Hello,
It’s been a mix of highs and lows over here, and we’ll dig into it.
There’s something a little heavier than normal on my mind, but it’s something I want to share. But before we get there, let’s start with some positives!
Fan Expo Boston
For any locals on the list, I’ll be at Fan Expo Boston this weekend with Griffin Ess (artist and co-creator of Healed and Baby) and Diana Porter (co-creator and writer of Toddler-pocalypse).
We’ll be at table AP31. Please swing by and say hi!
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Vampires on Mars stuff!
Over the last week, I’ve received the metal covers and traditional floppy versions of Vampires on Mars.
I’m thrilled with how they came out!
Once you hit OKAY TO PRINT, you’re holding your breath the entire time, hoping the product you get is what you were promised.
I’ll be in full shipping mode next week. It’s a humbling stage to see all the different places you get to send books to.
The imposter syndrome has a tough time when I can literally see all the states and countries these books are going to.
And while issue #1 starts wrapping up, #2 is ramping up!
Justin completed the book's lettering, and James and Tracy (HI, TRACY) lent their proofreading eyes to ensure everything was spelled right.
The hope is to launch #2 in early August—so long as #1 is fulfilled by then.
Whether you’re already on board with the series or want to join us for issue #2, you can head over here to get notified the moment we go live.
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New stuff!
I promise you’ll be the first to see anything I’m working on, and I get to keep that promise today!
The new series Fernando and I are kicking around has a colorist! JP Jordan is someone whose work I’ve dug for a while, and I’m thrilled to have him on board.
We’re putting together a pitch preview of the book, and JP sent over the cover and first page of the pitch. Check it out.
This one is called UNIVERSAL CHAMPION: When a world-famous but insecure professional wrestler gets abducted and entered into a galaxy-spanning fighting competition, he must over overcome his self-doubts and self-destructive tendencies to become the champion he pretends to be before the darker side of this world catches up to him.
It's Galaxy Quest meets The Wrestler with a little bit of Gladiator thrown in.
What I’m most excited about is bringing Fernando in on the ground floor so we can build this world together and make sure it shows off all his strengths.
Writing-wise, I think it will be the perfect marriage of the real-world, emotionally driven parts of Charlie’s Spot with the energy and over-the-topness of Vampires on Mars.
I already know what page is gonna crush your heart.
I CAN’T WAIT!
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On my mind
Quick note: Most of this is Tracy’s story to tell, but there’s a part I want to talk about because it’s been at the top of my mind for days.
Tracy’s dad passed away last week.
Unfortunately, Tracy and her dad had a massive falling out the day Logan was born, and he basically cut off contact with Tracy.
It was heartbreaking, frustrating, and confusing. And sadly, it was the final note of a rocky relationship.
In the aftermath of her dad’s death, she got to talk to a friend of her dad’s.
Tracy found out that about a year and a half ago, this friend and her dad had a conversation, and Tracy came up.
In the conversation, her dad talked about how he regretted how their relationship had deteriorated and how his actions had led to it.
The friend reminded him that it wasn’t over. There was still time to reach out and mend fences.
He said he couldn’t. He was too embarrassed about how he acted.
Hearing that made a sad situation even more heartbreaking, and it’s what I want to talk about here:
Don’t let your ego stop you from making a situation better.
We fuck up. We all fuck up. Sometimes we fuck up royally. Sometimes, we hurt the people we love the most. And sadly, sometimes, we really fucking hurt them.
But there’s always time to make things right. Or at least extend the olive branch.
There’s always time to change. To say you’re sorry.
To try.
And that doesn’t mean the other person has to respond. They have the right to do what they feel like they need to do—which includes NOT taking the olive branch.
But they might.
One of the things that hurts the most is knowing that if her dad had reached out and approached with love, Tracy would have grabbed that branch with everything she had.
She would have happily thrown all the years of anger, confusion, and sadness away for a chance to reconnect.
But she was never given that chance because of—frankly—ego and fear.
So that’s what’s been dominating my thoughts. I’ve been repeating it over and over again—don’t let fear or ego stop you from making something better.
There’s always time...until there’s not.
And I want to say thank you to Tracy for letting me share part of her story. I love you, boo.
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HENRY
Oh my god, has Henry been putting in extra time to keep everyone’s spirits up this week.
Best! Boi! Ever!
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Cool stuff to support
GAIJIN: An International Pro Wrestling Thriller
Can Matt soar through the Japanese wrestling scene before his side business burns Black Phoenix to ash?
My friend JD Oliva is back with his new novel, and I’m SO excited to read it! This has been in JD’s head for a while, and I was thrilled when I found out he was going to put it into the world.
If you’re a wrestling fan, it’ll be an intriguing world you’re familiar with. And if you’re a fan of thrillers and crime stories, it delivers everything you want with a fun wrestling wrap.
No Spell Lasts Forever #1-3
Noir contemporary fantasy comic. A magic-wielding criminal makes a deal with the devil for a second chance at life.
Writer Sarah Cooke and I have been swimming in the same creator circles for years, and I dig her vibe. And I’ve been a backer for the first two issues of this series, loved ‘em, and am very much looking forward to seeing what happens next.
If you’re new to the series, she’s made it very easy to catch up and dive into it.
Mark Russell's Traveling to Mars Exclusive Hardcover Edition
From Eisner Award-winning writer Mark Russell and artist Roberto Meli comes the Eisner-nominated compelling sci-fi story...
Mark Russell is a new-ish writer whose work I’ve enjoyed over the years, and OH MY GOD, did Traveling to Mars hit me in all the right ways.
This is one of the best series I’ve read in recent years, and it’s going to play a big part in how I approach Universal Champion. It’s beautifully written and will get you laughing, thinking, and then smashing your heart in all the right ways.
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Until next time
The summer months mean packed weekends and plenty of conventions. As challenging and exhausting as it can get, I usually end the summer inspired and ready to create.
Here’s hoping that tradition continues this year.
All the best. Make the thing. Tell people you love ‘em.
Take care, George. I'll be thinking of you guys. What a heartbreaking reminder to let our loved ones know how much we love them and are trying our best for them.
Take care, brother.