COMING UP

Some fun projects coming up this summer from Marvel, starting with the Rocket Racoon 50th anniversary anthology, Rocket Rewind. I've contributed a story, illustrated by my brilliant buddy Shawn McManus, that both pays tribute to, and actually interacts with, the character's 1970s origin tale by Bill Mantlo and the late, great Keith Giffen. The book goes to sale July 31st.

On sale the same day is What If? Spider-Man—which asks the question: "What if Kraven survived his last hunt?" (I vaguely remember that old Kraven tale, but I don''t recall who wrote it.) The art, by Yildiray Cinar, knocked my proverbial socks off—and I suspect you'll have a similar reaction. This one-shot is part of Marvel's celebration of 50 years of What If?

And finally, on sale in August, is a celebration (yes, another one!) of one of Marvel's greatest characters, Mary Jane Watson, who debuted in Amazing Spider-Man 60 years ago.  Mary Jane—Face it, Tiger features a story of mine, beautifully illustrated by Andrea Broccardo, that looks back at a pivotal moment for MJ, inspired by a story from my second Spectacular Spider-Man run.

Collect 'em all! (If you're so inclined!)

THE GAME'S AFOOT!

I recently wrote an introduction to Joel Meadows and Andy Bennett's excellent Sherlock Holmes reinvention, Sherlock Holmes and the Empire Builders—and you can read it below.  (And if you want to buy the book, just click here.) 

Growing up in New York City in the 1960s, the classic Sherlock Holmes films starring Basil Rathbone (with his deerstalker hat, raptorial features, and unerring intellect) and Nigel Bruce (stuttering, bumbling, and unfailingly loyal) seemed to be playing perpetually on our local TV stations, as omnipresent on weekend mornings as Abbott and Costello and the Bowery Boys. Rathbone and Bruce were my introduction to Holmes, a character who’s had an extraordinarily long life since he first emerged from the fertile imagination of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Like Batman, Superman, and James Bond, Holmes has far outlived his creator, assuming a kind of immortality, constantly resurrected and reinvented for new generations. We’ve seen innumerable literary incarnations (from life-long Sherlockian Nicholas Meyer to, of all people, Stephen King), movie interpretations (from the traditional Rathbone to the more anarchic Robert Downey, Jr.), and multiple TV incarnations (my favorite being Steven Moffat and Mark Gattis’s brilliant Sherlock). And we would never have had Hercule Poirot, Miss Marple, Lieutenant Columbo, Benoi Blanc, and dozens of other quirky, ingenious detectives had Doyle and Holmes not been there first.

The beauty of an iconic character like Sherlock Holmes (“iconic” is a word that’s painfully overused these days, but in Holmes’ case, it’s appropriate) is that the template is so sturdy, with roots so deep and strong, it invites constant reinvention. You can bend and twist Holmes in dozens of directions and, as long as you’re true to the character’s essence, he won’t break. (We know, instantly, when someone has violated that essence and turn swiftly away.) Which is why writers are constantly returning to Doyle’s world, ready to bring what they hope will be a new and unique perspective to Holmes’s adventures.

That said, given the overcrowded ocean of Holmesiana out there, it takes a considerable amount of courage to stride into those waters and launch yet another version of the character, to believe you have something singular to say. Which makes the work of Joel Meadows and Andy Bennett even more impressive.

Their Holmes is grittier, harder edged, and the world he strides through, with his customary confidence (some might call it arrogance), is darker: a steampunk universe of violence and corruption. Meadows’s script rockets along with impressive speed and apparent ease (I say “apparent” because I know how much hard work goes into making a story’s flow seem effortless), providing the expected, and often unexpected, twists and turns one wants in a Holmes tale. In Meadows’s hands Sherlock Holmes—nearly 140 years old, way past retirement age—feels fresh, new, exciting, and that is no small feat.

But comics are a collaborative medium and the best script in the world will die on the vine without the right artist to bring it to life. I’ve learned, over the years, that I could hand the same script to five different artists and get five different stories back. A comic book artist is constantly making choices—about “camera” angles, body language, panel to panel flow—and the right artist can raise my story up to places I never dreamed, while the wrong one can tear it apart, leaving it in incomprehensible fragments. Meadows’s collaborator Andy Bennett brings this adventure to vibrant life with rock solid storytelling, powerful emotion, and fine linework reminiscent of a woodcut. The art feels simultaneously modern and Victorian, a perfect blend. (I’m especially fond of Bennett’s striking full page illustrations, like the wonderful shot where we see biplanes and dirigibles flying over London.) That the story is in black and white seems appropriate, carrying me back to those New York weekend mornings, stretched out in front of the television, watching Rathbone and Bruce solve mystery after mystery.

And now it’s time for you to stretch out, perhaps light up an imaginary pipe, and enjoy this engaging tale. A brand-new game is afoot, but only Meadows and Bennett know how it will end. Relax, enjoy. You’re in good hands.

THRILLS!

If you missed the Kickstarter for the Thrilling Adventure Yarns anthology a while back, you can now preorder the book at Amazon. TAY features short stories by me, Steven Grant, Alisa Kwitney, Max Alan Collins, Paul Kupperberg, and many more. Edited by my old pal, and former DC Comics editor, the erudite and charming Bob Greenberger. It's a great collection and well worth your time.

AT THE CROSSROADS

Had an amazing time talking to my old friend Dr. David Tully and his co-host Deema Maghalseh for their Crossroads podcast. We took a deep dive into my new book Dark Future, my comics and television work, and the need for tales of spirituality and hope in dark times. You can hear our conversation here (or wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts). Enjoy!

A JUSTICE LEAGUE MIRACLE

I return to the Justice League Revisited podcast to discuss my Mr. Miracle-centric Justice League Unlimited episode "The Ties That Bind" with my favorite Wonder Woman, Susan Eisenberg, and the ever-amiable James Enstall: a perfect excuse to celebrate the genius of Jack Kirby. You can listen below. Enjoy!

CON TIME!

My first convention of the season—GalaxyCon Richmond—is coming up (March 19—22) and I'm happy to be returning to Virginia for the first time in seven years.  

I've got four more conventions set for 2026: GalaxyCon New Orleans (July 10—12), GalaxyCon Raleigh (July 23—26), DragonCon (September 4—7), and FanX Salt Lake (September 24—26).  Might be more added to the list before the year is out.

Come join us!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, AVATAR MEHER BABA

 

"To penetrate into the essence of all being and significance and to release the fragrance of that inner attainment for the guidance and benefit of others, by expressing, in the world of forms, truth, love, purity and beauty — this is the sole game which has intrinsic and absolute worth. All other happenings, incidents and attainments in themselves can have no lasting importance."—Avatar Meher Baba