Touching The Infinite
Announcing SUPERIOR FOUR, the release of KA-ZAR #2 and the horror movies I'm watching this October.
It’s early here on Prince Edward Island. I'm getting up at 7am most mornings, going out for a long walk and taking in the chilly October air before I properly start my day. I think I’ve talked about this before, but I need to start my day with a clear head just so I can organize my thoughts and sit down to write without the daily drama from social media polluting my brain.
In recent weeks I’ve had to get into a rather rigorous schedule (sorry this is laaaate). The end of the year is always a little bit of a crunch given holiday printing schedules. This year is no different but I’m also balancing two non-comics projects on top of everything else going on. So it’s been a strict go, go, go schedule that doesn’t leave much time to dick around. It’s good, I feel like I’m back at my pre-pandemic efficiency in terms of output.
I think most of this stems from decluttering my life. Since moving into my new home, life has grown quieter and slower. My time is used a lot more intentionally now and I’ve got a small group of friends that are all fully vaccinated. So I’m also getting more social time than I’ve had in 18 months. Feeling connected to a community and getting reacquainted with old friends has really nourished me in ways I can’t fully describe. I just feel calmer, happier, and more in tune with things here. I suppose I’ve always been a tiny island boy at heart.
This week we’re forgoing Writing Craft. I can’t think of anything clever to cover and honestly it’s not worth it for me or anyone reading this to half-ass something. So this week we’re going to talk about:
Announcing SUPERIOR FOUR!
KA-ZAR #2 out today!
My October Viewing thus far.
Some light reading, cool links, and a free comic.
SUPERIOR FOUR
Four Doctor Octopi for the low price of $3.99
That’s $1 an Ock!
We announced this week that as of January, I’m writing DOCTOR OCTOPUS. He’s one of the classic Marvel villains I’ve long had an affinity for. So when Marvel came to me asking if I’d tell the next chapter of Ock’s story, I couldn’t say no.
SUPERIOR FOUR is a weird riff on the Fantastic Four. I can’t get into much detail but we’re essentially doing a huge multiversal adventure where we try to solve very human problems with super science. It was important for me that we did something that felt like it was only possible in the face of the DEVIL’S REIGN event (written by the Tom Green of comics - Chip Zdarsky - maybe you’ve heard of him?). Anyway, this all means that the book is uniquely Marvel and something that can only happen right now. It’s the type of insane premise that only works in comics and we’re going to lean into it haaard.
While this is a Fantastic Four style book it’s also a tribute to Otto Octavius’ time as the SUPERIOR SPIDER-MAN. We’re forging a new path for him that builds off that incredible legacy. But this isn’t getting Otto back to that point - it’s taking him somewhere entirely new.
I’m working with Davide Tinto on this three issue miniseries and I think we’ve created something that pushes Ock to places he’s never been before. It all starts going down in January right after a little movie Spider-Man: No Way Home hits theaters. What a time to be alive…
OUT TODAY: KA-ZAR: LORD OF THE SAVAGE LAND #2
Things get weird in this one.
Good god, I’m lucky to collaborate with German Garcia and Matheus Lopes. Another gorgeous issue of Ka-Zar: Lord of the Savage Land is out today. This one sees the themes of the series start to crystallize as we begin to look at Ka-Zar as a settler in the Savage Land. He’s well intentioned but completely at odds with what the land actually needs to survive.
Beyond that, we travel to a brand new biome in Moldwood Forest. Here we learn more about the Polyscions we met in issue #1 and we’re introduced to more of the indigenous tribes that call this place home. There’s also more insane dinosaur powers. It’s a real trip and I couldn’t be more proud of what we’ve pulled off in this issue. Just look at this madness…
I really can’t thank readers enough for the insane response to #1. This is a weird little niche book and y’all are showing up. We’re truly humbled. If you read issue #2 today and enjoy it - don’t hesitate to reach out on social media! We want to hear from you!
Oh and I also hung out on the AIPT podcast this week talking about this issue. Once you’ve read it - check that out here. I think it’s a good listen?
Zank on Cinema
Spooky Season Edition
I’ve been watching a lot of horror movies. I’ve also been documenting everything on Twitter. So this is going to be a rehash of that, but all in one place. It’s not lazy, I swear.
DEATHDREAM (1974) - Bob Clark's proto-slasher about the horrors of the Vietnam War. Rough around the edges. Stiff and stilted in places but has lots of visual style. You can see the DNA of BLACK CHRISTMAS here. The final 30 mins are insane and well worth the trip.
PHANTOM OF THE PARADISE (1974) - Absolutely blown away by this. A commentary on creative meddling but also a campy horror/comedy/rock opera. This crazy genre mash feels like an anomaly in De Palma's filmography but it's so batshit and confident - I'm in love with it.
DRACULA (1931) Spanish Language version - A cinematic curiosity that can't really hold a candle to the original. Interesting as a relic from the era but not much else. Carlos Villarías does his best as Dracula but it ends up being a little too cartoonish for my tastes.
HELLO MARY LOU: PROM NIGHT 2 - A nonsensical sequel that's equal parts shlock and stunning practical effects. Doesn't really amount to much but there's something quintessentially 80's slasher about it that makes it a fun, albeit forgettable, watch. It’s real male-gazey…
PUMPKINHEAD (1988) - A lean creature feature that gets lost in the weeds of its own bullshit but has great imagery/creature design. Wish Pumpkinhead's rules were clearly defined and the narrative was more focused on Lance Henriksen’s Ed Harley. Feels like the cast of teens were there just to up the body count.
HALLOWEEN 4: THE RETURN OF MICHAEL MYERS (1988) - A great star vehicle for Donald Pleasance’s Dr. Loomis and probably one of the best Halloween sequels (which isn't saying much). Bad mask, bland kills, but manages to be terrifying because Myers is stalking a 7-year-old.
V/H/S/94 (2021) - I LOVED this. A brilliant return to form for this anthology series. Each short is genuinely incredible and the '90s aesthetic really elevates the material. It's probably my favourite entry in the series. Go in knowing nothing. It’s now streaming on Shudder.
ANGST (1983) - Wow. I was not prepared for this. A disturbing descent into the mind of a lunatic. A home invasion horror story but so much more. The dizzying and brilliant cinematography/editing by Zbigniew Rybczyński guarantees you've never seen anything like it. NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART.
Okay, I’ve been told by Substack I’m nearing the email limit. So that’s it for right now. More soon…
Tiny Scabs
Cory Doctorow wrote an excellent thread on everything currently going on with Facebook. It’s well worth your time.
This primer on everything going on with printer/paper shortages in the publishing industry is a great read. Especially if you plan on buying books this holiday season. Spoiler: do it now. There’s going to be massive shortages.
One of my favourite YouTubers - Nerdwriter made an incredible video on “the horror short film in Spider-Man 2”. I’m highly biased but I think you should check it out.
This week’s playlist, right here:
Goodbye
Another week down. How is it October already?
I don’t know, but be good to each other out there. Things are still awful most everywhere and kindness is in short supply.
- Z 10/13/21
7 am? Damn. I am envious. Most days, I'm rolling out of bed at about 11. Sometimes noon. But, I tend to be up until the birds start chirping.