End of November Newsletter. What am I working on this week?
Updates on what Joshua Williamson is working on this week along with a few updates.
November went way too fast for me.
And I’m sure that’s true for a lot of people. Sometimes we’re talking about comic book projects so far in advance that it feels like it makes time move FASTER. Like right now I’m working on a few things that won’t be out until the end of 2023. And having conversations about projects for 2024 and 2025. In some ways it’s assuring to know we plan that far ahead and in other ways it’s terrifying.
This Substack was turning into a bit of a “Final Order Cut-Off” blog in the last few posts. Mostly because my schedule has been a bit nutty, so to put a stop to that I thought I’d use this post-holiday/end of the month post to talk process and some updates on current projects.
I have an extensive Google calendar where I keep track of all my projects, when they are due, when I have the time to work on them, and certain personal goals. Then on Sunday night before each week I handwrite out a daily to-do list on a small notepad on my desk. There is something about writing it out by hand that helps it lock into my brain and make it feel real. Then as I work, I cross things off with red pen. It’s a great feeling. Gives me a feeling of accomplishment before I dive into whatever is next on the list.
I get up every day at 5:15am. Like clockwork. I haven’t needed an alarm clock in a long time. I usually check email first to make sure nothing is on fire. I try to make sure any artists I work with have their questions tackled first as those need to be done so they can keep working. Then I attempt to make my way to any emails that need an answer RIGHT NOW. It’s hard as I wish I could answer every single email that comes in, but mornings are also my favorite time to write. Usually by 6:30am I’m writing. I lock myself down and work solid until the afternoon. Sometimes there are planned interruptions from phone calls, meetings, or more emails that are on fire.
I usually leave my office around 5:45pm.
Now for this week? This is a DARK RIDE and SUPERMAN week…alongside some other projects…
DARK RIDE: First I’m wrapping up DARK RIDE #5 that I started before the long holiday weekend as well as nailing down some of the bigger scary beats that will happen in #6 to #8. I’ve been writing Dark Ride in 4 issue arcs. Each one with a focus on revealing a part of the larger mystery about the park. Since only #2 is out right now I can’t talk too much about what the 2nd arc will be about as it would give away what happens in #3 and #4. And a lot of messed up stuff happens in those two issues.
Back when I was writing Nailbiter I would plan out each issue inside a notebook, and at the top of each page I would write “Where’s the scary?” and that is also true of Dark Ride. Always keeping my eye on the prize.
If you’ve been enjoying DARK RIDE, I recommend you check out our last series BIRTHRIGHT. It’s a fantasy story about family that ran for 50 issues with the same creative team. As Dark Ride plays with the tropes of horror, this one plays with the tropes of fantasy. You can get vol 1 and start at the beginning for just 14.99 at your comic bookstore.
SUPERMAN: Currently working on the beat sheets for Superman #4 and #5, and scripting #6. I know what happens in all 3 issues, now it’s just a matter of fleshing it out into tighter scripts. Writing the first 8 pages of #6 tomorrow. I’ll finish a tight plot for #4 and #5 by the end of the week, while I also wrap up the #6 script before next Monday. Then in December I’ll write #4. Maybe #5.
One of my goals for this Superman run was to do shorter A-plot “monster of the month” style arcs while building B, C and D subplots. So, the first three issues act as a sort of a “pilot” of the whole run, then issues #4 and #5 stand alone as a two-parter arc. Then #6 to #8 are an arc. Then #9 to #10 are an arc. It’s something I’m playing with but not going to be a RULE. I’ll probably mix it up depending on the story and pacing. And who knows what curveballs or new ideas come my way while we work.
I have a LOT of Superman stories planned, and it’s been a blast to tackle them in this shorter arc format. Allows me to showcase more of Superman’s rogues, his supporting cast and introduce some new elements to the mythology.
Back when I started on Flash I was known as one of the faster writers at DC Comics. (Trust me, all the puns were made.) But over the years I’ve slowed down a bit. Some of that comes from me being harder on myself, some of it is because my family grew, and I spend a lot of valuable time there. But to balance that all out, I plan stories out a lot more on large white boards in my office. By the time SUPERMAN #1 comes out in February, I’ll be fairly far ahead on scripts, which is a great feeling.
BANE: ONE BAD DAY: Going over some lettering drafts for this oversized issue as Howard wraps up the art in the next few weeks. The art is insane. Howard and Tomeu are killing it. The FOC is this upcoming Sunday, so I’ll talk more about this kick-ass issue in a post on Friday. We should have our first interview with a sneak peek at the art later this week as well.
NAILBITER STUFF: Working on the short stories, bringing in some cool guest writers that are new-ish to comic book writing. And we have a couple of cool Nailbiter related projects for later in 2023 that we’re putting together now. Exciting developments. A new Nailbiter short story will be going up soon on this Substack for the paid Nailbiter Fan Club Subscribers.
CREATOR-OWNED WORK: Two weeks ago, I had the first lettered version of a new creator-owned #1 that I’ve been working on for a few years. The artist and I chatted over some notes and now I’m compiling them all so we can get it updated. This #1 won’t be out for a long time but I like the idea of having the #1 done long in advance so I can show it to friends and get some feedback as we continue working on the series. New creator-owned is rolling!
MY HOUSE: Currently my house is being remodeled. It’s a big project on a part of the house we normally don’t use, so it hasn’t been too much of an inconvenience YET. Once it’s completed it will be a part of the house that we’ll use every day. It’s exciting to watch but as I’ve talked about before…it’s LOUD.
SOCIAL MEDIA: This is not really a secret-secret as I’ve said this a few times in different interviews or podcasts over the years. But I have nearly all social media blocked about 90% of my day. Mostly because a long time ago I found it to be way too much of an addictive distraction. (It was not the healthiest place to spend my time.) Back in 2017, I started to schedule all my Twitter posts and then walk away. Shut it down for the day and focus on work. Sometimes I’ve cracked and still used it, but the last two years I’ve been strict. It’s made me more focused, but I’m sometimes out of the loops on what’s happening in or around comics. Last week I was talking to a retailer, and they brought up a recent comic book by a friend of mine and I had no idea what they were talking about. It’s a creator whose work I’ve always bought and enjoyed, and I didn’t know they had a new book out. I was a little embarrassed, but I guess that’s the price I have to pay. I respect the fact that not everyone uses Twitter the same way that I do. For some it has been a tremendous resource and community. I’m happy for them and understand their feeling of loss as it becomes a more toxic place to be. I just always saw it as a marketing tool. Closer to a bulletin board. A place to promote new projects, new art and of course “Final Order Cut-Offs.”
If you’re looking for a more fun social media from me, I recommend following my Instagram: @joshuawilliamson.
I recently joined HIVE as well. @JoshWilliamson
Or y’know…subscribe to this newsletter?
WILDSTORM 30th ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL!
In 1992 Jim Lee changed the course of comics history with the founding of WildStorm Productions, which would revolutionize the business and launch the careers of so many top creators. 30 years later the impact of the imprint, character and creators is felt to this day! In honor of this legacy comes a 100-page giant that pays homage to the past…and looks toward the future! Part of this mammoth special will be reprinting–for the first time in periodical form!– short stories from the acclaimed WildStorm: A Celebration of 25 Years hardcover, including stories by Jim Lee, J. Scott Campbell, Brett Booth, Dustin Nguyen and more…and also included will be new stories featuring WildStorm characters in the DC Core line, charting their future in the DC Universe.
I wrote a short story in this issue with Jonboy Meyers! About Zealot! We crafted the story together and it was a blast. I’m a big fan of WildStorm going back to the start and always wanted to play in that world. Tried many times in the early days of my career and it never worked out. To be included in this anniversary issue was an honor.
Some last pieces before we go.
Currently reading: Cinema Speculation by Quentin Tarantino. It’s Lonely at the Centre of the Earth by Zoe Thorogood. EC archives Tales from the Crypt vol 1. And lots of other comics.
Currently listening to: The Superman Movie score. Tron Legacy Score. I’ve also been in a John Carpenter mood.
GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY HOLIDAY SPECIAL: Loved this. Exactly what I needed this weekend. I hope that the Christmas song at the start of the movie actually charts. Last night I almost bought that cat with laser eyes ugly sweater that I saw Drax wearing.
SECRET GALAXY: It’s a YouTube show that talks about toy action figures and the history of the shows and cartoons they are based on. I love it. I watch every new episode and lately have been going back to the start to watch much older episodes.
WEDNESDAY: The new Netflix show. Only watched the first episode but really enjoyed it.
As I go…Let me ask you this odd question. In my house we treasure the 90’s Addam’s Family movies. LOVE THEM. We watch them every year around Thanksgiving. This last time it led me to a conversation here at the house. Do other people love these movies as much as we do? Do you see them as Cult Classics? Have you even seen them to begin with? I’m talking about the Addam’s Family (1991) and Addam’s family Values (1993).