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.
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 updated us on his work: Batman #131, the first issue of his new arc called Batman is Fucked (at least that's what he wanted to call it), and Stillwater #17, the penultimate issue of the series, are both out this week!
He also reminded us that his series Newburn, Daredevil, Devil's Reign, and Public Domain, especially Public Domain, are among the best of the year 2022.|
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 republished an 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 and more with a creator. The guest was Tini Howard, writer of Catwoman, Excalibur, and a Substack series called Phenomenocity. The episode was previously live-streamed, but it is now in podcast form.
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 taught his bi-monthly Master Class #4: Character, exclusively for paid subscribers. It covered how to craft compelling characters and voices, how to write interesting and relatable characters, and more.
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 promoted Blacula: Return of the King. It comes out on January 31st!
Also, Nita Hawes’ Nightmare Blog #11 is out! And soon from Rodney: Nita Hawes’ Nightmare Blog #12, Killadelphia #27, and Monarch #1! This new series premieres in February.
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 answered the following questions from subscribers:
"What were some of my favorite moments from the past year?"
"What were some of your favorite horror movies of 2022?"
I recommend reading Scott's answer 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.
LATINX PRESS
Henry Barajas is an Latinx writer working on Beyondtopia Legends (FairSquare Comics), La Voz De M.A.Y.O. Tata Rambo (Top Cow Productions), Helm Greycastle (Image Comics), Gil Thorp (Tribune Content Agency), among others.
Henry is on Substack! Check his page! This week he recapped his year’s highlights, including the time he got to write Batman! He also mentioned what’s next for him. It’s fantastic to see more Latinx creators on this platform.
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, Joshua Williamson's Super Scary Newsletter, Fábio Moon's Fábio's Moon Base, Jonathan Hickman's, Mike del Mundo's and Mike Huddleston's 3 Worlds/ 3 Moons, and Ryan Stegman's and Donny Cates' KLC Press for more content published this week!
The Comic Book Substack Recap #4
Thanks for doing this. It really is hard to keep up. I'm interested, too,
in which comics substacks pulled back after the first year, either in terms of content or in eliminating paid tiers (I'm thinking of Jeff Lemire and Saladin Ahmed but I'm sure there are others). Do you know if anyone has written about why some creators seem to have given up or at least pared back on substack?