Autumn is a Sneak
Just like the falling leaves, stuff seems to be piling up.
How is it September already? This was meant to be an early August newsletter but time has evaporated amidst the busy-ness of the last few months. I wanted to drop in to talk about a few projects to keep on your radar.
A Phone Call Away
First up, released in early August, A Phone Call Away is an 80+ page graphic novel from Mad Cave written by Rich Douek with art by me. It's a neo-L.A.-noir, true-crime-esque story that examines the human cost of exploiting online celebrity. It's a canny story filled with very recognizable characters and captures the zeitgeist around true-crime mania.
A pair of ambitious L.A.-types are chasing the American dream. But their dream turns to nightmare when their six year-old daughter goes missing. The national past time of crime obsession turns the grief laden couple into internet celebrities. But wealth and fame are soured when their second child vanishes on the morning of her sixth birthday. Old ghosts are exhumed, fresh leads appear, and family drama is never far from a camera lens.
“Honestly, this book makes me want to nominate it for things because I feel like it deserves so much recognition. It’s a fast-paced read that packs so much into 80+ pages. Highly recommended.” – The Frumious Consortium
“Colorful, often shady characters propel this diverting mystery…Illustrator Olson excels at depicting the surroundings, from an impressively detailed stand of woods to deep-black shadows in darkened rooms to the memorable, lightly toned flashbacks.” –Kirkus Reviews
Flash Gordon Quarterly #1
A little while ago, Mad Cave worked out an agreement with King Features to relaunch Flash Gordon into the comicsphere. As well as an ongoing monthly, they’re also publishing The Flash Gordon Quarterly. The Quarterly has one masthead story that will take shape over the first four issues with back-up stories exploring a sort of Elseworlds multiverse of Flash. I teamed up with my ol’ chum Jordan Thomas (Weird Work; Skin Police) to whip up Flash Gordon Detective Services. It’s a what-if Flash hadn’t left Earth to explore the galaxy but instead set up a private investigation service. It features all of the main cast, but reimagined as denizens of a noirish metropolis in which intrigue and danger lurk in every shadowy corner. This was a dream gig and I can’t wait for folks to read it. It’s out this NCBD!
“Thomas gives some serious Dick Tracy vibes to the story with the use of special gadgets and over the top characters. Olson’s art is in this moody style that, while cartoony at times, really sets the tone for this kind of neo-noir story. I found this story to be my favorite of the bunch...” – The Beat
Gateway City Returns!
That’s right! Lundy, Martha, Sam, Pete, Papers and the rest of the gang return for the fifth volume of my pulp-noir-sci-fi series set in Prohibition St. Louis. The new instalment catches back up with Arwenza and Otto; sees Papers trying to do a good deed; Lundy march into the lion’s den; and Martha and Cal do their best to throw the book at the alien interlopers. The Kickstarter launch page is live, so drop on over and click the button to follow along. My plan is to launch the campaign on the first of October, but if that changes, I’ll let you know.
As with previous campaigns, there will be digital and physical copies, and exclusive Kickstarter bookplate, catch-up add-ons, and original art. I’ll probably have pages from Gateway as well as Phonecall and Flash. I’ll have a few sketch rewards available as well (but probably not as many slots as previous campaigns due to time). Hope to see you there.
SKRAWLLORDZ On the Move
We’re still trying to nail down the third issue of SKRAWL, but at the moment, we’re all finding it a bit tricky schedule-wise. Don’t worry, though, it’s still being discussed and organized. Most likely the third mag will be out sometime in late 2025. In the meantime, Martin Simpson is producing a fantastic minicomic, The Void, with a bit of reworking of his story for the first SKRAWL which you can preorder here:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/1740216337/the-void-mini-comic-pre-order?etsrc=sdt
Meanwhile, Gustaffo Vargas has been working with Michael Walsh on a cyberpunk retelling of the trials of Hercules called NullHunter. It’s being published by Image Comics and is scheduled to hit shelves this October. Make sure to add it to your pull list. You will not want to miss it.
Appearances
My only con attendance for the remainder of the year will be at Thought Bubble. So, if you’re going to be there, do stop by and say howdy! It really is my highlight of the year. Such a great show. So many wonderful people. Can’t wait.
Thanks again for subscribing and see you in the funny pages!
-R