As a long time fan of the Weird, in and out of fiction, I'm pretty stoked about this being your project out the gate with this substack thing. I will also throw out some media recs for those looking: the Weird Studies podcast is a great primer for getting into this sort of thing and the documentary Hellier is a great look at what investigating the "weird" looks like in the real world
Hellier has been on my radar for a minute, but I am VERY grateful for the reminder, but Weird Studies was NOT on my radar and seems right up my alley! Will check it out!!
Just made Friday's one of my favorite days of the week. True Weird is definitely one of my favorite story types probably why DoT is and has been my favorite comic from issue one. Blue Book being a none dramatized retelling just sounds so fucking refreshing. Also Michael's art is just outstanding and the color palette really set's the mood for a memory. The three tone really brings that I remember but not entirely vibe to life for me. Anyway can't wait for the first issue.
Count me in as one of the weirdos. I’m honestly glad you and Hickman aren’t doing a traditional comic release. Honestly, I’m fascinated with all this creative behind the scenes info. I feel like I’ll appreciate the finished morsel even more with each new release.
This genre is perfect for some Bermuda Triangle stories. I’ve always been fascinated with some of those tales.
This looks amazing! Saw a lot of of comic creators from the Big Two and other companies and moved to Substack, which is a move I support whole heartedly, so I'm here to subscribe and support however I can.
I just happened to be heading up to Lincoln NH where this happened this weekend staying with some family. The state of NH put a sign along Route 3 in 2011 where they believe this occurred. I also happen to get an old copy of the book from someone in my family. She has been interested in this event when she first heard about it when first came out in news reports in 1965. She lent me the book and am diving into it this week. Can’t wait to see how the comic turns out.
Love the idea of Blue Book. The preview panels look amazing! The use of the color blue is a nice touch. Looking forward to reading Blue Book as I’m on the fence, it’s hard to believe, but something is happening!
Moving forward, I cannot agree more with your comments regarding the comic medium, the growing popularity of ‘True Weird’, and the decline of the traditional superhero.
I’ve been writing short stories for years, more psychological horror than body horror, but I don’t like to put too many limitations around any of my work. I’ve recently transitioned into the comic medium, and as a story teller, working with the right artists, there is so much flexibility, almost anything is possible.
Btw, I received a signed copy of FCBD House of Slaughter from Karyn & Roger at Codex Comics, along with some photos! A huge Thx to you & Codex! Keep up the inspiring work!
I share your passion for the comic medium, and I cannot help but feel that we as storytellers have barely scratched the surface of what’s possible. Let’s really go ‘True Weird’!
Re: the non-fiction books recommendation request... one that I read and really enjoyed semi-recently was "The Jakarta Method" by Vincent Bevins. Really gripping and informative read about the Cold War broadly and Indonesia specifically.
Actually, now that I think about the "True Weird" stuff, and how DoT touches on it, I've been listening to the podcast Transmissions from Jonestown recently and it's really really good. The first four-ish episodes are kind of a broad overview of the timeline of events and after that the show changes it's structure a bit as it dives into the web of conspiracies and too-perfect coincidences surrounding the Peoples Temple and Jim Jones. Really fascinating listen!
So excited for this and for all your success as a writer ! I think the timing for all this True Weird stuff is great in lieu of the Pentagon releasing footage from actual Navy vessels and aircraft . I am definitely a skeptic too but hearing these Navy pilots describe the transmedium craft they saw come out of the ocean and disappear in front of their experienced eyes is pretty surreal.
There’s another great podcast that fits into that “True weird” genre that’s really fun. It has 3 friends 2 believers and one skeptic. It’s called the Chilluminati Podcast and covers stories like Betty and Barney hill along with some true crime. The newest episode out is part one of two Atlantis episodes and they have a backlog off like over 100 episodes. I use it to be in the background when writing or drawing
This is one of the announced comics that really excited me. I have always loved UFO stories and the spookiness of tales like the Betty and Barney Hill abduction. I'll be honest, I've looked around for sci-fi/horror fiction that really captures the strange, terrifying feeling that such stories have always instilled in me, and not only is UFO horror a neglected genre in its own right, but a lot of it just... Doesn't stick the landing.
So, you can imagine just how thrilled I am that you've finally come along with a kickass team to create Blue Book.
Oh, and let me know if you ever want to do a Mothman story. I've seen him twice.
w/r/t True Weird -- I'm curious if you've read any of Colin Dickey's work? The Unidentified touches on UFOs and cryptids a bit, but I'd say that all of his books apply. (Plus, they're terrific.)
I'm even more excited now than ever for the Blue Book Project. This looks like stories I can get behind even though I already love a bunch of stories you told in the last half of the decade. I'm excited for what's to come from substack.
Non-Fiction: Have you read Conspiracy by Ryan Holiday yet? Fantastic book, and sort of feels parallel to DoT in a weird and very not literal way. Please do read it. It aligns with your current interests of 'consuming less toxic media' and 'weird conspiracies'.
Another book that's on my shelf that I haven't gotten to yet, partially because I followed the news story really closely in real time, but you're not the first person who's suggested I should move it further up my list!
I think the thing for me that substack really solves is the lack of content surrounding stories you love in this medium. Things come out once a month and then basically radio silence in between. I love that I have a place I can return to every couple of days and immerse myself in that world again. But hey, can never go wrong with fancy covers either ;)
As a long time fan of the Weird, in and out of fiction, I'm pretty stoked about this being your project out the gate with this substack thing. I will also throw out some media recs for those looking: the Weird Studies podcast is a great primer for getting into this sort of thing and the documentary Hellier is a great look at what investigating the "weird" looks like in the real world
Hellier has been on my radar for a minute, but I am VERY grateful for the reminder, but Weird Studies was NOT on my radar and seems right up my alley! Will check it out!!
Just made Friday's one of my favorite days of the week. True Weird is definitely one of my favorite story types probably why DoT is and has been my favorite comic from issue one. Blue Book being a none dramatized retelling just sounds so fucking refreshing. Also Michael's art is just outstanding and the color palette really set's the mood for a memory. The three tone really brings that I remember but not entirely vibe to life for me. Anyway can't wait for the first issue.
I’m interested in seeing the ideas around “True Weird” play out. Under represented space that has great potential.
Count me in as one of the weirdos. I’m honestly glad you and Hickman aren’t doing a traditional comic release. Honestly, I’m fascinated with all this creative behind the scenes info. I feel like I’ll appreciate the finished morsel even more with each new release.
This genre is perfect for some Bermuda Triangle stories. I’ve always been fascinated with some of those tales.
This looks amazing! Saw a lot of of comic creators from the Big Two and other companies and moved to Substack, which is a move I support whole heartedly, so I'm here to subscribe and support however I can.
Looking forward to it!
I just happened to be heading up to Lincoln NH where this happened this weekend staying with some family. The state of NH put a sign along Route 3 in 2011 where they believe this occurred. I also happen to get an old copy of the book from someone in my family. She has been interested in this event when she first heard about it when first came out in news reports in 1965. She lent me the book and am diving into it this week. Can’t wait to see how the comic turns out.
Silly question will this be available for all subscribers?
Love the idea of Blue Book. The preview panels look amazing! The use of the color blue is a nice touch. Looking forward to reading Blue Book as I’m on the fence, it’s hard to believe, but something is happening!
Moving forward, I cannot agree more with your comments regarding the comic medium, the growing popularity of ‘True Weird’, and the decline of the traditional superhero.
I’ve been writing short stories for years, more psychological horror than body horror, but I don’t like to put too many limitations around any of my work. I’ve recently transitioned into the comic medium, and as a story teller, working with the right artists, there is so much flexibility, almost anything is possible.
Btw, I received a signed copy of FCBD House of Slaughter from Karyn & Roger at Codex Comics, along with some photos! A huge Thx to you & Codex! Keep up the inspiring work!
I share your passion for the comic medium, and I cannot help but feel that we as storytellers have barely scratched the surface of what’s possible. Let’s really go ‘True Weird’!
-Panel Alchemist
Re: the non-fiction books recommendation request... one that I read and really enjoyed semi-recently was "The Jakarta Method" by Vincent Bevins. Really gripping and informative read about the Cold War broadly and Indonesia specifically.
Actually, now that I think about the "True Weird" stuff, and how DoT touches on it, I've been listening to the podcast Transmissions from Jonestown recently and it's really really good. The first four-ish episodes are kind of a broad overview of the timeline of events and after that the show changes it's structure a bit as it dives into the web of conspiracies and too-perfect coincidences surrounding the Peoples Temple and Jim Jones. Really fascinating listen!
So excited for this and for all your success as a writer ! I think the timing for all this True Weird stuff is great in lieu of the Pentagon releasing footage from actual Navy vessels and aircraft . I am definitely a skeptic too but hearing these Navy pilots describe the transmedium craft they saw come out of the ocean and disappear in front of their experienced eyes is pretty surreal.
To the true weird and beyond !
There’s another great podcast that fits into that “True weird” genre that’s really fun. It has 3 friends 2 believers and one skeptic. It’s called the Chilluminati Podcast and covers stories like Betty and Barney hill along with some true crime. The newest episode out is part one of two Atlantis episodes and they have a backlog off like over 100 episodes. I use it to be in the background when writing or drawing
This is one of the announced comics that really excited me. I have always loved UFO stories and the spookiness of tales like the Betty and Barney Hill abduction. I'll be honest, I've looked around for sci-fi/horror fiction that really captures the strange, terrifying feeling that such stories have always instilled in me, and not only is UFO horror a neglected genre in its own right, but a lot of it just... Doesn't stick the landing.
So, you can imagine just how thrilled I am that you've finally come along with a kickass team to create Blue Book.
Oh, and let me know if you ever want to do a Mothman story. I've seen him twice.
w/r/t True Weird -- I'm curious if you've read any of Colin Dickey's work? The Unidentified touches on UFOs and cryptids a bit, but I'd say that all of his books apply. (Plus, they're terrific.)
The Unidentified is on my shelf but I haven't cracked it open yet!
I'm even more excited now than ever for the Blue Book Project. This looks like stories I can get behind even though I already love a bunch of stories you told in the last half of the decade. I'm excited for what's to come from substack.
Non-Fiction: Have you read Conspiracy by Ryan Holiday yet? Fantastic book, and sort of feels parallel to DoT in a weird and very not literal way. Please do read it. It aligns with your current interests of 'consuming less toxic media' and 'weird conspiracies'.
Another book that's on my shelf that I haven't gotten to yet, partially because I followed the news story really closely in real time, but you're not the first person who's suggested I should move it further up my list!
I think the thing for me that substack really solves is the lack of content surrounding stories you love in this medium. Things come out once a month and then basically radio silence in between. I love that I have a place I can return to every couple of days and immerse myself in that world again. But hey, can never go wrong with fancy covers either ;)