TINY UPDATE 5/25: Last Dispatch From the Sunshine State

“Tiny Update” is a weekly free newsletter that keeps you up to date on the latest news, comic book projects and merchandise offerings from James Tynion IV and Tiny Onion Studios

Hello Friends!

I am writing this from the Delta Sky Lounge at the Orlando International Airport, two days later than I should have written it. Sorry about that!! Megacon took it out of me, and I’m just now getting back on top of all the things that need doing. It was amazing meeting so many of you over the last week. I’ve never had lines at a show like the ones I had this weekend, and it was PHENOMENAL to see all of the Erica Slaughter cosplayers over the course of the weekend! This was probably my favorite picture I snagged all weekend:

But my REAL favorite part of the weekend was getting to meet and spend time with the co-creator of SOMETHING IS KILLING THE CHILDREN, Werther Dell’Edera, and getting the chance to talk about the future of our book together while basking in the love of the series we were getting from the fans. The last two years of pandemic and shut conventions meant that this was the first time we stood in the same room together, and it was such a pleasure.

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Some very exciting news dropped right before the convention started. I’m nominated for FIVE Eisner Awards! Isn’t that fucking insane? It still doesn’t feel real to me. I’m nominated for Best Writer. THE NICE HOUSE ON THE LAKE is up for Best New Series. THE DEPARTMENT OF TRUTH and SOMETHING IS KILLING THE CHILDREN are nominated for Best Continuing Series. And WYND is nominated for Best Publication For Teens (Age 13-17). You can read all about it right here!

I wish that the amazing artists, colorists, letterers, and designers on these books had been recognized in their solo categories, but this is really freaking incredible, people. In a lot of ways, it feels like a kind of cosmic validation for my making the decision to dedicate these next years of my life to my creator-owned work. I have poured my heart and soul into these books to make them the best I can, and I’m immensely proud of them, and immensely grateful to ALL of you for reading them.

My joke line when people have congratulated me this year is that now I have to go to a very long dinner in San Diego in July, vs. the last two years where I could just skim ahead to the part of the video in question and find out how I fared. But the secret truth is that I am extremely very excited about going in person. I’m hugely honored to be up against some of the best creators in the industry, and regardless of who wins I’ll be honored to

This week, we’ve got a WILD FICTION in store for you on Friday, and then we’ll have an Onion Drop coming this next week to kick off June. In stores this week, we’ve got the return of series co-creator Martin Simmonds with an issue of THE DEPARTMENT OF TRUTH, and the next chapter of “THE ROAD TO TRIBULATION” in SOMETHING IS KILLING THE CHILDREN. I hope you love reading both as much as I loved writing them. In the meantime, if you want to get the most out of what this Substack has to offer, you know what to do.

THE DEPARTMENT OF TRUTH #18

W: James Tynion IV / A + Cover A: Martin Simmonds / L: Aditya Bidikar / D: Dylan Todd / E: Steve Foxe / P: Image Comics

Nominated for Best Continuing Series for the 2022 Eisner Awards!

Co-creator MARTIN SIMMONDS returns for the explosive new arc! For decades, THE DEPARTMENT OF TRUTH battled a secret war against its Soviet counterpart, THE MINISTRY OF LIES. Now Cole Turner will have to face the consequences of his predecessors as the dark actions of the past unfurl before him…

SOMETHING IS KILLING THE CHILDREN #23

W: James Tynion IV / A: Werther Dell'Edera / C: Miquel Muerto / L + D: AndWorld Design / Cover A: Werther Dell'Edera / E: Ramiro Portnoy & Eric Harburn

Also nominated for Best Continuing Series for the 2022 Eisner Awards!

Trapped in the county jail, Erica must use her one phone call to contact someone from her past... but will they come to her aid? And with the revelation of a terrifying new threat that will push Erica to her limits, escape may come from a most unexpected place…

Next week, I’ve got the first issue of THE CLOSET coming out in stores, and next Saturday, I’m going to be signing copies of it over at Midtown Comics! This is my only real appearance for the next couple of months (still figuring out the degree to which I’ll be at San Diego), so if you’re in the neighborhood, come on over!

Okay, that’s enough for right now. No quick things because I’ve been moving nonstop since the top of last week. More to come once I’m back in Brooklyn. Sorry again for the delay getting this out!

James Tynion IV
Orlando, FL
5.24.22