The Cracks
Public Domain, Batman covers, and Bill
So, DC showed off all of BATMAN #125’s variant covers:
Some very pretty covers in there! And also mine!
As bonkers as it sounds, this is a 1:250 variant, which means stores can order one copy for every 250 copies of the regular cover they order. Which is madness, but that’s the game! Please don’t hate the player! I mean, I’m not even really the player here, DC is. I’m, like … the waterboy? Maybe the sports doctor? Hot dog vendor? Anyway, you know what I’m saying.
OH I GET IT YOU’RE THE TICKET SCALPER FOR THE GAME
wait what no that’s ebay I’m the hot dog ve—
MAKES PERFECT SENSE THANKS FOR THE ANALOGY
ugh whatever.
In other news, I don’t have any news! Last week when Tini and I were chatting, I talked a lot about The Flash (this is not indicative of what’s coming up in Batman or Catwoman, I just love The Flash). I was telling her about the post-Crisis Wally West series, with amazing stories written by Mike Baron, William Messner-Loebs and then (ugh) Mark Waid. I loved these books so much.
Anyway, one of those great writers, William Messner-Loebs, fell on hard times and he and his wife, Nadine, have had a lot of financial hardships over the past twenty years, even losing their home. (I’d really recommend watching the video at this link).
Well, some good news this week as the Hero Initiative was able to help out and get Bill and Nadine into a more permanent home.
You can watch the video here:
Recently, Marie Javins, Editor-in-Chief of DC Comics, spearheaded a joint Marvel/DC printing of the classic Justice League/Avengers crossover to help the Hero Initiative. I can’t say enough good words about Marie, she’s the best kind of person. That was a huge undertaking and it’s such a wonderful cause that helps creators like Bill and so many others in need that have fallen through the (massive) cracks in this industry. So please donate if you can.
The comics industry was built on the work of people who had zero job security, a revolving door of freelancers who were all discarded once they were no longer a “hot name,” or ran afoul of someone in power. I’ve often said to fellow creators that the North American comics industry were trailblazers for the modern work environment, where good salaried jobs with pensions have evaporated, replaced by short-term contracts and job insecurity. And I get it. It’s a creative industry. Allegiances to creators can only go so far when month-to-month sales are the thing that keeps comics afloat. It’s classic capitalism. But because of that we—fellow creators, readers, companies—need to be more conscious of making sure the people who create these books can live a life of dignity beyond their money-making years.
ugh I hate writing stuff like this. It sounds so soapbox-y. But it’s all true, and there’s a reason so many creators took this Substack deal and have hired other creators for guest strips and new comics. Nothing is certain, the future is always financially hazy for a freelancer, and, as Bill put it in that news video, most people are two to three missing paycheques away from being homeless. I mean, shit! I write Batman and I’M terrified of where I’ll be in twenty years!
Anyway, that’s this week’s newsletter. Sorry it’s a bummer.
But now, for everyone who’s supported this endeavor (thank you so much), the new chapter of my book that relates to the above a little too much, Public Domain.