Hey again!

I don’t have much to say in terms of intro so I won’t take too much of your time.

One thing I forgot to mention the last time we spoke was that I wrote reviews for some of the books I told you about. They are all on my Goodreads page but I’ll leave them here in case you are interested: Candle Horror and Obsessions of the Unseen by Robert Weaver, You Can’t Take It With You by Marcus Hawke.

I also made a review for the comic Freddie the Fix, you can read the review here but I also talk a bit about the title and the imprint it is a part of later in this newsletter.

That out of the way, let’s go on to what really matters!

This week I didn’t get much done when it comes to writing.

I wrote a bit for a project I don’t really have a name for yet, or even a placeholder name like I usually have while in the WIP phase. This project derives from some personal experiences and a story that my sister, cousins, and I used to tell. I don’t really know how this will turn out but I’m enjoying writing it and thinking about those times. It’s the first time I wrote the last part of the story first. It’s not the ending of it but an epilogue of sorts.

Project: Comic is well underway and I already told you a bit about it but I want to share some more with you. If you remember I told you the book would be made up of three stories. Of those, two are already done and I already got some artwork for the third one. And so, I think it’s more than time to introduce you to the artist who’s making my scripts look good.

It’s my pleasure to present to you, Mr. Damian Connelly! Damian is a writer and artist from Argentina with plenty of work published - be it his own stories or cover work for other titles. I first came into contact with his work through “Blood, Love, Ghosts and a Deadly Spell” and I was hooked quickly. From there to “You Promise Me Darkness” and “Follow Me Into Darkness” (both previous works) the jump was easy and after that, the hold was in place.

When I asked him if I could show him a script the idea of him being the artist wasn’t even on the table for me if I’m being honest. When I did propose for him to draw it the idea was just for an 8-page mini-comic, a story I could share and say that I had written it (maybe showcase it to some publisher?). It quickly turned into the book that it is now, mostly with me sending the other two scripts and asking him if he was interested in doing a bigger book.

Now, if you have been following this newsletter you know how I feel about Damian’s work so I won’t go into this more than I already did. But I can’t stress enough how it is a dream to be working with one of the artists I most admire.

And now what you all were waiting for, some artwork for the book:

Also, I asked Damian to say a few words and this was what he replied:

"Working with Miguel is quite easy and comforting, he knows perfectly well what stories I like to tell and we have a similar taste in narrative. I hope we continue making many stories together."

This makes me even happier.

At the moment I’m reading “Feed the Sky” by Wesley Winters, which the author gently sent me and I’m loving it. It’s a strange and different work than the previous ones I had read from him but I am having too much fun with it and I can’t wait to see it published. Unfortunately, I don’t have the book cover available to share with you. I was supposed to have finished it already but I got a bit distracted and but I’m back on track again. As soon as I finish it I will tell you all about it.

As I’m mostly up to date with the comics I’m reading I decided to do something different this time and talk about a line of comics that really caught my attention and that I love to read.

The Ghost Machine line from Image Comics has been making waves with its fresh, exciting stories and amazing art. Created by some of the biggest names in comics, including Geoff Johns, Gary Frank, and Bryan Hitch, this line brings together top-tier talent to deliver unforgettable stories. There are four different subgroups inside the bigger Ghost Machine line each following different kinds of stories and themes.

Arguably the flagship title of the Ghost Machine line, Geiger is a post-apocalyptic epic centered on a man transformed by nuclear fallout into a glowing figure of myth and legend. The series masterfully combines elements of survival, heroism, and tragedy, all underscored by a rich narrative and stunning visuals. It’s a must-read for fans of dystopian tales with a heart.

Set against the backdrop of the American Revolutionary War, Redcoat mixes history with supernatural intrigue. The story’s blend of historical fiction and a little bit of horror creates a haunting atmosphere, making it an exceptional read for those who love comics with a darker edge.

Both Geiger and Redcoat are part of The Unnamed, a shared universe that features unique heroes throughout America's history and future, all connected by the overarching narrative of the "Unknown War."

Rook Exodus takes readers on a sci-fi adventure filled with breathtaking landscapes and complex characters. The series shines in its world-building, introducing readers to a galaxy teetering on the brink of chaos. It’s a fantastic choice for anyone craving a space opera with emotional depth. Also, this characters feel so well-designed they’d translate beautifully into action figures.

If psychological horror is your thing, you’ve got to check out Hyde Street. It’s creepy, mysterious, and full of twists that stick with you long after you finish reading. The story follows a group of characters trying to unravel the secrets of an old, haunted street to where they were pulled and the only chance to escape is to collect souls for a mysterious character. Themes of guilt, memory, and fear are explored in deeply unsettling ways, creating an atmosphere that feels both intimate and terrifying. The art adds to the tension, with dark, shadowy visuals that perfectly match the eerie tone of the narrative.

While Rocketfellers offers an intriguing concept, blending retro-futuristic aesthetics with family drama, mixing it with time travel and adventure. To be honest, it didn’t quite capture my interest as much as the other titles but, it might resonate with readers who enjoy a lighter, more whimsical approach to storytelling. Rocketfellers is part of the Family Odysseys subgroup, along with Hornsby & Halo the only Ghost Machine title I haven’t picked up.

If you are looking for something new and different to read you’ll probably find something here for you.

Another comic I read in the last weeks was Freddie the Fix, by Image Comics under their creator-owned, horror-focused imprint Ninth Circle. In the ever-evolving landscape of horror comics, Freddie the Fix stands out as a compelling new addition to the genre, in a one-shot comic that takes readers into the gritty underbelly of Hollywood, but with a supernatural twist.

Written by the legendary Garth Ennis, it introduces us to its titular character, Freddie, a fixer for supernatural beings in a city that thrives on scandal and secrecy. From werewolves and vampires to zombies and aliens, Freddie is the man who cleans up the messes left behind by the occult and the monstrous, dealing with a world far darker than we could ever imagine.

Illustrated by Mike Perkins, the comic brings these chilling creatures to life in a way that will leave you on the edge of your seat. The blend of Ennis’s sharp writing and Perkins’s atmospheric artwork provides a perfect balance of dark humor and gothic tension.

What for me makes Freddie the Fix even more interesting is it being part imprint. Launched as a platform for independent creators to tell standalone horror stories, Ninth Circle promises to deliver tales that push the boundaries of the genre. Freddie the Fix is the imprint’s inaugural release, setting the tone for more stories steeped in horror, suspense, and pure mayhem. And I wouldn’t be surprised if the stories they are bringing our way will haunt our dreams for a long time.

I’ve been watching some anime, mostly Solo Leveling (up to date with the second season) and Jujutsu Kaisen. This last one surprised me as I was expecting something quite different. I’m really enjoying it and although it also has some silly moments it is, at times, deeper than I imagined.

And then I watched this… and I was destroyed.

The Remarkable Life of Ibelin is a documentary about a young man with Duchenne muscular dystrophy and how he managed to live with a disease that limited him physically in the real world through a character on an online game until is death. It’s powerful and will make you question a lot of things in your own life. I strongly recommend you watch it but be prepared.

So this is it.

I hope you enjoyed the newsletter and I hope to hear from you soon.

If you have any questions about the comic I’m doing with Damian, or about any other thing don’t hesitate to contact me. Flood the comment section with questions you want to see answered and I’ll be happy to respond in the next Spilled Ink.

Until then, let the ink of nightmares flow.

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