Big news, Western New Yorkers! On November 20th, I’ll be at the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) for two events! Here’s the flyer:

First, I’ll be doing an artist’s talk on stage, where I’ll tell the audience what I do at my desk all day, answer questions, and try not to stammer. My lifelong LCS, Wonderland Comics, will have a table where you can buy books that I’ve lettered!

After that, I’m hosting a lettering workshop, for both students and cartoonists in the general public! Here’s a link to the sign-up form. I selected five pages from five different books I’ve worked on, each presenting a different challenge you may encounter in the field. Stuff like rendering sound effects, telepathy, or keeping word balloons in the right speaking order when the characters aren’t drawn that way. It’s designed not just to show what lettering professionally is like, but to learn how to give your own work some extra polish. I promise to be fair and encouraging in my critiques, which are in-person only. Join today!

One other work thing to discuss/announce! I mentioned it in last month’s newsletter, but Marvel’s Mastering the Art of Comics by Alex Segura came out last month. I didn’t really know what was in it, but I just got a comp copy in the mail, so now I can talk about it without making things up. It’s a very impressive publication. It cherry-picks from every era of Marvel’s vast history to provide the best advice for making a dynamic comic—especially story and character. A lot of industry greats are interviewed, including friends Kieron and Soto. I’m in there too, gabbing about lettering—how it works, who I admire, how it’s changed over the years, how annoying late books are, and other things. I’m sure I’ll repeat most of what I said in there at my RIT talk, so, uh, if you’re attending that thing, wait to read my interview until after the 20th.

One of these days, I should make a list of essential comic-making books. I should have made one for all those workshop students. Oh well. I was busy. Both of the cats were constipated, for completely different reasons.

Charity Auctions: Star Trek: The Last Starship

I’m auctioning off all twelve issues of Star Trek: The Last Starship in two batches—one for A-covers, one for B-covers! TLS is something special. TrekMovie named issue #1 the Best Individual Star Trek comic of 2025, and ComicBook.com named it the second best anything comic in 2025. All the money will go directly to Trans Continental Pipeline, as will the profits from anything else in my store that’s purchased alongside them. Both auctions end on the 5th—bid strong!

Sound Effect of the Month

Community

• My good friend Carole Sconfitto recently had her car totaled in a hit-and-run, and because the other car was stolen, her insurance won’t cover any of it. Why that’s legal is beyond me. If you’re able, consider giving to her GoFundMe. Better yet, buy some of her art! She was the best artist in my high school graduating class. Way better than me.

• Later this month, Essential Sequential is releasing a collection of Adam Hughes’ Marvel Cover Art via Kickstarter! I’ve wanted one of these for a long time.

• Goats Flying Press has a Kickstarter going, and this one looks like a lot of fun, as is their way. Give Sir Reginald & the Clockwork Heart a look! Featuring stories drawn by noted critical darlings Juni Ba, Jesse Lonergan, and more! I should be in sales.

• Jim Zub was on X-Men Horoscopes! As always, the comic review is a delight, but the opening interview about Jim’s career and his role as an industry guru is an excellent listen.

• Aditya revealed the horrible truth about penguins.

Recommendations

Comic: The Fourth Father. Once in a while, a graphic novel will come along that is so well made, so perfectly executed, that all you can do after you read it is to rest it on your lap and stare into the middle distance. Enter, The Fourth Father, the Kickstarter-funded OGN by Matteo Scalera (with my man Rus Wooton on letters). I won’t give too much away (I want you to read this thing), but if you need more than just fine craft to read something, then it also has vengeance, a washed-up Golden Age super hero, and dysfunctional family dynamics. There, I sold it to you. I should be in sales.

Non-comic: What Went Wrong. And you thought making comics was hard! What Went Wrong is an exceptionally well-researched podcast about famous films and the obstacles they faced throughout production. Listen and learn about the neurotic casting process for Howard the Duck, the professional witch putting a curse on Practical Magic, or Kevin Costner being tied to a mast during a 30-minute squall while filming Waterword. But be forewarned—each episode begins with the hosts sharing their candid opinions about the featured film. They aren’t always kind, especially toward cult classics. Heaven help these poor souls if they ever do Serenity.

Stuff with my name in it (November 2026)

11/04:

• Batman #15

• The Demon #2

• DNX #4

• Start Here: Mister Miracle #1

• Start Here: Wonder Woman #1

• Uncanny X-Men #38

11/11:

• Batman and Robin: Year One - Dynamic Duos #4

• X-Men #41

11/18:

• DNX #5

• Venom vol. 1: Behind the Masque TP

• Wonder Woman #39

• Wonder Woman vol. 5: The Wonder War Act 1 TP

• X-Men: Incursions #1

11/25:

• The Amazing Venom #3

• Batman 2026 Annual #1

• Predator vs. Planet of the Apes #5

• Uncanny X-Men #39

• Venom #2

And, finally, the cat photo:

Also, if you haven’t already, be sure to vote in the midterms, my fellow Americans. If you’re feeling anxious about shenanigans, you can check your registration here.

Got a question you’d like me to answer in a future newsletter? Ask away in the comments section!