August/September/October 2023: Howie Escapes Hell (and a Culinary Milestone)
Celebrate with a Road Trip to Hell mug!
As we leave the spooky season behind us (though some people already left it behind for Christmas as soon as October started…), there are plenty of project updates that I’m excited to share with you and new Road Trip to Hell merch!
Also, if you’re looking for less sporadic updates, please check out my various socials (linked on the top right-hand corner of my website). I’ve recently been trying out the Twitter/X alternative Bluesky as well. Say hello to @comicmaven.bsky.social!
Road Trip to Hell Announcements
The Very First Trade Paperback is Out Now
The trade for Road Trip to Hell Volume 1 (collecting issues #1-3) is now out! You can order a copy digitally or physically on the Scout Comics website. Per the description on Simon & Schuster, Road Trip to Hell is the ultimate nature vs. nurture story about a man who finds out he's the son of the devil and next in line to rule Hell. Everyone in Hell is out to kill him to take the throne. A cross-country horror story with a dark sense of humor, Road Trip to Hell features the worst the world ever had to offer. And if you’re a fan of the floppies like I am, you can get the complete set of all three issues here.
Devilish New Collectibles
Make your drinks appear even more devilishly delicious with a Baphomet mug (pulled right from the interior art in Road Trip to Hell #1 by artist Monika Maccagni and colorist Joaquin Pereyra) and collectible 16 oz pint glasses with all of the Road Trip to Hell cast chibified thanks to artist Zoe Stanley! All of them are available when you search “Road Trip to Hell” on the Scout website.
Nerd Initiative Interview About Road Trip to Hell and Editing
The Nerd Initiative was kind enough to invite me to be a guest on an episode of their Comic Press Podcast. Talking with Jeremy Bowersock, I shared my Nerd Origin Story and went in-depth about the editing process. Plus I got to talk about Road Trip to Hell!
What I’m Editing
Scout Comics
The Nerd Initiative Honors By the Horns and She Bites
Jeremy Bowersock also put two other series I’ve been editing for Scout Comics, By the Horns and She Bites, on his Full Top 5 Indie Comics of 2023 (so far) list. He even interviewed part of the creative team of By the Horns, including writer Markisan Naso, colorist Steve Canon, and myself on his show:
The Dark Earth Arc Wraps and the Legendary Edition is Announced
The 12-issue By the Horns: Dark Earth story arc ended in August. The immense build-up of the inevitable face-off between Elodie and her friends against Shanora Zel and her band of marauders finally comes to fruition in epic style, deep in the caverns of pure magic. With the fate of Solothus hanging in the balance, no less!
If you’re anxiously awaiting the next arc though, consider preordering By the Horns #1: Legendary Edition. This new format measures a prestige 11" x 17" and reprints the first issue in black and white.
Triple Threat: Prepare for Murder, Politics, and a Hellhound!
If you read my last newsletter, then you’ll know that three Scout comic books I’ve been editing behind the scenes for a while now were available for pre-order. I say were because the first issues of each are now all out! Here’s a rundown of these issues, which span a variety of genres and have all received praise from the comic book industry:
Comic Books Kill #1 (Writer Shane Berryhill/Artist Hoyt Silva): Taking place in 1939 New York, this crime noir follows Golden Age Comics creator Jack Levi, who falls for his mob boss publisher’s femme fatale mistress. The story has already received high praise from Brian Stelfreeze, the award-winning artist of Black Panther & Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight, who said, “This story perfectly captures a time when comics lifted our imaginations and gangsters ruled our nightmares, but it brings them together with a crash of heart and stones.” (This is a part of Scout’s NONSTOP! imprint, meaning this will be the only single-issue released, then the trade will come out. The release date for the trade is still TBA.)
Howie the Hellhound #1 (Writer Jared Prestwidge/Artist Carlos Trigo): Who could resist such an adorable face? Howie, a Hellhound of Satan, finds himself in New York City in this supernatural dramedy! He bonds with Louise, a struggling actress, but they find themselves up against the forces of Hell who want to drag Howie back. Liam Sharp, the writer/artist of Wonder Woman and Green Lantern, calls this an “engaging and delightful comic - delightful despite being largely about a murderous hell hound!” (This kicks off a five-issue mini-series—the second issue will be released in January 2024.)
MOM Breaks the Internet #1 (Writer Jay Sandlin/Artist Patrick Mulholland): This political thriller centers around Barbie Reed’s family and her friends—a group of moms whose combined talents take over the Internet in the hopes of creating a better world! Extremely politically relevant, Brian Hawkins, writer of Black Cotton, discussed the importance of the series: “In a time where standing up for what is right is needed more and more, Jay Sandlin and his creative team delivers an entertaining comic adventure about activism that corrals the idea of freedom of speech and the freedom to assemble through the lens of a tech world that’s being heavily guarded and borderline ostracized by a warden of a President. With shades of what could come in real life, Mom Breaks the Internet is an engaging look at people fighting back, one that is inspiring and artistically captivating.” (This marks the beginning of a five-issue mini-series—the second issue will be released in December 2023.)
J-Novel
The J-Novel series I’ve been editing finally concluded after over two years of work! Culinary Chronicles of the Court Flower marks a special place in my career as the first light novel series I ever edited. One of my initial goals back when I was in college was actually to be a book editor at a publishing house, so this has always been something I was interested in. But my passion for comic books definitely won out and became my main focus when I first graduated.
It’s certainly a different beast editing a light novel instead of a comic book (or a webcomic, manga, etc.), and I really appreciate having the ability to change the mediums I’m editing. Culinary Chronicles in particular is an 11-volume light novel series centered around Rimi, one of the emperor’s many concubines who finds herself in the middle of a dangerous love triangle—all while preparing the most amazing food to aid the hearts of everyone around her.
The drama is real in this China-inspired fantasy story (originally written in Japanese by Miri Mikawa, the writer of Sugar Apple Fairy Tale), which you can purchase on Amazon or J-Novel.
Independent Projects
Four of the comics I’ve been editing recently had Kickstarters, and two of the campaigns are still going!
Currently Running
Glarien of White Ash #1-3 (Writer Charlie Stickeny/Artist Romina Moranelli): This mature fantasy series, which I began editing with issue 3, is a spin-off from White Ash that tells the story of the deadliest elf, Glarien. Combining fantasy with 1970s NYC, this series has been called Red Sonja meets Taxi Driver with Elves and Demons! It has already raised over $40,000, unlocking several stretch goals, and you can still back it until November 15th.
Bloom Pretty: Forget Me Not #1 (Writer Lisa Fowler/Artist Carola Borelli): The first issue in a multipart story arc in the world of Bloom Pretty, this follow-up to Last Ember Press’ most successful Kickstarter focuses on a tale of vengeance filled with fantasy and action. The campaign ends on November 29.
Recently Finished
Four is my lucky number, apparently! Both of these campaigns featured the fourth issue of their respective mini-series and were successfully funded (and ironically I started working on the second issue of each mini-series…unless you count the reprinted first issue of Turner Family Terrors)! While these campaigns may be over, consider following the creators to keep up with future campaigns.
Turner Family Terrors #1-4 (Writer Robert Krisch/Artist Aleksandar Bozic Ske): This mature series follows a foul-mouthed family of monster slayers trying to save the world—but they’re much more likely to doom it instead! This finale will see if doom and gloom prevail. It’s perfect for fans of The Boys, Everything Everywhere All at Once, Cocaine Bear, and Monster Squad (to name just a few).
Territory #1-4 (Writer Blake McCarthy/Donny Hadiwidjaja): The post-apocalyptic kaiju epic continues, introducing a new tribe. Taking place in a far distant Pacific Northwest of the United States, the various tribes in this new world order worship Behemoths (this comic’s kaiju) as gods. Think Horizon Zero Dawn meets Godzilla.
Who I’m Interviewing
Kickstarting Your Weekends with the Post-Apocalypse and D&D
Fun fact, I’ve done a “Kickstart the Week” for every issue of Amelia Sky so far (and I even co-edited the second issue along with the wonderful Brittany Matter!). This ongoing sci-horror comic takes place in a post-apocalyptic world. It follows the titular Amelia Sky as she survives the aliens that have invaded the earth as well as an arguably even scarier threat: other humans!
The Kickstarter was unfortunately unsuccessful, but please consider following the creator on Kickstarter to check out future campaigns. And if you want to learn more background and behind-the-scenes information about the series, check out my latest interview with creator/writer Jermaine M. Boyd and artist, letterer, and co-creator Martina Niosi.
I also interviewed creator/writer Jeremiah Espinoza and artist Butch Mapa about their D&D-inspired action and satire comic ONE-SHOT. The campaign was unfortunately unsuccessful this time around, but they are planning on relaunching in 2024 (you can follow their prelaunch page here). Consider checking out this chaotic good comic.
Going into a time of thanks and happy holidays!
It’s amazing how fast this year has gone by! The next time I’ll be writing a newsletter, it’ll likely be recapping November and December. So, I want to wish everyone a wonderful Thanksgiving (if you partake) and an early happy holidays! I’ll still be editing throughout the festivities while also making it a point to set aside some time to actually enjoy the celebrations.
If only there were more hours in the day!
Woa this is soo cool!
If I may ask, I would love some tips and recommendations on how beginners can start getting editors to work with them.
Till the next post!