Hello from Eastern Iowa, land of excessive campaign advertising and oppressive humidity. If you do not live in the Midwest, pray you never learn the horrors of corn sweat. As we move toward another school year — my last as a parent dealing with the primary education system — I’m also starting the rollout for the next stage of Pulp Empire.
The first step is obviously Pulp Empire Presents PARAGON #1. If you haven’t got your copy yet, the announcement post has links to buy a copy or to get a PDF of it for free — if you’re a subscriber to this newsletter!
That release marks the first in a salvo of new fiction and nonfiction mixed with a dose of reprints. The goal is to start a full salvo of new material exclusive to the zine. The Dragonslayers and Write to the Cover are the first such features, while the second issue will bring the debut of Witchblood and an exclusive Marvel Moment feature.
Starting this week, new updates will run on the off weeks for the Pulp Empire Post. This kicks off next week with the aforementioned wrap-up of the two limited series that we covered in past Midweek Marvels: Wolfpack and Havok & Wolverine: Meltdown. (We’ll finish out Wolfpack first before we move on to Meltdown.)
I still have a few other plans in the works to roll out as summer turns to autumn, including the long-awaited return of DC: A New Dawn.
The next Pulp Empire Post will serve as “back matter” for PARAGON #1. Before we get there, I wanted to talk a bit more about this new zine’s importance on a personal level.
Ever since I first started writing superhero fiction decades ago, I have imagined a world where I could present monthly adventures of my characters, not unlike the regular release schedule of comic books. I experimented with digital distribution, with little luck in finding traction. But even as I did so, it didn’t feel real. I didn’t want to release digital chapters. I wanted to produce something physical, an item that I could put in anyone’s hand and say, “read this.”
When I started to experiment with zine-making early in the year, it felt right. While I’m assembling the content on my computer, it just hits differently as I fold each individual page. Working with my hands to put together each issue of a zine connects me to the joy I saw in producing art as a child. It’s a strange elation whenever I hear the “chunk” of my long-handled stapler*.
It’s a feeling that I want to shine through for everyone who gets a copy of PARAGON.
If you can, please share a link to PARAGON on your socials. Better yet, tell a friend in person about this cool new zine. Help me reach out and share these stories with the world.
Currently reading: Spectators* by Brian K. Vaughan and Niko Henrichon.
Currently playing: Octopath Traveler II*.
Currently listening: Tell My Therapist I’m Fine* by Bishop Briggs.
Currently watching: About to start Lanterns episode 1.
See me in two weeks.
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