What are we going to do?
Chapter 29: The end of the year!
It’s the end! (of the year!)
Some things I made that I thought were cool this year! Part I
Some end of the year songs I always listen to!
Well we made it. It was touch and go there for a bit, but here we are. I’m not big on New Years because I don’t like parties or calendars that much, but in times like this it feels right to acknowledge that we all survived and thank all of you who made doing that a little easier for other people. I’m hoping, if nothing else, 2022 is a year for looking out for each other a bit more. Because if we don’t we know what happens.
If you’re on the comics internet a lot you see a lot of comic pros put together neat little collages of all the books they put out at the end of the year. I lack the necessary gluestick skills to do that but I did want to take a bit to acknowledge the amazing artists I worked with this year. This year may have had more highlights and dream collaborators than any other year of my career, so I feel very lucky. A huge heartfelt thanks to all of the amazing people I got to work with. And special thanks to Eric, Jeff, and all at Image, Marie, Ben, Paul, Katie, Dave, Liz, and all the great folks at DC, Jake, Shannon, and all at Marvel, and Matt and all at Black Mask.
Here is a rundown of some of the cool projects I got to make this year.
FUTURE STATE: DARK DETECTIVE #1 begins my year and my time with Grifter. It’s time to put on your mask.
THUNDERBOLTS #1 has the Kingpin bring together an all new team who are very excited about the rich history of the Thunderbolts.
FUTURE STATE: DARK DETECTIVE #3. The 2nd part of my first Grifter story. Carmine Di Giandomenico is never afraid to go big.
THUNDERBOLTS #2 establishes in continuity Batroc’s obsession with Wonder Man. Juan Ferreyra is by far one of my favorite artists I’ve ever worked with. He made every page sing, all while making fun of me in emails.
THUNDERBOLTS #3. I wrote it that Batroc says WEEKEND AT BERNIES 2 is “a little racist” but that didn’t make it by legal. Which is weird. Because it is.
BATMAN URBAN LEGENDS #1. I got to continue the classy adventures of Grifter in this excellent Gotham City anthology. Ryan Benjamin drew some classic Grifter stuff for Wildstorm back in the day and he’s only gotten better since then.
BATMAN URBAN LEGENDS #2. Its fun introducing Grifter the the DC universe.
BATMAN URBAN LEGENDS #3. This series got me the chance to cross off a major bucket list character to write. Guess who.
BATMAN URBAN LEGENDS #4. This issue got 2 more off my bucket list- Zealot and Superman!
PART II next week.
Since it’s the end of the year, I figure it’s only appropriate to play some end of the year songs. Maybe not the best party jams, but this is what I always listen to.
“We're always talking, but nothing ever changes. It's the end of the fucked up year. There's another one coming.”
- EMBRACE - End Of A Year
”You don't have to worry. All your worried days are gone. This will be our year. Took a long time to come.”
-THE ZOMBIES - This Will Be Our Year
“Go into the kitchen, stand in front of the kitchen window. And I take all my clothes off, take that bottle of champagne and I pour it on my head. Feel it cascade through my hair and across my chest, and the phone rings and it's my mother. And she says "Hi honey, how's Boston?"And I stand there, all alone on New Year's Eve, buck naked, drenched in champagne, looking at a bunch of strangers. Uh, looking at them, looking at me, looking at them, and I say "Oh, I'm fine Mom, how's Washington?"
-THE DISMEMBERMENT PLAN - Ice of Boston
“All is quiet on New Year's Day. A world in white gets underway. I want to be with you, be with you, night and day. Nothing changes on New Year's Day.”
-U2 - New Year’s Day
“This year, I'll try not to think too much. This year, I'll try to stand up for myself. This year, I'll live like I've never lived before. This is my year, for sure.”
-THE LAWRENCE ARMS - 100 Resolutions
“Feel no shame for what you are. Feel no shame for what you are. Feel no shame for what you are. Feel no shame for what you were. As the marrow in your bones fall in light.’
-JEFF BUCKLEY - New Year’s Prayer
“I am gonna make it through this year if it kills me. I am gonna make it through this year if it kills me.”
-THE MOUNTAIN GOATS - This Year
Stay safe. Take care of each other. Happy New Year.
-Matthew Rosenberg
NYC 12/31/21
Wow, I can't believe that T-Bolts mini was this year. Feels like forever ago. It was great! I really appreciate the subtle humor in your books (see also mini-quiches). Happy new year!