Are you interested in the work of many creators who migrated to Substack during the past couple of years but felt overwhelmed by the number of emails you are getting all week? So was I! But I got you, my friend.
Starting today, I'll bring you a weekly summary of everything happening on Substack so you don't miss any important announcements. I'll limit my comments to the free stuff, so I won't spoil any surprises the creators prepare for their paid subscribers.
Stay up to date with me!
IT'S CHIP ZDARSKY'S NEWSLETTER, OKAY?
Chip Zdarsky is an Award-winning writer/artist working on Batman (DC Comics), Daredevil (Marvel Comics), and Public Domain (Image Comics), among others.
This week Chip wrote an interesting piece about his favorite Marvel variants, following last week’s article where he explained what variants are (including incentive variants), their purpose, and how they work for creators, retailers, and readers. I recommend checking this out and sending it to your friends and family who may wonder why there are thirty covers for a book if the content is the same.
Also, Stillwater #16 is out! It is a series about a town whose inhabitants can’t die.
Finally, Chip promoted the Public Domain Vol. 1 trade that is coming in January by sharing a FREE copy of Public Domain #1! If you are interested in the comic book industry, the movie industry, and superhero movies and want to learn the behind-the-scenes in a fun way following the compelling story of a comic creator, you should check this one out.
Oh, and if you want to read my review of Public Domain Issue #1, click here. Sorry for the shameless plug.
ASHCAN PRESS COMICS CORPORATION
Matthew Rosenberg is a writer working on What’s the Furthest Place from Here? (Image Comics), The Joker (DC Comics), and WildC.A.T.s (DC Comics), among others.
This week Matt published a new episode of his podcast Ideas Don’t Bleed, where he and co-hosts Griffin Sheridan and Ethan S. Parker (who also work at KLC Press) talk about comics with a creator. This week’s guest was Kyle Higgins, writer of the acclaimed superhero series Radiant Black.
JINXWORLD
Brian Michael Bendis is an Award-winning writer and co-creator of well-known Marvel Comics characters such as Miles Morales and Riri Williams (Ironheart). He is working on The Ones (Dark Horse Comics) and Phenomena (Abram Books), among others.
This week Brian published a new episode of CREATION, which he describes as:
“[…] an in-depth look at the mysterious, messy art of creation through exclusive behind-the-scenes looks into how many of your favorite characters and storylines from Marvel, DC, and our creator-owned Jinxworld endeavors came to be!”
Although it is only available for paid subscribers, free subscribers get a preview. This chapter is about the creation of Riri Williams and working with legendary artist Mike Deodato Jr. (co-creator of this character).
DARK APOCRYPHA PRESENTS
Rodney Barnes is a screenwriter, producer, and writer currently working on Killadelphia and Nita Hawes' Nightmare Blog (Image Comics) and Star Wars: The Mandalorian (Marvel Comics), among others.
This week Rodney reminded us to pre-order Blacula: Return of the King by the same creative team of Eisner Award-nominated Killadelphia (a series that mixes historical fiction and vampires). The book will release on January 2023; if you want to read more about this project, click here.
Last week, Rodney released Issue #2 of The Butcher of Black Bottom for paid subscribers. And Issue #1 is available to read for free! You can learn more about this project here.
He also mentioned his new Image Comics series, Monarch, which will come out in February, and sent some great preview pages. He says this series was inspired by Attack the Block and War of the Worlds.
Finally, Killadelphia #25 is out!
EXPLODING GIRAFFE
Brian K. Vaughan is an Award-Winning writer and co-creator of Y The Last Man (Vertigo), Saga and Paper Girls (Image Comics), and much more. He is working on Spectators on his Substack page, among others.
This week, as every Monday, Brian published new pages (pages 109 and 110) for his comic Spectators, which he describes as an "epic horror/sci-fi/romance/western/whatever story." If you want to catch up on the first 100 pages of this 300+ page graphic novel, check it out here. Remember, it is NSFW!
OUR BEST JACKETT
Scott Snyder is an Award-Winning writer working on Nocterra (Image Comics), Canary, Barnstormers, Dudley Datson, and the Forever Machine, and Book of Evil (Comixology Originals/Dark Horse Comics), among others.
This week Scott started his new series, Two Questions Tuesday, where he answered the following question from subscribers:
"At what point in your writing career did you incorporate or form an LLC? Is that a question best answerable by an entertainment attorney?"
"Do you ever have to take a few days off from writing to regroup from how much you've been doing?"
I recommend reading Scott's answers as he has a vast understanding of the industry and his craft, which is logical because he's been at the top of it for many years. Plus, he is a natural teacher, so he explains everything in simple terms for everyone to understand.
Also, Nocterra: Val Special is out next week!
That's all for this week! At least, that is all I can cover. There is much more happening that I will continue to include for the following weeks' recaps. You can check out Grant Morrison's Xanaduum, Scottie Young's Stupid Fresh Mess, Jeff Lemire's Tales from the Farm, Joshua Williamson's Super Scary Newsletter, and Ryan Stegman's and Donny Cates' KLC Press for more content published this week!
Also, let me know if you liked this format! It is a great way to stay up to date with all happening in Substack for the busier comic book fans.