010 BLACK MARKET NARRATIVE // A Creative Collective
"We Build Universes"
This is the kind of post that I’ve been looking forward to writing for a long time. Spoiler alert, I’m not about to announce a big new Substack deal, but on the topic of said Substack deals, I do want to say — I was over the moon thrilled for James Tynion’s announcement this week. James is one of the most thoughtful, giving creators we have, always looking for new ways to do things, unafraid to take risks, but also with an eye towards his collaborators, retailers, and readers. He’s someone who has the kind of big, sweeping vision it takes to build what his Tiny Onion Empire is becoming, but to see it all come together in real time? And to see him get the recognition he deserves, that all of us who know him and know how hard he’s worked, have been wanting to see him get for years? It’s unbelievably exciting.
Which, in a lot of ways, is kind of the point of today’s newsletter.
You know what’s awesome? Making things.
You know what’s even more awesome? Helping people you believe in make things.
BLACK MARKET NARRATIVE
When I said that today’s post had been a long time in the making, I meant it. This goes back at least ten years for me, the idea of building a Collective. It stems from my favorite part of making comics: collaboration.
In 2018, I decided to try something different. Mat Groom, a writer who I had gotten to know through a podcast we did together, had an idea for a story. It was a very good idea and Mat’s script writing skills were already incredibly polished. With the right co-creator/artist partner, I felt like SELF/MADE could be a really fantastic book.
Over the years, I’ve connected a number of creators. Some new, some established, some projects that have worked out, some that haven’t. On any project, it’s often hard finding the right co-creator/partner. It’s even harder when you’re starting out. Which is part of why I’ve always enjoyed match making — just the way that my brain works, I feel like I’m always thinking about who I know that’s looking for work, or a cool project. And god knows, I know enough amazing writers. That said, making an introduction is one thing. But what I wanted to do on SELF/MADE was quite a bit more.
I wanted to edit the book.
The thinking was, I had to see this story get told. And connecting creators/making introductions/vouching for your friends — while helpful — is not the same thing as staking your name and reputation on something. I wanted to be able to tell an artist, a colorist, a letterer, a publisher — through actions — that this was something I really believed in.
I worked with Mat to put the team together, we pitched the book, and on December 5, 2018, SELF/MADE hit comic book stands.
In the three years since, I’ve slowly taken on more projects, all of them simmering at different rates, all of them concepts and stories and worlds that have excited me. Then, come 2020, I started to get more serious about it all. I don’t know how you got through the pandemic… but the only thing that kept me sane was to stay insane with work.
So, while Radiant Black and Ordinary Gods have made up a solid portion of my New-Project-Builds over the last two years, they’ve been far from my only ones. In addition to two more yet-to-be-announced creator owned series that I’ve been writing, I have another 6 books that I’m serving as editor on. They’re stories that have come my way through a variety of narratively illicit means — just like SELF/MADE, they’re projects so cool, I have to see them get made.
So that’s what we’re going to do. And, much like Radiant Black, we’re going to have quite a bit of fun in the making, promoting, and — most importantly — celebrating of these creators (some of whom you know, some of whom are brand new) and their creations.
It’s 2021 — it’s time to bring some magic back into the world.
Michael Busuttil — our excellent designer and editor on Radiant Black and Ordinary Gods — is going to be a vital part of all of this. First, because one or two of these new projects may be of a super shared variety and second, because Michael is one of the most gifted editors, designers, and website makers I’ve ever met.
And on that last point, allow me to unveil our own personal Black Market:
Everything we’ve done and will do, listed in one place, with direct purchase options for (almost) every issue through stores like one of my hometown favorites, Golden Apple, as well as Comixology digital links and options to find your own local comic shop.
We’ll also use the above site as a hub for variants, limited edition merchandise (oh, we have some big things planned…), convention appearance schedules and... secrets. So many secrets. Some, maybe even leading to some super limited free stuff. But, I’ve already said too much.
And honestly, clamping down on the secrets getting out is something we’re trying to do. Really. For example, the new @BlackMarketNAR Twitter account has been put under strict lock and key and they have made assurances that clandestine transmissions that could help lead you to some of that secret stuff, will not be leaking out on their side. Same goes double for @radiantblk.
>Sigh<
Okay, so… I can’t tell you what this is actually for. Really. I can’t. But I can tell you that it was made by the incredible Carlos Dattoli with energy effects by my friend, Josh McDonald.
More on what this is for, soon.
I promise.
Now, some of the upcoming books like Inferno Girl Red, already have homes. Others do not. Some are very close to being announced. Others… have already been announced and are about to hit Final Order Cutoff (FOC).
LAST FLIGHT OUT
Marc Guggenheim and I have been friends — and tennis partners — for almost ten years. Over that time, I’ve lost track of how many times I’ve asked him when he was going to do another creator owned book? So when he texted me in early 2020, asking if I’d help him put a series together based on an idea he’s circled for a long time, it was an easy yes.
“With Earth rendered uninhabitable, humanity has chosen to evacuate to the stars. But with just twenty-four hours left until the last ark — designed to evacuate Earth's residents — leaves forever, its designer's estranged daughter goes missing. Marc Guggenheim (Arrow, X-Men) and Eduardo Ferigato (SELF/MADE) tell the story of an absentee father trying to make amends during the end of the world.”
Issue 1 has its final order cutoff on Monday, and as you can see from the pull quotes, it’s a story with a big canvas and a ton of heart.
You can pre-order it here:
https://blackmarket.la/last-flight-out
EMPHASIS ON NARRATIVE
I love comics, with all my heart. Truly. They’ve been my home for ten years and have allowed me to grow as a storyteller, a professional, and a person. But while I’ll always love and make comics, some of you may know that I also have a background in film.
I’ve been making movies since I was 7-years-old and as much as I love comics, directing is another equally huge passion of mine. In some ways, it’s my first love. Over the years, that’s meant some really fun and unique storytelling opportunities — like the things we put together when I was writing Power Rangers.
I also have a background in post production, have written for video games, plus a host of other experiential narrative writing that you’ll never know was me…
All of that is a long winded way of saying, we’ve got some pretty exciting non-comics projects coming up. Things like a big, bold new Sci-Fi short that I co-wrote and helped produce. Audio dramas that I’m writing and show running (before comics, I made a living as a sound editor). Plus, coming this fall/winter, I go into prep and production on my first feature film. It’s a script I wrote, which I’m directing. You’ll be hearing a lot more about that one very soon :)
All in all, it’s been a fairly insane 12 months, and it’s only going to get crazier.
THE HELMET GIVEAWAY
One of the things that excited both Michael and myself when we were building out our plans for Radiant Black, was the opportunity to do things… different. It’s really hard to quantify what that means for us, beyond how I phrased it in my earlier statement — we want to bring some magic back into the world.
Basically, what everything we do boils down to is our primary mantra. It all starts with one simple sentence.
“Hey, wouldn’t it be cool if…”
When planning how to introduce all of the above to the world, we decided that it should really come from one place: we really just want to say thank you.
For supporting my books over the years.
For giving Radiant Black and Ordinary Gods a shot.
For also embracing bringing some magic back into the world.
And, like I said above — actions speak louder than words. So, to show our thanks, we’ve decided to hold a little giveaway.
Remember that social account I mentioned? The one under strict orders not to let any clandestine transmissions loose? @BlackMarketNAR, remember? Well, they had a really cool idea.
To kick things off, we’re going to give away a very special item. The very first Radiant Black helmet.
This is the first in a series of big, fun cool merch drops that we’ve been building behind the scenes. Always start big, right? Well, thanks to Andrea and his Starchild Props, our “big” is also wearable. The final piece will have LED eyes, as well. Possibly programmable with different expressions. The above images are just the initial renders, because what we’re giving away is the very first one. It’ll come with some sort of COA, signed by me. And we’ll be updating everyone on the progress of the helmet via this newsletter
So how do you enter? It’s really simple: you just have to follow and RT THIS TWEET from the @BlackMarketNAR account. Quote Tweets work, too.
We’re also going to do have two runner up prizes that we’ll be drawing winners for. Second prize is going to get a copy of every Black Market Narrative issue #1 (that has already been published, as of today), including all variant covers.
These are coming from my personal comps — and yes, they’ll include the two Radiant Black foils. I’ll sign them all, or leave them blank, your choice. On the Radiant Black foils, for anyone wondering, I will very clearly mark that these are APs. Again, they’re from my personal collection.
Our third place prize is one of my favorite things — it’s a copy of the Radiant Black promo poster. However, this poster is truly one of a kind — it's going to be signed by Marcelo Costa and myself and remarked by Marcelo… with fluorescent ink, making it a one of a kind blacklight remark.
You thought those clouds looked incredible before? Just wait until you see them in UV enhanced glory.
LAST THING
Before I close things out toady, I want to put up one last bit of news — yesterday we announced that one of my best friends and frequent collaborators, Joe Clark, is joining Ordinary Gods with issue 3! I talk quite a bit about Joe in the press release, how we know each other, and why this is incredibly exciting for me.
Also in the press release, we debut the stunning 1:25 FOC cover for issue 3, by Doaly.
“ORDINARY GODS ADDS FAMED MUSIC COMPOSER JOE CLARK AS CO-WRITER, REVEALS DOALY VARIANT”
Issue 3 Final Order Cutoff is on Monday! Here’s a preview — and please don’t forget to tell your store you want a copy, or as mentioned earlier, you can head over to http://blackmarket.la.
All right, that’s it for me! We want comics to be fun. Different. Experiential. Come join our community. Today is just the start. Today has been a long time coming, and we’re only just beginning. Until next time, enjoy your weekend and as always—
Stay Radiant.
Kyle