The Biggest San Diego Comic-Con of My Career
Notes on the launch of NAMOR, TMNT & the rest of my San Diego plans
Next week I head to San Diego Comic-Con for the first time since 2016 for what looks to be one of the biggest and busiest weeks of my career.
But first, let’s talk about this week.
NAMOR #1 Is In Stores Now
Take the war-fueled, dark fantasy world-building of my THOR run and the 30 page issues packed with unflinching character exploration from my PUNISHER: “King of Killers” storyline, mix them both together and submerge them underwater, and you get NAMOR, “Last King of Atlantis.”
NAMOR features some really stunning interior art by artists Paul Davidson and Alex Lins, along with colorist Neeraj Menon, plus gorgeous covers by Alexander Lozano. Alex handles the flashbacks from throughout Namor’s long, bloody journey to first becoming king, while Paul draws the present-day eruption of the War of Seven Kings, which sees various underwater warlords battling for the throne of all the seas. That’d be the Seven Seas to us land-dwellers, but to the Atlanteans it’s more like 700, as we’ll learn. This series will explore a lot of previously unseen depths of those many seas, giving readers a view of Marvel’s undersea realms like they’ve never seen before.
I’ve been itching to write this one for a while, and I’m really happy with how it’s come together. Here are a couple of barnacled, salt-encrusted preview pages dredged out of the fathomless, wine-dark deep, just for you.
UNCLE SCROOGE & THE INFINITY DIME Is a Hit
My UNCLE SCROOGE comic for Marvel hit stores a couple weeks ago, and the response has been really incredible. It shipped big numbers, quickly sold out at the distributor level (though your local comic shop may still have copies on their shelves) and got a second printing that ships later this month. But more than the numbers, it’s what I’ve heard from readers that has truly made my day. So many of you reached out to let me know that you read it with your kids, which isn’t something I’ve heard a whole lot of over the years, given how stabby and scalpy and generally Goddamned so many of my comics tend to be. That sort of lovely response really and truly warmed my heart in an even bigger way than I would’ve expected. So thanks for that.
And as I’ve said before, if you at all enjoyed my Scrooge tale, I highly suggest you explore the treasure trove of classic Uncle Scrooge adventures that inspired it, in particular the work of Don Rosa and Scrooge’s creator Carl Barks, available now in exquisite hardcovers from Fantagraphics.
Be sure not to miss Rosa’s “Guardians of the Lost Library” or any of the tales from his epic “Life and Times of Scrooge McDuck,” which I consider to be some of the finest comic book stories ever put to paper.
I’ll Be at San Diego Comic-Con Next Week
Boy, will I ever.
My first SDCC was 19 years ago, when my career was just getting started. It was my first time meeting folks from DC and Vertigo, when I was working on THE OTHER SIDE, the Vietnam War series that would become my full length comic book debut.
The last time I was at SDCC was 2016, when I was proud to take home a couple Eisner awards, and of course celebrated by going straight to Disneyland.
This year will be without a doubt the biggest SDCC of my career, maybe the busiest con I’ve ever been a part of anywhere ever.
That’s owing in large part to the release of the highly-anticipated TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES #1, which hits stores July 24, just in time for SDCC’s preview night. And in case you haven’t heard, this new series has scored some impressive order numbers:
It's safe to say IDW's upcoming relaunch of their monthly Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series is one of 2024's most hotly anticipated comics. In fact, the first issue has received over 300,000 preorders, which would make it the best-selling comic of 2024 by a wide margin. —IGN
IDW really went all out hyping this new launch and offering fun incentives to retailers, including sending out gift cards for pizza parties. So I expect that next week I’ll be signing lots and lots of Turtles while eating far too much pizza. If this kills me, know that I died happy. More info on signings below.
July 24 is also the release date for my Wild West BRZRKR one-shot for BOOM! Studios and Keanu Reeves. BRZRKR: A FACEFUL OF BULLETS features art by Salvador Larroca, who I believe I last worked with on “Yoda’s Secret War” from my STAR WARS run. This story has a lot more people being shot with six shooters than that one did, as you can tell from this convention exclusive variant cover by InHyuk Lee, available only at the BOOM! booth.
My SDCC Schedule
If you’re looking for me in San Diego, here’s where I’ll be. Some of this may still change a bit, and there’s also some stuff that’s yet to be announced. I’ll try and update things in the comments below or over on my Instagram.
WEDNESDAY, 7/24
6:30-8:30pm — TMNT #1 launch signing featuring Jason Aaron and Joëlle Jones. IDW Booth #2729. Please note this will be a limited event with details to come – keep an eye on IDW social media!
THURSDAY, 7/25
2:00-3:00pm — Signing at Comic Sketch Art, Booth #4901
5:30-6:30pm — Signing at Comic Sketch Art, Booth #4901
6:30-7:00pm — Whatnot signing with Joëlle Jones for Comic Sketch Art
FRIDAY, 7/26
10:00-11:00am — TMNT: Celebrating 40 Years of Turtle Power panel in Room 25ABC with Kevin Eastman, Jason Aaron, Joëlle Jones, Tom Waltz, Sarah Myer, Mateus Santolouco, Fero Pe and moderated by ComicBook’s Chris Killian.
11:30am-1:00pm — TMNT #1 signing with Jason Aaron, Joëlle Jones, and J. Gonzo. IDW Booth #2729. Please note this will be a limited event with details to come – keep an eye on IDW social media!
2:00-4:00pm — Signing at Comic Sketch Art, Booth #4901
5:00-6:00pm — EC Comics Lives Again at Oni Press! Room: 23ABC. From the publisher that drove Tales From The Crypt, Weird Science, Mad Magazine, and many more into the depraved hearts of an unsuspecting world, the immortal EC Comics is back with a bold and bloody new line of comic book series, only at Oni Press! What the Comics Code Authority couldn’t kill has only made it stronger… Join us for a look ahead at EC’s no-holds-barred return in Epitaphs From The Abyss, Cruel Universe, and more series yet to be revealed with creators Jason Aaron (Thor), Corinna Bechko (Invisible Republic), J. Holtham (Night Thrasher), Klaus Janson (The Dark Knight Returns), Matt Kindt (BRZRKR), Jay Stephens (Dwellings), and Ben H. Winters (CBS’ Tracker) alongside president & publisher Hunter Gorinson and editor-in-chief Sierra Hahn as they begin a new chapter for comics’ most infamous and influential publishing house!
6:15-7:00pm — Signing at Comic Sketch Art, Booth #4901
SATURDAY, 7/27
1:00-2:30pm — Signing at Comic Sketch Art, Booth #4901
3:00-4:30pm — TMNT #1 signing with Jason Aaron and Joëlle Jones. IDW Booth #2729. Please note this will be a limited event with details to come – keep an eye on IDW social media!
5:00-7:00pm — Signing at Comic Sketch Art, Booth #4901
SUNDAY, 7/28
12:00-1:00pm — Store Signing at Now or Never Comics, 1055 F Street, San Diego
2:00-4:00pm — Signing at Comic Sketch Art, Booth #4901
Other Upcoming Appearances
And the fun doesn’t stop in San Diego. Right after the con wraps, I’ll be headed up to L.A. for a couple of TMNT-centric store signings.
WEDNESDAY, 7/31
12:00-2:00pm — The Comic Bug Store Signing, 1807 Manhattan Beach Blvd, Manhattan Beach, CA
5:00-7:00pm — Collector’s Paradise Store Signing with Mike Choi, 5118 Lankershim Blvd, North Hollywood, CA
In August, look for me to continue to hit the road like a pill-popping trucker, as I’ll be at Disney’s D23 Fan Event in Anaheim, Terrificon in Connecticut and Dragon Con in Atlanta. More info on those soon, when I have a minute to catch my breath.
This has been Beard Missives, direct from the breathless beard of Jason Aaron.
This week’s newsletter has been brought to you by a few of the most scenic spots I’ve visited recently courtesy of my con schedule, including the breathtaking overlooks of Niagara Falls and the many wondrous tiki bars of Denver, in particular the haunted, gay pirate confines of Hell or High Water Tiki and the all-around stellar Adrift.
Stay worthy and be loved.
Jason Aaron
KC, July 17, 2024
Oh Yeah, One Last Thing
This October, I’m ALL IN. More details coming very soon.
Books Mentioned in This Post That You Can Buy Right Now
THE OTHER SIDE Special Edition Hardcover
“This book isn’t trying to be important. It just is. Highest possible recommendation.” — Brian K. Vaughan
“Nothing short of a true classic.” — Library Journal
THE OTHER SIDE and more collections and comics are available from my online store.
Things to Come
BRZRKR: A FACEFUL OF BULLETS #1 — July 24, 2024
TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES #1 – July 24, 2024
STAR WARS MODERN ERA EPIC COLLECTION (SKYWALKER STRIKES) Trade Paperback — July 30, 2024
BATMAN OFF-WORLD #5 — August 14, 2024
EPITAPHS FROM THE ABYSS #2 — August 21, 2024
NAMOR #2 — August 21, 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 14, 2024
TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES #2 — September 11, 2024
NAMOR #3 — September 25, 2024
PUNISHER MAX BY AARON AND DILLON OMNIBUS (New Printing) — November 5, 2024
SCALPED Omnibus Vol. 1 — November 12, 2024
Where I’ll Be
San Diego Comic-Con — July 25-28, 2024
The Comic Bug, Manhattan Beach — July 31, 2024
Collector’s Paradise, North Hollywood — July 31, 2024
D23 — August 9-11, 2024
Terrificon — August 16-18, 2024
Dragon Con — August 29-September 2, 2024
Hope I get to say hi at some point!
Thank you for sharing the pictures of your times past and present!! They really mean a lot to me. I have been reading your writing for longer than I have just realized and hope to keep doing so! I'm definitely looking forward to next week when brzrkr face full of bullets comes out because I believe it'll be great!!! And I'm still hopeful there is a Blue Devil relaunch written by you in the future true to the original run!!!