SPECTATORS - Part 62
Plus, artwork from some unsung heroes of comics!
No spoilers, but what did you think of last night’s penultimate installments of Succession and/or Barry?
Brian here, and those two outstanding episodes were the ideal capper to a pretty perfect weekend. I finished a ton of writing, saw some extraordinary new pages from both Niko Henrichon and Fiona Staples, ate one of the best sandwiches of my life at a “hoagie pop-up” from comedian/gourmand Eric Wareheim, and then had a chill Sunday BBQ with some of my oldest family friends and our increasingly fascinating kids. You do anything fun?
Anyway, you’ll have to wait just a bit to check out those aforementioned Fiona Staples pages, but good news, you get to see not one, but TWO new double-page spreads from Niko Henrichon RIGHT NOW. Yep, we’re decadently following last week’s spread with four more pages’ worth of Spectators spectacle. As always, I implore you to check out Niko’s hard work on the biggest and brightest screen you’ve got, thanks:
Wait, where the hell are Val and Sam? Some hopefully satisfying answers coming soon, so thanks for your indulgence.
I’ve always wanted to pace a comic in this fashion, but have never had the “real estate” to pull it off until this serialized graphic novel, so I can’t thank you enough for supporting its creation, especially you generous paid subscribers in The Tower.
Speaking of whom, the last of you Tower folks who sent in stuff to be signed by me should be getting your books/toys/underpants back shortly. I tackled another 15 packages last week, and I think I only have a dozen or so left to open and vandalize, hopefully later tonight.
And if you missed this signing window, never fear, we’ll likely offer another exclusive opportunity to you Tower members before too long.
Well, the WGA strike enters its fourth week today.
Picketing in the Los Angeles heat hasn’t exactly been a party, but it’s been great to catch up with writers I haven’t seen in over a decade, and to meet some some new folks, both younger writers at the start of their careers as well as some legends I’ve long admired. If you’d like to know more about what we’re all fighting for and how things are developing, I highly recommend this excellent interview with WGA Negotiating Committee member (and one of the creators of Parks and Recreation and The Good Place) Mike Schur.
And in news somewhat related to the ever-shifting world of streaming entertainment, Y the Last Man showrunner Eliza Clark shared this unfortunate update:
Along with dozens of other titles, the first season of Y will be removed from Hulu (likely never to be available anywhere else again) this Friday, May 26, so if you’ve been considering checking out this wonderful contemporary reimagining of the story Pia Guerra and I created, start that binge tonight, as this week is probably your final chance.
And not to drown you in depressing Hollywood updates, but as I was typing this, I just heard about the death of brilliant film/tv actor Ray Stevenson. I was lucky enough to meet him at a screening once and rave about his performance as Titus Pullo in Rome, and he couldn’t have been kinder or cooler. My condolences to everyone who loved him.
Finally, I invite you to join me for yet another stroll through my ever-expanding gallery of original comic-book art, in the latest edition of bimonthly bonus nonsense I’ve taken to calling…
Come Up and See My Etchings
Since this costly hobby of mine is underwritten by my Hollywood blood money (your generous contributions to Exploding Giraffe help support the ongoing creation of Spectators, not my weird addiction), I’ve decided to take a break from acquiring new pieces during the strike, but here are two gems I nabbed before my moratorium:
Recently nominated for a billion richly deserved Eisners, here’s a striking page from the Image Comics graphic novel It’s Lonely At The Centre Of The Earth by wunderkind creator Zoe Thorogood.
And sorry for the glare, but check out this original page of another coming-of-age masterpiece, Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi.
I’m so grateful to have works like these on my walls, constantly taunting me with how much I still have to learn about my craft.
And while I’m fortunate to own examples by acclaimed creators like these two, this collecting obsession of mine has also introduced me to some perhaps lesser-known writers, artists, colorists, and even characters, all of whom happen to not be dudes.
After our regularly scheduled paywall, I’ll be introducing you to some of my new favorites, as well as giving away a few more signed copies of the latest issue of Saga.
I hope you can join us, but either way, I’ll see you back here for more free Spectators next Monday, thanks again!