THE ABYSS #5 Now Available

The Abyss's attempts to keep the Red King from returning diminish with the arrival of the Red King's daughters: Mortuaria, Cemeteria, and Crematoria. See what happens in The Abyss #5, now available from Interpop Comics. If you need to catch up, the previous issues are all available for free under the Free to Read category.

THE ABYSS #4 Available For Free

The Abyss #3 is now free to read in it's entirety here. If you missed any previous issues, including the initial four 8-page stories, you can find them all at Interpop Comics under "Free to Read."

THE ABYSS #4 Variant Cover Now Available

The Abyss #4 has a variant cover by Miguel Sepulveda and Alex Sinclair which is now availble. You can find it here. The regular edition of The Abyss #4 is also still available here. Earlier issues can be found for free, under "Free To Read."

THE ABYSS #4 Now Available

It's magic vs machine in this issue as the Abyss and his allies race to stop the return of the Red King. All 24 glorious pages of The Abyss #4 can be had for a mere $1.51 at Interpop Comics. Back issues can be found there at no cost under "Free to Read."

THE ABYSS #3 - Now Available for Free

The third issue of THE ABYSS is now available in its entirety for FREE. Here's the link. Issue #4 will be available for purchase early next month.

THE ABYSS 3rd Part FREE

The final third of The Abyss #3 is now available at Interpop Comics. You can get the first two parts here and here, so that now you can read the entire issue. Before you start reading you may want to make yourself a Hurricane, the official cocktail of this issue.

You'll need: 2 ozs dark rum 2 ozs light rum 4 ozs fresh lemon juice 4 ozs passion fruit syrup Mix with ice in a cocktail shaker. Pour into a Hurricane glass with ice. Garnish with a lemon wedge and "wind blown" cocktail umbrella. Enjoy!

The Abyss #3 - Preview Plus Read The First Third For Free

Here's a preview I forgot to post last week for The Abyss #3 featuring a scene with Moxie, the Abyss's old team mate who reuintes with him this issue thanks to reader voting. I love writing Moxie. She's one of my favorite characters. You can also read the first third of the entire issue for FREE here. The next third will be up a week from now, and the final third a week after that. You can also purchase the entire issue here and read it all at once for a mere $1.61.

The above gives you the credit information and shows you the characters featured this issue. There are a lot, and this shows maybe half of them.

The Abyss #3 Variant Cover Available

The Abyss #3 with the variant cover by Yuko Shimizu is now available for purchase at Interpop Comics. You can find a copy here.

Yuko Shimizu Variant Cover for The Abyss #3

I'm a big fan of Yuko Shimizu, so I was very excited to learn she would be creatng a variant cover for The Abyss #3. Here it is in all of it's glory. It will be available to purchase this Wednesday at Interpop Comics.

Voting Results

At Interpop Comics, the purchase of The Abyss #3 allowed readers to participate in two topics to vote on which determine the direction of future issues of the series. One topic, "Are Humans Altruistic?" is running until midnight, August 31. You can vote here. The other question was which of four characters from The Abyss (shown above) should get their own solo story in an upcoming issue of Emergents Presents. Here's how the voting went.

Near Miss is a thief who was featured in The Abyss #2 (still available here for FREE) who cannot be touched. No matter how carefully you aim, you cannot hit hit her. You'll come really close, but you won't make any contact with her. We only scratched the surface of her character in The Abyss, but now that she'll be getting her own 8-page story in Emergents Presents we'll get to see what really makes her tick. As for the other characters, they all have important roles to play in the current storyline, which will run through issue #6, and make periodic apearances in issues of The Abyss further down the road. You can see where things stand right now in The Abyss #3 which is available here.

Don't Forget to Vote

As mentioned in the previous post, issue #3 of The Abyss is now avaialble at Interpop Comics. By purchasing a copy (for a mere $1.73), you also get to participate in voting which will determine the outcome of upcoming issues, and in one of the topics this month, decide which character will be featured in an 8-page solo adventure in a future issue of Emergents Presnts. I'm particlarly excited for the outcome of that vote as I've been doing a lot of universe building in The Abyss, part of which is creating a stable of interesting supporting characters and a roster of villains. I'm interested in exploring more of these characters outside of the confines of The Abyss, which, implied by the title, is really a solo book, and not so much of an ensemble book (though the current storyline is certainly a team storyline). You can vote here.

The Abyss #3 Now Available

The Abyss #3 is now available at Interpop Comics for a mere $1.73. There's a lot happening in this issue. New characters, returning favors, hints about the Abyss, plenty of action, a surprise villain, and more. This issue, I feel, is where the book became something more than it already was. Check it out, and let me know what you think. Collaborating with me as always are Cliff Richards, Chris Sotomayor, Carlos Mangual, Rachel Gluckstern and Rylen Sigman. If you still need to catch up with previous uissues, they are still available.

Tomorrow...

The She-Hulk and I

With the new She-Hulk series airing on Disney + (the first episode of which I enjoyed), here are the only times I handled the She-Hulk.

The trash bag ad was written for one of the Marvel Swimsuit Specials or Marvel Year in Review. I don't have copies handy to tell you exactly which issue, and my jpeg is too small to read the artist signature on it, and this was from so long ago I don't remember off the top of my head who drew this. For more of these ads, take a peek here. The other time was when I tried to pick her up at a Marvel Christmas party. I think this was around 1988. Other Marvel creatives have similar photos of themselves with this She-Hulk as well.

THE ABYSS #2 Available for Free

The Abyss #2 is now available in its entirety at Interpop Comics. This issue begins a five-issue arc which introduces readers to the inner circle of acolytes that the Abyss belongs to, three new villains, and teases the return of one of the Abyss's greatest foes. It's a bit of a turning point for the character and the series, so don't miss it. Written by me, with art by Cliff Richards, color by Chris Sotomayor, lettering by Carlos Mangual and edits by Rachel Gluckstern and Rylen Sigman. If you've purchased this issue, be sure to exercise your right to vote in the latest poll for this series. Winning votes determine the direction stories take and how characters are developed.

THE ABYSS #2 - Second Variant Cover Now Available

You can now purchase The Abyss #2 with this stunning variant cover by Daniele Afferni and Chris Sotomayor at Interpop Comics. You can also read the first two thirds of the issue for free here.

THE ABYSS #2 - Variant Cover Available

The Abyss #2 is now available with a variant cover by Scott Kolins, which you can purchase here. This issue, features the Abyss, and some of his fellow acolytes, investigating the remains of one of their greatest foes. They are interrupted by a trio of superpowered thieves. You can read the first third of the issue for free here.

The Votes Are In

One of the interesting aspects of writing for Interpop Comics is the voting system they have which allows readers to steer the course of the stories being told, sort of like a Choose Your Own Adventure book. It makes it a bit tough to plot ahead for us writers, and often has us sterring stories in directions we hadn't anticipated, but does give the fans a participatory role in the comics they are supporting. The recent round of voting that pertains to the currnt storyline in The Abyss has concluded, and here are the results.

The Red King storyline begins in the current issue, The Abyss #2, which is available for purchase here. The first third of the issue is also available to read for free. Find out who the traitor in question is. You can also read the 8-page story that planted the first seeds for what's happening now, also for free, here.

THE ABYSS #2 Now Available

The Abyss #2 (by myself, Cliff Richards, Chris Sotomayor, Carlos Mangual, Rachel Gluckstern, and Rylen Sigman in the writer, artist, colorist, letterer, editor and assistant editor roles) introduces a whole roster of new characters. We present the inner circle of acolytes and three new villains, as well as one of the biggest villains in the Abyss's past; The Red King. You can get it now at Interpop Comics. The first issue is available to read for free.

If you purchase a copy, be sure to take place in the voting that will help shape future issues. There are two items to vote on, both of which pertain to the outcome of this storyline. "Do Traitors Deserve a Second Chance?" and "Can the Abyss Defeat the Red King?"

Feel free to let me know what you think of this issue in the comments area below.

The Abyss #1 Complete and Free

The Abyss #2 debuts next Wednesday. In the mean time, if you have not read it, yet, The Abyss #1 is now available free to read in it's entirety, here.

The Abyss #2 Coming June 29

The Abyss #2 will be available on June 29 at Interpop Comics. In the meantime, you can catch up by reading the four 8-page stories starring the Abyss, from Emergents Presents, here and The Abyss #1 (divided into three parts) here, all for FREE.

The Abyss #1 Available for Free

While you are waiting for the 2nd issue of The Abyss to arrive at the end of the month, you can now read the first issue for free. It is divided into three parts, so you'll need to download each. You can also find all four 8-page stories for Emergents Presents, also for free, if you want to catch up completely.

From the Archives 17

I haven't done one of these in nine years, so I figured it may be time for another run. Having recently moved, hads given me reason to tuck into some boxes that have been stored away and inaccessible. I came across this house ad for the original run of Xombi from Milestone Media that ran in the other titles back in 1994.

The Abyss #1 - Free to Read and Second Variant Cover Now Available

The first two-thirds of The Abyss #1 are now free to read at Interpop Comics. The issue in it's entirety will be available to read for free next Wednesday. You can also read all 4 of the 8-page stories starring the Abyss here. Issue #2 goes on sale on June 29. There is also a variant edition of The Abyss #1 feauring the stunning cover by Jason Masters as seen above. You can purchase that here. The Lucas Meyer variant cover, shown a couple of posts back, is also still available for purchase here.

Ask Me Anything #65

I haven't done one of these since before the pandemic began, and with a new comic book series underway (see previous post) i thought it might be time to give it another go. Here's your chance to ask me anything you want, whether it's about my work, influences, what i'm watching, reading, eating, drinking, anything you want at all. Leave me your questions in the comments and I will answer them, either there, or if it requires a lengthy response, in a separate post. You can view previous questions and replys under labels on the right side of this page, by scrolling down. Now ask away.

The Abyss #1 - Free to Read, and Variant Cover Available

The first third of THE ABYSS #1 is now available to read for free at Interpop Comics. The subsequent installments will be up for free next Wednesday and the following Wednesday leading up to the second issue on June 29. There is also a variant cover edition for purchase featuring the above cover by Lucas Meyer. You can find it here.

The Shadow Sisters Win

Voting for the favorite villain in THE ABYSS #1 has been completed, and the winner is the Shadow Sisters, two dimensional twins conjoined at the feet, the Shadow Sisters are excellent at infiltration, but are otherwise a complete mystery. How they came to be the way they are is unknown, but it's rumored one of them was once a normal woman who became her own second shadow. Will they return to a future issue of THE ABYSS? No doubt. As to when, stand by. Three new villains will appear in THE ABYSS #2 on sale June 29 at Interpop Comics. In the meantime, issue #1 is still available. You can read the first third of it for free here, along with the four 8-page stories that led up to it.

Vote For Your Favorite Villain

If you've picked up a copy of THE ABYSS #1 (available here), you'll have noticed it's chock full of villains. Please visit the survey and vote for your favorite villain here. Voting affects the content of upcoming issues, and allows for some characters to get featured in their own 8-page stories in Emergents Presents, which is where the Abyss began before breaking out into his own monthly title. Voting ends May 31, 2022.

THE ABYSS #1 is Here!

Fan favorite, the Abyss makes his ongoing series debut today in The Abyss #1, from InterPop Comics, where he faces off against seven (or is it eight?) villains, including five (or is it six?) brand new ones as he tries to stop a prisonbreak at a supermax Emergent prison. I wrote it, Cliff Richards drew it, Chris Sotomayor colored it, Carlos Mangual provided the lettering, all under the supervision of Rachel Gluckstern and Rylen Sigman. You can find The Abyss #1 here and read the initial 8-page stories that introduced him (and two of the returning villains) here. Read them, and let me know what you think. You can also cast your vote on which villain was your favorite here.

The Grim Gallery - Now in it's 12th Year

My companion blog, The Grim Gallery, is now in it's twelfth year of daily monster imagery from movies, art, comic books, books, magazines, mythology and elsewhere. If you like the monstrous, check it out. There are now over 4000 images to pour through.

Preview for The Abyss #1

Newsarama has an article up covering the launch of The Abyss #1 including a five page preview to give you a taste of what's inside. You can read the article, and the preview here. The Abyss #1 will be available at Interpop Comics on May 25th.

The Abyss - Updates

The latest round of voting has ended, and the readers have determined that the member of the Abyss's old team, the Genesis Squadron, he will reunite with will be Moxie. Moxie appeared briefly in the fourth 8-page The Abyss story, "The Assassin" which appeared in Emergents Presents #7 (which you can read here), and will now be appearing in issue #3 of the regular ongoing The Abyss series, an issue I am currently writing. If you's like to learn more about The Abyss, you can read this interview with me. You can also read the four 8-page stories here.

The Abyss - "The Assassin" is now available to read for FREE

"The Assassin" the fourth story starring THE ABYSS, and the final 8 page story from Emergents Presents before he stars in his own ongoing series, is now available to read for free at InterpopComics.com. You can also read the previous three stories and be fully up to speed when the ongoing series debuts this Summer. All four stories, as well as the upcoming series, are written by me, drawn by Cliff Richards, colored by Chris Sotomayor, lettered by Carlos Mangual, and edited by Rachel Gluckstern and Rylen Sigman.

Emergents Presents #7 Now Available

The Abyss appears in his fourth story in Emergents Presents #7 now available at Interpop Comics, where you can also find his previous three adventures. This will be the final 8-page story starring the Abyss before he is spun off into his own full length ongoing series this Summer. As usual I wrote it, Cliff Richards provided the outstanding art, Chris Sotomayor provided the gorgeous color, Carlos Mangual provided the stellar lettering and Rachel Gluckstern, assisted by Rylen Sygman, kept us all in our places.

Announcing THE ABYSS ongoing series

This past weekend at SXSW, InterPop Comics gave away this free The Abyss issue #0, which contains the first three 8 page stories starring the Abyss from Emergents Presents and cover art by the amazing Juan Doe. Those who received it were also given the opportunity on which of three featured villains will return in THE ABYSS #1. That's right, the Abyss has proven to be popular enough that he's receiving his own ongoing series with the same creative team that's been driving the 8 page stories. Myself, artist Cliff Richards, colorist Chris Sotomayor, letterer Carlos Mangual, editor Rachel Gluckstern and assistnat editor Rylen Sigman will be bringing the Abyss to a new monthly series of 24 page adventures beginning this Summer. Stay tuned for more details to come. In the meantime the Abyss will return to the pages of Emergents Presents with a new 8-page story very soon. You can find previous stories starring the Abyss and many other exciting InterPop characters here.

Milestone Compendium Volume 1 Now Available

The Milestone Compendium volume 1 collects the first year of groundbreaking comics published by Milestone Media in the mid 1990s. It contains its four core launch titles, Hardware, Icon, Static and Blood Syndicate as well as the first year of Xombi, which i wrote with J.J. Birch (Joe Brozowski) drawing it and a roster of talented colorists handling the color. The reason Xombi was contained in this book of the first year, even though it was a phase two title, is that phase two began with a crossover that introduced The Shadow Cabinet(also included), and after that issue #0 crossover tie-in, I decided to jump backwards and start again with Xombi's origin story, which was followed by a second storyline that led directly into issue #0. If you are only familiar with Xombi through the 2011 series that I wrote with Frazer Irving handling the art, then this is a perfect opportunity for you to see what came before. A lot of elements of the original series found their way into the 2011 series. This is the first time this series has ever been collected in a book, and you get the first 11 issues as well as issue #0, along witb soem really excellent comics by some of comics' top talent in a book that tops over 1300 pages. There are a second and third volume planned. you can find a copy at your local comic book shop or through the link below which if you use tips some money in my direction.