It's Chip Zdarsky's Newsletter, Okay?

The day is here. The greatest event in comics history is on stands TODAY. That’s right, THE MUPPETS TAKE THE MARVEL UNIVERSE is finally out! As I’ve said before, this was a dream gig. Pure fun from top to bottom. And working with Pete Woods was everything I hoped it would be.

Well, I went to Dragon Con and I had a great time meeting lovely readers and also I caught covid.

Okay, first thing’s first. I’m headed to DRAGON CON in Atlanta this weekend. I’ve heard the stories about Dragon Con, which both terrify and excite me. I’ll be at my table most of the time signing and doing my doodles. But there are also some cool panels that I’ll be a part of. This should be a good time! I finally get to meet JM DeMatteis and will do my best not to fan out as we talk about brooding white guys on gargoyles in the rain.

Sending AVENGERS #1 off to press this week and got this editorial note on the issue which of course made my day Only one??? Anyway, the issue is gorrrrgeous. How fun is it seeing Marco and Matt illustrating these guys again?

I’m back from San Diego and Los Angeles! Comic Con was a dream/nightmare where I met so many cool people that I can’t even really talk about it without sounding like (more of) an asshole?? #chipworldproblems, am I right??? Was genuinely lovely catching up with my comic book industry friends/enemies and I left the show actually excited for the future, which is not my normal state.

As a writer, sometimes you need to do “research” (dicking around on the internet). Weirdly enough I had to do some of that this week about President Richard Nixon. Which, as a Canadian, I know very little about except for the fact that he’s surely not a crook. I was delighted to end up on the official Nixon website to this bold statement, which I wanted to share with you. Do I sense a NIXON28 announcement soon???

Sorry for the BACK-TO-BACK newsletters, but some very important breaking news: I’M GOING TO SAN DIEGO COMIC CON! For three days. I don’t think I’ve been since … 2019?! So, it’s about goddamn time I showed my face!! I’ll be doing a few signings next week, so come on out! I’ll probably be on panels too! Who knows, in this economy!! Besides that, the GLOBE & MAIL interviewed me about Mr. Captain America. Maybe it’s not behind a paywall for you? Maybe you support paid journalism??

Myself and generation-defining comic artist Ryan Stegman got into another one of our famous text debates the other night (he doesn’t believe women actually exist(??)) and I wanted to enshrine this moment forever Honestly I think he was just tricking me into sending him photos of women because his wife has restricted his internet access again? Every picture I’d send he’d just go “nope, try again”. Eventually I sent him a photo of Dame Judi Dench and he went “Okay you’re right”.

So, I just spent a week on the set of SEX CRIMINALS. PRETTY FUN, I GOTTA SAY I obviously can’t say much, except that it’s very wild seeing a lot of people working to bring your book to life. SUPER special shout out to the incredible Nia DaCosta, who is the director of our pilot (and more)! She’s so damned good and wonderful and the show looks absolutely gorgeous. The level of care and love put into this project is unreal, from the hair and makeup to the incredibly charming acting.

The fun part about being a comic book writer is the research. ”Honey, where should we bring the kids on summer vacation?” Thanks, Tripadvisor!! You may have heard the rumblings, the shift in reality, the tingle in the base of your spine, and yes, it’s true. This week is … a TRIPLE CHIPPLE That’s right! I have THREE books out this week! Aren’t you lucky???