TFW you are coming up on this big milestone, and you’re super proud of it all, sure, but the idea of summing it aaallll up in a “Best Of” blah blah just breaks you so you … I dunno, you DO ANYTHING ELSE rather than sit down and start writing it. In my case, I ran a marathon. (Nothin’ humble about that brag…)
But after a month of this, I’ve finally decided: I’m not going to do the decade dance. NOT. GONNA. DO IT! I’ve written eight recaps over the years (only started doing them in 2011), and I’m gonna write this ninth one because HOT DAMN we had a great year. But the decade thing? Man.
If you love RSM (and if you’re reading this, you clearly do), pick any random wrap-up from this list and have a look. You’ll get a glimpse of some wonderfully talented writers and artists, some really great books, some heartache, some happiness, some bloodshed. I write this year’s wrap up, secure in the knowledge that while not every year was perfect, EVERY year I, we, you, and they did something wonderful, something to be proud of. Every year of the last 10 we have made something great. Take that, decade.
How about that.
Now, let’s talk about 2019.
Horror Is Lit!
As per annual RSM tradition, open call for What Fresh Hell Is This? a comic anthology inspired by Dante’s Inferno, went out New Year’s Day. Almost the moment we sent out the call, the hounds of Hell began baying. Intrepid newbie, Genevieve Trainor, set out on the journey as editor—this time alone! No Homer, and no team of fellow editors to light the way, Genevieve slashed through a fury of queries and pitches from some of the most infernal creators in comics, consigning stories to the various circles, then worked like a demon promoting and managing the Kickstarter campaign to see the book to print. With the help of devoted devils in the creator rolls and 158 Kickstarter backers, this diabolical tribute to Dante contains some of the best stories we have ever published. What Fresh Hell Is This? debuted at New York Comic Con this past October and we’re excited to bring this new book to a comic convention near you.
She’s still breathing! And she has a few words to share. From Genevieve:
“This past year was a rollercoaster for me, personally and professionally, and I can’t say enough great things about the wonderful experience of working with Red Stylo on What Fresh Hell Is This? through it all. Not only did it keep me grounded, but it reminded me time and again that if you’re going through hell, keep going (and have a lot of fun while you’re there!) I feel so lucky to have worked with an amazing array of creators — some who I’ve wanted to work with for a long time, some familiar returnees, and some brand new to me who I soon came to adore. This gig is tops, friends. I can’t wait for you all to see what we’ve got planned for 2020.”
Special thanks to Ryan Morrow, Gary Su, Erick Korpi and Don Mathias for making New York Comic Con such a great show!
Love Is Cosmic
After releasing the Flame Con Special Edition of our newest rock collection inspired by Florence & the Machine, COSMIC LOVE was ready for a bigger, better coming out party on Kickstarter. It was the last gasp for Kickstarter Live on the platform, and I haven’t figured out a satisfying replacement for it yet, but my favorite part of that campaign was getting to “meet” our fellow creators for the first time in the cast, even as we were all pushing forward with promoting the book.
Second favorite bit? Becoming an actual radio star (thanks, Mario, for the video!)
Truly a labor of love for all of the creators involved, but we owe all of the initial energy and soul to Mario Candelaria for the dream that birthed sister title Baroque Pop, a comic anthology inspired by Lana Del Rey, and later Rachel Perciphone for her inspired vignettes in homage to Florence. What could possibly follow?
Well isn’t that a question. Keep your eyes here and the next shooting star might just whiz by…
Four down, two to go!
Gonna get mushy for a moment: it’s taken far more time than I originally planned to complete the 6-issue arc for CROSSING, so I am more thrilled than I can ever say to have had such a great reception for Issue #4 this past year. Incredible art from Alex Cormack and Mark Mullaney probably (i.e. very definitely!) helped.
New readers are always, always wanted, but the generosity and enthusiasm from RETURNING readers and fans of the series just blew me away this year. For CROSSING #4, we not only had more backers than ever before, but even some folks from the original campaign who I thought gone forever, returned and let us know they wanted to help us see the story through to the end. Thanks to the support from all of you, bonus stories and CROSSING #5 are on the way!
Ninja Bear Returns
One of the bonus rewards from the CROSSING campaign was the return of the huggable, loveable, still-kick-your-butt-if-you-don’t-watch-it-able hero NINJA BEAR. A new mini-comic from Mark Mullaney was our giveaway for kids at San Diego Comic Con this past year. Mark’s been hibernating long enough it seems (oh yeah, and also having a baby) so it’s past time fans got a new book in their hands! NINJA BEAR will be our first campaign of 2020!
Happy Endings
Part of me is a little shy about sharing details of new projects before they’re ready, but I also have massive respect for the folks with faith (and balls) enough to call their shot, so here goes: a project I’ve been working on that’s been in development for forever will finally make the page this year. Concept by Bob Shaw, story by moi, with art by Daniel Pascual, look for Happy Endings #1 on Kickstarter and then later at Fan Expo Boston in August.
Coast to Coast, Around the World and Back Again
Kickstarter played a ginormous role in every one of the titles we released this year, and it’s made it possible for RSM titles to reach people around the world. All three campaigns were chosen as a “Project We Love,” and we’re hoping to continue the streak into the New Year. Shout out to all the new and old friends we met on the road and at panels at San Diego Comic Con, New York Comic Con, Awesome Con, Baltimore Comic Con, Fan Expo Boston, and The International Edgar Allan Poe Festival this past year. Looking forward to a triumphant return in every city with new titles fresh off the printer, and open call for a new anthology launching NYD!
P.S. Another special thanks, this time to Andy Schmidt and Lys Galati for the invitation to join your panels this past year! And more love to Jason Strutz, Allen Hwang, Jeff Ryder, and Bobby Breed for joining me at tables this year.
And scene (for 2019.)
For the last ten years, the Universe has seen fit to give me exactly what I asked for: to keep making comics, to keep telling stories. Maybe, if I’m lucky—and forever and ever grateful—perhaps that can be true for another decade. Or two?
For however long, I know it can only happen with YOU, the RSM team, our creators, our readers and friends. Thank you for making this dream come true. I’m thrilled, I’m proud, I’m grateful every day for you. Happy New Year, everyone!
Enrica Jang
Dec 31, 2019
