SEMI-REGULAR MUSINGS FROM THE SEMI-REGULAR MIND OF WRITER J.M. DeMATTEIS
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Saturday, May 3, 2025
A NEW MOON
The new expanded edition of Moonshadow is coming this week—Wednesday, to be precise—from Dark Horse. Lots more extras in this edition, including an afterword from Moon co-creator, the inimitable Jon J Muth. Details below!
My name is Alex, and I’m writing to you from post-Communist Romania—a place that, in the early '90s, was flooded with American pop culture like a dam had burst. I was just a kid then, but I could read by the age of 3 and a half. Books became my oxygen. Comics were my heartbeat.
I devoured Bugs Bunny and Mickey Mouse strips like they were scripture. Then came The Batman Adventures, and suddenly the panels had shadows, depth, soul. In high school, I discovered graphic novels—and it felt like the universe had handed me a secret language. For a kid with cerebral palsy, stories weren’t just entertainment. They were escape. They were armor. They were proof that imagination could outrun pain.
I haven’t read Moonshadow yet—but I already cherish it. Because it looks like a book written with love for stories themselves. And that’s the kind of love I’ve carried my whole life.
You, Mr. DeMatteis, are a comic book icon. I’m just a nerd with big-ass dreams. But if there’s any chance I could receive a review copy of Moonshadow in paperback, it would mean the world to me. Truly. Even if you reply with “No, kid,” or swear at me—I’ll consider it an honor. Just knowing you read this would be enough. I have this little book blog I use to talk about books that have somehow spoken to me, and I just recently started using my Youtube channel for unboxings and reviews of books that caught my eye. ANY answer will do, sir!
Thank you for the stories. Thank you for the soul you put into them. With deep respect, Alex Szollo, avid GN buff.
Hi, Alex. Thanks so much for getting in touch and for your VERY kind words. If you provide me with an email address, I can forward your request to the folks and Dark Horse and we'll see what they can do!
Are you kidding? This is the highlight of the year for a nerd like me. I have had an impressive year so far when it comes to books, I received an ARC of King Sorrow by Joe Hill, am looking forward to a signed copy of Familiaris by David Wroblewski, and two other awesome new GNs: More Weight by Ben Wickey and The Boar by Lee Roy Kunz, and now I am talking to an actual legend! This is to tell grandkids about! You made my century! After the birthday present my mom gave me in the form of the Locke & Key Keyhouse Compendium, the gift of your time given to a shaky, skinny awkward nerd from Central-Eastern Europe is the highlight of this year to me! Be blessed plentifully! I am eternally grateful for this exchange!
Dear Mr. DeMatteis,
ReplyDeleteMy name is Alex, and I’m writing to you from post-Communist Romania—a place that, in the early '90s, was flooded with American pop culture like a dam had burst. I was just a kid then, but I could read by the age of 3 and a half. Books became my oxygen. Comics were my heartbeat.
I devoured Bugs Bunny and Mickey Mouse strips like they were scripture. Then came The Batman Adventures, and suddenly the panels had shadows, depth, soul. In high school, I discovered graphic novels—and it felt like the universe had handed me a secret language. For a kid with cerebral palsy, stories weren’t just entertainment. They were escape. They were armor. They were proof that imagination could outrun pain.
I haven’t read Moonshadow yet—but I already cherish it. Because it looks like a book written with love for stories themselves. And that’s the kind of love I’ve carried my whole life.
You, Mr. DeMatteis, are a comic book icon. I’m just a nerd with big-ass dreams. But if there’s any chance I could receive a review copy of Moonshadow in paperback, it would mean the world to me. Truly. Even if you reply with “No, kid,” or swear at me—I’ll consider it an honor. Just knowing you read this would be enough. I have this little book blog I use to talk about books that have somehow spoken to me, and I just recently started using my Youtube channel for unboxings and reviews of books that caught my eye. ANY answer will do, sir!
Thank you for the stories. Thank you for the soul you put into them. With deep respect, Alex Szollo, avid GN buff.
Hi, Alex. Thanks so much for getting in touch and for your VERY kind words. If you provide me with an email address, I can forward your request to the folks and Dark Horse and we'll see what they can do!
DeleteReceived your reply, Alex, and I'll pass it along. I can't promise anything, but I hope it works out.
DeleteAre you kidding? This is the highlight of the year for a nerd like me. I have had an impressive year so far when it comes to books, I received an ARC of King Sorrow by Joe Hill, am looking forward to a signed copy of Familiaris by David Wroblewski, and two other awesome new GNs: More Weight by Ben Wickey and The Boar by Lee Roy Kunz, and now I am talking to an actual legend! This is to tell grandkids about! You made my century! After the birthday present my mom gave me in the form of the Locke & Key Keyhouse Compendium, the gift of your time given to a shaky, skinny awkward nerd from Central-Eastern Europe is the highlight of this year to me! Be blessed plentifully! I am eternally grateful for this exchange!
DeleteYou are VERY welcome, Alex.
DeleteI've written to Dark Horse on your behalf. Fingers crossed!
I have never been more hyped about any comic or GN!
DeleteMay it live up to your expectations!
Delete