NYCC is a wrap!

Some Marvel and Dick Tracy news, pics, saying bye to "X", and what's coming next week

NYCC happened!

What a week!

New York Comic Con, the biggest and most sprawling show of the year, is over - and it was a blast. Honestly, yesterday a wash on work mostly because I’ve been buzzing from the show - the post-con crash is real, folks!

I think the big vibe or sense I got from the show, selfishly, was that the work was paying off. Few things can top the thrill of seeing a big chunk of your writing output spread out on a table for people to browse. It’s also hard to top seeing readers come by with their own copies of my work for me to sign, or to just say nice things about SECRET IDENTITY or whatever else resonated with them. It reminds me why I do this - aside from getting those ideas out of my head and on paper! So, huge thanks to all that came by this week - it was a great show. To quote the Beastie Boys’ “Root Down,” which I have been blasting every NYCC morning while walking toward the Javits: “Sometimes I feel as though I've been blessed/Because I'm doing what I want, so I never rest.”

Me with the best people.

I was also very happy to meet and talk to so many colleagues, collaborators, and friends - old and new - that camaraderie and support is hard to top, and as complicated and stressful as comics and publishing can be, it’s a balm to know you have people in your corner.

For me, cons are always a mental and emotional recharge, especially when you spend most of your time at home, toiling away. Huge thanks to tablemate/longtime friend/superstar writer and editor Greg Lockard for tolerating me in Artist Alley, and to beloved collaborator/friend Monica Gallagher for being the best neighbor we could hope for. Of course, none of it would’ve been possible without my local indie bookstore, Kew & Willow Books. They provided the stock and co-owner Holly and her team helped make sure everything went smoothly as Greg and I ran around to panels and meetings.

NEWS, NEWS, NEWS

This was really cool to see! From the Mad Cave NYCC panel on Sunday. Not listed - our amazing Creative Consultant, Chantelle Aimée Osman!

DICK TRACY, coming from me, co-writer Michael Moreci, artist Geraldo Borges, and creative consultant Chantelle Aimée Osman, was a big deal, it seemed like - I presented the new series, which hits in March, at the Lunar Distributors breakfast Thursday as part of the Mad Cave Studios segment and was also on the Mad Cave panel (and signing) on Sunday. The response from attendees was really nice to see. It feels like the take Michael, Geraldo, Chantelle, and I are crafting is what people have wanted from DT for a while - so, fingers crossed we stick the landing.

I think this is the first time I’ve ever had a project I’ve worked on as part of a booth, so seeing it was a thrill! Thanks to Mad Cave for the Dick Tracy love.

It was also neat to see that DT is not alone - fans got to get a sense of Mad Cave’s other upcoming licensed books, like FLASH GORDON by pal Jeremy Adams and esteemed artist TBD, and GATCHAMAN from the talented crew of friends, Steve Orlando, Tommy Lee Edwards, Chris Batista, not to mention the entire Mad Cave slate.

Look at these beautiful prints!

Thanks to everyone that came by the Mad Cave booth, the panel, or the breakfast to get a signed print - I snagged a few for myself, and they’re really beautiful. We’re all really excited to share more of our stylized, noir take on the classic detective. DICK TRACY #1 hits in March!

A candid photo! Credit: Comicon.com

I was also part of a ComiXology Originals press event on Friday that put the spotlight on recent books, including BLOOD OATH, from me, co-writer/friend Rob Hart, artist Joe Eisma, colorist Hilary Jenkins, letterer Jim Campbell, and our fearless leader, editor Heather Antos. It was fun to remind people about our vampire historical noir series and the upcoming print release via Dark Horse Comics, plug the high concept, and celebrate some cool CO news, like the third season of one of my favorite ComiXology series, THE ALL-NIGHTER, by “Chip Zdarsky” and the always-charming Jason Loo. I did an interview with Comicon.com at the event, too! Thanks to David and Pamela at Superfan for organizing a fun morning.

Last, but certainly not least, the amazing Karla Pacheco and Marvel announced MARVEL’S VOICES: LOKI PRESENTS #75, a fun, multi-writer event rolling out on Marvel Unlimited next month. So happy to be working on this with Karla, friends and superstar writers Preeti Chhibber, Jason Loo, J. Holtham, some amazing artists to-be-announced, and our stellar editors, Sarah Brunstad and Lindsey Cohick.

Not much I can say beyond “yay this was fun,” but I promise you this will be something you shouldn’t miss! Make sure you sign up for Marvel Unlimited so you can see what all the excitement is about! Try and guess which characters I might be writing!

COMING UP

CREEPY!

Out next week, 10/25 - MARVEL ZOMBIES: BLACK, WHITE, & BLOOD #1, featuring a preeeettty dark and creepy Spider-Man story from me and the supremely-talented Javi Fernandez. Javi’s a wonderful collaborator and we really leaned into the idea that editor Tom Brevoort gave me with the assignment - to not only scare readers, but bring people to tears. If you’re a longtime Spidey fan, we hope you enjoy this adventure. The shorthand we used was “Spider-Man’s Worst Day.” Thanks to Tom and editor Annalise Bissa for the opportunity, guidance, and support. Let your retailer know you want a copy, and pick it up next Wednesday! It also features work from rock stars like Garth Ennis, Rachael Stott, and more!

A NOTE ABOUT TWITTER

Or X? Whatever. I’ll keep this brief - but if you follow me on that site and want to keep up with what I’m doing, your best bet is to sign up for this newsletter or follow me on Instagram. I’ve met so many wonderful people through Twitter and thought I was going to just stick it out until the bitter end, but the platform - to me - is irrevocably broken. And while my profile will still be up, I won’t be nearly as active there. I guess the term is “broadcast-only”? If I have something to share, I will, but I won’t be engaging in the discourse and probably extremely slow to respond to replies or DMs. It’s just better for me. I’ve been “off” for just a few days now and I feel much lighter.

That’s all for now! See you next week!

Best,

Alex