Great Things are On the Horizon!

Hello again everybody! It's been a second, hasn't it? I've been on a writer's retreat in Michigan so there was no blog post last week. Frankly, we've been averaging about 9 readers per post, so I didn't make it a priority. HOWEVER! Happy to report, a lack of readership here does not translate to a lack of readership elsewhere! There are many wonderful events we have scheduled soon, and you disserve to know about them!

Let us start with the main event! Bearing with Life issue 2 is gearing up for a physical release. If you haven't been following along weekly, let me assure you that issue 2 is a real treat. Wander Lust, Or Lack Thereof follows Murray and Toque as they get closer and closer to the edge of the woods. But their inability to operate their new bodies may not be their only problem. Could it really be possible that one of our heroes secretly wishes to stay lost forever? Find out in one week as we come back to comic bookstores across Northeast Ohio.

But perhaps September 9th is just too long to wait for your physical copy. I know some of you have been waiting for almost six months. Well, there's good news for you too. You can actually get an early copy AND get it signed! The illustrious Murray Pomp and I will both be tabling at the Akron Author's Convention this year. If you've never had the chance to meet us, I really suggest it. My mom says we're very cool.

We're so excited to be at the convention, to meet so many brilliant local minds, and, of course, to meet all of you! Tickets are on sale now for the event which is rapidly approaching. The convention will be running from September 5th-6th in the Emidio and Son's Banquet Hall. Some of you will also recognize this as the venue for the Akron Comic-Con. That address for you is 48 e bath road, Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. Doors open at 10 am and, if we're not enough for all y'all comics fans out there, I hear the con will also be joined by the brilliantly talented Dirk Manning. That's two comic book creators both equally talented and successful. Don't look it up just trust me.

Of course, this is far from the only public appearance we'll be making this season. Some of you may have seen us this past Free Comic Book Day at North Coast Comics. Well, they very kindly let us know about a charity event happening there on the 12th. We do deeply hope that we can see all of you there at the Barsa Beacon Benefit. While there, a portion of our proceeds will be donated to The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. This is a cause that's very close to our hearts here and we know it is for many of you as well. Even if you're unable to make it to Cleveland for the benefit, we hope that you can find the ability to donate anyways. Whether that be your money, your time, or anything else, there's no shortage of ways to help.

Now we know a lot of you probably would like to meet us, to talk about your favorite books, comics, or anything else. But a lot of you probably also work weekends. Have no fear! Merriman Valley Pizza has come to save the day. A new edition to the lifeblood of Akron, The Merriman Valley Farmer's Market is right in the middle of its inaugural season. The market runs every Monday, from 4pm to 8 pm, in the area surrounding Merriman Valley Pizza. (that's 640 Portage Trail Ext W, Akron, Ohio, in case you didn't know.) There you can treat yourself to the best local bread, honey, desserts, lemonade, used books, and now comics, that money can buy! We won't be able to join them on September 7th, unfortunately, but starting September 14th, you'll be able to find Grizzled Comics there every week. There's good food, good music, and the best of people, including you.

Now, unfortunately, I must announce a less positive development. Some of you may remember that there used to be a section of this website heralding the arrival of a monthly superhero comic to be released in December of this year. The book was titled Hoodlum Sells Out and it was a baby of mine. The title would have followed the young anarchist supervillain Hoodlum after he's joined up with the superheroes on account of their extensive health insurance program. Yet, as his time went on, he would come to understand the moral compromises he had made in order to become an essentially limitless arm of law enforcement. Funny, poignant, and topical, Murray and I both knew that we had something very special. However, I'm sure you can tell from the way I'm talking about it, we are no longer moving forward with the book.

We had finished the pre-production stage of things and begun production on the first three issues by the time I made the call. It became very obvious to me that we simply do not have the resources for a monthly title at this time. Cancelling your own book, I must say, is an absurd feeling. I was at once both my own employee and boss. As such, it broke my heart to cancel a project that my workforce was so invigorated by. I also felt my boss was harsh, but fair. And breathtakingly handsome. As Murray so kindly pointed out to me, the ravages of capitalism continue and the world slide further towards fascism every day. The themes of the book may, I fear, be evergreen. As such, if the resources available to us change, we're more than happy to re-evaluate our stance. (That means "buy our stuff.")

But back to the fun stuff! That's right! There's more!

Like I said, Bearing with Life # 2 is hitting shelves. That means Bearing with Life # 3 is heading straight to your phone! If you've only read us in physical form, you might not know that Bearing gets a digital release every week. It's one page a week online as an homage to the Sunday morning comic strips that inspired us. But avid readers may notice something different. Murray Pomp is still the writer, illustrator, and creative soul of the book, but he's got a second writer joining him now as well. ME!

Until now I've been an editor on Bearing. I have to say it's been a rewarding experience. I'm more than happy to lend anything at all to such a beautiful project and it's been exhilarating to watch Murr grow in his craft. Over the past quarter we've both come to a deeper understanding of the book. We both have a clearer picture now of who these characters are, where their lives will lead them, and how they affect us here in the real world. In light of this Murray has asked me to come onboard as a co-writer moving forward. My goal here is to be purely additive. The heart and humor that you love will continue to be at the core of the book, but now we hope to slowly add in a layer of pathos. It is my belief as an artist that joy is meaningful because it diminishes sorrow. I think that'll start to come through in the book as I help Murr to realize his ideas in a more hands on way.

Finally, one last announcement. We're adding another title! That's right, Hoodlum wasn't our only option. We may not have the resources for a monthly series, but we can give you a special presentation! Do you remember Tales from the Crypt? What about House of Mystery? Maybe even The Vault of Horror? Well, Grizzled Comics remembers.

Coming to you in the new year, a super-sized special issue featuring four of the most blood chilling fables to ever be uttered around the campfire. Presented in bone-chilling black and white, these monsters, murderers and misanthropes are sure to keep you up at night. I'll be writing all four stories myself, but Murr will only be drawing two. That's right folks, we're branching out! Grizzled Comics is beyond proud to present to the world two brilliant artists making their industry debuts. We've tested their grit and we know they've got what it takes. So don't miss out on this brilliant opportunity to see the start of two future legends!

It's never been a better time to be one of the two people who work for Grizzled Comics. We want nothing more than to be part of the community, to share what (and why) we love with the world, and to bring you human stories from human artists who are also large hairy gay men. We may face minor setbacks or tribulations, but so far, the future looks bright. We're happy to continue this journey with you all. All 9 of you. (There'll be more soon, I'm sure.)