Thwip! Some Spider-News to close out 2023
Oh, hello there!
I told myself that this week’s newsletter would be the last of 2023, but then some news broke yesterday and I felt compelled to share it. So, here we are! Hello! Let’s swing right to it…see what I did there? Sorry. I’m a dad. Dad jokes are required.
Yesterday, Disney Books announced Spider-Man: Stories from the Spider-Verse, an anthology of prose adventures featuring your favorite Spider-heroes - and the perfect gift for Spider-Verse fans! I was lucky enough to get the chance to write another Miguel O’Hara/Spider-Man 2099 adventure and help coordinate the overall plot that ties the stories together - which was a blast! And if you enjoyed Araña/Spider-Man 2099: Dark Tomorrow, there are plenty of nods to that. Be sure to preorder before it hits in the summer! The lineup of contributors is truly epic, including pals like Preeti Chhibber, Steve Foxe, David Betancourt, and superstars Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé, Frederick Joseph, Jessica Kim, Ronald L. Smith, Tui T. Sutherland, and Caroline Yoachim, with that jaw-dropping cover art by Jahnoy Lindsay!
And in more Spider-news, I’ve got a short story in Web of Spider-Man #1, illustrated by the legendary Salvador Larroca! Not only that, but our Edge of Spider-Verse tale will ride along with stories by superstars like Zeb Wells, Cody Ziglar, Steve Foxe, Greg Weisman, John Romita Jr., Ed McGuinness, Greg Land, and more! And hey, how cool is that Greg Capullo cover?!
I can’t say much about my story and what it leads to, but…it’s gonna be cool! Stay tuned for more.
LINKS
Well, even over just a few days, I’ve collected some fun links to share - so here goes!
I really enjoyed this piece about Neal Adams, Jim Aparo, and the Phantom Stranger.
Pal Sara Century reminded me of this fantastic memoir/essay about her experience with the X-Men. Worth a read if you haven’t check it out yet!
Friend and author Ausma Zehanat Khan on creating her Palestinian detective, and the fraught times we live in. Purchase Blood Betrayal here.
Another fun CrimeReads piece - this time spotlighting Alexis Soloski, who wrote the delectable, complex, and funny noir Here in the Dark - give it a read if you haven’t yet!
HOUSEKEEPING
I should also note that recent comments from Substack’s leadership about their stance on the proliferation of Nazis on the platform have really given me pause about continuing to post here. I’m going to take the holiday break to mull it over, and I’m also looking at other platforms like Ghost or Buttondown (suggestions are welcome!). Haven’t decided anything, but I’d be remiss if I didn’t say something.
Anyway!
That’s all for now! Wishing you and yours a pleasant and relaxing holiday. Be kind to each other and be mindful that the holidays can be a really tough time for many! Thanks for your support and friendship.
See you in 2024!
Take care,
Alex