Hey there.
Hope your week is going well. I got some good news yesterday, figured out the title for my next project, had a really nice dinner in the park, and had a stress nightmare that a publisher cancelled two projects of mine because I “wasn’t friends with Patricia, Rosanna, and David Arquette.” Kinda mixed bag so far this week I guess.
And for those wondering, publishers don’t usually make you befriend celebrities in order to publish your work. But it doesn’t hurt. So if anyone has those contacts I’d appreciate it.
Also, I said last week that I was going to do a breakdown of creating a certain scene from WE’RE TAKING EVERYONE DOWN WITH US #5 this week. I just dropped it in here and it was flagged as being way too long. So I guess I’ll send it as a separate email later in the week. Oops.
You know the deal. New week. New books you should be reading.
POWERS 25 #1 - Full disclosure. Powers might arguably be my favorite comic of all time. It might the book that made me want to make comics. So when
and Michael Avon Oeming brought it back I was beyond ecstatic at first. And then I started to get nervous. “What if it can’t live up to the original?” “What if they’ve lost a step?” “What if it taints the legacy?” Well guess what, sucker? It can. They didn’t. It doesn’t. Every bit as vital, brilliant, and fun as the original, if you’ve never read this police procedural-cum-superhero comic now is the best time to start. Don’t miss this book.C.O.R.T. #1 - Tom Taylor and Daniele Di Nicuolo bring you Children of the Round Table, a new all ages adventure about a group of kids who are chosen to wield magic to defend the realm. But here’s the twist- the realm is now. This is super fun and really gorgeous. It’s cool to see DC making stuff like this and they couldn’t have picked a better creative team. Buy yourself a copy and buy a dozen more to give out this halloween.
THE ROCKETFELLERS tpb - The first volume of Peter Tomasi and Francis Manapul’s entry into the Ghost Machine universe is finally out. Following a family sent back centuries in time to right now, this isn’t your typical people out of time story. Gorgeous art and a clever story that does things you don’t expect. And like all Ghost Machine books, it just feels like a ton of love and care went into making a really quality book.
ROGUE TROOPER: THE COMPLETE COLLECTION vol. 1 tpb - Do I already own all these stories? Yes. Am I going to buy this nice, upgraded version? Also yes. 2000 AD’s lesser known (but arguably better) little brother to Judge Dredd takes center stage. Gerry Finley-Day and Dave Gibbons practically created thefuturistic, apocalyptic war story genre and they perfected it when they did. And then some guy named Alan Moore comes in and just crushes it. Keep your eyes out for that kid. He’s good. And get this book.
SPECTATORS hardcover - I hope you already read
and ’s brilliant SPECTATORS when they made it on their substack.
If you did I don’t really have to tell you what this is. But if you did I am sure you are as in love with it as I am so you’re going to buy this gorgeous hardcover collection. If you didn’t, well you’re in for a treat. A futuristic erotic ghost story that isn’t like the other futuristic erotic ghost stories you usually read. Full of Brian’s trademark sharp wit, biting commentary, beautiful characters, and stunning twists, all beautifully realized by Niko’s stunning art, this is your new favorite comic. No point in resisting.
My buddies in Freezing Cold have a new record out and it’s really, really good “walk around by yourself for a while” music. Somber, thoughtful music you just need to take your mind of stuff can be such a blessing. This whole album feels like fall in New York to me.
I could tell you Freezing Cold features members of awesome bands like Bridge & Tunnel, Little Lungs, and Sleater-Kinney but you were going to listen to it anyway, right?
Well, that’s it for me.
Stay safe. Take care of each other. Seriously would love to hang out with Patricia Arquette if you can make that happen.
Thanks for the very kind words, pal!
When do we get to hear more about your next project?? I hope it’s 4 Kids Walk into a Bank 2: this time it’s personal. Also i’m super excited to read Powers 25. Read the pitch for it that Bendis sent to Dark Horse so now i’m even more hyped