) on the recent photoshoot. Sometimes the inside details give the best, and most fun, insight. As for the "Salem, AZ" Team? Let's just say I appreciate each of you for your time, efforts, support and for choosing lil' ol' me. ;)

Don't let the smirk fool you...

Nicole McClain is Kerry Connelly in "Salem, AZ"

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Notes from Nik Havert:

Holy effing ess.

It's not every day I get asked to help dress a model, let alone a model dressed like a character I co-created with Paul Schultz.



I drove to meet with Nicole McClain and her photographer pal, Bruce Gates, to shoot "a discfull of photos" of Nicole dressed as Kerry Connelly - the lead character from "Salem, AZ." We had the entire costume, apart from the jacket, which Nicole forgot at home, but that didn't matter. She was stunning. The resemblance was uncanny. There is no other word for it.



Nicole had her replica .45 revolver. My good pal, Sherm, loaned me several of his Old West replica guns: a double-barreled shotgun, a Winchester rifle, two .45 revolvers with holsters, and two Josey Wales-style .44 revolvers. I also brought some stuff along for us to play with during the shoot: a huge Bowie knife, an old bullwhip, and a prop witch's broom from our Halloween decorations.



I got to be Nicole's dresser for the shoot, adjusting the spurs on her high heeled fetish shoes, tying down her .45's holster to her thigh, moving hair out of her eyes, and the like. She didn't have to twist my arm to do it, that's for sure, but it gave me a new appreciation for modeling. She was a trooper, and sweat it out under bright lights for two hours, often holding awkward positions and sometimes several heavy firearms while doing it. Some of the shots had her wearing a black wool serape while under the lights. I told her I'd buy her the biggest margarita she wanted after we were done, and she smiled and said that wasn't necessary. "This is what I do," she said, a consummate professional all the way.

We took almost four hundred photographs. I brought along two books on spaghetti westerns which featured many shots from various films and copies of vintage movie posters. We used a lot of these for certain poses and ideas. A personal favorite was a take on a Spanish poster for "For a Few Dollars More" in which Nicole is crouched and stepping on my outstretched arm and picking up my dropped revolver.

We did shots with and without witch hat, with and without gloves, and with and without serape. We did shots of her standing, crouching, and sitting (on an old wooden beer box). We did shots of her with one revolver, two revolvers, and three revolvers. We did shots of her with rifle, knife, bullwhip, and multiple handguns. It was a great time.



The whole session was video taped, and Nicole plans to put segments from it on YouTube and Myspace. We have many great shots that could be used for several covers, and enough for at least one pin-up book. Paul will have enough photo reference material to last him several issues. I plan on posting some of the photos after we get the new laptop PC.

In other Pickle Press news, Bill Messner-Loebs may have his artwork for "665 Mystery Road" finished by the time the Mid-Ohio-Con gets here. I've also sent in my table fee for that show, and Paul Schultz plans on being in attendance. I have a couple things I'd like to have published for the show, but I'll hold those details back for now in case they don't pan out by the time November 24th gets here. However, I will say that Nicole hopes to be at the show in costume, so that should be enough to get you to Columbus that weekend.

I plan on sending in my table fee for the Phoenix show soon. I'd like to have "Ninja Nympho Roommate" printed by then, as that show has a big manga-loving crowd and I think the book would sell like hotcakes there. Joe should have the inks done in a couple months, if all goes well.
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My special thanks to Bruce Gates and Richard's video (Web site coming soon) for making the shoot a smashing success!

Nicole McClain's Music of the Moment: Hide and Seek by Imogen Heap