Hello,
San Diego Comic-Con was great, work and life were busy when I got back, and then FanExpo Boston happened.
While each show deserves its own write-up, I’m going to share one big write-up because the story of each show is similar.
Also, we are locked and loaded for Universal Champion #1’s launch on Tuesday, September 1!
I’ll give you the big behind-the-scenes rundown next time. For now, here’s what I’m excited about:
Another story where Fernando Pinto on art and Justin Birch on letters elevate the whole damn thing.
New friend and colorist JP Jordan being an absolute pro and sweetheart, and having KILLER chemistry with Fernando’s art.
Starting strong with two amazing variant covers from superstar Marguerite Sauvage and Marvel artist and returning collaborator Federica Mancin (with JP on colors). Look at these beauties!
Universal Champion has a Galaxy Quest meets The Wrestler vibe. It’s about something I love (pro wrestling) and something I hate (imposter syndrome), in a medium I adore (COMICS, BABY!)
I hope you’ll join us on our big, sci-fi adventure that has a soft, gooey center to it.
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In the last newsletter, I said my goal for San Diego Comic-Con was to have five good conversations—and I had those five before the first day of the show was over.
I got to spend a nice chunk of time away from the convention talking with Fernando and Bob Quinn (co-creator and artist of the upcoming QUARTER LIFE comic), and they were perfect.
I LOVE talking to creators about creating—about our stuff, their passions, their thoughts in general. Bob and I hung out for about three hours one morning at breakfast, and it easily could have gone on longer.
And I got to spend real time with friends and creators I normally only see on Zoom or in the comments sections online. Clay Adams and Ryan Claytor jump to mind—where even if it was just a few minutes, I walked away feeling pretty damn good!
Over the past 12 years, I’ve walked away from Comic-Con feeling low, like I’m wasting my time. And I’ve walked away like an eight-year-old high on Pixie sticks, screaming, “We’re going to take over the world!”
This year, I walked in and out pretty even-keeled. A combination of these and other conversations, along with “state of the industry” panels had me feeling like I’m right where I need to be.
Look, there will ALWAYS be the desire for more: more readers, more returns, more validation. But I think maybe—maaaaaaybe—I’ve finally learned my lesson about focusing on what I can control and going from there.
Maybe I’ve finally figured out how to let those desires and dreams guide and fuel me without also being an anchor that drowns me when the dumb part of my brain kicks in.
And if San Diego was the setup, FanExpo Boston was the spike.
Because I’ve been doing the show since it was Boston Comic Con back in 2010—and my table at FanExpo has basically been in the same spot for almost 10 years—I’ve built up a nice fanbase at the show.
Knowing I’m going to get my yearly check-in with so many wonderful people over the weekend makes FanExpo a wonderful experience.
The entire weekend was filled with fantastic conversations that went all over the place: from playful to “business” oriented to surprisingly real and deep.
And I appreciated them all!
Looking back: San Diego told me I was doing okay business-wise, and FanExpo told me I was doing okay spiritually (overdramatic? Maybe…but for lack of a better word, that’s what we’re running with).
And how lucky am I to have both sides of this adventure supported and strengthened in such a short period of time!
If I try to boil these last few weeks down into something you and anyone can use, here’s what I’m thinking:
Nobody knows anything, so trust your gut and follow the path that feels right to you. We’re all just making it up as we go along, gathering the best info we have at the time. There’s no right or wrong way, just what’s right or wrong for you.
You never know who’s watching—I was surprised by the people who essentially said, “I should be doing what you’re doing.” There’s a chance that by you being you, I’ll inspire someone else to make the leap, which leads to…
Tell your story! Your voice deserves to be heard, and I promise, there are people who want to hear it. And the only way you get to meet and find those people is if you take the leap.
Tell people you dig their stuff! Again, we have NO IDEA what we’re doing. We’re taking a swing and hoping it connects with people. You have no idea how hearing someone say, “That thing you did, I dig it,” can empower a creator and help their shoulders drop a little bit.
So whether you’re making the thing or supporting the maker, use your voice! There’s only one of you out there, and you deserve to be heard.
####
Okay, not Henry. Please welcome my sister’s new dog, Sherman!
Look at that lil tongue!
Sherman joined the family a few months ago, and I finally got to meet him the other day. He’s a super-sweet boy who’s doing his best to adjust to a new family and surroundings.
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Packrat & Thunderbunny 1-3
Issue 3 of Packrat & Thunderbunny, an all-ages, humorous, action-packed, buddy superhero comic book.
Writers and creators John and Derek are just the latest in a long line of creators I’ve met over the year, where the conversation starts with, “We have an idea for a comic,” to “Look at the comic we made!”
And now they’re on their third issue!
Packrat & Thunderbunny is a humorous, all-ages, indie-created, action-packed, buddy superhero comic book. Think Superheroes meet Saturday morning Cartoons. Drawn in a bold, brightly-colored cartoony style, this comic is a kid-friendly, fun, and funny romp that pays tribute to the classic superhero comic book genre of heroes vs villains, coupled with the slapstick comedy often found in cartoons.
Self-Editing for Comic Book Writers
A practical guide for fixing the storytelling problems that keep good scripts from becoming great comics.
Writer and editor James Powell has one of the best newsletters out there, and now he’s put his decades of learning and teaching into one book!
The title says it all. Even if you aren’t creating comics, James’ insights cross all storytelling media. If you’re a comics creator, this is a must-have. And if you’re a creator of any kind, this book should be on your shelf.
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You’re going to get the full inside scoop on Universal Champion #1, the rewards, and the why.
Until then, make the thing, and love the things you love unapologetically!
And jump on board the Universal Champion #1 campaign:
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