Tales of Syzpense #51
American Library Association trade show recap, the new-old Marvel Calendar, assorted press hits, and a Spinner Rack of Books
I’ve been doing a bit of work-for-hire comic writing the past couple of weeks. It’s not the first time by any means, I wrote plenty of licensed comics while at IDW, but it also does feel a bit like the first time because this time, it’s not for a comic where I work. So it’s subject to all the licensor notes and editorial notes and uncertainties that come with working on characters you don’t own… and it’s been an utter blast.
As with any good story, comics don’t work well when there aren’t rules as to how a particular universe works, how the characters interact within it, and is appropriate in story and tone for those characters. So I never looked at licensed comics as anything limiting or creatively stifling, especially when the licensor and editorial team are so encouraging about knowing the lines you can’t cross but daring you to tread right up against them.
I can’t say more about what the property is but it’s another one of those that I’ve liked since childhood, it’s out of my general comfort zone as to what I usually write (which 99% of the time involves, robots, zombies, or aliens), and the artists that are drawing these stories are among my favorite people and artists I’ve ever known in this business.
But I also started a new series as well, of a sort. It’s actually a series I laid out and scripted the first issue almost 20 years ago. I liked where it was going—it involves one more thing I’ve always had an interest in — ghost ships — but I put it aside for reasons that made sense in 2005 but not now. I’d been talking to artist Vasillis Gogtzilas about assorted projects for a while now, and he asked me again if I had anything we could do together. So I sent him that old script just to see if he saw any merit in the overall story, which I would then update.
What he sent back was 11 pages and a cover. Which was exciting. I wasn’t necessarily looking to add a new series to my slate right now, and this one involves trying to make sense of some of my decades-old notes, and also changing some things outright that just didn’t make sense to 2024 me, which is also a fun challenge.
I don’t yet know what I’ll do with this one — I mean, it will definitely get released as a print comic at some point but since the publishing world and retail climate has changed in so many ways, especially for indie titles like this, I might bring it out initialy in a different way.
I’ve been enjoying the way Brian K. Vaughan and Nico Henrichson have been releasing their graphic novel Spectators only a few pages at a time via BKV’s Substack newsletter, so maybe I’ll start running this new comic here, a handful of pages at a time. For the paid tier only? (I’m not even sure it’s a tier, it’s more that a very kind handful of you have paid money for this newsletter, and I’d love to keep finding regular ways to repay that kindness but also not leave everyone else out. I’ll figure out the details after we make a bit more headway on it. But it’s off to an invigorating (re-start).
And it’s far too hot as we head into July to think about Christmas but we’ll be releasing a special Christmas-related thing that I’ll talk more about once the weather makes it a little easier to think about that holday.
ALA 2024
And speaking of invigorating, I attended the American Library Association’s annual trade show this past weekend. The show was in San Diego this year, which I appreciated. I mostly went to sit alongside A Haunted Girl co-writers Ethan Sacks and Naomi Sacks as we all met with librarians and handed out copies of the new-sold-out (but back on press) graphic novel.
I don’t know if there’s any better way to feel good about being a part of the publishing industry than spending the day talking to the smart, empathetic, and passionate librarians who attend these shows. But it was better still for the chance to spend ample time with some dear friends in an environment that was much more subdued than the exciting chaos of a comic convention.
Which isn’t meant to take anything away from the very fun attendees who I hung out with on the same date 11 years earlier:
But it was just a different vibe today, sorry, scrapbookers of that past show.
The show had plenty to do, and all kinds of great people to talk to and vendors to check out, but an added bonus was that it still allowed the kind of leisurely conversations with people I love seeing at shows (and outside of shows) but don’t often have as much relaxing time to talk. The post-show dinner was especially nice.
It was a nice Syzygy/Fanbase Press crossover kind of meal. Jordan Hart is the author of the Dwayne McDuffie Award for Diversity in Comics-winning graphic novel Ripple Effects (with artist Bruno Chiroleu), published by Fanbase. (And the book is soon getting an expanded deluxe edition with some great extras and add-ons via a coming Kickstarter campaign: the pre-launch sign-up campaign is up now. And Jordan is the co-author and designer of Syzygy’s just-completed series, The Cabinet, the trade paperback collection of which will be out in the fall.
David is of course the writer of our debut book, Joe Hill’s Rain, and many other things (one of which is a Syzygy thing, coming this fall).
And Barbra and Bryant run Fanbase Press, an indie publisher that has been doing some really smart, really creative and compelling books. Jordan’s Ripple Effects was a Fanbase release and received some other award nominations, too, including an Eisner nom last year, which I think helped people focus a bit on Fanbase’s books but there are a lot of others deserving of more attention (I particularly like Quince). Barbra and Bryant are also vocal champions of other indie creators and books, and just in general, the kind of people that make this industry better. It was nice to finally have some proper time to spend with them at a show far less chaotic than the other big San Diego convention that is suddenly looming for all of us. As soon as the calendar changes from June to July, it ramps up everyone’s anxiety about that show and all the prep that needs to get done between now and then.
Which is one more reason ALA felt so comfortable this weekend: it was a nice respite before that show lands here like Dorothy’s house setting down in Oz.
Oh, and one final note about ALA: on Sunday, I moderated/hosted a Return of Comics Pictionary panel, which was a blast. The panel saw the Sacks Family writers take on artists/writers Tim Seeley and Tony Fleecs, so it perhaps looked a bit unfair on, uh, paper, but there was plenty of lead changes, drama, and highlights. The majority of which were provided by the audience of librarians and comic creators like Henry Barajas and Joe Benitez (who also came up as a pinch-hitter for one round), since they were all so on top of their game that even the more challenging clues were nailed with only a few lines on paper. I didn’t get pics of all of them by any means, but these three were along some of the inspired offerings.
Random Me-Related Things
My first book with Abrams ComicArts, Mighty Marvel Calendar Book: A Visual History, officially arrives in stores on October 15.
But before that, Abrams will also be releasing a companion wall-hanging calendar to accompany it: a first-ever replica of the 1975 calendar, the first of a series of 7 special calendars featured in this book. The years 1975 and 2025 line up so you can safely hang this one on your wall.
The calendar arrives in late July but some advance copies of it landed on my doorstep over the weekend. It comes packed securely inside a custom box and is even slightly larger—and far less yellowed with age—than the original. It came out great.
Next up: a full unboxing presentation whenever the books themselves arrive on my porch, too.
Also, I recently did an interview with a relatively new magazine, Entrepreneur Prime, and the headline of the article alone makes me smile: “Chris Ryall – Mastermind Behind Page and Screen.”
I’m not convinced that’s an accurate portrayal but if you’d like to decide for yourseld, the piece is here: https://entrepreneurprime.co.uk/chris-ryall-mastermind-behind-page-and-screen/
And to take it yet another step to far, they even press released the interview and everything:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Chris Ryall: Mastermind Behind Page and Screen Featured in Entrepreneur Prime Magazine
London, UK – June 30, 2024 – Entrepreneur Prime magazine, a leading publication empowering entrepreneurs globally, proudly features an exclusive interview with Chris Ryall in its latest issue. Ryall, a towering figure in the creative industry, shares his insights on crafting compelling narratives across multiple mediums, including publishing, television, and gaming.
In this in-depth interview, Ryall discusses his creative process, his roles at Syzygy Publishing, IDW, and Popularium Game Studios, and his ability to transition stories from page to screen. As the publisher and partner at Syzygy Publishing, an imprint of Image Comics, and a narrative consultant at Popularium Game Studios, Ryall’s multifaceted expertise spans an impressive array of mediums. His extensive career includes serving as an executive producer for the Netflix hit series Locke & Key and the BBC Studios’ Eve Stranger, showcasing his unparalleled ability to adapt compelling narratives.
Ryall’s tenure as President and Publisher/CCO of IDW Publishing marked a significant period of innovation and growth for the company. During his leadership, he spearheaded the creation and successful adaptation of numerous comic book series, including the fan-favourite Zombies vs Robots, which was acquired by Sony Pictures. His editorial vision consistently pushed the boundaries of storytelling, whether in comics, television, or the burgeoning field of interactive gaming.
In the interview, Ryall offers invaluable insights into the creative process, providing a behind-the-scenes look at how he navigates the complexities of adapting stories across different media. From developing a comic book series to pitching original content to major studios, Ryall’s experience and wisdom provide a masterclass in storytelling. He also delves into his role as a narrative consultant at Popularium Game Studios, balancing narrative development with gameplay mechanics to create immersive gaming experiences.
About Chris Ryall
Chris Ryall is a distinguished figure in the creative industry, known for his work across publishing, television, and gaming. As the publisher and partner at Syzygy Publishing and a narrative consultant at Popularium Game Studios, Ryall has made significant contributions to the field of storytelling. His career includes serving as an executive producer for the Netflix series Locke & Key and the BBC Studios’ Eve Stranger. Ryall’s tenure as President and Publisher/CCO of IDW Publishing saw the creation and adaptation of numerous successful comic book series. His personal passions for comics, books, and music continue to inspire his creative endeavors, making him a dynamic storyteller with a keen eye for character development and narrative structure.
About Entrepreneur Prime Magazine
Entrepreneur Prime magazine is a premier publication dedicated to empowering entrepreneurs globally. Featuring exceptional entrepreneurs who have made remarkable impacts in business, the magazine is available in over 190 countries and thousands of stores, including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Walmart, and Waterstones. Entrepreneur Prime provides valuable insights, interviews, and resources to help entrepreneurs succeed in their ventures.
Contact Information:
AJ Somer
Email: interview@entrepreneurprime.co.uk
Tel: +44 7938 478420
Interview Link: https://entrepreneurprime.co.uk/chris-ryall-mastermind-behind-page-and-screen/
For more information, visit https://entrepreneurprime.co.uk
Finally, and even more amusingly, I saw this recently:
Convention-wise, the next convention for me after ALA is the San Diego Comic-Con toward the end of July. I’m on a number of panels that I’ll share soon, but then a month after that show, I’ll be attending my first-ever DragonCon. I’ve heard lots of things—so many things—about DragonCon. Can’t wait to finally experience it for myself.
Spinner Rack of Books
Lastly, in honor of ALA and librarians this week—and because spending the weekend at the show limited my time to pull together a more adventurous spinner-rack theme this week, here are nine options of covers featuring books and/or librarians. Sure, grabbing comics with titles like The Cursed Library, The Librarians, and The Darkhold might be a bit more spot-on than I usually aim for but hopefully leading off with the book-loving gorilla thief on that Strange Adventures cover makes up for the haste in which I picked some of the other images. Comic covers don’t get much better than that.
It was so wonderful to have the opportunity to spend time with you, Ethan, Naomi, and David during ALA! Thank you SO much for your incredibly kind words and continuing support of Fanbase Press and RIPPLE EFFECTS!
Looking back, are you surprised how long some projects take to reach the finish line?