Back w/ another JBTC from @aiptcomics.com. This week includes @mikeljanin.bsky.social's Batman badassery; continued splendor from @alexrossart.bsky.social; spooky 'Twilight Zone' magic via @morganbeem.bsky.social; and @jamesstokoe.bsky.social's continued brilliance on 'Orphan...' Plus so much more!

The Stones. Christ that man loved Mick Jagger.

At the airport 3 hours. AMA or ridicule accordingly.

This looks great — more fantasy comedies.

A lot of stimming, edibles, and cheeseburgers.

I agree — continuity when it’s fun and convenient for good storytelling.

Joey’s basically written a version of the Power Rangers (PEDESTRIAN!), so this should be great.

You think I just go on and on and on about comics? No, dude, my blow-hard-ed-ness also applies to music, like that of the awesome BRNDA. My latest for @mgrmagazine.bsky.social:

Who won and can I interview her now?

I'm at my gate 2 hours early 'cause I plan like a champion. So won't you do me a solid and read this @2000ad.bsky.social interview I did? Otherwise, I'm eating a breakfast burger, and it's all your fault. (Also, shout out to @stevewmorris.bsky.social for facilitating this -- the man's royalty.)

@shortboxcomicsfair.bsky.social Hi there, my name's Chris Coplan (the comics editor at AIPT). I've emailed a couple times regarding a possible interview -- could you let me know either way? Thanks and take care!

Huzzah!

The whole Bloodletter crew continue to deliver this bold, poignant story about the cost of revenge, obsession, and whether winning is better than actually living. Great stuff.

Quite excited for this one to drop -- score one for earnest, hopeful sci-fi.

Another solid week, and the @danielwarrenart.bsky.social may be one of the best of the year. Comics!

Good horror-noir. Noirror?

This is out for tomorrow’s #NCBD — it’s spooky and cathartic and the right kind of gory.

Marvel did a great job here, and I really enjoy getting to edit stuff from writers with a great empathy and an appreciation of comics. Please give this truly heartfelt piece a few moments of your time:

At this point, I'm Toxie 4 lyfe. But that said, @mattbors.bsky.social and @tristanwright.bsky.social have nonetheless killed it with a debut that's fun, textured, nostalgic (but not irritatingly so), and packed with promise. Crusaders, go!

Back at it again with space dolphins, kung fu zombies, and superheroes galore!

A site for Uma Thurman to sell memorabilia and merchandise. Uma-zon.

What the hell do you know about Daniel Johns?

Is it canon that Donnie is smaller? I think I’ve seen that from time to time and kinda hate it. But only cause that’s my tie-wearing boy.

I’d pay $125 to see this version of AFI play “High School Football Hero.”

Before you go out for #NCBD, let me suggest a few covers worthy of your time/attention/currency. Perhaps a super neat-o @jorgejimenezart.bsky.social 'Batman' cover, or quaint zombie cows by @thatjacobphillips.bsky.social for 'Everything Dead & Dying.' The bounty, it has delivered yet again.

This is a good thread. I guess I’ve always seen this debate as less about comics being like manga and maybe experiencing this kind of “manga-fication”. (I.E., Not making a mascot per se but maybe earning that sway?) Then the question is can it change, should it, what’s that look like, etc.

I know dick and I’d still rather eat my own fingers than use ChatGPT.

I’m quoting this to remember to read it tomorrow. What an amazing premise that will surely make me weep 3-4 different ways.

This is going to be deeply special.

For the evening crowd: Over at @aiptcomics.com, I spoke with @thatryanparrott.bsky.social about ‘It Killed Everyone But Me,’ including the essence of horror, working out your demons, the keys to a great bad guy, and gore as “spice.” Enjoy! (CC @madcavestudios.com)

I read 'Blood Honey' over the weekend, and it's really great. Real 'Riverdale' meets 'Mr. & Mrs. Smith' vibes, and it's just so perfectly realized (as well as endearing, confrontational, wonderfully messy, etc.)

This great @comicsbeat.bsky.social story by @comixace.bsky.social got me thinking about my recent "comics is having an existential crisis" essay (read here - shorturl.at/ugVBJ). It's just more proof that important convos aren't being had and comics isn't pivoting/growing in a way that makes sense.

Well, @jrsosa18.bsky.social and co. keep killing it on one of the more inventive, personal series going right now. Truly another underrated gem from @ahoycomicmags.bsky.social:

Another deep dive (#17 of the year!) as @thatryanparrott.bsky.social and I talk about the state of modern horror, growth through tragedy, creating the perfect monster, and even reference 'Weapons' and 'The Pitt.' Please enjoy! (CC @madcavestudios.com)

Just started watching ‘Alien: Earth.’ (It’s great.) But I’m reminded that in this universe, the answer to every moral quandary, emotional query, and general question is, “Don’t fucking do that.”

More gems this week? You know it!

Comics Talkin’.

Just read ‘The Left-Hand Path’ from @kenknudtsen.bsky.social and @scottbryanwilson.bsky.social. Supremely good sci-fi that had its claws in my from panel one. A profound exercise in masterful one-shot storytelling.

Next up in August's @aiptcomics.com Deep Dives is my chat w/@zacthompson.bsky.social. We talk body horror, the forthcoming 'Into The Unbeing' Pt. 2 TPB, the two 'Cemetery Kids...' books, climate change, and finding yourself in art. (CC @darkhorse.com)

The Pedestrian is an amazing book about community made by a loving, dedicated community of artists. It also has great knock-off Power Rangers, and that's all you ever need in any comic. A deep dive from last year: aiptcomics.com/2024/07/30/t...

Before 'Toxic Crusaders' drops 9/10, I got to explore @mattbors.bsky.social's excellent work on all things Toxie. I am both proud of this feature and endlessly in love with our mutated man with a mop. @aiptcomics.com @ahoycomicmags.bsky.social

It was a busy August over at @aiptcomics.com for Coplan Deep Dives (TM). So I'm re-sharing each one before September unfurls. First up, @cullenbunn.bsky.social talks about his many great books (including recent gems from @darkhorse.com and an exciting prospect from @ignitionpress.bsky.social):

I'm just stealing Zack's cause were the same age. (But adding Beck's 'Sea Change.')

If you’re heading out for yet another grand #NCBD, enjoy a few handy suggestions.

For the evening crowd: More throwback goodness from @comicstitan.bsky.social:

My new fave "crime" story continues this week with a chapter that's personal and grounded and then BAM left hook. Get on this now or I'll feed you to the gators.

Back at it again -- some true gems this week!

Kid Maroon is exactly my kinda crime story — aiptcomics.com/2024/11/05/k...

#Increaseaband Street Korn. 10 Pence None The Richer.

If you haven't already, peep my latest deep dive with Lukas Kummer. His 'Ionheart' (out now via @topshelfcomix.bsky.social) is top-notch sci-fi/fantasy that's wonderfully weird and uncomplicated but also rich and layered and really moving. RIYL: 'Adventure Time,' 'Futurama':