That’s right, if you’ve been waiting to read THE CULL until it was all collected, then today’s your day. THE CULL is available everywhere fine comics are sold (it’s also available digitally on Comixology, or here if you’re a paid subscriber.)

If you ARE a paid subscriber, make sure to scroll to the end of this newsletter where you can get a code after the paywall for a serious discount in the webstore (which ALSO features shiny new copies of THE CULL!) Also behind the paywall cut are the backmatter pages so those of you who have been reading all along can check them out.

Additionally, in honor of the release, I’ve made the FULL FIRST ISSUE available for free to all subscribers — here’s the link to THE CULL #1 which ALL subscribers can read FOR FREE as of today.

One thing to note, if you’ve been reading the print copies as we released them — the collected trade, in addition to having a new cover and a few pages of cool backmatter — is printed on GLOSSY paper — not matte. I typically prefer matte in comics, but we found, with Mattia’s saturated digital painting style the glossy pages really handled that ink saturation better. We’re super happy about how it looks, and we hope you will be too!

In case you ARE pretty new to THE CULL here’s a cool trailer for the book made by Mattia Muccichini with music “We Were Made For This” by CHPTRS.

Thanks for reading!

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Thank you to all of you, for helping us make it. <3

And since this post is for paid backers only, just below is your new PROMO CODE for the webstore — which was fully updated this week!

Just enter SUNFLOWER at check out …

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And then Mattia sent in a page of spectacular colors from THE CULL #5 (out Jan 2024!) and it was so goddamn cool I figured it alone should be the post. So…

HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM THE CULL. ;D

Celebrate the Season…or something! ;D

Love you guys. I hope you’re all safe and warm (or cool if you prefer that, some do) and near somebody that loves you. <3

More coming soon.

Kelly

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If you haven’t read issue three, or just want to refresh your memory you can find it here.

Oh, and real quick… for any of you that may have missed it on various social m…

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For any of you that may have missed it on various social media @mattiamuccichini
did for us. It’s absolutely awesome. [Soundtrack: Title: Disasterpeace]:

Pretty incredible. Makes it even easier to imagine it as a TV show or movie. Wild.

Two little things before we get to the issue.

1. By overwhelming 67% vote, you guys said you wanted the answer to the previous newsletter Connections Game in the next post. So here we are with the answers. If you’re still playing, avert your eyes! You can find the original puzzle for #1 here and for #2 here.

CONNECTIONS #1 CORRECT ANSWERS:

CONNECTIONS #2 CORRECT ANSWERS:

2. THE WEBSHOP has been updated and now also includes all copies of THE CULL #3, BIRDS OF PREY #2, and of course BLACK CLOAK VOLUME 1.

I’m giving ALL Subscribers to the stack a promo code this month. For paid subscribers, you can see your code after the paywall, but free subscribers — you can get $5.00 OFF this month if you enter MINI-TREAT at check out. This cannot be combined with other offers.

NOTE: If you are a paid subscriber, you can use both this code and the code below the paywall, but please use them on separate orders, as they cannot be combined.

Upgrade your subscription now to get access to both discount codes, access to all-new prose coming soon, and new comics already here — like all of BLACK CLOAK and the first three issues of THE CULL!

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BECAUSE HERE IT IS…well, after a brief message from THE WEBSHOP — which has been updated with our first GORGEOUS BLACK CLOAK VOL 1 editions! These are truly beautiful and at 180 pages of story, very hefty for a trade!

AND while unpacking the new books I discovered a whack of THE CULL #1s that were misfiled — including a few of the super rare (and pricey) Tula Lotay Connecting Variant — and some more normally priced options. So if you’ve been on the hunt for THE CULL #1 variants, look no further!

I had hoped to have THE CULL #2 and the second printings of #1 also loaded up today, but unfortunately they’ve not yet arrived. I’ll get them up as soon as possible though.

After the paywall there’s also a new code for Substack Subscribers only for $8 off in the webstore. Subscribe now to get access to all these comics and store discounts and cool behind the scenes stuff! Not to mention the now coveted voting and commenting access and all-new prose coming your way soon. <3

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And don’t forget that THE CULL #1 SECOND PRINTING — with that super cool “monster” cover will also be in shops on Wednesday if you want issue 1 and missed it, or if you’re just a hardcore collector. I know some of us are. ;D

I’m going to put the preview up again here too in case anyone missed it last week in the BIRDS OF PREY post last week. <3

THE CULL is words/plot by me, art/colors by Mattia De Iulis, and lettering by Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou.

This is in stores everywhere (and here on the site for paid subscribers on Wednesday 9/13/23:

I can’t wait for you guys to read this issue! But I’m also so nervous! Ahhhhh!

Lots going on this week — expect more posts! ;D

~Kelly

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I’m sure there will be a more official Image Press Release next week — but since it popped up on Bleeding Cool (with the cover!) I figured I better get the news out there.

Yes! Along with absolute rave reviews for the issue 1 (linking to a few of my favs below — but honestly they’ve all been quite good) — we’ve been told we sold out at the Distributor level and are getting a second printing.

We rushed a new cover for that printing to Image and thanks to the early call, they were able to turn it around fast — and my understanding is that the second printing will be in shops the SAME DAY as issue #2 (Sept 13th) — which is great. Like, that’s the ideal scenario.

So what’s the new cover. Well, it could be only one thing, right? ;D

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Hell yeah.

As I said above, all our reviews have been pretty great — and by that I mean not just positive, but pretty well-considered, with a few exceptions. It feels like people really took the time to think about this book — and honestly, that means the world to Mattia and me. We have been working on it SO LONG! So for people being thoughtful about things we were thoughtful about. Yeah, it pleases me!

Anyway, I don’t usually call out specific reviews (I tend to link to none of them or all of them) but there were a couple stand out reviews here — that are honestly some of my favorite reviews I’ve gotten in a long time. Multiversity Comics - Elias Rosner and AIPT - Nathan Simmons and You Don’t Read Comics - Russ Bickerstaff and Monkeys Fighting Robots - Justin Munday.

I’ve done a bunch of podcast interviews of late…but I’m going to have to leave linking to those for another post. This is probably plenty for a damn Saturday anyway.

Oh — but if you haven’t voted yet in the new MARGOT & LAYLA MUST DIE! post — make sure to check that out! — voting will close by MONDAY — don’t miss your chance to help chart the course of M&LMD!

Thanks to all of you for your love and support as we built this — and congratulations to you too — this a win for all of us in a way. <3

~ Kelly

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All right. Let us now journey together into the unknown!

I cannot believe it’s finally here and I truly hope you guys love it.

THE CULL #1 is also now out in print from Image Comics in good comic book stores everywhere.

And! Since I am on top of both the Founders Mailing Reward Packages (should go out next week!) — and the store is open — I’m happy to report that you can also buy copies of THE CULL #1 directly from me on the Webstore NOW.

For those of you still on the fence about getting a paid sub, I’m offering a big chunk of this issue below for free — but be aware that you WILL hit the paywall partway through reading.

Art and colors by Mattia De Iulis, letters by Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou, editing by Charles Beacham, and cover/indicia design by Rian Hughes.

Typically on these posts I put the downloadable PDF and CBZ files right here at the top — but because I’m offering a big section of the issue for free — I had to put those files behind the paywall this time — which means you can find them at the bottom. Apologies for the inconvenience in future issues they’ll be right here at the top.

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If you want to download the issue as a PDF or CBZ file, that is unfortunately behind the paywall, or you can buy the collected trade, which is OUT NOW. You can buy it anywhere badass comics are sold, including on my own webstore.

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TODAY is the last day to guarantee your copy of THE CULL #1.

That’s right, today is, at long last FOC (Final Order Cut Off) for THE CULL #1. And so it’s the last day to tell your comic shop you want it.

You MIGHT be able to find a print copy when it releases on 8/16/23 if you don’t pre-order, but do you really want to risk that?!

(boy these are getting dramatic).

If you don’t have a great local shop already, here’s a link to Midtown Comics where you can pre-order the book (or wishlist it for later).

Anyway, as a reminder here’s a link to the 5-page preview.

Here’s a link to our first 5/5 review.

And here’s a round up of all the issue #1 covers (and their order codes!). These are the open order covers:

And these are the incentive covers: McClaren 1:10; Ruan 1:25; Lotay (connecting variant) 1:50:

Also, these are the 11x17 posters that went out in Comp Packages to a bunch of retailers (mostly US but one in India and 4 in Canada!) So ask your shop and keep your eyes peeled!

There are also some cool vinyl two-color stickers with THE CULL title block and some signed double-sided postcards (that printed pretty dark on the front side unfortunately) — I’ll post some photos of them later this week.

OH! Any of you hunting for that rare Peach Momoko Venomized Jeff cover for EXTREME VENOMVERSE #5? I have about 5 up in my shop. They’re expensive — you can probably find them for less elsewhere right now — but I suspect they will disappear fast (in fact you can only buy 1 at Midtown right now, which tells me they expect a run on them) ;D

Anyway. They’re up on store if you’ve gotta have it!

In other news… I have three Bluesky Invite Codes for Subscribers Only.

I’ll give these out — first come first serve — to the first three people that list their favorite current comic book (not written by me of course) in the comments section!

And then everyone is excused for the day and your only homework is to tell at least 10 people you know about THE CULL today. lol

Okay, that’s extra credit. The actual homework is to be kind to someone that needs it today.

~xo Kelly

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Second. FOC for The Cull #1 tomorrow!!!

I know you guys are all about as locked in as you can be on this stuff, so I mostly don’t want to ask anything of you, just to thank you for your patience in the increased PR Chatter/Book roll out stuff to do. As I said before, with social media pretty broken and when not outright broken then pretty fractured and scattered to the wind right now it’s harder than ever to launch stuff successfully, so your patience is… awesome. Obviously we’re not going to just stop talking about THE CULL, but after tomorrow the noise should get down to a more reasonable dull roar at least, and we appreciate your patience with that — and assistance in telling everyone you know. ;D

We continue to get a lot of really positive response from retailers and pros. Midtown Comics very kindly hyped the book on their socials. And I got all the Retailer Packages out yesterday, which frees me up for starting shipping on all those orders you guys placed last weekend!

And I’m showing off new quotes today — first up, from the excellent GERRY DUGGAN:

And this from the incredible GREG RUCKA — on what is actually a teeny tiny exclusive first look at the cool back side of your CULL comics — designed by Rian Hughes, and the silhouette element by Mattia and Rian:

So. Not a terrible day when some of your writing heroes say things like that about your work. Not too bad at all. <3

I hope you guys have a great Sunday. Give someone who needs it a hug, self-hugs accepted but not preferred.

~Kelly

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But FIRST! — I get asked a lot of questions about where to find books and such, what FOC is, and I thought I’d highlight some stuff that might be helpful?

First up. If you don’t have a comic shop you already love, or don’t have one local to you, MIDTOWN COMICS is a great option. I lived for years in NYC and so know it first hand as a brick and mortar shop, but we moved from NYC years ago and I still order from Midtown. At Midtown you can also click to “wishlist” something if they don’t have it in stock, which is helpful to both me and them to signal interest in a title.

But if you prefer something local to you, perhaps try the COMICS SHOP LOCATOR.

I also wanted to shout out a specific Melbourne Australia shop — ALL-STAR COMICS — that between cost and timing (international shipping doesn’t play, yo), I wasn’t able to get a comp package to — but they were terrific and if you’re lucky enough to have them be your local shop — congratulations! — that’s a big win!

We also got our first official review — COMICS CRUSADERS gives THE CULL #1 — 5/5 STARS. Let’s hope we get more of those! ;D

We’ve also been getting these amazing quotes from pros that I’ve been slow rolling out across social media. You’ve already heard from Gail Simone, Matthew Rosenberg, Elena Casagrande, and Tom Taylor.

Today let’s hear from the great CHRIS RAFFERTY:

And how about the great AL EWING:

And the fantastic KELLY SUE DECONNICK too!

We also, in addition to our BKV/Exploding Giraffe endorsement, got a lovely shout out from my favorite* comics Substack that isn’t this one — It’s Chip Zdarsky’s Newsletter, Okay?

While we’re here I want to thank you guys for all being so patient with this PR rollout stuff. Even I get exhausted talking about the book at this point — but with Social Media more broken than ever, it’s harder than ever to launch a book. So your patience (and help in sharing) has been absolutely awesome. So were all the webstore orders I got, btw! You all went crazy — I have so many packages to ship! Thank you! <3

*This is a lie as I actually have three favorite comic Substacks so far and I’m not telling you the other two!

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All right. Let’s meet Mattia’s and my Cull babies again. <3 We showed off these sketches and process videos a long ways back, but I’ve added some fun little bio details too.

CLEO WASHINGTON: Cleo was ambitious and charming, everyone’s favorite. And then Jake went missing and the bottom fell out of everything, including Cleo. Her relationship, one of the strongest things in her life, crumbled under the pressure and now what’s left is…unclear.

Favorite Color: Blue

Favorite Food: Sandwiches if it’s cold, Ramen if it’s hot.

Favorite Movie: ALIEN

Because Cleo wasn’t featured in the original promo page we showed off, Mattia also did this first color illustration for her.

And here’s an awesome process video of Mattia coloring Cleo.

KAITE CARTER: Bit of an “it” girl, Kaite excels at nearly everything and before “the incident” she and Cleo were one of Black Water High’s “it couples” — Cleo a burgeoning writer, Kaite a burgeoning director, it seemed like a match made. But as things unraveled with Cleo, Kaite’s struggled to deal with her own unraveling.

Favorite Color: Orange

Favorite Food: Milkshakes

Favorite Movie: MOONLIGHT

And here’s an awesome process video of Mattia coloring Kaite.

WADE QUAN: Wade is a jack of all trades (and has mastered a few too). Twin sister to Will (6 minutes older!) she’s incredibly bright but mostly more reserved than her friends. If she hadn’t found them, it feels like she’s the kind of person who would have been a loner… and it’s definitely something she worries about. A lot.

Favorite Color: Black

Favorite Food: Cheeseburgers

Favorite Movie: MAD MAX: FURY ROAD

And here’s an awesome process video of Mattia coloring Wade.

WILL QUAN: Perhaps because he has surrounded himself with interesting clever girls in his sister and their friends, Will Quan is the most elusive eligible bachelor in town, though he’s mostly unaware of it. Grounded and kind, athletic and sharp-minded, Will is the best of them all, but he’d never agree to that (part of why he’s the best).

Favorite Color: Green

Favorite Food: Sushi

Favorite Movie: THE RAID

And here’s an awesome process video of Mattia coloring Will.

LUX BELL: As Wade says, “Never count out Lux.” Though Lux in some ways appears like the odd man out of her fairly exceptional friends, the truth is Lux can do anything she sets her mind to. Which maybe helps explain why she made friends with some of the best and brightest, knowing it would push her to be better too.

Favorite Color: Gold

Favorite Food: Tacos

Favorite Movie: LOST IN TRANSLATION is what she tells people is her favorite movie, but really it’s STEPBROTHERS.

And here’s an awesome process video of Mattia coloring Lux.

All right. PRE-ORDER THE CULL #1 at your local comic book shop if you haven’t already and tell literally everyone you know so we can sell so many of these things!

Okay. Back to the writing mines for me. Enjoy your night and if you’re at SDCC, get me something good! ;D

~xo Kelly

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Up today is a terrific teaser trailer IMAGE COMICS made for our book.

Very creepy and cool!

I’m also still rolling out the amazing quotes fellow creators in the business have giving us about THE CULL. Today it’s my former BLACK WIDOW partner in crime Elena Casagrande:

And DC Superstar (among other things) Tom Taylor:

We also showed off yesterday on Exploding Giraffe, a never before seen image, and in case you weren’t able to access it there yesterday, you can see it here today. ;D

Only 29 more sleeps! ;D

~xo Kelly

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It also of course features new pages from his and artist Niko Henrichon’s fantastic SPECTATORS comic — and if you’re not already following along, you definitely should take this as your moment to get on board!

Exploding Giraffe

SPECTATORS - Part 70

Happy Birthday to me! Brian here, and this is is how old I am: 46 was a strange, hard year, but also a sporadically wonderful one, so I think I’d like to resubscribe, please. I’m missing a lot of loved ones today, but am very grateful for friends like…

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3 years ago · 33 likes · 70 comments · Brian K. Vaughan

We also let Exploding Giraffe debut Mattia’s gorgeous FOUNDERS ONLY cover — which is extremely rare and will be signed and numbered by Mattia and/or me — Founders Backers from our first year will get two copies of this as part of their original package — and after they’ve all been received I’ll have others available in the webstore (like we are currently doing for the BLACK CLOAK #1 Founders Variant).

Anyway, what really matters is look how gorgeous this is!

So, you won’t see this clean dress cover on stands, but if you love it and really must have it, we’ll have them in the shop by late August I hope and Mattia will probably have some at cons and signings and such if you’re lucky enough to find him out there in the world!

Okay, I got a TON of orders from our announcement of the re-opening of the shop yesterday. So I gotta get back to getting those out the door before I get hit with mailing The Cull packages to retailers. For those of you that might have missed the post this weekend. My webstore has officially been re-opened (and will continue to update regularly as books arrive) and all subscribers were gifted a one time code for $8 off your purchase. Just use this code at checkout:

VYNBZVU

The code will appear at checkout as “WE’REBACKBABY”

We’re one week out from FOC for THE CULL #1 — so it was funny to wake up to this bit of news today.

Here’s some drone footage too!

As THE CULL is inspired by Cannon Beach — and specifically their very famous Haystack Rock (most of you probably know the area/landscape best from the movie GOONIES) — it was hard for me in my magical thinking brain to not take this as a sign or omen… it was just too weird!

Basically: THE CANNON BEACH COUGAR CLEARLY WANTS YOU TO PRE-ORDER THE CULL #1… DON’T LET HIM DOWN. ;D

And since we’re already going out on “Cats” let’s double down:

~xo

Kelly

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Huge thanks to Rian for digging in with me this weekend and pulling off some gorgeous stuff that feels just right for everything BLACK CLOAK. If any of you intend to pick up the trade, I think you’ll be pleased. I’ve also been trying to finish off two big pitches (as always, my own personal hell, pitches)… but I don’t want to bore you with any of that… I want to show off THE CULL #2 COVERS!

Which I should have shown off a few weeks ago — but see above re: wildness!

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So here we go:

Mattia’s A Cover:

Tula Lotay’s B Cover:

And as I mentioned before, Tula is doing the B Covers for all 5 issues (well, on issue 1 she’s the H Cover, but otherwise she’s the “B Cover”) and they’re CONNECTING COVERS (and they’re gorgeous!)

Below you can see a mock up of the first two together. Looking at this you can see a difference between these connecting and the one above… and I’m actually not sure which is correct as we went back and forth a bit and well, they’re both beautiful so…I don’t know, who cares?

Andrew J Seles’ C Cover:

Okay. Quick post today ‘cause I have to get back to all that other stuff I mentioned, but if you’re planning to get THE CULL #1 in print, make sure to tell your shops — FOC for issue 1 is MONDAY 7/24/23.

THE CULL will be available in its entirety here on the Substack, as promised, we will be turning the paywall back on before THE CULL goes up. And I’ll be attempting to grandfather in those of you that subscribed for a yearly (or higher) membership in year one — but I am preparing for a few bumps in the road on that front. It’s worth noting that the plan is for there to be ADDITIONAL content along with THE CULL… I’m working hard to get that ready for you. Everyone cross ‘em if you got ‘em. ;D

Those of you that are FOUNDERS will be getting your rare variant Founders Edition (two copies for each of you). We have not debuted that art yet, but will soon. Those packages will hopefully go out in mid-August (trying hard to get better about my shipping — I hate it and so does my knee! lol)

Like we did with BLACK CLOAK, we’ve offered up some promotional packages to retailers (mostly US shops) that include 11x17 signed double-sided posters and postcards and vinyl stickers — so keep your eyes peeled — some shops will probably give them out to people subscribing to the book — you might be able to grab something fun (and free).

We’ve really had to hold off on talking (or showing) too much about THE CULL because the first issue is very hard to talk about while still protecting your reading experience — but now that we’re finally at the finish line — expect lots more THE CULL talk and sneak peeks — full media blitz! ;D

Speaking of media blitz — we got all these incredible quotes from all your favorite pros and I’ll be spreading them around over the next few weeks — first up is the epic GAIL SIMONE:

Yessssss. Thank you, Gail!

Oh. Twitter. Yeah, it’s broken as hell, man. I’m not doing Threads, but I am pretty hopeful (despite some recent alarming setbacks) about Bluesky. So I’m over there if you want to follow me — I’d love to see you: https://bsky.app/profile/kellythompson.bsky.social

I’m still on a bunch of others too (Spoutible, Post, Hive) but Bluesky is definitely the one that seems the most promising, fingers crossed they can stop fucking it up. I’m also still on Instagram and Tumblr. Ugh. No wonder we’re all so tired. Also, if you’re here and reading this, it’s LITERALLY the best option for us staying in touch and connected — so if this is all you follow me on, it’s enough.

And honestly? THANK YOU FOR FOLLOWING ME ANY WHERE IN THE FIRST PLACE. <3

Okay, I really gotta run now, but more soon!

Oh. SUPPORT UNIONS! SUPPORT STRIKING WORKERS!

<3

Kelly

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THE CULL #1 is out from IMAGE August 16th, 2023 in good comic book stores everywhere. It will also here on my Substack and digitally via Comixology, etc.

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The Image Press Release also has the first five pages, which we posted here a couple weeks ago:

The main Cover A, obviously by series artist and co-creator Mattia De Iulis. Cover design on all covers by Rian Hughes. This is Cleo Washington, by the way, she’s featured on most of the issue one covers:

Cover B by Lorenzo Ceccotti:

Cover C by Michael Walsh (this is a Clean Dress cover — and this is Cleo and Kaite):

Cover D by Andrew J. Seles:

Cover E by Chris Shehan:

Cover F by Meredith McClaren (1:10)

Cover G by Dike Ruan (1:25)

I have to admit, in addition to being so cool, Dike’s is one of my favs because all of my precious babies are there together! From Left: Lux, Kaite, Cleo, Wade, and Will.

Cover H by Tula Lotay (1:50)

Note: Tula’s cover may change slightly because she is doing “B Covers” for the entire run — and she’s opted to do connecting character covers. They are looking GORGEOUS. I mean, this one is stunning already and #2 is beautiful as well, but when I saw #3 I sorta lost my mind. Just breathtaking. All hail Tula Lotay!

All right, that’s it for me today as I really have to get back to work, but I am so excited to share this with you guys, and also to start talking more about THE CULL generally now that we’re getting closer to release!

Have a great day. <3

~Kelly

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For those of you picking up a print (or digital!) copy of BLACK CLOAK #5 tomorrow, you’re going to find five gorgeous lettered pages from THE CULL #1.

And because I love you all the most, I’m putting them up here right now. Here are the covers for BLACK CLOAK #5 to look for tomorrow:

Art/colors by Meredith McClaren:

Art/colors by Veronica Fish:

I will also be loading BLACK CLOAK #5 in its entirety tomorrow as well. I’m sorry for the delay on that, but because we’ve paused the paid subscriptions, it means nothing has a paywall, and I DO have to protect BLACK CLOAK’S sales at least a bit, so I’ve been waiting until the issues release to put them up here for you guys, which is hardly ideal, but it’s the best solution I’ve come up with so far.

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THE CULL #1 will release from Image Comics (and also here on the Substack) - August 16th 2023. Story/Words by me. Art/Colors by Mattia De Iulis. Lettering by Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou. Edits by Charles Beacham. Book Design by Rian Hughes.

Hahaha. What?! Mattia is TOO GOOD! I can’t wait for you guys to get your eyeballs on this goddamn gorgeous ass book.

More tomorrow — because not only will you be getting BLACK CLOAK #5 on here, but I want to talk a bit about tomorrow’s CAPTAIN MARVEL #49 — penultimate issue from my epic (yeah, I said it) run. Our main cover for that issue is awesome (a nod to a great classic X-Men comic) by Juan Frigeri:

But I want to alert you guys also to this awesome Leo Romero variant - it’s also a nod to a Classic X-Men cover (by Mignola) and it’s just gorgeous and terrifying:

OH! And last thing — I’m doing an AMA for League Of Comic Geeks and you can submit questions HERE I believe. It’s tomorrow — Wednesday 5/10/23 — and I’ll be logging in throughout the day to answer questions — so get ‘em submitted!

Okay, back to the writing mines for me as I’m very behind after a couple of lovely days off with my family. Wouldn’t trade them for anything… but also… help? lol

Hug someone that needs it. <3

~Kelly

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But it takes A WHILE to do what he can do. And rightly so, it’s legit magical. As a result, and knowing we want to be far ahead before we release actual issues of THE CULL, so we have as little lag between issues as possible, I’ve really been holding back on showing too much off.

But we’re getting closer and I just can’t keep some of these pages to myself anymore.

Here’s your first look at some finished unlettered pages from THE CULL #1*.

Story by me and Mattia. All art/colors by Mattia.

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Gird your loins my lovelies cuz this book is gonna huuuuurt so good:

*These are selected pages — meaning they’re not continuous — i.e. this isn’t “the first five pages” or “five pages from the middle” etc.

Yup. Mysteries are afoot. Bring on the paaaaaaain.

I’ve got a lot of stuff to show off and tease in the next couple months, so you’re going to be hearing a lot from us here at 1979 Semi-Finalist Substack…but we’ll always try to make it extremely worth your while.

And here’s a question — what’s the greatest “Kids/Teens go on an insane adventure” narrative you’ve ever ingested? Bonus points for comic recs, but TV/Movies/Novels/Whatevers are all welcome!

<3

~Kelly

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But first another favorite panel of mine from his first gorgeous issue (man, I cannot wait until you guys can see this book — your eyeballs with be screaming with pleasure).

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And that cover illustration for THE CULL issue #1, featuring one of our leads, Cleo Washington by the incredible Mattia De Iulis:

Just. Wow. We all bow down to you, Mattia! <3

In unrelated (but also sort of related?) news I read an absolutely brilliant piece “Over and Over Again” by Aubrey Hirsch today that was featured on Roxane Gay’s excellent substack, The Audacity. The piece is intense but highly recommended. It’s a piece that really made me re-think some things and it will be with me for A WHILE. Maybe forever.

Okay, that’s it for today — something with a bit more text is next. Love you all. Hang in there. <3

~Kelly

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Quick post with something VERY exciting today. Mattia and I have been hard at work for a few months now, and the first issue is shaping up to be something truly spectacular. I’m hesitant to tease too much too soon as we’ve got a ways to go before we start releasing issues, but I just couldn’t keep all this beauty to myself any longer.

And actually, I’m giving you this incredible bonus panel of Wade Quan as well — for two reasons — #1. It is one of the most beautiful comic book panels I’ve ever seen in my life and #2. I used a cropped version of it on our THE CULL page tab anyway (more on that below). ;D

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And here is an unlettered final page from THE CULL #1 by me and co-creator/artist Mattia De Iulis:

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Just gorgeous. But also evocative and mysterious and creepy. Mattia is the whole package and I am so excited to be working on something like this with him and so thankful to you guys for helping make it possible! <3

For those that don’t know or may have forgotten, here is a quick write up about THE CULL:

The Cull is a fiction comic book about five teens who set out in the middle of the night to shoot a short film the summer before they all go their separate ways... but nothing goes as intended. Written by Kelly Thompson. Art/colors by Mattia De Iulis. Lettering by Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou. Edited by Charles Beacham. Cover design/logos by Rian Hughes.

And this is the original promo page image from when we first announced the book:

Ahh! I’m so excited!

Oh! While I’m here I also wanted to mention — and some of you may have noticed already since it’s been active for a week or two — that we have switched to a “magazine format” and we’ve introduced some navigation tabs. Especially since we are going to be doing THREE different books (that are at least for a little bit probably going to run at the same time), it seemed like having tabs for each book (and a few other main categories) might make things a bit easier to navigate. As always let me know what you think. And if you all hate it we can re-assess, but so far I think it’s very good.

For example you can see all the posts filed under THE CULL here, and all the BLACK CLOAK posts here, and all the PROCESS JUNKIE stuff here, etc. When we announce our third book that will get its own tab too. You can still access EVERYTHING from the main landing page and this won’t change how you receive newsletters or anything, it’s just a way to help folks navigate, if they want.

That said, lots of 1979 “General” posts include sneak peeks of those books (and more) — so if you want ALL the available information it’s still a good idea to read all the posts. How much of a completionist are you I guess is the question. ;D

And any of you free subscribers interested in subscribing to a paid tier to help support this work can learn more about what’s still on offer for the paid tiers here:

1979 Semi-Finalist

Wordles, Heardles, and Framed?

Things are a bit of struggle right now, guys, not gonna lie. Hard to concentrate with everything going on in the world, but doing my best to keep my head down and stay on task — as we’ve got a lot of work up and running at this point and I honestly can’t wait to show you guys all of it…

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4 years ago · 18 likes · 9 comments · Kelly Thompson

Okay, that’s really it now. I hope you all have lovely weekends, or get lots of work done, or sleep it all away, or whatever it is YOU really need right now. Hang in there! <3

~Kelly