Ever since my trip to LA and then NYC for the Daredevil premiere people have been asking me if I’ve “changed.” I suppose I have. But I like to think it’s less of a “change” than it is a “beautiful metamorphosis” from the rank, filthy cocoon of comic books to the shimmering light of Hollywood as my powerful, hung butterfly takes flight. Will I still write this newsletter, to reaffirm my connection to the common people (you)? No. But my assistant Chet (Chad?) will be typing these up based on my angry 3 a.m. phone calls to him and some choice AI prompts.
While my past is comic books, sadly, my future is also comic books, as I said “yes” to several jobs before I met my new best friend Charlie Cox. So, legally, I need to promote this work . Ugh. Here goes.
Okay, maybe I’m a LITTLE excited about this one. It’s CAPTAIN AMERICA! With VALERIO SCHITI and FRANK MARTIN JR.! I’m sure I’ve told you all this story before, but several years ago I received an email from Mr. Marvel asking me what my top three titles that I’d like to work on were, in case they ever came up. DAREDEVIL was one of them, and CAPTAIN AMERICA was another (I won’t reveal the third until it happens!!). So, this is absolutely a bucket list item for me.
I grew up with Cap. My first comic purchase was SECRET WARS #7, featuring a struggling Steve Rogers in the middle of action-toy wartime:
I loved him. His ability to command with compassion, his tortured soul. I immediately started collecting CAPTAIN AMERICA.
Our run will start with him coming out of the ice and then bring us to modern day, with some surprises in-between. Like most of my work, I’m begging you—BEGGING—to just avoid any spoilers for what we’re cooking. It’s going to be a good time, I promise.
SORRY A CANADIAN WRITING CAPTAIN AMERICA
I know! I believe I’m the first?! Though, not the first non-American. Dave Gibbons wrote a few issues.
I’M SICKENED
Well, if it makes it any better, I may be American soon enough once Prime Minister Gretzky signs the deal to be the 52nd State and—wait … how many States are there? Do I capitalize “States”?
OH GOD YOU’RE WRITING CAPTAIN AMERICA
It’ll be fine!
Anyway, stay off the Internet. Only come to zdarsky.substack.com for quality non-spoiler Cap updates!
Also, here’s a variant cover I did!
Oooo spooky
While I was in LA attending ComicsPRO, I got to wow the retailers with the juggernaut that is ZDARSKY COMIC NEWS. My presentation was on the last day, in the last slot of the lunch hour, but I still think it went well. Worth a watch!
Share with your friends! So they can LEARN ABOUT COMICS!!
Also, Gerry did a nice write up on the event and the party we threw. It was a really nice time, though I found out what former AMAZING SPIDER-MAN write Zeb Wells thinks of ZCN smh
Makes sense since Spider-Man hates the unbiased media!!!
While at ComicsPRO it was announced that Mr. Matt Fraction would be taking over BATMAN! If that wasn’t bad enough, he’s also inheriting my BATMAN artist, the beautiful Jorge Jimenez!! Wow.
This is how that handfoff went:
Hmm… sounds like I was dead on the money in issue five of ZCN…
Sickening.
Okay, I have MUCH MORE to talk about, so I’ll save that for next time! But, one FINAL thing:
I did up a special variant cover for TIME WAITS #1 that’s only available for… Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Subscribers?? Does that mean you get to PLAY the comic? I don’t know! All I know is, this is a Big Deal and it means a ton of new people are going to be reading our heartfelt, violent, time travel romance. So, that’s cool! Go check it out if you’re a gamer! Pew! Pew!
Oh shit! One last thing! The TIME WAITS gang is coming to THIRD EYE COMICS!
One of the greatest shops in the world with the greatest readers!
Bye!
UPCOMING BOOKS
BATMAN: DARK PRISONS — Mar 04
ZDARSKY COMIC NEWS #9 — Mar 12
TIME WAITS HC — Mar 25
THE DOMAIN VOL 1 — Mar 26
CREEPSHOW VOL 3 — Apr 1
FANTASTIC FOUR: FATE OF THE FOUR — Apr 1
FCBD: FANTASTIC FOUR/GIANT-SIZE X-MEN #1 — May 03
BATMAN: THE DYING CITY — May 05
UPCOMING SIGNINGS
LA MOLE (Mexico City) — March 14-16
THIRD EYE COMICS (Annapolis) — April 19
PHOENIX FAN FUSION — June 6-8
Chip!! Third eye!! It’s in Maryland!! I LIVE IN Maryland!!! I’m so excited to meet you in person (again!) !!
Your daredevil run is one of my favorite comics of all time. Elektra’s story arc was my favorite part. Her and Matt’s relationship was so well written. And devils reign!! Wow!!
Sorry for rambling but wow I’m really excited!
Nice cover, Chip.