ICYMI: Nicole, Dave, and I went deep on horror punk, artistic friendships, the sting of maturity, Star Trek, romance comics, and subverting expectations, among other topics and tidbits. Enjoy!

Another Deep Dive about a neat-o little book exploring punk rock and dumb love. But I also think this is a really solid example of what I try to do with these extra long pieces: It's about way more than the book, and we explore the work and history of Baker and Goux and what it really means. Enjoy!

I make some important comparisons/connections, but I def. think that @williamharms.bsky.social and co. are to something that feels like a kick in the butt for some apocalyptic stories.

The second review of the day from ya boi. @andrewmaclean.bsky.social and co. have something totally weird/intense/brain/melting/poignant that’s taken root. Huzzah!

My first review of the day is the increasingly wonderful 'Is Ted OK?' #2 by @davechisholmcomics.com. After feeling slightly befuddled by #1, I think I really get at the robust love and humanity that makes this book feel so dang special. Enjoy! (CC @aiptcomics.com.)

This week's theme is "The many splendors of human emotion (and also one lizard dude)." A personal fave, truly.

Seeing The Maxx on MTV, and then discovering the comics, shaped my brain and soul in some very significant ways. “Pain lasts, kid. It's how you know you're alive. Sometimes I think this growing up thing is just pain management.” RIP Sam Kieth.

I’ve seen the future, and it is glorious agony.

Quite excited for these two. Really slow-burning, contemplative stuff from what's been previewed.

'Wrestle Heist' continues to be the best hybrid between caper and wrestling, and @thekylestarks.bsky.social is having fun, doing big things as we build to a Wrestlemania-like grand finale. Oh yeah!

I don't have a theme for this week beyond, "Comics Cornucopia." I'm also proud of myself for using Garfield as the banner and not even more gore/horror. Huzzah!

Dave does amazing work, yes. But talk to him for 2 minutes, and he regards and engages with comics like no one else. And he draws the crap out of fire.

Yeah, @tristanwright.bsky.social is a beacon of wonder. Every single inch of every single page/image just SLAPPPPSS. Go read Toxic Crusaders, now.

There’s something perfect and pleasing about this design.

If you bought this, my birthday was in January.

Some light-ish reading for your weekend. First up, I spoke w/ @danschkade.bsky.social about Lavender Jack, Flash Gordon, the power of heroes, surviving hard times through collaboration, and much, much more. (CC @darkhorse.com):

This week's 2nd deep dive is maybe actually 2 in 1. Because over a genuinely great hour, @danschkade.bsky.social and I compared and contrasted both dashing heroes. The end result is not only great behind the scenes stuff and whatnot, but a testament to Dan's heart and skill within #comics. Enjoy!

Sharing this again on a sunny, wondrous #NCBD/#newcomicbookday. I think we get into some interesting things about modern comics, and how the medium exists in some specific but lively places. Enjoy!

For the evening or whenever crowd!!

My ‘Tigress Island’ coverage for this fine Tuesday continues with an issue #1 review. It’s really quite wild and bloody and all-around good (if the previous 5,000 words didn’t establish that for ya)!

More good work from the wonderful CB team (and the equally talented @davidharper.bsky.social). I feel like charts could be used for all sorts of half-cocked/nefarious ploys, but it creates a baseline that comics DESPERATELY needs. Math is the great illuminator, and numbers talk to most folks.

The first deep dive of the week is one I am quite proud of. It's also a really interesting book with genuine layers galore, and it was great to talk collaboration, modern comics, exploitation flicks, and much more with two great dudes. Enjoy!

This week's theme? "The world is a bloody/awful/wonderful/beguiling/wacky place."

It’s your boy on blood and narcolepsy.

Here's a list of 58 comics features/interviews I've done in he last 2.5-ish years, each one at least 3,000 words. (And some as high as 4k or 5k.) I am King Deep Dive of the Realm of Verbosa.

The thought of “Ben Wheatley and Slapstick” immediately formed in my mind.

Perhaps read my interview — tinyurl.com/38v4kvd6 — and #1 review — tinyurl.com/ye4uavtd? Hype hype!

ICYMI: A ‘Narco’ deep dive that’s also about creativity, friendship, and finding new ways into familiar stories. (CC @imagecomics.com):

More ‘Narco’ action!

I clearly don't know enough about Peanuts, but I've never seen it look this way. So flippin' cool looking.

Endings suck, but @alexpaknadel.bsky.social and @angoranapkin.bsky.social have used 'Cult of the Lamb' to tell a rich, massively important story. It hums with the best stuff of life, and it couldn't have come at a better time personally, socially, etc.

I love all things Wagner and Hillyard, and it was a proper joy to talk about their books, partnership, creative approach, etc. ‘Narco’ feels different in some key ways, and I think this piece contextualizes that pretty dang well. Enjoy!

Another edition of Judging by the Cover from @aiptcomics.com (complete with covers by @danielwarrenart.bsky.social, @jorgejimenezart.bsky.social, etc.) This week's theme is, "Heroes/Villains Doing Their Thang."

I gave some love to that totes great Big Bill record. Go America*! (* = Not the actual America; the one that now lives in the haze of conditionality and faded human decency.)

I want that “Deadman’s Daddy” shirt real bad.

Happy New Outerspass Music Day for all who celebrate.

Wheatley is a proper storytelling madman, and I’m jazzed he’s dropped into Dredd-world.

This out this week -- get excited!

Not only do I like my write-up, but this book continues to be the perfect way to celebrate/dissect wrestling. Oh yeah!!

Holy shit! A sterling 10/10 review! "I don’t say this often, and even now it feels a smidgen hyperbolic, but I earnestly believe this could be one of the most important books of this decade. Truly."

I don’t give out a lot of 10s, but @davechisholmcomics.com more than deserved it. A genuinely brain-melting book that does so darn much so effortlessly. We will be talking about this one for years.

Another great smattering of covers. I would say this week’s theme is, “Behold, the terror and wonder of the human body!”

Want even more of my musical musings? I also recently returned to @post-trash.bsky.social to review the new Bungee Jumpers release. It's real, real good, ya dweebs!

ICYMI!

A very cool Deep Dive (TM) as @josephpillidge.bsky.social and I talk about Milestone, 'The Dakota Incident,' the power of superheroes, legacy and lineage, Biggie, and much, much more. Enjoy!

Cinema has yet to top the chase scene in 'Short Circuit 2' for sheer character development and effective musical integration.

'Death to Pachuco' was a genuine joy to read, and I'm appreciative of the team for crafting a crime story with so much heart, action, humor, and history. Get on it!

THE REVIEWS DON’T STOP! Another one that seems mostly bombastic and weird, but I do believe there’s something bigger brewing under the surface. Shout out to @andrewmaclean.bsky.social and co. for a truly solid start.

The review train keeps on rolling with this wild saga of small-town life and legacy. Shout out to @davidlapham.bsky.social and co. for a good time (read: complicated and bizarre and emotionally trying).