Takes of Syzpense #63
The Marvel Calendar Book release update, Syzygy reviews and previews, San Diego Comic Fest, and a pre-election We're Not Going Spinner Rack
Setting the Date Straight
My second Marvel archival book this year, The Mighty Marvel Calendar Book: A Visual History, is officially being moved up from its December release date and will be officially launched on November 12 courtesy of Abrams ComicArts. Which is great news for a book I’ve been eager to get out into the world, and much better for the holiday shopping season, too, but also for one other reason:
November 12 is a week after election day, and anything that lets any of us envision a day beyond this never ending and deeply depressing election season is a welcome thing.
No one is reading this newsletter to hear more political punditry, and no one reasonable at this point could possibly be on the fence about which way they’re leaning, so I won’t spend more time on that. Mostly, thinking about and talking about writing about comics old and new remains a welcome and necessary respite from all of this.
But in these final days leading up to election day itself, and anxiety over whether that day or subsequent days are going to devolve into violence sure is distracting. So while I usually go on a bit too long here, this one will likely be a pretty brief one.
As with the Origins of Marvel Comics deluxe edition or any Syzygy release, if you need a signed edition or otherwise can’t find anything you’re after, drop me a line and I’ll be happy to help.
Reviews and Previews
There was a great Origins of Marvel Comics: The Deluxe Edition review at Scoop, which made me very happy to see that that book has landed well so far.
There were also a couple nice reviews of our two latest releases, Self Help 5 and The Feeding, at The Beat. And also a great The Feeding review at AITP.
Meanwhile, in “coming soon” news, our Dec. 4 holiday horror one-shot, Dread the Halls, was featured at Daily Dead. Jordan Hart and I will be on a few podcasts over the next couple weeks to discuss the comic further but it’s available for pre-order right now.
And here’s the first page from my story in the comic, with pencils and inks by Lee Ferguson and lettering courtesy of Dread the Halls originator and co-writer, Jordan Hart (whose other co-written Syzygy title, The Cabinet, is being released in trade paperback form next Wednesday, which is also after the election!
Finally, Ashley Wood’s Les Mort 13 Giant-Syz one-shot, an extra-length special printed on actual newsprint, will be released next week, too:
And this isn’t Syzygy-related, but I contributed a feature in the next issue of Weird Tales magazine, which is up for pre-order now. I wrote a piece about swamp creatures’ portrayal — or relative lack of compared to vampires, mummies, and werewolves — in movies, comics, TV shows, and beyond.
We’re Not Going Spinner Rack!
I’d intended to use this Halloween week to spotlight additional horror-themed covers currently adorning my spinner racks but again, owing to the extreme distraction I’ve been feeling this week, I figured I’d vote instead for some of my favorite election-related cover that help dress up any spinner rack. If only we too could somehow get ducks on our ballot.
San Diego ComicFest
Following the much more hectic New York Comic-Con, I was a guest at the San Diego ComicFest, a local show started by some of the original founders of ComicCon, who were aiming to bring the convention back to its roots. It’s a fun show—manageably sized, plenty of time to talk to other guests and attendees, and a nice way to get a little shopping in, too.
Imma have to find that Weird Tales! Looks good!!
My pre-order of the Calendar Book arrived yesterday!