If this is a consular ship where is the ambassador?
Chapter 40: Year old version.
We’re talking too much!
Buy some original art!
WTFPFH? #7 Preview!
Stuff worth supporting! - Help a beloved comic shop!
The mixtape! - Holding out hope for the Creedence.
40th Newsletter. Wow. That feels like way too many.
So this is the part where I tell you all the exciting stuff that’s been going on since last we spoke…
I had some Thai food. Actually I had some Indonesian food, but it comes from a self proclaimed Thai restaurant. Umm… I went for a couple of walks. I… Look, I don’t do that much in your average week, okay? I talked to some folks on the phone, wrote a lot, answered too many and somehow not enough emails.
Oh, I watched The Deer Hunter because I wanted to feel like utter shit for a night. I don’t think I’d seen it since I was in high school. Turns out still a huge bummer. Also still brilliant. Hard to argue with any movie that’s going to give you Robert DeNiro, Merryl Streep, and Christopher Walken, all with something to prove. But I am once again reminded that John Cazale might have been the greatest actor of a generation. He brings so much weight to The Deer Hunter without having to go toe to toe with the other actors, just this quiet desperation that you can’t take your eyes off of. If you’re not familiar with his work you really should be. He was only in 5 movies before his passing, and they are 5 of the best movies ever made. The Godfather. The Godfather part II. The Deer Hunter. The Conversation. And Dog Day Afternoon. It’s hard to imagine another actor ever coming close to as short and powerful career as this. obviously James Dean comes to mind, but a very different kind of actor. Anyway, Cazale is just a beautiful talent gone from this world way too soon.
The other thing that struck me about The Deer Hunter besides the performances and the overwhelming wall of depression it creates, was the timing. The movie was released in 1978, just 3 years after the end of U.S. involvement in Vietnam. Between The Deer Hunter and Apocalypse Now that is a remarkably short amount of time to begin to reflect on the festering national wound that was the war and its aftermath. Obviously the scale of the war and the disastrous nature changed the dialogue around it, as did the draft, but I can’t imagine major films having these kinds of stark conversations that quickly around the conflicts in Afghanistan or Iraq now. I guess in reality they would have already happened. Some of that has to do with the death of an illusion. The generation that fought in World War II faced unspeakable horrors but it entered the American consciousness as glorious and heroic. That changed for Vietnam for a lot of reasons that this newsletter isn’t really built for discussing. But there is more to it than that.
What’s interesting to me is the amount of media produced these days, the amount of money put into it, and the speed with which it can be put out, is all staggering compared to the 1970’s. So why does it sometimes feel like we have so many more voices shouting but saying so much less? That’s not true across the board, of course. We have a much greater representation of diverse voices telling their stories, which is exciting and wonderful. It just feels the multitude of options has led to a fracturing of the idea of a ‘national dialogue.’ I don’t lament having less choices in art or less voices making the art. I just wonder what it would take to get current, topical art back on the national stage.
I think I’m going to watch all the Fast & Furious movies next.
In other news we got a lot of feedback about WTFPFH? #6. I think a lot of folks were holding off comment to see if we hit the landing on the first arc. And, according to a really overwhelming number of you, we did. I was really blown away by the number of messages about this issue and I can’t thank those of you who have stuck with us enough. All I can say is that the next year of the book is a wild ride where Tyler and I are pushing ourselves to be bigger, better, smarter, and weirder storytellers than we ever have before and we hope if you’ve come with us this far you’ll keep going.
I like to give you people the heads up on cool stuff that relates to me. So if any of you are original art collectors (or thinking about it) the incredibly talented Ethan Young is selling the original cover art for his variant of WHAT’S THE FURTHEST PLACE FROM HERE? #7. It’s such a fun, sinister piece and would be very upsetting hanging on the wall of your home. If you’re interested message him on the twitter and maybe you could have a very upsetting home.
Speaking of, I thought I’d show you a fun preview of Issue #7. This one is a little different. While Tyler begins work on the next big arc of the book, we’re having some guests come in and do flashback stories that explain a little more about our world and characters. The first issue is by the mighty Josh Hixson, who really kicked our script’s ass and made something truly creepy but also fun and kind of beautiful. You can see for yourself though-
I’m sure it’s going to turn out great. If you like what you see here check out some of Josh’s other awesome books like SHANGHAI RED, THE PLOT, or CHILDREN OF THE WOODS.
WHAT’S THE FURTHEST PLACE FROM HERE #7 is in comics shops 6/29, the same day as volume 1. If you want to read it please let your local comic shop know today or tomorrow so they can order it for you.
Speaking of comic shops, I had some sad news recently. Bear with me for this.
When I was first starting out in this business I spent a lot of time tagging along with my good buddy Frank Barbiere. His career was just taking off with his excellent series FIVE GHOSTS becoming a hit at Image. I was always down for a road trip, so while he was having to travel a lot to promote the book, I would hop in his car to dj and tell him all the grossest places to eat. I believe the first issue of my horror/crime/rap comic TWELVE REASONS TO DIE had just come out when he told me he was signing at a comic shop in Delaware, awesomely named The Comic Book Shop!, and asked if I wanted to come. I of course said yes. Frank let them know I was going to come along and they said they were happy to have me sign too, which was a surprising twist.
I had never done a store signing before and had no idea what to expect. What I got was the most enthusiastic, generous, and kind welcome from owners Titus and Sarah. They made it feel like old friends inviting me into their home, and for a timid and shy new comic creator that meant so much. Their staff and customers carried that same energy and spirit, and it’s something I will never forget. It was clear Titus and Sarah had built something special. Their support of me and my work over the years never wavered, and I tried my best to return that back to them when I could.Â
Tragically Titus passed away very recently. It’s a tremendous loss for his family, friends, and for the comic community as a whole. In order to keep the store going and carry on Titus’s legacy, they need the support of the community. There are a couple ways you can do that, no matter where you are.Â
Click here to support the GoFundMe that was setup to help cover store operations. Anything you can spare would be appreciated.
Or simply buy some books. If you’re in the Delaware area stop in and grab some books. And if you’re not you can mailorder books from their site.
Rest in peace Titus. Thanks so much for making an awkward young writer feel welcome.
Listening to this this week for obvious reasons.
Stay safe. Take care of each other. Watch more sad movies.
-Matthew Rosenberg
NYC 6/5/22
completely loved wtfpfh arc one - the vibe is just immaculate and one this that really stands out as unique is the lettering. it's such a big story with so much to love and i'm really looking forward to more :))))
(also if there's the chance for a letters column in the back pages i'd totally support that - got the feeling that all us readers of this mag are equally bizarre and that would make for an interesting community)