Welcome back to Graphically Minded, a publication about writing and storytelling, relating the lessons I’ve learned in a 20-plus-year career as a comic book writer and author.
I write this from the Atlanta airport, waiting to board my flight to Toronto, where I’ll be appearing in a TV show. Yes, you read that right. Not writing it. On camera. Life is weird, isn’t it?
More about that before long. So, what else is new?
ARCA is out July 11
My next graphic novel, ARCA, is out on July 11. The story is fine and all that but boy oh boy you do not want to miss the art by Jesse Lonergan. It’s a sci-fi parable about the lengths the ultra-rich will go to to survive, and thrive, after the world ends.
It’s also a book about using reading—and preventing people from reading—as a source of control. Which, unfortunately, is topical right now with several states enacting book bans.
A word on that: My belief is that it is important to put thought into appropriateness of certain materials for certain ages. But I don’t think that’s what is at play here. I think that the people enacting these bans want certain information to be vanished. And I find that reprehensible. I have kids. When they were young, we explained to them the range of sexuality and gender, and they said, “OK.” As they’ve grown older, they’ve made friends with two dads, or two moms, or had classmates who identify as they/them. The only way that this has impacted our kids is that they have an understanding of other people. And if that frightens you, I think you should consider examining yourself, rather than vilifying others.
Anyway, I think ARCA is great, and also some other folks do as well.
I’m jealous of ARCA in countless ways. It features spellbinding art by perhaps the most exciting new cartoonist in comics, Jesse Lonergan. Together with Van Jensen, they use the space opera to tell a story about class conflict as classic as it is relevant—the struggle of the young and hungry vs. the old and rich to make a better world. Pornsak Pichetshote, writer of The Good Asian, Infidel and The Dead Boy Detectives
An instantly gripping tale of preserving humanity in every sense. Daniel Kibblesmith, writer of Loki, Princess Dinosaur and Netflix’s Inside Job
ARCA is freaking amazing. I could not put it down. Easily one of the best comics I've read years. Chris Brennaman, owner Infinite Realities Comics & Games
With ARCA, Jensen and Lonergan have created a powerful and memorable post-apocalyptic thriller presented through the eyes of an unforgettable protagonist in Persephone. A haunting potential future that will keep you glued to the page. Alex Segura, bestselling author of SECRET IDENTITY
If you’re inclined to pre-order, you can ask for a copy at your local comics shop or bookstore, or order from any online bookseller. (I recommend Bookshop.org)
Appearances
I’m doing some conventions and signings this year! Might add one or two more, but for now:
April 14-15 — SC Comicon — Greenville, S.C. *must own a time machine
June 16-18 — HeroesCon — Charlotte, N.C.
June 22-27 — ALA Annual Conference — Chicago
July 15 — ARCA signing at Infinite Realities & Games — Atlanta
July 19-23 — San Diego Comic Con — San Diego
Aug. 31-Sept. 4 — Dragon Con — Atlanta
Oct. 12-15 — New York Comic Con — New York
Stardust Anthology
I’m editing an anthology of stories featuring Stardust the Super Wizard, the mad 1930s creation of Fletcher Hanks. It’s going to be special. A smaller number of larger stories featuring some of the top creators in comics, including…
Francesco Francavilla, Mike Allred, Ian Hanks (Fletcher Hanks’ grandson), Jesse Lonergan, Pete Woods, Jeff Parker, Tom Fowler, Ron Marz, Tom Raney, Robert Wilson IV, James Asmus, Tony Gregori, Jordan Clark, Cecil Castellucci, Ron Salas, Lonnie Nadler, Dennis Menheere, Darcy Van Poelgeest, Jeffrey Alan Love, Scott Morse, Marc Andreyko, Joshua Cotter, Zander Cannon, Derf Backderf, Shaenon K. Garrity *inhales deeply* and many more.
The book will be published with Zoop, a crowdfunding platform for comics. You can sign up right here to receive notifications when it becomes available to pre-order.
That’s all for now
I hope that wherever you are, you’re having a nice start to May. As always, I appreciate you reading.
If you’d like to learn more about me and my writing, please visit vanjensen.com. You can like and comment on the post below! Till next time…
So glad to hear that Star Dust the comics is coming. That puts a smile on my face.