An Update (Because I Can't Think Of Anything Else To Write)

I have had blog writer's block for some time. I just don't know what to write about. So I figured I'll just update you on what's happening in my creative life lately.

• DEADLESS is still stuck in limbo. Because of my current financial situation (i.e. inability to throw thousands of dollars at a project with so little chance to recoup my investment) I can only work with publishers where I can expect to almost break even. That kind of publisher is rare in this industry. Nobody creates comics for the money.

• My graphic novel with Blake Sims was approved by a Diamond distributed publisher a while ago, and pages are forthcoming. It'll be awhile before it's ready, but I'm excited for it to be in comic shops and on the comiXology app.

• I continue to do interviews for Heidi MacDnald at The Beat, a tremendous opportunity. I'm having a blast talking to some of my personal heroes and (hopefully, someday) piers.

That's about it! If there's anything you're interested in me talking about, shoot me an email with your suggestions.

Best,

Matt

NOW! we're talking

I am unabashedly excited for what's coming up from Marvel in the next few months. This is Image's year, no doubt, but something great is happening at Marvel in the latter half of 2012. Marvel's got some amazing writers at their disposal, and it seems like they're about to let them run wild. The hype for Marvel NOW! isn't because of an event or a reboot or anything plot-driven, really. It's because great writers are getting to tell new stories they want to tell.

I'll definitely miss Jonathan Hickman on FF, Matt Fraction on Iron Man, and Jason Aaron on Hulk, but at the same time I can't wait for Hickman on Avengers, Fraction on FF, and Aaron on Thor. And that's just the starting point. Bendis on X-Men, Gillen on Iron Man, Remender on Captain America... the list goes on. It sucks that a couple writers had to end their runs early to accomodate the relaunches, sure, but (for me at least) what's coming next is worth the tradeoff. In the span of only a few months I'm getting to see a lot of my favorite writers move on to the next phase of their careers, and I'm excited to follow them in their new directions.

Five things reaffirmed at NYCC 2012

1.) I love entertainment news reporting
I always thought I would. I'm a rabid Deadline reader; I love getting to be the one to tell my friend that his favorite movie is getting a sequel. I spend more time reading comics journalism (like The Beat!) than comics, partly because comics are expensive and partly because I love following the industry. It's the perfect size for me; I feel like I know a lot about it but there's always something new to learn. Now I get to put my Journalism minor into use in the best way I can think of.

2.) Interviews are fun
Related to Thing #1, but worth the extra mention. It is fucking exhilarating to hear a new piece of info before anyone else does. My Beat interviews will extend past NYCC reports.

3.) Comic creators are nice
Seriously, there is so little ego in this industry. I got to talk to a lot of great writers and artists in New York who let me, a complete nobody, record interviews with them. I even talked to Brian K. Vaughan, a writer at the top of the comics food chain, and he couldn't have been more pleasant.

4.) Archaia kicks ass
Over the years at conventions I've built up relationships with a lot of comics folk, but no publisher so much as Archaia. Mark Smylie, Stephen Christy, Rebecca Taylor... wonderful people who put out beautiful books.

5.) Money is cool
Because after my trip I am dead broke, and absence makes the heart grow fonder.

A nice review for Deadless

Daniel Elkin gave Deadless #0 four stars out of five on Comics Bulletin HERE. Not bad, right?

My first piece for The Beat

I'm really happy to say I'm contributing to The Beat for the New York Comic Con. HERE is the brief interview I did with Brandon Seifert for what I call Six in Six: six questions in six minutes or less. I have a lot more of these that I'm transcribing now, along with coverage for some really interesting panels.

NYCC

I didn't think it was going to work out, but it turns out I will be attending the New York Comic Con after all! I'm going to be showing Deadless around and hopefully pitch a new project to publishers. Looking forward to also hanging out with the GrayHaven gang and fellow Comics Experience alumns. See you guys there!

Deadless is live

Hey all. I have a new comic I'm pushing, called DEADLESS, about four immortals determined to die. You can read or download it (for free!!!) HERE.

Really excited about how it turned out. The best thing you can do to help is follow me on Twitter or follow DEADLESS on Facebook (or both!) to keep up with updates about the series and, most importantly, tell people about it. This book is a grassroots campaign; its success relies entirely on its readership.

C2E2

I'll be in Chicago April 13th to the 15th, shopping around my newest, most ambitious project. I'll be staying with the great Pat Loika at the Hyatt. Get a hold of me if you want to schedule a meeting, have a chat, whatever.