Happy New Year 2015

It was the best of times, it was the worst of — wait, no, sorry, that’s something else. Don’t know what in the Dickens I was thinking…

But that is how I felt about 2014. I had some low times — issues with health, issues with finances, issues with family. None of these were particular hard-hitting, but they all hit me at moments I was most susceptible to attack. Luckily, I’m still in one piece.

The good times, though, were great. Working in comics has given me so much. I got to work with great people, made new friends, visited places I’d never been, and had so much fun doing all of the above.

I got to see friends and collaborators get what they truly deserved in all the best ways this year; dream jobs, weddings, and more than one miracle save when the wolves were at the door.

I got to play in the Marvel sandbox one more time, joining Chris Yost and Marcus To for the finale of their fun New Warriors series.

I got to work with longtime friend and editor Tom Waltz in scripting a crossover miniseries we’ve been talking about for years: the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles meeting the Ghostbusters.

I got to work on some truly fun projects at IDW courtesy editors Sarah Gaydos, Carlos Guzman, and Bobby Curnow.

I got to work with brilliant artists like Erica Henderson, CP Wilson III, Ben Bates, and of course, my most frequent collaborators, Dan Schoening and Luis Antonio Delgado.

I got working on a creator owned project which I hope will be out next year, with gentleman, scholar, and art titan Erik Evensen.

Guys, I’m just namedropping at this point, and I know it. But these folks — and more — really made a positive difference in my life.

What will 2015 bring? Too soon for me to say. I’ve pitched stories I’m excited about writing (and in some cases, even drawing.) Some are long shots, some feel more like “sure things.” (Although we all know the only certainties are death and taxes, like the man said.)

I need to get back in shape — the doctor told me so! — so I’ll be pushing for that anew. (I’ve already started. Hope I don’t jinx it!)

I also need to learn to lower my stress level, or I may not it to 2025!

But mostly I’m hoping I’ll find more of the good in the world, which I will then cling to for dear life.

In fact, let’s all do that.

Happy New Year!

-Erik