038: 2023 is MASSIVE
038: 2023 is MASSIVE
The newest addition to the Massive-Verse, a look ahead, plus VARIANT DROP ALERT!
Hey there! Happy (almost) 2023!
As we get ready to put a nail in the coffin of a truly chaotic year, I wanted to take a second to talk a little about 2022, 2023 and what we have coming up.
Plus, a new trailer and oh, hey, is that a limited foil drop?!
Here we go! Let’s wrap this year right!
WHO IS NO/ONE?
Last Monday, io9 and Gizmodo announced our next addition to the Massive-Verse, the eponymously named NO/ONE.
Written by Brian Buccellato and myself, illustrated by Geraldo Borges, colored by Mark Englert, lettered by Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou and edited/designed by Michael Busuttil, this is a ten issue true crime superhero experience with an emphasis on experience.
Launching March 15, each issue takes place when it hits the stands because we're actually telling our story across multiple platforms.
As part of a focus on more immersive coverage, Pittsburgh Ledger reporters Julia Paige and Teddy Barstow are asked to start a podcast as they chronicle the murderous accountability epidemic taking over the city, under new branded coverage from the New Media division, PL Media, called THE DROP. But here’s the coolest part— we're actually making the podcast each month. I'll be directing, my long time sound supervisor Matthew E. Taylor will be supervising, C.O.W.L. co-creator and Black Market Narrative editor Alec Siegel will edit, and Emmy-Award winning composer Kristopher Carter (Batman Beyond, Spectacular Spider-Man) will be scoring each episode.
Oh yeah, and the series stars Rachael Leigh Cook and Patton Oswalt as Julia and Teddy, plus a host of other familiar names/voices. Here’s a teaser!
You can subscribe to the podcast today at http://the-drop.info which will be home to all sorts of information you might want to be on the lookout for (hint hint). Like I said, the Ledger is REALLY pushing their coverage—they've even got in-universe social! @TheDropPL
And, every episode will feature killer album art courtesy of NO/ONE colorist and poster artist extraordinaire, Mark Englert. We'll be featuring that art as our open-to-order Podcast Variant cover. Here's issue 1!
Ten months ago, the Richard Roe murders shocked the city of Pittsburgh. In the months since, the killings have sparked a dangerous political movement, copycat killers, and a masked vigilante who’s still determined to hold the powerful accountable. Not a symbol. Not a hero. They could be anyone. They’re NO/ONE.
AND: the story continues in WHO IS NO/ONE, a monthly companion podcast starring RACHAEL LEIGH COOK (She’s All That) and PATTON OSWALT (Minor Threats, Marvel’s M.O.D.O.K.)!
We’ll be talking more about this one at the top of the year—including some cool Black Market Narrative exclusive announcements—but I think it’s safe to let you know now, this is a project that’s as ambitious as it sounds. It’s our take on a contemporary, urban vigilante, while also looking at the news, media and political cycles that increasingly dominate so much of our lives.
It’s a really, really big swing from all of us, including a host of talented behind the scenes collaborators.
We hope you’ll join us all for the ride!
Available Soon
Radiant Pink #2 - January 4th, 2023
Impossibly far from home and unable to rely on her powers, can Eva and her new companion survive long enough to figure out a way back? Or is this the end of Radiant Pink? And if it is…what do we do with the rest of this miniseries?
Oh, and look what’s available now!
Final Order Cutoff
Inferno Girl Red #1 - FOC on January 2nd, 2023
From Erica D'Urso, Mat Groom, Igor Monti and Becca Carey— we’re thrilled to introduce a blazing light of hope in the darkness—INFERNO GIRL RED ignites January 25!
And now, just in time for FOC, check out this epic new trailer from Alec!
We all need something to believe in. Especially Cássia Costa.
An ancient cult and their army of demons have stolen Cássia’s home, Apex City. When a magical dragon bracelet rockets into her life and affixes itself to her arm, Cássia’s the only person equipped to stop the cult from offering the entire city to their dark lord.
There’s just one catch…
The magical bracelet is powered by belief, and Cássia — an intensely pragmatic, rational girl – doesn’t have much to spare. She’ll have to find something to kindle her faith, though, and fast —because she has a secret legacy to live up to. Because her mother’s life is on the line. And because Apex City needs Inferno Girl Red.
The Black Market
Radiant Pink #1 BMN Exclusive FOIL Variant
Okay, it’s that time! One more exclusive drop to close out the year! This is our Radiant Pink 1 BMN Foil Edition!
We’ve got 30 copies left and we’re making them available RIGHT NOW!
2022 In Review
2022 was an incredibly fulfilling year, professionally, while being a particularly challenging one, personally. The knee surgery in March, which I had been prepared for, ended up being a whole different kind of beast to get through. And while I still have another 9-10 months of physical therapy, doctors and PTs say that things are trending up… even if it doesn’t feel like it.
It all takes time.
And I think, that’s kind of my biggest takeaway on 2022.
Whether you’re grinding, trying to find your way in comics or art or writing or any business, or trying to recover from cartilage and meniscus transplants… nothing happens fast enough.
Except, it also all happens way too fast.
For so much of 2022, I felt like I was moving from fire to fire. And in a lot of ways, that’s true. Between not being able to walk for 10 weeks, to all of the books, short films, conventions and meetups we put together… it was an absolutely jam-packed year. 2022 flew by.
“Find the moments of pleasure,” as a friend reminded me recently.
When I think back on the number of books, experiences and genuine fun we had this year… I can’t be anything but grateful. And I have to give a very big thank you to every creator we worked with and an extra special thank you to Michael Busuttil, Ryan Sidoti, Ryan Parrott, Melissa Flores, Brian Buccellato, Alec Siegel, Joe Clark and Mat Groom. None of 2022— including getting through that surgery— would have been possible without you. I’m so glad to be building epic worlds with y’all.
And, that will continue into 2023, because we’re getting set to bring you an even more insane amount of cool new stuff.
Similar to last year, I thought it might be fun to roll out some out-of-context teases. So, without further ado— a quick visual tease for some of Black Market Narrative’s 2023:
See ya in 2023!
Kyle
Chicago, IL
Just started reading some Massive-verse titles last night and I absolutely can’t wait for more. It is definitely intriguing all-around.
MassiveVerse Unlimited in 2023?