Wow! Love that gorgeous Sarah Pichelli MJ! The colors really work so well too, they have an almost watercolor quality to them.
Very curious about this Spiderman story and of course excited for Captain Marvel tomorrow!
Hmmm, so far very much love the art teases of course. And hearing about the whole design process for comics has been fascinating. Always enjoy the kitties.
I would love to hear more about how you come up with new ideas for pitches and story arcs. Do you have a specific process for finding inspiration or brainstorming? Or does it just strike at random? Do you keep a notebook full of ideas?
On the subject of sheep and shepherds, have you seen the sinister trailer for the Icelandic movie "LAMB" ? Debut directed by Valdimar Jóhannsson, produced by the legendary Béla Tarr and distributed by A24 Films. Look at the Friday 8th!
Substack subbed, newsletters up to date, the comics purchased and the podcast is listened to! Homework done hahahaha. Well... I just have to thank you for how lucky I am to coexist at the same time as you. Q&A time! First of all, obviously I would be happy to see and learn anything you want to show me, but personally I'm very curious to see a little bit of your comic book collection and your readings. Secondly, I don't know if we will have any opportunity to know in advance about possible news about your store... *cough cough black friday cough cough* hahahahah kidding, but it would be interesting for the subs! And finally, what I love most here is the space itself, the niche, the team and the feeling that here I am surrounded by people who share the same common feeling, the appreciation of your work. I love it when ~we see more of the kittens~ you share your routine, for example, I also watched Midnight Mass and I agree with every word typed, then I think I feel less alone. And of course, the behind the scenes of your projects. So what I most hope to find here above all is learning and reciprocity. I've always been lonely, but I return that feeling fondly, so I want you to know that not just me, but a lot of people appreciate you Kelly, a big heart and a sharp mind. <3
Looking forward to the new Captain Marvel tomorrow! As for stuff I like to see here, I’ve really been enjoying seeing the behind the scenes on how the process works behind books and would love to see more of that!
My question for you is: How much say do you have when you create a new character like Star (or even Jeff!)? Is it something that editors have final say in or do you get full range on early character development?
I'm not sure I really have anything to add irt what I would like to see (that isn't already there). And as for what's excited me the most?? I feel like "everything" is a cop-out answer but that's also the only one I got. (Also to respond to your comment about that first CM preview not actually showing Carol, I do hope [generally speaking] Kamala gets to flex her shapeshifting powers more/has to play the role of Carol at some point for something other than her wanting to fit in)
Kamala gets some good fighting time in this week's issue, but then she'll be off the board for a couple, but she should be back in 35/36. It was fun writing her powers though - I sometimes get a bit tired of photon blasts. ;D
Hi, Kelly! As a long-time Spider-Man fan who never accepted Ben Reilly, Kaine, Judas Traveller, or any of the rest of 'em into my heart, let me just say that it's your participation and your obvious excitement about/investment in these upcoming stories that has me ready to open my mind and heart and give this new era a try. With long-running franchise characters like Spidey, there are always going to be moments, stories, and even eras that don't work for every fan. The Clone Saga and Ben Reilly's time as Spider-Man is one of those situations for me (one of many, actually). But I also believe that great stories can come from anywhere, including from origins I didn't particularly like, with the right creators to bring them to life. So, yeah. I'm excited to see what you and the Spider-Man Beyond creative team have come up with. No pressure!
My wife and I have watched four episodes of Midnight Mass and we're still very much on board. Over the last few years, I have become a big ol' Mike Flanagan fan and have sought out and watched most of the things he has made. Hearing that he didn't stick the landing for you will actually help me temper my expectations a bit. I may end up loving it all the way through the end but it's helpful not to have my hopes up too much!
And one of the things I'd love to see here are original script to finished comic page comparisons (and all the iterations between those two stages of development). I love the behind-the-scenes process. SO much work, thought, sweat, blood, and tears go into the creation of every panel, page, and book. I always appreciate hearing/reading the stories of how they came to be.
On the subject of stories I like coming from stories I didn't... we got to see No Time To Die over the weekend. It was very much a continuation of storylines from the previous movie, Spectre. And I didn't like that one much at all. But I enjoyed No Time to Die quite a bit! (Thanks, No Time To Die Creative Team, But Especially Phoebe Waller-Bridge!) I'm looking forward to Spider-Man Beyond with similar hopes.
Also, we finished Midnight Mass last night. Although the final episode may be my least favorite of the bunch, I still liked it enough to deem the limited series a big success for me. I would LOVE to read your spoilerific review. Is there any way you could expand on your thoughts? Maybe on a post here with spoiler warnings plastered all over it? If you can't (or just don't feel like it) because you're writing thirty-four books each month, managing this Substack, and trying to function as a human in the world, I completely understand.
It can be a little difficult for me to talk negatively about other creatives work publicly...so I try not to get too deep into the weeds on these things. And also the show is pretty new so the spoiler thing is real - !!!SPOILERS PEOPLE, THIS IS YOUR WARNING!!!...but I was VERY into the parallels Flanagan drew between organized religion (specifically Catholicism) and both cults and eventually vampirism. I thought it was so incredibly clever that it felt obvious - and yet despite having seen/read/experienced so many vampire stories over the years, I don't ever recall one quite like this. And I LOVED that about it. It takes a lot for me to be surprised by story swerves these days (not because I'm some genius, but just because I spend most of my days "breaking stories" - and it's hard to turn that off). I was much less in love with some of the characters and their very long boring speeches to one another, which just felt like one character waiting for their turn to talk. :(
By contrast SCENES FROM A MARRIAGE is ALL static scenes of two people talking to/at one another (usually in a fixed location) and literally the stakes and emotional investment could not have felt higher - it was like watching an oncoming train wreck in the best of ways (it also is it's own kind of horror story tbh). Anyway, I've been thinking a lot about why these serious/emotional scenes worked for me so well in one (SFAM) and didn't at all in the other (MM)...but I'm honestly still searching for that "magic answer." I think specifically relating to those emotional "talking" scenes, SFAM had both better writing and better performances...but MM's weren't BAD. So why one (SFAM) is now unforgettable in my mind...literally burned into me...and one is EH...is fascinating to me, but I don't know if I'll ever fully unlock the "why."
Thanks so much for the response AND the recommendation for an amazing new show to watch. I’m still watching (and very much digging) The Expanse thanks to a tweet of yours. :)
Wow! Love that gorgeous Sarah Pichelli MJ! The colors really work so well too, they have an almost watercolor quality to them.
Very curious about this Spiderman story and of course excited for Captain Marvel tomorrow!
Hmmm, so far very much love the art teases of course. And hearing about the whole design process for comics has been fascinating. Always enjoy the kitties.
I would love to hear more about how you come up with new ideas for pitches and story arcs. Do you have a specific process for finding inspiration or brainstorming? Or does it just strike at random? Do you keep a notebook full of ideas?
Pichelli is SUCH a stunning artist and Woodard is a magician - I'm so excited as this is my first time working with him!
Definitely have some posts about brainstorming and creation coming - it's on the list!
To answer your question “What would YOU like to see here?”…. my answer will be MORE pics of Clive and the Monarch. 😁
Also would it be possible to do some book club discussions? We can discuss books/comics that inspired your work. Even movies.
I love seeing those process posts. So keep em coming!
Noted! ;D
OOOOH! I like the idea of a book club a lot.
More process posts are definitely enroute!
Hello my dear shepherdess!
On the subject of sheep and shepherds, have you seen the sinister trailer for the Icelandic movie "LAMB" ? Debut directed by Valdimar Jóhannsson, produced by the legendary Béla Tarr and distributed by A24 Films. Look at the Friday 8th!
Substack subbed, newsletters up to date, the comics purchased and the podcast is listened to! Homework done hahahaha. Well... I just have to thank you for how lucky I am to coexist at the same time as you. Q&A time! First of all, obviously I would be happy to see and learn anything you want to show me, but personally I'm very curious to see a little bit of your comic book collection and your readings. Secondly, I don't know if we will have any opportunity to know in advance about possible news about your store... *cough cough black friday cough cough* hahahahah kidding, but it would be interesting for the subs! And finally, what I love most here is the space itself, the niche, the team and the feeling that here I am surrounded by people who share the same common feeling, the appreciation of your work. I love it when ~we see more of the kittens~ you share your routine, for example, I also watched Midnight Mass and I agree with every word typed, then I think I feel less alone. And of course, the behind the scenes of your projects. So what I most hope to find here above all is learning and reciprocity. I've always been lonely, but I return that feeling fondly, so I want you to know that not just me, but a lot of people appreciate you Kelly, a big heart and a sharp mind. <3
I have seen that trailer! Definitely on the list.
If there are going to be "black friday" deals - or any deals like that - those codes will definitely be reserved for subscribers!
I love that you're loving the space! That's definitely what we're trying to do here!
I feel less alone knowing you feel the same about MM too!
Thanks for reading Renato - and for being here!
Looking forward to the new Captain Marvel tomorrow! As for stuff I like to see here, I’ve really been enjoying seeing the behind the scenes on how the process works behind books and would love to see more of that!
My question for you is: How much say do you have when you create a new character like Star (or even Jeff!)? Is it something that editors have final say in or do you get full range on early character development?
Question officially added to the pile, thanks Damon!
I'm not sure I really have anything to add irt what I would like to see (that isn't already there). And as for what's excited me the most?? I feel like "everything" is a cop-out answer but that's also the only one I got. (Also to respond to your comment about that first CM preview not actually showing Carol, I do hope [generally speaking] Kamala gets to flex her shapeshifting powers more/has to play the role of Carol at some point for something other than her wanting to fit in)
Kamala gets some good fighting time in this week's issue, but then she'll be off the board for a couple, but she should be back in 35/36. It was fun writing her powers though - I sometimes get a bit tired of photon blasts. ;D
Hi, Kelly! As a long-time Spider-Man fan who never accepted Ben Reilly, Kaine, Judas Traveller, or any of the rest of 'em into my heart, let me just say that it's your participation and your obvious excitement about/investment in these upcoming stories that has me ready to open my mind and heart and give this new era a try. With long-running franchise characters like Spidey, there are always going to be moments, stories, and even eras that don't work for every fan. The Clone Saga and Ben Reilly's time as Spider-Man is one of those situations for me (one of many, actually). But I also believe that great stories can come from anywhere, including from origins I didn't particularly like, with the right creators to bring them to life. So, yeah. I'm excited to see what you and the Spider-Man Beyond creative team have come up with. No pressure!
My wife and I have watched four episodes of Midnight Mass and we're still very much on board. Over the last few years, I have become a big ol' Mike Flanagan fan and have sought out and watched most of the things he has made. Hearing that he didn't stick the landing for you will actually help me temper my expectations a bit. I may end up loving it all the way through the end but it's helpful not to have my hopes up too much!
And one of the things I'd love to see here are original script to finished comic page comparisons (and all the iterations between those two stages of development). I love the behind-the-scenes process. SO much work, thought, sweat, blood, and tears go into the creation of every panel, page, and book. I always appreciate hearing/reading the stories of how they came to be.
So there. :)
I hope you'll like Spidey, we're definitely putting our all into it!
If you're a big Flanagan fan you'll probably love it all the way through - let me know what you think when you finish.
Noted on script to finished product - it's definitely on the list!
Hi, again, Kelly!
On the subject of stories I like coming from stories I didn't... we got to see No Time To Die over the weekend. It was very much a continuation of storylines from the previous movie, Spectre. And I didn't like that one much at all. But I enjoyed No Time to Die quite a bit! (Thanks, No Time To Die Creative Team, But Especially Phoebe Waller-Bridge!) I'm looking forward to Spider-Man Beyond with similar hopes.
Also, we finished Midnight Mass last night. Although the final episode may be my least favorite of the bunch, I still liked it enough to deem the limited series a big success for me. I would LOVE to read your spoilerific review. Is there any way you could expand on your thoughts? Maybe on a post here with spoiler warnings plastered all over it? If you can't (or just don't feel like it) because you're writing thirty-four books each month, managing this Substack, and trying to function as a human in the world, I completely understand.
Anyhoo, Happy Indigenous Peoples Day! :)
I'm glad you really enjoyed it!
It can be a little difficult for me to talk negatively about other creatives work publicly...so I try not to get too deep into the weeds on these things. And also the show is pretty new so the spoiler thing is real - !!!SPOILERS PEOPLE, THIS IS YOUR WARNING!!!...but I was VERY into the parallels Flanagan drew between organized religion (specifically Catholicism) and both cults and eventually vampirism. I thought it was so incredibly clever that it felt obvious - and yet despite having seen/read/experienced so many vampire stories over the years, I don't ever recall one quite like this. And I LOVED that about it. It takes a lot for me to be surprised by story swerves these days (not because I'm some genius, but just because I spend most of my days "breaking stories" - and it's hard to turn that off). I was much less in love with some of the characters and their very long boring speeches to one another, which just felt like one character waiting for their turn to talk. :(
By contrast SCENES FROM A MARRIAGE is ALL static scenes of two people talking to/at one another (usually in a fixed location) and literally the stakes and emotional investment could not have felt higher - it was like watching an oncoming train wreck in the best of ways (it also is it's own kind of horror story tbh). Anyway, I've been thinking a lot about why these serious/emotional scenes worked for me so well in one (SFAM) and didn't at all in the other (MM)...but I'm honestly still searching for that "magic answer." I think specifically relating to those emotional "talking" scenes, SFAM had both better writing and better performances...but MM's weren't BAD. So why one (SFAM) is now unforgettable in my mind...literally burned into me...and one is EH...is fascinating to me, but I don't know if I'll ever fully unlock the "why."
Thanks so much for the response AND the recommendation for an amazing new show to watch. I’m still watching (and very much digging) The Expanse thanks to a tweet of yours. :)
Oh I'm so glad! I wish I could just inject The Expanse into everyone's veins! <3