Hey, how was your weekend?
Some big news: my new podcast-thing here at Exploding Giraffe, MATURE READERS, an exploration of comics for adults, has just secured our very first guest, a giant of the medium who requires no introduction…GARTH ENNIS, seen here once again patiently attempting to explain the difference between a Hurricane and Spitfire, probably:
This will be exclusively for our generous paid members in The Tower, and we’ll let them know soon when and how to listen in LIVE to my upcoming conversation with Garth (which will also be recorded), likely over a pint or four.
For now, Tower members are encouraged to please post any/all questions for Mr. Ennis or your dashing host in the comments of our semi-private forum.
Anyway, lots more updates and jabber to share, but first, your free comics!
When last we saw NYC moviegoer Val, she had just been shot to death…and then things really started to get uncomfortable:
Now, our story continues…
Man, I cannot get enough of Niko’s colors.
Congrats to Exploding Giraffe reader and lucky contest winner Nick Bennet, who already received AND tastefully framed his one-of-a-kind page of original artwork from Niko Henrichon:
Later this week, we’ll be giving away another of Niko’s invaluable hand-drawn pages to one randomly selected paid subscriber (at any level!), so if you haven’t joined us in The Tower yet, sign up now, and you could become the proud owner of this work of art:
Not lying!
This Wednesday, from Image Comics, Fiona Staples, and Spectators’ own Fonografiks, it’s SAGA #57!
Still only $2.99??
How could so much beauty cost so little???
As always, thanks for supporting your local comic shop!
But if you need more new comics right this second, I hope you’ll visit my good friends at Panel Syndicate, where creators Alex de Campi, Tony Parker, and Blond have just released a 152-page collection of their riveting spy book MAYDAY.
Like my series with artist Marcos Martin The Private Eye and all of the digital comics over at Panel Syndicate, MAYDAY is available for instant download at any price you think is fair (including $0.00!), and the DRM-free files are yours to own for life.
Enjoy!
If you’re fortunate enough to be in France at the moment, you can now pick up this absolute masterpiece of a graphic novel from Niko Henrichon and my friend and mentor Joe Kelly!
Stay tuned for details about how you’ll be able to enjoy this stunner in English here in the States, but for now, please allow me to brag about what I found inside the copy I was just gifted.
The Vaughan Family can’t thank you enough, mon ami!
Have you seen DRIVE MY CAR yet?
I think director Ryûsuke Hamaguchi’s adaptation of Haruki Murakami is my favorite film I’ve seen this year—smart, sexy, somber and strange. Available on HBO Max now if it’s not playing at your local theater.
And speaking of audacious explorations of human longing, I also have to rave about the Netflix standup special DON WONG from comedian Ali Wong (and not just because she’s a star of our upcoming adaptation of Paper Girls!). Ali’s always been an incredible performer, but this is her very sharpest writing yet. So fucking dark and hilarious.
A highly recommended double feature right there.
Finally, if you’ve still got a little time to kill on your lunch break, I recorded a fun video interview with Dave DeOreo for my hometown PBS station WVIZ in Northeast Ohio (though I wish I would have remembered to remove that very L.A. yoga mat from the background of my shot).
As penance, here’s hoping the Cavs trounce the Lakers tonight!
More soon,
Brian
SPECTATORS - Part Eight
PS - LeBron destroyed us. :(
Every instalment just makes me want more! Such beautiful work from the whole team here.
As far as questions for Mr Ennis, I’d love his thoughts on the changes in the industry from the days of Vertigo publishing experimental creator owned work to now having projects at multiple ‘smaller’ publishers. What is the comic book business landscape like for him now?