Ignition Press, Common Side Effects, and An Apology

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Hello, and welcome to another newsletter. Please take your digital shoes off, grab a pair of comfy socks, and make yourself at home. I hope you all remember to hydrate, unclench your jaw, and give yourself grace. You’re doing your best. 

Now that we’re all comfortable let me take your mind off the horrors for just a moment.

THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A MEME

Last month, I had the wonderful experience of attending the ComicsPRO Annual Meeting. For those who don’t know what the ComicsPRO meeting is, it’s a gathering of retailers and publishers. Here, retailers get face-to-face time with the producers of the books they sell in their shops, and publishers engage with the good folks vital to the comics industry. I was there with Ignition Press, which, let me tell y’all, has been a creative godsend. I don’t say that lightly. So, let me give a little backstory here to give context for why I feel this way.

Back in August, I attended the Boise Comic and Arts Festival (a fantastic event, by the way), and I met with Jamie Rich while there. He gave me the rundown about Ignition Press, and I loved everything I heard. A publisher who fully embraces its creators as human beings and can provide adequate support as creators, too? Count me in. When he asked me if I had anything I’d like to pitch, I was ready! I live by the “stay ready, so you don’t have to get ready” mantra. You kinda have to in this business. You just never know when that moment is going to come. The funny thing, though, is that what I originally pitched isn’t even the project I’m currently working on. But with how things are currently going, I’m sure that story will get its moment one day soon.

Sorry, fast-forwarding back to ComicsPRO. I met a team of outstanding individuals who excel at what they do. Now, I knew that major announcements were going to be made by Ignition Press and so on. What I didn’t know, and maybe I should have, was that I would have the opportunity to go up to announce my project myself. I was already humbled to be part of the launching creators, but something about that moment made things click even more. It was a very loud reminder that I’m here doing the work, and I absolutely deserve to be treated like the talent I am.

Imposter syndrome or shrinking myself for the comfort of others is not my ministry, and I shouldn’t even attend any services where that word is being preached.

I know you’ve seen the news from my socials if you are following me, but I proudly share that I’m working on a cosmic horror with Letizia Cadonici (House of Slaughter), and I couldn’t be more excited. It takes place in the year 1905. Think Annihilation meets Beloved. That’s the best way I can describe the vibe right now. Right now, there is a good chance that one will be in your hands before the year ends. Maybe...we’ll see!

Stay tuned for more major announcements, including a creator-owned story with Mad Cave Studios, my first ongoing series, some one-shots and custom comics, and a special project with DC Comics and the Amazons. There's a lot to look forward to!

BURNOUT PREVENTION CENTRAL

I originally intended to dedicate this section to talking about Captain America: Brave New World and just how the MCU has, in my opinion, not done the best by Sam Wilson and Monica, but then I thought, never mind. Not because it isn’t essential to talk about or voice how I feel in detail but because my interest in doing so evaporated. Also, it gave burnout activity by passionately annoying myself, and that’s not the goal here.

Instead, I would like to talk to you about Common Side Effects and White Lotus and apologize for being terribly wrong about listening to romance novels.

I am a HUGE fan of Scavengers’ Reign (created by Joe Bennett and Charles Huettner.) If I could make something as half as good as it, I’d be at peace as a creator. I can’t recommend watching it enough. The animation is gorgeous and ethereal, and the story is evergreen. Scavengers’ Reign explores the evolution of nature and technology as they intertwine with one another instead of one or the other, coming out the victor in the end. The animated series Common Side Effects is brought to you by one-half of the creators of Scavengers’ Reign, Joe Bennett, who teamed up with Steve Hely. The series focused on two former high school lab partners who reconnect after one of them finds a mushroom while in Peru that has infinite healing abilities with unknown side effects. Big pharma gets involved, and things get even weirder. If you’re a fan of trippy sci-fi, you miss hearing Mike Judge voice a character, and love animation, this is the show for you. You can watch it on Adult Swim on Sunday nights at 11:30 pm EST or stream on Hulu or Max the next day.

Listen, I know White Lotus isn’t doing anything revolutionary. I’m not about to call it a guilty pleasure because I don’t feel guilty about the 50 minutes or so where I’m invested in watching people have an odd, too-bad time while on a luxury vacation. It’s messy, and I find it entertaining. Plus, Natasha Rothwell is back this season and pretty much reacting to what’s going on as any sane Black woman traveling solo would. I can respect that.

Now, how did I get to this apology situation? Let me first say I love audiobooks. After having my son, it was the only way I could engage with any new literature. In those early days, having someone read to me was a massive calm to my jumbled new mom nerves. I mainly listened to everything but romance books. I would make time to physically read those because I didn’t want anyone reading the…how do I say this…steamy scenes to me. I’m no prude, but it was just but much until recently. I had brunch with a good friend from high school back in January, and she was telling me she was getting into romance books but only had time to listen. Thankfully, many books I recommended to her were available on Libby. Over the next couple weeks after our brunch, she was texting me updates about some of my recs; she was having a great time. I couldn’t be happier because if I’m not pushing comics, I’m pushing romance books, mainly if not limited to ones written by Black women. I owe the desire to tell stories to them. It made me rethink my stance on not listening to romance novels. So, it just so happened that the current comic I’m working on with Ignition Press has an element to it that was inspired by Beverly Jenkins’ The Edge of Dawn. It’s a contemporary romantic thriller. Well, I wanted to reread the book, but I don’t have much time right now to do a lot of reading, so I finally grew up and rented the audio version.

I WAS SO WRONG. Why would I deprive myself of listening to my precious romance books???? Not only was it enjoyable, but it felt like a new experience, as listening to books often is, and it's another reason why audiobooks rule. Long story not made short, I’ve come to the light. I want to express how deeply sorry I am for being incredibly wrong regarding this matter.

MOM MODE ACTIVATED

I took my son and his friends to see Dog Man. It was excellent, and what I loved most about the experience was watching my son and his friends interact with one another while watching it. They are all big Dog Man fans. I thought it was heartwarming to overhear them calling out different moments from the books they’ve read, laughing at what my son called ‘classic Dog Man' jokes, and generally bonding over their shared excitement for the movie.

SO, AN EDITOR ONCE SAID…

“You’re not done writing a comic until it’s off to printing, and even then, that could change.”

This is a quote that I remind myself of every time I sit down to write, especially when I’m working on a first draft. It makes working on that draft much easier because my only goal is to get the story on the page. The refinement will undoubtedly come soon enough.

IT TAKES A VILLAGE

I want to highlight a couple of people and places here. First is B&D Comics, located in Roanoke, Virginia. I was invited to an in-store meet and greet they hosted on my behalf. It was a lovely experience. I had so much fun talking to everyone who dropped in. I absolutely love everyone I met who makes B&D the fantastic place it is. I want to say thank you again to B&D Comics, and I can’t wait to visit again!

Next, I want to share something that is a brilliant and fun idea. If you aren’t familiar with Ryan Oakley, now is your time to do so. She’s a stellar artist I’ve had the good fortune to get to know over the last few years. We were table neighbors recently at Matthews Comic Con (thank you, Eraklis Petmezas, for the invite!), and she told me about some Marvel Rivalsfan art she was considering doing. I was locked in when I heard what she planned on doing with the character Jeff the Land Shark. Ryan did not disappoint. She’ll be doing more, so please follow her! She’s also working on a few projects of her own. Also! If you haven’t, you should check out the story Ryan and I did together for the When I Was Young…anthology.

That’s all for now. And as always, thank you for taking the time to hang with me. I appreciate you. I’m rooting for you!