Doing the Things, Things To Do
Notes on a bunch of big announcements & this weekend's Planet Comicon
Hi. Hey. Been a bit busy lately. Writing all the things. I spent almost 15 years exclusive to Marvel, while also doing a few creator-owned books for Vertigo and Image, but never working for more than a couple companies at the same time.
At last count, I’m presently engaged with seven different comic publishers, in one capacity or another.
Turns out, when you’re writing for that many different folks at once, the only person who knows what all you’re doing is you. And if you’re not careful, a whole bunch of your deadlines can wind up bumping elbows with one another. That’s been my state of affairs for the last couple months, hopping from one project to the next, getting to write a pretty stunning array of characters. Here’s a rundown of a few that just recently got announced.
UNCLE SCROOGE & THE INFINITY DIME is an oversized one-shot from Marvel coming in June, drawn by an all-star array of Italian artists and sporting this incredible cover by the great Alex Ross. If you know me, you know this one is particularly special, as I became a huge fan of the Scrooge comics after reading every volume of the Don Rosa library with my son when he was little. Since then, I’ve also gone back and devoured a lot of the original Carl Barks stories. These are just flat-out good comics, period. Uncle Scrooge is undoubtedly one of the greatest adventure characters in comic book history. He’s also long been my answer when people would ask what character I most wanted to write. Turns out, Marvel was listening and made it happen. And I smiled for days on end while writing it.
For the First Time Ever, Marvel Comics Publishes a New Adventure of Disney Comic Book Icon: Uncle Scrooge (Marvel.com)
Also coming in June is a BRZRKR one-shot I wrote for BOOM! Studios. Titled A FACEFUL OF BULLETS, it represents the first Wild West chapter of Keanu Reeves’ BRZRKR saga, in the gritty, bullet-riddled spirit of Leone, Corbucci and Peckinpah. Interior art is courtesy of Francesco Manna, who’s most recently been ripping out spines over in the pages of PREDATOR.
If you’ve read BRZRKR before, then you know to expect a bit of blood, and this chapter definitely delivers in that regard, in part because it’s set during the vicious Border War period known as Bleeding Kansas.
Keanu Reeves' BRZRKR Goes Wild West in 'A Faceful of Bullets' (IGN)
Speaking of bleeding…
The return of EC Comics was also just announced, and I’ll be the one of the creators helping to resurrect the vaunted publisher from among the dearly departed. Oni Press will be launching brand new horror titles under the legendary EC banner, including EPITAPHS FROM THE ABYSS, sporting the above Lee Bermejo cover, and I’ll be contributing something suitably unsettling to the mix. I definitely didn’t have “EC Comics writer” on my 2024 bingo card, but man, what an honor to get to check that box.
It’s Alive! EC Comics Returns (New York Times)
After 70 Years, EC Comics Returns from the Crypt in Oni Press Deal (Hollywood Reporter)
So yeah, that’s some of what I’ve been up to lately, along with, you know, BATMAN OFF-WORLD and ACTION COMICS for DC, ONCE UPON A TIME AT THE END OF THE WORLD for BOOM and TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES for IDW. And…a few other things as well, still yet to be announced.
But no, I’m not trying to write myself into an early grave over here. Most of these projects are one-shots and minis. I haven’t committed myself to a plethora of long-term series. Just a few. And those are the books I’m starting to zero in on now. Or I will be very soon. But first…
Planet Comicon is happening this weekend here in Kansas City, and after having to be away last year for the first time in forever, I’ll be returning in full force to help celebrate my local con’s 25th anniversary.
I haven’t put together my exact signing times yet, sorry (like I said, I’ve been busy!). But I’ll be appearing all three days, at booth #322, for plenty of signing and selling, with the folks from Comic Sketch Art handling the business end of things.
On Friday, you can also find me in Panel Room 2504 AB, talking Space Batman with my esteemed collaborator Doug Mahnke:
Batman Off-World with Doug Mahnke & Jason Aaron :: Panel Room 2504 AB
Friday March 8, 2024 :: 5:00 pm to 5:50 pm
More info at PlanetComicon.com.
Things To Do In Kansas City
A couple years ago, I offered my top picks for food and drink spots you should check out if you’re visiting KC for Planet Comicon, and all of those past suggestions still make the cut. But I’d like to add a few new stops to the list:
Wah Gwan, a delicious, relaxed spot along Troost Ave. featuring a mix of Jamaican and Nigerian dishes.
Blackhole Bakery, also on Troost. Get there early if you wanna grab some mochi donuts before they’re gone.
Earl’s Premier in Brookside, where I recommend the seafood tower, which usually features oysters flown in fresh from both coasts, and pairs perfectly with their frozen gin and tonic.
It was already on the list last time, but I’ll give an extra recommendation to Waldo Thai, which has undoubtedly become the restaurant I frequent the most. The drink menu is always daring and dynamite, and in my experience, food-wise, you literally can’t go wrong no matter what you order.
Café Corazón has a couple of locations, one in Westport, the other in the Crossroads. Their mix of bold Latin flavors have made them my favorite local coffee spot.
Drastic Measures in Shawnee remains my can’t-miss pick for drinks, but Fern Bar in the Crossroads, not too far from the convention center, has already proved itself a new addition to the local cocktail scene that’s absolutely worth a visit.
Notes & Links & Things & Stuff
—I’ve started to talk Turtles for the first time in a slew of new interviews, teasing the direction I’m looking to take the upcoming relaunch. In short, the original Mirage Studios series will be my North Star, in all its raw, grimy glory.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Jason Aaron Teases Brand-New Villain and "Grit" In Series Relaunch (ComicBook.com)
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Jason Aaron Returns to New York (Comic Book Couples Counseling)
—If you can’t make it to Planet this weekend, you’ll have more chances to see me in the full, bearded flesh this year, including the recently announced FAN EXPO Dallas in June and Terrificon in Connecticut this August, which will mark my first ever appearance in either of those states.
—Can’t make it to those shows either? Well you can always impress your friends and intimidate your enemies by picking up signed copies of all of my books from my Official Online Store.
This has been Beard Missives, direct from the Official Face of Jason Aaron.
This week’s newsletter has been brought to you by Starburst jellybeans, Skittles jellybeans, Sweet Tarts jellybeans, Jolly Rancher jellybeans, Big Chewy Nerds jellybeans, and multiple viewings of Dune Part Two.
The spice must flow.
Jason Aaron
KC, March 6, 2024
Things to Come
ACTION COMICS #1063 — March 12, 2024
ONCE UPON A TIME AT THE END OF THE WORLD #13 — March 20, 2024
ONCE UPON A TIME AT THE END OF THE WORLD Vol. 2 Trade Paperback — March 20, 2024
GHOST RIDER BY JASON AARON Omnibus (New Printing) — April 3, 2024
BATMAN OFF-WORLD #4 — April 16, 2024
ONCE UPON A TIME AT THE END OF THE WORLD #14 — April 24, 2024
BATMAN OFF-WORLD #5 — May 21, 2024
ONCE UPON A TIME AT THE END OF THE WORLD #15 — May 29, 2024
TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES ALPHA — June 5, 2024
AVENGERS BY JASON AARON Vol. 5 Hardcover — August 21, 2024
ONCE UPON A TIME AT THE END OF THE WORLD Vol. 3 Trade Paperback — August 21, 2024
Where I’ll Be
Planet Comicon — March 8-10, 2024
FAN EXPO Dallas — June 7-9, 2024
Terrificon — August 16-18, 2024
Sooo...Batman, Superman, a Western, Uncle Scrooge, horror, apocalyptic love story, TMNT, Star Wars, plus finishing a mutiversal Avengers saga, performing alchemy on the Punisher, and mythologizing Thor...what's next, a comic book version of Mrs Maisel meets Raymond Reddington? Which does sound kinda cool...
So excited for all your upcoming projects, especially Turtles! Your Action Comics arc with Timms has been a lot of fun! And yeah, Dune: Part Two was awesome, what a film.