And So It Begins...
I miss the good old days of Twitter (what a sentence) when you would tweet something and actually have a conversation with different people in the replies. Your post would reach your actual followers! What a concept!
These days social media brings with it more uncertainty than it should, especially for a platform like Twitter and the chaos that goes on in there. And it’s because it could implode at any moment, and scatter everyone to the four winds of social media, that I’ve created this little newsletter, a way to keep my followers up to date with what I’ve been up to, what projects are coming out soon, what other shenanigans I get myself into. I want to do so many different things, and even though I don’t really have the time and energy to do them, I’ll certainly keep on trying!
This will be a monthly newsletter since, at least for now, I don’t have that much stuff to announce. But I might have other things to share, such as books or comics that I’ve really enjoyed, thoughts on this and that, and hopefully some interesting content will come out of that? I’m also hoping I’ll be able to share some behind the scenes pictures and/or videos on comic book coloring, I just need to get permission from my editors and collaborators ;)
An interesting thing about Substack is that you can comment on these newsletter, so please feel free to send me your thoughts, or just say hi!
What’s On The Horizon
Comic Books
I’ve been assisting Msassyk (a wonderful, fantastic colorist. Hey Michele!) on this fantasy series named The Hunger and the Dusk, from IDW Publishing. It’s written by G. Willow Wilson, with art by Chris Wildgoose (and what beautiful art it is. Hey Chris! ;) ), and the first issue comes out this July!
In a dying world, only humans and orcs remain, mortal enemies battling for territory and political advantage. But when a group of fearsome ancient humanoids known as the Vangol arrive from across the sea, the two struggling civilizations are forced into a fragile alliance to protect what they have built.
As a gesture of his commitment to the cause, the most powerful orc overlord, Troth Icemane, sends his beloved cousin, Tara, a high-ranking young healer, to fight alongside brash human commander Callum Battlechild and his company of warriors. With a crisis looming, the success of this unlikely pair’s partnership and the survival of their peoples will depend on their ability to unlearn a lifetime of antagonistic instincts toward one another…and rise above the sting of heartbreak.
You can read more about the series here, add it to Goodreads, and buy it from your local comic book shop!
I’ve also colored this graphic novel, Mall Goth, which was a trip down memory lane, so nostalgic! It’s written and illustrated by Kate Leth, and it comes out in September 26, from Simon & Schuster.
Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up with Me gets a Y2K twist in this coming-of-age young adult graphic novel from acclaimed comic artist Kate Leth about a 2000s goth teen whose favorite part of her new town is the mall.
Liv Holme is not exactly thrilled to be moving to a new town with her mother. After all, high school can be brutal, even more so when you’re a fifteen-year-old, bisexual goth. But Liv is determined to be who she is, bullies or not. Still, being the new kid and the only out student brings her a lot of unwelcome attention, and Liv flounders in her search for community. The only person who makes time for her is one of teachers, but Liv isn’t sure how to feel about the way he behaves toward her.
Thankfully, she’s found the perfect escape: the mall. Under its fluorescent lights, Liv feels far away from her parents’ strained marriage and the peers who don’t understand her. Amid the bright storefronts, food court smell, and anonymous shoppers, Liv is safely one of the crowd and can enjoy the feeling of calling the shots in her own life for once.
With the help of her suburban refuge, Liv sets off on a journey of self-acceptance and learns to navigate the ups and downs of high school and to recognize true friendship.
I’m so excited for people to read this one! You can add it to Goodreads, and find all sorts of places to buy it here.
If you want to take a look at projects that have been out for a while, I have a nifty list on my website, with buy links for all of them.
Graphic and Layout Design
I’ve been working with Hunters Entertainment on a few of their projects, mainly doing layout design for their books, with some occasional graphic design and spot illustrations. They’ve posted some sneak peeks of how the Gods of Metal: Ragnarock book looks (below), and hopefully I’ll be able to share some previews of Kids on Bikes 2, and the Alice is Missing: Silent Falls expansion soon too!
What I’ve Been Reading
I’ve been in a huge reading slump for a while, so I haven’t been able to read much, or I focus mostly on comic books (which, hey, are pretty great). So I thought that a way to help with this would be audiobooks! I listen to a lot of stuff while I work, usually Critical Role, but I get through the episodes in a day or two, so why not try some books as well?
I’ve been catching up on the Star Wars The High Republic books this way (although it’s still taking me a while because sometimes you just need a good music playlist to get you pumped for work, you know?), but in the past couple of weeks I took a small break from Star Wars and I’m listening to A Long Way To A Small, Angry Planet, by Becky Chambers, narrated by Patricia Rodríguez. And I’m really liking it so far! It’s so much more character driven than what I’m used to, but the characters are all so fun and different, it’s like listening to what shenanigans a group of friends gets up to.
I really recommend it if you’re looking for something light and fun!
I’m catching up on my to-read list in terms of comics as well, and the latest one was Book Two of WYND, by James Tynion IV and Michael Dialynas. A book that starts out with a delightful and cozy tone, exploring themes of found family, and then takes a dark turn as the characters find themselves in danger and have to flee their homes. Another definite recommendation for fans of comics and fantasy!
I leave you with a pile of cats, the best gift of all. I definitely recommend you get one of these! Until next month!
