Not Great, Bob!
(but I'm grateful comics exist)
Hey Guys
So much for those “let’s hope for a better 2026 wishes!” huh? I don’t know what else to do so let’s try to beat back the darkness for a few minutes by talking about some comics I guess?
I’ve got quite a pile of orders here to still ship out. I’m sorry. A combination of workload and * gestures at everything happening * had me running behind and then when I tried to finish them this weekend I found that the supplies I re-ordered in December either didn’t arrive, or maybe the order didn’t go through? IDK. Anyway, I had to put a new order in. I expect everything to be shipped out next weekend.
If that is too late for you or causes a problem, please just reach out and let me know and I can get you a refund.
Also want to let you know, that if you do place multiple orders, I will obviously combine all your orders when it’s time for shipping and refund you any additional/duplicate shipping costs. I do this all the time for folks who order a lot. It’s no big deal.
In the meantime, I’ve added ABSOLUTE WONDER WOMAN #16 (out Wednesday!) to the shop and I have also added a selection of ABSOLUTE WONDER WOMAN #1 printings to the shop (scroll to the bottom for recently added variants). These are probably a bit more expensive than you can find at your local shop or on ebay, as I had to pay for them myself, but I got them at a decent markdown, so I’ve tried to keep it reasonable. If you’ve been looking for a hard copy of issue #1, or some specific cool variant or printing you’re after, give the shop a look as I might have added one you’re looking for.
Thanks as always for the orders and for your patience.
I haven’t been doing discount codes as much lately because I turned off the paid aspect of the newsletter, but let’s do a new one for 2026 — for 20% off your order. One code per order please. To receive this JANUARY discount code simply enter BETTYDRAPER at checkout (um. can anyone tell I’ve been re-watching MAD MEN?) ;D
ABSOLUTE WONDER WOMAN did bonkers good getting on people’s radar at the end of the year. I’m so grateful to everyone that read and thought about the book this year, including all of you. Both The Beat and The Hollywood Reporter said wonderful things about the Absolute line and specifically called out Absolute Batman, Wonder Woman, and Martian Manhunter. Games Radar put us on their best of the year list and Comics Bulletin also had kind things to say on their DC Top 10. The Comics Journal had a massive and incredible list that I’m proud to say we also appeared on — and if you’re looking for a more diverse and creative end of year comics list, please check that one out for sure. Doom Rocket gave us a spot on a super interesting list, as did Comic Book Herald.
We made CBR’s best 100 books of the year, with an excellent placement IMO as this is generally a very diverse list, though I confess I was bummed that BOP didn’t make the top 100. That felt… bad. I really loved that book. LE SIGH. Anyway.
We also made Fandomwire’s end of the year list and as mentioned in the previous newsletter we got book of the year from IGN and lovely words from Sktchd.
Thanks to all of you — not just for reading — but for talking about the book. The word of mouth makes such an incredible difference and I’m so grateful to all of you.
I am working on a less narcissistic list — one that talks about other people’s work for once — but it is stuck in my drafts (as so many things are). But it is coming soon — I read a lot of cool stuff this year — soooon!
Some incredibly cool commissions and fan art from around the internet:
A Phil Noto commission I found in the wild:
By Polluxery:
By Sel on Bluesky:
Sebastian Fiumara — also, look at his incredible Big Barda.
AlexLouiseArt on twitter:
I’m sure most of you have seen this — it’s from a good 5 years ago and really went viral back then — but I still love it so much — it’s one of my favorite shorts of all time and is absolutely worth a re-watch (also it’s only 2 minutes long!)
The preview for ABSOLUTE WONDER WOMAN #16 is up (as are some spoilers to scroll with care I guess!).
The ABSOLUTE BATMAN #16 preview — which guest stars Diana is also up!
You may have seen these two floating around — another peek at Diana appearing in ABSOLUTE BATMAN #16 TOMORROW by Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta:
If you don’t regularly read ABSOLUTE BATMAN and are on the fence about picking this up, I really encourage you to grab it. It’s a terrific read, and it’s REALLY fun to see Diana in someone else’s world/POV here. The team did a great job and I hope you guys it enjoy it as much as I do.
ABSOLUTE WONDER WOMAN #16 (JAN) by myself, Hayden Sherman (art), Jordie Bellaire (colors), Becca Carey (lettering):
The HEIGHT! <3
Some of you might have seen this great sneak peek from Hayden’s Instagram a couple weeks ago:
And here’s the color version:
And from ABSOLUTE WONDER WOMAN #17 (FEB) art by Hayden Sherman:
ABSOLUTE WONDER WOMAN ANNUAL #1 (FEB) by me and Mattia De Iulis art and colors:
A tiny peek at the Jeff and Daredevil short Gurihiru and I did for the new collected volume:
And if you didn’t see this one on social media a couple weeks back, it’s pretty great too. A lot of readers pointing out that it actually reads better (here with no context) read left to right. And they’re right, it’s terrific both ways. The genius of Gurihiru!
Went viral enough that GamesRadar wrote a little thing about it. lol
Feels like a week where some Cat pics are necessary.
Sometimes Monarch climbs in here. He never seems that happy once there, but he always seems to think it’s a great idea again later.
“Mother, look at my arms.”
Okay. I have to get back to trying to focus on writing and ignoring the news for as long as possible (it’s never long). I hope you are all being safe but also brave and I wish all of us courage and hope in the days to come. Do what you can when you can. <3
Kelly
Oh man, I’m with ya. I tend and try to be a positive person but this year has already had me at an all-time enraging low. But it does give me a glimmer whenever I see a great work of meaningful art or a new name from someone I respect in the comic space speak out.
Cannot wait for more WW! It’s been insane to see the explosion of that Zatanna design literally everywhere. From fan art to cosplays it’s truly amazing to see the fan response.
Here’s to Mr. Murdock getting Jeff out of Marvel jail, I’ve heard he’s a pretty good lawyer.
Please take care and be well!
Matt: "Your honor, my client pleads guilty to being an absolute cutie pie!"