Brian Michael Bendis's Blog, page 4
August 14, 2023
ANNOUNCEMENT: MASTERCLASS SESSION #18: IDEAS w/JACOB EDGAR! LIVE! TOMORROW!
Tomorrow, we are thrilled to be welcoming another special guest, JACOB EDGAR, artist and co-creator of THE ONES!
We’re going to take you behind-the-scenes on how we found our new collaboration and are continuing to developing the new ideas in the book. A class about developing and designing something that is freshly published. What we've learned and what we've learned so far. Jacob, Oeming, Taki and I will be taking your questions live.
Class will take place at our usual time and place tomorrow! Tuesday (8/15) at 6:00pm PST via ZOOM.
Expect the class link in our post tomorrow afternoon!
*PLUS!* Our POWERS and PHENOMENA LEVEL SUBSCRIBERS can check out a free digital copy of THE ONES #1 further down!
NEED TO CATCH UP?You can find the syllabus and video recordings of all previous classes in our MASTERCLASS ARCHIVE.
WANT TO JOIN THE MASTERCLASS?The MASTERCLASS is reserved for members of the POWERS and PHENOMENA subscription levels. For just $5/mo you’ll get access to our bi-monthly masterclass, co-taught by BENDIS and TAKI SOMA, covering the art of crafting comics and graphic novels.
(Plus, you’ll be able to access our multi-media series CREATION. and the forthcoming graphic novel experience: FORTUNE AND GLORY: THE MUSICAL)
You can hit the SUBSCRIBE button below, select the tier that’s right for you, and start enjoying exclusive materials immediately.
August 10, 2023
STRIKES! COMICS! PODCASTS!
Hey, everybody.
It’s a newsletter.
So, just last week we had another subscription milestone. Thank you to the thousands of you who subscribed to this nonsense… especially to those of you that actually open it :-)
I’ve been dragging my heels about proper newsletters lately, because the fact of the matter is everything is in flux. The headline is: I, like so many others in the entertainment community, are on strike. I am a long-standing member of the WGA. I was, up until pencils down, enjoying our overall studio deal which was actively producing television adaptations of Jinxworld titles PEARL, MURDER INC., and JINX. It was all very exciting, but all of that is on pause until the studios get back to The negotiating table.
This strike is so necessary. It is so completely necessary. But it’s still a bummer to be sitting on our hands while the studios drag this out. The good news is my day job is, and will always be, comics! Graphic novels! And we have some really exciting things cooking. Also, who needs a TV show when you have PEARL, MURDER INC., and JINX all on sale... RIGHT NOW!
Publishing is not covered by the Writer’s Guild, so we are free to create our graphic novels. So, here’s a big update on where we are!…
MURDER INC.First of all. This week is the release of a brand new issue of murder Inc.: Jagger Rose. Thank you for all the comments on this blistering, alternative history crime comic created by myself and Michael Oeming.
MURDER INC.: JAGGER ROSE #4
Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
Artist: Michael Avon Oeming
Letterer: Taki Soma
Cover Artist: Michael Avon Oeming
From the creators of the Eisner Award-winning, bestselling POWERS comes an entirely new crime fiction world where the five families of organized crime never lost their power over the United States. Now, half the country is a smorgasbord of sex and sin ruled by loyalty and “family values” as the rest of the world looks on in awe, rage, or jealousy. Join us as newly “made” Valentine Gallo and Jagger Rose rise through the ranks of the notorious Bonavese family.
The pope herself has come to Jagger Rose and made her an offer that has sent all the families into internal chaos. Is it an offer she can’t refuse?! And what if she does? All will be revealed in this all-new gorgeously illustrated new chapter of MURDER INC.
We love this book. I think you can tell from Mike Oeming’s social media that this is a completely fulfilling experience for us.
Oeming
Oeming on Instagram: “More #comics #artProcess for #MurderInc 4 hitting the stands from @Darkhorsecomics with @BrianMbendis @Takisoma see full process at my @youtube or links in bio”August 8, 2023As promised, the book continues to go into brand new territory. The first two volumes are both on sale from Dark Horse comics and the third volume continues to ship monthly. If you don’t see it on your shelves, ask your local retailer. If not, it is always available wherever books are sold online.
Thank you to Powells, and all the local Portland, shops for carrying our comics.
PHENOMENAWe haven’t had an occasion to announce the biggest NEW projects I’m working on but, as I told you, new volumes of JOY OPERATIONS and THE ONES are in production right now.
And another project you do know about is the continuing book series PHENOMENA.
Book 1 is on sale right now from Abrams Comixarts, and co-creator André Lima Araújo and I are very happy to tell you that Book 2 is in the final throes of publishing production.
We’re going over it right now, picking the last bits, asking our friends for advice, getting some reads from trusted peers... But meanwhile, we are already hard at work on Book 3.
For an outstanding look into André’s process and where we are with the book series. Please follow André’s truly fantastic newsletter right here on Substack.
CASTRUM LUSITANIAWork blog of storyteller André Lima Araújo: current gigs, exclusive previews, process pictures and notes, schedule updates, recommendations and more.By André Lima AraújoObviously, we love this book series sooooo much and this preview art is absolutely gorgeous.
If anyone in your life or family is fans of the Dragon Prince or the og Avatar: The Last Airbender, I do think that this brand new universe of action, imagination, and excitement might be right up your alley.
KILL YOUR DARLINGSAlthough these newsletters are drafted by me, the entire Jinxworld newsletter situation is run by two awesome dudes named Griffin Sheridan and Ethan S. Parker. Griffin and Ethan also lend their help to Matthew Rosenberg’s ASHCAN PRESS and the Stegman/Cates founded, KLC PRESS.
All the while they have been creating a brand new comic series for Image. I’m gonna let them take over for a minute and really sell this gorgeous book. Pre-order.
Supple Boiz?
***
Thanks, Brian!
Ethan and I have been lifelong comics fans — in no small part thanks to the work of the very man letting us share space in his newsletter. (This is fucking crazy.) We’re so thrilled to be arriving at this point, the release of our debut book. (This is fucking crazy.)
From IMAGE COMICS, KILL YOUR DARLINGS is a horror/fantasy epic brought to life by BOB QUINN (Knights of X) and lettered/designed by JOHN J. HILL (Vanish, Crossover). Each issue will feature a main WRAPAROUND cover by Bob, and a special variant cover by RYAN STEGMAN.
Check out the solicit and preview art for ISSUE #1:
Eight-year-old Rose loves nothing more than to play pretend in a magical land of her own creation. To her, that world is as real as our own—from her fluffy friends to the terrible evil that lurks at the center of it all.
In one night, the line between fantasy and reality will disappear, an ancient hunger will feed again, and Rose will be pulled into a gruesome saga that began centuries before her birth.
(*some readers may find some visuals disturbing.)
If you want to know what happens next, we highly encourage you to PRE-ORDER ISSUE #1 by this upcoming MONDAY, AUGUST 14th, if you want a copy when it drops on SEPTEMBER 6th.
Back to Brian! :)
***
NO LIFE!Because of the Writers Guild strike, I’m not gonna go into detail on what ended up being one of the greatest summers in the history of Cinema. I was alive in 1984, the last great summer of Cinema, and I can’t believe I got to experience it again with my kids.
Every movie we saw this summer was the best version of what we were hoping for.
Also, can I nerdbrag out with you for a second? There was a movie in the theaters this summer with my name in the credits, in the same movie theater... as Indiana Jones. I want to go back in time so badly and tell 12 year-old me this happens!! Then to see his reaction when he finds out they’re still making Indiana Jones movies in 2023.
I continue to overdose on podcasts.
Both Matt Fraction and I appeared on one of our favorite podcasts, Scott Hasn’t Seen, available from Comedy Bang Bang.
I Was There Too from Podcast Hall of Famer, Matt Gourley,takes you behind the scenes of famous movies, but not from the star or the director— the story of the film from the perspective of the person who is, like, eighth on the call sheet. It’s a phenomenal idea for a podcast.
Speaking of podcasts from Comedy Bang Bang world… There is a shockingly high quality of original improv comedy: Hey, Randy. Highly recommended. It’s amazing, check it out.
I love artist editions. THE 2000 AD ART OF KEVIN O'NEILL: APEX EDITION deep dives into the career of Kevin O’Neill, the co-creator of League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, and so many other things is an evolution of an unsung hero in our business.
Outstanding introduction by Matt Fraction, afterword by Dave Gibbons.
NEXT TIME…Coming up in a couple of days is a brand new chapter of CREATION. as we wrap up the behind-the-scenes on the comic book Secret Invasion. (Thank you for all the nice notes about the original graphic novel.)
Then, a brand new installment of FORTUNE AND GLORY: THE MUSICAL!
And as for our MASTERCLASS, I know some of you were delightfully surprised by the surprise appearance of our friend, Eisner award—winner Matt Fraction during our last master class. We loved surprising you like that. Enjoy the class. It’s one of our favorites. Our next class will be next Tuesday (8/15) and it will be talking about creator owned comics, and our guest will be The Ones co-creator Jacob Edgar! We’re going to take it behind-the-scenes on how we found our new collaboration. Jacob will be taking your questions live, so be there for class and you can be part of the situation.
Anyway, this is more than enough newsletter.
See you in a couple days, thank you for subscribing. For those of you who haven’t figured out yet, I have left Twitter for less antisemitic spaces. You can find me on Bluesky, Threads, and Instagram as my major mode of social media.
Go make some comics.
-BENDIS!
August 4, 2023
MASTERCLASS - SESSION #17: VISUALIZATION, PART 2 ft. MATT FRACTION! [ARCHIVE]
Hello once again, everyone!
This last class was a continuation of the previous session’s multi-level subject: VISUALIZATION! Plus, we were joined by special SURPRISE GUEST, MATT FRACTION!
With the added insight from Fraction, this one of our best sessions to date. So what are you waiting for? Give it a watch/listen now!
Classes take place LIVE on a bi-monthly basis, every other TUESDAY, at 6:00pm PST via Zoom. Video and audio versions of the class are then made available in the following couple days for those who were unable to join us live.
Remember that all classes and CREATION. chapters are available now in the archive. Take a look!
Plus, the original graphic novel FORTUNE AND GLORY: THE MUSICAL has BEGUN! Here, only on Substack!
Here’s a preview of this week’s class for our friends at the JINX (free) LEVEL:
The rest of this and every class is nearly two hours long! And for those who missed our previous class, you can find the archived version in this post:
POWERS and PHENOMENON LEVEL subscribers can find both the archival video and audio recording of yesterday’s class below!
[*NOTE*: Some classes do have visual aids. When you reach one of those moments in the audio version, we suggest just making a note of the timestamp and hopping over to the same point in the video version for the best experience.]
MASTERCLASS - SESSION #17: VISUALIZATION, PART 2 ft. MATT FRACTION!
Hello once again, everyone!
This last class was a continuation of the previous session’s multi-level subject: VISUALIZATION! Plus, we were joined by special SURPRISE GUEST, MATT FRACTION!
With the added insight from Fraction, this one of our best sessions to date. So what are you waiting for? Give it a watch/listen now!
Classes take place LIVE on a bi-monthly basis, every other TUESDAY, at 6:00pm PST via Zoom. Video and audio versions of the class are then made available in the following couple days for those who were unable to join us live.
Remember that all classes and CREATION. chapters are available now in the archive. Take a look!
Plus, the original graphic novel FORTUNE AND GLORY: THE MUSICAL has BEGUN! Here, only on Substack!
Here’s a preview of this week’s class for our friends at the JINX (free) LEVEL:
The rest of this and every class is nearly two hours long! And for those who missed our previous class, you can find the archived version in this post:
POWERS and PHENOMENON LEVEL subscribers can find both the archival video and audio recording of yesterday’s class below!
[*NOTE*: Some classes do have visual aids. When you reach one of those moments in the audio version, we suggest just making a note of the timestamp and hopping over to the same point in the video version for the best experience.]
August 1, 2023
TONIGHT: MASTERCLASS - SESSION #17: VISUALIZATION, PART 2
Hello again, friends!
It is MASTERCLASS DAY once again!
JINXWORLD’S SEVENTEENTH MASTERCLASS session is taking place TONIGHT at our usual time of 6:00pm PST/9:00pm EST, via Zoom!
Tonight’s class will be a continuation of last session’s multi-level subject: VISUALIZATION! All those questions you had that we couldn’t get to in time last week? Be sure to bring them again this week!
Plus, a wild OEMING is set to make an appearance.
Join us!
If you need a refresher on how to join the class, you can find that info (as well as the CLASS LINK) further down.
And if you missed last class, you can check out the archived video and audio versions here:
JOINING THE VIRTUAL CLASSThe class is reserved for members of the POWERS and PHENOMENA subscription levels, but it isn’t too late to get on the roster! Just choose the subscription level that’s right for you to gain access to the Masterclass, as well as so much more, like our multi-media series CREATION. and the ongoing original graphic novel experience Fortune and Glory: The Musical!
For our friends already subscribed, here’s what you will need to get into the class:
July 31, 2023
REMINDER: MASTERCLASS SESSION #17 TOMORROW!
This week’s class will be a continuation of last session’s multi-level subject: VISUALIZATION! All those questions you had that we couldn’t get to in time last week? Be sure to bring them again this week!
Class will take place at our usual time and place tomorrow! Tuesday (8/1), at 6:00pm PST/9:00pm EST, via ZOOM.
Expect the class link in our post tomorrow afternoon!
NEED TO CATCH UP?You can find the syllabus and video recordings of all previous classes in our MASTERCLASS ARCHIVE.
WANT TO JOIN THE MASTERCLASS?The MASTERCLASS is reserved for members of the POWERS and PHENOMENA subscription levels. For just $5/mo you’ll get access to our bi-monthly masterclass, co-taught by BENDIS and TAKI SOMA, covering the art of crafting comics and graphic novels.
(Plus, you’ll be able to access our multi-media series CREATION. and the ongoing graphic novel experience: FORTUNE AND GLORY: THE MUSICAL)
You can hit the SUBSCRIBE button below, select the tier that’s right for you, and start enjoying exclusive materials immediately.
We look forward to seeing everyone tomorrow night!
Many thanks,
BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS, TAKI SOMA, and The JINXWORLD Team
July 24, 2023
MASTERCLASS - SESSION #16: VISUALIZATION [ARCHIVE]
Hello once again, everyone!
Earlier this week we held our SIXTEENTH MASTERCLASS SESSION, all about the very important and rarely talked about topic of VISUALIZATION. Visualizing the project, its shape, its purpose, what you want from it, and how you see it. Plus, we got to answer a bunch of great questions from you all!
Classes take place LIVE on a bi-monthly basis, every other TUESDAY, at 6:00pm PST via Zoom.
Video and audio versions of the class are then made available in the following couple days for those who were unable to join us live.
Remember that all classes and CREATION. chapters are available now in the archive. Take a look!
Plus, the original graphic novel FORTUNE AND GLORY: THE MUSICAL has BEGUN! Here, only on Substack!
Here’s a preview of this week’s class for our friends at the JINX (free) LEVEL:
The rest of this and every class is nearly two hours long! And for those who missed our previous class, you can find the archived version in this post:
POWERS and PHENOMENON LEVEL subscribers can find both the archival video and audio recording of yesterday’s class below!
[*NOTE*: Some classes do have visual aids. When you reach one of those moments in the audio version, we suggest just making a note of the timestamp and hopping over to the same point in the video version for the best experience.]
July 18, 2023
TONIGHT: MASTERCLASS - SESSION #16: VISUALIZATION
Hello again, friends!
After a brief holiday break, it is MASTERCLASS DAY once again!
JINXWORLD’S SIXTEENTH MASTERCLASS session is taking place TONIGHT at our usual time of 6:00pm PST/9:00pm EST, via Zoom!
Tonight — as a result of the many one-on-one consultations I've been doing with the Phenomena Level subscribers — class will be on VISUALIZATION.
Visualizing the project, its shape, its purpose, what you want from it, and how you see it. This is a pretty intense, multi-level subject that almost all of you have been asking me about because almost no one actually talks about it.
PLUS, Taki has prepared a thunderous presentation to share with you all!
If you need a refresher on how to join the class, you can find that info (as well as the CLASS LINK) further down.
And if you missed last class, you can check out the archived video and audio versions here:
JOINING THE VIRTUAL CLASSThe class is reserved for members of the POWERS and PHENOMENA subscription levels, but it isn’t too late to get on the roster! Just choose the subscription level that’s right for you to gain access to the Masterclass, as well as so much more, like our multi-media series CREATION. and the ongoing original graphic novel experience Fortune and Glory: The Musical!
For our friends already subscribed, here’s what you will need to get into the class:
July 17, 2023
REMINDER: MASTERCLASS TOMORROW!
As we described in the last newsletter, this class was going to be a long overdue free-for-all Q and A, but now we're going to start this class with an important subject that has revealed itself because of the many one-on-one consultations I've been doing with the Phenomena Level subscribers.
Tomorrow’s class will be on VISUALIZATION. Visualizing the project, its shape, its purpose, what you want from it, and how you see it. A pretty intense, multi-level subject that almost all of you have been asking me about because almost no one actually talks about it.
And yes, Taki has a thunderous presentation to share with you all!
Class will take place at our usual time and place tomorrow! Tuesday (7/18) at 6:00pm PST via ZOOM.
Expect the class link in our post tomorrow afternoon!
NEED TO CATCH UP?You can find the syllabus and video recordings of all previous classes in our MASTERCLASS ARCHIVE.
WANT TO JOIN THE MASTERCLASS?The MASTERCLASS is reserved for members of the POWERS and PHENOMENA subscription levels. For just $5/mo you’ll get access to our bi-monthly masterclass, co-taught by BENDIS and TAKI SOMA, covering the art of crafting comics and graphic novels.
(Plus, you’ll be able to access our multi-media series CREATION. and the forthcoming graphic novel experience: FORTUNE AND GLORY: THE MUSICAL)
You can hit the SUBSCRIBE button below, select the tier that’s right for you, and start enjoying exclusive materials immediately.
We look forward to seeing everyone tomorrow night!
Many thanks,
BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS, TAKI SOMA, and The JINXWORLD Team
July 12, 2023
MURDER INC.! POWERS! PHENOMENA 2! MASTERCLASS UPDATE!
Hey, everybody!
This is a big week at Jinxworld/Dark Horse. For starters, an all-new issue of our epic crime comic Murder Inc. dropped!
It’s available NOW in comic shops everywhere.
Thank you for all the nice notes. We love this book SO much.
Here’s a preview! The whole team is going all-out on this one.
Also, a new big brick of POWERS is out this week!
This massive volume (504 pages!) is filled with extra behind-the-scenes content, giving you a great look at how it all came together.
Dive into our HUGE award-winning cops and capes saga!
You’ll find an extended preview of the book by clicking on the pages below.
Next, make sure to stop by André Lima Araújo’s amazing Substack.
He’s been posting incredible process peeks on not only Phenomena 2, but Phenomena 3 as well!
You can find that newsletter below.
CASTRUM LUSITANIAWork blog of storyteller André Lima Araújo: current gigs, exclusive previews, process pictures and notes, schedule updates, recommendations and more.By André Lima AraújoGive him a subscribe, and he’ll fill your inbox with amazing Phenomena art like THIS!!
Not caught up? Volume One of Phenomena, The Golden City of Eyes, is on sale now. You can get yourself a copy by clicking [HERE].
Book 2 is coming soon!!
Finally, the next MASTERCLASS is NEXT TUESDAY, JULY 18th, at 6:00pm PST/ 9:00pm EST! The link to join, as always, is forthcoming.
I am excited to see you all back in class live.
And for those who missed our previous class, you can find the archived version in this post:
POWERS and PHENOMENON LEVEL subscribers can take a look at both the archival video and audio of that class… Plus, last week we released a FREE bonus Masterclass with Charles Soule for EVERYONE!
You can check that one out below:
See you soon.
With never ending gratitude,
BENDIS!
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