Hey, how was your weekend?
Brian here, and if you don’t follow my dopey Instagram, you may have missed the big news that Saga is officially returning in July with our 67th issue, featuring this extraordinary cover by co-creator Fiona Staples (with gorgeous title design by Exploding Giraffe’s own Fonografiks):
SAGA #67 (MR)
(W) Brian K. Vaughan (A/CA) Fiona Staples
NEW STORY ARC
SAGA returns for its epic 12th season as 12-year-old Hazel embarks on the most important adventure of her young life.
Retail: $3.99 In-Store Date: 7/31/2024
I’m ridiculously proud of these next six chapters, so thanks as always for your kind patience. I was just looking at a scene from an upcoming issue that might feature some of the best pages Fiona has ever drawn.
Sorry I can’t share them just yet, but while you’re waiting, why not take a deep dive into another story that I think might appeal to you “mature readers” of Saga?
Believe it or not, co-creator Niko Henrichon and I have now reached the 250th page (!!!) of Spectators, our unconventional ghost story for adults. This epic graphic novel still has another 70 or so pages to go, but we wanted to give everyone a chance to get caught up on our story, so please enjoy this latest “collected edition.”
Everyone can download today’s PDF or CBZ files, and while you free readers will always be able to read our new pages as they’re released throughout the rest of 2024, only you generous paid subscribers in The Tower will be able to download and own future digital collections (including our ultimate completed story), just in case you needed another reason to finally join your fellow giraffes.
This book is pretty much the definition of NSFW, so please read it as discretely as possible, though hopefully on the largest, brightest screen that can’t be spotted by your easily offended neighbors.
To be continued.
And if you think some oddball in your life might also appreciate our story so far, please feel free to forward this their way, thanks again.
Niko is coloring another of his breathtaking double-page spreads as we speak, so he’ll be back with several new pages AND a stunning Artopsy next week.
Speaking of the maestro, he’s once again giving away another hand-painted page of his original art, and this is one of my faves:
All monthly and annual paid members are automatically entered in these periodic drawings, so best of luck. Our intern Genesis the Exploded Giraffe will randomly select a big winner from The Tower next weekend, so there’s still time to join.
Exploding Giraffe’s first-year “Founders” are also included in these drawings, and they might be lucky enough to win their second Henrichon original. A few weeks ago, I saw that this small sketch Niko drew for a Founder sold at auction for nearly $400, so membership here can sometimes pay for itself.
If you haven’t gotten your hands on a piece of Niko’s art yet, don’t despair, there are still some beautiful pages available over at Essential Sequential.
Niko’s also opened a small commission list to coincide with his upcoming visit to the Lake Como Comic Art Festival (I’m so jealous), and you can read more details and check out additional samples at his Instagram:
That list is apparently nearly full, but commissions can be shipped almost anywhere in the world, so whether or not you can make it to immaculate Lake Como, drop the Sequential Essential gang a line today if you’re interested.
I suddenly live with multiple teenagers, and our house is a nonstop cacophony of Fortnite and/or Fortnight. So with over 200 responses to last week’s chat thread about new music we’ve been listening to and seeing live, I couldn’t believe that NONE of you mentioned Tay-Tay.
Then again, as Dan H. wrote:
Not gonna lie, I came to the comments and punched “Coachella” into the search bar to see if there was *any* crossover between Exploding Giraffe subscriber and Coachella-goer... looks like there’s none...feel free to extrapolate what that says about your readership, Brian! haha
(To answer your question, I’m a boring elder Millennial with a 5 year old and 2 year old so that’s a big fat no on live music lately - even here in LA - and as for what I’m listening to... my 2 year old is super into nursery rhyme songs in Spanish so that’s cool lol)
I suppose I’m relieved to learn that most readers of Spectators are “of a certain age” (my pick for best song of the year was by a rocker who just turned 70), but you all nevertheless have incredibly diverse tastes.
Eric R. wrote:
I try to go to as many concerts as I can (I’m talking like 2 a month). Usually they’re smaller artists, so relatively inexpensive to see live. My favorite band of the last few years has been Mannequin Pussy, and if you’ve never heard them I recommend their newest album I Got Heaven. Other newish bands I’ve grown to love and have seen live in the last couple of years are Ben Quad, Hot Mulligan, Pool Kids, Sweet Pill, saturdays at your place, and Cleveland Ohio’s own Heart Attack Man.
Love Mannequin Pussy, so I immediately checked out Heart Attack Man and wasn’t disappointed, much obliged, Eric.
New Tower member Priya shared:
I too find myself stuck with the sound of my own thoughts when I’m buried under work.
Lately I’ve been listening to Khruangbin’s new “A La Sala” ; Terrace Martin & Alex Isley’s “I Left My Heart in Ladera” ; revisited JID’s “151 Rum” several times because of Monkey Man ; and the beautiful, beautiful writing on Kacey Musgrave’s “Deeper Well.” Been keeping things reeeeal chill around here lately.
No live shows yet, but very much looking forward to some teenage nostalgia at a Craig David show next month!
Thanks for Exploding Giraffe. I feel like I joined the Tower not so long ago, embarrassingly late, but it brings me so much joy. Thanks.
Thank YOU for being here, Priya.
And finally, Benjamin K. said:
Currently I’m on a bit of a Flaming Lips binge since I’m seeing them live soon. Also got back into Leprous’ discography recently since they announced tour dates in my area. Plus there is always a decent bit of emo in the playlist since I never grew out of it.
Averaging about a concert a week this days. I can walk to several venues, and have gotten quite good at winning tickets through local contests. Recent shows include Descendents, Circle Jerks, Hail The Sun, Intervals, Waterparks, Set it off, and The Prize Fighter Inferno. Concerts always bring up my mood. I'll recommend investing in a good pair of earplugs if you also like to go to shows often.
I told Benjamin that I also saw Flaming Lips in concert… 22 fucking years ago! It was in Prospect Park down the street from my old apartment, and despite (because of?) a sudden summer downpour, it was spectacular.
Anyway, for their thoughtful contributions, those not-so-randomly selected commenters will each be receiving a signed copy of the latest Saga collection.
And never fear, non-winners, we’ll be giving out many more prizes over our remaining several months together.
As a matter of fact, let me ask: How long have you been a member of The Tower, and have you ever gotten anything in the mail from us?
I can’t promise all of you will eventually receive something (beyond the invaluable camaraderie and bountiful bonus material you’ve doubtlessly enjoyed already), but Genesis will do their best to spread the love before our time together is up.
If you’re still in the mood for more comics this evening, I just got an exciting email from the fine folks at Silver Sprocket:
Silver Sprocket is a radical indie comics publisher, gallery, and retail shop.
Our flagship HQ and office is open every day from noon to 7pm at 1018 Valencia St, San Francisco, CA 94110
I’ve enjoyed everything I’ve ever ordered from Silver Sprocket, especially the work of genius cartoonist (and longtime Exploding Giraffe reader) Caroline Cash:
More recently, good friend/great screenwriter Olivia Dufault recommended the darkly hilarious Enlightened Transsexual Comix from Sam Szabo:
Silver Sprocket usually includes some boss stickers and other fun stuff with orders, like with my recent purchase of the delightfully explicit The Chromatic Fantasy by a cartoonist who goes by H.A. Look at this haul:
A lot of the most interesting comics for adult audiences are increasingly coming from far outside the old “mainstream,” so I hope you’ll take a look at the many fascinating offerings from great indie publishers like Silver Sprocket.
Okay, I should get back to work on more Saga (wait until you see Fiona’s next cover), but thanks so much for somehow making it all the way to the end of these interminable dispatches every week.
Getting to collaborate on Spectators with my friends for serious readers like you remains one of the happiest experiences of my career. I kind of don’t want it to end, but I think you’re going to love these final scenes, so Niko, Fongrafiks and I promise to finish strong.
Peace,
BKV
Double post week, and sorry if this is not allowed so feel free to delete if it is.
I’m participating in the Parkinson's Unity Walk being held by The Michael J. Fox Foundation to raise critical funds for Parkinson’s research. Please consider supporting my efforts. Your support helps speed new Parkinson’s treatments and moves us closer to a cure.
100 percent of the Unity Walk proceeds go directly to The Michael J. Fox Foundation’s high-impact research and policy programs. Thank you!
https://give.michaeljfox.org/Philstakingawalk
Ohmygod that COVER. Look at our girl! She's so grown up. I could just cry. I'm so proud of her and I've missed her so much.
(I'm trying to think only good thoughts about the ... dolphin? Is dolphin the right word? Guess I'll find out in July!)