Thank you for making 2023 worth it
...and what's next!
Normally, I look back with regret.
I still do.
But this year is different.
I started this Substack because I didn’t have enough money to pay my rent. I didn’t know what to do. But the first thing I thought of was giving up on comics. There’s a saying in the industry:
Comics will break your heart.
It’s true. I’ve been in this game for a long time. My resume is tailored for a comics career. Did I mess up? What have I done?
But then you all came through and reminded me that I have a seat at the table—and I shouldn’t give up that easily. I want to thank you from the bottom of my defected heart.
This year went by fast. I had high hopes. I think I have written more comics this year than ever. But it never feels enough. Let’s take a look back at this horrible year for reasons not listed below, shall we?
J Gonzo and I wrote an op-ed comic for the L.A. Times in April. Click here or here to read it.
Beyondtopia: Legends debuted thanks to FairSquare Comics. We published two single issues and a TPB. You can buy these from me or your local comic shop!
Ticked off a bucket list item with the Teenaged Mutant Ninja Turtles thanks to my friend Jonathan Manning and some of the folks at IDW. Again, you can get a signed copy of my TMNT one-shot from my shop.
Creepshow Vol. 1 TP was nominated for an Eisner award for best anthology but lost to The Nib. I couldn’t be happier to lose to a better collection of stories. That makes me 0-2 in the Eisner anthology category.
Last but not least, I got to work with Salomée Luce-Antoinette on a short story for Ahoy Comics’ PROJECT: CRYPTID. It was a dream come true to work with Sarah Litt—and share a cover credit with my friends Liana Kangas & Jazzlyn Stone.
There were so many other personal wins and losses. But I went to a couple of cons this year, so here are some of my selfies with friends saw along the way.
But what’s next? There’s another project that took a lion’s share of my 2023, but I should be able to talk about it at the start of 2024. It’s honestly my best work. But I am currently working on what I think is my best work. I can’t wait to tell you more.
Tell me about your year! Share in the comments!